Couple Of Questions

[CAC]

Well i have everything i need to start now, and the plants will be arriving soon, so just wanted to ask a couple of questions:
How long after planting can i add my cleaners/fish? Because i have bought 5 otos, and have 3 shrimp to go in, and i think algea may be a problem, so i want to try and keep it at bay.
The lights i have will be at 10000k, so will there be any downsides to using these T5 bulbs?
Also, has anyone used www.tropical-aquarium-plants.co.uk for buying their plants before? I saw them advertising on aquarist classifieds, and they have good prices etc.

Thanks alot, Mikey
P.S. I will start the journal once i fill 'er up!

 

[Themuleous]

I would add the ottos and shrimp as soon as the tank is cycled, the earlier you can get them cracking on the algae the better. T5 bulbs are great as the light they produce is supposed to be more powerful and penetrate the water better, I guess a possible downside is that it is very easy to over do the light, so you might only need 8hrs rather than 10hrs. I read recently in 'The Inspired Aquarium' by the Senske brothers that plants need the lights to be off just as much if not more than they need them on. I will be upgrading to T5's tonight and will lower the time from 10hr as it is with my T8's to 8hrs for the new T5's.

Sam

 

[Squid]

I would add the ottos and shrimp as soon as the tank is cycled, the earlier you can get them cracking on the algae the better.

Sam

I have found in the past that otos are delicate little fellas, and would probably prefer a more mature tank.

Good little algae chompers though..

Squid

 

[CAC]

I was under the impression that shrimps could go into the tank as soon as the tank has plants in, cos they would use the waste, and it would actually help them grow...
So if i do have to cycle it, then i just add ammonia etc as with a normal fishless cycle? Can i add the plants while the cycle is going?

Thanks, Mikey

 

[Themuleous]

Yes, I would wait until you've finished the fishless cycle before adding any animals - fish or shrimp. As for planting, you can do this while you cycle the tank as plants prefer ammonia and nitrite as a food source. Planting heavily from the word go also helps prevent the onset of algae in new tanks so def a good idea

Sam

 

[CAC]

Ok then, i will add the plants next week. Do you think i should add the shrimp aswell as they are in my unfiltered 4g tank, so they might enjoy the more space, plants and water movement, as that tank has no filter on it....Obvuously i wouldnt add any ammonia if they were in there....

Thanks alot, Mikey