Progress on my 40gal.

[ICPjuggla]

Well, I don't have any pictures on here yet of my tank so I though I would put something up.. It's not much of a journal yet but I plan to put all my updates on this thread. The 1st picture with the blue gravel is how it started out. The 2nd picture with the natural gravel is how it looks as of today.. The water is still a little cloudy from the gravel change and rescape.. Comments are welcome...

Tank: 40gallon H
Substrate: regular gravel
Lights: Corallife T5 2 x 21w, T8 1 x 18w
Filter: Emperor bio-wheel
Ferts: EI

Critters
2- Sword tails
1- Blue garami
3- 5lined barbs
3- Rasbaras
3- Rummynose
1- cat fish (not sure of the name but it dosen't get bigger than 4inchs)
1- Daneo
1- Clown pleco
1- SAE
1- Roticulated loch
3- Hatchet fish
2- Ottos
Sorry if I misspelled the fish names not sure of the correct spelling

Plants
Not sure of the names yet of all the plants, I'm still new at this planted tank thing but not new to keeping fish.. I was told at the LFS that all the plants I have will do fine with 1.5w per gallon.

[organic sideburns]

i like the new scape, that wood on the left is amazing, where did u get it? i love the stump hehe. the plant background should be replaced with a black bg.

[ICPjuggla]

Originally Posted by organic sideburns

i like the new scape, that wood on the left is amazing, where did u get it? i love the stump hehe. the plant background should be replaced with a black bg.

I got the wood at the LFS.

The new background is in the works, the LFS didn't have a black one when I stopped by 2day. They are ordering some. hopefully by next week I can change it out.. The original plan was to put a black background on..
Thank you for your comments..

[ICPjuggla]

A few updates on my tank. Got a few more plants and switched out the background to black. Also took the blue Garami out and got 5 Amano shrimp. I haven't seen the shrimp once since the 1st day I put them in and that was Thursday, not sure if thats normal?. I also started adding Excel to the tank since I have no C02 yet.. I'm planning on getting a new filer soon what do you all suggest?

[Coltonorr]

Originally Posted by ICPjuggla

A few updates on my tank. Got a few more plants and switched out the background to black. Also took the blue Garami out and got 5 Ameno shrimp. I haven't seen the shrimp once since the 1st day I put them in and that was Thursday, not sure if thats normal?. I also started adding Excel to the tank since I have no C02 yet.. I'm planning on getting a new filer soon what do you all suggest?

Your catfish may have made a meal out of your shrimp.
I would suggest a canister filter

[ICPjuggla]

Originally Posted by Coltonorr

Your catfish may have made a meal out of your shrimp.
I would suggest a canister filter

I'm thinking it might be the cat fish too.. So I'm moving him to another tank 2night and I'm going to pick up 5 more amano shrimp 2morrow..

What kind and size of canister filter would you suggest?

[ER9]

wow pretty nice. i agree the piece of wood on left is really cool. i wasn't sure the black background would look good but it really was a good choice in my opinion.

[Trallen44]

Great start on a planted tank!

[ICPjuggla]

I have thought about it for a few days and have decided to go with Eheim classic brand of external filter..
What Eheim do I need for my 40gallon tank? Also when I switch my filters out will it cause any problems? Or should I run both filters for a month on the tank so there will be ample time to get the new filter established, or is that over kill?

[ICPjuggla]

Originally Posted by ER9

wow pretty nice. i agree the piece of wood on left is really cool. i wasn't sure the black background would look good but it really was a good choice in my opinion.

Thank you, still a work in progress. It's my 1st planted tank so I'm still learning.. I also love the black background the fish and plants really stand out with it being on...

Originally Posted by Trallen44

Great start on a planted tank!

Thank you..

[ICPjuggla]

Has anyone heard of a Hillstream loach eating Amano shrimp? Here is a picture of my little guy! I thought they lived off algae and were sucker loach's!!

[ICPjuggla]

Critter Update:
2- Sword tails
3- 5lined barbs
3- Rasbaras
3- Rummynose
1- Daneo
1- Clown pleco
1- SAE
1- Hillstream Roticulated loch
3- Hatchet fish
2- Ottos
2- Corry Cats
5- Amano shrimp
Sorry if I misspelled the fish names not sure of the correct spelling

[ICPjuggla]

Up date on the shrimp situation, its been almost 2weeks since the shrimp were put into the tank. Finally a few days ago some of the shrimp have started to come out and explore..

[ICPjuggla]

Okay, so I just received my new filter I went with an Eheim classic 2217. I unpacked the whole thing and noticed it is busted. I'm Sending it back 2morrow with my fingers crossed hopping the new one comes in undamaged...

[AzFishKid]

Sorry to hear about your problems with the eheim.

They're great filters though! Good choice.