Tanks of Unusual Size #9 St Nermy’s Day ‘Scapes from Scraps

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Happy St Nermy’s Day!!!

Category 9 - TOUS - Tanks of Unusual Size- tanks of unusual size, dimensions or make for all the oddball containers And setups

Remember this is a NERM positive event, no negative posts, voting is either a heart or passing on the posts, you can leave positive comments for people. Have fun! 

You have until 4/8/22 to vote! 

Edited April 1, 2022 by Beardedbillygoat1975
Title

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

So here's my offering. I'll try and make this brief with words and full of pictures ('cause who reads long posts- though I'm VERY guilty of posting them). I had a small QT that was full of snails and I just left it there- other than just throwing a pellet in and topping off water from time to time I did no maintenance and felt bad for them. When this "contest" came up it gave me a perfect excuse to do something for them. 

I will admit to buying 3 things for the project: I got a vase (because the only ones I had I actually use for flowers), I got a piece of Cholla wood- which was purchased at the same place I got the vase (a plant nursery) and you'll see I HAD to do it (it was exactly what I needed), and I got a Hiro Aquatics light- because I had nowhere to put said vase that wasn't DARK (you'll see) so the plants would have died if I didn't. Anyway: Enjoy my entry!

There are 2 parts the build documentation then the finished product.

______________________________THE BUILD_______________________________

 

_____________________________THE FINAL PRODUCT_________________________

A short Google video https://photos.app.goo.gl/u5fpRk5CCkYG8TFG7

___________________________HOW IT HAS MATURED______________________________

__________________MARCH 31ST_________________

Short Google video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/A8rZsjVEyDUB65GGA

 

TA DA!! Can't wait to see what everyone else came up with! Happy St Nermy's Day Everyone!

 

 

Edited April 3, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX
rearranging...

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Well done @xXInkedPhoenixX! Totally nailed the spirt of the thing! 

[eatyourpeas]

Oohh, that is a very nice tank, @xXInkedPhoenixX!

[Odd Duck]

Very nicely done!  Very innovative along with using scraps?  Love it!  ❤️ 😍🔥

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Odd Duck thanks friend, yep, all scraps other than what I advised that I purchased. I always need a place to put yet another Spider Plant baby- it's really loving the Easy Green though I'm not sure the snails like it much (I might have to adjust how many drops I put in) as I usually find a few outside the vase on the 1 day a week I fertilize. I put in 6 drops but I might just put in 3 next time- I'm sure the soil has plenty nutrients for now. 

[Jawjagrrl]

When the topic of this friendly competition came up and the idea of unusual containers, I immediately thought of my lemonade dispenser in the basement that didn't get used like I thought it would. I was contemplating separating out my skittle shrimp and reading about Walstaad no-tech jars at the time too. I wanted to document here and in the process of gathering photos realized how easy my photo software could convert to video... so I uploaded one! No filter, heater... just the window light and a desklamp with an incandescent bulb that helped keep the jar warm when the kitchen hits the upper 50s at night.

n

Materials were all in the house or on the farm:

• lemonade jar
• play sand (from the bag next to the door we use when rare ice appears)
• leftover fluval stratum
• rocks foraged from the New River eons ago
• foraged short moss
• foraged moss in jar
• foraged wispy moss from basement steps (added to wood)
• oak firewood scrap
• baby java ferms taken from Endor tank
• cuttings from QT tank ID on forum previously as a couple of things
• spider plant baby
• foraged ground pine
• assorted botanicals, including privet, holly and other leaves, seed pods and hickory nut shells my chicken coop squirrel leaves me
• duckweed (need I say more)
• bladder snails from other tanks
• 6 neocaradina shimp offspring from my "skittle" tank (babies of OG the snowball shrimp).

I had never even kept an aquatic plant before last fall, so going no-tech was a big step for me. Glad I challenged myself and appreciate the help on many fronts from so many members here. Thanks for looking!

 

Edited April 1, 2022 by Jawjagrrl
added photo

[Jawjagrrl]

@xXInkedPhoenixX really love this - the idea of the cholla filter is functional and gorgeous!

[Odd Duck]

Ooooh, @Jawjagrrl, I love yours, too!  Impossible to choose between these!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Jawjagrrl loving the shrimp set up!! I thought about those dispenser jars too, one of my coworkers had one to give but I couldn't see one sitting in my living room- they have awesome potential though as you've proven!

Yeah the Cholla wood....I was just there JUST for a container (this was in an indoor/air plant section) and it was there and the vase was there and the lightbulb went on sooooo it was purchased. I was not only wondering how the spider plant would stay at the top at first but how I would make and hide any filtration/aeration I would add. This was definitely the perfect solution. 

[Jawjagrrl]

On 4/1/2022 at 4:14 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

@Jawjagrrl loving the shrimp set up!! I thought about those dispenser jars too, one of my coworkers had one to give but I couldn't see one sitting in my living room- they have awesome potential though as you've proven!

Yeah the Cholla wood....I was just there JUST for a container (this was in an indoor/air plant section) and it was there and the vase was there and the lightbulb went on sooooo it was purchased. I was not only wondering how the spider plant would stay at the top at first but how I would make and hide any filtration/aeration I would add. This was definitely the perfect solution. 

Just the little peek at your home from your post tells me how lovely it must be and I'd enjoy your vase in any room here. The dispenser lives in my kitchen, so it doesn't seem too out of place. I actually did use the dispenser for a small water change today - which fed all the plants you can see in the photo. Both orchids have improved since using snail poop water 😄

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

On 4/1/2022 at 1:44 PM, Jawjagrrl said:

actually did use the dispenser for a small water change today - which fed all the plants you can see in the photo. Both orchids have improved since using snail poop water 😄

Plants like poop that's for sure. At least you can keep Orchids alive- I've never been able to and I'm pretty good with plants! 😔

I really liked the idea of being able to do a water change (with the dispenser jar) that's super cool-  but this one is definitely going to play to the "no water changes" side and the plants are pretty thirsty so I put water in it often to top off. I don't even know how I'm going to handle it if/when the "sponge filter" gets clogged. I can change the pump but to change that would have to be a full-on reset! Oh well. I'll love it like it is for now. 

[Atitagain]

This tank/ container has been in my possession 30+ years and I remember my dad having it for as long as I can remember. It’s an old whiskey bottle used to have a cool glass cork but that’s been lost for many years. I remember this being used for the whiskey, rose/ flower vase, holder for a matchbook collection, and decoration behind a home bar. Then I’ve used it for the obvious… coins, it would get so heavy (during years I wasn’t broke), a failed Lego try, and now this.😁

used a bit of black gravel just to hold plant and decorations in place, no filter/ heater/ air or stocking it’s only a “wet plant” Bamboo fits real nice with the branches.

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

It's fantastic! Great bottle, the plant looks like it belongs in there! I like its provenance and history with your Dad. I treasure the few things I have like that! 

[Odd Duck]

On 4/1/2022 at 6:31 PM, Atitagain said:

This tank/ container has been in my possession 30+ years and I remember my dad having it for as long as I can remember. It’s an old whiskey bottle used to have a cool glass cork but that’s been lost for many years. I remember this being used for the whiskey, rose/ flower vase, holder for a matchbook collection, and decoration behind a home bar. Then I’ve used it for the obvious… coins, it would get so heavy (during years I wasn’t broke), a failed Lego try, and now this.😁

used a bit of black gravel just to hold plant and decorations in place, no filter/ heater/ air or stocking it’s only a “wet plant” Bamboo fits real nice with the branches.

Very nice!

[freemoney]

On 4/1/2022 at 5:22 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Plants like poop that's for sure. At least you can keep Orchids alive- I've never been able to and I'm pretty good with plants! 😔

I really liked the idea of being able to do a water change (with the dispenser jar) that's super cool-  but this one is definitely going to play to the "no water changes" side and the plants are pretty thirsty so I put water in it often to top off. I don't even know how I'm going to handle it if/when the "sponge filter" gets clogged. I can change the pump but to change that would have to be a full-on reset! Oh well. I'll love it like it is for now. 

It's all about healthy roots with orchids, get them out of their plastic container ASAP.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Atitagain you totally should grow some of that vine along the sticks, would be a pain to detach when you needed to but it would look so cool!

[Atitagain]

On 4/1/2022 at 12:13 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

So here's my offering. I'll try and make this brief with words and full of pictures ('cause who reads long posts- though I'm VERY guilty of posting them). I had a small QT that was full of snails and I just left it there- other than just throwing a pellet in and topping off water from time to time I did no maintenance and felt bad for them. When this "contest" came up it gave me a perfect excuse to do something for them. 

I will admit to buying 3 things for the project: I got a vase (because the only ones I had I actually use for flowers), I got a piece of Cholla wood- which was purchased at the same place I got the vase (a plant nursery) and you'll see I HAD to do it (it was exactly what I needed), and I got a Hiro Aquatics light- because I had nowhere to put said vase that wasn't DARK (you'll see) so the plants would have died if I didn't. Anyway: Enjoy my entry!

There are 2 parts the build documentation then the finished product.

______________________________THE BUILD_______________________________

 

_____________________________THE FINAL PRODUCT_________________________

A short Google video https://photos.app.goo.gl/u5fpRk5CCkYG8TFG7

___________________________HOW IT HAS MATURED______________________________

__________________MARCH 31ST_________________

Short Google video: https://photos.app.goo.gl/A8rZsjVEyDUB65GGA

 

TA DA!! Can't wait to see what everyone else came up with! Happy St Nermy's Day Everyone!

 

 

This is amazing! The container shape is excellent but tricky, and the way you used that to your advantage is awesome. What you did with the cholla wood is something I will be trying for sure. The spider plant is such a great topper, a wonderful contrast to such a darkwater setting.

On 4/1/2022 at 3:00 PM, Jawjagrrl said:

When the topic of this friendly competition came up and the idea of unusual containers, I immediately thought of my lemonade dispenser in the basement that didn't get used like I thought it would. I was contemplating separating out my skittle shrimp and reading about Walstaad no-tech jars at the time too. I wanted to document here and in the process of gathering photos realized how easy my photo software could convert to video... so I uploaded one! No filter, heater... just the window light and a desklamp with an incandescent bulb that helped keep the jar warm when the kitchen hits the upper 50s at night.

n

Materials were all in the house or on the farm:

• lemonade jar
• play sand (from the bag next to the door we use when rare ice appears)
• leftover fluval stratum
• rocks foraged from the New River eons ago
• foraged short moss
• foraged moss in jar
• foraged wispy moss from basement steps (added to wood)
• oak firewood scrap
• baby java ferms taken from Endor tank
• cuttings from QT tank ID on forum previously as a couple of things
• spider plant baby
• foraged ground pine
• assorted botanicals, including privet, holly and other leaves, seed pods and hickory nut shells my chicken coop squirrel leaves me
• duckweed (need I say more)
• bladder snails from other tanks
• 6 neocaradina shimp offspring from my "skittle" tank (babies of OG the snowball shrimp).

I had never even kept an aquatic plant before last fall, so going no-tech was a big step for me. Glad I challenged myself and appreciate the help on many fronts from so many members here. Thanks for looking!

 

Using the sand by the door is great! Really showing that you can “scrap” from all angles.

[Torrey]

On 4/1/2022 at 1:25 PM, Odd Duck said:

Ooooh, @Jawjagrrl, I love yours, too!  Impossible to choose between these!

I loved both, so no need to choose!!!

I like judging for Obedience trials: Points determined by performance, and ties are allowed!

[castiel]

For my scape I decided to keep it simple given the limited amount of plants I had at the time. I decided to use a glass Starbucks bottle I saved a while ago for Shenanigans and since I was setting up a Walstad esq jar decided to make it a dirtied mini jar capped with fine gravel. I used a cutting of my Pogostemon Stellatus "Octopus" from my main tank and originally was going to leave it at that but ended up adding some duckweed to help curb the nutrient spike. With the addition of the duckweed and running an airstone on very low a few hours a day, as well as many water changes, it's cleared up and the Octopus is starting to grow in. It's a very simple setup and doesn't require much maintenance. I'm going to keep it until at least the Octopus grows emergent but from there I might gift it to my best friend, he's been wanting to do a jar setup but is worried about the upkeep with his job so one with just a plant would be best for him. 

Most up to date picture, followed by freshly planted and first fill. The octopus lost some leaves during a water change (I've been using a turkey baster and accidentally sucked it up into it)

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@castiel talk about a tiny kingdom ! Will be cool to see what happens with it!

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

Voting has ended and @xXInkedPhoenixXhad 12 hearts, @Jawjagrrl8, and @Atitagainwith 6. Organizers award goes to @castielfor great upcycling of the Starbucks glass! 
 

Thanks everyone for participating!