Putting in the plants

My fancy new tanks are much bigger than I thought they’d be.

About three quarters of the existing tanks’ water barely fills one quarter of the new tank. I didn’t think 8″ x 6″ of difference on the height and breadth would make such a big difference.

Here, you can see the old tanks next to the new:

As you can see, I’ve already put in a few things in the new tank. Most notably the two lovely (in my opinion) pieces of driftwood.

Here’s a closer view from the front. Yes, I’m in the reflection. Hello there!

The side view:

I’m trying to design this tank to be viewed from the front and the side. But it’s proving quite difficult.

Some 9 hours later, I’ve “finished” planting all the plants in the tank.

But a planted tank is never finished. Itchy fingers will always reach in to move plants here and there, add in a little of this and that.

However, I’ll now think twice about putting my hand in to move things around. The water is so much deeper, my entire arm gets wet, especially when reaching to the back. Any change from now on, will be a major affair! How do those people who have four, or six feet tanks manage?

The water is cloudy because I was too lazy to wash the new RMC Pacific Materials Lapis Lustre Sand – Clean Graded Kiln Dried Monterey Sands, before putting it in.

The yellow sponge should not be there.

That’s Gemma’s reflection in the back. She helped me turn the water on and off to fill the tank.

I’ve yet to move the fish and the canister filter over.

I put some of the original tank water in the new aquarium, so in a few weeks, after the bacteria has stabilised, I can move the fish in.

What fish? I just got them. Mosquito Boraras. Or Boraras Brigittae. But my specimen doesn’t seem as red as the ones I’ve seen on the Internet.

What plants?

• Vallisneria americana var. natans
• Vallisneria americana var. americana ‘Rubra Serpenta’
• Anubias barteri var. barteri ‘Variegated’
• Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Petitie’
• Anubias barteri var. nana ‘Golden’
• Aponogeton natans
• Crinum calamistratum
• Microsorium pteropus (Java Fern)
• Microsorium pteropus ‘Narrow Leaf’
• Nymphaea micrantha
• Spiky moss

… and some form of crypts, echinodorus and other unknown plants I’ve picked up over the last 2 years.