antwan Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Hey everyone, been 3 years without one but I'm finally getting a fish tank set up around December. I'm just going to limit myself to the one but would like to make a nice planted tank out of it. The tank will be 60cm x 50h x 45 and will have a 150W halide over it. Now, my questions are; Is Microsorum pteropus 'Philippine' easy to source (and how much will I be looking at paying for a fist sized bunch), and will this be okay under the halide or will I need to have it under some shade? Also, I am on the lookout for a nice piece of driftwood, something along the lines of this: Basically I'm going to have the driftwood with the fern in the middle with a carpet of hairgrass in the front with maybe some aponogeton's in the background or red barclaya. I'm not fully sure about the types of fish I will have yet, but most probably some otto's, a few mid-depth schooler's and definitely a pair of apisto's or blue rams for the bottom. Oh and can't forget the bristlenoses . So, if people have any of the above for sale in around a month and a half's time I will be very keen. With the apisto's I would really love to be reunited with some bitaeniata but other types I would also like are inca's, very colourful cockatoos, basically any with really colourful males. Pretty sure that's all I was going to ask, but when things get a bit of momentum I shall start posting some photo's of the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlos & Siran Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 welcome mate. That driftwood looks sooo cool, is that from an old set up of yours or off the net? Alan is the man to talk to about your plant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 I have never grown plants under metal halides so can't help much there I am afraid. There are people here who have, or American sites like plantgeek might help as they are more into intense light over there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supasi Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Welcome back Ant. West coast is an awesome place to find driftwood. Especially in the weeks after a big storm. Go the apistos. I got Agasizzii, Cockatoos, Steelblues at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamH Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Good choice going planted I reckon. I've only been in the hobby for a nearly two years now so I can't say if it was different three years ago really. What's helped me is looking through tank journals, galleries and aquascaping contest entries. There are some really wicked planted tanks out there but I can't say I've seen many with MHs. I've got a hairgrass tank up at the moment, almost got it fully covered now. Only running one 6500k 23w CFL energy saver and DIY CO2. I too have been looking out for driftwood like that, the closest I've come is some stuff on the rocky Napier beach and it smells funny. :-? Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted November 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Nah that driftwood wasn't mine, wish it was though. It's just from the net. Thanks Simon Hmm west coast is a bit of a travel but I may be able to get some friends to go searching for me, hopefully. Yes I love my apistos always have. Are you breeding any of your apisto's? If so, got any photos of the parents as I could be keen later on down the track. Yea Sam I love planted tanks, I miss my old one so much, that had a halide on it and it looked awesome, the plants loved it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer Posted November 1, 2009 Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Wow, awesome idea. I reckon that will look fantastic. 8) I was just camping in Greymouth last week and there was some great driftwood there, lots like that pic you posted and some with great holes in it like cactus wood (if you have ever seen that, it is very cool). Only about 3.5 hours from here to there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antwan Posted November 1, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 1, 2009 Good to be back Mystic ooh I have a few friends that go to and from Hokitika often so may have to call in a few favours Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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