This is the first batch of new Aquascape-related content published in the format of individual posts as opposed to the original “Aquascape” single page that details the humble beginnings of my re-visit into an old hobby.
Office tank version 2.0
Destiny.
Observe the performance of the 3 sets of lights, from underneath
Things have a funny way of turning out sometimes. A month ago (17th Jan) I chanced upon an absolutely lovely tank at my usual Local fish Shop (LFS) haunt: The GEX Glassterior Slim 450. It’s such an attractive tank; I thought it’s just the right dimensions for a desktop tank. I am also delighted with its “panoramic” appearance due to its length, 1.5 feet. The only pity was at that moment in time, I have no reason at all, to acquire a new tank.
Certain areas are intentionally left "sand-less". Observe also, how the rainbar is extended & "bent"
Less than a week later (26th Jan), I was stunned to observe what appears to be signs of leakage from my existing office tank. I tested it by drying the vicinity where I believe the leak is located; & placing pieces of new, dry tissue paper near the leak. The tissue paper got slightly damp & on other days where the water level has dropped somewhat (due to evaporation; not leakage), I can’t reproduce the symptoms. But the risk is too great for me to take the chance (I have lots of electronic equipment on the same desk). & that is the story of how a Glassterior Slim 450 found its way onto my table.
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Environment Specifications |
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| Tank | GEX Glassterior Slim 450 of dimensions: W45cm * D20cm * H22cm & capacity: 17litres (4.49 US gallons) |
| Filter | Eden 501 (using extended rainbar as outlet) |
| Filtration Media | Sponge (mechanical filtration); Biohome Plus (biological filtration) |
| Substrate | Dennerle Nano Shrimps Gravel Borneo brown, ＧＥＸシュリンプ一番サンド２ｋｇ (“GEX Shrimp Soil“), generic ceramic rings (from the Eden 501 filter) |
| Substrate Additives | Mosura Old Sea Mud Powder |
| Illumination | Aquazonic “Super Bright” T5 light set (2 * 16W), complimented by 2 sets of “UP Aqua Pro-LED-A-16” at 12 hours per day |
| CO2 Supply | Nil |
| Chiller | Nil |
| Stand | Nil |
| Hardscape | 4 pieces of driftwood + 1 piece of bogwood |
| Liquid Fertilisers | Seachem Flourish Excel (very occasional dosage) |
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Water Conditions |
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| Temperature | 25 ~ 27 degrees Celsius |
| pH | 6.0 |
| Nitrate | 12.5mg/L |
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Inhabitants |
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| Flora | |
| Fauna | |
Unfortunately, during the process of treating my existing plant life for algae & snails (after they were extracted out of my old tank), I have accidentally left them in a Hydrogen Peroxide dip for much too long & right now, all the first batch of plants are dying, i.e. turning white, falling apart, have fungus growing on them. There’s nothing I can do about this, except to wait & see.
Notice the "cordoned-off" filter inlet?
Along with the new tank, I threw in some new equipment (updated in the table above). But the most important thing is, I finally get to use a piece of bogwood that has been sitting in my house for many months. However, this proves to be a challenge as the colour of this bogwood is significantly lighter than the existing 4 pieces of driftwood that I intend to re-use for the new scape. If I use it in the typical, upright layout positions, it will stick out like a sore thumb. But I really, really wish to utilize this piece of wood. Fortunately, I manage to integrate the bogwood by inverting it so that it imitates the meandering roots of a tree beneath a river surface. This way, the bulkier portion of the big wood is extremely near or even above, the water surface. Which makes the lighter shade of brown more “justifiable”, i.e. closer to the “sun-light”. Whereas the branches, even though they are still light in colour, doesn’t attract so much attention due to their slender form.
View of the 5 small pieces of black Lava rock from the left
The “roots-under-water” scaping-style also lends itself naturally to an appropriate habitat of a new type of species I wish to focus on: the Corydoras Hastatus. To make them feel further at home, I have also changed the “topsoil” of my substrate to a different “type”: the Dennerle Nano Shrimps Gravel (Borneo brown). The micro-granularity of this sand will allow the Hastatus to rummage in it for food scraps without damaging its barbels. Beneath this layer of sand I am still using GEX Shrimp Soil on top of a layer of ceramic rings (low-quality versions that arrive with the Eden 501 filter) & Mosura Old Sea Mud Powder. Other than the addition of a 5th piece of wood & top layer of substrate, I have extended the rainbar of the Eden 501 to broaden the range of outlet flow from the filter. I have also cordoned off the inlet using wooden material to prevent the filter inlet from being clogged up too much. I have also installed a Boyu WaveMaker as I am beginning to see dead spots develop in some areas that are furthest away from any filter outlet.
View of tank from a higher perspective
Currently, I am waiting for the water inside this tank to finish cycling before introducing my Hastatus. This shoal will most likely be transferred over to my main tank (at home) when “the time” comes. After the Hastatus, will come the Celestial Pearl Danio (also another species that caught my eye recently; these were previously known as Galaxy Rasboras), & the Otocinclus, as well as the shrimps. & this arrangement will probably stick until the tank has to be re-located.
Just food-for-thought: I may use this tank for an Iwagumi scape should I ever need to relocate it out of office.
UPDATE: this scape has been de-commissioned as the existing plants never recover from the peroxide dip & algae, as well as fungus, soon overwhelmed the environment beyond any recovery efforts. A new scape has taken its place & the new tank (water) is being cycled right now. However, as that setup was created entirely in a no-imaging zone, I am unable to provide photos of any kind.
UPDATE #2a: the tank has now been fully cycled, driven by an Eheim 2211 external canister filter. It currently houses a school of Corydoras Hastatus, a few Celestial Pearl Danio, Otocinclus, a few Caridina Multidentata, a few Horned Nerite snails, many pond snails, a few Neocaridina Heteropoda var. red, spreading Glossostigma Elatinoides, & insanely-rapid-growing Marsilea Quadrifolia. The original Microsorum pteropus, Microsorum pteropus “Windalov“, & Taxiphyllum barbieri are doing al right as well. My next major hurdle is to trim the Marsilea Quadrifolia aggressively, & keep the stray duckweeds under control.
UPDATE #2b: 2 months later from date of purchase, I am still in love with this tank, i.e. its perfect dimensions. Maybe, just maybe, 1 day it’ll come home to me…
* ~ r@lLi4rt12's r3PosiT0ry ~ * 