Roughyed's 13 Gallon

[roughyed]

Well this is my journal for my first tank. Decided to go planted from the start, it might be too much but hey I'll learn lots!

Original Set Up

Tank - 45cm x 30cm x 37cm, 50 Litres or 13 US Gallons
Filter - Aquarclear1
Heater - Unknown wattage or make
Lighting - 10w, 12 inch tube of unknown make or age.

The whole lot was basically for free from my sister, who never used it and got it free from her friend at work...!

As it was -

First thing I did was alter the lighting layout (the bulb has hid round a corner).

Bought some eco-complete and bogwood, and began a fishless cycle whilst waiting for substrate to arrive (online purchase).

Yesterday, after 2 weeks the substrate arrived!

Made the mistake of not fully emptying the tank (left an inch in there) when addling eco-complete...hence it went very, very cloudy.

Some plants arrived today - 2 pots of Elodea Densa and 2 of dwarf sag.

Added them tonight, which was a pain as the tank is still slightly cloudy and every movement stired up more fine sand. Basically couldn't see a thing!

After planting -

Will add more plants next week.

 

[roughyed]

Well things have cleared a little.

The sag seem doesn't look overly healthy -

 

[Castellop123]

...

 

[roughyed]

Well added more light, CO2 and a little Plant Gro.

The Sag is looking healthier, a couple have sent out runners, so it must be OK! Gave it a trim and got rid of the dead leaves.

The bad news is that the Elodea looks terminal. Which is good going that I have killed what is essentially a weed! Oh well! I will need to get something else in there soon or it will be algae central.

 

[Biulu]

I like hygrophila. It is an easy plant and quite attractive. They say it can also become a weed under the right circumstances......

 

[roughyed]

I like hygrophila. It is an easy plant and quite attractive. They say it can also become a weed under the right circumstances......

Unfortunately its not hygrophila...its dying/dead Elodea...now removed! Well so far I've killed off a hardy weed!

Here's an update -

Elodea removed. Cabomba and Cryptocoryne Lucens added. (still in potts as its needs a clean, lots of dead elodea leaves..) New bogwood on the right.

The plan is to add another bunch of Cambomba (middle back), another lucens (front left), Windelov (left wood), willow moss (left wood), Flame moss (right wood), Anubias nana petite x 2 (right wood) and 2 x Rotala Rotundifolia either side of the upright branch. That should keep me busy!!

I'm also changing filters. Cheapo Aquarclear1 replaced by Eheim Aquaball 2208. Running both in parallel as I'm cycling (which is ready for fish!)

 

[reggieschuey]

there is alot of equipment in the tank for such a small tank.

 

[roughyed]

there is alot of equipment in the tank for such a small tank.

The small grey filter will be removed in a few weeks, its the filter I cycled with, so I need it in there until the bigger one (which is a bit big, but hey what can I do!) gets some nice friendly bacteria.

The ladder is being replaced by a nano diffuser soon too.

That will help a little. I hope!

 

[Biulu]

I like hygrophila. It is an easy plant and quite attractive. They say it can also become a weed under the right circumstances......

Unfortunately its not hygrophila...its dying/dead Elodea...now removed! Well so far I've killed off a hardy weed!

Here's an update -

I meant to replace the Elodea with the Hygrophila, as you were asking for other suggestions.....

 

[roughyed]

I like hygrophila. It is an easy plant and quite attractive. They say it can also become a weed under the right circumstances......

Unfortunately its not hygrophila...its dying/dead Elodea...now removed! Well so far I've killed off a hardy weed!

Here's an update -

I meant to replace the Elodea with the Hygrophila, as you were asking for other suggestions.....

Ooops...sorry...my bad!

 

[roughyed]

Well I think things are getting there!! I might actually be ready for some fish soon!

Added some Windelov and willow moss.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Looking good. I like the lay out it feels nicely balanced. Think it needs a tall plant behind the wood though to finish it off and then its just waiting for it all to grow in

 

[roughyed]

Looking good. I like the lay out it feels nicely balanced. Think it needs a tall plant behind the wood though to finish it off and then its just waiting for it all to grow in

I was thinking of Rotala Rotundifolia either side of the wood. Then hopefully things will grow!

 

[mcdanielnc89]

Sorry to back up on the thing but, To start off where you wouldn't have made the tank cloudy, you should have rinsed the substrate, LOL.. (minor mistake, no biggy)

secondly, is all that stuff staying inside the tank? Looks kind of cluttered... IMHO, i wouldn't think you would be able to do 1 inch per gal. with fish with all that stuff in the tank.. I.E.) the filter thing, or whatever it is.. it like takes up half ur tank..

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah its a small tank and there is a lot of kit in it for the size but not everyone has tons of cash to be able to be able to buy inline heaters, canister filters, etc. The equipment you have in there will work perfectly fine and seeing as this is your first tank it is a good idea to make sure you enjoy keeping it before you go and blow tons of money on it. Then once you are happy you can start to replace the equipment with external stuff.

Rotala Rotundifolia would look nice I think.