"64.8L Passionately Curious": Hard-scape Setup

Finally, here comes the hands-on session for the hardscaping setup. To create the backbones of the aquarium, I have read through many resources and studied many layouts. It is really convenient to do research nowadays with tremendous resources from the internet. Also, thanks to AquaticQuotient forum, I got many helpful advices from the experienced hobbyists. It makes the learning process much shorten and enjoyable.

I decided to choose triangle style for my first planted tank since I was so impressed by the work on "Sticks & Stones" layout from James Findley. This layout was chosen based on the available driftwood and stones that I have on hand. Process of hard-scape setup was described on the photos sequence below:-

I use this drain board to cover the tank bottom to prevent direct contact of stones to the glass surface, which may cause cracks due to point load. With this board, force would be distributed more equally on the glass surface.

Two drain board were nicely fit in my 2ft tank

After that, ADA Amazonia Aquasoil (Powder Type) was added with slope upward to the back right corner.
I also use post-it notes and marker to draw the guiding lines which followed "rule of thirds" accordingly. The front part was marked with 2.5cm for minimum soil depth required, so that I would not keep it too thin.

Big piece of driftwood was put as the focal point of the aquarium. Counterpart is a smaller piece on the other side. River pebbles were added to give balance feeling.

From the top view, I tried to create more space for planting at later stage.

Plastic card case was used as substrate support in my layout.  

Small pieces of plastic were used to support the substrate base

Substrate support was pegged into aquasoil and covered later by another thin layer later to make it invisible.

Finally, the hardscape setup was done

I am quite happy with the final product and the process was really enjoyable. I also found out that sometimes the piece of driftwood or rocks that I like at the beginning might not be suitable for my layout eventually. Hence, the more materials that you have, the better. More options, more choices. The next step is equipment setup. :)

"64.8L Passionately Curious": Treatment for Driftwood and Stones

Treatment for driftwood and stones/rocks takes time. Hence, it would be better to prepare it in advance. 

After getting the driftwood, the next day I soaked it in water so that tannin can be leeched out slowly. After 2 days, it can be seen tannin had been leeching out but not so much. So, I decided to boil the driftwood so that the process of tannin leeching could be accelerated. Driftwood was boiled for a few hours and tannin was leeched out a lot as can be seen from the tea colour of the boiled water. It was boiled totally about 6-7 hours and after 3 times changing water, water seemed much clearer and should ready for hard-scaping. Boiling driftwood also minimize or even eliminate the chance of having unwanted snails or algae or any harmful parasites attached to the driftwood before it is placed in the aquarium. 

My kid's old bathtub was used for driftwood soaking purpose :P

Water was clear at first

And it became brownish after 2 days 

Boiling driftwood in the biggest pot that I have, to accelerate tannin leeching process and disinfect the woods.  

After one hour

After 3 hours, I have some tasty Teh-O colour :P

After the 2nd water change, now I have green tea colour. :)

And after boiling, leave the wood to dry and cool off before using

For the stones or actually river pebbles, I soaked them in water for 2 days and before using I also pour the boiling water on them and soaked overnight in the pot. Interestingly, the pebbles absorbed and keep the heat extremely well as the next day morning when I took them out from the pot, I still could feel the water was very warm. No wonder in the old time, people use to heat the rock, wrap it in the blanket and use that to keep them warm during winter time. With the same reason of boiling driftwood, with this disinfection method, I don't think any kind of harmful parasites could survive under 100 degree C hot water.

Stones were put in the pot and boiling water was poured in for disinfection. They were left overnight there in the pot.

After disinfection, they were brought out to dry and cool off. I also measured the weight of all the rocks, about 10kg in total.

After the treatment and disinfection, now the driftwood and stones are ready to use for hardscaping. So excited and cant wait to explore my aquascaping journey ahead. :) Yay!

"64.8L Passionately Curious": Receiving of Cabinet

Finally, the cabinet was ready to be collected. To save some bucks, I decided to self-collect the cabinet from the factory which is located at Premier@Kaki Bukit. Reaching the factory, I realized that the sub-contractor who did the cabinet I ordered from AquaFishtank (Deco O) was CR Aquarium. That gave me peace in mind since CR Aquarium has been in this line for very long time and they are quite well-known for making fish tanks and aquarium cabinets. 

CR Aquarium Factory at Premier@Kaki Bukit

Happy to see my cabinet (right side, second row)

The Boss from CR Aquarium is a very nice gentleman. He arranged the transport to deliver the cabinet (and also me) back home free of charge. I really appreciated that gesture. It was not about the money, but about the kindness.  

The cabinet was brought back home just like that, safe and sound. Although the dark walnut colour is kind of lighter than my furniture's walnut colour but overall is fine. Great feeling to unwrap the new cabinet. Ya, I believe everybody would enjoy an opening ceremony. :) 

Unwrapping in progress...

To make sure the cabinet is balanced from side to side and from back to front, I adjusted using the self-adhesive foam pad attached to the cabinet feet. After that, a long spirit level was used to check whether cabinet is properly balanced.

Self-adhesive pads were used.

It was properly attached to the cabinet's feet

Spirit level was used to check from back to font

And from side to side to make sure the cabinet is balanced

It is very important to make sure that cabinet and fish tank is placed and levelled properly. It will be extremely difficult to make any changes once the tank is filled with water. Imbalanced tank can cause crack or leakage after tank is filled, that would be a nightmare! 

Spirit level was checked once the tank is in place

Also remember to check the level at the side

Voilà! The tank is ready now on the cabinet. Some cleaning was done for the tank and cabinet before any hardscaping work can be started. I used glass cleaner solution to clean the outer tank while inner tank was cleaned up using the damp cloth without any chemical. 

OK. It is ready for hardscape set up now. 

This is the best location that I can get in the living room, although it is not so ideal since TV and speakers are around. I hope the fishes would enjoy the music when they are here. :P

Some barang barang that I bought from NA and also from neighbourhood shops to be used at the later stages. 

Shopping frenzy

Next chapter, hard-scape setup! :)