50G Low Tech Planted

[StandbySetting]

Nice tank, what is this species? I want one!

 

[ChilliPepper]

Tank looks so lovely. Of course, you will post a journal when you upgrade to the 90g, yes?

Otos don't eat BBA, they only eat diatoms. BBA is low CO2 levels or a lack of flow. What's your filtration?

Thanks Yeah will defo update as soon as I get the new tank

Flow should be sufficient. Eheim 2217+ and Koralia Nano. Lack of CO2 is probably the problem. Have swapped from Excel to EasyCarbo, as don't think my Vallis liked Excel, and that's why it was turning brown.

I have the same problem with vallis. I have heard several suggestions as to why this is: some people say it's to do with the hardness of the water (soft = squat plants, hard = tall plants), some say it's to do with the lighting levels (high light = squat, low light = tall). I'm not sure. Could be a combination of the two. Certainly when I got my vallis much of it was over a foot long. Now, I'm luck if it get to 8 inches long, seems to prefer staying around 6.

Tank looks very nice!

And of course you've been neglecting it a bit - you got a newborn to care for! They take up a lot of time for something that doesn't do much!

I heard that Vallis likes hard water, which I have, so not too sure. I blame Excel. So have stopped using it and will see if that helps

It's difficult juggling everything around the baby, but I manage with a very supportive partner

Nice tank, what is this species? I want one!

Thank you. It's a Laetacara Dorsigera Red Breast Acara, although you can't see the red breast much yet as she's still only a baby. Beautiful little fish though, and very active. Highly recommend

 

[ian]

Nice shots Chillipepper, what cam are you using?

The BBA is probably due to unstable C02 in you tank (is it this tank you're running DIY on?). You also might find the same will happen with the Vallis, as Excel and Carbo are the same product. If anything Carbo is more potent. I have used Carbo with Vallis and if i stuck to the correct dose and didn't OD, my vals did OK.

Also clean that Koralia! lol

 

[ChilliPepper]

Nice shots Chillipepper, what cam are you using?

The BBA is probably due to unstable C02 in you tank (is it this tank you're running DIY on?). You also might find the same will happen with the Vallis, as Excel and Carbo are the same product. If anything Carbo is more potent. I have used Carbo with Vallis and if i stuck to the correct dose and didn't OD, my vals did OK.

Also clean that Koralia! lol

Thanks, it's a Nikon D5000.

I don't DIY CO2, just add EasyCarbo and Profito every day and once a week as instructions say. Also added root tabs when I first planted them. I have been quite lapse on the EasyCarbo as haven't always had time (got a new born!) and my OH has just fed the fish and I haven't done anything with it. Getting a bit more time as we're getting more into a routine now though

So, if I got a plant substrate would that help? What about this TPN that I keep seeing mentioned?

Ah the Koralia is great for catching bits of plant that have broken off I took the pics straight after a water change and me fiddling in there. Rest assured the powerhead is clean - my shrimps see to that

Oh and I am now getting a 100g, not 90g, so any suggestions for extra inhabitants is welcome. Was thinking of some congo tetras or rosy barbs? As long as they don't touch my plants!

 

[StandbySetting]

Ah thanks, shame they get so big, maybe for a future set up of mine.

 

[ian]

Having a newborn... the tank will take a back seat for a bit granted. I have 5 weeks until we get our next one. Its hard hard work isn't it. You little one will love the tank when he/she gets older. Are you using the kit lens on the Nikon? It takes some crackingly clear pics doesn't it!

I don't think you need a planted substrate, that'll be to much hassle at the moment!lol. The lighting is medium IMO in this tank and you're dosing a carbon addition, so imo you're not running a low tec tank. Once carbon is dosed you're going more higher tec. If the only deficiencies you're seeing is C02.
TPN+ contain nitrate and phosphate, although it doesn't hurt to dose some, there may not be any need to. Profito doesn't contain any N and P. Looking a bit closer and blowing your pic up, it looks like the sword coupld do with some N and P.

 

[ChilliPepper]

I'm going to try dosing macro nutrients and see if that helps. A new substrate won't be a problem as it's a brand new tank, so can take my time transferring everything over

Yeah just using the kit lens on the camera. I spend too much on my tanks to afford new lens

My boy is hard work, he's been particularly challenging today at 8 weeks. But I love him to bits, so it's all worth it

 

[ChilliPepper]

Whoop, new 100g 4x2x2 coming FRIDAY

 

[ChilliPepper]

OK, so hopefully you've read about the disaster of the 4x2x2 upgrade. Anyway, long story short. The 4x2x2 now houses my Oscar and my Rainbows etc are back in this tank. So this journal will continue!

Added JBL Flora Basis + under 'black' sand. Redmoor in. Planted it up. Ended up with this, as of last night.

Fish all very happy again. They obviously prefer a smaller tank

 

[lljdma06]

That's so funny. Sometimes that happens, though. Had some bettas, tried to upgrade them and they sulked. Put 'em in a bowl and they thrived. Depends on the fish.

Tank still looks awesome.

 

[Ps3Steveo]

Looking very lush and colourful.

 

[ChilliPepper]

Thanks

Here's a couple more piccies.

LOVE this crypt. Crypts are my favourite aquatic plant I reckon.

 

[SchottayB]

Looking very healthy!