journal Jayc's New 3ft tank

[jayc]

For most that know me on this forum, this new tank is a pretty big deal.

For the longest time, my lovely wife has put a ban on any new tanks in the house. 

However, this last birthday was different, I managed to convince her to let me have another tank, as long as it was not too big.

 

My plans were to turn this tank into a formal area decorative tank.

 

I chose the Mr Aqua 3ft bookshelf.

She's a beauty. Perfect proportions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stocked up on some supplies...

 

 

 

And visited Canley Vale Nursery for some bonsai rocks.

After a quick washdown...

 

 

 

 

The rest of the setup will come from existing gear. I'll reuse filter, media, heater, chiller, and plants.

 

 

Plans are to use Mini Pellia to fill out the "hills" and "mountain valleys". Not sure yet, but maybe Staurogyne clusters as denser "forest" areas.

 

Next will be putting the hardscape together.

Edited May 17, 2014 by jayc

[Shrimp Aqua]

Well done jayc, you know you'r in the good books when the one who must be obeyed gives the OK for a new tank and accessories.

I still cant get the OK to have a tank upstairs and i've been married almost fifty years.   Just make sure you give her hugzzzzzzzz and tell her yuo love her.

[Heavyd]

Nice tank JayC. It's always exciting setting up a new tank.

 

I'm looking forward to updates on this one.

[jayc]

Just make sure you give her hugzzzzzzzz and tell her yuo love her.

 

You betcha! 

[Twellsy]

Awesome looking tank bro , can't wait to see this up and running

[jayc]

Nice tank JayC. It's always exciting setting up a new tank.

 

I'm looking forward to updates on this one.

 

Thanks D.

 

I'm dancing   and grinning like Daniel Ricciardo 

 

Regular updates will be posted as I work on the tank.

[smicko]

Nice tank, can't wait to see the scape.

Cheers mick

[BlueBolts]

Wow, it's already oozing with creativity.... Awesome, exciting time....the setup and gathering is one of the best.....looking fwd to the updates......

Oh and JayC, check out the FS section... :-)

[Squiggle]

I'm dancing   and grinning like Daniel Ricciardo 

That's a pretty big grin dude.

Can't wait to see this progress, will be following this thread with great interest!

[poeticwinter]

already looking great :) looking foward to see the setup done. keep us update jayc!

[FishBeast]

Awesome. So exciting setting up a new tank.

[jayc]

Bummer. Two rows of LEDs are not working on the new up aqua lights.

Back to the shop it goes.

[jayc]

More Updates.

LED lights replaced, and new tank preparations could begin.

 

First step, as always, is to sprinkle Benibachi Mineral Powder and Super Bee Max on the bottom of the tank prior to adding substrate. A liberal application to cover the entire surface is used. Nothing too scientific.

You can just see the Mineral Powder (grey colour) and the Super Bee Max (brownish colour) in the tank bottom.

 

 

Prior to adding substrate, plan how you'd like your hardscape to look.

My plans are to have hills and a rocky mountains look. 

 

In goes the substrate. But you don't just pour it in willy nilly.

I'm creating my "hills" as I'm pouring the Benibachi powder substrate out of the bag.

In this next shot, I paused after one 5kg bag to show how I'm creating stability with the hills formed out of substrate.

 

 

The plastic take away containers will give some support and resist the substrate sliding back down to the front.

The rocks and plants that will eventually be added will also assist in preventing the substrate sliding back down the front as well.

 

Another view.

 

 

All the bags of substrate added.

 

 

Side profile to show in incline.

 

And then there was light !

 

 

The branch is in there temporarily only and is used to give the photo something more interesting than just plain substrate. I'm not sure if it will be used in my final scape.

 

Normally, I'd add Fulvic Grain over the substrate now, or even one layer down before the final layer of substrate is added. However, I will be using existing filter media, and some existing media from my well established tank. So this step of adding Fulvic Grain is being skipped ... for now. I'll re-assess the water parameters later down the track after cycling to see if Fulvic Grains are needed.

 

Next is the rock scape. This is where it can take weeks.

You can't rush creativity.

Edited May 19, 2014 by jayc

[slin1977]

Good work mate! Love the creativity going on.

[jayc]

Thanks mate. 

[jayc]

Rock scape added.

 

This is a 5 minute job mind you. Rocks are only placed on top of the substrate for now. They need to be buried a little to give a more natural look.

I think I know what I don't like about it. But ...

Please give me your opinions. And constructive/creative opinions.

 

Also note, the hard edges will eventually be softened by plants in between the rocks.

 

 

 

Yes I know that middle rock colour stands out abit. I was reusing an old piece that I liked the shape of. Just imagine it the same colour

 

A bit like this...

Edited May 19, 2014 by jayc

[newbreed]

Awesome, it's coming together nicely!

[Squiggle]

Very cool scape so far dude, looks amazing!

[Ebhan]

you didnt happen to know the names of the "bonsai rocks" by any chance? sweet tank btw, loving the potential

[jayc]

The pale rock is Yingshi, which I had in my collection previously but never used in my shrimp tanks as it raises KH very slightly. It's the only one in the bunch that I'm not happy with because of the mismatched colour. I'm looking for another to replace it as the central focal piece.

However the darker rocks I'm not sure. I asked the nursery, but their answer was "lava rock", which I doubt is correct.

It's some sort of granite, very hard, and non reactive to vinegar. Almost slate like with it's straight lines, but much harder. I knocked it on a brick accidentally and it gave off an almost metal sound. I paid $6/kg for them.

[jayc]

Quick Update.

 

Tank is now flooded, and cycling.

I've spaced out the rocks on the left a bit and smoothed out the slope of the substrate.

 

Cycling shouldn't take too long, using old filter.

While it's cycling I'm working on the background.

 

 

 

All lights off, only lighting effects from the tank.

 

With a single background light on.

 

[Aquathumb]

Thats background looks amazing. How did you make it?

[shrimpstan]

Sweet looking tank mate! The 'mountains' will look sweet filled in with mini pellia

[jayc]

Thats background looks amazing. How did you make it?

 

What? and let all the secrets out? 

 

I'll show you with pics later.

It's so simple, anyone can do it.

 

 

My kids have dubbed the mountain "Mt Fuji".

 

I've run into a minor issue I'd like to resolve.

New Benibachi substrate in the tank, and it's suffering from horrendous surface scum.

Has anyone made their own DIY surface skimmer?

Edited May 28, 2014 by jayc

[slin1977]

Yes, my Bachi soil is doing the same. Although my film scum came from the Super Bacteria Bee Max powder.

I plan to net it and toss it out. I have seen a great surface skimmer in the Exotic Aquatiic Display tank. Give them a call for details :-)