My First Attempt At A Tropical Tank

[Rackie]

Hi folks,

Thought I would post up a couple of pics at my first attempt of owning a Tropical aquarium. I have only had this for just over a week now and currently in the process of 'Cycling' before I introduce any fish.

Looks a bit of a jungle in there with all the live plants so I may have to remove some once they are established

Taken plenty of advice from this forum so hopefully everything should work out

Let us know what you think.

Also, I received my CO2 unit today and have just installed it, watching them bubbles can be so hypnotic

Quick info on the tank:

Aquastart 500 - 65 Litres (17 Gallons)
UGF with standard heater and pump
Large piece of Mopani and a couple of rocks for decor
Plants - Riccia, Wistreia, Jave Fern, Java Moss
*I have at least 5 other plants in there but I am not sure of the type/names so if anyone can identify them I would be grateful
CO2 - Nutrafin (Using the supplied sachets but will use the method on here as soon as they run out)
Lighting - Standard pair of 15 Watt tubes - 2.16w per litre (if thats correct)

The tank has been 'Cycling' for about a week now, results at present:

Ammonia - 1.0 (topped up to 5.0)
Nitrite - Over 5.0
Nitrate - 5.0

As for fish I have decided on the following:

6 - Tetra's
3 - Corys
6 - Danio's or 6 - Rainbow's
2 - Platy's
and possibly 2 - Oto's

Still researching the fish so the list above is likely to change once the tank has Cycled

Any advice/suggestions are always welcome.
P

 

[iroc]

tank looks great, keep us posted with pics and updates

 

[Gankutsuou]

as those beer commercials say....

"BRILLIANT"

 

[Andy1982]

VERY NICE KEEP US UPDATED

 

[chardonnay1000]

lovely tank you got there..

 

[cane76]

i like it it looks natural

 

[Neal]

Correct me if i'm wrong but the plant left of the heater isn't aquatic, but it's hard to tell by the pictures. Maybe post a more clear photo of it in the Plants section of the forum?

Neal

 

[DarkEntity]

The red and green one, i think you may be rite

 

[mikster]

Yeah some of them do look non aquatic, very nice tank though, im digging the rustic look.

 

[Rackie]

Hi folks,

Thanks for all the replys

When I purchased my first batch of plants one of them was the "Red and Green" leaved variety that you are mentioning however I do not know the name of it. I did purchase them from a reputable Aquarium Centre (UK) and the guys there seemed to know their stuff.

Another pic of this plant is below:

Not a very good picture but I have attempted to take a closer shot

To be honest, out of all the plants it does not seem to be doing as well.

Will also post this up on the 'Plants' section as suggested.

Thanks
P

 

[Neal]

It may well be semi-aquatic, and you will be suprised at how many non-fully aquatic plants are sold to unsuspecting customers, but usually the person selling doesn't know it's not fully aquatic.

Neal

 

[chardonnay1000]

I read somewhere that you can tell if a plant is aquatic if it is really floppy when out of the water. If it isnt is prob isnt aquatic. Dont take this as gospel tho

 

[Neal]

That's true, something like 95% of aquatic plants can't keep their shape when they are out of the water. I forgot about that. Take it out of the water and see if the leaves go floppy or if it stays the same shape.

Neal

 

[RadaR]

Looks like Cordyline Compacta which is more suited as a marginal plant such as the edge of a pond. It can be kept in aquariums though but I think that may be for high light tanks only.

 

[DarkEntity]

That red and green plant will rot in the tank eventually. Ive tried it in 3 tanks all with differing inhabitants and lighting levels. Just keep an eye on it becuase when it rots it dont half stink and cloud up your water.