first tank!

[zerojoe0917]

this is a 10 gal tank. I am planing to put some cherries in it. is it a good environment for them, or do i need more moss or other plants?

http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=196&pictureid=1117

[KIM_TMA]

Looks great. You got to remember those plants are going to grow and they will fill in those empty gaps. Trust me, don't overplant. Overplanting means more work on your end.

[zerojoe0917]

so do you suggest me to take some out? or leave it for now?

[Hooked Newbie]

Looks good! The plants you have now should be fine.

[Cichlidgirl91]

What kind of moss is that on the driftwood? I love the look of it!

[zerojoe0917]

it was my moss ball, from my uncle's tank....but it flat out and he didn't like it. so i just took it and put it on my drift wood....

[KIM_TMA]

so do you suggest me to take some out? or leave it for now?


O no it is perfect now.

and that is great you flatten out a moss ball and used it as a runner. You know that it will take years and years for it to spread completly out. But still looks awesome.:headbang2:

[zerojoe0917]

O no it is perfect now.

and that is great you flatten out a moss ball and used it as a runner. You know that it will take years and years for it to spread completly out. But still looks awesome.:headbang2:
hahaha...thanks....

[zerojoe0917]

Hey guys, would RCS do good on sand? or should i get some small pebbles to cover the sand up?

[cichlidsrextrem]

yea for your first tank that is sick well for any tank it kinda makes it look bigger than a 10 lol nice tank

[cichlidsrextrem]

sand is good do you know the water parameters ????

[zerojoe0917]

i have no idea
what is a parameter?

well i did take my water for a test, and the shop keeper told me my nitrate level was kinda high..

[DAVIDFBT]

How long have you had the tank? Is it cycled? It looks good though.

[SchizotypalVamp]

pretty!

[KIM_TMA]

One word of advice if you are going with sand (which appears you are) get MTS or some kind of snail that overturns your sand to keep dangerous gas pockets from forming. I have 3 different kinds of snails that do this for me in my sand bottom tank.

O and please do get a water test kit. Alot of the ones at fish stores aren't that acurate after you carry your water to them. That way you will always be prepared for those " O NO MOMENTS ".

[fishorama]

Well done! I really like your tank. Nitrates are lowered by water changes, I do ~30% per week.

Cycling refers to getting beneficial bacteria to grow, here's a sticky http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84598 Maybe your uncle can give you some "filter squeezins" to jump start things. Or do you have a fish tank you could run your sponge filter on for a couple weeks?

[zerojoe0917]

Thanks guys

I do have some snails in it...but they are really small can't really see them sometimes

o...ya i went to the store today and picked up some beneficial bacteria and the store owner gave me some of his "filter squeezins" to help jump start things.

[zerojoe0917]

How long have you had the tank? Is it cycled? It looks good though.

well this week is the 2nd week for the tank, so i am still waiting for the tank to settle down......."waiting" this is the part where i hate....

[zerojoe0917]

hey guys, i have one more question, maybe you guys can help me out..

its my driftwood, it is breaking down and i don;t know why?
i cooked it for 15 min in a pot .... like i was told at the store.

[BubbleBack_Ek9_]

Nice tank...

[AlexW]

Looks great! Just make sure it is completely cycled before you add those shrimps, they are more sensitive to the water than most fish during a cycle.

I've seen some awesome stuff done with the moss balls and this is one of them. Most people just leave it to grow in their tank only 2 people I have seen have used it as a driftwood cover. And I have to say, it does make it look alot better wiht the thick moss ball than stringy algae or java moss.

As for the wood, do you know what type of wood it is? Or was it just sold as aquatic wood. Not all wood is safe for aquarium use because either it falls apart or leeches harmful toxins. Is it as though it rotted in the water, all soft and spongy to the touch?

[zerojoe0917]

Looks great! Just make sure it is completely cycled before you add those shrimps, they are more sensitive to the water than most fish during a cycle.

I've seen some awesome stuff done with the moss balls and this is one of them. Most people just leave it to grow in their tank only 2 people I have seen have used it as a driftwood cover. And I have to say, it does make it look alot better wiht the thick moss ball than stringy algae or java moss.

As for the wood, do you know what type of wood it is? Or was it just sold as aquatic wood. Not all wood is safe for aquarium use because either it falls apart or leeches harmful toxins. Is it as though it rotted in the water, all soft and spongy to the touch?

thanks
ya...i am still waiting for the tank to settle down..

I am also thinking of making a java wall, but maybe too much..so still deciding..what do you think

i forgot what wood it was, but it is not rotting or soft.

[AlexW]

If it isn't rotting or soft, what do you mean by "breaking down"? Just falling apart or do you mean the brown tannin color? A little confused there.

A moss wall would make a nice background, but I've never had luck growing moss on anything but wood so I wouldn't know. Java Moss won't work too well though, usually they recomend christmas moss because it is fuller and has better shape.

[zerojoe0917]

No...its just bits and pieces of little wood on the sand..

christmas moss...that would be nice, well i will see if i can get that working...