Introduction post and new covid quarantine project. Could use some advice on some specific items.

[mcordelia]

I think your vision of a tank is totally attainable, though I think the way folks talk about it on the forum may use different terminology. The philosophy that I think most folks ascribe to is that in a properly cycled tank with some plants etc, there shortly be no reason for an ammonia spike to happen, and if it does, the answer is water changes until it goes away.

Similarly, what I see being repeated most often in the algae forum is that the solution to algae is figuring out what's going on with your tank parameters, and you get those in a stable maintained state and the algae problem should solve itself so to speak. That's not to say you can't have a snail or something that's part of your tank plan to take care of algae, but no need to add an animal to take care of the problem so to speak.

I think if you are able to set up the auto water changing system, then your mantra becomes: "ammonia spike? Set water change system to do 125% over next 48h. Algae creeping in? Adjust lights / tweak fertilizer routine."

So with all of that being said, I think your most important planning part will probably be the water change item. Is the wall your tank is on by any chance bordering a utility room or staircase? That would be a nice way to sneak plumbing in unobtrusively.

 

[mcordelia]

Also forgot to include it in my previous post: wicked cool about the diving gigs!!! How much does a sunken cell phone pay lol

 

[clambert122]

I think your vision of a tank is totally attainable, though I think the way folks talk about it on the forum may use different terminology. The philosophy that I think most folks ascribe to is that in a properly cycled tank with some plants etc, there shortly be no reason for an ammonia spike to happen, and if it does, the answer is water changes until it goes away.

Similarly, what I see being repeated most often in the algae forum is that the solution to algae is figuring out what's going on with your tank parameters, and you get those in a stable maintained state and the algae problem should solve itself so to speak. That's not to say you can't have a snail or something that's part of your tank plan to take care of algae, but no need to add an animal to take care of the problem so to speak.

I think if you are able to set up the auto water changing system, then your mantra becomes: "ammonia spike? Set water change system to do 125% over next 48h. Algae creeping in? Adjust lights / tweak fertilizer routine."

So with all of that being said, I think your most important planning part will probably be the water change item. Is the wall your tank is on by any chance bordering a utility room or staircase? That would be a nice way to sneak plumbing in unobtrusively.

Ya, but there will always be some algae. I do have a in-line Fluval UV sterilizer to help with that.

I think you miss understood. I dont want to keep putting out fires and running from problem to problem, with tyhis or that. But to tweak it into its initial balance and then maintain that. There is that initial struggle to get the "perfect" water when your just starting to build. new fish, new plants, etc etc.

And I charge 200 bucks + expenses ( parking, tank of air ) for 1 hour of searching.