Si's Fishless Cycle

[PDSimon]

Took that rock back to my LFS, don't like it anymore anyway

my bogwood is much nicer they just don't have it at that particular place. Bogwoods soaking now, not much tannins coming out so the boiling did it some good.

got some prime, 500ml almost ran out of the one that came with the tank already

I saw some weird eel like things in there too, can't remember the name..they were with peacock cichlids. They were strange..!

 

[kaivalagi]

I thought I'd sorted the tannins out with my bogwood but have you soaked for a week to see whether it leeches over time...mine takes about 4 or so days before the water starts getting colour, now I have an amazonian biotope (sort of)

Can't beat the prime!

fire eel, rope fish?

 

[PDSimon]

I don't mean some tannins, just not too much. I might even use some of that black water stuff in the future but not sure yet.

its 5ml for 200l...my water changes will only be ~10-20l!

not sure but really long like 15cm, i think they get really big, couldn't be bothered asking but just looked interesting

they had more bamboo fan shrimp too. They're so awesome i will get some one day!

edit: it was a rope fish and another type too (but not fire eel)

 

[kaivalagi]

edit: it was a rope fish and another type too (but not fire eel)

Need a big tank for those...odd ball territory, hence being in with peacocks....

 

[PDSimon]

edit: it was a rope fish and another type too (but not fire eel)

Need a big tank for those...odd ball territory, hence being in with peacocks....

8 pH

Interesting none the less

Hows your tank going? got those hatchets yet? I think its interesting how they shoal motionless at the top all together in the same direction...

I'd get some if they didn't enjoy jumping into the tank lid and out of tanks!

 

[kaivalagi]

No rush on the Hatchets, getting them this weekend maybe if not next, I wanted to get the frogbit into the tank first as they enjoy some cover...the longer it is there the better established it will be.

I think my HRP are readying the tank with lots of pits down to the glass for the fry which I still haven't seem I daren't interfere right now....should be today or tomorrow when I see fry...fingers crossed

I think I shall follow Star4's advice and get a see through cup and replace the pot with it for next time...so I know what's happening. Maybe a cup in that brown glass maybe so although I can see through some privacy is felt

 

[PDSimon]

I was thinking something like that, maybe against the side of the tank so you can look into the cave from outside the aquarium if you know what I mean!

What do you mean frogbit?

Fingers crossed indeed, they better be crossed for no nitrites in my tank testing tonight

 

[kaivalagi]

Amazon Frogbit is a floating plant, similar to lily pads...it provides shelter for surface dwellers and is good at helping in the nitrogen cycle too, looks like this:

Fingers crossed for you!

 

[PDSimon]

hmm I was after some easy to grow cover plants, I take it they are quite easy to grow? low tech etc?

 

[kaivalagi]

hmm I was after some easy to grow cover plants, I take it they are quite easy to grow? low tech etc?

I'm hoping they grow easy, I think they do. The guy I got them off says they'll cover the top of the tank in a few months, at the moment they cover less than 10% and yes low tech...

 

[PDSimon]

hmm I was after some easy to grow cover plants, I take it they are quite easy to grow? low tech etc?

I'm hoping they grow easy, I think they do. The guy I got them off says they'll cover the top of the tank in a few months, at the moment they cover less than 10% and yes low tech...

Nitrites have not changed or have only very slightly. They best go down soon or I'll do a human-in cycle

 

[kaivalagi]

Nitrites have not changed or have only very slightly. They best go down soon or I'll do a human-in cycle

I feel your pain!

It will be over soon.....the problem is you read about all this stuff and want to get going but can't....this slower pace of things is something you need to get used to though, this hobby can be a slooooow process

 

[PDSimon]

I don't understand. My test tube has gone blue after testing for nitrite. I expected it to be brighter if it was 0. going to test tap water to be certain.

 

[OldMan47]

Easy to grow tank surface cover plants include frogbit, water lettuce and duckweed. All of them are good at removing nitrogen compounds from the water column. Of the 3, I find the water lettuce covers the surface faster than th other plants.

 

[kaivalagi]

I don't understand. My test tube has gone blue after testing for nitrite. I expected it to be brighter if it was 0. going to test tap water to be certain.

You have to explain what the colour ranges are for your test....I don't have it in front of me

Is this yours:

I'd say it there is no hint of purple then your good

Easy to grow tank surface cover plants include frogbit, water lettuce and duckweed. All of them are good at removing nitrogen compounds from the water column. Of the 3, I find the water lettuce covers the surface faster than th other plants.

Good to know, thanks

I do have minimal space above the water line though, due to a glass top and the need for the water level to be quite high to meet the spray bar output.

Will Water Lettuce require a lot of room above the water line to grow or does it grow outward more than up?

Also, duckweed looks a messy business, is it?