5.5G Journal

[Nikita]

Hi!
 
I'd like to share with you guys my 5.5G's journey!
Just set-up the booger up last night.
 
Equipment:

• Topfin Internal 10 (90 GPH)
• Topfin 25W Heaters
• 1 x 13W CFL (6500k)
• Black Gravel
• Glass Thermometer (76 degrees currently)

Plants:

• Narrow Leaf Java Fern (Microsorium pteropus 'narrow')
• Lace Java Fern (Microsorium pteropus 'windelov')
• Green Wendtii Crypt (Cryptocoryne wendtii 'green')
• Anubias Nana (Anubias barteri var. nana)
• Bacopa (Bacopa carolinana)

Fish:

• Blue Dragon Scale Betta

Extras:

• Stress Coat+
• API Master Liquid Test Kit
• Flourish Comprehensive
• API Root Tabs
• Omega One betta pellets

 
 

When first set-up:

 
After being planted:

 
This morning - cloudy water (aka bacterial bloom):

 

[508]

Looking good!

 

[Nikita]

Thank you!

 

[Blondielovesfish]

Looks good!
I'm sure your betta will love it!
 
What have you attached your java fern and anubias to?
 
Just a tip, tilt your heater on a slight angle, otherwise all of the hot water will rise to the top where the thermostat is and the heater may turn off before the tank is at its set temp.
Don't worry about the wires going underwater, they're water proof

 

[Nikita]

The roots were long enough to add to gravel (I made sure the rhizomes weren't buried).
 
Thank you for the tip! I will make sure to do that in a bit
 
Just an update: It's been 6 days since adding TSS. The ammonia is at 1 - 1.5 ppm (as expected). My betta boy is a bit sluggish, but it's a part of the process.
Can't wait to get this tank cycled. I'm thinking of nano fish tank-mates.