mattyeatsmatts
Fishaholic
This set-up will be detailing the days from starting to Cycle the tank all the way to buying Stock. To prevent the Topic looking like one big untidy mess I have organised each of the dates into viewable spoiler bars. To view the individual days click the "Show" button on the corresponding date
Remember to return for updates 
28/02/2012 - First Day
So today I received my New Fluval Nano Tank, was pretty excited(like a child lol) as this would be the first step back into the hobby for quite a while. This may also double up as a incentive if you are looking to buy one of these kits. 
Out of the Box.
Quite a few Items included;
Fluval Nano Filter
Fluval PCL11 Compact Light
Fluval Stratum(2Kg)
Fluval CO2 20 Kit
Nutrafin Plant Gro(Fert)
Small (Cheap)Thermometer
Plant Tongs
Foam Mat
Tank
Im happy with the size, 3D background looks great.
Only downfall if the plastic holders for the lid. They are not a snug enough fit so tend to jiggle about which is irritating.
Gravel/Stratum
Basically Imagine Caviare(google it) but harder. This gravel looked pretty large from pictures I have seen prior but upon opening the bag I was shocked, when cleaning it there was quite a bit of soil like stuff coming out of it( guessing this is the built in ferts) so I only gave it a quick rinse. IMO there is plenty of it provided and I doubt I will need to purchase more.
Current look
As you can see there is plenty of this fert stuff in there. This was about 10 mins ago and has since changed to a light tea colour, the filter is doing a fine job of circulating the water and clearing the water.
I have provided my own heater and so the wait is just for the temp to rise and then I can start cycling
Peace
Out of the Box.
Quite a few Items included;
Fluval Nano Filter
Fluval PCL11 Compact Light
Fluval Stratum(2Kg)
Fluval CO2 20 Kit
Nutrafin Plant Gro(Fert)
Small (Cheap)Thermometer
Plant Tongs
Foam Mat
Tank
Im happy with the size, 3D background looks great.
Only downfall if the plastic holders for the lid. They are not a snug enough fit so tend to jiggle about which is irritating.
Gravel/Stratum
Basically Imagine Caviare(google it) but harder. This gravel looked pretty large from pictures I have seen prior but upon opening the bag I was shocked, when cleaning it there was quite a bit of soil like stuff coming out of it( guessing this is the built in ferts) so I only gave it a quick rinse. IMO there is plenty of it provided and I doubt I will need to purchase more.
Current look
As you can see there is plenty of this fert stuff in there. This was about 10 mins ago and has since changed to a light tea colour, the filter is doing a fine job of circulating the water and clearing the water.
I have provided my own heater and so the wait is just for the temp to rise and then I can start cycling
Peace
29/02/2012 - Finally getting along
Water has cleared now which is a relief. I also changed the outlet of the filter so it points up just out of the water to cause minor agitation which creates loads of micro bubbles for which im guessing is benefiting the cycling period, it also now pushes water towards the heater for maximum circulation around the tank.
1/03/2012 - Got Wood?
So after trying to arrange the tank with some old bogwood I decided to buy a new piece, visiting my local MA I was torn between this piece of Bogwood and some Mopani, after realising the Mopani was much less "porous" I chose the bogwood. I plan to attach some nice moss too for the shrimp.
I love this piece of wood, the underside is hollow-ish which creates a brilliant little cave into the gravel. Looking to attach a nice piece of moss to it and maybe get my Anubias gilletii planted in one of the holes.
Overall I think the shrimp will love it.
I love this piece of wood, the underside is hollow-ish which creates a brilliant little cave into the gravel. Looking to attach a nice piece of moss to it and maybe get my Anubias gilletii planted in one of the holes.
Overall I think the shrimp will love it.
6/03/2012 - Lid Holders
Today I decided to try something out, the holders for the lid seem to be very loose fitting means rattling when moving the lid. Being a tad OCD this was annoying so I sought about rectifying it.
The concept I thought up was to cut to size and stuff some filter floss into the gaps to crating a tight fit, this in return would mean a better "snug" fit and no more moment.
When placing them back onto the top of the tank it was so much better than before, completely tight
The concept I thought up was to cut to size and stuff some filter floss into the gaps to crating a tight fit, this in return would mean a better "snug" fit and no more moment.
When placing them back onto the top of the tank it was so much better than before, completely tight
20/03/2012 - So Far!
After having no option but to plant the tank(got bored of an empty tank) I went to buy a few plants from LFS. As the wood was going to be the focal point of the tank I wanted some nice moss to accompany it. Wont go off in too much detail about my decision of plants .
As far as the cycle is concerned I have now hit the "Off the scale Nitrite" part. Hopefully this will die down within the next 2 weeks and I can start the 12 hour tests. I'm still really strung between either a shrimp tank or primary killie tank(love them fish).
Moss. White blotches are glue also
Hopefully the Bacopa will grow nice and tall to cover the filter, and it looks great as well.
Japanese Cress next to the heater. It is touching it but doesn't seem to get affected in any way(50W Heater)
Frogbit is growing great. The roots of this plant are just amazing to look at, they give the tank a very concealed and compact look and I love it.
As far as the cycle is concerned I have now hit the "Off the scale Nitrite" part. Hopefully this will die down within the next 2 weeks and I can start the 12 hour tests. I'm still really strung between either a shrimp tank or primary killie tank(love them fish).
Moss
. White blotches are glue also
Hopefully the Bacopa will grow nice and tall to cover the filter, and it looks great as well.
Japanese Cress next to the heater. It is touching it but doesn't seem to get affected in any way(50W Heater)
Frogbit is growing great. The roots of this plant are just amazing to look at, they give the tank a very concealed and compact look and I love it.
28/03/2012 - Nearly End of Cycle!!
So, on my last update Ammonia was getting eaten within 12 hours, the Nitrites were off the chart and Nitrates were also very high. Thankfully the Nitrites have just dropped "In a flash" which is sooner than expected tbh, but who is complaining, not me
I Don't think the Full cycle Ammonia > Nitrite > Nitrate in 12 hours is done yet though, so im going to leave the tank for at least another week to keep it strong.
As for plant growth, peacock moss bought from jojouk is growing amazing(must be the high Nitrates?)
The Sao paulo is also doing really well, I thought it would struggle seeing as my tank is only getting about 1.3 WPG.
Added a moss ball for good measure and also thinned the forgbit population.
Not sure if its this guy which sorted the brown algae or not
mmmmmmmm Moss growth!
I Don't think the Full cycle Ammonia > Nitrite > Nitrate in 12 hours is done yet though, so im going to leave the tank for at least another week to keep it strong.
As for plant growth, peacock moss bought from jojouk is growing amazing(must be the high Nitrates?)
The Sao paulo is also doing really well, I thought it would struggle seeing as my tank is only getting about 1.3 WPG.
Added a moss ball for good measure and also thinned the forgbit population.
Not sure if its this guy which sorted the brown algae or not
mmmmmmmm Moss growth!
15/04/2012 - Growth Everywhere
Aint done an update for ages but its well worth the wait, trust me.
CYCLE IS FINISHED !!!!!
Changes
Shrimp Soon
CYCLE IS FINISHED !!!!!
Changes
- Started dosing TNC fert and Liquid CO2, as well as inserting one plug into the centre of the substrate
- Moved heater to the right of tank + changed flow from Left to Right.
- Covered the whole filter cartride with a tight(for future shrimp care)
- Added some Pogostemon erectus in the back right for a good area of cover.
- Some Dwarf hairgrass in the front right(not expecting any results)
- Some rainbowfish eggs had hitched a ride into my tank from some plants I bought here, not too bothered but this is going to be a shrimp tank so if they live they can go somewhere else, they die then im not bothered.
Shrimp Soon
EDIT : Also if any of you want pictures of anything else just ask.
