Aquageek's 20G Planted

[aquageek]

Thanks, BoCoMo, and PattyCakes! I can't decide which position I like! I think ultimately it will depend on how I can fit it into the tank with my other 2 pieces of wood, and still have room for the plants lol!

Made a trip to the LFS today - picked up a Micro Sword for the foreground, going to move my Val's around to make way for the Micro Sword. Driftwood is still boiling in water... hopefully it will be ready soon - it feels pretty heavy.

I can't find the cherry shrimp, or the Rams (of any variety) any where in town - so I am going to have to order those. I will post some pictures later today when (if) I get the new driftwood in place.

Also did some water testing, my ammonia and nitrAte levels are pretty high - I may have been slacking on my water changes and over feeding a bit . Going to do a 25% change later this evening. Test again tomorrow night, and if need be do another 25% change on Monday... hopefully that will take care of that.

 

[aquageek]

Well - boiling the driftwood helped it take on some water but it's still too buoyant. Got it in a bucket with a piece of polished granite on top of it to keep it under water. Going to let it sit for a few weeks and see what happens. Did my 25% water change yesterday (I usually just do weekly 10%) and getting ready to test the water parameters again this evening. My fish look a bit more lively when I got off of work so that's a good sign.

 

[aquageek]

I hate API test kits. I can't tell where my nitrate is at, and my ammonia is either 0 or .25, nitrite is at 0 for sure. I may do another 25% water change tonight. Fish look nice and healthy though!

 

[lolliemck]

Try the dip stick versions- they are even worse!!


Sent from my iPad using MonsterAquariaNetwork app

 

[aquageek]

Lol yeah the dipsticks are terrible!

Thinking about picking up some of the Elos brand test kits and giving my API stuff to a co-worker who is starting out with a FW planted. Any one have any experience with Elos?

http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet-sup...es/aquarium-test-kits-refills&ea_a=Brand:Elos

 

[aquageek]

I added a Micro Sword to the front center of the tank. Picked up from one of the LFS in my area that I had not been to! He had a nice selection of FW plants that were all very healthy. It is really thriving in my tank for the past few days, I can even see new growth coming out! I tried to put it in a spot that got plenty of light - those Amazon's provide quite a bit of shade lol

Sorry for picture quality - outside of tank is a bit dirty.

 

[THE V]

Very nice healthy looking tank. The sword is goong to become a tankbuster soon. The get really huge.

 

[aquageek]

Thanks, V. I knew they got large but I didn't realize just how big they can get. I used to have 5 swords in there... I am down to 2 now lol. I do like their size though, I am going to try to keep at least 1 to provide a bit of shade for the Java Fern.

 

[aquageek]

I have been thinking about pulling the bio balls and ceramic tubes out of my Marineland c-220 and replacing them both with Seachem Matrix. What do you guys think?

http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Matrix.html

 

[THE V]

Pointless to add in them in unless you like to spend money. Those swords are eating all of the waste really fast. As plants absorb ammonia faster than nitrite or nitrate (Smaller molecule size and positively charged) I doubt the bacteria are getting much.