I have had a 64L tank in the past which went very well and never had any problems so it seems I have been a bit eager and naive this time around. This is a smaller tank in my bedroom for a Betta.
A quick low down. Small 25L, planted tank which is currently a week into a fishless (thank goodness) cycle. It has a sand substrate with small pebbles in patches on top. It all went wrong when I decided to plant a anacharis elodea in the tank only then to realise that sand is a terrible substrate for plants and with no nutrients the plant very quickly lost it's colour and started to become thin and transparent. I removed this before it died completely and now only have anubias in the tank (a little more hardy and rooted to lava rock and wood) After replacing the plant yesterday I have now noticed white mould looking substance all over the rubber suction cups on my heater and filter? And after having a good look at that I discovered teeny tiny white bugs crawling on the glass but ONLY up around the water line at the top of the tank.
Probably a disaster to cycle a tank with plants, yes?
Is the white mould a fungus or algae? Suggested causes?
White bugs? Copepods or something else?
Is my tank doomed, should I start over or will some TLC and water changes solve all?
So many questions, thanks if anyone can help.
)
A quick low down. Small 25L, planted tank which is currently a week into a fishless (thank goodness) cycle. It has a sand substrate with small pebbles in patches on top. It all went wrong when I decided to plant a anacharis elodea in the tank only then to realise that sand is a terrible substrate for plants and with no nutrients the plant very quickly lost it's colour and started to become thin and transparent. I removed this before it died completely and now only have anubias in the tank (a little more hardy and rooted to lava rock and wood) After replacing the plant yesterday I have now noticed white mould looking substance all over the rubber suction cups on my heater and filter? And after having a good look at that I discovered teeny tiny white bugs crawling on the glass but ONLY up around the water line at the top of the tank.
Probably a disaster to cycle a tank with plants, yes?
Is the white mould a fungus or algae? Suggested causes?
White bugs? Copepods or something else?
Is my tank doomed, should I start over or will some TLC and water changes solve all?
So many questions, thanks if anyone can help.
)
