Redoing my 6 gallon

[Lcc86]

Figured out why my pH has been rising, I tested my tap water after leaving it out for just over 24 hours, and it's 8.4!!!

So there will be no plans to transition to 50/50 mix of RO and tap water to help buffer my kH as my natural pH is just too high.

 

[AJ356]

Figured out why my pH has been rising, I tested my tap water after leaving it out for just over 24 hours, and it's 8.4!!!

So there will be no plans to transition to 50/50 mix of RO and tap water to help buffer my kH as my natural pH is just too high.

If you use 50/50, then that might mean a pH of about 7.7, so out of interest, what are you planning to keep in there that won't work with a pH of around 7.7? Not that it's always that simple, that 50/50 mix means an exact split in pH. I don't think pH levels always follow the normal rules/expectations.

 

[Lcc86]

If you use 50/50, then that might mean a pH of about 7.7, so out of interest, what are you planning to keep in there that won't work with a pH of around 7.7? Not that it's always that simple, that 50/50 mix means an exact split in pH. I don't think pH levels always follow the normal rules/expectations.

Tbh I'm not sure what I'm going for yet - maybe just shrimp and snails, maybe one fish, nothing more than that.

I've had historic issues with pH swings in the past which killed off my community tank so I really want to get this right perhaps with more experimentation I could get the right mix, but am wondering whether 100% RO with the right remineralisation would be easier. Or maybe I'm just overthinking everything...

 

[Lcc86]

Latest addition to the tank, some limnophilia sessiliflora. After I ordered it I read it probably needs a bigger tank as it grows so fast so I may end up regretting buying it but worst case it can be removed!

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Coming along nicely! How about entering it into the comp this month?

 

[Lcc86]

Coming along nicely! How about entering it into the comp this month?

Haha it's not done yet

 

[CaptainBarnicles]

Haha it's not done yet

Work in progress! Doesn't matter if it's not where you want it to be, it looks great and will give inspiration to others

 

[Lcc86]

Work in progress! Doesn't matter if it's not where you want it to be, it looks great and will give inspiration to others

Thank you, I'll consider it

 

[Lcc86]

No real updates on this tank atm, I had a planned op so have pretty much left the tank alone apart from testing the water. The only rise I've seen is about 0.2ppm ammonia on a couple of occasions. As there's a mystery snail in there (and his hitchhiker friends) I've done small water changes any time I've seen that reading. Nitrite always reads 0, nitrate was 10ppm when I first set the tank up but is now 5ppm, am putting that down to the plants.

The limnophilia sessiliflora has grown a little, I've not added any ferts so might dose today now that I am back on my feet.

Next time I do a routine water change on my frog tank I'll squeeze the filter sponge out and soak the sponge for this tank in it again for some more good bacteria. Need to trim my elodea densa from my frog tank as it's taking over so might add that into this tank as well.

I'm thinking of going for a betta given the tank size. I did read recently about pygmy sunfish which I love the look of but I hears they breed easily and don't have space for fry so probably ruling them out.

 

[AJ356]

With the ammonia readings, are you using API liquid testing? If so, I found that false positives of very low ammonia level will happen unless I only use the test tubes for ammonia testing. I used to mix the tubes for ammonia and nitrite tests. No matter how well I rinsed out the tubes afterwards, I'm convinced my false positive readings were because of this. Might not apply to you.

 

[Lcc86]

With the ammonia readings, are you using API liquid testing? If so, I found that false positives of very low ammonia level will happen unless I only use the test tubes for ammonia testing. I used to mix the tubes for ammonia and nitrite tests. No matter how well I rinsed out the tubes afterwards, I'm convinced my false positive readings were because of this. Might not apply to you.

Funnily enough I do have the API kit but my ammonia ran out, decided to try NT Labs one, so I've been using the dedicated tube that comes with that kit. Might potentially be a false reading, or dodgy eyesight haha.

 

[Lcc86]

Did my routine change on my frog tank and squeezed out the filter gunk into a jug. When I checked the filter sponge in this tank, it did already have some gunk which is great. I still soaked it in the frog gunk and added a bit of the gunky water into the tank as well. Perhaps the ammonia reading was false? Also added some elodea, my go to. I'm going to order some rotala walichi, I'm not sure if it will work in this tank as I have no idea what light is on it as it's the one that came with the tank, and I can't remember what make of tank it is.

It's probably ready for livestock but I'm not able to get to the shop I want to try for a few more weeks so I'll just keep giving it some TLC in the meantime and do some more planting.

 

[Abaddon]

It's coming along nicely, congrats! With livestock, I generally think that too late is better than too early , but if your tests are fine then I guess you can try - maybe a few shrimp first?

 

[Lcc86]

It's coming along nicely, congrats! With livestock, I generally think that too late is better than too early , but if your tests are fine then I guess you can try - maybe a few shrimp first?

I've got my surviving mystery snail plus some hitchhikers. That's why I've been so cautious with my parameters. I have some berried shrimp in my frog tank so I have a preexisting supply but am leaning towards a betta, and my last betta was rather murderous with shrimp haha.

 

[Lcc86]

Ordered some rotala walichi and it arrived overnight (thanks ebay!). Excuse the dirty glass/reflections. I know the plants will grow but that negative space irritates me so much!