New 29g Build Log

It ended up being too big, kinda ugly, too flaky, kinda sharp and just not really what I was looking for. Also, it fell apart when I picked it up :)

I think the new rock structure looks better and it is far more stable as well.
 
A few more little changes to make before planting next week.

I'm going to drill out the holes on the spraybar, and add some new ones to cut down on the flow from the XP2. It's a bit strong and I want the vals to grow in around where the spraybar is.

The temp is much better with the Jager heater. It's varying from about 79.1 at night to a peak of 79.8 or so during the day. It's slightly warm for the Corys, but the Platys, Otos, Rams and plants should be happy in those temps. I can't wait for the plants to get here so I can get the rest of the fish in the tank :D
 
Aquariumplants.com is a great site. They have nice plants and great selection. My order from them was perfect! Also the Driftwood is amazing. Awaiting to see it planted!
 
I drilled out the spray bar, enlarging the existing holes, adding two on top and three on the bottom. I also drilled out three holes in the end cap so that the flow from the filter is far more diffuse and multi-directional. Should make the plants a little less 'windblown' in the tank.

I also proved to myself why I should never start new projects. In order to add eight holes to a 14" piece of PVC, I ended up buying a new drill, a Workmate, four quick clamps, and some new drill bits. Now I'm contemplating a pegboard wall in the garage so I can hang more tools.

I tend to overdo things, I think...
 
Yay! Just got the shipping notification, and my plants should be in tomorrow at noon!
 
All seems to be going smoothly.... I like the direction your going with things... cant wait to see how your going to 'scape your plants... :]

and on another note.... gotta give you props for being so patient.... ;}
 
If you think I'm patient with this, look at the first day of my reef log. It's been in progress for almost nine months now, and I have yet to actually put any water in it :)
 
Planted!

And it's now planted.

I made a few strategic errors. I thought I had ordered a dwarf saggitaria and I didn't, so of the pack of ten I used only one in this tank, one in my 5g, and one (just for laughs) in my 1.5g tall betta tank. I also received 3 red lotus bulbs, but had only planned for one. I also only used 6 of the ten corkscrew vals, I just ran out of room.

No big deal, I ended up wasting some plants, but I picked the best of the bunches this way.

Here is a full tank shot:

plantedfts-0.jpg


The hardscape shifted a bit, and I tried to make a bit of a grade in the sand as well. The right is more heavily planted, but as the left side fills in it should balance since the plants on that side should be bushier. You can see some watersprite floating at the top left.

Here is a closeup of the left side:

plantedleft-0.jpg


You can see the cave in the driftwood better from this shot. That is a lotus bulb (nymphaea zenkeri) in front of it, the red melon sword (echinodorus barthii) to the left of the driftwood, and you can see the vals along the back. I have the vals spaced about three inches apart, so they should fill in there nicely.

The CO2 diffuser is from AquariumPlants.com. A nice little kit they sell, which even includes a pre-drilled 2L bottle cap with the tubing installed in the cap. There is a Rio 400 pump on top, and I've been amusing myself by blowing into the tubing and watching the bubbles fly. My 2 year old daughter thinks it's hilarious.

Here is the right side:

plantedright-0.jpg


Thats the one saggitaria playphylla by the rock structure, and a gorgeous rosseta sword (parviflorus V. tropica) in the front right. I *love* that plant, it's just fantastic. You can sort of make out the two anubias gracilis in this shot, one tucked into a gap in the stones, and the other on the spire of the driftwood.

You can see the anubias on this side better with a shot taken form the end:

plantedend-0.jpg


The last plant on the right in this shot is the hygrophilia corombosa which I planted there just to hide the heater and filter intake somewhat, at least in theory.

So, I have since hooked up my DIY CO2 reactor, and we'll see how things look in the morning.

So, any feedback or suggestions?
 
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