My 25 Gallon build!

[daworldisblack]

This is going to be a new build for me. Just re-siliconed a 25Gal aquarium and going to scratch the planted tank itch! Haven't done a whole lot but I have built a stand, not the best looking but its functional, and siliconed the tank up and just ran a water test right now!

Was a pain (the good kind ) as it was my first time doing it all. Who'd have thought 2x4s were really 1.5x3.5s. It was a pain to realise that only after I got home. So after many trips its done.. I'm happy that it works so not bothering with the fancy stuff. Function over fashion!



Silicone was a whole other matter. I messed up royally and removing silicone with a blade meticulously TWICE is no fun! Anyways, I think i finally got it the second time round. Looks neat, no bubbles and no leaks!


Filling up...


Ghetto style.. funnel attached to my python, hung to the showerhead with some elastic bands


I did a test to see what a leak would look like on the brown paper.. it should be quite obvious, from the look of the wet spot


All filled up and looks like it is not leaking! Whew!

Next up is getting it up and running! Going to be taking all the plants out of my 10G plant grow-out tank and planting it to the 25G. You can see some of the livestock  I plan on keeping as well. Mainly a dwarf gourami, a school of 12 Neon Tetras, 6 Amanos, 1 Zebra Nerite Snail, 2 Tiger Nerite Snails, MTS as well as Red Ramshorns. Later additions include GBRs and potentially some Endlers although I've heard endlers in planted tanks are considerd pests? I need to do a little more research. More information on the other things that matter to be posted soon!



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[bizfromqc]

Great stuff.

I went through the same process a couple of weeks ago, also with a 25G. Like you said, it was a major PITA, especially removing the old silicone. Putting the new one in was the easy part. Did the water test and it's all good. That being said, I'm glad I did it but I don't think I want to do it again LOL

It's the main reason why I left the tank there at the mini-auction (I'm the one who won it). I hadn't really look at the condition and when I saw that it was rough, I decided to leave it there for someone else to enjoy and only brought home the heater/filter.

Did you pick it up or was it another tank? Had I known, I would have given it to you, I think it was a 30.

I'm looking forward to see the rest of the thread, keep up the work and pictures, I need inspiration for my 25 

[Peekay]

Woohoo!  Your plan is in action!  Despite setbacks, it looks like there will be life soon... looking forward to it. 

[charlie]

Great start Rah - now hurry up & take your time 
Errol

[bizfromqc]

Do you plan to keep the stand bare like this or jazz it up somehow?

[daworldisblack]

Thanks Everyone! I am going to be as patient as I can while setting it up Errol haha.. I think after the meeting I am taking the aquascaping a little more seriously and giving it some thought. It is my first build however so I might go with the flow and then get inspiration form looking at it over time.

It's the main reason why I left the tank there at the mini-auction (I'm the one who won it). I hadn't really look at the condition and when I saw that it was rough, I decided to leave it there for someone else to enjoy and only brought home the heater/filter.

Did you pick it up or was it another tank? Had I known, I would have given it to you, I think it was a 30.

I'm looking forward to see the rest of the thread, keep up the work and pictures, I need inspiration for my 25 

Haha. You left it there?! Wow! I had taken a look-see and it wasn't in the best of shape.. i saw the algae in the silicone and I told myself no.. haha.. Not after I have done the de-silicone/re-silicone TWICE! Admittedly the second time round was easier but still I think I've had my share of silicone for now.

As for jazzing up the stand, I think I am going to leave this one as is. I just needed something big enough for the 25G's footprint. I was going to go through with the fancy stuff but it would easily double to cost for me right now. I'd rather use that fund for the aquarium itself - need a bubble counter, proper diffuser etc. Maybe a better more simple stained stand would be a future project when I have saved up a little for my hobby-fund

[charlie]

LMK what type of diffuser you are thinking of going with , i might just have one to fit your taste @ cost.

[daworldisblack]

LMK what type of diffuser you are thinking of going with , i might just have one to fit your taste @ cost.

Lol.. only had I known sooner.. Already have a layaway order coming in to Big Al's Kanata. Decided to get the Fluval Ceramic Diffuser you preached about. Peter had it for sale but someone snatched it up before me.. but it could also be be because he thinks I called him Paul. *shakes head*. Also got a bubble counter from the same Fluval CO2 88g Kit.. I think I'l give those a shot.. right now I have CO2 diffused through a powerhead but I found my Oto stuck in there today  Hopefully he makes it now that he's free. If you had other suggestions I'm all ears but looking forward to the one coming in to see how it'll do. Also have a drop-checker set-up coming in sometime soon off of ebay that would be of help.

[bizfromqc]

LMK what type of diffuser you are thinking of going with , i might just have one to fit your taste @ cost.

Another hint... so when is it opening? 

[daworldisblack]

Finally got round to setting things up! Got some black foam board on the back and planted the plants from my 10G grow-out tank. Clearly there were some plants that did well in there and others that didn't do too too well. Tons of Rotala Rotundafolia!

I am waiting on the dwarf hair grass to take off ( I should be careful of what I wish for according to Paul and Errol :p) so it will be my main foreground plant with the Dwarf Sagitaria. Growing some fissidens (real slow grower!) so that I can put it on the driftwood eventually. I am expecting the crypts to melt too so definitely not the final set up here. Also have a single stalk of Limnophila Sessiliflora that I want to propogate and hopefully I should have a bunch of it soon. Also waiting on the L. Arcuata to get propogated! They will be the 'bushes' that will fill the back.

I feel like it looks like it needs way more work but waiting on the plants to grow-out for now. You can tell I have no talent for aquascaping but I'll evolve it as it moves along. In the meanwhile, I'm all ears to tips! The malaysian driftwood is there just because I had good bacteria on it as it was in my grow-out tank.



::Aquarium Specs::

-AQUARIUM-

25Gallon 30Lx12Dx16H

-LIGHTS-

24" Hagen Glo Dual Fixture: Giesseman Bulbs ( Midday + Aquaflora) ~18" above substrate

-CO2-

Paintball Setup with modified fluval filter as a diffuser
*Update* Fluval 88g System Ceramic Diffuser + Bubble Counter

-PLANTS-

1) Dwarf Sagittaria
2) Needle-leaved Java Fern
3) Blyxia Japonica
4) Anubias Nana
5) Red Tiger Lotus
6) Pennywort
7) Dwarf Hair Grass / Lilaeopsis mauritiana ??
8 ) Crypt Wendtii Brown
9) Crypt Wendtii Green
10) Crypt Balansae / Cryptocoryne retrospiralis ??
11) Lymnophila Aromitica
12) Lymnophila Sessiliflora (Asian Ambulia)
13) Proserpinaca palustris 'Cuba'
14) Ludwiga Repens
15) Ludwiga Arcuata
16) Dwarf water lettuce
17) Fissidens Fontanus
18) Hemianthus micranthemoides (Pearl Weed)
19) Aponogeton capuroni

-SUBSTRATE-

Flourite Black as the base and Flourite Black Sand from the grow-out tank on top

-FERTS-

PPS-Pro
Flourish Root Tabs

-LIVESTOCK-

3 Dwarf Gouramies
11 Neon Tetras
1 Oto Cat
6 Amano Shrimp
Ramshorn Snails
Trumpet Snails
Flag Fish
German Ram Pair (In a few weeks)

So this is still a project in the works but its up and running finally. I should be doing partial water changes for the first little while and check that the lights aren't too much. Dont have the best reflectors so I should have medium lighting with the current set-up. Anyways, thats all I have for now. Leave comments I know its not the best build to come out in the last little while but I am working on it! :p

[fischkopp]

I am glad to see that smaller tanks with dwarf cichlids coming back in fashion. I like your setup, it will look great, give it a few weeks for the plants to grow in and it will be awesome. Good choice on the bulbs too, it's my preferred combination.

[touchofsky]

I agree, give it a few weeks growth, and it will look great.  A lot of the fun is in the tweaking and fine tuning as you go along 

[pm]

I am waiting on the dwarf hair grass to take off ( I should be careful of what I wish for according to Paul and Errol :p)

Jab taken 

[Peekay]

Don't be so hard on yourself!  I think it's going to be great. 

Where did you find the needle leaved java fern? 

[daworldisblack]

Jab taken 

More to come haha

[daworldisblack]

Where did you find the needle leaved java fern? 

All the way from the suburbs of Toronto No worries.. soon as I get it going, I should be able to share it here

[daworldisblack]

Good choice on the bulbs too, it's my preferred combination.

Def a big change compared to spiral CFLs :p

[pm]

All the way from the suburbs of Toronto

Yeah, I got mine there too.  It seems the Canadian market is cornered in the unfinished basement of a Markham house. 

[charlie]

All the way from the suburbs of Toronto No worries.. soon as I get it going, I should be able to share it here

When you & Peter start propagating call me first 
Good work Rah, only thing i`m not a fan of is the intake tube of filter being so prominent , i know the plants will grow in & hide some of it, but would be better in my opinion cut it if it`s too long & have it in the corner.
keep the updates coming.
Errol

[androo303]

Good work buddy. I hope the dosing regime will make mine as hearty as yours!!! Thumbs up man!!!

[daworldisblack]

Good work Rah, only thing i`m not a fan of is the intake tube of filter being so prominent , i know the plants will grow in & hide some of it, but would be better in my opinion cut it if it`s too long & have it in the corner.

Thanks Errol. I was wondering if I should do that actually.. my other option was to line the area around the intake with some pebbles so the sand doesn't go in but def going to cut it eventually. Right now am just letting the plants grow in and once that is good, i'll hvae a more definite scape. Once thats accomplished, I need to figure out where to place intake, spraybar, powerhead, CO2 diffuser etc. so that the tank doesn't look like a science fair.

Good work buddy. I hope the dosing regime will make mine as hearty as yours!!! Thumbs up man!!!

Thanks Andrew! I sure hope everything works out for ya as well! Just gotta Dose and Supplement with CO2 and play with lighting and  let the magic happen!

[bizfromqc]

Rah, what canister filter are you using with this tank? Judging on the color of the intake/outtake I'm going to guess an Eheim filter?

I have a brand new Fluval 205 (still in the box) that I was planning on using for my 25G (same dimensions as yours) and was wondering about the flow...

[daworldisblack]

Rah, what canister filter are you using with this tank? Judging on the color of the intake/outtake I'm going to guess an Eheim filter?

I have the Eheim 2213. Some may argue that it ain't enough but for my aquarium I think its should suffice. I also have a powerhead going for flow. It provides me 116GPH filtration which is about 4-5 times/hour. Yours does indicate a higher GPH so should be fine. Although i've read that most companies post GPH values sans filter media. Head height also plays a role here probably and your's looks like its got a good number. Probably should be fine

[daworldisblack]

Its not even been a week yet but am pretty excited with how things are looking! Some pic updates!


Got the new diffuser - the ceramic diffuser for the Fluval 88g CO2 System. I think it works great! Thanks for the suggestion Errol! Right now I have it set to feed some into the intake and some are being swished around in the current from the outtake.


Along with the diffuser, I also got the bubble counter. Those who've used the paintball route know that its a pain since its hard to get a steady rate. Sometimes its crazy and other times it dwindles down. So I got myself the bubble counter to help me check if the rate is steady and if tweaking is required. Before I used to put the co2 tube into the water to find the bps. I coulda made my own DIY since I love me some DIY projects but for 5.99 you can't go wrong with this! Impressive! Its got the twist-screw-things to secure your input and output tube AND a gasket to keep your bubble counter airtight! I quite like it! Also FYI, i keep the CO2 at 1bps running 24/7. I'll find out if its too little after I get my drop-checker but def not too much as livestock are all doing fine.


Plants wise, I was expecting some crypt melt but its my anubias thats melted. I actually decreased dosage while the plants took time to assimilate and root up etc. so this is a consequence of it. I still see new leaves on the other anubias plants as well however so its a casualty of tank-transfer. Lean dosing was implemented for the initial set-up period to prevent algae outbreak. I think its been working good - plants are rooting up, algae is down to a minimum, co2 is being injected and photo-period has been maintained at 8 hours.


New Growth on the Crypt Wendtii Brown and Green!


Part of my preventive measures to avoid algae as much as possible also includes having floating plants that are fast growers just in case I still have excess ferts in the column even from my lean dosing, while the plants are assimilating. Here is my 'wreath' of hornwart. I also have Dwarf water lettuce.


Another 'growth' shot. Proserpinaca palustris 'Cuba' this time. Also getting some new growth from my Pearl Weed as well as L. Sessiliflora.

Once the plants are rooted and have grown out a little, I plan to finalize the positon of the intake tube, outtake spraybar, diffuser as well as the powerhead. Also waiting on my drop-checker from EBAY! Please leave comments if you've got suggestions or anything to add

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[bizfromqc]

Looking good!

Was it you that was talking about maybe getting a SS cover for the filter intake? If you're up for it, I could go half and half with you on the shipping and buy a couple (I want 2-3).

What kind of moss do you have floating up towards the top of the tank on the mesh?

[daworldisblack]

Looking good!

Was it you that was talking about maybe getting a SS cover for the filter intake? If you're up for it, I could go half and half with you on the shipping and buy a couple (I want 2-3).

What kind of moss do you have floating up towards the top of the tank on the mesh?

Thanks! SS cover? Don't think so :p The moss is Fissidens Fontanus

[bizfromqc]

Thanks! SS cover? Don't think so :p The moss is Fissidens Fontanus

Sorry, thought for sure it was you...
Phoenix Moss, cool.

[daworldisblack]

Sorry, thought for sure it was you...

Lol.. i might have said something about LED lighting from MOPS but no SS cover

[pm]

Looking good!

Was it you that was talking about maybe getting a SS cover for the filter intake? If you're up for it, I could go half and half with you on the shipping and buy a couple (I want 2-3)

I think it was me with the SS filter intakes.  What sizes were you looking at (12mm, 14mm, or 16mm)?  And how fast do you need it?

[bizfromqc]

I think it was me with the SS filter intakes.  What sizes were you looking at (12mm, 14mm, or 16mm)?  And how fast do you need it?

Hey, I knew I didn't dream about this!
I'm in no rush though but I'll have to take the ruler out but I definitely want one for my Fluval 205 intake (I'll send you a PM)

[androo303]

So damned jealous!!! I hope my tank picks up!!!

I tried using my inline co2 diffuser on the out feed of my xp3 pump but it keeps burping, so I think I am gonna go with your setup and a ceramic diffuser..

Keep'er going man!!

[charlie]

Where is the update?? 

[daworldisblack]

Wow these phone pics are terrible! It will have to suffice for now I guess:) Thanks Errol for the bump in the head lol. I'm lazy when it comes to updating this but LOVE looking at others' tanks :p I am liking where mine is going as well though!

Heres the FTS:


Things have grown in on the left. The right is still lagging behind somewhat but mostly because I have yet to find plants to fill the spot up. Procuring is still in the works (and probably always be )


Right side of the tank. The Dwarf Saggitaria is carpeting well. Have thinned it a few times now. Moved my crypt wendtii brown and green onto this side as well. I can't get my Crinium Calamistratum to take on this side though. Using Pennywort as my main background plant behind the driftwood and liking it.


Middle of the tank. HM and Mermaid Weed in the back.


Right side. Have S. Repens as my foreground plant here. Back is L. Aromatica and Rotala Rotundafolia. The L. Aromatica could look nicer but I am failing at making it look nice and red and 'Full'. Tips? Also have the A. Capuroni surrounded by the S. Repens. L. Glandulosa courtesy of Errol currently being grown-out there. Will be transplanted at a later point to a suitable spot.


One of the new additions: Zebra Nerite Snail! Awesome for GSA!


My little dwarf hairgrass patch is coming along .. slowly but surely. Brenda, I wonder how your carpet is doing? I know it was a pain to plant these lil buggers!


An older shot of my newer additions as well - German Blue Rams!

Looking forward to tips w/ regards to plant stocking options. Also will take a higher resolution pic and update soon! Thanks for reading

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[exv152]

Nice tank, I like the addition of german blue rams, one of my personal favourites.

[bizfromqc]

I really like it Rah, it's looking good 

[charlie]

Thanks for updating Rah, keep the good work up, love to see updates 
For the SS intake holics, i want to join this group too LMK.

[bizfromqc]

Thanks for updating Rah, keep the good work up, love to see updates 
For the SS intake holics, i want to join this group too LMK.

I want in as well, keep me in the loop.

[daworldisblack]

For the SS intake holics, i want to join this group too LMK.

Lol maybe its late.. but SS intake holics? Lol.. not getting it 

[daworldisblack]

Thanks guys for the feedback Looking to further develop this by getting new plants. Still not sure what yet but I'll know when I see it

[pm]

I am a little late on the comments, but the tank looks great! 

As for the ss club, I assume it is the stainless steel filter intake club... But I could be wrong.  For those interested I have one, and it is great for protecting young fish and shrimp, without the need to clean it as often as a sponge.

[Peekay]

Brenda, I wonder how your carpet is doing? Smiley I know it was a pain to plant these lil buggers!

Not as well as yours!  No co2.    Slow but steady.  I am on the newb side of the learning curve so some I suspect I planted poorly, giving it no chance.

Tank is looking awesome.  I LOVE the lotus. 

[bizfromqc]

Not as well as yours!  No co2.    Slow but steady.  I am on the newb side of the learning curve so some I suspect I planted poorly, giving it no chance.

Tank is looking awesome.  I LOVE the lotus. 

I also have what is now a rather big red tiger lotus in my grow-out tank and oddly enough, it's doing better under the LED lights than it was before when I had 2 CFLs on there. I have no idea why but the new leaves have been thicker with a deeper red whereas before, the leaves were a bit bigger but fairly thin and greenish...

Nice setup BTW Rah, how have the rams been doing?

[touchofsky]

I also have what is now a rather big red tiger lotus in my grow-out tank and oddly enough, it's doing better under the LED lights than it was before when I had 2 CFLs on there. I have no idea why but the new leaves have been thicker with a deeper red whereas before, the leaves were a bit bigger but fairly thin and greenish...

Nice setup BTW Rah, how have the rams been doing?

That is interesting about the lotus under the LED's.  I was just yesterday contemplating moving one to an LED tank and wondering how it would do.  I think I will give it a try.

[touchofsky]

daworldisblack,
Your tank is looking great!  Thanks for updating us, and I look forward to watching its progress 

[daworldisblack]

Figured it was time for an FTS.



I moved last weekend so this tank has survived the move. Whew.. wasn't as bad as I expected actually. Good thing its only 25G! Whew! Plants wise I have some new additions in there.. got some E. Setaceum, Rotala Vietnam and dwarf L. Aromatica from Errol this past weekend so those are there. I took out the Ludwiga Repens , L. Sessiliflora and L. Aromatica as they were not looking good in there. Either too leggy or not doing well. I also acquired a healthy specimen of C. Calamistratum at the DRAS auction so its lending some of its grace to the look. Most growth that I am pleased with is the S. Repens on the front right. HM had grown like crazy and I chopped it all off. Same for R. Rotundifolia. The L. Arcuata is the tallest plant in there right now which I will trim later and replant.

Livestock wise, I lost my Male Ram I dont know what happened. It looked fine and was doing well till that evening I saw it on the verge of death. I took him out and put him in his own quarantine tank but he was gone the next morning. I am also going to lose my male dwarf Gourami to dropsy soon it looks like. Its bloated and from everything I've read, looks like there isn't much I can do for that lil guy I also dropped a small group of 6 Black Phantom Tetras in there a few weeks ago and they are doing fine although they hide alot.

Feedback welcome.

P.S: Thanks for all the previous comments. I must've missed them so apologies for not responding to them.

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[bettabreeder]

Rah! That tank is looking unreal!


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[exv152]

Sorry to hear about the german blue ram, but the tank looks good!

[fischkopp]

Good job! That's my kind of planted tank.
What are you growing in the very front, middle, that's very low?

[Peekay]

I think that's the lilaeopsis mauritania that Charlie shared?  Yours has spread much faster than mine, Rah!  The staurogyne also looks very happy.. love that plant.

Looks great, I'm glad the move went well.

So sorry about your losses.    Always sucks.

[touchofsky]

Your tank looks great.  I am sorry about your ram and your gourami.  I, too, have black phantoms, and mine seem to like to live in the plants, too, so I don't see them much since my tank is heavily planted as is yours.  I see them at feeding time, though lol.  I find that the fish sold as yellow phantoms are out more.

[daworldisblack]

Thanks for the comments guys. Yeah the losses are a bummer - they were both real nice showy fishes. The female ram is doing awesome though and its got amazing colours too. The male gourami is still holding on but I suspect its a matter of days.. sigh..

What are you growing in the very front, middle, that's very low?

I think that's the lilaeopsis mauritania that Charlie shared?

I didn't have ID on that plant for a while and thought it was LM as Brenda said as well. It was also def not DHG Parvula so upon further research i've found that its DHG Belem or sp. Japan. It is shorter then Parvula and grows curved instead of straight up. As well it doesn't have little buds at the tips of the blades like other DHG species I've seen. Slow grower too so perfect for those who want the DHG look in the foreground w/o the hassles of having to trim frequently.

[charlie]

Good job Rah, hope the E. Setaceum do goood for you, can be a bit of a challenge but it`s well worth it.
Errol

[charlie]

wow been a few months cough cough 

[daworldisblack]

Haha.. been a few changes and lack of maintenance - will update in due time.. promise! :p