Thinning the herd, July 2012

Well, for the first time I MASSIVELY trimmed back the planted tank.  Obviously, I got the lighting and CO2 correct because the plants are growing like crazy!  It reached the point where very little light was actually getting into the tank, so I cut back some of the stuff I didn't like.   I think it looks fantastic.

Fish in the planted tank

The tank at 2 months

I'm no expert, but I think I got the lighting and CO2 setup correctly :)

Discus Discus Discus

I took advantage of Exotic Aquatics anniversary sale today and bought 3 discus for the planted tank.

Fish and driftwood

The tank now has 15 neon tetras, a handful of tiger tetras and a pair of gourami.  I also added a "centerpiece" chunk of driftwood I bought online.   I think its going to look fantastic once the plants have a chance to fill in and hide the return pipe.

CO2 Installation

It took multiple trips to Lowes, but I got the CO2 system set up finally.

More plants

I ordered a "mega aquarium plant pack" from Live Aquaria.  I got one for my size tank (75g).   Good Lord! I should have bought half that.  It came with a ton of plants.

Micro swords, Amazon Swords, Java Fern, Ludwigia, Chainsword, Anubias, Rotala Indica, Chilensis, balansae, Cryptocorne, Moneywort, Wisteria, Ozelot Sword, Myrio (Green).


The Chilensis was a BITCH to plant. It wanted to float!!!  Everything else was manageable, though I'm sure I put them all in the "wrong" spots.  

I pulled all the rock out.  It was creating too much dust and clouding the tank.   I've got one more "centerpiece" of driftwood on order to replace it.


CO2 setup arrived.  Should now have the plumbing I need to install it.  Will try tomorrow.

We have plants!

Red Jungle val, annubias nana and ammania senegalen

We have water

The tank is filled, the filter is running, the thermometer is on.

Lighting Kit arrived

The lighting kit arrived from ReefGeek today.  Lights are installed.  I think the fixture looks excellent.

Aquascaping

Bought some rock today.  Flagstone chunks from Lowes.   The full pieces they were trying to sell were gone, but all I wanted was "rubble" anyway, so I got them to sell me several chunks for the same price they were selling a single full size piece for.

CO2

Originally I planned to start this hobby small... Then I bought a tank twice the size I had planned.  Then I found a good deal on a 3x54 light fixture.   After spending over a grand, I said F* it and decided to go full blown CO2.

I could have gotten the components cheaper online, but I bought a "package" deal from the local LFS that I trust.  Their GM is a planted tank guy.  Its worth the extra money to be able to go back and ask them help getting everything setup the way it needs to be.

Lighting arrived

The light fixture arrived.  One of the bulbs is broken.  Called Catalina and left a message to get it replaced. Not a fan of the hanging kit that came with it.  Fixture looks nice though.   Went and bought an Aquaillumination Kit online (the one they use with the AI SOL reef LED light fixture.)   I have one on the reef and really like it. Going to retrofit one to use on the planted fixture.

Tank arrived

My 75 gallon tank and stand arrived and is now setup.   4 bags of flourite and 4 bags of ecocomplete have been dumped into it.  My new Fluval 406 is cabled, heater and hydor powerhead are installed.  

Outstanding tasks:  Driftwood on order.  Lighting awaiting install.  CO2 on order.