First timer NEWA Mirabello 60

[Niton]

OK so I'm brand new to all of this and was influenced in to attempting an aquascape by watching George Farmer's low maintenance non-co2 videos.

I'm hoping to document the setup of the tank from start to finish.

I'll be more than happy to receive advice and critiques on my approach, setup and ideas so please don't hold back! I've invested in this project and really want to realise a successful tank that I can enjoy for some time.

So today's update is that this arrived!


The tank is going to be placed in an opening between two rooms. I'm happy to say it fits!


Substrate and hardscape will be arriving through the week. So I'm going to start thinking about the hardscape design when it comes and I can visualise it all more.

As both sides of the tank are going to be on display I'm thinking that an island or peninsula type scape might be a good option.

I'm hoping to keep Cardinal Tetra and Cherry Shrimp in the tank. Maybe a Betta if feasible but not until the tank is established.

 

[J@mes]

Hi, good introduction. I love the tanks location, spot on!

 

[Niton]

Yeah really hoping it goes well. Will make a great distraction during dinners and hopefully keep the children occupied in the front room!

 

[Niton]

First bit of background info:

Water hardness (from water suppliers website) : Slightly hard - 47 mg/l as Calcium | 117.5 mg/l as Calcium carbonate

Detailed water report attached

 

[Niton]

Was going to post an exciting update about receiving my substrate from TGM.
Proper noob mistake I've ordered the wrong soil. Was meant to order Malaya Aqua Soil but instead managed to order some Africana soil powder type.

Hoping to arrange an exchange. If I'm stuck with the powder type is is still something I can work with in my 80l tank?

Any thoughts on making the best of the situation if I can't exchange for the Malaya soil?

 

[Keith GH]

Niton
Tim Harrisons


This would by my first step Making a Mock tank by doing that you will be able to try all your ideas and get every thing perfect long before you start working in your actual tank.

This is the Mock tank photo I have been posting for many years on ASW and GBG.

Keith

 

[Niton]

Thanks for the advice Keith. I'm just waiting for some bog wood to be delivered and I think I'll setup a mock tank then. Are ASW and GBG other forums?

 

[Keith GH]

Niton
Yes see my Signature.

Keith

 

[Niton]

As an interim update here are a few of the stones I have collected. There are about 20 stones collected in various sizes so I should be able to get a nice display.







They were collected from some grass moorland near the Northumbrian coast area (a few miles inland).

They're nice enough stones and darken significantly when wet. They'll be placed with bog wood.

If there are any geologists here I'd love to know what stones they are. They have not reacted to white vinegar.

 

[Niton]

Niton
Yes see my Signature.

Keith

hi Keith, the link in your sign for aquascaping world needs the .com suffix added otherwise the link is incorrect.

 

[Niton]

Took delivery of the bog wood today. Three nice big pieces.







I'll need to cut some it to fit in the tank. I'll not be using all of it just the interesting pieces that would fit an island or peninsula in conjunction with the stones. The wife would like a moss 'tree' and scape but I'm not sure that's feasible in such a low tech setup.

Anyone have any suggestions on how best to cut these (positionally I mean - I've plenty of sawing implements! ).

 

[J@mes]

This is coming along nicely & I love the rocks.

 

[Keith GH]

Niton.

Cutting ???? make the Mock tank the same size as your tank. Depending on your lighting system are you going to have a top or is it open.

I would not be cutting anything at all until you have experimented with every piece in every way possible.

Depending on your Aquascape you have a good selection to choose from. I like the last piece of DW the best. For the Rocks arrange them in size order and post a photo please you might have to have several rows will so many rocks.

Keith

 

[Niton]

@Keith will take photos of the stones. I've not washed them all!

I'm happy to not use all of them. Whatever gets left can go in the garden until I start the next tank!

Oh and you like the biggest piece of DW that barely fits in the tank! Again whatever doesn't get used I'll store for the next tank or rescape.

There will be a lid on the tank initially. If it looks like the lighting is an issue I'll look at taking the lid off as George did with his Mirabello but probably not for a few months.

 

[Niton]

Layout wise as it's going to be viewed on two sides I'm thinking island or peninsula My preference is for a peninsula.

Couple of scrapes I really like are

And this one less densely planted in the background.

Dimensions of the tank are 62.5 l x 33 w x 40 h (cm measurement).

 

[J@mes]

Something to aspire to!

 

[Keith GH]

Niton

Layout wise as it's going to be viewed on two sides

Sorry if this sounds funny. Is that Front and Back or a mix of sides? The reason for asking that with each of those inspirations there could be a concern.

With the first two Aquascapes both have one "Side" which would block off a view. The last Aquascape would only be clearly visible from the front.

These are points you must consider when Aquascaping to visible sides.

All Aquascapes visible from all sides.

A few more points for you to think about.

Keith

 

[Niton]

Hi Keith. Your comment makes sense. The scape will be visible on back and front sides. I see what you mean about the pics I posted having issues with viewing from the front or back.
I was hoping to do an island type scape but in a fashion similar to the pics I posted. If that make sense! I haven't found any examples of the an island type scape that I like. Although the first pic you posted is interesting...

 

[Niton]

OK so post of the year this will not be! Here are a few pictures of the rocks I have collected. Numbered from 1 to 19, 1 being the biggest. Photographs taken on a4 paper so hopefully you can get a sense of the size. I've tried to photograph the stones from a perspective that has an interesting feature or the most 'natural' angle they lie at. Here goes:

 

[Niton]