Hi, i plan to start a nano planted aquarium. I am relying heavily on DIY due to budget constraint. First timer, doing some readings. Haven't buy/do anything concrete yet..just visualizing it in mind.

1. I plan to DIY my own driftwood using a rambutan tree branch. Already know the basic steps. My doubt is, how to make it submerge (non floating) inside the tank? Also, the color now is brownish, would it be a good idea to burn it slightly to gives it a blackish (charcoal-ish) feel?

2. I know a planted aquarium needs a good soil full of nutrients. Just wondering izit possible to use the soil for normal potted plants for this purpose? I plan to mix them with some sand from the seaside to add more texture.

3. Some aquariums have background, while some not. What's are your guys stand on this?

Hope to hear some input. Thanks

Thanks blinded, tenchi0205 and Drew

neon tetra, angel fish and guppy..are they compatible?

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Sep 8 2009, 03:32 PM

Is tap water safe to use for the tank? If not, how to treat it..or any other source of water? Thanks

1. For a 16x8x8 inch tank, how much lighting is needed in W?

2. The plants are sold in a bunch with a cylinder shape thingy covering their roots. We r are suppose to remove that cylinder thing before planting?

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Sep 10 2009, 09:04 PM

nice diy light fongzai...mine stil not up yet..

HP camera quality

just normal white sand, black sand, brown/black mixture from a lfs in plastiic bag..added 0.5 kg of aquasoil too..

but i think the plant goona die in few days time , the fishes already RIP

i think too much co2..water ph gets too acidic..any advise?

yeaahlor..confusing..

friday evening, i put 1 fish (no co2 + no lighting + no food), survive till tuesday..plants turned yellowish though..

tuesday evening, i add 4 more fishes (with co2 + no lighting), found dead on wednesday morning..

wednesday afternoon, add 4 more fishes (with co2 + with lighting), 3 found dead in 2 hours time, manage to scoop out the other 1...

so how ar?

at first it also came to my mind that maybe i didnt cycle it properly..but on the other hand, my first fish survive for 3 days...mind booggling..

i used normal tap water, added with anti chlorin..cant be becoz i over added? yeah, there were some foam bubbles on the surface, but i read somewhere that over anti chlorin isnt harmful..

thanks :-)

just to add: the water was still cloudy even after running thru the filter for 24 hrs...maybe i will change the water again tmr and put the co2 up again..the fish that i managed to save is still in a pail of water..phobia of putting into the tank now :-S

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Sep 24 2009, 12:44 AM

I am using HBL-301 - II model HOB filter..yeah..it could be too small..the lfs dude said it can support up to 30 fishes *smack forehead*..how many fishes can this model support? i have measured, a bigger filler wouldnt fit to my tank becoz of its short height..sigh..

only add some bio rings and the sponge thingy that came together with it..

okie, will remove that plant later when i settle some office work..

i think i may hv used over amount of anti-chlorin..still have foams..

thank you all

p/s why my water hv this slimey texture?

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Sep 24 2009, 11:57 AM

Hmm..my tank is only 17 litres..and its stated there 300 L/hr..shld be okay..

btw, oxidization (rust) kills fishes right? and why the water hv this slimey texture?

Just moss and a floating plant to begin with this time..added fishes, they swimming happily and i am happy too :-)

2 red gouramis
8 neon tetra
1 swordtail
1 corydoras


Kissing


They love to hide inside the tunnel

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Oct 1 2009, 11:33 PM

I came acrosss some shrimps sold as food for arowanas / crayfish..transparent and very cheap. What are they called? Can they live in a planted tank?

Hehe thanks..ghost shrimp..kinda fascinated by them though...i will try to put some into my next tank..poor man's CRS/RCS

My new low maintainence tank

Nope..not heaving on planting..willl only be moss, so dont need soil..very low maintenance tank hehe

Hi, refer here for DIY CO2 : http://www.plantedtank.net/articles/DIY-Yeast-CO2/7/

Those are moss, there are many types of them..mine is either java moss or singaporean moss. refer here for more info: http://www.aquamoss.net/. For leafty plants, anubias and those with rhizomes can be tied on driftwood to grow


Hi bro, i have no idea on the plant ID..for easy to grow/maintain plant, i would suggest go for anubias..I have a DIY CO2 but I am not putting it inside my tank yet..i am assuming its not necesaary for simple low tech tank like mine..

Have a look at our own Malaysian Aquascaping Club forum for better guidance/info: http://www.my-mac.net/forum/

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Oct 24 2009, 11:53 AM

Hi, nice looking slim tank you have there..mind showing the full photo of it as a whole? It looks smaller than 18 inch x 9 inch x 9 inch. Whats the cost? Thanks

This post has been edited by Human Nature: Oct 25 2009, 10:43 PM