Sorry for the lack of an update.
Update on the 2.5 gallon that had the shrimp, java moss, marimo balls in the breeders net and a betta in the tank. RIP crowntail betta. There was an ammonia spike with no nitrites and high nitrates which I found odd. Since the betta is gone, I've emptied the contents of the breeders net into the 2.5 gallons so the shrimp now have more room to roam and graze. I've increased water changes due to the random spike of ammonia. I do a 15-20% on either Tues. or Thurs. and I do a 40% on Sat. or Sun. I lost 1 shrimp to an unknown cause and most of the babies except 1 vanished. I assume they were eaten by the larger shrimp. So I still have the same amount of shrimp as I started with, 8.
Here are some updated pictures of the 10 gallon set up.
I ended up just ordering Fluorite black sand from Bigals since 3 LFS said they would call and see if their distributors carry that and never called me back and I also drove to every fish store within a 45 min radius of my house and school with no luck.
Filling the tank after rinsing the Fluorite.
As you can see I got lazy rinsing it half way cause there is just so much sand... I gave it 2-3 days to settle and I did some water changes here and there.
I then bought some plants from some of the members of the forum.
Left side:
Right side:
I didn't bother to dip the plants before planting them so a few snails ended up hitchhiking over from the plants. I saw 5 baby snails which I sucked up during a water change with an airline hose and placed them in with the shrimp for some 'friends'. Plus I don't think the snails would like the fishless cycle with 5ppm ammonia constantly.
Today is day 3 of the cycle so there isnt much to update on. I find it hard to have time to work on my fish tank. As much as I want to, I always seem so overwhelmed with school work. I try to work on the tank during the weekend for at least an hour.
The Corkscrew/Spiral vals on the left already have 4 runners, and the Jungle Vals also have at least 2-3 runners. Most of the Guppygrass wilted but there are a few pieces here and there that are growing strong and green. The Nana Petites are also growing well as I can see new leaves forming. The Crypt Walkeri's are the only ones that seem to be doing poorly. I saw dimishing health after a few days in the tank and I drove 40 mins to the closest LFS that carried Flourish and Excel to dose the tank. I dose Flourish once a week and the plants seem to be thriving except the Crypt Walkeri's. I also does only 1/2 the recommended amount of Excel due to the possibly 'melting' of the vals.
The Crypt Walkeris had some stem and leaves die off which I just sucked out during a water change but most of them are turning brown, the stem and leaves. One of leaves of the smallest Crypt plant is developing 1-2 holes about 2-3 mm in size. Any idea of what I can do to improve the health? I currently have a 15W light strip over the tank. I also have a desk light that has 2X20W light bulbs on the table to that shines on the 2.5 and on the back of the 10 gallon where the Crypts are located. I thought more light might help.
Also while cleaning a stealth heater, I notcied some slime on the suction cups. I then notice that this slime grows on all rubber like material like the suction cup that holes the thermometer and the suction cups that hold the spray bar and intake. Anyone got any clue what it is or how to get rid of it?
