The evolution of a tank: Never stop learning and thank you all. (picture heavy)

[mizzoutank]

Thank you in advance for viewing this thread. I can't thank you all enough for helping me get to where I am at today!

Here's the story....

Fresh out of college and I found a duplex with an epic man cave...So what belongs in an epic man cave? An "awesome" fish tank.
As a know-it-all. I bought a 40gallon breeder and threw some fish in there as the typical story-1/2 filtration, no cycle and "cheeky decor"

This is a few months after figuring out how to cycle a tank:
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Then starts my quest to make a natural and planted tank with zero knowledge on how to set up either:
This spans about 8 months of design changes:
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Finally I took a step back and evaluated my set up.
I wasn't happy with the filtration, lights, decor, plants, substrate and nothing seemed to be "right" for a natural set up.
I tore down the tank for 2 months-bare bottom and few pieces of wood.

Took a hard look at how others have pulled successful tanks and their process. Can't tell you how glued I was to other peoples journals/set ups/tips and tricks.
Finally had a plan and took a look at how to get a proper set up.

Almost a year and a half later and this is something I'm finally proud of (see next post)

[mizzoutank]

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Current configuration:
2 Fluval 306 canister filters
One dedicated to "clarity" with chemipure elite and filter floss
The other dedicated to biomedia with bio max filled to the brim
Finnex Fuge Ray LED
Black Diamond sand
10 pieces of driftwood (Malaysian and manzanita)
scattered blue river rock
10 bunches of Italian Vals
2 Anubias
(looking to add more in the future)
Flourish tabs (going for low tech set up)
Jager 250watt heater @ 80deg

Stock:
1 rupper lip pleco
1 bristlenose pleco
2 bolivian rams
1 GBR
1 krib
19 cardinal tetra (10 more in QT)
couple cory cats and silver tip tetras (original fish that i'm keeping as they are at the end of their lifespan)

Finally got my python water changer to help but I average 50% weekly.

Hope you enjoy!

Here are some fun pictures:

My rupper lip saying hello:
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My new GBR is extremely social and loves to say hello!
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Thanks for viewing and I'll post pictures when I get a chance/upon request!

[mizzoutank]

Baby Bristlnose before bedtime.

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fish need to settle as they all were introduced to this set up today. Saw my GBR flaring up frequently so lights out to calm everyone down.

[talldutchie]

PRoves my point really, if you got the plan you can build a good tank. Nice to see the progress over time.

[mommy1]

Your tank looks great. I love seeing tanks mature/change, thanks for posting the progress of your tank.

[Cliff]

+1 to the above

I really like seeing tanks develop over time as well

[fishmommie]

Very nice. The before and after are stunning. Like your tank, I feel I'm constantly evolving in the hobby. started out a little over a year ago with 0 knowledge but thanks to this forum have learned so much. Still feel as though I have miles to go.
Great job

[Crispy]

great looking setup! thanks for sharing it's 'evolution'.

...and I agree, every great man-cave needs a great tank!

[mizzoutank]

Thanks everyone! Finally feels good having it set up properly.

@crispy:thats the only thing I had right about first setting up the tank, was that a man cave needed one. Haha

@TD: exactly right on that, having a plan and time is the key to a good set up.

@FM: you have learned so much so quickly and have great tanks!

Lets hope I can keep the plants alive this time around. Lol.
once the new cardinals are out of QT I'll try and get a cool picture of them schooling.

[FishGuy67]

Nice tank man; pretty similar to what I'm doing; also cool idea doing an over the time pics.