57 Gallon Tank (Learning from my first planted tank)

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by Tomasz

Hi sundragon,

I've been reading the majority of this. In your most recent photos I noticed you have what looks to be a fan/wave mover for water. It seems to do a gentle job, what kind/type?

It's just a power head (hydor nano) to help with flow and CO2 distribution. It's at the back of the tank opposite the filter intake driving water towards it. I was told a circular churning of the water is good.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

[BoxxerBoyDrew]

Tank is still looking GREAT!!!

The Pencil Fish are still my Faves! Glad to hear about the diffuser still going good! I am really thinking of going that route! About how long are the CO2 tanks lasting? Just wondering because my Son has a few of them from his Paint ball days, and I hate to see them just lying there when I could be using them!!!

Anyway keep up the GREAT WORK!
Drew

[sundragon]

Decisions, decisions...

I wanted Discus a while back - Not sure I want test my plants ability to deal with the warmer water (aside from finding homes for the other fish that can't tolerate the warmer temps)

Help me choose one of the below:

1. 10 Neon Rainbow fish?
2. 15 more cardinals? (I may do this anyway)
3. 6 Peacock Gudgeons? (Just saw these for the first time and wow)
4. 4 more cherry barbs?

Edit: currently the tank's residents include 4 cherry barbs, small school of Pencilfish, small school of cardinals, 2 cory sterbai, 3 otos, 3 apistogramma, and a partridge in a pair tree... /Edit

Any other recommendations? I love schooling fish but I think something personality would be nice.

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by BoxxerBoyDrew

Tank is still looking GREAT!!!

The Pencil Fish are still my Faves! Glad to hear about the diffuser still going good! I am really thinking of going that route! About how long are the CO2 tanks lasting? Just wondering because my Son has a few of them from his Paint ball days, and I hate to see them just lying there when I could be using them!!!

Anyway keep up the GREAT WORK!
Drew

Thanks I just switched to EI and I need to post pics (borrowing my friend's Canon camera because my phone's camera doesn't cut it).

24oz (2lbs) tanks last about ~2 months, but with EI dosing I upped the CO2 from 3bps to 4bps so I'm going to say 1.5 months.

[tomfromstlouis]

Your tank is looking really nice Sundragon. That tiger lotus looks terrific.

And so do the tiger barbs by the way. I have always liked them but since I keep angels it is not to be for me. I am curious why your list for more fish does not include increasing that school.

As for the discus idea, I would have to vote no for this tank. It would completely upset everything that is working just right here; keep the idea for a larger tank. It IS a good idea, just not for this tank.

Keep the pictures coming!

[sundragon]

Originally Posted by tomfromstlouis

Your tank is looking really nice Sundragon. That tiger lotus looks terrific.

Keep the pictures coming!

My Apistogramma Hongsloi II had babies! I'm now scrambling to figure out what to feed the little guys.

Thanks! The tiger barbs are gone, I replaced them with cherry barbs - a lot less agressive.

I'm gonna post a video of the babies and momma, she's done a costume change - looks totally different from the other female.

[sundragon]

Here's a video of momma keeping a watchful eye, and a pic of dad helping her out...