GLA Bookshelf Aquarium: New Aquascape
May 18th, 2010About a month ago, I order my first rimless aquarium from Green Leaf Aquariums down in Florida. The aquarium that I had been eying for some time was their “bookshelf tank,” which is a 36″x8.3″x9.4″ rimless aquarium; dimensions that are unique to GLA’s product line. The alluring and challenging thing about these dimensions are the fact that it is such a wide tank, without very much depth to create a smooth transition from foreground to background.
Three and a half weeks ago, I decommissioned my 20L aquarium that was sitting on a wire shelf and began preparing to setup the new 12G bookshelf tank. Since rimless aquariums generally need more support than traditional designs, I built a small platform out of 2x4s and plywood to for the aquarium to rest on. For padding and aesthetics, I cut down a green yoga mat and laid it over the platform. Now that I didn’t have to worry about the wire-rack bowing and causing a leak in my new aquarium, I set out aquascaping it.
I decided to go with a minimalistic approach for this aquascape, consisting solely of a locally collected crumbly slate, and only two plants species – Eleocharis sp. ‘Japan’ and Blyxa japonica. For substrate, I combined several different bags of old ADA Aquasoil consisting of Amazonia, Africana, and Malaya, and set to work positioning the rock. I built up a prominent structure on the right side, leaving an expansion of loosely united pieces on the left.
Three weeks later, the Blyxa japonica is growing wonderfully, while the Eleocharis sp. ‘Japan’ is exhibiting the same slow growth that I’ve seen in other aquariums. That’s okay, however, as I really like the look of the three mixed Aquasoil types against the Blyxa background.
For filtration, I’m using a miniature ZooMed canister filter, and have a Hydor Koralia Nano running for added circulation. The tank shares a 20 pound canister with three other aquariums so it has pressurized CO2 running throughout the day. I’m very pleased with the aquarium itself, being a very clear, well constructed, and attractive unit. Comments/critique welcome!
May 19th, 2010 at 3:00 am
Nice Setup. Love the long image this particular dimension tank creates.
What is your dosing regime ?!
Prabhu
May 19th, 2010 at 3:51 am
Looks like its going to be a good one.
May 19th, 2010 at 8:02 am
Thanks for the comments!
Prabhu, I’m dosing very small amounts of KNO3/KH2PO4 3X weekly, and Seachem Flourish and Iron 3-4X weekly.
July 23rd, 2010 at 12:54 pm
I love the GLA tanks. i live a few minutes from GLA and i always go in there and drool over the aquariums. Orlando is a really nice guy and i’m glad hes expanding the business into the tank area.
how are you lighting this set up?
July 23rd, 2010 at 8:36 pm
Thanks for the comment Oscar. I agree that GLA is great! I’m currently lighting this tank with 2x24W HO-T5 fixture.
October 6th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I’ve only started taking notice of these panoramic little tanks lately and the lenth is quite pleasing. You have done an outstanding job of keeping scale in perspective so the size becomes irrelevant. Keep up the good work and keep the photo updates comming, thanks.