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Kitchen Tank

Thu, 2009-10-22 23:02 — andyh
Description of this aquascape: 
A bit of challenge this one! Two challenges in fact! 1, Its my first ever planted tank. 2, It had to fit on my kitchen worktop, so height was limited and so was the location of the equipment! Had the tank custom made to fit the space. Equipment is hidden below, had to drill a 60mm hole in the worktop to route all the pipework and cables. My goal with this scape was to create something really natural looking, with the plants all growing amongst each other.
Images
The tank in my kitchen.
Close up of the plant growth
location of the tank
tank at 6 weeks old.
Tank shortly after planting on Day 1
Aquarium
Aquarium: 
Braceless Opti-White
Length: 
60.00cm
Width: 
33.00cm
Height: 
27.00cm
Stand: 
n/a on my kitchen worktop
Technical
Lighting: 
Arcadia Luminaire 4 x 24w T5
Filtration: 
Eheim 2324 (750lph) with built in heater and Hydor Koralia Nano
CO2 System: 
JBL ProFlora u402 CO2 kit with Solenoid. using disposable bottles and Glass bubble counter and Glass/ceramic diffuser
Notes: 
Plan to upgrade to glassware for the Filter intake and return.
Substrate and Décor
Substrate: 
ADA Power Sand, ADA Aquasoil Amazonia, ADA Sarawak Sand
Décor / Hardscape: 
Dragon Stone
Plants
Plants that are used in this aquarium: 
Cryptocoryne Parva
Hemianthus Calltrichoides "Cuba" HC
Echinodorus Tenellus
Staurogyne sp.
Rotala Rotundifolia
Hydrocotyle Verticillata
Christmas Moss
Fertilisation Details: 
ADA Brighty K, ADA Green Brighty Step1 and Easycarbo (to combat a Algae problem)
Notes: 
All Plants Tropica
Livestock
Livestock that are used in this aquarium: 
Otocinclus vestitus
Crystal Red Shrimp
Cherry Red Shrimp
Emerald Eye Rasboras
Boraras merah & Maculatus
6.9375
Your rating: None Average: 6.9 (16 votes)

Comments

Wed, 2009-12-02 11:51 — paul.in.kendal

Great shot of a tank enhancing a home

A great tank, Andy. Your top shot of the tank in situ captures why planted tanks enhance our homes better than any picture I've seen. What a beauty!

Mon, 2009-10-26 21:16 — bogwood

Kitchen Tank

A very natural looking aquascape, your choice of plants complement each other well.

Mon, 2009-10-26 11:15 — baron von bubba

lovely tank. unusual to see

lovely tank. unusual to see such "complex" planting in a small tank, however i think it works very well.

Mon, 2009-10-26 16:47 — andyh

Thanks

Never thought of it as complex planting, but i see what you mean! Its a challenge getting the CO2 spread evenly round the tank though!

Sun, 2009-10-25 22:31 — Aquababe

The devil's in the detail

I like the detailed planting, it makes for quite a stunning effect. Very impressive first attempt. Can't wait to see more of your work - please post another one soon! You may end up with no kitchen worktop space left, but as long as you live alone it won't matter!

Mon, 2009-10-26 16:45 — andyh

Thanks

Aquababe, I have an understanding wife! Thanks for your comments.

Just started a new tank, hopefully going to be very different to this one

Fri, 2009-10-23 21:19 — myboyshay

Well done

Great stuff for a first attempt and you've done the research which has obviously paid off!

May it live long and prosper!

Fri, 2009-10-23 11:25 — Altum Angel

Nice Planting

Nice planting, I think it will improve as it matures. Nice triangular set up. I like the way that the verticellata softens up the rock work. Excellent first attempt! Post again in a few weeks please so we can see how it comes on.