Kajpai
Seedling
Hi all.
I've been a keen Reader of this forum for the past 6 months.
It has been very usefull, and I love taking part in others progress through reading their journals.
As I am starting a new tank, I would like to share as well. I hope you like it.
About my interest
When visiting my parents in january, I found my old Aquarium books and started reading them. I remembered how much fun it was, and I got playing with the idea of getting a small tank started again. Last time, I was 16 years old (22 years ago....)
Doing Research is a very fun part of any hobby, and I hit the Internet. I came across Pictures of Incredible planted tanks and I soon realized the Fish would no longer be my main focus. I learned there was a phenomena called Aquascaping, and a new world opened up in terms of research.
First aquasape experience:
A bit too quickly I ended up with a Fluval Edge 12G (Wife-approved design). This was a low-Tech approach with inert gravel at first.
I love Technology and gadgets in general, and I soon started adding and replacing Equipment.
It became more and more a high-Tech approach. I also tore it down to restart with Aquasoil, and other ADA range Products.
Eventually I was running two external filters, TMC 1500 Ultima Grobeam LED, CO2 injection and built a DIY HoB water fall for hiding heater & aeration. (The initial Investment was beeing dwarfed )
I was very pleased With the healthy growth and Fish. (for being my first attempt).
I've had tons of fun and learned a lot through this setup.
I didn't take many Pictures of it. This Picture shows it as a bit overgrown, but from before the macandra and stellata decided to totally take over the aquarium:
In my Research, found some posts warning me about taking the Fluval high-Tech. But I'm stubborn like that, and didn't quite know what to expect....
As the tank matured, growth shot through the roof (almost literally). Doing maintenance inside an Edge is basically a nightmare. Combine that with high-Tech and stem plants, and it eventually lost its charm.
What now:
Sooooo......having moaned about the Edge a bit, I really wanted to move onto a new, bigger and more maintenance friendly Project.
Meanwhile the my cool wife, had also grown to appreciate the hobby.
Now her only demand was this: If you go big, go really big!
I decided to be a bit unconvetional, and go for a reef tank with sump and overflow. I just love the idea of completely hiding away all Equipment. Not to mention the easy filter maintenance. The only thing I had to convince myself about, was being confined to a black background.
And here is the beauty, a Red Sea Reefer 350:
I scaped it this saturday, so it has now been running for 4 days.
Unfortunatly I didn't take Pictures during the hard-scape. But I will upload pictures of the finished scape and equipment in the following post.
Kaj
I've been a keen Reader of this forum for the past 6 months.
It has been very usefull, and I love taking part in others progress through reading their journals.
As I am starting a new tank, I would like to share as well. I hope you like it.
About my interest
When visiting my parents in january, I found my old Aquarium books and started reading them. I remembered how much fun it was, and I got playing with the idea of getting a small tank started again. Last time, I was 16 years old (22 years ago....)
Doing Research is a very fun part of any hobby, and I hit the Internet. I came across Pictures of Incredible planted tanks and I soon realized the Fish would no longer be my main focus. I learned there was a phenomena called Aquascaping, and a new world opened up in terms of research.
First aquasape experience:
A bit too quickly I ended up with a Fluval Edge 12G (Wife-approved design). This was a low-Tech approach with inert gravel at first.
I love Technology and gadgets in general, and I soon started adding and replacing Equipment.
It became more and more a high-Tech approach. I also tore it down to restart with Aquasoil, and other ADA range Products.
Eventually I was running two external filters, TMC 1500 Ultima Grobeam LED, CO2 injection and built a DIY HoB water fall for hiding heater & aeration. (The initial Investment was beeing dwarfed )
I was very pleased With the healthy growth and Fish. (for being my first attempt).
I've had tons of fun and learned a lot through this setup.
I didn't take many Pictures of it. This Picture shows it as a bit overgrown, but from before the macandra and stellata decided to totally take over the aquarium:
In my Research, found some posts warning me about taking the Fluval high-Tech. But I'm stubborn like that, and didn't quite know what to expect....
As the tank matured, growth shot through the roof (almost literally). Doing maintenance inside an Edge is basically a nightmare. Combine that with high-Tech and stem plants, and it eventually lost its charm.
What now:
Sooooo......having moaned about the Edge a bit, I really wanted to move onto a new, bigger and more maintenance friendly Project.
Meanwhile the my cool wife, had also grown to appreciate the hobby.
Now her only demand was this: If you go big, go really big!
I decided to be a bit unconvetional, and go for a reef tank with sump and overflow. I just love the idea of completely hiding away all Equipment. Not to mention the easy filter maintenance. The only thing I had to convince myself about, was being confined to a black background.
And here is the beauty, a Red Sea Reefer 350:
I scaped it this saturday, so it has now been running for 4 days.
Unfortunatly I didn't take Pictures during the hard-scape. But I will upload pictures of the finished scape and equipment in the following post.
Kaj
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