Johnny's Plant Build

JohnnyD44

JANUARY 9, 2010

So after much help from Byron, Angel and WisFish....I've decided to enter the realm on live planted tanks....this weekend was the first steps towards achieving that goal...I plan on keeping this post running and keeping it updated as I continue my adventure....

I was advised to switch out my stark white gravel.....here is a before shot:



MY LIGHTING:
After much research, I wound up @ Lowes and picked up a shop light for $12.99, my main concern is that the bulbs will sit directly on the glass lids...

so I built a 'riser' for the light to sit on and keep it off the glass, and painted it black....





So after about 4 hours worth of work...here's the final product:






I'm obsessed with the new look!!!! I think it really adds a much much more natural look, espically once some live plants come into play

oh, and this is sparky the diamond tetra!!



I kept all the old fake plants until i can get back to the LFS to pick up my plants after I decide which ones I want. After sitting back and looking at it some more...i've decided i'm not crazy about the orange rock and that one red plant, but I got nothing else to do with them until I get new plants which is in there right now...I'm keeping my eye out for a piece of driftwood....thats about all for now.....Thanks for checking it out!

Any and all advice is welcome!!!

aunt kymmie

Your tank looks great. Looking forward to seeing it with live plants! I did like it as your "Artic" set up, but I know I'm going to like this planted version better.

I thought the wife was getting you a nice piece of driftwood for Christmas??

Angel079

BIGGG difference there just on the overall look between the gravels - Wonderful, glad to see you changed it. And the fish will love you for it too, much more natural for them.

Few more good sized live plant and that tank will look sooooooo excellent, very nice. I really like the way you're going with this

Angel079

Lil FYI on a side note: Once you do go planted/ start planting. Take out the bubble wand there, that'll only drive out your CO2 and that will not be good for the plants health

stephanieleah

Wooooow, big difference. Looks great! And that sparkly Sparky looks so much like my albino black skirt tetras that I want to get a couple for my tank! Thanks for the pics, and the fishy inspiration!

Pep

Big difference is right. So much easier on the eyes. Now the fish and the new plants will jump out at you instead of the "bright" gravel. Nicely done.

JohnnyD44

Thanks for all the compliments guys...I love it!!!

Kymmie - She told me she was going to...but she didn't want my tank to turn brown...I'm going to see what the LFS has....they some pretty sweet Malaysian Driftwood..i got another gift certificate for my birthday....so we'll see how that goes.....and just try and boil the heck outta it!!

Angel - Yeah I know thats gotta get outta there....thanks!

Thanks y'all!!! I might be going to the LFS again tonight......it just happens to be right acorss from the market and we need food! lol

Mean Harri

Looks good bro. I have to tell you when I saw the pic of that orange rock my chin dropped. My brother used to have a tank decades ago with the exact same rock. Exact same.

Good luck with the live plant build.

Angel079

If you boil the DW 3-4 times over & over with fresh water, it won't stain your tank set up (thou dep on fish, some actually really enjoy the hint of brownish water and it makes their colors really stick out- Like many Tetras or Killi)

MoneyMitch

off to a great start looking forward to the final product.