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-   -   Hopeful Return to the Hobby (http://www.arofanatics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=526185)

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 07:09 AM

Hopeful Return to the Hobby
 
I made a post asking for help a few weeks back and updated it realizing it should be here instead so let me restart :)

Have been out of the Hobby for about 4 years due to NS, school and PT work but the love for a Planted aquaria never faded.

Really lost touch with the Equipment and Plant types so this is a very Amateurish effort. Haha. Nevertheless I hope everyone enjoys ;)

It all started with my Naive thinking that I could just settle for a simple, low-tech setup.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/a3equrys.jpg

Didn't wanna have a substrate, didn't wanna have a fert system/CO2 or any creeping plants.
It was a little pathetic and so after one night, I added more rocks and re-shaped the substrate

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/agu5yvag.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/y7eza9uz.jpg

Nonetheless the Internal Filter as well as the Overhead tricker filter just didn't suit this layout. I was left frustrated and puzzled with whats going wrong.

I begun researching online again? Checking for equipments, inspirations and direction & reshaped my entire tank

Started with Looking for Rocks
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/te4avyte.jpg

Washing them :mad:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/a4uvuda3.jpg

And setting it all up again

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/adura2uq.jpg

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 07:19 AM

Still I had to admit I was left fuming with the result and just unsatisfied. The tank size limited what I wanted to make. And the mosses on Lava Rocks didnt suit as well as I had imagined it to be :(

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/ujunedyd.jpg

However on looking on my investments on this project, I told myself I couldn't give up now & I definitely dont wanna settle for less.

You always need your Ferts, what better way than having them neatly packed :cool:

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/upazy8e9.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/eraqy5ed.jpg

Then I chose Solenoid CO2 in order to facilitate days which I wouldnt be home.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/vudybyne.jpg

Pumped in a little more money for an Aluminium Case so I could have a more slick finish to the setup

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/utymu8ej.jpg

Beamswork LED lighting for the poor Student

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/9upyzaru.jpg

Sicce Cannister over EHIEM due to the promise and 5 year warranty (price too)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/9u6uryre.jpg

The good ol' faith ADA Amazonia which Hobbyists swear by

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/4abyvy9u.jpg

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 07:25 AM

The most neglected aspect of Fish keeping - Test Kits !

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/ata3ape9.jpg

And a separate Surface skimmer for better Water Flow

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/6y9yhy5y.jpg


When you go ADA, you TRY to make it full ADA, at least for the substrate for the poor man. Haha
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/haqurany.jpg


Being frustrated with the way the project went, 1 week was enough before I made my way to order a new tank

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/vyheregy.jpg

Did up the Oyama & a customised styrofoam base

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/duqy4uzu.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/qe2u8esu.jpg

Tore down existing setup

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/bysa7e9e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/abedyjur.jpg

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 07:32 AM

Only to realize the Tank has

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/qe5u9ena.jpg

A CRACK ! :(:mad:
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/a9a2y2yv.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/3egumuty.jpg

Words can't represent the emotions within me. Thankfully the tankmaker agreed to change the glass at a discounted fee thou I am very sure I didn't knock it but nonetheless my fault for not checking.

After 4 days? The tank is back

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/hy2upuna.jpg

As well as dream-equipment pieces since young. Still the lower end of their goods but makes me a happy man

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/nyge7upu.jpg

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 07:34 AM

I played around with the substrate & layout of the Rocks

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/emesapyq.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/y2u5u4ud.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/upusyheh.jpg

Before finally ! (After 6 hours) decided on this!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/heseru2e.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/ame4u5e3.jpg

The planting begins & then finally Water Flooding !!

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/u8u9u4ym.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/4a5enu4u.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/vudatuty.jpg

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 07:37 AM

This is after 1 day and a little more planting :)

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/hyhatuta.jpg

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/07/30/u4u9yhy4.jpg

Tank is a 50cm Cube Tank

Plants are: Weeping Moss, Monte Carlo and UG

No existing Fauna and am currently looking adding another lighting set as the tank is a little deep. Welcome for suggestions !

Hope you all enjoy and guide me as I try my utmost best to Upkeep the tank's progress :) Cheers !

Beerman 30-07-2014 03:05 PM

The set up like 5 finger mountain! :) nice!

OracleNemesis 30-07-2014 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beerman (Post 9722236)
The set up like 5 finger mountain! :) nice!

Haha, thanks bro, it does give that sort of a impression. Pity my pictures doesn't allow to show the real contouring of the rocks.

Hope the moss flourish !

Beerman 30-07-2014 04:46 PM

I believe in no time u will be trimming your plants. :D go find 1 mini monkey god and place it in there. :)

fireblade 30-07-2014 05:43 PM

nicely done! and welcome back to the hobby!!!
from day 1, I find that the square rock in the middle does not match the setup... is it of different kind? how about removing it?


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