Dream Tank 2 72g Freshwater Planted Tank

[Susan Edwards]

Sand paths are a pain to maintain in my experience, I regret mine. Aquasoil always finds its way into the sand, no matter how good the barrier is. If you're up for the challenge and extra maintenance, go for it!

P.S. Not sure if the rubble outline is finalized, but I would make the front of the sand path wider, and the back narrower, creating more illusion of depth.

Thanks. Good idea on sand path wider in front. I figure I'll give it a go, and if nature (haha) interferes, I'll let nature take its course and have an overgrown wilder tank. But doing my best to be sure there are no gaps in the stone fence and will plant heavy along path to help. Of course, the fish will do what fish will do...

Have the driftwood on the paper template now and will build my rocks and upload. When I did my monster saltwater tank, playing with the rocks was so fun. A good use of creativity. And speaking of creativity, I have to ignore all things tank for several hours and work on my book! Due to an editor end of Aug.....

 

[Susan Edwards]

I saw this tank online and a carpet path looks nice as well. Could still do sand in front to hide the dark substrate and provide sand for bottom crew. Thoughts?
alternate to sand

sort of what I had in mind but cleaner planting. More open space for fish, not so dense

 

[iani]

I will research further! Thanks. How aggressive would a pair of dwarf cichlids be and would all cichlids be a problem with shrimp?

It depends on the hiding spaces available. Amano shrimp are larger so they will likely stand a better chance. Cherry shrimp reproduce fast, some will likely get eaten. But it's like getting free fish food. Even tetras and rasboras will pick off baby cherry shrimp.

 

[Susan Edwards]

Made a list today of all I need to do before I order my plants. I'm hoping I can order by the 15th which means finding them all. My main place is out of stock of many so I may have to order from 2-4 places. I want all tissue cultured. No pests. Did some more landscaping after my morning writing session. Still thinking my path: sand or grass. Will play with path stones but first will do the bigger items. I think I like this and could get it glued. Rock against driftwood will be done in tank to avoid any falling. My stone "mountain I can do and place inside and then put the stump in and add glue. Oh, ignore the cluttered mess. I have to block the top of the half way to keep my friends dog from going over when I watch them. Haven't put things back yet lol's

 

[Susan Edwards]

It depends on the hiding spaces available. Amano shrimp are larger so they will likely stand a better chance. Cherry shrimp reproduce fast, some will likely get eaten. But it's like getting free fish food. Even tetras and rasboras will pick off baby cherry shrimp.

thank you!

 

[Susan Edwards]

Some progress. But the biggest news is I told my boss I wouldn't be back to work after my leave (father's death). So I will have all the time in the world to devote to this tank! Well, among other things lol's. Retiring with no shortage of things to do.

Cleaned out half my office closet for fish supplies. What isn't needed often is set up in garage. Filled my Oase canister. Have 1 tray empty and most of another tray mostly empty to add the media from the other canister filter on the other tank. I need to go rewatch videos on the order of the trays. I have the red medium sponge on top and will maybe add some filter floss on top. Added purigen under it. Another bag of Purigen is with 1 of the media trays. Debating whether to put the red sponge on bottom with media and use top tray for purigen and carbon if needed plus filter floss if needed in beginning.

Light background comes tomorrow. Biggest issue now is my spectrapure Rodi isn't working. Water is flowing into my 60 gal tank, but the gage shows zero pressure and the 2 tds meters aren't working. I replaced the membragne but nothing. If hubby can't fix, I'll have to use tap to fill. Discovered my ato plug is missing. So need to order a new ato...

Have everything for my co2. Just need to figure out how to use it. and get a spare 2nd tank, even just a 2.5 gal to have on hand.

tomorrow I start working on gluing rocks. And figuing out final plant counts and where to get. Using tissue cultured only

 

[Baykes]

Looking great, congrats on you're retirement!

 

[Susan Edwards]

more progress. Got the cover over the power sockets so water can't get in and cause trouble.

Background installed. Hubby made custom brackets to hold light upside down and pointing up. Once water is in the tank, it should reflect even better. Likeing it.

Tank is in position. 6" from back and enough room for me slip between wall and tank on the left. If one of my small step stools fits, might push it back anothe inch or two or not. It overhangs the wall on left where the closet it but not a big deal. Closet will house co2, canister filter and supplies. ATO goes on bottom shelf. Using a tote with a hole for tubing and a hole cut in lid to add water.

Hubby will look at the rodi tomorrow to see if he can fix. But I can just use water and prime. My tap water tests at:
PH 7.6
EC 241
TDS 120
So maybe regular water is okay

Next is to rinse lava rock and add along back for highth. Might need a couple more bags. Then move the driftwood and rocks in and glue. Then glue my "rock fences" And figure out how much of each plant. Slow but sure
custom brackets. Screwed into stand top. The part sticking up was if we'd wanted the brackets facing up. This way looked better

Sunset theme

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