Tear down and rebuild of my 6' tank (56K warning)

[jrs]

Tank before hand


During the tear down




After the tear down


Here is the plan. 



Here is the hedge effect that I am after with the HM without the hands


Here is the trellus effect that I am after with the Fissidens


Here is how it is progressing.  The HM hedge is coming along but I will need to find some flexible plastic strips to contain it on the backside.  Still waiting on some more HC to fall from the sky.

[charlie]

Nice work John , can`t wait to see it in a few months.
Errol

[dan2x38]

Wow it wil be a beauty! What is HC?

[jrs]

Hemianthus callitrichoides (ground cover)- if memory serves me correctly I believe that it has the smallest leaves of any plant in the world.

[fischkopp]

Very ambitious project! 

I love to see how it develops. Thanx very much for sharing with us.

[sniggir]

Great work I have always been and admirorer of planted tanks but never took the plunge myself. well atleast to the level that I could call it a planted tank.

[PrincessFish]

Wow again jrs!  Do you give courses??  Would you share where you are getting your plants?  I have been looking for some great ground cover for ages (but just at lfs's).  Have only been in the hobby for 1 year but always with a planted tank and am ready to take the next step in terms of aquatic gardening.  What a wonderful project!  I am looking forward to following your work!

[jrs]

I am afraid I have collectoritis when it comes to plants and mosses.  I have just built up the species over time.

For your other question in the other thread, the moss wall tank has (2) 24"x65W PC's over it and this 6' one had a 4' quad T5HO system (4x54W) and also (2) 24"x65W PC's.

I would strongly advise anyone purchasing new to get the T5HO system.  Better light and much, much cheaper bulb replacement costs compared to the PC's. 

[PrincessFish]

Any recommendation about where to get the T5HO systems?

[jrs]

Here is a higher end unit.  https://www.reefperfection.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=193

I think that I remember seeing someone on here selling a lesser model; check with them first.  Just make sure that each bulb has individual reflectors.  Hagen also makes a system but they dont included bulbs with the system.  Dont buy them there go to a Homegrown Hydroponics store.  They are much cheaper (ie) $20 a bulb vs. $40 a bulb at a BA's

[jrs]

I did this today to try to confine the HM growth forward and verticle.  I dont know if it will work.  Looks like crap in the mean time though    You can see the pieces of glass that I have over the HC in order to keep it down until it is rooted properly.

[dan2x38]

The mesh on the back is that for a moss wall? If so how do you prevent fish getting in behind it?

[jrs]

The mesh is suctioned cupped to the glass but I really dont worry about it.  I have only had one instance where a fish got caught behind it in another tank.  I was taking the mesh out to rotate and clip.  When I re-installed it I trapped the fish by mistake and didn't realize it until a day or two later.

[jrs]

I traded for some HC today.  Here are 2 pics of the HC.  Each leaf would be about 1/4 the size of a glosso leaf for reference.




Just planting the HC now.

[beowulf]

Very nice, man you have way more patience then me. 

[leng]

<snip> You can see the pieces of glass that I have over the HC in order to keep it down until it is rooted properly.

Glass eh?  Good idea!  I gave up on HC cuba after small pieces kept floating up every day.

[jrs]

Quick Update

[charlie]

Good work John, wish i had your patience 

[jrs]

God work John, wish i had your patience 

If you meant good...thanks.   

If you meant GOD...than I am really flattered 

[charlie]

If you meant good...thanks.   

If you meant GOD...than I am really flattered 

, it was meant as "Good", if you keep it up you will be like God.