My First Fishy Adventure!

[OldMan47]

Welcome to the forum Stu. I am also a reid but you spell my name reed. Any ammonia that you find that does not give rise to suds is fine. I live in the US so I use the stuff available from Ace Hardware but in the UK things like the material from various vendors like the one you have from toolstation look fine. The essence of a good product is one that contains only ammonium hydroxide with no detergents. That seems to be the case with your source.

 

[Stureid]

On the subject of my Java Fern....When I brought it it had no roots or such like, it just looks like a stem. Is this right or have a brought 'duff stuff'? I don't understand how to attach it if it doesn't have some sort of root system.

Many thanks

 

[Man of fish]

You'll need to tie it to the wood or rock and wait for it to attach itself
Not sure about the root thing...

 

[snazy]

The java fern doesn't really have roots. I think what you are calling a stem is actually the rhimozome that should not be burried under substrate.
I attach mine with super glue(normal type with no additives of any kind). Take out the piece of wood/decoration you want to attach your plant to.
Drop a tiny bit of glue to the stem part and glue it to the decoration. Put it in dechlorinated or tank water for 24-48 hours just in case and then you can put it in the tank.

Or if you wish, use cotton thread instead. The cotton will eventually disintegrate so you don't need to "fix" it after the plant has attached it's roots to the desired decoration.

 

[Stureid]

The java fern doesn't really have roots. I think what you are calling a stem is actually the rhimozome that should not be burried under substrate.
I attach mine with super glue(normal type with no additives of any kind). Take out the piece of wood/decoration you want to attach your plant to.
Drop a tiny bit of glue to the stem part and glue it to the decoration. Put it in dechlorinated or tank water for 24-48 hours just in case and then you can put it in the tank.

Or if you wish, use cotton thread instead. The cotton will eventually disintegrate so you don't need to "fix" it after the plant has attached it's roots to the desired decoration.

Ah oki, well here's a little picture of what mine looks like.

http/img684.imageshack.us/img684/4691/imag0123r.jpg[/IMG]

I think I'll super glue mine once I've found some safe stuff thanks again!

 

[snazy]

It doesn't seem to have any rhimozome/roots though. Maybe they fell off?
It will survive drawing nutritients through the leaves anyway.

 

[Stureid]

It doesn't seem to have any rhimozome/roots though. Maybe they fell off?
It will survive drawing nutritients through the leaves anyway.

I actually brought it this way, from Pets at Home
I'll glue it on and see how it gets on and buy some other better ones to place with it.


UPDATE: I have ordered my API Freshwater Master test kit which I am excited about. I have also collected my CO2 kit with an inline diffuser, extra driftwood (which is soaking) and some stones. Its all coming together

 

[Stureid]

Update.

Added my stones and second piece of driftwood. Tank is looking a little cloudy so I'm guessing bacteria is blooming

I've taken away my Java fern as it didn't look too healthy. Not sure if I will replace it, doesn't really fit in with my South American theme!

I'm very interested in seeing how its getting on chemically once my test kit turns up.

Popped to the fish shop today and they had some lovely L-number Plecos

Anyways, here's a picture of so far.

 

[Stureid]

Ok so its been a little while but my API Freshwater master test kit arrived today!!

I've just ran some tests and here are my findings:

pH: 7.6
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0.25
Nitrate: 10

I think its going well because I have Nitrates in the tank which means my filter has lovely bacteria in it....but can't be too sure, I'm going to get myself some household Ammonia to make sure its going in the right track.

I have also purchased a seperate 2ft tank set up, with a filter, heater and lights for £30 as my quarantine tank as I think this will be a very sensible and responsible thing to do!

 

[Man of fish]

If I remember right your fishless cycling so yeah all sounds good on the right track.

 

[Stureid]

Yup no fishes are being subjected to poor conditions due to impatience!!

I will buy ammonia tomorrow to make sure that its all going well, just a question about Nitrates, do they only decrease through water changes alone? Or will my live plants in the Aquarium help too?

Thanks

 

[OldMan47]

Tug on those java ferns. The rhizome on those should never be buried. If you leave them so deep in the substrate, they will rot and die. That is why most people tie them to wood and rocks.

 

[Stureid]

Update.

Added my stones and second piece of driftwood. Tank is looking a little cloudy so I'm guessing bacteria is blooming

I've taken away my Java fern as it didn't look too healthy. Not sure if I will replace it, doesn't really fit in with my South American theme!

I'm very interested in seeing how its getting on chemically once my test kit turns up.

Popped to the fish shop today and they had some lovely L-number Plecos

Anyways, here's a picture of so far.

 

[Stureid]

Hi guys!

Just another update for you all.

Things are going well, finally got my CO2 plumbed in now after a little hassle. Still waiting for my ammonia to be delivered.

The plants seem to be growing nicely, and now hopefully with the added CO2 will flourish

Just one question on the CO2.....How many bubbles per minute should I be aiming for?

Some pics added to show progress.

Thanks all!

 

[balajake]

your ammonia will be about £2 a bottle. for your tank of 200 litres you will dose about 9mls of ammonia to get it to 4ppm. give or take