Orchidman's Medium tech 10g

[orchidman]

about time i started a journal.

im not new to fishkeeping, but i am new to planted tanks.

this tank is "technically" my first tank, but ive had it for 3 years, and many different scapes. i first planted it june of '10. it had 2 dps. about 2 weeks later it had an algae bloom, terrible timing, and i hadnt been taking care of it. so the algae got bad. and then the dps died because they got caught in the hair algae.

so i just let the tank go, eventually i did a huge water change and i moved the tank. while i was doing this i cleaned most of the algae off the driftwood and the walls. and set it up in a new location. i also changed out the incandescent to 2 13W cfls, in the stock hood.

about a week ago ( 1-7-10) it started to get algae again so i cut the lighting to about 8 hours a day. but it kept coming. now it has a light dusting on EVERYTHING with a heavier "dusting" on the driftwood :\

it is low-tech and no co2

in not sure if i have too much light though.

i will order some dry ferts from gla and some metricide 14 when they come back into stock. and i have some root tabs that should be here this week.

it is currently lightly planted, but id like to get it planted heavily.

i plan on getting a total of 1 betta, 3 otos, and maybe 6 cardinal tetras

flora- 1 echinodorus amazonicus, 1 anubias ( nana i think ), and some other small things that i dont know what they are.

fauna- 1 oto

i have sone jungle vals and dwarf sag on the way as well. should be here the same time as the root tabs.

here is the picture, just imagine everything with a light dusting of algae.the lighting isnt realistic in this pic ( off body flash ) and the plants are not healthy anymore, im working on fixing it.




Major rescape page 101

[orchidman]

and my HOB filter just broke....

[Betta Maniac]

Yea for more bettas on the forum!!! I know I'm ridiculous, but they're just the coolest fish around. I think the scape looks fab. Your fish is going to love it.

[orchidman]

Glad you like the scape. Doesn't look half as nice with all this annoying algae!! I love bettas. I'm probably going to get a ct.

Doyou thinking have too much light?


You can call me Bob

[Cottagewitch]

I'm sure Hoppy or one of the others will chime in on the lights but I just wanted to say I think your tank is beautiful.

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

i first planted it june of '10. it had 2 dps.

about a week ago ( 1-7-10) it started to get algae again so i cut the lighting to about 8 hours a day.

flora- 1 echinodorus amazonicus, 1 anubias. i have sone jungle vals and dwarf sag on the way. should be here the same time as the root tabs.

What are dps?

I would try a siesta period with the light. Lights on 3hrs 2x with 3hrs off between. It helped me get rid of string algae. With my tank I have found imbalance of nitrates causes algae. Have you tested your nitrates?

I think with the plants you have root tabs will be enough. What brand did you order? My favorite are the API brand. Find them at LNT cheap with no shipment cost.

The echinodorus amazonicus, will get to big for that tank. Have been told it will even out grow a 30 gallon tank. Perhaps pulling leaves off will slow the growth down.

[orchidman]

i love my driftwood, it creates nice caves and hiding places. the best part was i found it, so it was free

DP stands for Dwarf Puffers. they are cute little buggers

i just set my timer so i can do the siesta thing.

i had my water tested at petco when i got my CAEs. they said it looked good, and when i asked for the exact specs, they said -

ph-around 7
ammonia-0
nitrate-0
nitrite-around 10

so your saying i will probably not need any dry ferts, if i have the root tabs? im getting the root tabs from another member from the SNS

im not even sure if my sword will even live.. to tell you the truth. it doesnt look so good with the algae. its not too healthy either.

i want to get some kind of carpet plant for the right hand for front. and maybe the left side too

[orchidman]

i think i got my nitrate and nitrites mixed up! whichever is normal to have around 10, than thats what it is

[orchidman]

they have the gla ferts in stock now. so if you dont think root tabs will be enough, i will get them. even though i really cant afford it :\

[orchidman]

any ideas for a background?

[Cottagewitch]

Originally Posted by orchidman

any ideas for a background?

I typical spray paint my backs before filling them up. You could do a roll on paint. Or get some adhesive backed vinyl from a sign maker and stick that on. I've heard of people using window tinting as well.

[Hilde]

Originally Posted by orchidman

so your saying i will probably not need any dry ferts, if i have the root tabs?

i want to get some kind of carpet plant for the right hand for front

With the plants you have now you should be okay with just root tabs. If you get a carpet plant like Lilaeopsis mauritiana you will need CSM+B. Ferts you can probably get cheaper at aquarium fertilzier.

Originally Posted by Cottagewitch

I typical spray paint my backs before filling them up. Or get some adhesive backed vinyl from a sign maker and stick that on. I've heard of people using window tinting as well.

I use fabric. I just tape on the back with Gorilla tape. It is cheap, versital and there are many options. I think a blue background would make the wood pop out.

[orchidman]

i was planning on just getting one from the lfs. i think that would be easier at this point. but i am planning on painting my 20 long. but i like how i can change it around if itts not painted.

what colors would you think? i was thinking black, but i cant get that at the lfs, and it might make the tank seem smaller

[Cottagewitch]

The problem with those lfs backgrounds is that sooner or later water gets between the glass and the background and leaves hard water spots.

[orchidman]

oh, that wouldnt be good.

what the cheapest way to get a nice background that makes the tank looks open without taking away from the plants. id like to do something that is easy, i cant paint it now b/c its full