Journal 40B MTS Nature Aquarium

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Just a week’s update, not much has changed. Planting in the pool filter sand was such a breeze. I honestly love it more than BDBS that I used previously. My only concern was its visibility but once plants fill in it’ll be pretty non existent. My peacock gudgeons are truly enjoying this scape because I almost never see all of them unless it’s time to eat, they have been in and out of the cracks of the rocks and driftwood. I have 6 of them in there and three neon rainbows, but I’m looking to get another group of fish to take the neons place. They just don’t last for me and all the ones I’ve ever purchased were through aqua huna so I’m not sure on the quality that I’m receiving. I’ve been considering M. Parva but not sure if I want to go with a bigger fish or a very large group of smaller fish. Any thoughts on stocking?

 

[JPog]

Just a week’s update, not much has changed. Planting in the pool filter sand was such a breeze. I honestly love it more than BDBS that I used previously. My only concern was its visibility but once plants fill in it’ll be pretty non existent. My peacock gudgeons are truly enjoying this scape because I almost never see all of them unless it’s time to eat, they have been in and out of the cracks of the rocks and driftwood. I have 6 of them in there and three neon rainbows, but I’m looking to get another group of fish to take the neons place. They just don’t last for me and all the ones I’ve ever purchased were through aqua huna so I’m not sure on the quality that I’m receiving. I’ve been considering M. Parva but not sure if I want to go with a bigger fish or a very large group of smaller fish. Any thoughts on stocking?
View attachment 1767

No stocking comments, but looking good! What do you mean by PFS visibility?

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

No stocking comments, but looking good! What do you mean by PFS visibility?

Seeing the sand through the plants, darker substrate blends better like AS.

 

[JPog]

Seeing the sand through the plants, darker substrate blends better like AS.

OK, that's what I thought, but aren't all the plants in the back behind the hardscape. I think the front you will need to do some stuff to keep it looking "white" , but PFS is so cheap you could just vacuum and replace. It's also good that the PFS in front is so low since you won't get that darker line that develops against the front glass.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

It's also good that the PFS in front is so low since you won't get that darker line that develops against the front glass.

And yeah not too concerned with the cosmetic sand, the light is primarily focused on the back 1/4 of the tank with the stems, so the cosmetic edges in the front area are receiving more indirect light. That’s my theory, I’m sure it’ll get brown in no time lol

 

[Art]

Beautiful tank. My wife would love it and, likely, elbow me asking why mine never look like that...

I've tried sand in the past and was never able to keep it clean. I hope your journey goes better.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Thanks @Art !

The sand can be a PIA, but as mentioned I can siphon the surface and replace with new. I’ve kept a thin layer purposely as Jpog already pointed out to avoid the nasty visual that can appear when you can see the bottom layers from the viewing glass. I think keeping it below the rim makes it look more natural anyway.

Just for FYI, I didn’t really delve into the specifics of the hardscape other than the PFS. The rocks I collected a couple years back from a local landscaping hardscape center. The stones are HARD, smashing them on the ground does nothing. I believe they are some sort of sandstone, but they look nice and do not release anything that I’ve noticed. I got two 5 gallon buckets worth for $20, not too shabby! The larger pebbles are “river pebbles” by Vigoro from Home Depot. Whenever you look at their bags of stones I recommend you bring a spray bottle or just a bottle of water to clean off the stones to see how they look. My bag was an ugly red but I knew the stones didn’t all look that way. Once I got them home and washed them I was very pleased. A 50lb bag I found ripped open and I got an extra discount on top, so $3 for an endless amount of accent stone. The most expensive part was the 20lb bag of gravel I got from petco to aid in the transition from pebbles to sand. The driftwood is Malaysian wood I got about a decade ago, but now I am hard pressed to find any Malaysian wood. If I do find it, it’s expensive and minuscule in size.

 

[Art]

Thanks for the additional details. If you're willing to give the upkeep necessary with white sand, then it rewards you with a beautiful scene.

I think another important point you're mentioning is the value of saving hardscape materials over the years. As a newcomer, it can be overwhelming and expensive. Collecting over time allows you the creative flexibility without breaking the bank.

 

[JPog]

It's funny because the two tanks I have running right now have black sand. I just needed a break from the light stuff. I think for tanks with mostly plants the black sand works really well. With hardscape dominated scapes many times you get better contrast with the PFS especially with wood. This scape would not work as well with black or a dark substrate IMO.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

It's funny because the two tanks I have running right now have black sand. I just needed a break from the light stuff. I think for tanks with mostly plants the black sand works really well. With hardscape dominated scapes many times you get better contrast with the PFS especially with wood. This scape would not work as well with black or a dark substrate IMO.

Agree completely. The island scape I did a couple scapes previously was BDBS in the planting area, and then outside the island was the cosmetic PFS. It got annoying in the front where there was some overlap and I would have the sand mixing, hence the presence of it in this tank lol.

But every time I see a nature aquarium that is just so detailed with the hardscape and substrate transition, I can’t help but want it for myself. Definitely a learning curve though, setting up hardscape and then planting hoping what your envisioning becomes reality. Pricey trial and error eh?

 

[JPog]

Agree completely. The island scape I did a couple scapes previously was BDBS in the planting area, and then outside the island was the cosmetic PFS. It got annoying in the front where there was some overlap and I would have the sand mixing, hence the presence of it in this tank lol.

But every time I see a nature aquarium that is just so detailed with the hardscape and substrate transition, I can’t help but want it for myself. Definitely a learning curve though, setting up hardscape and then planting hoping what your envisioning becomes reality.n

Yep, definitely a labor of love, but we do it anyway, don't we. I think the payoff will be worth it.

BTW What species of JF is that on top of the main DW. Philippine Mini?

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[Mr.Shenanagins]

Yep, definitely a labor of love, but we do it anyway, don't we. I think the payoff will be worth it.

BTW What species of JF is that on top of the main DW. Philippine Mini?

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I agree, always worth it.

That would be JF petite, it’s an excellent little bushy version given time. An even smaller version is India but its leaves are fatter. I might have a few small rhizomes to part with if you want. I originally bought from GLA, they have a nice selection of ferns.

 

[JPog]

I agree, always worth it.

That would be JF petite, it’s an excellent little bushy version given time. An even smaller version is India but its leaves are fatter. I might have a few small rhizomes to part with if you want. I originally bought from GLA, they have a nice selection of ferns.

Thanks, might take you up on that in the near future. I'm completely out of real estate at the moment even for a small JF. I'm only working with around 30 Gallons with my two tanks combined. Can't wait to get a bigger tank, but right now I'm in a temporary rental after selling my house.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Thanks, might take you up on that in the near future. I'm completely out of real estate at the moment even for a small JF. I'm only working with around 30 Gallons with my two tanks combined. Can't wait to get a bigger tank, but right now I'm in a temporary rental after selling my house.

Copy that, I’ll keep a few aside when you’re ready.

I was at petco the other day and I saw a 40B and what I believe was a 60B next to it. Wow what an awesome tank. I think it was like an extra foot longer than the 40 but same height and depth. I was tempted! Haha. Was the rental the plan or you couldn’t find something in time after selling?

 

[JPog]

Copy that, I’ll keep a few aside when you’re ready.

I was at petco the other day and I saw a 40B and what I believe was a 60B next to it. Wow what an awesome tank. I think it was like an extra foot longer than the 40 but same height and depth. I was tempted! Haha. Was the rental the plan or you couldn’t find something in time after selling?

Thanks much! Those 60B dimensions sound really sweet.

We weren't looking to buy here on L.I. Trying to figure out the next move. I think I'd rather live elsewhere, so need to do some research. We were happy to sell the house because the rates were starting to go up and the market was cooling, but luckily it sold right before things got harder.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Refilled my 5lb tank yesterday, $30!!!! I just cannot believe the inflation. I think I’m going to upgrade to a 10 or 15lb tank soon to get my money’s worth, I was told to fill a 10lb was $35. So for an extra $5 I’d get a couple more months worth. Now I feel like an idiot trading in my outdated 20lb tank for the now brand new aluminum 5lb I did it to save space but with my sump I have the tank behind my stand anyway, go figure.

 

[JPog]

Refilled my 5lb tank yesterday, $30!!!! I just cannot believe the inflation. I think I’m going to upgrade to a 10 or 15lb tank soon to get my money’s worth, I was told to fill a 10lb was $35. So for an extra $5 I’d get a couple more months worth. Now I feel like an idiot trading in my outdated 20lb tank for the now brand new aluminum 5lb I did it to save space but with my sump I have the tank behind my stand anyway, go figure

I just refilled my shiny aluminum 5lb 3 days ago for only $19. Time to move back to Long Island.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I just refilled my shiny aluminum 5lb 3 days ago for only $19. Time to move back to Long Island.

Pretty sure I’d be in the negative elsewhere in my life if I did besides I’m too invested now, gotta keep feeding my pension down here.

But yeah I miss the convenience back home, the fire protection shop I go to is the only shop around right now that offers same day service. I won’t mind as much when I get the bigger tank.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

Whelp, the diatoms have set in. Was hoping to skip that stage since my media/sump were cycled but I’m assuming the new substrate/hardscape needs to catch up so that bacteria needs time to establish. Can only imagine what’s going on in the soil underneath! Plants seem to be taking hold now, looking forward to the boom in growth!

 

[JPog]

Pretty sure I’d be in the negative elsewhere in my life if I did besides I’m too invested now, gotta keep feeding my pension down here.

But yeah I miss the convenience back home, the fire protection shop I go to is the only shop around right now that offers same day service. I won’t mind as much when I get the bigger tank.

Yep I'm sure you would be. But co2 as we know is very important LOL.

Not to many actually around me. I moved around 15 miles east of where I was and I called around to see where I could get co2 and they all recommended the place I was already using. So know instead of 10 minutes away it's around 35 minutes.