Shrimp tank upgrade Oct 2018

[charlie]

For sometime now i have been mulling the idea of up sizing my shrimp tank from my 15 gallon.
I have decided to go with a Seapora 18 inch cube ,25 gallon Crystal ( Low Iron glass) cube.
As things get going i will be providing progress updates as time allows
Stay Tune.....

Crystal Series Cube Aquarium - 25 gal

The Seapora Crystal Series Cube Aquarium is a 1.5 gallon cube shaped aquarium that has been crafted to Seapora's high standards with only materials of the most exceptional quality. These compact, cube-shaped aquariums are an eye-catching and unique addition to any home or office. It includes low iron glass for perfect clarity, clear silicone binding with minimal seam thickness, a clean and modern frameless design, and a foam leveling pad. Stylish and well-made, Seapora Crystal Series Aquariums make for a perfect fit for your home and your fish! 18" x 18" x 18"

[Dxpert]

Nice tank selection! I love cube aquariums

[charlie]

Finally got around to doing some work on the tank.
I silicone the 3D background in place
Next I made a track by cutting a split in a piece of eheim tubing and crazy gluing it to the bottom glass  and I will be placing a clear plastic strip in the track to form a retaining wall between the substrate and cosmetic sand.
Mounted my main hardscape " Eucalyptus driftwood" on a piece of slate, just wanted to keep it anchored immediately, instead of waiting for it to water logg.

[charlie]

I will be using Tropica soil powder and Carib Sea Super Naturals Torpedo Beach
Rocks will be Lace rock, as mentioned Eucalyptus Driftwood as main Hardscape.
The plan is to use the following plants  -Marsilea hirsuta,Pogostemon helferi(need some) ,Rotala 'Vietnam H'ra', Fissidens fontanus,
Helanthium 'Vesuvius' , Bucephalandra  -maybe more.

Hardware will be
Lighting: 2 X Current USA SATELLITE LED PLUS PRO 18 -24
Heating : Hydor inline
Filteration : Eheim eco 2236
CO2; Pressurized self built 2 stage regulator  via Rex Grigg style reactor
Currently thinking of using the Tropica Specialised Nutrition .

[charlie]

substrate  and main hardscape in

[Jeff1192]

Looking good!

[matttimms49]

I really like the use of the tubing to help with the substrate separation. Is this a new trick? Or am I very late to finding out about it?

How do you plan on keeping the substrates separated in the long term?

The set up is looking great so far looking forward to the planting.

[charlie]

The plastic and rocks is intended to keep them separated long term,my troubles will be the shrimp who will  gently mixing things as they forge

I'm planning to start planting within the next couple of days.
Thanks

[charlie]

The eheim hose track holder is an idea that popped in my head given the pliable desk calendar protective  sheet lol

[exv152]

Nice start! Looking forward to this build. I especially like the Seapora crystal tanks. Wonder if they make them in the larger volumes like 125g etc and where to find them.

[charlie]

Thanks guys.
Unfortunately the largest available for now is 64 gallon - 48X18X18
Hopefully they expand as the prices are very competitive.

[charlie]

Planted:

[charlie]

update