"Novus Aevum" - 14ltr

Superman · 24 Mar 2009

This is my first true "scape" and would love to take you through my journey of setting it up and maintaining the tank.

So the scene...

I've had the 12"x10"x8" Optiwhite from AquaEssentials since Christmas and have been researching since then of how to scape it. This is my first true "scape" with my 180ltr being mainly a test and learn tank.

I've been looking into all of the tanks on here and have taken the elements I like to hopefully create my own style as I wouldn't like to copy someone.

It took me a while to arrange the rocks (as normal I guess) which is difficult in such a small tank.
I've chosen the plants for their small size to help with the sense of scale within the tank.

As always comments are welcome.

Details will be...

Tank: Opti White 12"x10"x8"
Filtration: Fluval 105
Lighting: 11w Dennerle Overtank Nano Light
Substrate: Aquasoil Amazonia powder
Ferts: Tropical Plant Nutrition Plus (TPN+)
CO2: Easycarbo
Hardscape: Mini Landscape rocks
Flora: Hemianthus micranthemoides, Hemianthus callitrichoides 'Cuba', Eleocharis parvula, Ludwigia arcuata, Staurogyne sp.
Fauna: Crystal Red Shrimp once the tank has settled.

I'm currently waiting for delivery of my filter from ebay once that's here, I can order the plants.

Quick preview of the hardscape...

Tony Swinney · 24 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Looking good Clark - Looks much bigger than a nano !

Endless hours 'tweaking' rock positions now :lol:

Simon D · 24 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Looks great!

Do you really need that much substrate though? I can understand the sloping effect gives it depth (from a frontal veiw) but how deep is that at the front?

That said, I love it. Nice rocks and good positioning to my innocent eye!

Steve Smith · 24 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Very nice Clark. I bet you can't wait to get some water into it :lol:

Superman · 24 Mar 2009

Simon D said:
Do you really need that much substrate though? I can understand the sloping effect gives it depth (from a frontal veiw) but how deep is that at the front?

It is 1.5" deep at the front and I need that depth to support the hardscape. Whilst it does look a bit excessive, once things grow in you won't notice the amount of substrate.

SteveUK said:
Very nice Clark. I bet you can't wait to get some water into it

Yup, waiting for this filter is eating away at me.

samc · 24 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

nice to see it as a journal clark seeing as iv had a sneak preview 😉 look foward to the planting

gratts · 24 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Have you put the tank in a dwarf's room or something? It looks way bigger than 14L in that picture! :lol:

Thomas McMillan · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Looks well good, this should be one to watch!

Nick16 · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

looks good! however with that amount of substrate it probably only holds 10L :lol:

Garuf · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

I've got 5 ltrs of a/s in my tank of the same size.
Nice tank, Clark. It'll be a good one.

Mark Evans · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Superman said:
Whilst it does look a bit excessive, once things grow in you won't notice the amount of substrate.

very true, i set up a 35l arcadia a few months ago, and the substrate was 4 inches off the top at the back! i used rocks to hold it all in, the sense of depth was truly amazing!

tank looks ace clark.

Dan Crawford · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Looking good Clark, real good 😀

LondonDragon · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Like the rock work, but at first glance the substrate does seem very deep at the front. Will wait until you get it planted 🙂
Congrats Clark another winner 🙂

Tony Swinney · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Just a thought Clark - when I filled my 12x10x8, I measured the water in, and it only just holds 10l brimful with the substrate and rocks in place :shock:

Definitely worth measuring , so you dont risk over dosing.

Tony

hellohefalump · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Can't wait to see it planted up! Looking good so far 🙂

aaronnorth · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

i'm loving all the nano's 😛 nice layout

StevenA · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Looking good Clarke, that Dennerle light suits the tank better than the arc light would've IMO 😀

John Starkey · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Hi clarke,

rock placement looks quite good,are you happy with it ? or are you going to play around with it,

good luck with it, regards john.

JamesM · 25 Mar 2009

Re: Superman's Nano - 14ltr

Looking good, Clark 🙂

Superman · 29 Mar 2009

Right so planting time...

I had a nice trip today to TGM as thought it's always best to pick your plants in person. Plus was nice to pop in for a cuppa.

As stated earlier in the thread, I picked up Hemanthus callitrichoides "Cuba", Eleocharis Parvula, Hemianthus micranthemoides and Ludwigia Arcuata.

Hopefully you'll like the planting, it was a nightmare to get the glassware connected and I'm not a fan of planting HC but it seems to be looking good. I'm leaving everything for a while to settle in before pruning etc.

Anyway, photos...

Final rock placement...

After planting the HC...

After planting the hairgrass...

All done...

"Novus Aevum" - 14ltr

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