Dream Tank 2 72g Freshwater Planted Tank

Ordered:
Outlet waterproof cover for behind tank
Soil-10lbs fine, 24 lbs standard black ultum nature sys controsoil
Hanging kit for light... Didn't realize the tank supports didn't come with them
and a bunch of other stuff to start this baby.
Debating on background. If I do one, might put on wall so I can access for maintenance. Otherwise, have to slide it under arms and remove for maintenance
driftwood soaking, dragon stone rocks soaking, scrubbed and soak. filthy dirty!

Most equipment, like canister filter will go in closet.Co2 as well or on other side.

Left enough room on left to fit myself and 5 inches from back.

to figure out
How long driftwood can be in tank before it gets too dry while scaping
whether to do the scape first and then soil--prob. so I can put on small blocks under soil. Can do a piece of starboard but don't think I need it across entire bottom
whether to order my plants so they are here when I set up the scape or order after scape in. Could mist the wood?

Ah, the journey....
 
psidriven said:
Have you considered a light screen for the background? Another option is just using a light bar at bottom of back glass.
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is the light bar inside the tank? Or outside. I don't have any room behind the tank. And the light screen. I think I've seen those. Do they attached to the tank? My concern is using a magnet cleaner and having to remove whatever background so I thought something on the wall behind the tank might work. Or just slips up under the light stands like this.

here is one background I thought maybe for the back wall and my planned (rough) scape. I suppose eventually, taller plants in back will cover the back but I'm not going for super dense or "wild"

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working on a plan to separate sand from soil. Not using those rocks but much smaller rubble side glued to acrylic strips to form barrier-paths
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Susan Edwards said:
is the light bar inside the tank? Or outside. I don't have any room behind the tank. And the light screen. I think I've seen those. Do they attached to the tank? My concern is using a magnet cleaner and having to remove whatever background so I thought something on the wall behind the tank might work. Or just slips up under the light stands like this.

here is one background I thought maybe for the back wall and my planned (rough) scape. I suppose eventually, taller plants in back will cover the back but I'm not going for super dense or "wild"

View attachment 70815View attachment 70816
working on a plan to separate sand from soil. Not using those rocks but much smaller rubble side glued to acrylic strips to form barrier-paths
View attachment 70817
Click to expand...
I've seen sand waterfalls before that have a little basin underneath to catch it. The problem is that most are plastic "rock" structures, but I'm sure you could pull out all the internals and make something of your own.
 
Darkxerox said:
I've seen sand waterfalls before that have a little basin underneath to catch it. The problem is that most are plastic "rock" structures, but I'm sure you could pull out all the internals and make something of your own.
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I like the sand waterfalls. maybe something to add later but they are cool
 
This should cover all types of algae as well as all areas of tank. Will have water down 1.5-2 for the rainbows and maybe create a black mesh guard behind the rimmed potted plants on 3 sides

Final Fish Stocking List (Planted 72-Gallon Open-Top Tank)​

Top Zone
  • 10x Forktail Rainbowfish (Pseudomugil furcatus)
    • Active, peaceful, iridescent top swimmers
    • Excellent with open water and floating plant cover
  • Optional: 4–6x Male Guppies (Short-finned or Endler-type)
    • Adds color and flare
    • Peaceful and playful — add after rainbowfish settle
Mid Zone
  • 12x Cardinal Tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)
    • Calm, glowing blue/red shoalers
    • Add after tank is stable for 3+ weeks
  • 12x Emperor Tetra (Nematobrycon palmeri)
    • Elegant, active, slightly bolder schooling fish
    • Contrasts nicely with Cardinals and Embers
  • 12x Ember Tetra (Hyphessobrycon amandae)
    • Tiny orange shimmerers — very peaceful
    • Ideal early stockers to build confidence in shy fish
  • 10x Galaxy Rasbora (Danio margaritatus)
    • Shy, beautiful fish — prefers heavy plant cover
    • Keep together to maintain tight grouping
Bottom Zone
  • 1x Bolivian Ram (Mikrogeophagus altispinosus)
    • Peaceful centerpiece with personality
    • Great for calm interaction and substrate patrol
  • 6x Peppered Corydoras (Corydoras paleatus)
    • Gentle, social bottom group
    • Will sift through sand and detritus
  • 4x Hillstream Loach (Gastromyzon ctenocephalus)
    • Fast, unique algae grazers
    • Great in high-flow zones like near the filter
  • 6x Otocinclus (Otocinclus vittatus)
    • Peaceful, algae-eating mini crew
    • Needs stable, seasoned tank with soft green algae and biofilm
Invertebrates
  • 10x Cherry Shrimp (Neocaridina heteropoda)
    • Bright, active cleaners
    • Breeding possible if conditions are calm
  • 6x Amano Shrimp (Caridina multidentata)
    • Larger shrimp, algae pros
    • Great at controlling early hair/fuzz algae
  • 11x Nerite Snail (Nerita sp.)
    • Green spot & film algae cleanup
    • Won’t overpopulate; lay eggs but won’t hatch
Fish Total (approximate)
  • Fish: ~95–100 (includes guppies if added)
  • Shrimp/Snails: ~27
  • Zones Covered: ✔️ Top ✔️ Mid ✔️ Bottom
  • Behavioral Mix: Peaceful, colorful, active, compatible
 
Planting list maybe. Want to get as many tissue cultures to avoid pests. Looking at https://aquaticarts.com/ for fish and plants but will also ck other places for out of stock plants. Need to plan out a schedule. Get soil here, order plants, do scape and keep wood moist, and then plant.

Foreground Carpeting (Low Growing)​


Monte Carlo (Micranthemum tweediei) – reliable carpet, easy to control.
  • Dwarf Four Leaf Clover (Marsilea hirsuta) – adds variation in texture.
  • Mini Hairgrass (Eleocharis acicularis 'mini') – soft, grassy edges.

Midground / Under Driftwood

Lobelia cardinalis 'mini' – tidy low bush with subtle color.
  • Pearl Weed (Hemianthus micranthemoides) – low or trimmed mound form.
  • Cryptocoryne flamingo – pink accent, slow-growing focal point.
  • Cryptocoryne beckettii or lutea – subtle browns/greens for grounding.
  • Downoi (Pogostemon helferi) – great under driftwood legs or rocks.
  • Mini Siamensis 53B (Hygrophila) – bright filler, easy to shape.

Background (Light & Colorful Stems)

Limit reds to 2–3 to keep color balance elegant:
  • Rotala rotundifolia 'blood red' – vivid stem highlight, trim to shape.
  • Ludwigia mini super red or Dark red Ludwigia – not both.
  • Golden Nesaea – if light is strong, adds warm yellow/orange tones.
  • Hottonia palustris – airy texture, refreshing visual flow.
Driftwood / Hardscape Attachments

Weeping Moss – cascade from wood tips.
  • Christmas Moss – bushy moss for dense inner branches.
  • Anubias nana 'petite' or 'mini' – classic rock anchor plant.
  • Green Wavy Buce – texture and shimmer in cracks or shaded rock crevices.
✅ Optional Wildcards (Only if space permits)

Hydrocotyle tripartita 'Japan' – creeping/climbing runner if path border looks bare.
  • Pogostemon erectus – “pine tree” shape for structured corner background.
  • Miniature Ludwigia – compact version if red stems feel too tall elsewhere.
  • Alternanthera reineckii 'mini' – compact red substitute for scarlet temple.
 
More progress-not directly for the tank. Emptied by 2 60 gal storages. I want to start with fresh water. Changed the cartridges on my rodi. Might need to replace membrane. No pressure!! And the 2 TDS are not working. Hope that's all it is. Cleaned out my brutes. Might get rid of 2 of them. Also organized all remaining fish stuff in garage on my "fish" shelves. Ordered a background light for the tank. Won't be here until 7/11 so can't do much in tank as we have to move tank out to put on the frosted backing sheet. Per some reviews, might need a top light but that can wait.

replaced an outlet cover with a waterproof box one to protect outlet. Need to see how long I can leave driftwood out of water to keep it from drying again. I want to start playing with design but out of tank. Will get the oase canister filter filled how I want it. Found a tote that might work for my ato. I'll cut a hole in top for the line, and make a bigger hole or flap for filling. Orig idea was to use my 10 tank but Ichanged my mine--leak and breakage risk with animals and grandkids

slowly but surely
 
Okay, opinion wanted. I want a sand path--front, corners and then front to back. I'm thinking of using dragonstone rubble, glued in sections to help keep substrates separated. Plants will be on one side, sand the other. I can make it 11/2-2" tall, so some of the rocks will show--sand lower. substrate will be 2" with carpeting and sloping upward. Taking driftwood out of tub. It's going to be at least 3 more weeks before I can add water to tank (some stuff won't get here until 9th and 11th). I'll keep it sprayed with water but while I'm waiting I might as well get the scape done. Can't put it all in as we have to shift the stand away from wall, so I don't want it heavy with soil and sand
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Sand paths are a pain to maintain in my experience, I regret mine. Aquasoil always finds its way into the sand, no matter how good the barrier is. If you're up for the challenge and extra maintenance, go for it!

P.S. Not sure if the rubble outline is finalized, but I would make the front of the sand path wider, and the back narrower, creating more illusion of depth.
 
iani said:
I don't think that will be much help. You are going to want the substrate deeper than that.
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I can make my "wall" 2" tall and just have the top of the rock show. . I'm going to glue my "fence" in sections and make sure there are no holes in bottom for soil to get thru. Hopefully the carpeting plants will hold the soil along the path. Using 2-3 different ones.
 
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