That's non too shabby either
The filter was already mature it is very over filtered with 2 JBL 1500 with in line co2 the sand is JBL zanzibar the sand barely moves to be honest now and again I get bare patches in corners but that again is from the filters I think the key to just sand and stone is really well filtered water and like ady says low light the light is a twinstar 600e on 60% and hung higher over the tank but still get reasonable growth from the plants and not to many alge issues
Is Zanzibar about the same size/weight as La Plata?I like the simplistic rock and wood scape you have done when there is detailing finished off in the tank maybe some diffrent gradients of smaller stone to gravel to sand it would completely change the way you see it bit I can really imagine it already I watched a video recently from green aqua I think where the ADA guy used yoga Matt inside the tank to rest the rocks and wood on so they didnt slip and slide and to protect the bottom glass maybe worth thinking about
Looks good but, that's almost a tease.........how did you make that happen?I did a no soil tank with the C02 coming up from underneath the plants.
Just so I'm clear; you fed the CO2 just before the return pump (in sump) and the white pipe is the return from that pump in your sump and returning the flow (including CO2) to the aquarium under the gravel?Sorry, I used a sump with C02 straight into the return pump, then down under a perforated plate.
Then I used gravel in some pots.
I think you know I've got my CO2 feeding straight into my return pump from a bazooka diffuser, time will tell how that works for me.Yes that is right, it worked really well although that was quite a few years ago and before inline atomisers were really popular .
I could probably work out a better method nowadays but the idea of the C02 being evenly distributed up through the substrate seemed like a good one .
That picture shows a big powerhead but that was just put in to make a video of all the plants moving around, unfortunately the video along with many of my pictures is locked up in photobucket!
Great, I look forward to it.When I get a chance il send you a pick of both sands side by side there isnt much difference
A layer of sand and going upwards is the plan and think having certain 'key' stones maybe even secured in place could be a good idea; there's loads of products aimed towards the salty side of things and it will always clean off stone if I ever wanted to in the future.
I definitely think this will give you more scope - aquascapes and livestock - than the 45PADA 60-P sized aquarium
Now the bigger one is gone I have room for the 60P, I hadn't expected it to fly from a marine forum in 30 minutes!I definitely think this will give you more scope - aquascapes and livestock - than the 45P
Which is no longer mine.that is a nice aquarium
Very nice stone It’s just trial and error creating the hardscape, and is the enjoyable part. But you are on a winner with that stone. I would use larger pieces to begin with as your focal point.Hi @oscar
Which is no longer mine.
60P size is now the focus, so please read on............
I've a lot of Frodo stone, which in general are larger, thicker pieces and I like the detail as you can see in the picture below.
I've struggled for ideas of how to keep this look and the only way I've come up with so far is to cut some of the larger pieces down in both thickness and size if needed, I say if needed as the stone is quite fragile and will likely just fall apart naturally.
Putting these smaller pieces back to resemble 'something interesting' is what I would like to do.
Holding the smaller pieces in place, so they don't start moving around all of the time I see as a positive, in my opinion at least.
Adding sand in and around the pieces is intended to make things look more natural and soften any sharp edges.
Defining 'something interesting' I know is very much open to interpretation, I'm picturing something with the texture of the Frodo with sand running between, almost in a mountainous gully kind of way, something I know again is not very focussed.
I think part will depend on the method I use and how things end up looking as I go - I'm sure people will say I need a clear plan before I start, which I don't really.
I have no clear plan of planting right now but am quite focused on minimal effort, maximum enjoyment at the same time as it intending to last.
I'm open to suggestions but please bare in mind I'd like to avoid soil and try sticking with the sand/stone only hardscape - the option to just siphon the cosmetic sand out and replace as needed is also a huge positive for me, I hope.
I've not ruled wood out but would like to try and create a solid base first then add the wood it if it's needed, which I imagine it will be.
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