saintly's pastel shades (part 2)

[saintly]

ok, i'm starting a new journal on here which follows on from a scape i did a few months ago, named "Pastel Shades" which loooked like this....


it started its life like this....





since i ripped this tank down i decided i wanted MH lighting. i know it's not a necessity, but i love the look of good quality lighting. this was previous...



once i'd ordered the new lights i thought i'd best make a new lighting stand so i bought some hardware to make the new stand...








The hardscape layout was partly the creation of my 3 year old son, with a little help from me....



and here's the new set up with painted stand, lighting stand and new light which is a an arcadia series 4 mini pendant @150w





the plant order is very soon...

thanks for reading

mark

[Jur4ik]

nice lightning stand
ADA color cabinet now?

[saintly]

thanks jur4ik. not quite ADA colour. it's black. it took me ages to get looking good. but i'm not totaly happy with it. the lighting i'm 100% happy

[saintly]

plants ordered today from aquafleur....

all in pots...

HC x 3
diplis diandra x 4
r rotundifolia x 6
ludwigia arcuata x 3
m umbrosum x 3
juncus repens x 2
Alternanthera reineckii x 2
e acicularis x 2
anubias bonsai x 4
tenellus x 4
crypt wendetii green x 2

i'll also add riccia stones

as you can see this is a stem heavy scape, but it gives me a chance to stretch my stem trimming fingers

[Jur4ik]

Hi Mark,
how can I order from Aquafleur?

[saintly]

Originally Posted by Jur4ik

Hi Mark,
how can I order from Aquafleur?

I'm sure you cant mate. it's for retailers only. i do know that it's difficult to get an account too.

i order my plants via maidenhead aquatics and my order comes 2/3 days later. I'm pretty sure if you email Richard at aqua essentials

Aqua Essentials

he maybe able to put some kind of ordetr together for you. aquafleur work in pots of 6 so bare that in mind....

[tirtha1979]

Nice MH Stand there. Loved it.

Which MH it is and what is the K rating and wattage?

[saintly]

thanks tirtha.

the lighting is a Arcadia series 4 mini pendant with 1 x 150w MH rated @ 5000k

usually T5 tubes @ 5400k are quit pink, but this seems very close to natural daylight in colour.

I'm looking forward to seeing how my plants grow under this light, or rather the effect it gives over all

[Shadow]

how big is your tank?

[saintly]

it's 60cm. i've got the lights hanging at least 25 inches with room to move them more. extreme?....YES

[Shadow]

Not really, from what I see you are not newbie, you certainly know what you are doing

[saintly]

Originally Posted by Shadow

Not really, from what I see you are not newbie, you certainly know what you are doing

thanks, it's nice to get encouragement.

hopefully tomorrow my plants arrive. i've received my tropica marslilea (the only plant not from AF)

[saintly]

and so i've started planting....

[Jur4ik]

will there be more on plantedbox?
Anubias tied or superglued?

[divadnart]

Wow. Your hardscape looks fantastic! Can't wait till see you finish planting it.

[saintly]

thanks divdnart

jur4ik, there will be more on plantedbox in a few days. i've only just finished planting this tank, so tomorrow I'll take some more images.

the anubias is wedged mate, no need for super glue on this tank....allthough the superglue method is brilliant

the new oliver knott NSoil is amazing as in water clarity from the off is outstanding...better than AS

cutting e acicualris before planting....

[Jur4ik]

Still have 2 bags of AS
how do you plant your hc? with a peace of stonewool?

ps: posted at ASW first before at ukaps - you like us more?

[saintly]

Originally Posted by Jur4ik

Still have 2 bags of AS
how do you plant your hc? with a peace of stonewool?

yes my friend, it's much easier and grows in the same way as planting individual. it took me 3 mins to cut and plant....easy!

[saintly]

here's fully planted...



directly after filling....the water clarity is amazing with oliver knott NS

[saintly]

and today...





thanks for looking