My 46g Bow is going! (w/ pics)

[Squawkbert]

Cycled w/ ~25# gravel, waiting for fish & plants, coudy 'cause I just added 50# pool filter quartz (20 mesh).

w/ fish per sig: (I also added the Crypt from my mini bow after taking this).

I'll add more pics as things grow out.

My only problem so far is that my 96W PC was too close to the lid, cracked it. I've replaced it and will be propping the light up a little higher...

I also have to add DIY CO2 & a drop checker, smooth out air bbls

 

[Mgamer20o0]

looks like your off to a good start

 

[Squawkbert]

Since ^ pics, I've reagganged rock, moved a crypt in, added 2 more Phantoms got the Cardinals up to 7 from 2, but 1 died. Water test revealed a nitrite spike (~0.5ppm). I did a 30% change, will probably repeat tonight and as needed to keep NO2 at or below 0.25.

I may need to swap the 2 Serpaes w/ the 6 Pristellas in my mini as they're a bit nippy.

Updated pics soon.

 

[Squawkbert]

Update - I'm continuing to have problems keeping more than 5-6 Cardinal Tetras despite good water (pH 7.6, NH3: 0, NO2: 0, NO3 <20).

I sort of gave up yesterday, traded in the one that died Tuesday for 3 Otos. A couple of hours after I put in the Otos & moved my Eheim outlet & CO2 stone a little, the Cardinal I put in on Tuesday started to croak. It's amazing how fast they go down hill.

One minute they're fine, next, they develop a light patch on one side behind the head and are all weak, disoriented. I chucked him in the 5g but he continued to worsen, so I put him down.

Other than Cardinals & a little bit of random algae starting up (hence otos, effort to improve CO2 dissolving), the only issue I'm having is w/ the Cabomba. Some of it looks good, other sprigs look bad. The sprig I put in the 5g is doing great (that link has a fresh pic on it now too).

Good Cabomba, Bacopa some Cards, Gourami

Another whole tank shot (oops, flash on) showing that I still need to install my light's legs.

same, no flash

Gourami's good side, Crypt, blk Neons, Cards, Sword w/ ailing (prev. emergent) leaf, less than great Cabomba on right side

 

[Ghost_knife]

Good start to the tank, keep us posted on it

 

[fish_freak]

I like it

 

[Aussie_hippie_2]

What's the plant in the front left corner?

 

[Squawkbert]

Left Front plant: According to Petsmart, it's a Bacopa.

Thanks for the kind words.

I've gotta update the sig. I added 2 more Otos, lost another CT (Grrrr!)

 

[Rbishop]

Looking good!

 

[Squawkbert]

Since the 1/11 pic, my Val (the thing I thought was Rotala 'till tonight) has hit the surface w/ 2 leaves (I swear - 4" in <2 days!?!).

CO2 diffusion getting better, should help clear some incipient algae (light on toooooo long yesterday).

Oh well, gotta feed my Otos.