New Planted Set-up

Quite yes, the wifes yorkie got two toys and and treats as well so all good. Theres a massive tank I've got an eye on as well but need to convince the wife first and give a real good explanation why I need such a large tank.

 

I need to give a lot when it comes to getting fish stuff. Exactly why the wife ended up with a sugar glider and a hedge hog and two rats don't ask me why rats but anyway they both adorable lol

 

Ok calibrated this PH pen now an measured the PH and its also at 6 so my PH test kit wasn't lying lol. I'm still worried about this low PH

 

I was more concerned about gassing my fish with the CO2 so I got a better CO2 chart and checked my KH again. I was reading it completely wrong, my KH is actually 0,5 and PH 6 so I don't have to much CO2 in the tank.


As for the Otos I added yesterday, they all doing perfect and so are the others. Heres the shrimp after adding a Sera pellet which the fish also enjoyed. They completely cleaned it within minutes!!!



I have also removed the covers from my lights as an experiment. I suspected my plants in the left hand corner didn't get enough light only because the rotala rotundifolia didn't grow as quick compared to the ones more centered under the light. Strangely enougheeven the vallis is going slowly. But for the first time my plants in that corner are pearling more since the covers were removed. There's still a lot of emerged leaves on the rotala's though but that should fall off during the week.

 

Can someone recommend some proper water dechlorinator? I'm using SERA aquatan and after every water change I have like protein bubbles on the surface of the water for about two days.

 

Ok I'll get some thanks. I just wish my lfs can get some seachem products in!!

 

Oops, sudden increase in phosphates, from 0 to 1,8ppm and now I see staghorn algae on the rocks. Spotted this last night and did a test and it was on 1,8ppm. Didn't dose Scape Complete today and did another test, again 1,8ppm.

Just did about 35% water change so I hope this gets its back down again. Ive got SERA Phosphate EX that removes it but scared to just use it. Don't want to harm the fish.

 

Good idea, I didn't think it was needed but thank goodness I got one.

 

Ok, I added my second canister filter so I'm running two now. One from opposite corners at the back. It seems I had quite a few dead spots in the tank. This piece of wood is really making things difficult. The filters im running is Aqua One Aquis 1000 (1000l/h) and a Tetra Ex600 (630l/h) am I over doing it a bit?

 

Quick update, plants are doing great. Seeing some staghorn still and not sure how to remove it without liquid Co2 or hydrogen peroxide so I'm still figuring that out. Over all I'm pretty happy with this setup. My first succesful planted aquarium

 

Hahha you have it all figured out..

Now.. the big tank.. might cost you another Yorkie!!

 

LOL, or two maybe. I think I have to take the time and think what I want to do next. I have my 150l sump that I want to setup but I'm not sure what to stock it with. I did have a look at Rams but know nothing about them. I just saw it at my LFS. I also want to figure out what I'm gonna do with these shrimps and if I want to keep this in this tank.

 

Fully agree that giving what you want to do some thought before you plunge into It is the way to go

Must admit, Rams are gorgeous and some stunning colour strains available nowadays
If memory serves me right, there are a few good threads on keeping rams on the forum which should help if you decide to go that route
Not to mention that the ' King of Rams' @Marco is a member on the forum and always willing to help.
I dont think there is much he doesnt know about rams

Im not sure though how they fare up in a planted tank... just check on that.. they ight eat your plants.