The majority of this first post will be used to summarize/overhaul this train wreck of a thread
(BTW, said wreck was entirely my fault.)
http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/439764-29-gallon-110-liter-fancy-guppy-and-shrimp-community-tank/
PLANTS:
I originally started planning an unplanted fisless cycle with fake plants, but have decided
to go planted for various reasons, focusing on low tech plants on the low to high end of the low light range,
so far these include water sprite, java fern, bannana plant,and a single jungle val.(very open to suggestions here as I'm a plant newbie.)
LIGHTING:
I've done a DIY frankensteining of a twin 2 foot twin t8 17w fixture into the shell of the original light strip,
resulting in about 2700 lumens of light at 6500k and 34 total watts.
SUBSTRATE:
will add 15 pounds of black fluorite sand soon to bring the total to 35 pounds black sand and 5 pounds purple gravel
DECOR:
two large pieces of diy "driftwood" made from well-aged live oak limbs, as well as about a 10" peice of malaysian driftwood,
one of theses may change/be replaced as time goes on.
Also many fake plants which I plan to eventually mostly phase out, and an amazon biotope background
FILTRATION:
Aquaclear 30 hob and soon-to be fully modded aqueon quietflow 30 hob
CYCLING PROGRESS:
have been seeing nitrites for a while, but due mainly to inconsistent ammonia feeding on my part, isn't stable enough for fish yet, IMO
FISH ETA:
At least three weeks, regardless of cycle, as I'm still recovering from a recent hernia repair.
WATER PARAMETERS:
Ph about 8.0 hardness about 6 general hardness, and a temp of 77f (25c)
PRELIMINARY STOCKING LIST:
(obviously anything in my stocking list needs to be compatible with my water parameters)
Fancy guppies, Male AND Female:
My sister has made clear to me that these are not negotiable, so to compensate, I will be mostly looking for peaceful tankmates, with light bioloads.
School of 6-10 0f either C. pygmaeus/Pygmy Cory, or C habrosus/Tailspot Pygmy Cory.
definitely One of the above "dwarf" cories, haven't 100% decided which ones yet,though.
Some sort of shrimp, preferably at least two or three different compatible species.
A few Nerites, each belonging to different genera, so they hopefully won't attempt to breed and leave dud eggs everywhere.
Some sort of "centerpiece" fish, preferably not too shy, okay to be kept alone, 2-4"(50-100mm) long, and compatible with the above livestock + water pareameters
While I am open to other stocking suggestions, I would strongly prefer to keep as many of the above as possible.
and last but not least:
PICS:
First the tank when this whole thing first started up
Next, a pic of the water extremely discolored by tannins, with fungus on the driftwood and a few fungal thread structures drifting in the corner of the picture.
A full-size pic of the tannin colored water, and no, these pictures were not edited in any way, it's just that these are the best exposures I could get under these conditions.
And finally, a pic as the tank is today, about a week after a 100% water change and recieving the new light tubes from online.
AAH, much better
(BTW, said wreck was entirely my fault.)
http
/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/439764-29-gallon-110-liter-fancy-guppy-and-shrimp-community-tank/PLANTS:
I originally started planning an unplanted fisless cycle with fake plants, but have decided
to go planted for various reasons, focusing on low tech plants on the low to high end of the low light range,
so far these include water sprite, java fern, bannana plant,and a single jungle val.(very open to suggestions here as I'm a plant newbie.)
LIGHTING:
I've done a DIY frankensteining of a twin 2 foot twin t8 17w fixture into the shell of the original light strip,
resulting in about 2700 lumens of light at 6500k and 34 total watts.
SUBSTRATE:
will add 15 pounds of black fluorite sand soon to bring the total to 35 pounds black sand and 5 pounds purple gravel
DECOR:
two large pieces of diy "driftwood" made from well-aged live oak limbs, as well as about a 10" peice of malaysian driftwood,
one of theses may change/be replaced as time goes on.
Also many fake plants which I plan to eventually mostly phase out, and an amazon biotope background
FILTRATION:
Aquaclear 30 hob and soon-to be fully modded aqueon quietflow 30 hob
CYCLING PROGRESS:
have been seeing nitrites for a while, but due mainly to inconsistent ammonia feeding on my part, isn't stable enough for fish yet, IMO
FISH ETA:
At least three weeks, regardless of cycle, as I'm still recovering from a recent hernia repair.
WATER PARAMETERS:
Ph about 8.0 hardness about 6 general hardness, and a temp of 77f (25c)
PRELIMINARY STOCKING LIST:
(obviously anything in my stocking list needs to be compatible with my water parameters)
Fancy guppies, Male AND Female:
My sister has made clear to me that these are not negotiable, so to compensate, I will be mostly looking for peaceful tankmates, with light bioloads.
School of 6-10 0f either C. pygmaeus/Pygmy Cory, or C habrosus/Tailspot Pygmy Cory.
definitely One of the above "dwarf" cories, haven't 100% decided which ones yet,though.
Some sort of shrimp, preferably at least two or three different compatible species.
A few Nerites, each belonging to different genera, so they hopefully won't attempt to breed and leave dud eggs everywhere.
Some sort of "centerpiece" fish, preferably not too shy, okay to be kept alone, 2-4"(50-100mm) long, and compatible with the above livestock + water pareameters
While I am open to other stocking suggestions, I would strongly prefer to keep as many of the above as possible.
and last but not least:
PICS:
First the tank when this whole thing first started up
Next, a pic of the water extremely discolored by tannins, with fungus on the driftwood and a few fungal thread structures drifting in the corner of the picture.
A full-size pic of the tannin colored water, and no, these pictures were not edited in any way, it's just that these are the best exposures I could get under these conditions.
And finally, a pic as the tank is today, about a week after a 100% water change and recieving the new light tubes from online.
AAH, much better
