39 replies to this topic

[Rudy]

Thanks for the advice! Have placed poly under tank (and that was fun...) and sorted out the substrate.

I also broke down the driftwood (I think it was taking up too much of the tank).

[Dan]

Nice looking tank!

[Rudy]

Thanks Dan!

A few CO2 based questions:

I've just installed a basic CO2 system (one of the fermentation bottle based thingies). I do understand that the plants will feed on any inert minerals in the tank before they look for the CO2.

Before I add fishes I wanted to find out if it would be a god idea to get an airstone and turn it on at night to release the CO2 from the tank (as plants don't need CO2 at night and it may harm the fishes).

I don't have a tap on my current system but could possibly unplug the bottle at night from the tube feeding the tank. Is there any danger with CO2 being released into the house?

[Graeme]

Hi Rudy

I run pressurised co2 into my tank.
I don't turn it on or off at all, so it runs 24hrs a day.
I haven't noticed huge Ph swings at all from lights on and lights off periods.
As for letting the co2 out into your house I'm pretty sure the actual amounts would be negligible.
tanks looking good too!!
Graeme

[Rudy]

Day Three

Ran a pH test - Water is no longer neutral - showing a pH of 7.6???
I'm running CO2 and have bogwood in the tank - I thought it would be tending towards acidic...

The water movement in the tank is well below the surface of the water - don't think I should be losing CO2.


I've noticed that my Limnophila indica (i think that's what they are) are turning red on their tops. Does anyone know why this is? Is there something wrong with my water?

Some of the plants are also releasing gas bubbles that rise to the surface of the tank. I've also spotted my first aquarium inmate - a tiny round snail.

Thanks for the compliments!

[Dan]

I pretty sure thats a good sign. shows your plants are healthy and growing well. Think the red tops are new growth and it will turn green like the rest of the plant.

[Noddy65]

Yep...red foliage is a good sign...it will turn green as it grows...
The little bubbles being released are little bubbles of oxygen being produced by the growing plant, its called 'pearling'.
You can also get a similar effect from damaged plants,,,

Mike

[Brett]

All sounding good.

Healthy growth is a far better sign than "perfect" water parameters.

Your pH is higher because you are not adding enough CO2, plants are using it all

Cheers
Brett

[Rudy]

I've noticed that the growth of algae in my tank is also going very well...
particularly the long "hairlike" green algae. I don't want my fish to be swimming through a chemical soup, and would prefer to get rid of this through natural "fishy" means.

Are there any fish that will attack algae and not upset my Apistos very much?

Rudy

[Rudy]

The tank day five

Have added a small CO2 monitor and conducted some tests. My ammonia is still quite high, and water still hard. pH surprisingly still high (7.4).

Have cut plants down as many were reaching the surface and replanted. Also have removed as many algae covered leaves as possible.

[SynoAngel]

looking good, keep us posted.

[duck]

Maybe i missed something,But how do you have ammonia when you only have plants?
Do add any buffer's?
Check your CO2 rig for any leaks.

[Rudy]

The ammonia probably came with my filter. I thought I'd do the right thing and use the filter from a previous tank, but I think the bacteria in the new filter must have crashed in the transfer.

The CO2 levels are finally registering too.

Rudy

[Rudy]

I've decreased the length of time my lights are left on (i understand 12 hours is more than sufficient) and I seem to have slowed the growth of the algae.

BUT - Amongst the 2 or so little snails I've spotted I have also seen little white creatures on my glass:

1) Tiny white worms of different sizes.

2) Little crustacean like creatures with a tail and "horns". Are these copepods?

3) I also see little "tree-like" creatures hanging on the glass... Are these the dreaded hydra?

Will any of these harm fish?

I've tried taking pics but my camera is pretty average and won't pick them up..

[Brett]

1) Planaria - these are harmless
2) Probably some type of copepod ... food for the fish
3) Hydra - only a problem for very small fry

Cheers
Brett

[anchar]

Agree with Brett...although number 2 could be seed shrimps (type of Ostracod).

http://www.gre.ac.uk...ntroduction.htm

Andrea

[Rudy]

Thanks guys for the reply, feel a lot less nervous now about introducing the fish.

Amazing how much life is already in my tank...

[Rudy]

Added my first two fish:
1 Siamese Algae Eater - Crossocheilus siamensis
1 Otocinclus Cat, or Dwarf Sucking Catfish - Otocinclus affinis

They've started attacking my algae already!

[Rudy]

Finally added a pair of Apistogramma agassizii to the tank. They've settled in well and are looking for food in the substrate already!

UPDATE - swapped the agassizii for Cacs. - they seemed to have genetic problems with their finnage. Much happpier now.

My couple are happily cruising around with the girl following the male and with him occasionally shooing her off.

[Warp]

Giday Rudy,

Just curious, where did you get the "true" SAE from? Look forward to seeing your updated shots of the tank with the fish included.

Cheers

Mike