Nathaniel's 20h Aquarium Journal

[mcdanielnc89]

--Aquarium--
Aqua Culture 20 Gallon High
--Filter--
Aqua-Tech Power Filter with EZ-change #2 cartridge
--Lighting--
Super 24" 130W Power Compact Aquarium PC Reef Light NIB
--Heater--
All glass aquarium 50W heater
--Co2--
Hagen Plant Gro System
--Substrate--
Tahitian Moon Sand
--Livestock--
8x Neon Tetras-1.0"
9x Fancy Guppies-2.5"
1x Platys-2.5"
5x Peppered Corydoras-2.5"
--Live Plants--
6x Wisteria
1x Bunch(5x stems) Corkscrew Vals

Well, this is going to be my Journal for my aquarium. I know I'm a tad overstocked, but it won't hurt for I am going as 2" per gallon as the tank was bare and I do waterchanges frequently. I keep my fish on a good diet and will soon be feeding them brine shrimp + more live foods.

 

[mcdanielnc89]

Well, right now the only problem I'm having is getting my water hardness, ph, and nitrate down... Any ideas would be appreciated.. I'm still trying but no luck as of yet.. Water stats will be up soon.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Nitrates, do water changes
Ph, how high is it now?
hardness? why do you want to lower it?

Also, if you have CO2, you won't want a bubbler. It causes surface agitation, and if you want CO2, you'll want minimal surface agitation.

What kind of lighting do you have?

 

[mcdanielnc89]

pH= 8.0
Hardness is like 300.. Is that okay?
What is surface agitation? And I need aeration which is why I have the bubbler...
Lighting= A little 18" 15W light.. I know very low.. I'm upgrading as soon as I can.. But I just can't afford the shipping at the moment. And none of the LFS have the light for my tank...

 

[n3ont3tra]

CO2 will lower your pH. Surface agitation (surface movement) pulls CO2 out of the water, which is why you don't want any. If your fish are gasping at the surface, or if CO2 gets too high, add surface movement, but otherwise try to keep it still.

The micro swords won't do well under that light.

Another way to lower ph is adding bogwood.

 

[mcdanielnc89]

CO2 will lower your pH. Surface agitation (surface movement) pulls CO2 out of the water, which is why you don't want any. If your fish are gasping at the surface, or if CO2 gets too high, add surface movement, but otherwise try to keep it still.

My surface movement is very little... I don't see a problem there right now. If it gets to be a problem I will remove it.

The micro swords won't do well under that light.

I know, I'm upgrading my light As soon as I can.

Another way to lower ph is adding bogwood.

I'm also going to get some bogwood a little down the road. I've just been spending a little too much money and it's getting on moms nerves. LOL..(If ya know what I mean.)

 

[mcdanielnc89]

07/18/2007 Stats

Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 40
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 300
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: 300
pH: 8.0
Water Temperature: 76°F

 

[n3ont3tra]

I'm also going to get some bogwood a little down the road. I've just been spending a little too much money and it's getting on moms nerves. LOL..(If ya know what I mean.)

Lol, my mom is like "your spending way too much on your new tank"
but I only pay for 1/4 of it. She pays for the rest...

 

[mcdanielnc89]

Well, It's been a while since I have posted the stats to my 20 gallon so here is an update..

7/30/2007

Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 20
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 300
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: 300
pH: 8.5
Water Temperature: 76°F

I put some pH tablets in to reduce the pH but I don't think they are going to help...

 

[poopsydrew]

Well, It's been a while since I have posted the stats to my 20 gallon so here is an update..

7/30/2007

Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 20
Nitrite: 0
Hardness: 300
Chlorine: 0
Alkalinity: 300
pH: 8.5
Water Temperature: 76°F

I put some pH tablets in to reduce the pH but I don't think they are going to help...

hmmm, I am not an expert on planted tanks but I wonder why such the high ph hike? I thought the co2 would drop the ph? I would keep a close eye on that. I dont like adjusting the ph at all but if I were you I would lower it without chemicals i.e. with peat in a filter bag or lots of bogwood. But it looks like you just need to figure out why it went up so high?! Good luck nathaniel, get some pics of that nice tank up

Drew

 

[mcdanielnc89]

hmmm, I am not an expert on planted tanks but I wonder why such the high ph hike? I thought the co2 would drop the ph? I would keep a close eye on that. I dont like adjusting the ph at all but if I were you I would lower it without chemicals i.e. with peat in a filter bag or lots of bogwood. But it looks like you just need to figure out why it went up so high?! Good luck nathaniel, get some pics of that nice tank up

Drew

I know, I'm not sure why I'm getting the pH spikes either... it's doesn't seem to bother the fish but I wonder if it will bother the plants?

P.s. What is "peat"?

 

[poopsydrew]

hmmm, I am not an expert on planted tanks but I wonder why such the high ph hike? I thought the co2 would drop the ph? I would keep a close eye on that. I dont like adjusting the ph at all but if I were you I would lower it without chemicals i.e. with peat in a filter bag or lots of bogwood. But it looks like you just need to figure out why it went up so high?! Good luck nathaniel, get some pics of that nice tank up

Drew

I know, I'm not sure why I'm getting the pH spikes either... it's doesn't seem to bother the fish but I wonder if it will bother the plants?

P.s. What is "peat"?

Peat moss is stuff (I beleive it is dead moss actually but wtvr) that you put in filter bags or pantehose with a knot, and you put it in your filter. It lowers the ph much like crushed coral raises the ph. But I wouldnt do it unless you cant figure out why that ph went up and fix it or it goes back down slowly. If it continues to climb I might think about adding a small amount. Do a search for peat moss to get a better idea of how to use it as I never adjust my ph. Good luck Nathaniel,

Drew

 

[mcdanielnc89]

lol, thanks drew...

 

[lljdma06]

What kind of lighting upgrade are you saving for?

llj

 

[mcdanielnc89]

well for now i'm just getting a 50W light to go into my hood... lateron i'm gonna get a glass hood with a bigger light..