20g AIO back in it

[akpoly]

So I've been out of the hobby for a few years. I let my old tank filled with anubias and snails just sit and grow.

I decided to get back into it with gusto and finished the 20g AIO I started years ago but let everything sit in the closet with soil, rock, wood, equipment, so on.

First thing I needed to do was to upgrade the fish stand. It was a little flimsy and I wanted drawers. So I built some drawer inserts into my credenza that also gave extra rigidity and transferred the fish tank weight right down to the feet.
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And the hardscape so far. About 5" of amazonia at the back. La plata sand at the front. About 30lbs of seiryu stone. 18 pieces of manzanita. The main piece is like 7 pieces that was epoxied together. I think its done, been staring at it while I wait for my plants to get shipped in.
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I also got a 12 gallon long with dragonstone waiting to get started after I finish this one.

[CPDTimmy]

That main piece of wood looks really good! can't wait till you plant it and start on that 12g! Keep us updated. I personally would chop off the curling part of that right wood on the main piece. (right by the light bulb) but that just me (:

[akpoly]

That main piece of wood looks really good! can't wait till you plant it and start on that 12g! Keep us updated. I personally would chop off the curling part of that right wood on the main piece. (right by the light bulb) but that just me (:

Hey you know, it does look better! Thanks for that suggestion! I'll break it off in the AM. Magic of photoshop!
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And close up of what's in the tank...
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[sc91006]

Welcome back Alex

[CPDTimmy]

Hey you know, it does look better! Thanks for that suggestion! I'll break it off in the AM. Magic of photoshop!
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And close up of what's in the tank...
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Awesome it looks good

[akpoly]

Welcome back Alex

Thanks Sidney! Long time mate!

[sc91006]

Thanks Sidney! Long time mate!

Right, I've been out for awhile as well. Just like you I'm getting back into it. I'm planning on going to the meet, I have 3 new tanks that I will be setting up. See you there.

[akpoly]

Right, I've been out for awhile as well. Just like you I'm getting back into it. I'm planning on going to the meet, I have 3 new tanks that I will be setting up. See you there.

Welcome back to you too then man! Wow 3 tanks?

I may not be able to go to the meet but I'm going to try since I need more plants! Found a cheap place for plants near there, King Koi and Goldfish. Not a lot of plant options but its really cheap.

[akpoly]

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Just finished planting and filled it up while waiting for those election results! A little murky since it was just filled in.

In the front, got some:
- crypt parva
- buce green wavy
- anubias nana petite
- anubias nana
- fissiden fontanus
- hygrophila pinatifida
- hydrocotyle tripartita

In the middle:
- bolbitis difformis
- crypt wendtii green
- crypt wendtii brown
- anubias barteri

In the back:
- java fern narrow
- java fern needle leaf
- hygrophila angustifolia
- peace lily

Hoping to keep this low tech. No CO2 at all. Had to buy an extra light to get coverage on both sides of the tank. Just need to go out and buy another hanging kit from the guys at Lotus Aquarium tomorrow.

[akpoly]

And I just need to put my betta in there cos he's been out of a home for awhile. I've got 2 nerites and will prob put in a few amano to keep the algae down.

And any livestock recs? I was thinking maybe chili rasboras and a few otos. Or maybe the harlequin instead of the chili.

[akpoly]

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I tried some chili rasboras but I think the flow coming out of the pump was too much for them. They were just hanging around a corner of the tank that had lots of cover and slow water. So I took the chilis out and put in harlequin rasboras instead. I wanted to avoid tetras because they are known fin nippers and I don't want the betta to get nipped.

Also put in 7 amanos, 3 otos, and like 10 malaysian trumpet snails. Everything seems peaceful so far!

I had a few anubias melt on me at the rhizome. Which was surprising. I cut one of the anubias rhizome and it looked healthy. No signs of fungus. They were melting in high light and low light areas. I don't know if it was because I forgot to turn on the heater one night and the water got too cold but nothing else is melting. Or maybe I used too much superglue and it covered up the rhizome but I know I didn't put superglue over the entire rhizome, just a bit of the bottom. So mystery right now to me...

Using it as a holding tank for some buce for the 12gal long I got planned.

[akpoly]

Just thought I'd do a quick update shot on how things are growing.