Iwagumi (scrapped). 30L nano (start)

Very interesting project and some great tips there it has inspired me to do something similar in a 100l optiwhite tank. Im crap at scaping so i might have some questions!

Stephen.

Any update pix?

Stephen.

Hi!

Nothing much to update yet in photos.
Got my X-mass present a bit early from my miss.

I'm soo delighted, never liked JBL tsts and finally I'm happy
with my new API test kit. Can recommend to anyone. Also it is a perfect present for me
(came together with 3 snails)
Tested the water from my Q. tank. well parameters are well acceptable.

In the main time my tank is gettin greener and greener.
I know may some ppl say it is no point in doing this but I'm adding extra CO2 to the tank

and I see much better results in 3 days. Cuba is going more bushy and Glosso grows faster.




..made a visit my favourite LFS.. got 4 pots of Glosso to top up my existing bunch to cover
the spots damaged in flooding. Got 4 pots for price of 2 because the algae started to love them
much in display tank. Ended up with healthy content as from 2 pots and another branch of plant
was as an bonus .. can anyone ID the plant? I will take a look how it will feel in DSM. I might
leave this lonely one and see how it will fit in..



Also my live stock was topped up. Added 3 more Amano shrimps to my cleaning crew.

Topped up Rummy noses. Another 15. So together now around 40 of them. Will add about 10
more when this one will be flooded. So in count of 50 of them will do.
However it was a quite disappointing storey to get them.. won't shame the name yet but I did
purchase the voucher on GrabOne about 2 months ago. Just to have it because I knew I will need
it anyways and I thought 50€ live stock for half price was a good deal. Called to the
fish seller about week ago to chase the delivery date. So to confirm it again gave em a call
this Thursday and confirmed the price of rummys - "2.99€ per one" was the answer ...I thought
it was OK as that's the usual price for them (when no special discounts applies). Expectations
was to get 20 of them for the voucher + whatever I need to pay to meet the price of 20. Went into
the shop yesterday saying I have a voucher to spend.. and the price for rummys went up to 3.99€. To
be honest - didn't expect the price being so HIGH. never seen rummys around sold for 4€ each (maybe
up to that I've been in wrong places, but more likely I've just purchased a voucher from a wrong place)
I'm not the kind of person to argument with ppl on the go.. and I have a lots of patience before start
to do so .. I paid another 5€ on the top of the 50€ voucher to get 15 of them (thanks to the same
seller they had no spare change to give from a 10€ (whatta surprise with attitude like.. lol)
and he just took the 5€ I had).. but I will never ever go there again. this "GREAT" attitude will
keep me away from this place. When the first time I went in I did not pay attention to said
"We are the best fish seller in this country you can find".. now I understand and
my opinion just gets stronger - if you are good you should hear it from your customers, not tell it
to them.. this attitude is wrong from the very base of it! snobbish. phe..

.. however - THUMBS UP for Seahorse aquariums - as after this disappointment I decided
to go to the really Best Aquatic shop in Ireland - got nice X-mass goodies for my
fishes in Santa bag and they managed to change my mood for the rest of the day! THANK YOUs guys!
And some of the retailers should really learn how to archieve some customer experience of yours!

Hicker12..
Whenever you need some advice just ask. I'm sure you will find a lots of useful tips in
this Topic and also some great advices already given by platy.

Thanks!

it looks like there is some bug in the forum Topic section..

whenever the topic fills up the page and it is time to switch to the
next one it does get stuck and do not show comments added in new page.

it didn't happen on page 1-2 but it happened on page 2-3 and now it
does happen in page 3-4. only when you choose REPLY option you are able to
see latest added comments from any users. If any admins come across
this one it might b well worth to look itno it

FLOOD, FLOOD, FLOOD, .................

That's interesting results from the added Co2 to the tank. You would think (or at least I would) there was more than enough in the air already.
Just goes to show how much Co2 plants can take up.

Not to sure on the plant ID. Could be Micranthemum umbrosum or possibly Bacopa australis.
Once it grows a little it will be easier to tell.

That's a whole lot of Rummies you have lined up for the tank.
It will look great.

Bacopa would be my guess.

H.

I notice your using the après bulmers method of reading water tests

paulv wrote:

I notice your using the après bulmers method of reading water tests

Very well spotted!

Gonefishy wrote:

paulv wrote:

I notice your using the après bulmers method of reading water tests

Very well spotted!

It is officially proved by me this does increase the productivity

platty252 wrote:

FLOOD, FLOOD, FLOOD, .................

That's interesting results from the added Co2 to the tank. You would think (or at least I would) there was more than enough in the air already.
Just goes to show how much Co2 plants can take up.

Not to sure on the plant ID. Could be Micranthemum umbrosum or possibly Bacopa australis.
Once it grows a little it will be easier to tell.

That's a whole lot of Rummies you have lined up for the tank.
It will look great.

As I'm informed normal levels of Co2 available in air are around 300-320ppm
Plants can easy take up levels of 1200-1500ppm . Might be I'm wrong, but in
case I'm not we are far away from the levels even with additional Co2..
..so my conclusion is - it is not really necessary to deliver higher levels of
CO2 with additional injection but if we do so - it only benefit the plants and
in no way can cause some harm.
My observations so far -
the concentration of air which is turned into a water (condensate)inside of the glass builds up
much quicker than before, so this means my plants are breathing better.. I do believe
this means they do feel better too.. I'm not a scientist and If I'm wrong - my apologies

yeah.. I do believe a bunch of rummy noses will do well.. I'm loosing the patience to see
them schooling in bigger tank, but first things first.. I will give it another week to
root in additional Glosso planted just few days ago and the existing glosso in the main time
will attach to the rock even better.. I hope so..

Also I do se the piping of the JBL filter getting dirty, so I can take it as a good sign.
As it is cycling in 25L for nearly a month now it will be able to fight the nitrites much
better now.. I really hope so..

I'm still kinda struggling on flooding. lol

ok.
this is the time to get over my fears and do it again..
second attempt:


Today will fill it and leave it for 1 hour.
than drain it.. tomorrow will fill it and leave for 2 hours.
I really hope this time it will go better as it was.
At least I know for now.. if something will go badly in my tank
at some stage I can drain it at any time. lol

ok. that's me again having no patience to wait more..
after flooding/draining the tank twice decided to fill
it and leave it over nite.

EI Ferts dosing as per book.. started the cycle with 20ml of Macro
Easy Carbo added 10ml yesterday on the go. as it was after the lights
were turned OFF - no dosing today. For the 1st day of flooding
Nitrates comes up with good results (see in tracker)

This time I:
* did increase CO2 injection(God knows for how much bps or
minute but the test shows up quite high levels, so I hope this will
get right with extra CO2)
* filter matured well in my little 25L setup. As you can see as per
chart (so far so good)
* I know it was not the case, but I used RO to top it up. So GH is
really down. KH back to the levels where it was when tank was flooded 1st



..ohh.. and another thing, yess.. I did it.. tree will stay out of this scape.
I was so obsessed with this idea I didn't want to take it out.. with time the
clouds in my mind cleared.. just needed to settle down



ok. I'll keep this one updated with tests..

Looking good Lauris and good choice leaving the tree out.

Stephen.

Looks great. Amazing thread. The tree looks better out of the picture. Looking forward to future posts. Thank you

Thanks!

so the first day passed without much of stress.
In morning noticed Cuba leaves lightly curling. This fixed itself
once the CO2 did pick up with more gas injected. Tests shows really
nice results and this means once I'll manage to reduce the Co2 levels
to lime green in drop checker I will re-home my live stock in.
My timer on Co2 is set to work 5.5 hours during the Lights on and it
does switch the Co2 3 hours constant before the lights ON. also it is ON
every other hour form 8AM ( 1hour ON, 1 OFF) and 2 hours over the night.
With this I'm trying to secure the plants since the levels of Co2 of 300ppm
and more were cut-off to them. I might be wasting some amounts of the co2 but
I'm better wasting then draining it again..



So the test sheet comes up with nice results in all the parameters.
I really hope this time it will work out..

Very clean, pro looking setup. What I would add here personally is one nice looking high plant - like a single tree on a field, but don't listen to me - it looks amazing anyway.

+ glass pipes.
You can get them for 35 euros both if you search internet well.

Thanks mate. I'll upgrade bits and pieces with time. just after taking Xmass spending hit so
need some time to recover. I will do something with the background as well ..I'm thinking of getting some high grass or something.. glass pipes are good just at the moment it will be last thing for me to worry about. my mind is already setting down for next project - 30 or 40L cube.

thanks again.

Eleocharis vivipara on the 3rd plan ?

CaptainSlow wrote:

Eleocharis vivipara on the 3rd plan ?

you got it. this was the plant I'm thinking about.
just need to find the place I can order it from.

Seahorse Aquariums used to have it, but they made few orders and nobody bought so they stopped ordering this plant. However you can ask them to order it. it will arrive in a week time at max.

I think they still have the offer pay for 5 get 6th free. it was 6.5 euro per pot.

yep. that's the 1st place where I'm going after if O need something. got nearly all my gear, plants and live stock of them.

Houdy!

Finally! My first photo update..
So live stock is in since Tuesday.
All looks well. Plants suffered a bit
melting but I took it as normal because
of the CO2 amounts were cut down when
flooded. Now HC is delivering new growth
and other plants are trying to adapt.
Dosing EI over the recommendations of
supplier, Co2 down to 30ppm and lights
ON for 5.5hrs a day.. Keeping level of
over 100ppm of Co2 24hrs for 3 days brought
my 2kg's Co2 tank near to zero. lol

Ok, forgot the name of this lil beast. took the last one from
Seahorse.. don't ask why, I just named it - Henry. lol



I have about 15 Horned Nerite Snail in my tank. Lovely snails and great addition to my scape




Also I have 6 Amano. Cleaning beasts. Cleaned all my rocks in few days.
Little one - about 1cm

And bigger one - about 3-4cm


And one of my Yellow Shrimps


ok, there it is..


I hope it will go all well. Ordered wave scissors, expecting first cut in 2-3 weeks..

My planning and patience and fails pays back. and MANY thanks to Darren!
I'm sure I will beg for more advise. lol

Hi ,

looking good Lauris,

patience is definitely paying off WOW looks really good Welldone.

I love the close ups photos

Michael

I've said it before and ill say it again, great tread Lauris.
I've still been following the tread but just haven't had a chance to reply with Christmas and all.

Some of the water tests are interesting. The changes as the day goes on.

I like the few new rocks you have added and the plants. Nice little color contrasts.
Those thorny snails are fantastic at cleaning rocks with the bonus of there eggs not hatching in fresh water. So you wont be over run with them.

Just a suggestion, I would trim the HC Cuba in about a weeks time.
The benefits of this are cutting away the old growth and encouraging the new submersed growth (less chances of melting). Tight compact growth and an all round better carpet effect from early on.
Be rootless with the first trim. Don't be afraid to cut it right back. Trust me, its worth it.

Loving the Rummies. They have to be the best fresh water schooling fish ever.
Cant wait to see the tank after a few trims.

Hats off to you, you have invested so much of your attention to this tank. It's finally paying off.

Darren.

Hi Darren!
We all have being busy this crazy Xmas time.
Thanks for the thorny snails, love them. Any chance you might know the proper name of "Henry"? I love this snail - looks just fancy. The piece of rock I've got from you was smashed into few different size pieces and planted around just by the sence of feeling. the new plant looks well as you said - a tiny bit of contrast. can't wait it will come more bushy as I really adore the way it lok around that rock. Glosso is stepping back - the parts planted in soil delivers new growth. the parts over the stones are dying off (glosso do not like roots being out the soil I guess). Also you cannot notice in pic but the dwarf grass (the one going by specs to be 12-20cm long) is planted along the back glass in few spots - it looks like it will fit in well. Today added another filter with 1250L/h with real out of 850L/h Rummys really fancy it. and I guess you cannot get too much of filtration (except if your fish is being forced into the glass or stuck in the intake. lol). anyways I'll see how it goes with so much filtration - I'm hoping it will help to reduce Co2 use as it keeps the bubles in water for much longer now. I should get my scissors this week and my fancy glass drop checker too. so I'll do the cut as soon as I'll get the courier in.

Love the Rummys too. To not overcrowd the tank I might add max 10 more of them. so after I would like to get more Red Sakura (about 10) and Red Crystal (about 10-15). Also Amano squad do excellent job in tank.I'm sooo glad I've got 6 of them.

yep. such a release now to sit back and see where I'm at with months of planning and time spent.

Lauris wrote:

Hi Darren! Any chance you might know the proper name of "Henry"?.

I don't know the proper name. They came in as "Sumatran Abalone Snail". This just tells us its a snail from Sumatra. More than likely tolerating fresh and salted water.
You can see on its back the rings were the eggs were. I haven't seen any eggs hatch in fresh water so I'm guessing they need salt to hatch. Which is a good thing in a planted tank.

Very nice aquarium. An interesting and instructive subject.
Good to see that more and more people deals with plant aquariums in a professional way.

(Please note: Topic name changed due to keep all my planted journey in one post with photos, updates, progress ect.)

ok.. so it is time to admit - I was not prepared for it. Iwagumi setup scraped.
Cuba did not survive (there were only few things to go wrong and they did)
125L tank sold due to preparing for next project (plan for 80L custom made optiwhite
but it will take a time as some sum or money must be involved)
Rummy noses sold.

plenty od ADA amazonia soil and aquascape rock left for new project, but in the mean time
, as I'm not givin up - I'll have a 30L project to ease my pain

so what do I have (..or should I say - whats left .. lol)

3 Days old..

Capacity: 30L
Light: Beamswork Hi-Lumen 30 LED lights
(new one on the way - HiLumen 50 5-7K LEds)
Co2: Pressurized co2, Also decided to switch back to glass ( lily pipes and diffuser)
external ceramic reactor did a great job but I LOVE GLASS (really missed it on Iwagumi project)
Filtration: thanks God I did not sell Eheim2213. Does a brilliant job on 30L capacity.
Heating: 200w external in-line
Soil: ADA Amazonia

Tank - purchased from Wolfie. 20 quit was a great deal. He got a deal for a 3 tanks here on forum and 3rd one came in lovely
blue color (LOL) with clumsy lid (in blue+orange) with no light (I just needed to add a kind of sponge
Bob background to make it gorgeous but I decided to spoil it - Removed the brcket around, painted
bottom in black.

Live stock:
6xAmano - 3 adults, 3 small (Adults will go soon)
1 x Yellow (Love it) but will add another 5
2 x Sakura red. Will top-up to 5 (love the contrast of mixing yellow and sakura)
2 x Sumatran Abalone Snails
15 x Horned Nerite Snails
3 x Dwarf Gouramis (They seems not to bother about shrimps at all, so far so good)

Would like to add some bunch of tiny schooling fishes (5-10) any suggestions welcome

Plants: (I hope this time I will manage with no fails. lol)
Anubias nana - tied on branches
On stones - Peacock moss
Background and middle ground - Eleocharis Acicularis
Foreground - Eleocharis Parvula
I hope I will manage to keep the foreground low (once it will root it should be fine) and Will let the middle ground grass to step a lil bit
higher and background I will try to let grow up to the surface. it might be a bit of hustle to trim in this size tank but wave scissors are brilliant

Won't add any more, maybe some other moss to cover the stones.. once my peacock moss
will recover from previous project it will be moved around. I have very nice spots on big rock pieces to
some nice moss - also any suggestions very welcome.

ok. enough talking (typing) .. few photos..

Anubias nana

Some dwarf grass, peacock moss, dwarf and horned nerite

Side look

Face

Setup


what can I say.. I took a fail as a man (lol it was a heartbreaking but I managed not to cry) and I ended-up with something 4x smaller.
And finally I see my plants breathing on other half of the day, didn't happen in my scraped Iwagumi.

as mentioned - open for suggestions on tiny schooling fish to fit in and some moss to attach to rock in background.

Thanks for reading

Hi Lauris, sorry for your iwagumi , it was really beautiful.
I also had a bad experience with the cuba and next time I want to try with some similar plant I will go with micranthemum 'monte carlo' which Darren told me is quite easy to maintain.

Your actual project looks good and balanced, I'm now with a nano setup with a bit of green and a "tree" and I was thinking in the barteri nana petit I have as foliage in case I don't get the moss I'm looking for in the next days, now in yours I see it looks really nice, like a ficus ginseng.

About the schooling fishes I will go for lampeyes, and if you're looking for mid-bottom swimmers I'd choose galaxy microrasboras. I have both and none of them bother my shrimps.

P.S: I though you were a girl because of the name lol