Greenspace: A Waterbox Custom 75GAL Build

[Crazygar]

Another moment (more like 5 or 6 hours) of inspiration and research... the building of the plant list for the project.

I am really going out of my comfort zone here and wanting to try plants I have never have tackled before, hence why I took a long time to find plants that fit the bill. Of course, there are old favorites that will always be included in my 'scapes.

Eleocharis pusilla 'Mini', Blyxa japonica, Buce kedagang 'mini' and Hygrophila pinnatifida have always been a mainstay plant for me and always will remain such.

The Plant List

• Anubias barteri var 'nana'
  
• Anubias barteri
• Blyxa japonica
• Bucephalandra 'Brownie Blue'
• Bucephalandra kedagang mini
• Cryptocoryne walkeri
• Cryptocoryne willisi
• Eleocharis parvula
• Eleocharis pusilla 'mini'
• Fissidens fontanus
• Helanthium quadricostatus
• Hygrophila costata
• Hygrophila pinnatifida
• Java Fern 'Trident'
• Java Fern 'Trident Mini'
• Neseaa triflora
• Pogostemon gayi
• Pogostemon helferi 'Downoi'
• * Amazon Frogbit * for nutrient absorption right at startup, also easy to remove when no longer needed

This will be my first attempt at using a moss (Fissidens) in a setup for over a decade. The last attempt was with Java mess..err...moss and eventually it everywhere.

I like the way Fissidens looks just have no been brave enough to try it. Also for the look I want to achieve, I have no recourse but to use this moss, which, out of them all, is the most unique and easier to maintain.

The plant list will most likely change over time, plants highlighted in BOLD are the "must have" for the project. Also plan to order all (in the amounts I need) at once rather than piecemeal planting over time.

It will be one fun (yes, I find it not only fun but super chill) planted session.

Things are starting to come together, now to get the tank here, and the real fun begins.

Gary

[Crazygar]

Once again, I would like to keep fish that I have not (or kept in proper numbers) in the past. Though while the fish species are limited for the overall project, at least two (highlighted in BOLD) are brand new for me. The Green Neons making the largest impact on the overall feeling of the tank.

Fish List

Trichopodus leerii (Pearl Gourami, 1 Male, 3 Females)
Apistogramma trifasciata (Three Striped Dwarf Cichlid, 2 Males, 6 Females)
Paracheirodon simulans (Green Neon Tetra, 41)
Corydoras arcuatus (Skunk Corydoras, 15)
Otocinclus cocama (Zebra Otocinclus, 21)
Neocaridina davidi (Red Cherry Shrimp, starting with 50)
Caridina multdentata (Amano Shrimp, 11)

A nice peaceful tank, with sedate and relaxing activity levels. Having such a large group of Green Neons (41) will definitely be an impressive sight using the Pearl Gourami as my Show fish. Originally I was entertaining the idea of Dwarf Neon Rainbows but their "zippy-ness" would ruin the sedate atmosphere I am trying to create.

Since this is my living room, I suspect I will be falling asleep on the couch, music on, watching the tank.

I have never kept A.trifasciata and have always wanted to. I would love to have another crack at A.gibbiceps again, but my heart keeps coming back to A.trifasciata.

For Apistogramma, I kept quite a bit (my first Apistogramma was A.gibbiceps) during my years in the hobby and A.trifasciata has always been on my must keep species list.

Skunk Corydoras are my favorite and always have been. This time around, I will keep them in the numbers they deserve unlike the small group I had in the past. Coloration, size and behavior will make them really stand out against all the shades of green that will be dominating the Aquascape.

Do I need to explain the Zebra Otos? I think not.

The biggest sourcing/expense will be the Zebra Otos. Even today, they command a high price but if I can get my hands on enough of them, maybe I could start breeding these again (would even consider starting up a dedicated breeding tank, would be wonderful little side project)

Red Cherry Shrimp, will start with 50 or so and these will be almost the first living things (Amanos will go in roughly the same time) to be introduced into the tank once cycling is complete. I am sure with the amount of hiding spaces and lack of any type of predation (I suspect the Gourami and Apistogramma will help keep the numbers down) for the first few weeks after cycling will give time for their numbers to boost.

May even hold off putting fish in (other than Otocinclus) until the Red Cherry Shrimp population becomes large.

Firm believer in the odds of even (absolute great song my Marilyn Manson). I prefer odd number groups of fish when/where I can. Somehow (maybe it is the gremlins living in my head) looks more pleasing than even numbers of fish.

Gary

[Crazygar]

Update, the 8 X Turbulent Flow Nozzles (RFGs) and 4 End Caps cost a total of $35.00 CAD

So the project total so far, has dropped down to $3,745.09 CAD

The printing service I used was here locally in Windsor and is a friend of my oldest Daughter.

From here on in, if I can find the STL file (or design my own), I will be getting what I need printed. This will open up a whole lot of possibilities when it comes to the customization I wish to pursue.

Gary

[Crazygar]

Coming soon...

[Crazygar]

I have finally decided on the rock type which I wish to use: San Sui Stone.


For the amount of Epiphytes I wish to incorporate into this project, this seems to be the perfect stone and it hits all the checkboxes;

• available through a Canadian retailer (Angel Fins)
  
• inert, will not alter my water chemistry
• coloration and texture is what I was looking for
  
  

Initially going to order 30lbs. Of course, while rocks will be a part of the hardscape, it will not be the predominant feature (though I want some to be clearly visible). At least I have narrowed it down to rock type. One more item to check off my list.

I am not expecting word about my Aquarium until at least next month. I ordered in February and the lead time was +85 days. I am expecting it to be a bit more than 85 days, but that is ok as well. I am in no rush.

Gary 

[Crazygar]

The 3D Printing job is done and the items are now back at my residence. I picked them up this afternoon...



These are all that I had printed. Grand total of $35 CAD, which in my opinion, deal of the century. 8 X Turbulent Flow Nozzles (RFGs), 4 X 1/2" End Cap.

If I were to purchase each of those RFG's from the store, it would be $27.99 CAD individually. That is mega-super savings! That is 8 pieces for close to + $10CAD for the price of one!





The Turbulent Flow Nozzles (RFGs). I am going to clear coat these before using. Having a spare set of 4 once again, good contingency planning.

The person that printed these out suggested to do that (clear coating) as a precautionary measure. I was also told, if they do breakdown, he would print and replace these (at no charge) with more Aquarium resistant material. Thank you very much Quinn!




End Caps for the Stockman Stand Pipe.

I am sure I may be able to find other uses, but it is nice to have 3 spares just in case, once again, good contingency planning. The reason I wanted flat on top? To ensure that lid that comes with the Overflow from Waterbox will sit firmly, a rounded end cap, could possibly be a problem. Risk avoidance at work.

Will be drilling a 1/4" hole on the top of this as per the Stockman Stand Pipe build instructions.

Overall, I am pleased with the end product (yes, my MechWarrior Mad Dog/Vulture turned out amazing, nice little side project and another trinket for the Office, or as it has been referenced as... Nerdvana).

I am going to build a Dojo downstairs in my Basement so I can work on the Aquascape in advance. Just need to build a frame around a 48 X 18 (using the frame as simulated space I would require to clean in the actual aquarium) base, get some sand, and regulate a spot for it (basement is literally just organized storage) so I can work on the Aquascape and see what kind of layout I can work with before actually throwing "dirt" in the Aquarium.

Once I am done with the Dojo, I will donate it to the Society, so that others can borrow and use it for Aquascaping ideas and then return it to the Society so that other club members have use of it.

I am on the notify list for the San sui Rocks from Angelfins. Once they get a new delivery I will be pulling the trigger for the 30lbs to start.

Now onto something else...

I am also getting the MTS itch.

I still have my AI Freshwater Prime Light (coverage is 24" W X 24" D) with arm, Eheim 2215 Canister Filter (yes, Cardboard removed this time) and Stainless Steel Lily Pipes (for the Eheim) that I have never used. I was thinking about a 25 Cube for the Office as it would serve a few functions;

• Scratch the itch. I really want to have a tank running in here. The more I progress on Greenspace, the more I realize how much I miss being immersed (ha ha) in this hobby. All knowing that Greenspace will be a marathon, not a race.
• Can use it for a grow out/propagation tank for the plants that will be starting up the final Greenspace project. This will provide me a good yield on the initial planting phase of Greenspace.
• Quarantine tank for fish purchases while Greenspace is still in the stocking phase. The last thing I want to do is introduce disease ,illness or death after all this hard work.

End Goal:

• A nice low tech, non-CO2 injected Planted Aquarium to grace my office. It HAS to be low-tech since it will be in my Office (only occupied Mon - Fri during working hours, otherwise unoccupied) and needs to be stable enough to go a weekend/week/2 weeks without intervention. I can do tank maintenance during the week, which I find rather soothing.
• I want to keep Pseudomugil gertrudae (Spotted Blue-Eye Rainbowfish). This would be the end goal fish that I want for this aquarium.
• Something to look at that is peaceful and something that will help center. Having a high-stress career has some draw backs but it also has some benefits.

So, today, I am scouring the Internet for a nice 25 GAL Rimless Cube + Stand. This is what happens when I take a day off. Those Waterbox Eden tanks sure look nice...

Gary

[Crazygar]

Update: Production of the Aquarium is complete. They are expecting an arrival of Mid to Late May. I am good with that. They have spent a great deal of time constructing, which makes me happy.

I hold dear the "If you cannot do it right the first time, what makes you think you have time to do it right the second time around?". Best to take your time and do the job properly than speed through and end up with issues.