Fluval Vicenza 180

[mc153]

One of my external would be enough, but I decided to add another because I had it in the cupboard. The flow doesn't seem too strong for the time being so I'm quite happy to keep them both running. It helps to keep the algae at bay. How long are your lights on for? Try and limit to 8 hours or less. Also try not to disturb your substrate too much as this can cause algae too. It's not the answer, but try and add a few baby bristlenose pleco's, they devour a fair amount, a lot more than adults do. This will help out with the cleaning, but its not a cure. You need to find out the cause. Does it get a lot of direct sunlight?

at the moment the lights are only on for 7 hrs but it does catch the sun late on for a couple of hrs. the nitrate is high it always used to be zero now its 20 so have been doing loads of water changes to keep it down but not sure why its that high

 

[minnnt]

Has your stocking changed any? Your nitrate level at 20 is still acceptable. Even up to 40 it will be ok. Waterchanges are always good to do though! Also.check for.decaying plant matter such as dead leaves as this can also add to unfavourable water parameters.

 

[mc153]

Has your stocking changed any? Your nitrate level at 20 is still acceptable. Even up to 40 it will be ok. Waterchanges are always good to do though! Also.check for.decaying plant matter such as dead leaves as this can also add to unfavourable water parameters.

i only have one fish at the moment so could be the plants i have restocked recently and some have not survived also when cleaning the algae its hard to get it all out of the tank so could cause spikes. think i will keep cleaning every other day and keep up with water changes until the new plants get going
thanks

 

[minnnt]

Added the rest of my Vallis from my other two tanks and it has started to fill out really well. Alot of new leaves on the Becketti Crypt and a few on both of the anubias varieties. Really impressed with how it is looking and developing to say i am dosing no fertilisers and am not running any Co2! Lights are being kept to 'about' 8 hours a day, but sometimes a bit more.

 

[minnnt]

Tank has filled out well. Added some Amazon Frogbit from a member on here and i'm hoping it multiplies quickly. I've added mr grumpy back in with his mates so back up to 5 Columbian Red Fin Tetra's now and all seems well! Also added 3 'Strawberry and Cream' Mickey Mouse Platties, but unsure as the tank is starting to look a bit full now so these maybe relocated to a new project which will be starting soon...

Here are a couple of pictures. (Not the best by far! lol)

 

[minnnt]

Added the plants very kindly donated from Ian (although the moss is still yet to be added, will be doing this later on this morning)

Let me know what you think

 

[ian]

looking good!

the weeping moss wood look good on top of the main bit of wood, just near those 2 little twiggy bits. Making sure it's not to central.

 

[minnnt]

I'm going to remove the small amount i have from the piece near the filter as it keeps sucking pieces off. And add it to the top piece where you said. Thanks for the advice.

 

[minnnt]

Finally got around to taking a picture of the tank now that the moss is in place.

Let me know what you think.

 

[coldcazzie]

that moss will look fab once it's grown some! And the crypts look much better all clumped together

 

[ian]

agree with Cazzie, once it starts weeping it'll look great!

thumbs up!

ps, i'll move this into the journal section for you...if you want it moving back, give me a shout.

 

[minnnt]

Thanks Caz. Might look for some Java Moss for the ends of the branch and maybe the piece at the back. Would love to get some more of the weeping moss, but it's soooo expensive!!!

Thanks Ian, it will be fine in the journal section. The tank will be staying planted, but the stocking (fish) will be changing soon when my new 4ft one is in place.

 

[ian]

I can see a nice large school of tetras in there

 

[minnnt]

LOL! Which ones though?!

 

[ian]

you have to go with Cards!