Emmanuel's 100g Tank

[Lakea]

I really like the driftwood, looks like a tree trunk

[emmanuelchavez]

Couple updates, no pictures...

15 gallon

Upgraded lighting to a SunPac 40 watt w/moonlight.... It's a 50/50 bulb though, so I have to replace it.

I also pulled out the stuff on the right side. I'll additionally be removing the dwarf sag on the back left side. This tank will just consist of dwarf hairgrass, and the java moss on the driftwood. I was going to use duckweed to keep excess nutrients at bay, but I don't want it to get tangled in my moss - it's a pain to separate! I may have a couple of floating pieces of hornwort for now.

I have a mini canister filter on it.

Also ordered some stuff from one of our new sponsors Green Leaf Aquariums for CO2

Red Sea Regulator for CO2 Cylinder

Cool Looking Drop Checker

And this diffuser (I think that's the one he said he's sending), because they sold out of this one, which I really wanted... but it's all good.

I'll be ordering more stuff shortly for a 5 lbs co2 tank for the 20...

10 gallon

Got it a mini canister filter, and the old light system from the 15 gallon
Full of shrimp, several berried shrimp!! Lots of moss everywhere... It's just a junk tank for now... Until I can get my 20 gallon up and running, which will be a few more months.

[emmanuelchavez]

hehe. So I finally got to hook up my new toys that I got from Green Leaf Aquariums and they're awesome!!!

I also went to PetCo and got a 29 gallon... those 55's were just begging me to take them home!!! Maybe after I graduate from college............. in 4 years.. dang... I'll be 25 by the time I'm finally finished.

I ordered a big mat of microsword for the 15 gallon from someone The Planted Tank. I'll even have some left over for the other tanks.

My 20 oz paintball cylinder for some reason leaks, so I've gotta get something to make a seal between the regulator and the cylinder... there's no leak on the 12 oz though, so that's what I have hooked up right now... CO2 is pumping at about 1 bps.

[emmanuelchavez]

Holy mole! I ordered some micro sword from another member on planted tank... and I got it today... and it was a TON of microsword. enough for the 15, 10, and 20 gallons!!! I'm so excited about planting it already... Unfortunately though... I had class til 10 pm tonight... and well, the aquarium lights are off... and I have to get up early for work tomorrow... so I just put it in the 5 gallon tank to hold until I get out of class tomorrow afternoon...

I haven't been this excited about aquarium plants before!!!! Woo!!!!

[emmanuelchavez]

Stay tuned... I will have what I believe IMO to be the most amazing update for this tank of mine!

Pictures to come up tomorrow after I get out of work... speaking of which... I need to go to sleep.

[Lotus]

Looking forward to the updates

[emmanuelchavez]

I love the microsword mat I got from a member on the planted tank forum.

I'm drip acclimating some amanos right now (see my fancy drip acclimating tool? Air Regulating Valves + Air Line Tubing)



Comments?

[Orion]

Hah, I like your drip acclimation tool. I've got something very similar I use. I took the rigid tubes from some older sponge filters to give it the 'U' shape to go over the top of the rim of a tank. Been using it for years, works like charm

I think the Microsword looks really good. I'm not trying to sound rude, but if it were me, I think I would have flipped the driftwood though. If it were flipped, I think it might well look pretty darn close to a small tree on the side of the banks with the roots going all the way down into the bottom of the river. Then you could have the java moss grow up the roots, tword the stump. You could probably use some slate or other type of good stacking rock to balance out the 'roots' to give the stump a more vertical look by placing them in the back. I don't think any of the rocks would be very noticeable due to the microsword anyway. Then look for some smaller stick looking driftwood, that can be placed behind the main piece that can jut back out into the open water. I think that by flipping the driftwood might give some more 'action' in the foreground area with the hardscape rather than leaving it all soft with the roots sticking up, and the extra pieces still going in the top of the tank to keep it a little busy up there.

I personally might also like to take some medium river rocks and place them on the left side. If you flipped the driftwood, the stump would pretty much be close in the same position I believe, and either some of the rock starting higher in the left corner and sloping down a bit to the wood, or the rocks comming from the wood going to the corner. I always like rocks just because it tends to add a little bit of contrast to most planted tanks in shape and texture to what's going on with the rest of the 'scape.

Hey you wanted comments so you got an earful Even just as it is I think it's coming along wonderfully.

[emmanuelchavez]

I know exactly what you mean. I tried the flipped over scape, but it kept floating.
I'll save the idea for when I finally get me a "big" tank, like a 75 gallon, though.

I'll probably look into some river-rock too. I couldn't find any I liked, but i may have stumbled into some pretty decent stuff on Friday.

[Orion]

Pulling off the seemingly impossible with smaller tanks is part of the fun, even if no one knows you did it but you. I'm guessing that part of the driftwood is hollow, or forms a 'bowl' shape where the branches run out then. You could try taking some air line tubing and sucking the air out once you've got it in the water the orientation you want. Because there ain't no way your turning that thing upside down under water in that tank lol.