Will do. I have this pic so far. Was waiting for tomorrow to add the fish and for all the bubbles to dissipate. Going to add some rocks and decor and more plants eventually.
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.Question?
- Thread starter Nyk0nn
- Start date
OK, it's a nice start! BUT the swords at both ends are planted a bit too deep. You want the "crown" (where leaves & roots meet) to be just a tiny bit above the substrate. Your substrate seems very shallow for swords...& maybe crypts too. You want 1.5 inches or better 2-3 inches of substrate.
I use root tabs for both of those plants. Even half a tab pushed deep near the roots is enough every 2-3 months especially in "virgin" substrate (no poo build up to feed the plants).
Good luck moving the molly fry, let us know how that goes
I use root tabs for both of those plants. Even half a tab pushed deep near the roots is enough every 2-3 months especially in "virgin" substrate (no poo build up to feed the plants).
Good luck moving the molly fry, let us know how that goes
Yeah I realized I was short on sand so I ordered more. I planted them deep so they didnt float away. I put a tab with each one.
I concur with what fishorama said re depth and hoe the swords are planted.
If one gets plants from a reputable source, the should come loaded with stored nutrients which will allow them do thrive initially. I would have waited a bit to fertilize. Swords make a lot of roots, so they take some time to establish when newly planted. They will not suck up a lot of ammonia until they do so. If you can grab some stem plants and/or floating plants, they go to work pretty fast. They also will take nutrients in via their leaves.
The old saying that "dilution is the solution to pollution" is your friend here. A 75 gal is way more than a bunch of small fry need. The volume of water alone will protect them. Then established (ammonia removal) plants will do even more. If you stick to the plan and do not rush stocking, you should have no issues at all. Just bear in mind when moving over a bit of stuff from the established tank that the bacteria are light sensitive. They prefer living in darker places. The means in the substrate below the surface, on decor that is shaded or dark. The only other thing they need is enough circulation to bring then what they need.
So when you choose a few things to over over, take things that offer the bacteria "shade." You do not need to move a ton of things over. The plants have already brought in some bacteria and a small amount of decor or substrate with bring a bit more. As long as you do not let the bio-load in the 75 get bigger than the bacteria can keep up with, everything will go fine.
You need only test for ammonia because if you do not see this you will not see nitrite and nitrate should not be a concern. Because you are doing some seeding of bacteria, you are adding both the ammonia and nitrite ones together. This means whatever amount of ammonia those bacteria can handle, there are ones which can handle the amount of nitrite that is created. Do not forget that any ammonia used by plants does not result in any nitrite or nitrate being created.
Perhaps the most difficult skill most new fish keepers need to master is patience. The lack of this is normally what causes a lot of issues in tanks.
If one gets plants from a reputable source, the should come loaded with stored nutrients which will allow them do thrive initially. I would have waited a bit to fertilize. Swords make a lot of roots, so they take some time to establish when newly planted. They will not suck up a lot of ammonia until they do so. If you can grab some stem plants and/or floating plants, they go to work pretty fast. They also will take nutrients in via their leaves.
The old saying that "dilution is the solution to pollution" is your friend here. A 75 gal is way more than a bunch of small fry need. The volume of water alone will protect them. Then established (ammonia removal) plants will do even more. If you stick to the plan and do not rush stocking, you should have no issues at all. Just bear in mind when moving over a bit of stuff from the established tank that the bacteria are light sensitive. They prefer living in darker places. The means in the substrate below the surface, on decor that is shaded or dark. The only other thing they need is enough circulation to bring then what they need.
So when you choose a few things to over over, take things that offer the bacteria "shade." You do not need to move a ton of things over. The plants have already brought in some bacteria and a small amount of decor or substrate with bring a bit more. As long as you do not let the bio-load in the 75 get bigger than the bacteria can keep up with, everything will go fine.
You need only test for ammonia because if you do not see this you will not see nitrite and nitrate should not be a concern. Because you are doing some seeding of bacteria, you are adding both the ammonia and nitrite ones together. This means whatever amount of ammonia those bacteria can handle, there are ones which can handle the amount of nitrite that is created. Do not forget that any ammonia used by plants does not result in any nitrite or nitrate being created.
Perhaps the most difficult skill most new fish keepers need to master is patience. The lack of this is normally what causes a lot of issues in tanks.
Sound advice, thank you! I wasn’t going to bring anything else over that I can think of. I’m not planning on stocking untill they get a good bit bigger. Probably only fish that would keep the numbers of fry in check. I plan on getting other decor and plants but just wanted to start small since I picked it all up in one purchase. I’d like to get a few hiding places and such as well.
A very wise statement... and it so goes beyond new fish keepers.
I've had to develop a whole new dimension of patience. About 6 months ago my 9yr old expressed an interest in (land) hermit crab keeping. We did research and dove in. Talk about patience required. Not only are they nocturnal critters, but they burrow down to molt for sometimes up to a year at a time.. You literally have to keep a night vision motion camera in the tank to see activity at times.
They are fascinating though.
Wow, I have a similar issue with a Devil thorn snail. It burrows in the substrate and only comes out at night. I may catch it in the early morning or when it’s only halfway buried.
Side question, what is the easiest way to add more sand to an already set up tank?
Side question, what is the easiest way to add more sand to an already set up tank?
Newly set up or cycled tanks are a bit different. Early on I just (gently) add substrate by the cupful or 4, trying to spread it around. In a cycled tank with fish I go with less at a time (don't want to smother the beneficial bacteria on surfaces, they need oxygen). It depends on the footprint of your tank.
I forget, what size it your sand in this new tank? Fine sand can compact, you'll need to stir it up a bit when vacuuming; pool filter sand (#2 or 20 grit) doesn't but I still try to vac a little around the plants. There's a technique to it. Either a swirling motion for surface stuff or a quick down & up with the vac. You may lose a tiny bit of sand either way. Practice!!
What did you online search tell you?
I forget, what size it your sand in this new tank? Fine sand can compact, you'll need to stir it up a bit when vacuuming; pool filter sand (#2 or 20 grit) doesn't but I still try to vac a little around the plants. There's a technique to it. Either a swirling motion for surface stuff or a quick down & up with the vac. You may lose a tiny bit of sand either way. Practice!!
What did you online search tell you?
