20 Gallon Low Light Planted Tank Build Journal! FINALLY!

PattyCakes81

PattyCakes81

AC Members
Jun 26, 2010
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Staten Island, New York
Real Name
Patricia
Hi Guys,

Yesss, FINALLY starting my 20 gallon high, low light planted tank!!!:dance2::clap:

I have bought everything I need so far (I think). All that is needed is to cycle, buy plants and the fishes.

List of materials:

Aquaclear 50 filter and extra media
Water Changer/gravel cleaner
Prime Water Conditioner
Ammonium Chloride Solution-For cycling
Light Timer-To control photo periods
Surge protector
MagFloat and Handled algae scrubber
Thermometer
API Freshwater mater test kit
Glass Canopy
Exo terra Compact Top terranium Canopy 3 bulb incandescent fixture
10 gallon Air pump, airline tubing, check valves-For running small DIY filter
20 gallon pre-filter-To connect to Aquaclear intake tube
75W Eheim jager Aquarium Heater
Two 20 pound bags of CaribSea Instant peace River substrate
Three 10 watt Zoo Med Mini Compact Flourescent Daylight bulbs
Two "Shrimp Rocks"
Nets-small fine mesh kind
3 pieces of mopani wood
1 large water proof jungle vine
4 flat river rocks-To hopefully get Java Moss actached to

Just a full tank shot before starting
full tank and stand pic before starting.jpg
This the fixture i will be using
pic of lamp fixture.jpg
Sketch of planned layout
I planned to slope substrate low to high front to back.
Also some hills in the back that dip in the middle.
tank layout sketc.jpg
Actual layout without the substrate
is the heater in a correct position?
The plastic bottle in the right back is going to be the DIY filter.
actual tank layout in tank.jpg
What you guys think about the layout?

Plants List:
Java Fern
Java Moss
Wisteria-hygrophilia Difformis
Spiral Val-Vallisneria tortifolia?
Crypt Wendtii
Anubias Nana

Stocking Plans:
1-peacock gudgeon or German Gold Ram
10-Cardinal tetras
6-Panda Corydoras
1-Zebar Nerite Snail
10-Red Cherry Shrimp

Since I am a newbie I will greatly appreciate all the help and tips you can give me!!

actual tank layout in tank.jpg full tank and stand pic before starting.jpg pic of lamp fixture.jpg tank layout sketc.jpg
 
Thanks jpappy!!

:( Found a major setback!!

Tank is not level by 1/4 inch. Getting some shims tomorrow. Hopefully can start fishless cycling tomorrow.

Its not level front to back. I mean its tilted back. it is lower on the back than the front.

is this a big problem. What do you guys recommend.

Just in case-Its the floor that is not leveled not the tank and the stand.
 
I wouldnt worry about it at all. My 20L is usually 3-4" hanging off the stand anyway because of me bumping into it and stuff.
 
Entold said:
I wouldnt worry about it at all. My 20L is usually 3-4" hanging off the stand anyway because of me bumping into it and stuff.
Click to expand...

So being unleveled like this it wouldn't cause the twisting that people talk about.
Than your tank burst.

This is a larger pic of the cool "Shrimp rocks" I bought. They are made of clay like terracotta pots. But have a whole lot of holes some a 1/2 deep. So I figured the baby shrimps can hide in there.
camaron rocks.JPG

camaron rocks.JPG
 
Last edited:
jpappy789 said:
Interesting, I've never seen those before...my 10g is unlevel (I wouldn't want that much overhang, personally) but it's the floor. If you can fix it now, I would. Better safe than sorry I guess.
Click to expand...

I will let you guys know how the shrimp rocks do. I got them from:
http://www.plecocaves.com/Caves.htm

What do you mean by overhang? The tank is supported by the top wood piece all around.
 
stephybabe88 said:
Sounds like you're off to a good start. I wish I would have planned better (even on my second tank).
Sent from my iPod touch using MonsterAquariaNetwork app
Click to expand...

Thanks stephybabe!! The reason I have prepared so much before hand is because I
found AC and all the helpful and experience people on here!!:thm::dance:

I have learned a lot from AC!
 
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