Dude this is sweet! I totally missed this thread, but it hasn't even been up that long. Man you've been busy! What happened w/the barbs? Any ill effects from the mold inhibitors in the silicone yet, if any? I'd like to try something like this, but don't think I have an eye for it. You should be a tank designer...You'd get paid top dollar!
20g Cork Scape Build
- Thread starter mellowvision
- Start date
spunjin
Manzanita Supplier
That is a great looking tank. I like the height and depth created with the cork and egg crate. Are you going to make a "lawn" on the top tier since it is close to the surface. I may have missed it in the reading on previous posts but what is the lighting on the tank. I see you have lots of ferns so are you going for the 1-2W/gal or are you going higher? How long does submerged cork last? It sure does look great.
I checked out that reptile site, I read the cork should not mold or break down. One of the corks were sold to be floating turtle basking logs. I'd be interested to try this out in my old 5g hex. How long has your 5.5 been set up? Is the cork showing any signs of stress, mold, or breaking down in anyway? Wicked impressive man. :thm: Please keep the updates coming!
I've read through this and all your other paludarium posts and I've had about enough! I can't stand it anymore...I HAVE to do this...I'm too inspired by what you've done 
.
Couple of questions:
1) What size cork did you order for this tank? I'm looking to fill a 30 gallon.
2) What substrate did you use?
3) How long has your 5.5g been running...I'm just trying to gauge the life of this cork
Thanks for sharing your work...it's really amazing!
.Couple of questions:
1) What size cork did you order for this tank? I'm looking to fill a 30 gallon.
2) What substrate did you use?
3) How long has your 5.5g been running...I'm just trying to gauge the life of this cork
Thanks for sharing your work...it's really amazing!
Very cool idea and it looks great in practice! I think cork wouldn't break down much or at least not quickly at all especially since they use it for bottling wine, etc. (sorry if thats already been mentioned, I didn't read all the posts) Great job!
your giving me great ideas. I have been playing with planter type things in my tank to give more light to certain plants, and to give more definition to the tank. I have done the 1-1 1/2 inches of gravel over a cave, or rock slide, an I agree It is hard to maintain.
well, not much has happened in the last week. things are settling in, and I've removed all of the fully adult cherry barbs, giving me a lot more space. I've also got a new anubias to add and am still contemplating what to plant in the top area. I'm also considering raising the light up a bit, there are a few areas I'd like to shed more light on. it's a very active tank, where the amanos seem to have the run of the town. They take what they want from whoever, and are pretty forceful about it, in a really humorous way. They evidently like this tank quite a bit, and have been showing a ton of mating behavior around the clock.
to answer a few questions posted recently,
The cork is showing no signs of problems in this tank or my 5.5. I do get some floating dust and bits of debris, but I fully expect that for the next few months as the loose stuff works it's way out. I ordered the cork from herpsupplies.com and ordered their largest tubes. This tank used 3/4 of 1 tube. I'd order 2 tubes for a 30g, maybe 3 to have selection of shape.
The 5.5 has been running for a month and a half.
The substrate in this tank is flourite black in the planters, and flourite black sand on the floor. Some flourite has spilled over onto the sand, this was planned, and looks great. the color matches perfectly. I love the sand. it's firm and a great texture.
I am still not sure what to do about the lawn area. I'd like something like glosso maybe, but would also like something a bit taller that the fish would swim under.
The lighting is a 40w current usa fixture with 6700k bulbs, and it's right on the glass. It's only a 20" wide fixture, so it's smaller than the tank top. I also have an ikea led light strip that acts as a moonlight. It's usually on the red color, but it can cycle through 8 colors I think and looks cool in some of the others too.
I used GE silicone I which has no mold inhibitors. I've had no problems with it.
no photos today, I'm waiting until I get some new fish! Honey Dwarf Gourami should be next up.
to answer a few questions posted recently,
The cork is showing no signs of problems in this tank or my 5.5. I do get some floating dust and bits of debris, but I fully expect that for the next few months as the loose stuff works it's way out. I ordered the cork from herpsupplies.com and ordered their largest tubes. This tank used 3/4 of 1 tube. I'd order 2 tubes for a 30g, maybe 3 to have selection of shape.
The 5.5 has been running for a month and a half.
The substrate in this tank is flourite black in the planters, and flourite black sand on the floor. Some flourite has spilled over onto the sand, this was planned, and looks great. the color matches perfectly. I love the sand. it's firm and a great texture.
I am still not sure what to do about the lawn area. I'd like something like glosso maybe, but would also like something a bit taller that the fish would swim under.
The lighting is a 40w current usa fixture with 6700k bulbs, and it's right on the glass. It's only a 20" wide fixture, so it's smaller than the tank top. I also have an ikea led light strip that acts as a moonlight. It's usually on the red color, but it can cycle through 8 colors I think and looks cool in some of the others too.
I used GE silicone I which has no mold inhibitors. I've had no problems with it.
no photos today, I'm waiting until I get some new fish! Honey Dwarf Gourami should be next up.
