A place 4 my questions & ponderings as I build a 34 Gallons (127L) tank

[Wells]

Hahaha, I did actually mean you! Because I remembered seeing it in your TOTM tank, and that you hadn't added CO2 yet, while I know that @Wills is doing a high tech, CO2 set up.

Wells&Wills sounds like a budget law firm you'd hear on a channel 5 advert. Have you had an accident at work that isn't your fault? No win no fee!

 

[AilyNC]

Your tank is looking great, your bonsai is looking so nice, what type of moss did you go with?

These readings don't like too strange to me as has similar experince, I tested mine the other week and had 210 tap and 124 in tank, I have rocks in mine as well so not overly sure why it dropped so much?

Saw a tag about hairgrass, I've had it for awhile and growth seems slow I've recently added some very budget co2 will report if it improves, I would personally over plant it to start with if you want a lush looking carpet.
Also in terms of planting I would say it probably does need a nutrient rich substrate, soil is the obvious choice, is there anything under your sand that could give it that? Maybe liquid ferts would suffice but don't think you could get the good results as if it was in a more nutrient dense substrate.
Maybe someone a bit more knowledgeable can comment, I know @Wills has got it in his current tank, our names are very similar I've just realised ha

I'll skip grass - I want low tech plant so no co2 additions. I use Seachem Flourish Comp & Root tabs. I might look at a creeping moss carpet. I put Xmas moss on the tree and Java. I prefer the Xmas but having difficulty ordering more so currently the back of the tree is bare. I will likely move it to the right a bit so it looks more like up a cliff, with a drop then into the heavier planted area. I'm waiting on the Azalea root to sink. It's quite spidery so was thinking of some fast growing wispy plants. @Ch4rlie recommended some nice ones I must get name of.

 

[AilyNC]

How's your bonsai coming along @Wells - I'm kinda tempted by stretching out a few moss balls instead. It'd mean instant cover but I do think once they grow in the java or Xmas moss look great.

 

[Wells]

How's your bonsai coming along @Wells - I'm kinda tempted by stretching out a few moss balls instead. It'd mean instant cover but I do think once they grow in the java or Xmas moss look great.

Terrible lol, the tank fell off the washing machine when the missus did a wash, I've ordered some new carpet plants and cleaned the tank up and filled it to check for leaks.

Hopefully get it up and running next weekend and start again.

 

[AilyNC]

Terrible lol, the tank fell off the washing machine when the missus did a wash, I've ordered some new carpet plants and cleaned the tank up and filled it to check for leaks.

Hopefully get it up and running next weekend and start again.

Oh no! Omg I hope it's ok. You had it looking fantastic before you even had plants in! You'd the rocks set up so nicely. I can't wait to it up & running

 

[AilyNC]

I'll just throw some plant pics in for growth comparison. Frackin Azalea has yet to sink. Haven't moved the bonsai yet as it's wet mess work & so is my toddler.

 

[AilyNC]

If I've planted anything incorrectly or any layout suggestions let me know random kid with kid pics.

 

[AilyNC]

My MTS is on the glass. Should I do something? I'm on Day 5 which is a do nothing day of cycle.

Yesterday results were
PH 8.1
GH 10dh or 179ppm
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite

Oh he fell back down on the sand. Plants look good.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Yeh MTS get around, they don't spend all their time buried. Mostly when the lights are out you tend to see a hoard of them on the glass haha.

 

[Ch4rlie]

Looks good.

Must mention ammonia at 4ppm is pushing it a little have to say.

If ammonia reaches 5ppm or more, and then that converts to nitrite which will then be at a level where there’s a real risk of stalling or crashing the cycling process.

I would suggest changing 25% of the water to bring down the ammonia a bit to 3ppm.

Quoted from the cycling a tank article -

“We strongly advise that fish keepers new to cycling do not exceed 3 ppm of ammonia. Too much ammonia and/or dosing it too often will usually work against the process rather than helping it.”

 

[AilyNC]

Yeh MTS get around, they don't spend all their time buried. Mostly when the lights are out you tend to see a hoard of them on the glass haha.

PHEW. Yes light had been out!

 

[AilyNC]

Looks good.

Must mention ammonia at 4ppm is pushing it a little have to say.

If ammonia reaches 5ppm or more, and then that converts to nitrite which will then be at a level where there’s a real risk of stalling or crashing the cycling process.

I would suggest changing 25% of the water to bring down the ammonia a bit to 3ppm.

Quoted from the cycling a tank article -

“We strongly advise that fish keepers new to cycling do not exceed 3 ppm of ammonia. Too much ammonia and/or dosing it too often will usually work against the process rather than helping it.”

Oh ok. I wasn't sure - reading the cycle tank guide I thought I now just needed to look out for low levels. But will keep an eye on higher end to cap at 3ppm. Will do water change now. Thank you

 

[Ch4rlie]

Yeah, better safe than sorry

Don’t want the tank cycle to crash and then having to start all over again, that would be a total pain.

Sorry had to bring it up and burst your bubble a little.

 

[mbsqw1d]

Oh ok. I wasn't sure - reading the cycle tank guide I thought I now just needed to look out for low levels. But will keep an eye on higher end to cap at 3ppm. Will do water change now. Thank you

Are you getting ammonia by using fish food? If so, sounds like you're doing a decent job

 

[AilyNC]

Done I can't believe how much quicker & easier it is using my new siphon. The little pump & tap are a dream.

Yeah, better safe than sorry

Don’t want the tank cycle to crash and then having to start all over again, that would be a total pain.

Sorry had to bring it up and burst your bubble a little.

Not bursting my bubble at all! It's a great help. You're saving my time by preventing a stall or crash. Should I test now or morning? (It's 10:30pm here)

Are you getting ammonia by using fish food? If so, sounds like you're doing a decent job

Yes one dose & it was 3ppm. No idea how I managed cause I was sure I'd put too much in.

Actually really liking the Lagenandra meeboldii red as it's settling in.