Progress... inspiration from this tank is mainly from Japanese-style planted aquariums. I want to keep it minimalist, which is why I opted out of doing a background.
Here is Day 1, after creating the terrain and adding substrate. I used river pebbles as the base, which are large enough to allow water movement and prevent stagnant areas. I decided not to do an eggcrate structure so I can more easily tear it apart and re-do if I want to (I like to reaquascape things
).
The pebbles are supported in areas with pieces of petrified wood to prevent collapse. On top of the pebbles is a layer of dried (and re-moistened) moss, to prevent the peat from falling into the water. On top of the dried moss is a 1" layer of sphagnum peat.
The water depth is approximately 3". Stream feature is created using cork bark and a small fountain pump. There is also a heater. The heater and pump are hidden using a removable piece of wood. ( I think I will float duckweed in the back pool over the heater to cover it up further). I stuck in some plants that I had, not too sure of the names of them
.
Day 3
Today I added the moss. I put in about 4 or 5 different types of moss growing locally in my neighborhood, just to see what types will do well in the light and warmth. I can already guess what will survive based on where I collected it, but I figured I would give the others a shot nonetheless.
I plan on adding also: a reddish colored air plant, venus fly trap, small orchid, and small bromeliad. Also I might silicone some turkey tails onto the back glass. If I can get some plants to grow in the blackwater that would be cool. Maybe a killifish or small aquatic frog in the future.
-Diana
