Oceanic Biocube 14g Iwaguim Shrimp Tank

[tylergvolk]

Originally Posted by Overgrowth

Don't put in angelfish either. Just ONE angelfish needs at least a 29 gallon tank. Why not some ember tetras or microrasbora? And maybe some corydoras pygmaeus for the bottom (although they may rip up your HC carpet if it's not well rooted).

Oh, I didn't realize angelfish needed 30+ gallons. Well, now I have a good excuse not to get any! haha Thanks.

I was thinking about tetras because I love remmynose and cardinals but I can't seem to keep them alive. If I put fish in there, I need something more hardy. I wonder how Ember Tetras rate on the hardy scale. I love their look.

[jarvitron]

If you're having issues keeping rummy nose alive you have a bigger problem that won't be solved with more fish.

[Overgrowth]

I'd say ember tetras are pretty hardy. In fact, you rarely have a fish die nowadays if you put it in a cycled tank, regardless of pH, GH, KH, etc. This is because fish adapt really well to different parameters. I'd say try embers. My 10 year old cousin has some in her tank and they're really cool fish.

[tylergvolk]

Originally Posted by jarvitron

If you're having issues keeping rummy nose alive you have a bigger problem that won't be solved with more fish.

In the past, I think I had my flow to high for the little buggers. Plus, the vent(intake slits) were to big and the fish would get pulled into the filter. I fixes those problems once, and still had fish dying.

I could give it another go but I dunno. I lost about 100$ in fish and don't want to do this again... I just wish I knew what was wrong.

Originally Posted by Overgrowth

I'd say ember tetras are pretty hardy. In fact, you rarely have a fish die nowadays if you put it in a cycled tank, regardless of pH, GH, KH, etc. This is because fish adapt really well to different parameters. I'd say try embers. My 10 year old cousin has some in her tank and they're really cool fish.

I'll look from them next time I am in the store.

Here is my list of possible tank mates:

1)Ember Tetras
2)Cardinal Tetras
3)Remmynose Tetras
4) Otto's
5) Nerites Snails

[tylergvolk]

The DSM in this tank is going very well. The HC is very full and lush growing immersed. It's actually growing better and fast since the first time I did a DSM. I think it is doing better in his eco-complete because I'm using water from the old tank which has all the bacteria etc in it.

This is week 3
Attachment 61561

Close Up
Attachment 61569

[tylergvolk]

Hello everyone!

I just bought a new house about a month ago and needless to say things got busy real fast. I rehab housed for a living and there was much to be done. Now that I am settled in at the new place I have some time for my fish tanks.

I have been DSM'in HC in this tank from 12/18/12 - 2/26/13. The HC has filled in very nicely. I have some Platy fry I'm thinking about putting in here once it is cycled.

The HC has been pearling like crazy every since I filled. ( See Pictures)

Attachment 95770

Attachment 95778

Attachment 95786

I added some frog bit to help get a handle on the lighting.

My #1 Goal for this tank is to get a handle on the algae. I do not want thee algae to over take this tank like it has in the past. The tank is in our living room and is somewhat of a show piece. A good conversation starter. lol

I am following the these instruction:

Flooding the Tank

Once the plants have filled in like shown above, it's time to fill the tank with water. Once the water is filled, CO2 injection is required and needs to be kept very high for 2 weeks close to 5 bubbles per second (bps). Afterward, bring it down to 3bps. Setup lights as per the plants requirements. (Cuba is not a very light demanding plant). Setup filter that you have decided on using. If you are using nutrient rich substrate like ADA Amazonia II, follow the below light and water change routine.

Week 1: 3 Hrs of Light , 50 % Water change once in 3 Days
Week 2: 5 Hrs of Light , 30 % Water change once in 3 Days
Week 3: 7 Hrs of Light , 30% Water change once a week
Week 4: 9 Hrs of Light , 30% Water change once a week

Your tank is completely cycled after this stage and if you follow the above routine you will have minimal algae issues except for some diatom algae during the first 2 weeks on the glass which is easily wiped off during your water changes.

NOTE: A correct combination of amount of Light , CO2 and nutrients is required to keep a planted tank free of algae bloom. In most cases it is excessive light that causes the problem. Keep your lighting moderate and you will have minimal algae issues.

Added Notes: This method can be used to grow aquatic plants even in small tubs and kept outdoors such that it gets diffused sunlight. You will have your very own supply of plants for your tanks when you need them. I hope people will benefit from this article as I did and have fun creating such scapes.

[tylergvolk]

I'm trying really hard to keep this tank balanced. The HC is going through a transition period. I can see parts of it turning dark green. I also found some hair algae in a small area.

I added:

-4 Platy Fry
-3 Ottos
-4 Ghost Shrimp

I put a ton of Frogbit and Water Lettuce in this tank to cut the lighting back. I have one light on during the day at 50- 60 par for 4 hours. I'm hoping this transition period will just phase out and the algae will go away.

[tylergvolk]

While trying to keep algae at bay, my HC has died off considerably in the last four weeks. I had the light at 50 PAR on for 4 hours a day. At first, I thought the HC was going through a transition stage, but yesterday I added 20 RCS and they ate all the dead/dark green leaves and now it looks like a barren waste land...

I have turned the lighting up to 7 hours 50 PAR in hopes to revive my HC that I worked so hard to get nice and lush. Needless to say, I am really bummed out about this...

Do you think the HC will come back?

Here is a picture of what it looks like now. The bare parts in the front at all roots and no leafs.

Attachment 112482

[griffin_pak]

hope it got better!

[tylergvolk]

It never got better. Most of the HC died out...

[tylergvolk]

Tank has been taken down and is for sale.

[tylergvolk]

Sold for $100 without stand.