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Johnny's Plant Build

29K views 303 replies 18 participants last post by  Pep 
#1 ·
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!!!! :-D:-D 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!!!
 
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#2 ·
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?? :hmm:
 
#3 ·
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 :)
 
#4 ·
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 :)
 
#7 ·
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
 
#9 ·
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) :)
 
#11 ·
January 13, 2010

So today I spent enough time getting this whole thing set-up....I usually test my water every Monday and Thursday...I did today, and to be honest, I was shocked at my results, I thought for sure that there would be something out of whack. With a 100% water change, all new gravel.....

Nitrite - 0
Ph - 7.4
Ammonia - 0
Nitrate - 10ppm


I am really happy that my tank is going better than I had hoped for....

I've been to my LFS and Walmart...no luck on the lights so far, I plan on buying the lights this weekend and picking up some plants also!! gotta see what the LFS has.....

I also ordered some great driftwood from Amazon.com of all places. haha I ordered 3 'medium' pieces which range from 12-17" I'll post some pictures when they come.

Thanks for reading my update! :p
 
#13 ·
this weekend Mr. Denim! haha

Last weekend was the first step in getting rid of my stark white tank and making sure everybody survived the move and my water stayed in check!
 
#14 ·
***update***

So....for those of you who missed my renovation pic on the other thread...I have completly revamped my aquarium and added my new driftwood and re aqua-scaped.....i just finished ordering my plants from sweetaquatics.com....I was stalled a little bit in the process(my grandma passed :-(). But i'm back on track and cannot wait to get my plants in!!

This is what the original tank looked like.....it was great at first....but I got sick of the brightness and I learned my fish didn't appreciate it also....here's the 'before':



Over the past few weeks, i've slowly swapped out the gravel, to avoid a mini cycle....here's a pic before there was any extras added....the huge rock was something I picked up over christmas...



I decided i didn't like to look of the darker blue background and switched it back to black...I also ordered some driftwood....I fell in love with three pieces I got....2 tall ones and 1 'humped' shaped piece for the middle..here's the first one that was added...I also added my new dual lighting unit i got in a few days ago....



Next came the middle piece....



Then the other 'tower piece'...



So the whole new tank looks like this....




And here's a picture of my new favorite fish...my kribensis!! I've never had a fish photograph better than this guy.....



All and all, i've never been more exicted about a tank....here's the total before and after shot....

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Thanks everyone for checking out my update, I'll be sure to put up some pics once my plants arrive!

Johnny
 
#17 ·
I love the after set up...the before would be too bright for me watching it w/out wearing shades :)
 
#18 ·
That is certianly very nice, well done indeed Johnny. What a difference, and for the fish too.

Byron.
 
#20 ·
YAYYYY thumbs up on the plants :) Can't wait to see update pictures :)
 
#21 ·
***update 2/16/10***

Hey All!

I decided it was time for a build update! I had recently posted that I was right in the midst of ordering my plants, and I had my cart saved and as soon as I went to check out....80% of the plants I was going to order were out of stock!!! i blame Eric!!!! he got a shipment right after they went out of stock!!! :p (gives angry fist shake to E.) haha

So, again plants will have to wait...ugh!!!!

But I do have some good news!! My new canister filter came in and I'm very excited to get it all hooked up! FedEx delivered it to my neighbor!! I have also been working on new cabinet doors to put on the front of my stand! The wifey says the filter has to be hidden....which works well for me because then I can store all of my stuff in there!!!

Pictures on filter and my new doors will be coming soon!!!

I really just want plants to be in this thing already!! I aprpeciate everyone helping out with getting me to where i'm going to be! Once the plants are in I hope to keep this thread going and gather some input along the way!!

Pics tonight I hope!
 
#25 ·
Awww I can't wait to see how all this is turning out I'm happy for ya :)
 
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#26 ·
I have been in correspondence with Mary @ Sweet Aquatics...I've finalized my plant order and I'll be placing the order tomorrow....I'm so excited for these things to finally get here!!!

here's the finalized list....

3 – Amazon Swords
6 – Vallisneria Spiralis ‘Leopard’
4 – Ludwiga Natans --
4 – Rotala Indica
6 or 8 –Narrow Leaf Chain Sword
2- Walkeri

3/4 - Pennyworts


any thoughts?


I also got the canister filter assembled tonight, it's not running, I ran outta time...
Doors are painted, just need to add hinges and put on door knobs...


I was moving to get this all done, but I ran outta time...I had to pack for the weekend....heading back home to celebrate my bro's 21st birthday!!!
 
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