CL's 10 Gallon Vert Tank

clwatkins10 · #1 11-27-2008, 11:38 PM

Okay, I am planning on getting some darts after Christmas, so I decided that I would set up a practice/ plant grow out tank out of a 10 gallon that I had lying around until I have enough cash to set up an XXL Exo Terra.
This tank was originally set up a while ago with lava rocks siliconed to the back (ugly):

The tank had been sitting in the sunlight with no lights for a while, so I was inspired to make it better. I took the old plants out and washed it out, leaving the pumice on the back to make sure that the Great Stuff had something to take a hold on.
I went into my back yard and trimmed a thick branch off of a pin oak. I whittled the bark off, and washed the branch in the dishwasher for 3 cycles to sterilize it and remove the tannins.
I dried the tank,and while holding the wood in the position I wanted, I applied the GS ($6) that would hold the wood in place and serve as a background for the tank:

I then took a tube of brown GE 100% Silicone II ($6) and spread it on the back with my fingers (I didn't have one of the 25 cent foam brushes, and it was messy) I quickly took the previously dried coir (coco bedding[$3 for a compressed brick]) and spread it over the back and pressed it with my hands for good measure:

After letting it dry for 24 hours, I tilted the tank upright and put the drainage gravel down and then a 50/50 mix of coir and ADA Aquasoil Amazonia "Powder" (for nutrients) with some window screen in between. I then dusted the excess coir off of the background and sprayed it down:

Closeup of the wood:

I planted some ficus pumila 'quercifolia' in the soil against the background and in the background:

I also put some singapore moss on the wood and substrate along with some anubias nana 'marble' and some arrow head vine (or whatever it is called

):

FTS:

Fun shot:

I have since added a bunch of anubias nana 'petite' to the ground
The light is DIY 54 watts of 6500K CFL
I mist by hand a couple of times a day (what a pain! I can't wait to get a MistKing for Christmas

)
I plan on adding a small reddish brom and a fern. I might get some darts to go in this tank, but I might just wait for the exo terra to get the frogs.
Let me know what you think!

Gold3nku5h · #2 11-28-2008, 12:12 AM

I liked the look of the red volcano rock, but then i guess for a natural look... not so much. I never really liked the coir on the GS, but i like how you did it, so i guess its warming up on me. My main concern is if roots can penetrate..? Thats quite a bit of the oak leaved ficus you got goin on there, that'll cover it in no time i bet.

Keep up the good work, and lets see a construction journal of your XXL if you get it.

clwatkins10 · #3 11-28-2008, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gold3nku5h

I liked the look of the red volcano rock, but then i guess for a natural look... not so much. I never really liked the coir on the GS, but i like how you did it, so i guess its warming up on me. My main concern is if roots can penetrate..? Thats quite a bit of the oak leaved ficus you got goin on there, that'll cover it in no time i bet.

Keep up the good work, and lets see a construction journal of your XXL if you get it.

Looking back, the rock wasn't too bad but I wanted to have the rainforest look. I don't think root penetration is a problem, I doubt it will fall apart. The exo will for sure have a build journal.