Changing my tank around completely

[editkid]

BAMBOO WARNING:

The bamboo started getting moldy at the top, where it sticks out of the water. So I've removed it altogether! It was a good test, but I don't want to get mold in the tank, right?

[SpidersWeb]

If anyone asks, its a special mountain moss.

[jn]

I though I read somewhere a while back that there something that needs doing to bamboo to cure it before using it in tanks.. maybe something on the net.

I have seen bamboo used for breeding caves so it CAN be done...

you just have to work it out (cuz it looked great!)

[jn]

http://dev.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/p ... cle_id=147

[editkid]

Nice one! Yes, I got foam on the water and brewery smells, too, as is mentioned in that article.

[editkid]

Here are the photos of my attempted 180 L tank design. It never got finished due to two reasons:

a) Half way through the first attempt glass cleaner got accidentally sprayed onto the inside of the tank. This meant starting over, with new gravel.

b) After the second attempt, in which I used sand, everything looked really bad. And it became clear that I took the hobby a bit too far for the missus, and I agreed to take the tank down and stick to my old 100 L one.

Still think a few useful things were tried and I took photos, so here goes:

1. I started by making some preliminary rock formations outside, without my tank. As you can see I used masking tape to define the major areas of the design. This worked okay, but it lacked the height of the gravel underneath. I don't think I'll use this method again.

2. The tank with black backing, before anything was added.

3. Using cardboard and tape I made sections in the tank in order to use two types of gravel.

4. First I made a layer of aquarium peat, about 1cm high, in the areas where I wanted to grow plants.

5. Then gravel was thoroughly washed and I found this jute bag extremely handy, so here's a pic:

6. In goes the gravel.

7. I finished the rock layout inside the tank and added the driftwood. This was way easier than doing it outside of the tank, as the height of the gravel and tank walls really need to be there.

8. Time for the bamboo and the hoses, bamboo which I later decided not to use because it became really moldy where it was sticking out of the water. This apparently is normal. But for those interested, some pics:

9. Now I started tying Java Moss to small rocks to put on the dividing line between the two types of gravel and in between the larger rocks. At this point in time glass cleaner was sprayed into the tank accidentally. So this whole design was taken apart, new gravel and sand was bought and I tried again. But this last design failed, because the sand sank when water was added and made the water really cloudy. So it resulted in this:

10. At this point, in accordance with the missus, I dismantled the tank. It was too big for our space, and now it looked completely bad. It's all good practise though 8)

11. I redesigned my old 100L tank. Took the driftwood out, used stones, added plants. Balance had returned to our living room once more. The end.

[tHEcONCH]

What did you do with the Corona?

[editkid]

You don't want to know.

[Caper]

Gee, was looking good. The gravel you had put in was it 2 different kinds or just 2 different colors? I really like the way you had it placed in the tank.

Caper

[editkid]

One was a small white pebble, the other was a larger dark pebble. So yeah, two different types from the same brand. The dark one was "Bright Water" and the light was "Glacier" or some such. From Animates pet shop.

I liked it too he he. One day I'll try again, when we move house most likely!

[Caper]

Do try...not that your current tank is beautiful...but I really liked where you were going with the other. Oh my gosh the way that read, I mean you other tank IS BEAUTIFUL!!!!

Caper

[editkid]

Oh yeah, don't worry. I look forward to the day. I'll take it a lot slower and make sure it's absolutely right that time (if there is such a thing!).

I've also been looking at buying those Aqua Design Amano substrate products, but they're quite expensive. Aquariumproductswholesale.com were prepared to ship some to NZ from Ozzie, but for about $200 worth of substrate (!!) it'd be another $100 to ship it here. In the end, their products are seemingly awesome. So when the day comes to set up that tank I might reconsider and get their specials sands etc.

[editkid]

In fact, I wonder if anyone has any experience with those ADA products. They're all really expensive. I'll start a new topic under "Technical" 8)

[Cheesejawa]

WOW were did you get the cool rocks i want some, so much better looking than river stones

[editkid]

South coast beach in Wellington, around Red Rocks. Took a chisel and a hammer and collected a few pieces.

They're fine in the tank, too. No change in water conditions, although the tops of the rocks are now covered in green algae.

[OscarBoy]

thats awsome