Ok here goes. You all have seen my filter and hood DIY, and here are some pictures of the tank with water and substrate. I am currently still cycling so there are no fish yet, but I have been purchasing plants slowly. They had buy 2 get one free at the store for plants and i got the crypt, anubias and micro sword yesterday. I used a layer of peat and then black blasting sand over that for the substrate. The black sand seems to be behaving and it never clouded up the tank at all. I haven't planted the crypt or the micro sword yet, going to do that Saturday when I do my pwc. The anubias I will tie onto my driftwood somewhere with some cotton thread. My heater and test kit should be here Thursday.

Peat Moss Layer


FTS with water and some 'frill' that is now doing horribly...With the bio wheel for my 5 gal eclipse that will be my QT tank.


Micro Sword


Anubias


Cryptocoryne

Cool! Is that drift wood real?

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

It is real. My husband found it around Lake Michigan in 2008. It was sitting in his shop and he said I could have it. I boiled and soaked it for 2 weeks, then soaked it in the tank for a week or 2 before I added the substrate. It will finally sink on its own now.

Very cool indeed! :D

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

I have life in my tank! I came home today from shopping and saw a teeny tiny little snail on the Micro Sword. It was still mostly clear, so I can't tell what shape or kind it is yet. This is fine with me, I like the snails, and eventually if they breed enough will become a staple for my husband's soon to come dwarf puffer tank.

Those are some great looking plants there, I dont see 1 brown spot or leaf on any of them, dont suppose you got them anywhere near Western New York.

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90 gallon, 1 Iridescent shark, 2 Pleco, 3 Goldfish, 5 Cory cats, 2 Nerite snails
5 gallon hex, Blue Crowntail Betta, 1 nerite snail,

I actually got them at my local petco. They must have just gotten them in because thier plants usually look yucky.

Looks like we might have another feb contestant for ToTM!

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When you pay that cash or swipe that card you are making a bond with that animal that you will treat it with love and respect, and its needs will be met, first and foremost (unless you have kids...) I don't care if you have to eat ramen noodles or nothing at all to feed your cat dog fish rat whatever. That's the bond you made! Life is precious!

WOW thats what the plants look like when petco gets them in? I wonder what they do to them there lol, guess I'll have to call them and see when they get there shipment in.
anyways we look forward to following your build so keep the pictures coming.

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90 gallon, 1 Iridescent shark, 2 Pleco, 3 Goldfish, 5 Cory cats, 2 Nerite snails
5 gallon hex, Blue Crowntail Betta, 1 nerite snail,

looking really good, plants look in graet shape

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What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?