New 29g Build Log

A couple of updates. I got some nice rock from an LFS that I can use for cave-making. I'll try my luck again.

The bad news is that the tank is running 84f when I checked it today. I was a bit surprised given that the tank is basically open top. Of course, as I'm checking it the heater turns on?! It's set a 78f... So I've dialed it way back to 72f and I'll see if it improves things, otherwise I'll replace it with a better brand like an EboJager or something. The one I have now is a cheapo Aqueon that came with the tank kit.

If push comes to shove, I'll just fire a couple of 80mm fans into the canopy and use them to cool the tank and lights.
 
And yes, it was the heater. Even when the heater was set to 72, it was turning on overnight to keep the tank at a balmy 79 degrees.

Just grabbed an Ebo Jager. If nothing else, at least I can calibrate it.
 
They should be here next week :)
 
Hardscape is done...

Tonight, I got the cave and driftwood in to the tank. The cycle continues, apparently I massively over-ammonia'd the tank when I started, so it's still registering 6ppm+ of ammonia, but Nitrates are up to about 20ppm. Nitrites are zero, so it looks like as soon as the ammonia is done processing the cycle will be done.

That's good news since I wandered into my LFS for rabbit litter and found a tank of gorgeous baby gold rams. Just brilliant colours, almost as bright an orange as a comet goldfish.

I couldn't resist. I grabbed three tonight, and put them in my 5g. I know it's majorly cramped, but they should only be in there for a week or less. I'll do 50% water changes every other day until then, and test carefully. There is a lot of plants and driftwood in the 5g so aggression should be okay. The only other inhabitants are a mixed handful of Neons and Endler's so they should be fine.

Here is the finished hardscape:

hardscape-0.jpg


There are two cave structures provided by the driftwood, and one made from stone, so all three Rams should have their own space if necessary.

Here is one of the driftwood caves:

cave1-1.jpg


I put a matching piece of stone there to help make it a bit cozier. I might move it in closer later, I'll see how the plants lay out when they arrive.

Here is my rock-constructed cave:

cave2-1.jpg


I like the black/orange rock colour. I think it both looks natural and stands out a bit against the sand and background.

Here is a shot of the hardscape from the side so you can see how much space is dominated by the driftwood:

endview-0.jpg


So any thought or advice on this layout?
 
Oh yeah, I know that there are some nice reflections in those pictures. My wife *does* smile, honest :)
 
I got a nice picture of one of the Rams today, so I thought I would share it.

To give you an idea of how small these guys are, that's a 2" white PVC elbow to the left of him/her:

goldram-0.jpg


I also definitely overdosed the ammonia when I started the cycle. I still have 6ppm+ in the tank, with about .3 ppm Nitrite and 5-10ppm Nitrate, and I haven't added any ammonia since day one. I'm lucky I didn't sterilize the whole tank :)
 
Yeah it's going to be heavily planted, but since my plant supplier of choice is not shipping in Canada until April 1st, I thought I could cycle the tank in advance.Regardless, I'm going to drain and replace 90% of the water when the plants arrive, so that planting is easier. Any excess ammonia will vanish in a day or two I imagine, and the fish can move in. Clearly I have all the necessary bacterial colonies, they just need to grow a bit larger considering the amount of ammonia I still have left in the water column.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom