Wild

[Robbie X]

Hello all.
I have been frequenting the forum for many years now all the while planning my first aquascape.
Around 3 years ago I was meant to move home and I bought an Aquascaper 900, CO2 system, filters and hardscape in advance ready to set up in my new home.
With only a week to go before the move the other party pulled out.
As you can imagine I was not amused. But I put it off as bad luck and put everything into a spare room for storage.
It took another 3 years before I was in a position to move again.
I am now in my new home, moved in late July. I’m now ready to start my project so I thought I would finally make my Journal.
Tank: Aquascaper 900
Tank Dimensions: L900mm x W500mm x H450mm
Tank volume: 186 Litres
Lighting: Twinstar 900S
Filtration: Oase BioMaster thermal 600 x2
CO2: CO2Art reg
Hardscape: River wood, Leopard stone, kivu sand, and Tropica aquarium soil powder.
Link to my current plant list: Aquarium Plants from Aquarium Gardens UK | Live Aquatic Tropical Tank Plants
Some pics of the tank set at this time below:
I have also added more soil and sloped it towards the back of tank since I took the images earlier this evening.

 

[LouisGenin]

Wow, you will definitely have enough circulation with two biomaster 600s!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

 

[Robbie X]

Wow, you will definitely have enough circulation with two biomaster 600s!

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

I want to keep a nice selection of fish as well and the 600 was the biggest model Oase made at the time I believe 😊

 

[Robbie X]

Made some changes to the scape and repositioned the river wood. Annotated layout image supplied Dave of Aquarium Gardens.
Plants should be here either Wednesday or Thursday. Really looking forward to planting now 😊

 

[Robbie X]

Finalised plant list:
Cryptocoryne Wendtii
Cryptocoryne Parva
Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan' Tropica 1-2 Grow!
Micranthemum Monte Carlo Tropica 1-2 Grow!
Alternanthera Reineckii ''Mini' Tissue Culture - Tropica 1-2 Grow!
ANUBIAS NANA BONSAI
Bucephalandra 'Kedagang' - Limited Edition Tropica
Cryptocoryne Costata
Hygrophila pinnatifida Tropica 1-2 Grow!
Bucephalandra Biblis
Bucephalandra Wavy Green
Lobelia cardinalis
Schismatoglottis prietoil
Rotala Rotundifolia
Bacopa Compact
Bolbitis heudelotii
Hottonia palustris
Hygrophila Araguaia Tropica 1-2 Grow!
Cryptocoryne Balansae
Microsorum Narrow Leaf
Limnobium laevigatum Tropica 1-2 Grow!
Christmas Moss Vesicularia dubyana - Tropica

 

[Robbie X]

Today was Pre-Flood day. Just to make sure there are no leaks and the wood does not float.
All went well, I will leave it flooded until my Plants 🌱 arrive 🙂

 

[Robbie X]

Big update today.
Tank is now planted with CO2 diffuser running. I can’t believe I finally have my aquascape 😻
Still need to do some tidying up, soil on the sand, sand needs levelling also. Will do that tomorrow during water change.

 

[MichaelJ]

Very nice! Will grow in fast!

 

[Robbie X]

Very nice! Will grow in fast!

Many thank, M.
The floating plants are Limnobium laevigatum in case anyone was wondering 😽
I will do a little aqua-hoovering tomorrow when I change the water but happy how it as gone so far 👍

 

[MichaelJ]

The floating plants are Limnobium laevigatum in case anyone was wondering 😽

I am a big fan of Frogbit !

 

[Robbie X]

I am a big fan of Frogbit !

It’s just got that primeval vibe about it 😻 Can’t wait for all those dangling roots when it grows in.

 

[bazz]

Look forward to seeing this in six weeks time, keep us posted!

 

[Robbie X]

Look forward to seeing this in six weeks time, keep us posted!

Will do 😺

 

[Robbie X]

My first update since planting on the 24 Sep.
Had a little dieback on a couple of plants initially but everything recovered.
I plan on giving it a trim again this week but am pleased its progress so far.
I added x2 Hillstream loach, x5 Ramshorn snail, x5 Nerite snail and 24 small Cherry shrimp on week six and they have done a great cleanup.
Im considering adding another 2 Hillstream loaches as they have so much character.
The smallest Shrimp were attracted to my outflow skimmer intake as some algae had built up there and were sucked in to the filter.
I recovered 11 of them while cleaning my pre filters today 😻
I now keep the inlets free of algae, lesson learned 😽
My next additions will be:
30 Green Neons
10 Chilli Rasbora
6 Panda Cories
Whip tail catfish
Dario Dario will be added last once the shrimp start breeding.

 

[Karmicnull]

That's looking absolutely beautiful!

 

[Wolf6]

It does look very wild, I like it 🙂

 

[Robbie X]

It does look very wild, I like it 🙂

Many thanks, sir 😺

 

[Robbie X]

That's looking absolutely beautiful!

Many thanks, sir 😸

 

[Robbie X]

Removed around 2/3 of the floating plants again today. A lot more light now especially the left side of the tank. Hope this will encourage more growth in the previously shaded area. Also cut back the overgrowth on the right side of the tank. The tank is definitely evolving as I tinker with the layout 😻

 

[Robbie X]

Yet another trim and removal of surface plants again today. I wanted more light on the left hand side.
The centre and rear centre I am leaving really dense to provide cover for shrimp fry etc.
It looks much better now from my viewing angle on the couch 😻