Reintroduction... My 20gallon

[Kimunaffected]

Hello! I would love to introduce myself to the forum without a tank disaster and needing help.
I am a stay at home Mom and as a family we have always had an aquarium, Usually housing just a betta or simple livebearer tanks with fake plants.
This tank is “Mom’s tank” & I am learning so much more this time around. This forum has been so helpful in that process.

• 20g long ( 3 male guppies 8 Pygmy Corydoras 1 female German blue ram )
Moderately planted
79/80* f
Ammonia 0.0
Nitrite 0.0
Nitrates 5.0
Ph 7.6
GH 4 degrees
KH 3 degrees
I am still adjusting my fert schedule I am currently using seachem products. Bi-monthly Root tabs
Weekly schedule is 30% pwc Saturday ( with prime treated water ) Sunday dose of seachem comprehensive and Tuesday’s weekly potassium dose.
lights are on timer for 10hrs ( considering moving to 8 )

I have lost some stems plants possibly while treating medication, Or it could be I haven’t tuned in my fertilizers yet & it also could have just been because they weren’t the best pick for my low tech tank , After meds I did remove one air stone.
current plants are:
( I could be slightly incorrect or have mislabeled plants )
Anubias, Barcopa, water wisteria Red Melon Sword, Java Fern, 2 variety’s of Crypts , Floating Christmas moss ball ,Ludwigia, Vallisneria , hornwort & random java moss ( that I am removing when I can )

I welcome any tips you have for success. Thanks in advance.

 

[dudley]

A couple issues I see is that the Vals in the 2nd pic look to be planted a bit deep, the crowns should be above the substrate and the Anubias should NOT have the rhizome below the substrate, not sure which Anubias you have.

 

[Kimunaffected]

Noted, I double checked the anuba’s ( I have no idea what variety of them I have.) They are just weighted by rocks and deco I did make some adjustments a bit to expose them more, & I addressed the vals too but I thought they were only in the back & then I seen the second pic so I adjusted that one two ( lol ). ( I am still learning the varieties & I am very dependent on the tag when I purchase )

 

[dougall]

May be good, from a baseline perspective, to say which light you are using. Plants can be kind of picky in that respect. Stems especially normally need more light.

The sword will outgrow your tank, Java Fern will likely be too big too. Val's will need trimming plenty as well.

But otherwise see how things grow in, what does well for you in your water.

 

[FreshyFresh]

Yep. See how things grow for you!

I'd loose the bubble wall given all the surface agitation does is off gas the CO2 you want to keep in the water column.

I've got a couple tanks packed with basic plants as well. I've always found that as the surface agitation increases, plant growth decreases.

Root tabs are always good for rooted plants, but much of your ferts may be unnecessary given the little amount of lighting on the tank.

 

[the loach]

I think you mentioned in another thread getting another or more lights? Tank looks nice, but the sides are too dark for most plants. I think your Anubias is a barteri. On the latest pics they still seem too deep in the substrate.

 

[fishorama]

Bi-monthly root tabs? No, they should last 3 or 4 months.

Looking good, Kim! Nice to see a happy thread from you.

 

[Teddy's Mom]

Hi! Two comments for you:
1) Wow, you are on top of things!
2) I love love love your tank decor. It's not a concept I would have thought of but I think I may have to steal it! Where did you find your statues and such?