The Tale Of A Transformation

[This Old Spouse]

You might want to ask what exactly is in the cat litter that neutralises odours. Sounds like they add something to it.

I wouldnt use it, should have gone for 100% clay cat litter from pets at home. ^^

Just did a little research, and it appears baking soda is the added ingredient. Apparently one of the most important factors is that the clay is fired, with no unfired clay in the bag.

 

[mike455555]

its looking good =D

what plants are on order?

im going to pop out soon to chop down some wood for my tank (theres lots of dead standing trees arround, thinking they'd be perfect)

 

[phishyphil]

its looking good =D

what plants are on order?

im going to pop out soon to chop down some wood for my tank (theres lots of dead standing trees arround, thinking they'd be perfect)

Thanks pal

Ordered some Vallis, Crypts, Amazon swords and some Dwarf Sag pal

 

[phishyphil]

Okay so here's the Tank after 12 Hours.

 

[coldcazzie]

If you're adding co2 and ferts then that makes it high tec, not low tec. The addition of co2 makes it high tec.

Good start though, will be following this

 

[phishyphil]

If you're adding co2 and ferts then that makes it high tec, not low tec. The addition of co2 makes it high tec.

Good start though, will be following this

Will start out with the low tec set up, and progress from there dependant if the results are up to my liking. What WPG should I go for here? The current set up is 1 x 20w Power Glo T8 bulb. Which is less than 1 WPG. I was looking at buying this Cheapo of T'internet which will give me 24W of T5 light. What do you guys think?

 

[mike455555]

nice find =] im thinking of getting this for mine

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T5-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Overhead-Lighting-Two-Tube-System-/180710080304?_trksid=p5197.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26otn%3D12%26po%3DLCA%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D3775111873132592845

 

[phishyphil]

nice find =] im thinking of getting this for mine

http/www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T5-Aquarium-Fish-Tank-Overhead-Lighting-Two-Tube-System-/180710080304?_trksid=p5197.m1374&_trkparms=algo%3DPI.WATCH%26otn%3D12%26po%3DLCA%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D3775111873132592845

I know pal, I got my 75 G Tank from these, Really Happy

 

[phishyphil]

Okay So off to the LFS tomorrow to pick up the first lot of fish. Will be adding a Male and Female Bolivian Ram to the tank. And also one Apple Snail, What else would look good in here?

Im not looking to make this a Busy tank, just a couple of species, with the Bolivians being the Centerpiece of the tank.

Looking at
6 Amano Shrimp
5 Sterbai Cories

Would This work?

 

[phishyphil]

UPDATE​

So Added the first lot of fish to the tank this week. 4 Ottocinclus AFfins, 1 Female Blue Ram and an 2 x Algae Shrimp. Oh and 1 Golden Apple Snail, See Piks Below

Took a day to settle in but the Ram is Happy and colours are Beautiful. Ottos as always buzzing round.

Riccia Is starting to come throught nicely in the middle of the tank, The Hygrophila is doing really well in this substrate, as is the Cabomba and Crypt Wendtii green. Corkscrew Vallis Melted in top right corner but is coming back with new growth. Java Moss seems a little dirty but growing, Not sure how to Clean it really?

So Current Plant List is:
Cabomba caroliniana (Carolina Fanwort)
Cryptocorene (Not sure which one, I think Wendtii Green)
Egeria densa - (Anacharis)
Hygrophila corymbosa 'Siamensis' - (Narrow Leaf Giant Hygro)
Microsorum pteropus - (Java Fern) A Tiny Leaf attached to Mopani, Hoping for it to Grow Well hear the Light
Riccia fluitans - (Crystalwort)
Taxiphyllum barbieri - (Java Moss)
Vallisneria americana gigantea - (Jungle Val)
Sagittaria platyphylla - (Dwarf Sag)

Next on the Agenda:
- Anubias barteri 'Nana To be added to the Coconut Shell
-Echinodorus Bleheri - (Broad Leaf Amazon Sword) Added to the Left Side
- Anacharis To be removed
-Few Crypts to be added also
- More Riccia Possibly

More Jungle Val along the back of the tank.

Next Fish to be added:
Im thinking . . . .
3 More Algae Shrimp
1 Male Blue Ram
1 x Pair Apistos

And What else or is this about it in here? Could I get a few cardinals in here too?

720p Video From My Phone so Probably Not the Best
http/www.youtube.com/watch?v=mw9OtwysGgQ

Tank Shot

Female Blue Ram

Riccia Starting to come threw so hopefully fill out the tank Floor abit

Can Anyone ID this Plant? Its a Stem plant which I have bunched together

One of the Ottos Chillin on the Leaf

Gary the Golden Apple Snail

A look at the Tank from the Side

The Mopani wood

The Rock Face

So What do people Think So Far?

 

[Haveagojoe]

Looks good to me m8, love the otto shot they are my favorite fish love them, is there no leeching of the compost or cat litter its a road I've been thinking of, does the gravel keep it capped ?, The plant your not sure of is I think Bacopa but I'm sure someone will put you right if i'm wrong.

 

[Jamepsss]

Very nice, really like what you're doing with the tank.

One thing I would do is adjust that wood (I think it's redmoor not mopani) so that the machine cut ends aren't as visible. You might be able to do it by repositioning it, or even better, covering it with moss.

 

[phishyphil]

Looks good to me m8, love the otto shot they are my favorite fish love them, is there no leeching of the compost or cat litter its a road I've been thinking of, does the gravel keep it capped ?, The plant your not sure of is I think Bacopa but I'm sure someone will put you right if i'm wrong.

Thanks mate, Ottos are awesome arent they No a Single bit of leeching here mate. I Must of capped the soil well. Was Crystal clear after about 4 hours and has stayed this way since

Thanks for the suggestion on the Bacopa, will look into it

Very nice, really like what you're doing with the tank.

One thing I would do is adjust that wood (I think it's redmoor not mopani) so that the machine cut ends aren't as visible. You might be able to do it by repositioning it, or even better, covering it with moss.

Thanks Pal. Redmoor it is, Looks Nothing like mopani haha I have some Java moss in a glass jar in the window with ferts which are in direct sunlight hoping it will grow super quick, then Ill add this to the wood, Thanks for the suggesstion and nice comment sir

 

[Tizer]

looking good mate, substrate is pretty deep though? Could get away with an inch less or more.

 

[phishyphil]

looking good mate, substrate is pretty deep though? Could get away with an inch less or more.

I thought this when i was filling, I have 1.5" Dirt capped with 1.5" Pea Gravel, May take some out when i do a big water change next week for the soon th be built DIY stand Im starting today