My ~15 gallon fish tank project

[Byron]

You had issues before related to a plant substrate, so you may likely have them here too. Is there a reason you are using any plant soil/substrate? You mentioned cories early on, they cannot go in a tank with these substrates.

 

[Mr_Harrys]

I'll be honest, the 1st ones were dirt cheap (pun inteded). Dennerle are more expensive and as far as I understood and from what I've seen from both Youtube and in person it's top of the line. And yes I've ditched the corries.
I rather do all those mistakes and reboots now, than when i have plants and fish in the tank.

 

[Mr_Harrys]

Asking for advice: Should i go with an Aquael Turbo 500 internal filter or should i get an external Oase FiltoSmart 60?

 

[Mr_Harrys]

Root, soil, fertilizer, gravel and sand are here. Unfortunately the filter will be here on monday due to some sort of a delay at the warehouse.

 

[BettaFishGirl]

Looks really nice! Maybe move the wood on the right back a little more? But if not it looks really good where it is now.

 

[Mr_Harrys]

Yes, it was way too close to the front glass so i did moved the right wood an inch back and it looks way better

 

[MuddyWaters]

There are issues with the fish stocking, some of which have already been mentioned but others have now appeared too. First, the light...some of the plants listed need fairly intense lighting. But nano fish do not, and need a good cover of floating plants. And CO2, not a good idea. This does impact fish according to more recent articles in PFK, and nano fish are more susceptible because of their metabolism and physiology; and if you use it now but remove it later, you are risking the plants. Aquatic plants need a balance of light (of suitable intensity to drive photosynthesis, spectrum too) and all 17 nutrients. I would suggest you set up the balance from the beginning; plants will have a better job of settling in long-term.

I stocked a 15 gallon tank. I added lots of plants. Learned about CO2 and bought a cheap kind where you add water and it bubbles up out of a bottle. It works, but it's very unstable. I lost some fish- I'm wondering now if it was the CO2. I also got massive amounts of beard algae because of the instability. I had to take out all the plants, wood and rock and basically start again. I've gone slowly and it's working better this time, but still finding little clumps of beard algae that I have to pick out of the gravel.

It's interesting what you say about CO2 and the smaller fish. I'm dreaming of a new project - 55 gallon - and want to have a couple of schools of Tetras- I love well planted tank, so want lots of them and was thinking I'd get a sophisticated CO2 set up (not excited about the $$$). I am looking closely at the light, though, and think maybe a good light will allow me to get some red from red plants without CO2 and save me the $$$ and maybe the fish too? I love what I find on this forum.

btw- what is "PFK?"

 

[MuddyWaters]

Tannins are the best. They should be mandatory in fishkeeping.

Why? Somehow I think of swamp with tannins- don't they narrow the scope of what can be in the tank? Maybe it's a matter of how much?

 

[Byron]

I stocked a 15 gallon tank. I added lots of plants. Learned about CO2 and bought a cheap kind where you add water and it bubbles up out of a bottle. It works, but it's very unstable. I lost some fish- I'm wondering now if it was the CO2. I also got massive amounts of beard algae because of the instability. I had to take out all the plants, wood and rock and basically start again. I've gone slowly and it's working better this time, but still finding little clumps of beard algae that I have to pick out of the gravel.

It's interesting what you say about CO2 and the smaller fish. I'm dreaming of a new project - 55 gallon - and want to have a couple of schools of Tetras- I love well planted tank, so want lots of them and was thinking I'd get a sophisticated CO2 set up (not excited about the $$$). I am looking closely at the light, though, and think maybe a good light will allow me to get some red from red plants without CO2 and save me the $$$ and maybe the fish too? I love what I find on this forum.

btw- what is "PFK?"

Practical FishKeeping, a hobby periodical out of the UK. I really would never subject fish to any form of CO2. There is a lot more naturally in the substrate which can cause problems, but adding it...I would never do this. Not everyone will agree, that's what makes the world go round. It is not necssary, and therefore it has no business in a fish tank. I even got agreement from someone on a plant forum once, that these aquatic gardens should not have fish.

 

[AlexT]

Why? Somehow I think of swamp with tannins- don't they narrow the scope of what can be in the tank? Maybe it's a matter of how much?

This was more of a tongue in cheek comment (joke), but I do like the look that tannins give and the fish I keep probably appreciate them too (or at the least would not dislike it).

 

[Mr_Harrys]

Already bought the centerpiece fish. A certain girl here will love it It was sort of an impulse buy )) but more details on Tuesday when i hope to move him into the tank (he's now in a quarantine one).

 

[JuliaAndFish co.]

Already bought the centerpiece fish. A certain girl here will love it It was sort of an impulse buy )) but more details on Tuesday when i hope to move him into the tank (he's now in a quarantine one).

Ooo may I ask whom?

 

[Mr_Harrys]

Betta )) I got a Betta

 

[JuliaAndFish co.]

Ooooooooo

 

[JuliaAndFish co.]