[ 15.12.24 18:10 PM ]

i'm going through a mild crisis, so i decided to start a fish tank.

i've had tanks in the past, but i have such a terrible habit of just buying everything in one go, shoving it in, and getting stuck with whatever was at the shop at the time, SO. i've been thinking about this for months, and i'm going to do a proper full planted tank. co2 system, biosoil, custom hardscape - the whole shebang. i bought the tank and substrate today, dug out some old sponge filters and a pump and heater. i'm very likely going to do cherry shrimp + a female betta, but that's not going to be for quite some time yet. anyway! biosoil base layer + sand substrate is what i've gone for - first time i've ever used sand, so i'm not sure how this'll work out. my personal preference for sponge filters is to gut the inside of them and shove an air stone in there instead, i find it just circulates everything better and makes such a nice little bubble column.

i spent most of the afternoon glueing together driftwood to make a decent shape to hide the filter system and allow for good plant growth. i really want to grow something out the top of the tank, a pothos or prayer plant or something, so i had to figure out a way to make some of the driftwood stick up over the tank rim. hardscaping is my least favourite part of the entire tank setup, and i struggled loads with this for hops' tank too. however! i managed in the end.

i'll only be able to chip away at this every few weeks, but thats okay! no rush to get it done as i don't have anything to put in it yet, and i really want to do it right. i'll probably just update this page as i go, i like being able to share progress pics :)

today: substrate + hardscape!


bonus: baby hopscotches at the store!