Duff0712 Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 http://i.imgur.com/SO5idwS.jpg Here in the next month I plan on getting a rack and filling it full of shrimp and plants. In the link above you will see my basic plans, but I'll kind of go over them here too and in more detail as I get closer and start actually putting it together. Also lots and lots of pictures when I start setting it up! I plan on using a 36x72x18 steel shelving unit. Room granted I think sitting the top part to the side of the bottom will give me more flexibility in dealing with each tank and makes me feel like the unit would be less likely to fail. I want to set up: 12g Mr. Aqua Trimmless tank. This will be for TB's (Tibee's, I'm hoping that is correct hehe, which I'm not sure yet). I want ADA in here along with a cannister filter with a sponge filter as the intake. Definitely planted. 20G long will be for CPO. Now I have never kept CPO's but they look awesome and I really want to breed them haha. This will be inert gravel/sand and they will have many hiding spots. Sponge Filter and planted hopefully. 2x 5g tanks. These will be for selective breeding and/or other breed of shrimp that wouldn't do well with TB's parameters like Sulawesi's, which I am growing more fond of everyday. not sure on gravel/filters/planted yet. On the bottom shelf of each unit I want to set up the plastictub/light/shoebox setup and see if I can't do some emersed plant growing, to hopefully sell later on and grow for my tanks! I will be limited on space, money and gallons (50% apartment rules, 50% girlfriend rules) so I can't go too crazy. *MTS twitches*, but I suppose that's a good thing. You bet I'll be trying to get as much as I can though haha. I will keep this updated as I go along of course, but I would love some feedback on my "designs" for it and the inverts I'll be keeping. Do you think crayfish/tb's/sulawesi's will be too much? Should I just stick with one type and go from there? I do want to eventually start selling everything (I don't plan on it anytime soon, but making something back from what I'm about to spend will be nice). Or just any criticism/opinions/feedback on my plans would be wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elo500 Posted August 2, 2014 Report Share Posted August 2, 2014 Looking forward to your build thread, good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 12, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Alright! First update after moving. So I am still stuck on the 12g mr aqua so I will be getting it within the next day or two but for now I set up my rack! I have the 20L on the left rack now since it will be the heaviest but I plan on moving my plants down to the totes on the bottom. Might do that later tonight or tomorrow. Moving is exhausting. Overall did the sit tests on the rack and seemed fine. I replaced the particleboard with plywood for more sturdiness (except for the bottom left, the cut only gave 4 and I didn't feel like spending money on another full board) Still have a ways to go but I am definitely liking it so far!!! Louie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrimpo Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Good luck on your project, keep us updated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
High5's Posted August 12, 2014 Report Share Posted August 12, 2014 Good start! Looking forward to your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted August 13, 2014 Report Share Posted August 13, 2014 My personal thought is that you have two difficult shrimp on opposite ends of the spectrum. TB and Sulawesi. You already have CRS, and if they are doing well and breeding well, then you should have no probs with TB. If not, consider concentrating on one and then moving to the other. ctaylor3737 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 I think ill just get some TB's then and if they are doin well I might go sulawesi later. Makes sense to not go too crazy haha. So I have another update. Got some more work done. Moved the 20L back over to the left and bought the 12g long (mmmmmm). Cut out the tops of the tubs I bought (which was a pain in the ass and I only had the patience for one) and the plexiglass fits very nicely After buying some dollar store/tree Tupperware I drilled some holes into them and added some organic topsoil! Added plants, water and lighting!! Maybe a bit too much water but now I know for the next one. I like the look of it and here's hoping it works And here is the most recently updated photo! Also unpictured is the plastic grid sheet I cut myself on to add into the 12g long for my eventual scaping and foamboard I cut to put under the 12g just to be safe. I still need to finish cutting the sheet for my 20long and put my 5g on the middle shelf. So still plenty to do but fun as I go. Also plants as of now are staurogyne repens, anubias nana petite, marsellia minuta (I think), dwarf baby tears, one erio, and a couple plants I've been given that I don't remember the names haha. Louie, ctaylor3737 and High5's 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctaylor3737 Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Looking great! Keep up the good work and ideas flowing, helps to just post information as your going you will end up getting good feedback from everyone! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Where did you get your 12L? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayr_Tigley Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Do you know the measurements of your 12L in cm? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 I got my 12L from the LFS I work at. We just starting using seven ports as a distributor who has them in stock everynow and then. As for measurements I'm not 100% sure but I'll find out by the end of the day for you Jayr. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Alright! Dimensions in cm 91x21x24 which is the Mr. Aqua A-730 "bookshelf" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soothing Shrimp Posted August 14, 2014 Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Yeah. I was thinking perhaps his was cheaper. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2014 Hehe my discount helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayr_Tigley Posted August 15, 2014 Report Share Posted August 15, 2014 Alright! Dimensions in cm 91x21x24 which is the Mr. Aqua A-730 "bookshelf"Thank you! Duff0712 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Alright! So I haven't added much equipment wise however I put together the hard scape of my 20g Long and am in the process of filling with plants. I was thinking dry start but got impatient. I am not very good at aquascaping but I figure I gotta practice somewhere also first time using a sponge filter so it was fun trying to make it sink haha. This is showing off my little cave/hanging shelf thing I made with slate and wood pieces Had this piece of wood in my old 29g and just love how it makes a natural looking cave so I'll have 2 large hiding spots for the Eventual CPO inhabitants. Closer up on the slate cave. It has two entrances/exits. Up on too through the wood and under the shelf here. Made sure it was stable. I uses Eco complete (finer) as a base and put the normal ecocomplete as a top. Will definitely add more plants over the next week. Any plants recommendations would be awesome! I plan on staurogyne and more moss -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted August 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted August 19, 2014 Also forgot I mention is that I am going to add a black background as I'm sure that will make the tank look better. I want to try either self stick vinyl or fabric with stick strips. I'm also ashamed I didn't take pictures step by step as to what I did but once I got started I didn't want to stop haha -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 UPDATE!!!!!!!!!! Finally got the hardscapes up on my 12g long and a new 5g my coworker so graciously gave me My first attempts at a slanted aquascaped look. Not amazing but I like it. I used the amazonia powdered type in both tanks. First time using ada so this will be exciting. My ph in my 5g is already below my API test after a day and the ammonia is a lovely green. 12g full shot 12g left side 12g right side 5g filled Side by side shot of my two 5g tanks. The wood is grapevine I believe. I pre soaked them until they sank but I had to use the bucket for rocks and I think they dried out too much as the vine in the 5g is half floating now haha. It should be fine in a day or so and I'll replace it like in the photo. I will be adding plants during the week and lots of stability and water changes. SO EXCITED that they are at least hardscaped and will start to cycle this week. Weeee!!! -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
metageologist Posted September 8, 2014 Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Looking good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted September 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted September 8, 2014 Thanks -Duffy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Been awhile since I've had an update!!! Will post more pictures when I have access to my computer. 12g long has shrimp now, so I'm super excited for that, with more on the way. Plants are going well and the only downside I have so far is the evaporation is higher than I'd like but oh well. The 5g is growing riccia like crazy and no other plant is dying but just slow growing. A few Oebt in there and Amano shrimp but quite shrimp empty at the moment. I consolidated my two emersed set ups beneath into one for the time being as I had to replenish the soil as I'm pretty sure I had no nitrogen and have yet to buy some osmocote tabs. 12g full 12g left side 12g middle 12g right side 5g a month ago Will have another update tomorrow (later today I guess) with more up to date pictures. The cycling process sucked but glad at what it is now and starting the breeding wait!! -Duffy chibikaie and woopderson 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h4n Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 very nice! hows the emersed? they growing well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aquariumlover10 Posted December 11, 2014 Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Awesomeness, we need a vid showing all the tanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duff0712 Posted December 11, 2014 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2014 Han: emersed is growin very well! I've had several plants do horrible so I have that knowledge haha, but most do well. Will get a pic/vid of what I have at the moment. Aquariumlover10: will see if I can't get a vid later today when I'm done Christmas shopping. -Duffy aquariumlover10 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DETAquarium Posted December 12, 2014 Report Share Posted December 12, 2014 12g Long looks fantastic! I really like what you've done. Look forward to more updates. How do you like the rack? I was eyeing the same one but didn't like how the bottom of the legs jut out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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