125 Juwel Rio

[luke.prowse]

i am currently holding 10x 5 banded barbs, 2x (2-3") angelfish, 4x peppered corry's, 1x bristle nose plec, 3x dwarf gourami's, 1x loach

just started off in this hobby and really enjoying it wanting to upgrade my tank all the time however i am just waiting for it to mature well.

got a slight problem with the plants in my tank that they seem to be eaten (mainly by the loach any ideas as to what to do or any plants that he will not eat?

tell me what you think

 

[ian]

have you got any pics of the loach?

 

[flyhawk]

i dont think a loach would eat a sword plant

what plants do you have?

 

[luke.prowse]

pics of my tank:
Loach:

tank:

 

[Biulu]

That looks suspiciously much like a SAE, not a loach. Do you have some kind of substrate below your gravel, or are you fertilizing? I see the swords are getting some brown patches.

I like the lay out so far, just fill it out with some more plants.

 

[flyhawk]

i looks like a chinese algae eater, which get big and can be aggresive
your look like they might be diening from lack of nutrients

 

[luke.prowse]

Thanks guys.... and yeh i am thinking of getting rid of him... showing signs of aggression..... and i dont have any substrate underneath used to have fine sand but it did not work out that well.. i am using fertz... and have followed to the instructions.... perhaps i should use more?
thanks
Luke

 

[lljdma06]

More plants, but a really nice start!

I really like the ideas behind the substrate. I would group the rocks more naturally, though. That is just me. It is an arresting combination. I want your wood.

You are probably not dosing enough. What are you using? Or, you ferts don't contain macros.

Yes, the chinese algae eater will cause trouble later. Annoying little buggers.

 

[luke.prowse]

i am just using the "plant food" from pets at home...... i am new to fish keeping but even i know it is not the best stuff... any ideas as to what would be best?
and yeh i know.. it is my gf who wanted the rocks like that.. lol.

I Also have a second (small) tank which was not in use untill my guppy's had some fry... so i put them all into this tank.. got 8 adults... (2 more are up the duff) and 7 fry... fry are not that old only about 5mm in total body about 2mm. got them all in together.... none seemed to have died, however when the others give birth what would be the best way of going about it?
thanks
Luke

 

[RadaR]

Plants look hungry.
Try dosing Tropica Plant Nutrition+ at 1ml per 20litres, twice a week.
Did your Rio125 come with the t8 ligting (bulbs should have thickness of 1inch) or did they come with the "high-lite" that consist of t5 bulbs.
If you have the t5 bulbs then the plants are most definetly in need of CO2.

 

[luke.prowse]

i have 1 T8 bulb and 1 normal Juwel "daylight" bulb.... what do you recommend as the best answer? i am a student so something cheap would be best.
thanks
Luke

 

[RadaR]

Both are fine. I only replace t8 bulbs yearly.
The kelvin rating is largely unimportant and more you personal opinion/taste.
Reflectors should be fitted to all bulbs for maximum effect/usage

 

[lljdma06]

Plants look hungry.

Feed me, feed me!!!!



Eh, you don't have even replace yearly if you don't want to. I remember research being done, I think it was Barr report, but don't quote me that said it didn't really matter. Obviously when the bulbs die, then yes, by all means replace them! While plants are adaptable, they do need light. If you feel more comfortable replacing them yearly, then go for it. The bulbs in my 36g are going on their second year.

You did make me remember to dose my TPN+ in the 36g. I had forgotten. Thanks.

 

[luke.prowse]

thanks guys.. i think i might buy some reflectors for the bulbs... however i am not sure about the Co2.... any other options? (have ordered some TPN+)
thanks
Luke