New Planted Tank

[michmash/eddie]

Hi all, i hope that i am on the right tracks here, i have just decided to try a planted tank for the first time. I did originally post in 'new freshwater aquariums'.

I am really unsure if this qualifies for a planted tank, and am looking to everyone here for advice etc.

I have done a 'copy and paste from my original post'

I have been on here a while and i have not really taken the time to post up some pictures and info on my tank so here it goes.

I have had many tanks in the past and in comparrison this is a fairly small one for me (i will be getting a larger one for christmas!!)

Juwel Rio 125 with stand in beech

Aqua grit substrate

Twin T5 lighting

Standard internal filter and heater

Stock:

6 pepper cory
6 algea eaters (i am unsure of what, soemone may be able to name them)
8 black phantom tetra
6 rainbow fish (again um unsure of what ones)

Plants....well now i dont know, my local lfs just sold me a load and said they where best for my setup.

To Do:

1. Some sort of co2 system
2. A few more fish (recommendations with my stock please?)
3. Change the blue bulb for a more suitable one
4. Some java moss or similar
5. Take all the advice i can get on here

Now for some pictures, taken on my phone so i apologise for the quality.

I have been going through everyone's journals and no matter how hard i try mine just does not look as good, not even close.

I realise this is a huge learning curve but i dont think i could be in a better place fro help.

To start off.....

Are the plants any good that i have?
Have i placed them correctly?

etc etc....

Please help me, and thanks

Eddie

 

[ian]

looks pretty good for a first scape. Don't be hard on yourself!

Firstly, the good thing is that all your plants look aquatic to me. You also have some easy care plants. The plants look to be positioned OK (although, you will probably move them around as you get the hang of things). I can't remember the wattage of the bulbs on the 125 ltr, you might get away with dosing some kind of liquid carbon, you'll need to be thinking about some kind of fertaliser for the plants.


do you want me to move this to the journal section, then you can keep it updated?

 

[RustedKnight]

I think that looks very good

 

[michmash/eddie]

looks pretty good for a first scape. Don't be hard on yourself!

Firstly, the good thing is that all your plants look aquatic to me. You also have some easy care plants. The plants look to be positioned OK (although, you will probably move them around as you get the hang of things). I can't remember the wattage of the bulbs on the 125 ltr, you might get away with dosing some kind of liquid carbon, you'll need to be thinking about some kind of fertaliser for the plants.


do you want me to move this to the journal section, then you can keep it updated?

Yes please that would be great.

The lighting is t5, however there is a blue bulb which i intend to replace for a more suitable one.

The plants at the back right i dont like, so they will be getting removed. Id also like some sort of moss carpet ovee the wood and gravel.

what is liquid carbon? and what sort of fertiliser?

should i consider a co2 kit? sorry for all the questions

I think that looks very good

thank you

 

[ian]

the plant at the back right is Cabomba, it is a nice plant and does normally grow well. Perhaps move ot to the left as it won't be in the way of the filter out pipe. We would look at the wattage on the bulb, then you can hazzard a guess at whether you actually need C02. I do think if my memory serves me right, that in the 125, it works out at about 1.5 watts per gallon. You could do with some kind of carbon at that IMO. I would be temted at starting with Easycarbo http/www.easylife.nl/english/freshwater_aquarium_products/easycarbo.html <<have a read of that. As for ferts, you stocking looks OK so i'd probably go for something like Profito to begin with http/www.easylife.nl/english/freshwater_aquarium_products/profito.html <<here. If you start with the esycarbo to begin with, you don't need a C02 system. You might get away without, your plants will let you know.

Your Rainbows look like dwarf neons BTW.

 

[michmash/eddie]

thanks, looks like ill be shopping this weekend.

Im not going to stock too much more...

a few more corys
a good amount of cherry shrimp
an a shoal of somesort

that will be it, i checked the bulbs but the lettering has come away, iether way the blue bulb is going.

The lippypad type plants that are floating are growing like mad so there are some going for free if anyone wants some.

thanks again for all the advice.

 

[Biulu]

The algae eaters you have are otocinclus; very suitable for a planted tank. I like the placement of the rocks and the ucrrent lay-out. Just let things grow for a while and decide then what you want to change. If you want your lotus to stay small (big leaves in the left back corner)then you might have to trim the emerging leaves in the beginning. If you see them shooting up to the top, then nip them in the bud to promote them producing submerged growth.

 

[michmash/eddie]

thanks Biulu, ill give them a trim this weekend.

For now i am going to see how the tank progresses and maybe ad a litlle more stock.

 

[michmash/eddie]

Ok time for an update, I went out a few days ago to buy a few more fish for my tank. 4 ND Rainbow and a male and female Crib, now i explained my stock to my LFS and the guy assured me that the cribs would be ok. After 2 days they were very unsettled so i checked my water etc and all was perfect. I then decided to research them on here and found that they are very shy and timid.

So through bad info from my local LFS, i went out to buy another small cheap tank for the cribs as i dont want to return them, lovely fish!!!!

Anyway, some picks of the cribs

and some of the rainbows then i need an ID for (not the ND rainbow i bought) as i am still a little unsure of what they are.

Right, so today i found a cheap tank, got it home and threw in some spare aqua grit that i had from setting the bigger tank up. Only to find the heater and filter do not work, so back out to buy those. The filter and heater are hard wired into the hood so after a lot of fiddling i got things sorted.

some pics

I made use of the serving hatch from the kitchen through to the dining room

All in my 'cheap tank' ended up costing me nearly £90 so not so cheap considering what i could have bought. The wife is not happy as there are now 2 tanks running and i am getting a 400ltr for xmas.

the tank is now cycling and hopefully soon i can add the cribs, but i really wanted shrimp and i know this is a no go, to recommendations on algea eaters please.

I am now lost on where to go from here, please guys/ girls help me out. What a crap weekend, all i wanted to do is add a few more fish and trim some plants etc,

 

[michmash/eddie]

i forgot to ask, the lighting in the small tank is poor, are there any plants from my larger one that anyone can recommend i take cuttings from for the small one?

 

[Biulu]

The rainbows you have are boesemanni, every nice fish. Why can't you have the kribs in your community tank?! I have always kept them together with other fish and no problems at all. They are not timid... They only get a bit agressive when they are breeding, but nothing serious. I would give it a try and then see for yourself. You can always move them if it doesn't work out.

 

[michmash/eddie]

The rainbows you have are boesemanni, every nice fish. Why can't you have the kribs in your community tank?! I have always kept them together with other fish and no problems at all. They are not timid... They only get a bit agressive when they are breeding, but nothing serious. I would give it a try and then see for yourself. You can always move them if it doesn't work out.

Thanks ill give it a go, well ill have to anyway as i have just got in from work to find the smaller tank that i have just bought is leaking.

It just gets better

 

[stoneagedinosaur]

Loving your planted tank! Great rocks and a good selection of plants. The cabomba (can never spell that word!) is pretty indestructible and will grow anywhere. Just take some cuttings, strip off the lower leaves and shove it into your substrate - free plants! (Looks like you'll need them...)

Nice work - don't let it get you down. It'll be worth it in the end

 

[michmash/eddie]

Loving your planted tank! Great rocks and a good selection of plants. The cabomba (can never spell that word!) is pretty indestructible and will grow anywhere. Just take some cuttings, strip off the lower leaves and shove it into your substrate - free plants! (Looks like you'll need them...)

Nice work - don't let it get you down. It'll be worth it in the end

thanks, what do you mean by rocks? i dont have any in the tank.

How do i go about re sealing my small tank, i have never done that before

and thanks to everyone else for all the posotive comments, really keeps me going when things go wrong

 

[Biulu]

First try to locate where the leak is and clean that spot. The most important is to get rid of the grease, so I mostly use some vinegar. Then apply silicon on and around the area of the leak. Let it try for several hours (preferably overnight) and fill up again.

Good luck!