The Medieval 12G Aquatop Bookshelf Tank build for a Betta Rescue and Guppies!

[TheSwissAquarist]

On 11/24/2022 at 11:22 PM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!! 

The initial build for the Medieval tank is done! I am stil waiting for delivery of the Java Moss to paint the surfaces of hardscape and the Spiderwood. I don't show it below but I did a makeshift thing to tie down the Spiderwood because it is going to want to float- It probably won't work but we'll deal with the issue when we get to it. Hoping over the weeks being in water and getting sprayed it will cooperate but I won't count on it. For your visual pleasure not a lot of text in this post, just pictures with small captions! Enjoy, and welcome to the Medieval tank!:

Here is a short Google Video, sparing you the sound of my Harry Connick Jr album playing at the time...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/HNcPJ5c3fRMN7yRo8

I'm already loving it! 

Could I please turn myself into a fish & move in? That looks amazing!!

[Minanora]

I love it!!!!!! Happy Thanksgiving!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Today I got my shipment of Java Moss- I was actually quite impressed by how much I got and wasn't sure if I was going to use it all- but of course I did. It was nicely packed in there though so that was a good surprise: 

 

So after my tanks got done today I set about chopping up the Java and then actually instead of using any sort of paint brush I just used my fingers and tweezers to apply it mostly to the "tree" then the rest to some rocks and the archway. We'll see what actually makes it through! If it doesn't grow on the tree (or elsewhere) I have other ideas of what to do with the tree- but I think it looks good...

Sadly all we can do now is wait....and wait.....and wait....and wait......

Edited November 25, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

A few days in the rooted plants seem to be doing well, the Repens has perked up a lot, standing upright. I'm not seeing any dieback. It's quite humid in there with the plastic wrap on:

I'm just a little bit concerned for the moss because of upcoming short trips. I'm spraying it a couple times a day on the "tree" since the spiderwood isn't totally saturated yet it does lose moisture- however as I said it's pretty humid in there so hopefully the moss is getting the water it needs. Weirdly enough the moss I placed on rocks and even the Arch seem to be doing fine though I've sprayed the topmost moss. Everything alive so far!

 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

I love it @xXInkedPhoenixX. The dry start is so interesting. I’ve seen it done in videos but it’s something I’ve never tried. Had you tried a dry start before this scape?

[TeeJay]

Yes I have never seen a tank started like this. I don't think I would have the nerve to try lol.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Chick-In-Of-TheSea nope- @Patrick_G suggested it as an easier way to root carpeting plants. Since I failed at carpeting plant before I figured why not give it one more go. I know there may be issues later so I'm not dead set on it staying, why? 

Well my understanding having watched some videos is most of your carpeting plants do a whole lot better with co2 set ups. I'm low tech and will not be doing this any time in the forseeable future. Right now the plants have all the co2 they want because they're exposed to air. When I put water in a low tech tank I've basically cut off their supply. This is when it may get shaky. (in a co2 set up they turn up the co2 for some time once the tank is full then dial it back little by little) Trimming the plants so their roots are exposed is supposed to help some once the tank is full so they continue to get light. I guess this will depend on how long I let the plants go before I fill the tank and how big they get too. I want to be able to see some of the roots under the surface of the substrate growing before I fill the tank. Hopefully by then the Java Moss will have also anchored itself. 

Really @TeeJay there doesn't seem to be any great trick to it other than an abundance of patience (and potential for it not to work when the tank is full- I've got some $$ invested so far so that would be a bummer). Some of us lack this (patience), but I get it. I'd love to have the tank ready now to start moving fish and get them out of QT but I'll use my patience power. 

Edited November 28, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[Odd Duck]

I used a floating ultrasonic fogger in a bowl to keep the humidity up for my “dry” start.  You could put the fogger on a timer to make your bowl of water last much longer.  I ran mine 24/7 and refilled at least daily, but it’s a big tank.  I think you could run intermittently and be fine.  I used RO water so I didn’t get any mineral deposits on the glass or in the fogger.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Odd Duck that's a good idea, too late for me to set that up for when I'll need it. Ya got a recommendation or link for something like that? I might look into it anyway. 

I think it will be ok whenever I do leave the house I'll just wrap it up more than it is. It generates quite a bit of humidity all on its own (as evidenced by the pic on my post above). Here's hoping! 

[Patrick_G]

It’s looking great! This is going to be a really cool tank. 
It looks like you left your MC in clumps. I think it’ll root much quicker that way than if you had cut it up. The downside is it’ll be slower to spread.  
 

[Odd Duck]

This is the one I used.  I did use the top since it reduced splash outside the bowl.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094V6GVV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

You should be OK unless you need to leave the tank for more than a day.

Edited November 28, 2022 by Odd Duck

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Patrick_GThanks, I'm really liking it so far too! Yes I just kind of let the plant split in the areas that were easy (same with the Repens). I'm ok with it not spreading fast more concerned with it just rooting because I'm hoping to fill the tank in a month (fingers crossed). I think it will make it easier to keep it growing in the designated areas as opposed to everywhere. I dunno, still an experiment to me! 

On 11/28/2022 at 3:35 PM, Odd Duck said:

This is the one I used.  I did use the top since it reduced splash outside the bowl.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B094V6GVV4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title

Thanks! On my list!

Edited November 28, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Alright, I didn't really think about it but logically this would happen. @Odd Duck @Patrick_G or anyone else dry starting a tank ever have to deal with moldy wood? What should I do about it? I thought about toothbrushing it off (maybe with some peroxide). I've thought about leaving it (but it will likely just get bigger/worse). I thought maybe when I fill the tank I'd plop some bladder snails in and let them work on that. Is it a problem or not?

Looks like I have a few different types growing. (pay no attention to the white line between the trunks that's just string. 

[Odd Duck]

I didn’t have to deal with that since my wood was very well soaked when I started.  I’m sure it had plenty of biofilm already established.  I actually worried about mine drying out and wanting to float after the tank was flooded.  If you have enough humidity, you could probably try putting some bladder snails in now.  They might do OK and might help with your mold?  Maybe the surface of your wood needs to be kept even wetter so the mold doesn’t have a chance to keep going?

Hopefully someone else will chime in with more experience.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Odd Duck yeah I didn't have enough forthought to soak the piece for days before the set up but I thought it'd probably dry out anyway. I did soak it some but clearly it's not waterlogged. Didn't think about mold but when I saw it I shrugged, it's logical to be there. If nobody else answers up today I think I might hit it with a toothbrush and peroxide and see what it does just for giggles. 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Well the white Guppies have been in QT waiting on their new home. Sadly I've lost 2 to an unknown disease. The last 4 seem good. I treated them with a med called Nitrofurazone Green and have slowly taken the meds out with water changes and Polyfilter (which I highly recommend for any fish keeper's QT tools). Hopefully no more losses. Not sure when I might see their like in the store again, but if I do in the future I would like a few more. My QT capabilities are almost full up though so that's not happening any time soon. I only have one tank and that stays empty in case any of my resident fish need a QT. Here are a couple of them today: 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Odd Duck complete experiment won't be done until I fill this tank but I did use 3% Hydrogen Peroxide on the mold today. It of course instantly fizzed and the mold is currently gone, for how long is of course yet to be seen- I will reapply as needed. 

[Patrick_G]

I

On 11/29/2022 at 6:31 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Alright, I didn't really think about it but logically this would happen. @Odd Duck @Patrick_G or anyone else dry starting a tank ever have to deal with moldy wood? What should I do about it? I thought about toothbrushing it off (maybe with some peroxide). I've thought about leaving it (but it will likely just get bigger/worse). I thought maybe when I fill the tank I'd plop some bladder snails in and let them work on that. Is it a problem or not?

This is new to me. I haven't tried the dry start method with wood in the tank. It sounds like you're on the right track with the toothbrush and peroxide. 
I wonder if this is the emerged form of the biofilm we often see on wood in a new tank?

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Patrick_G definitely a bio something going on! 😄 The peroxide worked well enough, I think I'll just keep doing it. 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Sadly, this morning I lost another white Guppy. I'm starting to lose hope that I'll have any to put in this tank when it's ready. The 4 I had left were fine before I left for a 4 day road trip- came back to one of them having what I could only possibly diagnose as a bad case of cotton wool disease on his tail which then in a matter of a day or 2 spread to his head. The QT is medicated with Maracyn 2 (I gave my Maracyn to a friend who needed to treat a Molly and my Maracyn is currently on the way to be delivered today). I was able to dose the tank upon discovery with the last of what I did have of Maracyn but it was clearly too late. This is a bummer. Hoping someone in the local fish club has bred them. 

The plants in the tank even with my absence are doing well. The Java is semi-questionable on the spiderwood only because it wasn't waterlogged. I did put extra plastic wrap on it after spraying it down the day I left. It's all still green so maybe some of you with experience can chime in about it. The Repens and Monte Carlo are doing well and growing roots. I really like how the Repens looks - I hope I can maintain it when I fill the tank. I may have to change some of my usual thinking and consider root tabs in the future. Shocking I know (at least to me it is).

Oh and I did find and order a moss shelf for the Subwassertang. It's, I think, even better than what I was looking at before. In this tank it will be a full corner shelf as it is 8" on either side- the tank is 8.25" deep. I think it will look super cool!

Edited December 7, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

On 12/7/2022 at 10:55 AM, xXInkedPhoenixX said:

Oh and I did find and order a moss shelf for the Subwassertang. It's, I think, even better than what I was looking at before. In this tank it will be a full corner shelf as it is 8" on either side- the tank is 8.25" deep. I think it will look super cool!

That's pretty cool.  I think @nabokovfan87 was attempting to plant a moss shelf too.

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

@Chick-In-Of-TheSea yeah I've always seen moss fail in my tanks (but clearly I'm a glutton for punishment trying java moss again)- however the shelf will more easily (IMO) work with the Subwassertang since it's already long and spindly, I can secure it by pulling individual pieces through and let the rest hang. 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Well 15 days have passed since the carpet plants have been in the 12g Bookshelf. They're doing well though I was gone 4 days. They are visibly growing and putting down roots. I'm especially happy with the Repens, it's standing tall and bushing out. Very exciting. The Monte is growing slower but I have a feeling most of the action is under the plant though some strands have reached out from the plant and when I moved a couple there were long roots attached. Here's a peek (can't get side pics because of the humidity around the bottom of the glass): 

Here are the roots I'm seeing: 

I also got the 3D printed moss shelf. As I thought might happen it's just a titch too long for the deep part of the tank (8.25") though that is the case in measurement one also has to consider the space the suction cups take up for length. SO because it will be flush with the front of the tank I'm going to snip the end a little. I could use it as is and it does bow a little, with Subwassertang on it you shouldn't notice however I'm going to shoot for the goal of it being straight. You can't see the bowing really in this pic but it's going to look really good when it's in the tank - I think: 

Then there's the Java Moss. I was most concerned about my 4 day trip and it surviving on the Spiderwood as previously discussed here as the Spiderwood is not waterlogged. I was glad to see it seemed mostly still green when I returned. I've been spraying it 2x a day at least. I think it's starting to stand up from growth and not just as I placed it day one. I'm not all that familiar with growing moss so I hope this is normal healthy growth?: 

You may have noticed if you've been following this thread that the title has changed. Realizing I can't move my CPD to this tank due to planned temperature. Other developments have occurred. I was visiting my Mum and in her tank where my rescue Betta formerly known as Purple MAY have been beating up her Guppy tankmates. It hasn't been witnessed but her 2 Guppies had tail damage and she wanted me to look at them. One poor Guppy almost has no tail. The other is pretty badly torn up. She wanted me to take them (they originally came from my nephew's tank). So upon seeing their condition I agreed. Mum said she never witnessed Purple attacking the Guppies only chasing. The Guppies harrass each other a LOT however they didn't have tail issues before. So Purple is the suspect. Mum's Neons are fine so I took the 2 Guppies home with me. They are currently residing with Koianu in the Accidental Oto tank - but in the nursery section (on the other side of the divider from Koianu). When this tank is finished, whatever is left of the white Guppies, these 2 from my Mum and 2 from my Flex will go there. I will also pull my Embers from the Flex (about 7 of them) which was an idea sparked by @TheSwissAquarist's mention of Embers (didn't know I had them already didya?). Then I could put the CPD in the Flex. However I've sadly purchased another tank. A 7 gallon Aquatop. We'll see how it pans out but I'll either leave the CPD in the 4.12 gallon Aquatop and start up this 7 gallon for Red- OR - I will move the CPD, decommision the 4 gallon and Set up the 7 for Red and sell the 4 gallon. We'll see! 

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

Oh also, besides all the thoughts above. I did a thing. Took some of the little rocks I found while foraging for this tank (both smooth and rough ones) and started to do a stone floor beyond the arch. What do you all think about it? Shall I continue rock foraging and finish said floor? I think if I do, once it finished I'll need to put a little more Eco Complete between the stones to level the floor but when the rocks are wet they look pretty good. Or should I just do other gravel or leave it?

 

Edited December 9, 2022 by xXInkedPhoenixX

[Minanora]

I love the mini pathway. I say you finish it. Worst case you remove some after looking at it for a while. I feel like this is a good time to experiment.

Maybe do larger stones in front that transition to small, so it looks like the path is longer than it really is. A vanishing point, so to speak.