John's Biocube 8 planted tank new pic 2-25-13

I have been working on this little guy for a few weeks now rather slowly.

I started out by gutting the filtration in back to use the space for the scape.

I then remove one bulb and all of its electrical parts as I want this tank to be low light and low tech, no CO2 will be used. I still have some plants to get to fill in the right side and some moss to put on the wood.

Here is the light section mounted to reduce the light level to the strength I want. It is about 15" above the substrate.


And here is how the tank looks after adding the moss I was gifted today.


The residents of the tank.
I bought 2 of these guys but only seem to see one at a time.


I have 2 of these too.


I purchased 6 Sparkling Gouramis but one died last night. I had been worried about it as it was acting strange.


And last an Albino Bushynose Pleco


I will possibly add some more fish but am not positive what species of if I will.

 

beautiful tank! i really think the black gravel completes the look of any planted tank. very striking.

 

I agree it seems to bring all of the colors out of the fauna and flora.

 

Beautiful tank, I don't know much about planted tanks but was under the impressions CO2 was needed for all of them, thanks for the info.

BTW the tank is awesome, may see a new build thread in the future.

 

Lighting level controls the need for CO2. 10 to 20 PAR at the substrate can make do without CO2 if you control the light period and nutrients well. 20 to 30 PAR will need DIY CO2 or Seachem Excel in larger tanks. After 40 PAR you should be looking into pressurized CO2 and heavy fertilization especially in larger tanks.

 

New pic of the tank

 

I am using 1 18W 6700K power compact bulb. The tank comes with 2 of them stock.

 

That is a cool looking tank.

I have always been amazed with the planted tanks. Not sure I would try one myself though... they scare me just a tad.

 

Thanks, they really are not that different from reef tanks. If you have a lot of light you need to dose fertilizers daily or every other day and use a carbon source or pressurized CO2.