The Planted Tank Forum - View Single Post - Safado's 55g (Warning 56K) New Pics 10/08

Safado · 07-21-2005, 04:29 AM

I decided to start a journal. Hopefully when I mess up you pros out there can help me out, and more importantly, this may help some future newbie.

Beginning fauna:
7 Otos (one doesn't look like it'll make it)
A bunch of guppies (15 or so feeders, 3 fancy from a shrimp holding tank) I had bought to "cycle" the tank, which I discovered didn't need to be done.
7 Mystery snails

Lights: 4X 40W
lighting schedule by timer: on at 6:00 am-10:00AM, and on again 4:00PM-10:30PM.
PH without CO2: 7.8-7.9ish
KH between 180 and 300 ppm (does anyone know of a more acurate test than Jungle quick dip?)
GH 75 ppm
when the tank is lit I keep the ph at 7.2-7.3 with Pressurized CO2 and a Milwaukee PH SMS 122 meter. Will it hurt the fish, and later the shrimp if I allow the PH to swing back to 7.8 during unlit hours?

Here is the before picture:

I got the plant package I had ordered, and here is what attempt 1 looked like:

One plant didn't live through the hot temperature in transit. I think it was the glosso. It was just a colorless glob when I got it.

I got another package today with tons of healthy plants. I think it is much better to buy from other hobbiest either through this forum or aquabid. The plants are healthier, and bigger proportions.

Here is the current set up:

Here is the view from where I sit:

Here are the questions. Can I get Java fern, and or moss to attach and grow on this piece of aquarium decoration? that is a little moss ball sitting on top now:

would Calcium Carbonate be beneficial or harmful? I bought some from Greg with my ferts, just in case.

Here is what else I got from Greg, though I have heard it is best to give the plants time to settle in before starting to start dosing.

Potassium Nitrate
Mono Potasium Phosphate
Potassium Sulfate
CSM+B

What I have read about dosing seems daunting, but hopefully I can take it in stride

Last question:
Is it good, bad, or does it matter if other light enters from the side? I have a 65W twist in Fluorecent bulb sitting next to one side of the tank with a few house plants under it.

Thanks for looking and your comments!

07-21-2005, 04:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
Safado Still a Newbie (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2) Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 503	Safado's 55g (Warning 56K) New Pics 10/08 I decided to start a journal. Hopefully when I mess up you pros out there can help me out, and more importantly, this may help some future newbie. Beginning fauna: 7 Otos (one doesn't look like it'll make it) A bunch of guppies (15 or so feeders, 3 fancy from a shrimp holding tank) I had bought to "cycle" the tank, which I discovered didn't need to be done. 7 Mystery snails Lights: 4X 40W lighting schedule by timer: on at 6:00 am-10:00AM, and on again 4:00PM-10:30PM. PH without CO2: 7.8-7.9ish KH between 180 and 300 ppm (does anyone know of a more acurate test than Jungle quick dip?) GH 75 ppm when the tank is lit I keep the ph at 7.2-7.3 with Pressurized CO2 and a Milwaukee PH SMS 122 meter. Will it hurt the fish, and later the shrimp if I allow the PH to swing back to 7.8 during unlit hours? Here is the before picture: I got the plant package I had ordered, and here is what attempt 1 looked like: One plant didn't live through the hot temperature in transit. I think it was the glosso. It was just a colorless glob when I got it. I got another package today with tons of healthy plants. I think it is much better to buy from other hobbiest either through this forum or aquabid. The plants are healthier, and bigger proportions. Here is the current set up: Here is the view from where I sit: Here are the questions. Can I get Java fern, and or moss to attach and grow on this piece of aquarium decoration? that is a little moss ball sitting on top now: would Calcium Carbonate be beneficial or harmful? I bought some from Greg with my ferts, just in case. Here is what else I got from Greg, though I have heard it is best to give the plants time to settle in before starting to start dosing. Potassium Nitrate Mono Potasium Phosphate Potassium Sulfate CSM+B What I have read about dosing seems daunting, but hopefully I can take it in stride Last question: Is it good, bad, or does it matter if other light enters from the side? I have a 65W twist in Fluorecent bulb sitting next to one side of the tank with a few house plants under it. Thanks for looking and your comments! Last edited by Safado; 10-09-2005 at 03:28 AM.