Journal First time aquascaping. My 90cm nature style from the start.

[SkyeScapes]

I’m starting this build with no experience in aquascaping other than keeping a large low tech community, fish focussed tank many years ago. I’m pleased with my hard scape but I think that will be the easy part. I’ll document all my ups and downs here and hopefully end up with my dream scape

Aquasys 230L 90x55x53cm
Week Aqua L series lighting
Oase bio master 2 thermo 350
CO2 still to add
Stainless steel Lily pipes
Local basalt pebbles
Spider wood
Tropica Aqua Soil
Sand Foreground

I’m planning a dark start which gives me time to plan the planing and fish. I have some ideas but welcome suggestions!

 

[Koan]

I like all the movement!

Beautiful stand, did you make that?

This can also help with the light cord

 

[SkyeScapes]

I like all the movement!

Beautiful stand, did you make that?

This can also help with the light cord

Brilliant suggestion thanks!
The stand came with the tank. It's from Aqua One in Nebraska Oak colour - just a laminate but very convincing wood effect. I'm really pleased with it. I bought it online without seeing it so it was a bit of a gamble.

 

[SkyeScapes]

I thought I would add my starting water parameters at this stage. I have a pretty basic (no pun......) understanding of water chemistry so maybe someone can give me more insight into what my tank parameters might be when I add CO2 etc. I'll test regularly in any case.

So I have a private, natural spring which supplies my house.

From the tap: pH6.6, KH6, GH6, TDS 130
On rapid stirring for 5min: pH 7.4 KH6, GH6, TDS 130
On standing for 48hrs: Ph8.2 KH6. GH6, TDS 130

So as I understand it I have high dissolved CO2 from the spring which degasses over 48hrs.

I will be running C02 so my tank pH will sit lower than 8.2 and hopefully will be relatively stable? The aquasoil will change things up too.

I am concerned about doing large water changes with water straight from the tap but I'll just have to see how it goes.

 

[CincyScaper]

I would actually find the hardscape part one of the hardest, it looks great. I love the stone and wood.
- Do you plan to add a background ?

Your spring water parameters looks good, do you know if this is stable ? assuming it is.
You could always add a RO system at some point in the future, especially if you want to grow very soft water plants.
Your aquasoil buffering capacity will change with time as well, so would need to check your pH long term for stability.
A lot of variables but you could test these out during your dark start. I would recommend adding Co2 during your dark start and use that time to dial it in.

 

[SkyeScapes]

I would actually find the hardscape part one of the hardest, it looks great. I love the stone and wood.
- Do you plan to add a background ?

Your spring water parameters looks good, do you know if this is stable ? assuming it is.
You could always add a RO system at some point in the future, especially if you want to grow very soft water plants.
Your aquasoil buffering capacity will change with time as well, so would need to check your pH long term for stability.
A lot of variables but you could test these out during your dark start. I would recommend adding Co2 during your dark start and use that time to dial it in.

Thanks for the kind comments. I loved the hardscape stage and almost wonder if the plants and fish might spoil it . I'll have to hope it doesn't all collapse / float.

I think my spring water might vary a bit with rainfall (in Scotland - so much rain!) over the seasons but day to day it shouldn't drift.

I'll probably avoid soft water specific plants / RO for now, I feel that more tech at this stage might be too much!

 

[Koan]

I loved the hardscape stage and almost wonder if the plants and fish might spoil it

I assume the wood elements are glued down?

One comment I would make is several of the wood ends look to be quite close to the glass.

For your sanity for cleaning purposes, you really want to be able to get your whole hand easily around between all hardscape and your glass

 

[SkyeScapes]

I assume the wood elements are glued down?

One comment I would make is several of the wood ends look to be quite close to the glass.

For your sanity for cleaning purposes, you really want to be able to get your whole hand easily around between all hardscape and your glass

Yes, all glued down with cotton pads and superglue although it feels quite brittle. I might add more joins just in case! I saw someone make sandbags to weigh wood down temporarily so I’ll do that too.

I hadn’t considered the cleaning issue . It’s only the bottom front left corner that might be an issue. There’s just a couple of mm gap. Too late now I suppose.

 

[Naturescapes_Rocco]

Agreed with @Koan, hitting wood hardscape while cleaning the glass is incredibly annoying! Made that mistake two or three times before, finally started cutting the wood if necessary to keep it from touching the glass lol.

 

[SkyeScapes]

Agreed with @Koan, hitting wood hardscape while cleaning the glass is incredibly annoying! Made that mistake two or three times before, finally started cutting the wood if necessary to keep it from touching the glass lol.

Might have to saw a bit off in that case. My lines will be all wrong though!

 

[Koan]

My lines will be all wrong though!

Nah just nip some ends off with a Dremel or other rotary tool

 

[SkyeScapes]

Nah just nip some ends off with a Dremel or other rotary tool

View attachment 19530

Good plan!