My 75G, pics and questions!

[satanpie]

Hey, here is my 75G as of now, it's been setup for about a month now. I put 60lbs of eco-complete and I think it automatically cycled the tank. Its stocked with 10 rummy nose tetras and 2 guppies and I have seen no traces of ammonia nitrate or nitrite; although I have some brown algae growing. I plan to add my 2 peices of wood when they sink, and more plants.I put 4 bulb in there for onion plants and something else and they just got slimy and kind of look a little moldy. Theres only 79 watts of light on it and I don't think its gonna be enough. I havent done any significant water changes. It will eventually be stocked with 6 angles, GBRs and a pleco, I'm wondering what pleco to get, I want one around 5-6 inches. Here's a pic of my params, would you say its safe to start adding more fish? From left to right its PH,nitrite, ammonia , nitrate. Thanks, any advice/suggestions are appreciated!

 

[Lupin]

Nice. Try the L010a, L134, L260 or Rineloricaria parva.

 

[Mgamer20o0]

what kind of water changes are you doing?

 

[satanpie]

I havent done anyhitng more than 10 gallons. I cant l;ift bukets because i broke 4 ribs a little while ago and am waiting to get a python. Also to let becteria build up and get the tnak cycled, but why havent i seen any traces of anyhting? I think i will soon add some peat moss to the filter to soften the water a little and get the ph around 6.9 for ym angels

 

[mooch4056]

hi satanpie:

Nice tank!

I think you should have a nitrate reading... otherwise its not cycled........ I don't know what eco-complete is...... is this something that gets rid of nitrates? I don't think you want nitrates eliminated... it indicates there is good bacteria and a nitrate reading up tp 40 is ok.........

sigh -- i have a 55 gal -- i wish i had a 75 .... i bet if i had a 75 i would want a 120 ---- i bet if i had a 120 i would want a 180 --- i bet if i had a 180 i would want a ............ect

 

[petsrus6]

I say go ahead and start stocking it up, 5 fish at a time should be ok

Here's my 30 gal hex with a 5gal hex inside it.
Laurie

 

[petsrus6]

http://www.youtube.com/user/petsrus6

 

[rsanz]

Eco-complete (the substrate) does not automatically cycle your tank as far as I know. I would be cautious of assuming that your tank is cycled. To me, it seems that the stocking you've had in there for a month was on the small side, so the tank may only be ready to handle that small bioload. Be cautious of adding large bioloads all at once as you could send your tank's bacteria culture out of whack.

 

[Marinemom]

I think by now you should have some kind of nitrate reading. Eco-complete is a fantastic substrate and I have been very happy with it in my planted tanks.I think I would do a small water change and then add some more fish slowly all the while keeping an eye on the water readings. Be ready to do a water change ASAP if necessary. Maybe start with adding some smaller fish first such as adding to your school of rummynoses(which by the way look great with angels and German Blue Rams) and see how you do. As far as a pleco for your tank in the 5-6 inch range, I would recommend bristlenose pleco. They max out in the 5-6 inch range so they will not overgrow your tank, they are very busy little guys always cleaning up, and they are very peaceful fish. They will not bother any of the other fish. Some of the bigger plecos have this annoying tendancy to suck slime of of some flat sided fish such as angels. The bristlenose pleco will not do this.

As far as a background goes I think a black background will serve you best. It will really make your fish and plants stand out and the whole tank will look alive and awesome.

Anyways, hope this helps.

Marinemom

 

[satanpie]

Thanks for all the responses! I may have done the nitrate test wrong, I didnt realize you had to shake the bottle for 30 seconds and so all those other little steps, but the brown algae would indicate some levels of nitrate, no? This weekend I will come home with either a pleco or a pair of GBRs and maybe some more guppies. I still wont add my angels for another few months, until I know this tank is stable as can be.