45g Planted Reboot

[Tony]

I've had my 45 gallon planted tank set up in its current configuration for about 8-9 years now... the longest I've ever had a tank up without changing gears or up-sizing.

It started as high-tech, with under-gravel heating, a pH controller hooked up to CO2 injection and liquid fertilization. It's always looked nice because it was full of wood and anubias.. two items that are very hard to kill, lol.

Since it filled in, I really haven't done much to it. CO2 hasn't been running all that of often and I very rarely dose with fertilizer any more (essentially negating the need to be running the undergravel heating coils).

Over the years, the anubias has gone nuts has become pretty dense. So much so, that it really limits what fish I can keep in the tank.

Anyway, I'm a bit bored with this tank and want to do something different....

So I decided to tear it apart yesterday.

I plan on adding back some wood - though not with the huge dense pieces of mopani that are in there now.

I got this from Rachel a couple of months back. It was intended for the 150 eartheater setup, but figured it would work better here.

Unfortunately.... it didn't even come close to fitting. So, I decided to "modify" the branch a bit.

Put the pieces in the water and am weighting them down for the time being. Once they settle, I'll move them as well as the existing plants around a bit. Likely move the anubias nana grove to the far right side and leave the front mostly open.

I plan on adding some java fern to the branches, but keep it relatively lightly planted.

I'll update the thread when I get things sorted out.

What do y'all think?

 

[verbal]

I think that tank needs a pair of West African cichlids

 

[DiscusnAfricans]

Looking good man. Crazy to think there was that much wood and plants in there. The discus still going in there?

 

[Tony]

I think that tank needs a pair of West African cichlids

Nah, once they come in, they're going downstairs. This is the first tank that you see when folks come into the house and looking for something a bit "flashy."

The discus still going in there?

That's the current plan. Put them in there for the time being and see how things go. There's 5 of them, but they're only 3"-3.5" now. Eventually, they'll go to either the 75 or the 90 downstairs in the fish room.

 

[verbal]

That's the current plan. Put them in there for the time being and see how things go. There's 5 of them, but they're only 3"-3.5" now. Eventually, they'll go to either the 75 or the 90 downstairs in the fish room.

Actually seriously I think that is a great plan for the tank, and they definitely make good use of the height of the tank. Also they are just about perfect size for that tank.

 

[Tony]

Actually seriously I think that is a great plan for the tank, and they definitely make good use of the height of the tank. Also they are just about perfect size for that tank.

Thanks Jesse.

 

[jonclark96]

Looking good. Can't wait to see the discus in the tank.


Sent from my iPhone using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[hollyfish2000]

Looks good. But you have to hide the equipment in the right back corner with something. I have wood I can trade for one of the anubias you just removed! Oh, and you have a PM from me

 

[ddavila06]

ohhhh, looking forward to updates!!

 

[dogofwar]

Nice!

Matt

 

[Andrewtfw]

Wow, I didn't see that coming. I know you've been thinking about cutting it back for some time. Looking forward to seeing the new aquascape.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

[chriscoli]

Wow, it looks FANTASTIC, Tony! I like it!

 

[Avatar]

What predators think...

Am assuming all that Anubias ended up in your 180- if that's not the case and it's somewhat homeless, do let me know.

 

[Tony]

Thanks so much for the compliments. :wub:

I have wood I can trade for one of the anubias you just removed!

Am assuming all that Anubias ended up in your 180- if that's not the case and it's somewhat homeless, do let me know.

Sorry guys... anubias had algae and MTS on it, so I threw it in the compost pile in the back yard. Meh... I'll grow more.


Mowed the lawn after work last night and did a bit more work on the tank while watching the Caps. The stands of plants and wood have been in there so long, my ability to vacuum out the substrate was pretty limited. Since I was rebooting, I figured I'd take some time to clean the substrate. Vacuumed out a *ton* of crap. So much so that I ended up draining 3/4 and refilling the tank 3 times.

Despite being lots of it, the stuff I was pulling out was essentially dirt. No smell, no gas pockets. I think that the mass of plant roots plus the coarse gravel (Fluorite Onyx) and MTS are to thank.

Anyway, I fixed the plants in the left corner.. moved the tall red crypts all the way over (where they'll get some natural sunlight) and fixed up the roots and spread out the jungle val. The back left corner looks patchy now, but once the crypts get settled in, it should fill in nicely.

I split the large grove of A. nana and moved half of it over to the far right side of the tank. This left a large open patch running down the middle of the tank. I dug it out a bit and it sort of reminds me or a stream running through the woods.

The wood is still floating a bit, so ignore the rocks holding the two pieces down. I may try to rotate them a bit to form more of a "hanging" structure once they become saturated, but the arch over the stream works well enough for now.

I was thinking of adding java moss or java fern to the branches, but will probably let if go for now. I like the contrast in color/texture of the wood vs. the amount of green in the tank.

Rainbowfish went down into a 90 with some haps in it and the random juvenile Buenos Aires tetra went into the 150 to be reunited with his herd.

Raised the temp up a couple of clicks in this tank (up to about 81) and lowered the temp in the 150 (down to about 82). Trying to make the transition as easy as possible on the discus.

Oh yeah, just kidding about the anubias. For the time being, I'm hanging onto it. I plan on using it for another project down the road.

 

[Avatar]

Nooooo!

Go get it out of the compost and I'll rehab it. Seriously.

Peroxide will kill the algae and am sure I can think of something diabolical to deal the snails.

 

[Tony]

Go get it out of the compost and I'll rehab it. Seriously.

Peroxide will kill the algae and am sure I can think of something diabolical to deal the snails.

I was wondering who be the first to reply without actually read the whole post.

Gotcha!

 

[chriscoli]

Gotcha!

Nice, Tony...Nice!

 

[scientist0724]

Next time, put the anubias is a sealed ziplock bag, and put it in a dark closet for a couple of weeks. Then take it out and gently rub the leaves. The algae will come off.

Or you can clip off the affected leaves and grow the rhizome emersed and new leaves will slowly grow out.

That's what we do in GWAPA and you'll have some nice plants.

Arlene

 

[Avatar]

Pay no attention to the woman behind the curtain

Ignore she, it's worthless, better you give it to me.

The alleged disposal did seem a bit extreme - even for you.

 

[hollyfish2000]

I like the new version very much. Like the "stream" in the middle and the pretty arched wood.