Desperate in need of help before I throw in the towel - Amonia issues!
- Thread starter David Y
- Start date
Ok you probably have enough light for the easy plants, unless your bulbs are something odd like saltwater actinic which do not produce light that is usable for photosynthesis. When you get to the time to replace the lightbulbs, make sure you get a full spectrum daylight or plant grow bulb, as that will help your plants grow better. You have enough light but not a generous amount so bulbs aimed at plant growth would be better for replacement. One other thing on lightbulbs, it is better to replace one bulb in the middle of the other bulb's usage life so that the light level are kept more even. Flourescent light bulbs decline in light output over time, and the sudden jump in light levels if you replaced both at once could encourage algae until the plants adjust with new leaves. So for example if you used bulbs 6 months total then you would replace the oldest one every 3 months. I write on the end of the bulb with a sharpie so I don't forget when it was put into use.
Now for your plants. Except for one that I don't know what it might be it seems like you have mostly easier plants. The one exception is that curly ivy, which is not aquatic. It is tough enough that it doesn't die right away but it won't grow but a very little underwater.
So you likely have Rotala rotundifolia (it was probably labled incorectly as Rotala indica)
I'm not familiar with the common name waterweed, sorry
green hygro- Hygrophilia polysperma
Wysteria- Hygrophilia difformis
Ambulia- Limnophila amblulia, sessiliflora or indica. Those three are somewhat similar in appearance and sometimes get sold in place of another depending on what is available. Some variation in ease of growth, but most are not hard so it usually is ok.
I would take the curly ivy out of the tank since it is only going to slowly die in there.
You did seem to get easy plants and only struck out on one of your choices. I wish shops wouldn't sell terrarium plants as aquatic but most chains that I see do.
Now for your plants. Except for one that I don't know what it might be it seems like you have mostly easier plants. The one exception is that curly ivy, which is not aquatic. It is tough enough that it doesn't die right away but it won't grow but a very little underwater.
So you likely have Rotala rotundifolia (it was probably labled incorectly as Rotala indica)
I'm not familiar with the common name waterweed, sorry
green hygro- Hygrophilia polysperma
Wysteria- Hygrophilia difformis
Ambulia- Limnophila amblulia, sessiliflora or indica. Those three are somewhat similar in appearance and sometimes get sold in place of another depending on what is available. Some variation in ease of growth, but most are not hard so it usually is ok.
I would take the curly ivy out of the tank since it is only going to slowly die in there.
You did seem to get easy plants and only struck out on one of your choices. I wish shops wouldn't sell terrarium plants as aquatic but most chains that I see do.
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"Waterweed" is probably Elodea aka Anacharis, which should be fine.
David, have you tried testing pH and KH again? Like I said, it's not normally a huge concern...but it's at a place where is could potentially impact your cycle negatively if those recent numbers are correct.
David, have you tried testing pH and KH again? Like I said, it's not normally a huge concern...but it's at a place where is could potentially impact your cycle negatively if those recent numbers are correct.
I have noticed when I vacum the gravel when doing WC a lot of brown debris comes up - is this normal - the take gets quite a bit of debris when doing this but then it clears within 5 min. Plants still look healthy with new shoots. I've notice more snails very small around 10-20 in the tank also.....about to do a reading after a few hours since last WC....
To some degree having broken down waste, or mulm, fall into the gravel is to be expected. Just because you are not feeding anything does not mean there is not waste being produced. Those snails are eating the biofilm, and the small fish are probably picking at it as well. Any plant material that even slightly decays is another source of this. There is the possibility that there was something in or part of the gravel that is contributing to the cloudiness but I'm just speculating.
To some degree some organic material like this is beneficial to plant growth, but there is a limit to how much is beneficial. You probably have not gotten to the point where you have that much built up, and won't if you continue to vacuum the gravel. If you get to where you have plants blocking your access to the gravel keeping the surface of the gravel cleared of the buildup usually is enough to keep the organics under control. Still over time (8 months to a year) you may need to trim and replant your stem plants and you can do a good gravel cleaning at that point to get at the long term build up.
It's good you are getting growth on your plants, this means they are taking some of the nitrogen waste produced by the fish and other things in your tank.
To some degree some organic material like this is beneficial to plant growth, but there is a limit to how much is beneficial. You probably have not gotten to the point where you have that much built up, and won't if you continue to vacuum the gravel. If you get to where you have plants blocking your access to the gravel keeping the surface of the gravel cleared of the buildup usually is enough to keep the organics under control. Still over time (8 months to a year) you may need to trim and replant your stem plants and you can do a good gravel cleaning at that point to get at the long term build up.
It's good you are getting growth on your plants, this means they are taking some of the nitrogen waste produced by the fish and other things in your tank.
you are getting good help from others. but wanted to mention if you are new to hobby, these two books are pretty good.
The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums
David E. Boruchowitz
Setting up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week
Stuart Thraves
-i have found prime to be a great asset when needed, members on this board pointed me to it
-once your setup matures and reaches a balance it will be fine, it can just take some time to get there.
-pH has never been an issue IME, drastic changes yes, but IME fish adjust to pH they are in. my tap water was producing different pH and I found it changed quite a bit after it set for 12 hours or so FYI.
-nitrite and ammonia are BAD and will kill, as will HIGH nitrate, and prime fixes them all. and so does dilution with water changes, but i found it to be more efficient to dose with prime until tank stablized
The Simple Guide to Fresh Water Aquariums
David E. Boruchowitz
Setting up a Tropical Aquarium Week by Week
Stuart Thraves
-i have found prime to be a great asset when needed, members on this board pointed me to it
-once your setup matures and reaches a balance it will be fine, it can just take some time to get there.
-pH has never been an issue IME, drastic changes yes, but IME fish adjust to pH they are in. my tap water was producing different pH and I found it changed quite a bit after it set for 12 hours or so FYI.
-nitrite and ammonia are BAD and will kill, as will HIGH nitrate, and prime fixes them all. and so does dilution with water changes, but i found it to be more efficient to dose with prime until tank stablized
I'm trying not to get excited...
24 hours hours after last WC 50%.
Please see those first tests my readings are -
NITRITE - 0
AMONNIA 0.25
PH 6.4
NITRATE 4
Issue is KH 1 drop and it's yellow 18
GH is also no good 3 drops 53
KH OF MY TAP water is 3 - 53PPM(light yellow)
GH IS - 3 - 53PPM (light green)
Any feedback welcome
24 hours hours after last WC 50%.
Please see those first tests my readings are -
NITRITE - 0
AMONNIA 0.25
PH 6.4
NITRATE 4
Issue is KH 1 drop and it's yellow 18
GH is also no good 3 drops 53
KH OF MY TAP water is 3 - 53PPM(light yellow)
GH IS - 3 - 53PPM (light green)
Any feedback welcome
