A Tetra Haven - 125 gal playground - APE - Aquatic Plant Enthusiasts

chillplants · 08-18-2009, 11:07 PM

I decided it was time to tear down and rebuild my 125 gal tank. I tried too many substrate experiments at the same time during the last scape (which I don't recommend on large tanks) and I ended up with a huge mess to clean up. Anyway, I got some new wood that fits this tank much better. After I got the tank up and running the last time, I noticed scratches on the front glass from my puppy playing in the tank while it was on the porch being painted. So I decided to take the paint off the back, turn it over and repaint the (old) front. A big huge THANKS goes out to Orlando (Aquazilla) and Oscar (Monkeyruler90) for helping me move this beast to the porch and back in again.
All right, on to the pics. These first pics are just after the wood was placed and the tank refilled. I'm letting the dust settle overnight before I start planting and restart the filters.
Top view

Left side

FTS

I'm planning on keeping this tank somewhat simple and easy to maintain with crypts, anubias, ferns and moss. I have a few stems that I'll add to the right side surrounding the wood and I'll be planting Marselia minuta in the foreground. I haven't decided yet if I'll plant the back with stems or maybe some tall grass or just leave it open and let the Marselia fill it in.

AquaZilla · 08-18-2009, 11:23 PM

Looking good! How did the new paint job work out?

chillplants · 08-18-2009, 11:46 PM

Mostly good. It wasn't quite dry this morning when I woke up. I was a little worried about dirt getting on the paint (removal could scratch the glass) since today was yard day. So I covered the tank with a tarp. Later I went to check on it and the tarp stuck to the paint and I had to touch up a few spots. It's not quite black, more of a dark gray, but I think it will work.

AquaZilla · 08-18-2009, 11:52 PM

Yeah, I remember the paint can. It was a very dark greyish black.

I never asked, are you keeping the same light?

chillplants · 08-19-2009, 12:03 AM

I plan on ordering two 5' 2x80W T5HO Solar from Catalina in about 2 weeks. It's the same price as one 4X80W fixture, but I'll have more light placement flexibility with 2 separate fixtures.

chillplants · 08-19-2009, 04:43 PM

Got a bit of the planting done today. I have more plants arriving tomorrow to help me finish this scape. The tank isn't completely clear yet as I kicked up some dust while planting. Tomorrow I will drain the tank (mostly) so I can get in and tie on all the anubias, ferns, and mosses.
FTS

Left side - I created this slope (green circle) to help hold the wood in place. As I was planting, I thought the effect of the Marselia climbing up the slope would look nice. Originally, I was thinking of putting some narrow leaf java fern in there. Now I think I may move the fern a little further back in the red circle. The rest of the tips will have java moss.

Middle - This section of the wood will hold Anubias. In the front blue circle I'm thinking of putting Anubias nana var nana, I also have some barteri (maybe red circle) and coffeefolia (green circle).

Right - I have some Trident fern that will be tied on the end of the wood tomorrow. There is a large area on this side of the tank in the back that is bare for the moment. I'm not sure if I want to let the Marselia come back here or plant something else. Any ideas?

monkeyruler90 · 08-19-2009, 07:39 PM

man im definitely liking that wood placement. its awesome! its gonna look great once everything is filled in. it'll look good if you just have a big field of marselia growing on the right side.

hydrophyte · 08-19-2009, 10:53 PM

Hey nice work. This is gonna look cool. You are so good at growing plants that I'm sure it will grow in pretty quick.

I have noticed that tanks like this one that leave potential for good-sized open areas with little foliage are really good for displaying fish.

chillplants · 08-20-2009, 07:23 AM

Thanks everyone. My intention with this tank is to leave a large open area for fish to swim. I'm planning on stocking with a large school of Boraras maculatus.

AquaZilla · 08-20-2009, 04:18 PM

I think its off to a good start!

The only constructive criticism I could give is to fill that huge open space

In my opinion a tank of this size would do great with larger in diameter wood pieces. Larger branches with the heavier parts at the bottom.

I have a large/huge shipment of wood coming in this week so if you want to see what I mean come on by...

That being said, pack that beast with a ton of plants!

08-18-2009, 11:07 PM	#1 (permalink)
chillplants Aquatic Plant Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 423	A Tetra Haven - 125 gal playground I decided it was time to tear down and rebuild my 125 gal tank. I tried too many substrate experiments at the same time during the last scape (which I don't recommend on large tanks) and I ended up with a huge mess to clean up. Anyway, I got some new wood that fits this tank much better. After I got the tank up and running the last time, I noticed scratches on the front glass from my puppy playing in the tank while it was on the porch being painted. So I decided to take the paint off the back, turn it over and repaint the (old) front. A big huge THANKS goes out to Orlando (Aquazilla) and Oscar (Monkeyruler90) for helping me move this beast to the porch and back in again. All right, on to the pics. These first pics are just after the wood was placed and the tank refilled. I'm letting the dust settle overnight before I start planting and restart the filters. Top view Left side FTS I'm planning on keeping this tank somewhat simple and easy to maintain with crypts, anubias, ferns and moss. I have a few stems that I'll add to the right side surrounding the wood and I'll be planting Marselia minuta in the foreground. I haven't decided yet if I'll plant the back with stems or maybe some tall grass or just leave it open and let the Marselia fill it in. Last edited by chillplants; 12-12-2009 at 01:31 PM.

08-19-2009, 10:53 PM	#8 (permalink)
hydrophyte Planted Tank Guru Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Madison, WI Posts: 448	Hey nice work. This is gonna look cool. You are so good at growing plants that I'm sure it will grow in pretty quick. I have noticed that tanks like this one that leave potential for good-sized open areas with little foliage are really good for displaying fish. __________________ Hydrophyte

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08-18-2009, 11:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Looking good! How did the new paint job work out?

08-18-2009, 11:46 PM	#3 (permalink)
chillplants Aquatic Plant Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 423	Mostly good. It wasn't quite dry this morning when I woke up. I was a little worried about dirt getting on the paint (removal could scratch the glass) since today was yard day. So I covered the tank with a tarp. Later I went to check on it and the tarp stuck to the paint and I had to touch up a few spots. It's not quite black, more of a dark gray, but I think it will work.

08-18-2009, 11:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	Yeah, I remember the paint can. It was a very dark greyish black. I never asked, are you keeping the same light?

08-19-2009, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
chillplants Aquatic Plant Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 423	I plan on ordering two 5' 2x80W T5HO Solar from Catalina in about 2 weeks. It's the same price as one 4X80W fixture, but I'll have more light placement flexibility with 2 separate fixtures.

08-19-2009, 04:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
chillplants Aquatic Plant Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 423	Got a bit of the planting done today. I have more plants arriving tomorrow to help me finish this scape. The tank isn't completely clear yet as I kicked up some dust while planting. Tomorrow I will drain the tank (mostly) so I can get in and tie on all the anubias, ferns, and mosses. FTS Left side - I created this slope (green circle) to help hold the wood in place. As I was planting, I thought the effect of the Marselia climbing up the slope would look nice. Originally, I was thinking of putting some narrow leaf java fern in there. Now I think I may move the fern a little further back in the red circle. The rest of the tips will have java moss. Middle - This section of the wood will hold Anubias. In the front blue circle I'm thinking of putting Anubias nana var nana, I also have some barteri (maybe red circle) and coffeefolia (green circle). Right - I have some Trident fern that will be tied on the end of the wood tomorrow. There is a large area on this side of the tank in the back that is bare for the moment. I'm not sure if I want to let the Marselia come back here or plant something else. Any ideas?

08-19-2009, 07:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
monkeyruler90 Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gainesville, Florida Posts: 40	man im definitely liking that wood placement. its awesome! its gonna look great once everything is filled in. it'll look good if you just have a big field of marselia growing on the right side.

08-20-2009, 07:23 AM	#9 (permalink)
chillplants Aquatic Plant Enthusiast Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Gainesville, FL Posts: 423	Thanks everyone. My intention with this tank is to leave a large open area for fish to swim. I'm planning on stocking with a large school of Boraras maculatus.

08-20-2009, 04:18 PM	#10 (permalink)
AquaZilla Administrator Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 2,736	I think its off to a good start! The only constructive criticism I could give is to fill that huge open space In my opinion a tank of this size would do great with larger in diameter wood pieces. Larger branches with the heavier parts at the bottom. I have a large/huge shipment of wood coming in this week so if you want to see what I mean come on by... That being said, pack that beast with a ton of plants!