First Tank

[xingumike]

Dunno really! Other suggestions?

Cardinals?

Despise guppys for some irrational reason.

Think they only belong in tanks with gone fishing signs, pink gravel and a divers helmet.

However it is your tank to stock as you wish, you've waited long enough to do it.

I set up a little pico last night in my bedroom, bloody hard scaping a tank that small!

 

[HayzH]

You'll get there! Bear in mind i'm around 6 weeks or something in.

This morning's true 12 hour test yielded 0 ammonia and 0.5 ppm of nitrite. So close

Think i'll buy some plants at the weekend and get ready for my final big water change! Theoretically I could add fish already I think since I'm not going to put a full stocking in at once.

I'll also need to swap out the carbon/poly sponges that are in my U4, will be replacing them with foam - if that sounds sensible!

I am 5 + weeks in and the Nitrites are still off the scale.

 

[Comacchio]

Dxb: I'm getting cardinals when my tank matures. I just thought they would fill a gap! Other suggestions?

Hazy: im at 7 weeks!

 

[xingumike]

I have 10 Penguin tetra that school nicely.


Penguin Tetra by thisisrobbo, on Flickr

I'm guessing that any fish you add you will keep in tank?

In all probability the guppies will breed like rabbits, just becomes a pain in the ar5e getting rid of all the young, no great demand for them at LFS' as they can be bred in a pint glass!

 

[Comacchio]

I do have 3 different shoaling species though (well will in mind!)

My keyholes might take care of any fry

I'll have a look around and check for anything available locally that could fill the gap!

 

[Comacchio]

So what's growing on my bogwood and coconut shell? The shell is absolutely covered in this hair like stuff. Is it hair algae? Theres a few strands growing on my bogwood too..

 

[xingumike]

Yes, the bristlenose should make short work of that.

I found a group of Ancistrus sp Ucalayi yesterday *jumps for joy* they are currently working through the vast quantities of it in my main tank.

 

[Comacchio]

Ill need to google those!

Double zeros again definately water change, heater guard on, plants in on thursday. Let the water settle for a few days and then fish on sunday!

 

[xingumike]

Ill need to google those!

Double zeros again definately water change, heater guard on, plants in on thursday. Let the water settle for a few days and then fish on sunday!

Nice!

Here is a picture of one, reason I am so happy is that Plecos are my first love but there is nothing but commons out here, hence I bought all 3 that I saw yesterday. There were 2 more in the tank but they had spine defects at the caudal. I am getting a L330 imported next week for an eye watering price but it is one I have always wanted and never managed to find in the UK

 

[Comacchio]

Looks very nice! What size do they grow to?

I've got a filter media question.. When I set my filter up I was misinformed that I needed to use the fluval U4 foam on the outside, then (the misleading part) carbon/poly inner layer and then bionoodles then more carbon/poly then finally more foam. My understanding is that I should really have just used double the amount of foam.

The issue now is that the bacteria are probably living in my carbon sponge.. Can I replace 1 of the carbon/poly sponges this week with foam and then the other next week? I dont want to disturb the bacteria so soon after gaining them!

Cheers,

-Allan

 

[Comacchio]

Another day another double zero. I hope the week at 30 degrees has got the worst of the tannins out of this wood and my 100% water change tomorrow will not get too badly affected, I loved the clear water!

 

[Comacchio]

Another batch of double zeros this morning. Plan for tonight after work is a 100% water change, put a heater guard on to save my plec getting burned, put a few live plants in and then dose with ammonia to feed the bacteria.

From this point forward i want to get the tank to a stable pH and temperature of 25/26 then its fishtime on sunday. Plans are a pair of rainbow cichlids, a pair of keyhole cichlids, 10 panda corys, 10 harlequin rasbora and a bristlenose plec. Cant wait!

 

[fluttermoth]

Can I replace 1 of the carbon/poly sponges this week with foam and then the other next week? I dont want to disturb the bacteria so soon after gaining them!

Yes, you can, but I'd leave it a month/six weeks before replacing the second one

 

[Comacchio]

Cheers! I'd better leave it a while..Just took two pieces of carbon and a piece of polishing pad out of my external. Hope that plus the cold water shock doesnt harm my bacteria too much before Sunday! Some shots:


Tank Snapshot by Allan.Jones, on Flickr


Ten Seconds by Allan.Jones, on Flickr


Night Shot by Allan.Jones, on Flickr

 

[IanS]

So what's growing on my bogwood and coconut shell? The shell is absolutely covered in this hair like stuff. Is it hair algae? Theres a few strands growing on my bogwood too..

Is that nae Wanye Rooney's heed after his transplant


Tanks looking good by the way