My fist attempt at a planted RCS tank

[BeachBum2012]

Well, I got bored waiting for my stuff to come in the mail. Most should be here tomorrow and the rest early next week. In the mean time I came up with a few other projects to work on.

First was building a slate cave for the tank. I figured it would provide extra cover, look neat and give me a second tier on which to plant.

Building my slate cave

Finished cave in the tank

I have also seen quite a few nice images of a moss covered back wall so I decided to make a mesh for the back so I can give it a try. I may let the tank get settled prior to actually giving it a shot but I figured it wouldn't hurt to get an early start on it.

Building the mesh wall

Folded over in two to hold the moss in between.

Close up of the cave and mesh in the tank.

This is turning into quite a fun little project... if only the mail got here faster!

 

[BeachBum2012]

Well, I've got sand, wood and a few more rocks in:

There is still a lot of bubble on the glass. Anyone know how to get rid of them? I also need to make a sponge for the filter intake and this photo doesn't do the cave justice. It looks much better in person. Now I just need my new light and a new heater. My old one broke on me. Then its time for plants and to get the cycle started. I can't wait!

 

[BeachBum2012]

So... after a couple of disastrous months I've finally got things rolling. Thanks to Mgamer for hooking me up with some plant. Its too bad you weren't there when I came by. I'd have love to pick your brain and/or seen your tanks.

I'm not quite sure if I've planted them right but I like the way it looks. I'm not quite sure what some of the plants are either.

Anyhow, here's a pic. What do you think?

 

[BeachBum2012]

I've got another question. I dosed with ammonia to 4ppm yesterday afternoon after planting and putting in one of mgamer's cycled sponges. Prior to that I'd had the tank running for a few days with some of the gravel from my other tank in a net at the bottom. Ammonia was dropping but not gone when I put in the sponge yesterday. Today I get a 0 reading for Ammonia, Nitrate and Nitrite. Is it normal for it to work that fast?

 

[Jnam]

If it is a cycled sponge then yes. try dosing and testing again just to be safe. IMO

 

[BeachBum2012]

If it is a cycled sponge then yes. try dosing and testing again just to be safe. IMO

It was a cycled sponge. I'll try again just to make sure. If it works that I guess I had a just about instant cycle. Cool

 

[Jnam]

Keep running the sponge you cycle is basically in it... if that makes sense at all. It will take a few weeks for the bacteria to take hold in you tanks substrate and other surfaces.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Keep running the sponge you cycle is basically in it... if that makes sense at all. It will take a few weeks for the bacteria to take hold in you tanks substrate and other surfaces.

It makes sense but I was still expecting it to take longer.

How long do you thing I should continue to dose ammonia and check before adding fish or shrimp? The ultimate goal is for tetras and Cherry Shrimp.

 

[mgamer20o0]

So... after a couple of disastrous months I've finally got things rolling. Thanks to Mgamer for hooking me up with some plant. Its too bad you weren't there when I came by. I'd have love to pick your brain and/or seen your tanks.

I'm not quite sure if I've planted them right but I like the way it looks. I'm not quite sure what some of the plants are either.

Anyhow, here's a pic. What do you think?

shoot me a pm with any questions lol i went out to lunch and it took longer then i thought. only missed you by a couple mins.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Well, I've got some updates. I'm all planted (for now) and have 16 Cardinal Tetras swimming around. Picked up ten little guys from mgamer and a friend gave me 6 adults. They've got a nice little school going. Then tend to hangout in the back corner behind the driftwood a lot but are now coming out and going crazy at feeding time. I'm guessing they're still getting used to their new home.

Parameters have all been perfect for the last week. I figure I'll let it run and monitor for the next week or two before picking up some shrimp for their new home.

Well, enough of that... here are some photos:

FTS I thing I've got it looking better than before.

Tetras hanging out behind the driftwood.

Tetras hanging out in the cave.

One more FTS.

So... What does everyone think? Ideas, praise, criticism... anything is welcome.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Haven't heard from anyone about my last post yet, but I have a few questions if you all don't mind.

First, what would be the best way to add firts to the tank? Which plants would benefit from root tabs so that I have a better idea of where to place them? I'm guessing the stem plants but I just want to be sure. I'm also looking to pick up some liquid Flourish. Good idea? Not so much?

Second, I've just noticed today what appears to be staghorn algae. First thought was to reduce the light a bit, get started on firts and perhaps dose with Flourish Excel. Any other ideas? I want to add my RCS in the near future and don't want to do anything that would be harmful to them.

Last, what do you think of the scape? Anything that looks like it needs modification? I think I'm going to pull the dwarf onion out as I read today that it shouldn't be fully submerged. Other than that I'm open to suggestions.

Thanks

 

[dkpate]

Holy toledo! How much sand do you have in that back corner lol? I think it looks pretty good though. I love black sand.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Holy toledo! How much sand do you have in that back corner lol? I think it looks pretty good though. I love black sand.

Its not really that much. Most of that area is made up of slate with the diy cave. Just the area behind it is sand. I'd guess 3 to 4 inches deep. I liked the idea of having the different planting levels.

Thanks by the way.

 

[dkpate]

Oh ok! Will the plants grow in more? It will look SUPER nice then!

 

[BeachBum2012]

Oh ok! Will the plants grow in more? It will look SUPER nice then!

I sure hope so. This is my first planted tank so I'm on a learning curve. I have noticed more than an inch of growth in a couple of the plants and some new sprouts on others in the week or so that I've had them so I'd say thats a good sign.

 

[BeachBum2012]

Update!

Quick update. A lot has changed in the last few weeks.

Added some new plants and let things grow out a bit. Everything seems to be growing quite well. I added RCS a couple of weeks ago and the seem to be loving their new home as well. Half a dozen or so are saddled now. I'm really enjoying my setup so far.

Now on to the pics

FTS

Shrimp hanging out in the Red Ludwigia

This is Larry (I named my 3 otos Larry, Curly and Moe, not that I can tell them apart)

Another shrimp cruising by.

A few of the Cardinal Tetras

Mom to be.

Hope you guys like it

 

[mfdrookie516]

tank looks great my wife decided to name our platy fry fred... all of them. That way, no matter which one you point to, its name is fred lol

 

[BeachBum2012]

tank looks great my wife decided to name our platy fry fred... all of them. That way, no matter which one you point to, its name is fred lol

That's ok. My girlfriend wanted to name the tetras. I think she's going to name them after the 7 dwarfs and call the last one snow white.

I've also got a big Flowerhorn named Steve

 

[dkpate]

Nice tank! Good job!

 

[BeachBum2012]

Nice tank! Good job!

Thanks