dbbyjc1
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Hi All!
I am new to the site, so please forgive my long winded phrasing! I dont know all the short cuts (abv.) yet.
So I finally got my new 38g Planted tank up and running. This is also my first planted tank so I am very excited! And I have pictures of the steps so far. Cause I know you all love the Pic's...
Equipment:
38g tank - 36"L x 12"W x 19"H
Eheim 2236 Filter - (for up to 90g tank, already primed with benefical bacteria. Its been hooked up to my 15g for 1 month and for 9mths on another aquarium. Good to go there!)
Heater - Eheim
96W 6700K Compact Light Strip
1in. Gravel from Local Farmers Co-op. - about 10lbs.
Carib Sea Instant Aquarium (Rio Grande) 20lbs.
Flora Max Original 2x 15lb bags
Driftwood - 3pcs.
Plants (so far):
Java Moss 3" x 4" (need lots more)
Star Moss 2" x 2"
Marimo Balls: (1) 3" large, (5) 1" small
Java Ferns - 4
Anubia Nana - 4
Crypt Wenditii - 4
Crypt Bekettii -4
So, the first thing I did was got my filter and tank. Then I purchased my driftwood (DW) and began the boil and soak regimin. That has been about 3 weeks now.
In the mean time. I ordered my Rio Grande & Flora Max gravels from Dr. Foster's on the internet. By the way, It saved me over $70! My LFS was charging $16.98 for a 10lb bag and I got it from Dr. Foster's for $19.99 for 20lbs. & Flora Max $17.99 for 15lbs. plus Free Shipping! The 1" Gravel was $3.00 for a 50lb bag instead of $3.98 per lb. at my LFS. The worst part was the wait! Lol
I wanted to build up the corners, without using so much of the expensive stuff, so I bought the 1" gravel for that. I am a little concerned about the gas that may build up, so I will Poke it with a stick just in case! Any opinions about that would be nice!
Then I Pre-washed the Flora Max, man was it dirty! I used Half the Flora Max to build up my corners and back wall. I then cut a milk jug in oblong pieces to shore up my hills so when I added my water they didn't fall to the front. I got the idea from an ADA Aqua Scape video. I dont know what they paid for their fancy plastic, but mine had to be less!
Then I mixed the other half of Flora Max with my Rio-Grande Gravel and finished building my hills and leveling the front.
I have added my tap water plus rocks and DW. It looks great so far, IMO! I plan to add my plants later tonight and hopefully my fish tomarrow!
Im not real sure about adding the pics, but I did the best I could! Sorry if they look bad.
I will update this thread later with new additions!
I am new to the site, so please forgive my long winded phrasing! I dont know all the short cuts (abv.) yet.
So I finally got my new 38g Planted tank up and running. This is also my first planted tank so I am very excited! And I have pictures of the steps so far. Cause I know you all love the Pic's...
Equipment:
38g tank - 36"L x 12"W x 19"H
Eheim 2236 Filter - (for up to 90g tank, already primed with benefical bacteria. Its been hooked up to my 15g for 1 month and for 9mths on another aquarium. Good to go there!)
Heater - Eheim
96W 6700K Compact Light Strip
1in. Gravel from Local Farmers Co-op. - about 10lbs.
Carib Sea Instant Aquarium (Rio Grande) 20lbs.
Flora Max Original 2x 15lb bags
Driftwood - 3pcs.
Plants (so far):
Java Moss 3" x 4" (need lots more)
Star Moss 2" x 2"
Marimo Balls: (1) 3" large, (5) 1" small
Java Ferns - 4
Anubia Nana - 4
Crypt Wenditii - 4
Crypt Bekettii -4
So, the first thing I did was got my filter and tank. Then I purchased my driftwood (DW) and began the boil and soak regimin. That has been about 3 weeks now.
In the mean time. I ordered my Rio Grande & Flora Max gravels from Dr. Foster's on the internet. By the way, It saved me over $70! My LFS was charging $16.98 for a 10lb bag and I got it from Dr. Foster's for $19.99 for 20lbs. & Flora Max $17.99 for 15lbs. plus Free Shipping! The 1" Gravel was $3.00 for a 50lb bag instead of $3.98 per lb. at my LFS. The worst part was the wait! Lol
I wanted to build up the corners, without using so much of the expensive stuff, so I bought the 1" gravel for that. I am a little concerned about the gas that may build up, so I will Poke it with a stick just in case! Any opinions about that would be nice!
Then I Pre-washed the Flora Max, man was it dirty! I used Half the Flora Max to build up my corners and back wall. I then cut a milk jug in oblong pieces to shore up my hills so when I added my water they didn't fall to the front. I got the idea from an ADA Aqua Scape video. I dont know what they paid for their fancy plastic, but mine had to be less!
Then I mixed the other half of Flora Max with my Rio-Grande Gravel and finished building my hills and leveling the front.
I have added my tap water plus rocks and DW. It looks great so far, IMO! I plan to add my plants later tonight and hopefully my fish tomarrow!
Im not real sure about adding the pics, but I did the best I could! Sorry if they look bad.
I will update this thread later with new additions!