75G Planted For Beginners. Haha.

[FishFanatic04]

Ok. I think we have decided to switch the filter to a Rena XP3.

This came today as well, pretty funny considering I haven't bought the tank, filter, etc...

 

[FishFanatic04]

Been collecting these too, just in case. If I don't need them, maybe I will someday for Cichlids.

My hubby hates when I show up with a rock, he knows I'm finding them in crazy places where I should NOT take them. Last one was a restaurant landscaping square. I am ashamed of myself, in case you are wondering!

 

[FishFanatic04]

Finally bought my 75g and stand. Unfortunately my filter is back ordered until the 10th but it was such a good price I decided to be patient. My Manzanita wood needs to soak a few weeks anyway. Guess I can use this waiting time to properly rinse the play sand and test and clean rocks.

I used the mopani wood in the pictures in my 46g. That tanks starting to look nice as well with some of the fake ornaments out.

 

[Jen]

Those are great bits of wood. I can't wait to see how it all comes together!

 

[FishFanatic04]

Thanks, I loveee that big piece, only I'm not the most patient person and I ended up putting it in my 46g when I changed it to sand the other day. SO I've had to get a whole new piece of wood. Luckily its much better and bigger.

 

[Jen]

That glass diffuser you changed to is a good choice - they are pretty, and give you the tiniest bubbles. I know it's too late, but you can actually get that with a bubble counter built in to it. I used this one with great success when I had co2 running.

 

[FishFanatic04]

ohh that one is nice...I may look into it later as a backup. Thanks for looking at my list. I feel like I am flying blind and I'm a little nervous about handling the co2 and live plants since I have no experience.

 

[Jen]

It's not as hard as it seems. Once you get going, its pretty easy and just becomes a routine. My only big piece of advice is to have a back-up co2 tank. I only had the one and when it ran out, if I couldn't get it filled that day, it threw everything off.

 

[FishFanatic04]

Yikes...did you grow awful algae or did your fish swim backwards? seriously...I think I did read that somewhere, recently my hubby informed me that there are TONS of fire extinguishers just laying around his workplace, but so far they are all dry-chem. He says he checks them all so if by luck he finds one that is co2 I'll keep that in the shed for an emergency backup...otherwise I may be rushing off to a welding shop!

What size co2 tank do you use and how long does it last?

 

[minnnt]

Hi FF, thanks for the email. Sorry this isn't about this topic. Lol. The Crypts will be fine in any low tech set up. They will probably 'melt' as they adjust to your water but will soon recover and be fine. Other plants that grow well in a basic setup are cabomba, limnophila, elodea, java fern, anubias moss, hygrophila and vallis (eventually)

If you email me at d.raynham at live.co.uk its easier for me to reply to you rather than mucking up your journal. Lol.

Cheers.

David.

 

[FishFanatic04]

No bother...this journal is a snoozefest anyway I'm off to find plants today then...I really appreciate the response

 

[micko]

Sounds good to me.

Cannot help with the co2 but may take yours as a guideline.

Looking forward to pictures.

 

[Jen]

It just threw off my water stats... sometimes I would get a ph jump. I had one 5 lb tank, and the only place I could get it filled was at a fire extinguisher inspection store. It was $10 a fill, and lasted about a month and a half I believe... it's been a while. They were a 9-5 store, and I work shifts, so if I was 7-3 or 3-11, I'd take it on my way to/from work, so it would only be 10/12 hours with out co2, but if I was on a week of 9-5, I would be up to 5 days, unless I could bribe my parents to head down there. A few times I did do a sugar/yeast bottle to at least have something in there, even though it was nowhere near what it usually got.

Somewhere to check out would be at a fire station - they *should* be able to recommend places to find and fill your tank.

ps... All this is really making me want to get back into co2... eep! Must resist!

 

[FishFanatic04]

lol I have just launched myself full-on into fishkeeping and all the related aspects. I def. have the "go big or go home" attitude. My husbands has been stockpiling peanut butter in case I spend every penny we have on fish stuff

Oh before I forget....I got some stuff in the mail today and finished cleaning my sand!!! I hope the in-line heater is everything it's made out to be. Don't mind the background...it was an impulse buy and I actually plan to use a black background once I have the tank planted. {Unless it looks great }

 

[FishFanatic04]

Put in some rocks just to make myself feel good, I'm expecting my wood any day now so the rocks will get all moved around...also threw 2 coconuts and a pvc pipe in there for fun. Its nice to have place holders. I finally filled up the tank as well so the sand can settle because my filter comes tomorrow. Cloudy water! I know it won't take long to settle though, I washed the HECK outta this sand! We will be up and running in a week. Unfortunately, my 46g isn't very mature so the media I threw in there to culture for the 75 probably won't have much going, it's a headstart though!