Fishbeasts 134g Journal

[FishBeast]

Hi guys. I have finally begun putting my tank together so here goes.

Stats:

Size: Tank 134g 6x2x1.5

Filter: Aqua One. Aquis 2400 Canister filter. Flow rate = 2400L/hr

Heating: 2x 300w.

Co2: Pressurised.

Lighting: 156w T5


I bought a new 4x39w T5 light and co2 regulator which I will hook onto soda stream bottles until I can afford to get a larger bottle.

Bought test kit (still need KH test kit but am broke for now) and some substrate.

Layered out some pea gravel for the base, sloping up towards the back. Followed by a 1 cm layer of nutrient rich substrate. Followed by another layer of pea gravel. Followed by a 2cm layer of 1-2mm sand.

Added amonia up to 4ppm and upped the temp to 28C and am testing each morning and afternoon until it drops down to 1 ppm. PH is sitting on 7.8 for now. Opting for the dose and wait method. Waiting
Will probably take some time before I start posting plants and stuff. From what I read kick starting the nitrogen cycle takes time.

 

[xautomaticflowersx]

I do love planted tank journals... gives me lots of inspiration. Look forward to seeing your progress

 

[FishBeast]

One question too. I am going to start my plants for a week or 2 before adding fish. Do I need to have say 1ppm ammonia leading up to say a day or two before I introduce my fish? I don't want my bacteria to die and need the ammonia to be at 0ppm when I introduce the fish.

 

[FishBeast]

Day 1 PH 7.8 Ammonia 4ppm Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0
Day 2 PH 7.8 Ammonia 5ppm Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0 (Added used filter media)
Day 3 PH 8.4 Ammonia 5ppm Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0
Day 4 PH 7.8 Ammonia 4ppm Nitrite 0.25ppm Nitrate 5ppm
Day 5 PH 7.8 Ammonia 4ppm Nitrite 1ppm Nitrate 8ppm
Day 6 PH 7.8 Ammonia 3ppm Nitrite 1.0ppm Nitrate 10ppm
Day 7 PH 7.8 Ammonia 2ppm Nitrite 2.0ppm Nitrate 40ppm
Day 8 PH 7.4 Ammonia 1ppm Nitrite 5.0ppm Nitrate 40-80ppm
Day 9 PH 6.8 Ammonia 0ppm Nitrite 5.0ppm (max of 5) Nitrate 80ppm (added 5ppm Ammonia)

Day 10
5:30 PM
PH 6-6.4
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite over 5.0ppm (instant purple, off chart)
Nitrate 80ppm

Day 11
7:00 AM
PH 6 (added PH UP I had lying round)
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite over 5.0ppm (instant purple, off chart)
Nitrate 80ppm

7:00 PM
PH 6
Ammonia 0.25ppm
Nitrite over 5.0ppm (instant purple, off chart)
Nitrate 80ppm

Day 12
7:00 AM
70% Water change. Added 5ppm Ammonia (may have added a bit too much chart goes from 5ppm-8ppm jump and I am not sure what the actual reading would be)

5:00 PM
PH 6.8
Ammonia 4ppm
Nitrite 2ppm
Nitrate 20ppm

Day 13

5:00 PM
PH 6.5
Ammonia 1ppm
Nitrite 5ppm
Nitrate 40ppm

Added 10ppm Ammonia (Going away for 2 days)

 

[FishBeast]

I started playing around with some driftwood for my hardscape today and ended up busting one of my new globes when removing the hood to my tank. Not a big problem because it was one of the marine lights which came free with the light fixture. Still a bit annoyed though because one of the sockets is now a bit loose and I have to play with the globe get it to work. And after all that I dont even like the driftwood and think I will replace them.

I also have been thinking long and hard and as much as I like the rock background I have decided to remove it. It is artificial and too visually overwhelming. Not to mention that it takes up way too much space inside the tank. Will do it at the first water change.

 

[FishBeast]

Current Plant and Fish stocking plan. (Edited)

Fish:
Neon/Cardinal Tetra 20

Neon Tetra Diamondhead 10-15

Glowlight Tetra 10-15

Apistogramma Agassizii Dwarf Chichlid 1 Male 4 Female

Bolivian Ram 2 Male 2 Female (reduce to 2 once a pair has been made)

Glass Shrimp 100

Any oppinions are welcome. I am not sure whether I am going to overstock my tank by these numbers but I dont think so.

Plants:
Background:
Brazilian Milfoil
Red Myriophyllum
Tiger Lotus
Amazon Sword

Midground:
Banana Plant
Broadleaf Anubias
Ludwigia
Bacopa caroliniana

Foreground:
Some sort of moss which I am undecided on.

and more to to come.

 

[azzaknight]

wont 2 males and 8 females cause alot of teritorial issues + the gouramis.??

 

[craig855s]

i think that rock backround looks fantastic,i'd like something like that in my next tank.Although maybe not as bumpy as it comes out into the tank and causes lots of space to go unused behind it

 

[FishBeast]

wont 2 males and 8 females cause alot of teritorial issues + the gouramis.??

Both species become territorial during spawning. Perhaps you are right though.

 

[FishBeast]

I have an update. I have removed the rock background and placed a black background in its place. It looks pretty good except the bit where there is some moisture making the black plastic stick to the left. Should dry in time. The water is also still very cloudy from removing the rock background and it is making the black look dull. Hopefully it will look better once the water clears.

Here is a picture of some of the black granite I have scored from work. There is tonnes and tonnes of this stuff there for me to sort through. It looks alot darker than this pic because the flash on the camera brings out the lighter colours in it.

Here is a pic of some more driftwood that I have picked out for now. Hopefully I can do what I want with this

 

[FishBeast]

i think that rock backround looks fantastic,i'd like something like that in my next tank.Although maybe not as bumpy as it comes out into the tank and causes lots of space to go unused behind it

I found that the rock background was making it way too hard to design a hardscape which I felt satisfied with and although it was a difficult decision I know I made the right one. LOL now I have added the rock background too the other random expensive things in my shed which I will probably never use again.

 

[FishBeast]

Here is an updated pic of the black granite which is ready to go. I am not fussed on some of the bigger peices so I will go look for some more darker ones at a later date.

Some more pics of the granite which I graded. I will see how I go for now although I intend to scout for some more finer grade gravel next time I get a chance.

The tank with the driftwood soaking in it.

 

[jacko9901]

looking good so far looking forward to its progress.

just an opinion with the stocking instead of getting Buenos Aires tetras get maybe bloodfin tetras instead as the buenos aires tetras tend to eat the plants which could cause a problem. Also maybe adding a big centrepiece fish like some angels or a similar sized new world cichlid.

 

[FishBeast]

looking good so far looking forward to its progress.

just an opinion with the stocking instead of getting Buenos Aires tetras get maybe bloodfin tetras instead as the buenos aires tetras tend to eat the plants which could cause a problem. Also maybe adding a big centrepiece fish like some angels or a similar sized new world cichlid.

OK, thanks. I will look into it now. I don't know alot about tropicals so I appretiate your advice. I am not aware of any non-aggressive breeds of cichlid. Could you suggest any for me please?

 

[jacko9901]

looking good so far looking forward to its progress.

just an opinion with the stocking instead of getting Buenos Aires tetras get maybe bloodfin tetras instead as the buenos aires tetras tend to eat the plants which could cause a problem. Also maybe adding a big centrepiece fish like some angels or a similar sized new world cichlid.

OK, thanks. I will look into it now. I don't know alot about tropicals so I appretiate your advice. I am not aware of any non-aggressive breeds of cichlid. Could you suggest any for me please?

most cichlids are aggressive during breeding, however with the smaller cichlid its more of a case of chasing the other fish away from that area. the most peaceful types are the Apistogramma species such as cockatoo dwarf cichlid, the german and bolvian rams are also peaceful. also slightly larger cichlid like t-bars, keyhole, festivum, blue arca etc. if you want to read up on them they are all in central and south american species index. here

also your tank is quite large so you may be able to put severums into the tank but i'm not entierly sure on that

hope this helps