15 Gallon CAD starfire build

[charlie]

So here we go again, at our recent Aquamania some stuff happen to find their way to my car & their way home with me, as a result i have to put it together.
Since i have no space for more tanks, it will replace my 10 Gallon Starfire tank.
Here is what i have so far, maybe some other goodies will call me next week & the DRAS auction
15 Gallon Starfire Zen series CAD Lights tank - 20"(L) x 13"(W) x 13.5"(H)
http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=52&products_id=229
1 -9L bag of Amazoniza new , will need more.
http://angelfins.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=26_27&products_id=116
Manzanita drift wood i had in holding - Thanks smalltownfan

I will need to think about lights, rocks ,plants

[daworldisblack]

Lol you waste no time! I wanted to discuss light with you as well! As well as if you're going to be adding additives to the soil or just going with the soil itself. I'm looking at LEDs for lighting. If you want we can go halfsies on another 9L bag if you get some more from Angelfins down there.

[exv152]

Check out last year's 60l AGA winner. It's about the same size as yours. Rotala green and rotundifolia are some my favourite accent plants, and the green neons are also a nice touch. http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2012/show377.html

[cdylnicki]

Ohhhh I love the driftwood!!  Can't wait to see what you do with it!

[charlie]

Lol you waste no time! I wanted to discuss light with you as well! As well as if you're going to be adding additives to the soil or just going with the soil itself. I'm looking at LEDs for lighting. If you want we can go halfsies on another 9L bag if you get some more from Angelfins down there.

I might try some of the fancy ADA stuff, will decide later
No LED for me more than likely good old t5 HO
splitting another 9 L sound good.

[charlie]

Check out last year's 60l AGA winner. It's about the same size as yours. Rotala green and rotundifolia are some my favourite accent plants, and the green neons are also a nice touch. http://showcase.aquatic-gardeners.org/2012/show377.html

That tank looks great, but not for me 
You must be reading my mind, the Rotalas are some of the plants i`m considering along with HC , UG  , fish will be the chilli rasboras  currently in my 10 gallon.

[charlie]

Ohhhh I love the driftwood!!  Can't wait to see what you do with it!

Yea the wood is great , but may end up only using part of it- will see.

[charlie]

Applied white vinyl background this morning, got a nice surprise.
On emptying the tank of what i thought was some packaging material turned out to be a glass top  with clear acrylic clips, the top has less width than the tank , so this allows for a 1 inch space on the front & back to run pick up & return pipes & CO 2 equipment into the tank - sweet!
When removing the cardboard bottom, i found a black rubber mat tucked away in there for relieving pressure points to the bottom of the tank really sweet !
Now the hardest part - waaiiittiinnngggg

[Stussi613]

Applied white vinyl background this morning, got a nice surprise.
On emptying the tank of what i thought was some packaging material turned out to be a glass top  with clear acrylic clips, the top has less width than the tank , so this allows for a 1 inch space on the front & back to run pick up & return pipes & CO 2 equipment into the tank - sweet!
When removing the cardboard bottom, i found a black rubber mat tucked away in there for relieving pressure points to the bottom of the tank really sweet !
Now the hardest part - waaiiittiinnngggg

At least you've taken yours out of the box...

[pm]

Applied white vinyl background this morning, got a nice surprise.
On emptying the tank of what i thought was some packaging material turned out to be a glass top  with clear acrylic clips, the top has less width than the tank , so this allows for a 1 inch space on the front & back to run pick up & return pipes & CO 2 equipment into the tank - sweet!
When removing the cardboard bottom, i found a black rubber mat tucked away in there for relieving pressure points to the bottom of the tank really sweet !

Yeah, I have the 7 gal version of the tank and I am very impressed with the quality of the build (the panels all line up perfectly, the lid has nice round edges, and they gave more lid clips than was needed... So you have extras if needed).  Overall I am very happy with the purchase.

Cheers!

[charlie]

I got around to leak testing & leveling the tank as best as i can, i think i`m good to go.
I`m still contemplating what i`ll do with the scape - Igwami or a nature type scape with wood & stones, hopefully by next week i will make up my mind.
Regards

[fischkopp]

Like the clean look.

I would go nature with this one. I find that Iwagumi needs space, as of width, to balance out the rocks. Smaller tanks done in that style mostly feel like the bigger part is missing. Actually, just combine both styles, without following each one to strictly, and you will end up with a great little scene.

[charlie]

the scape is done ( for now), HC started, now to wait for a few weeks.
May switch rocks if i find what i`m looking for.
Regards

[bettabreeder]

Love the look of it!

[Cheebs]

So far so good, looking cool!

[Stussi613]

So. Awesome.

You're the king of scapes Errol.

[daworldisblack]

Turning out great so far! Looking forward to the progress!

[fischkopp]

I find there are too many diagonals; it's to exact. I would probably look for another way to place the wood. It kinda feels like it's fighting with the rocks for dominance. I do like the rocks, though the one in the middle seems to go against the flow of the other two.

Constructive criticism.

[charlie]

I find there are too many diagonals; it's to exact. I would probably look for another way to place the wood. It kinda feels like it's fighting with the rocks for dominance. I do like the rocks, though the one in the middle seems to go against the flow of the other two.

Constructive criticism.

Thanks , all criticism welcomed , both constructive & negative , it`s how we learn

[exv152]

Very nice. I like the manzanita and seiryu stone, they work together.