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My Neurergus crocatus Magnum Opus

Methos5K

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Now that things are more settled here after the rush to get animals before the ban, I want to build an amazing habitat for my new newt family members. I have decided on a 40G breeder tank, a 55G would be too large for the area. I am keeping them totally aquatic, but with so much space to work with I would like to create an area of stacked rocks and emerging spiderwood with Java Moss. Filtration and a light current will be provided by a Fluval U3 submersible. Much of the bottom will be covered in slate; but I will have one area covered in sand, the other covered with dwarf pennywort mats (a front lawn for the large cave/hide). Lighting is a Finnex Planted+ 24/7 automated 6500K LED.

I would love any advice for this project.
 

Methos5K

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Started with a Marineland 40G Breeder. One half is covered in a single slab of slate, the other with premium aquarium sand. A large piece of spiderwood is anchored to a rock with live Java moss vines. Added a mat of microsword in the sand to create an oasis, Java moss mats in front of the slate piece to serve as a front lawn for the castle. PFDs include cork bark with moss, floating log with moss and a corner floating turtle dock. Primary filtration is by a Fluval U3, secondary by one air-driven sponge filter with established bacteria.



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Methos5K

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Day two. Added the Newt Castle. A local artist makes these handmade stoneware aquarium pieces (Tom's Aquatic Ceramics). Added the first little bit of live plants, mostly Anacharis (Elodea densa), Water sprite (Ceratopteris thalictroides), Java fern (Microsorum pteropus), Java Moss (Vesicularia dubyana), Willow moss (Fontinalis antipyretica), Bacopa and Cabomba.

Installed the Finnex Planted+ 24/7 LED automated light. A cool crocodile skull, 2 white cloud minnows and some random potted plants from established tanks with beneficial bacteria; Biospira added; sponge filters from older tanks swapped in. Cycle!

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Chinadog

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Looks great already! :)
I'll be interested to see how the LED lights perform, I need to buy LED lights for two of my tanks and can't get the Beamswork double bright ones I normally use any more.
 

Methos5K

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Looks great already! :)
I'll be interested to see how the LED lights perform, I need to buy LED lights for two of my tanks and can't get the Beamswork double bright ones I normally use any more.

I have been using this light for nearly all of my tanks, it's beautiful! This light recreates the natural day-night cycle. Beginning with a cool lit dawn, transitions in to a warm sunrise morning, followed by an intense color blazing high noon, scaling down to a red sun drowned sunset and finishes with a starry night blue moonlight. It is all done on a timer and is gradual. Comes with a remote, programmable color patterns, and various settings.
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