Primetime Rob's 20 Gallon Long Journal

Primetime Rob · 08-18-2009, 04:31 PM

Current Aquarium
Attachment 15113

Journal
This is my first aquarium, a planted 20 long. I'm still working on the layout, so any advice or suggestions would be great.

Substrate: 40 lbs Eco Complete
Filter: Topfin 30
Heater: Topfin 100W
Lighting: Coralife Aqualight, 65W 6700K bulb
CO2: DIY Yeast
I've been fertilizing with Flourish and Flourish Excel.

Fauna:
19 Neon Tetras
5 Ghost Catfish
3 Corydoras schwartzi
1 Corydora julii
1 Bristlenose Pleco
1 Common Pleco

Flora:
Red Melon Sword
Amazon Sword
Ludwigia Repens
Moneywort

Comments are appreciated.

Postal Penguin · 08-18-2009, 04:53 PM

That one plant looks like Ludwigia repens.

Try moving the red melon sword to where the ludwigia is. That sword will grow tall and will end up blocking out the amazon sword in the back.

Great start. You may have to start dosing macro nutrients though(nitrogen, phosphate and potassium) since I dont think Flourish supplies anything but the micronutrients.

JakeJ · 08-18-2009, 08:24 PM

Add some drift wood or rocks.

mizu-chan · 08-18-2009, 08:31 PM

IMO 20L is the best sized tank. One thing you should really consider is a foreground plant. I had HC in my old 20 and it works really well. I would also suggest Glosso. Also what are you using to diffuse your CO2?

Primetime Rob · 08-18-2009, 10:45 PM

I added some rocks today, and replaced the chopstick I was using to diffuse the CO2 with an airstone. I'll order a glass diffuser soon. I also plan on rearranging the swords. Here's the tank with two rocks i added.

So far I've had no luck finding HC locally, or any good foreground plants. I may have to order online.

**oldpunk78** · 08-18-2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

So far I've had no luck finding HC locally, or any good foreground plants. I may have to order online.

put a 'want to buy' thread in the 'swap n shop' in this forum!

most times, you'll get better plants for less by doing so.

**vtkid** · 08-19-2009, 02:20 AM

I find that a lot of places in new england dont carry many good plants

Primetime Rob · 08-19-2009, 09:45 PM

Thanks for the advice. Here are some more photos. I was able to find some HC today at a local pet store.

lilsoccakid74 · 08-19-2009, 11:48 PM

That pic of HC pearling is sick.

Primetime Rob · 08-21-2009, 12:29 AM

Today I added 3 more Neon Tetras and bought a piece of driftwood. When that's ready in a few days I'll plant the HC.

Primetime Rob · 08-22-2009, 06:15 AM

I gave up on the forest of Wisteria. I'm trying to give the aquarium a cleaner look.

I added a piece of driftwood and planted the HC. I'll have to buy some more moneywort to fill out the back of the aquarium.

Attachment 14879

Attachment 14880

Attachment 14881

Any thoughts?

Primetime Rob · 08-28-2009, 06:36 AM

Attachment 14962

Update time.

I replanted the HC, this time I spread it out a little better.
Attachment 14960

My Neon Tetras were lined up for some reason
Attachment 14961

topfrog007 · 08-28-2009, 05:17 PM

Nice looking tank. How often do you have to refill your DIY c02?

Primetime Rob · 08-29-2009, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by topfrog007

Nice looking tank. How often do you have to refill your DIY c02?

Thanks. I have 2 two liter bottles with a teaspoon of yeast and two cups of sugar in each. They share a diffuser. So far they've been running for 2-3 weeks and are still working steadily. I expect to have to refill once a month, but I'm not sure yet. I'll prob make the switch to CO2 system someday but I'm still new to the hobby so I'm going to keep it simple for a while.

If anyone has an idea for a good midground plant I'd like to hear them.

**speedie408** · 08-29-2009, 03:38 AM

Great start! You're going through the same process I did about 8 months ago.

08-18-2009, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Primetime Rob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 69	Primetime Rob's 20 Gallon Long Journal Current Aquarium Attachment 15113 Journal This is my first aquarium, a planted 20 long. I'm still working on the layout, so any advice or suggestions would be great. Substrate: 40 lbs Eco Complete Filter: Topfin 30 Heater: Topfin 100W Lighting: Coralife Aqualight, 65W 6700K bulb CO2: DIY Yeast I've been fertilizing with Flourish and Flourish Excel. Fauna: 19 Neon Tetras 5 Ghost Catfish 3 Corydoras schwartzi 1 Corydora julii 1 Bristlenose Pleco 1 Common Pleco Flora: Red Melon Sword Amazon Sword Ludwigia Repens Moneywort Comments are appreciated. Last edited by Primetime Rob; 10-12-2009 at 01:51 AM.

08-18-2009, 08:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
JakeJ Planted Tank Obsessed (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wisconsin! The Badger State! Posts: 447	Add some drift wood or rocks. __________________ *Jake* Beginings of a Riparium: http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/ta...tml#post935761 1g "unplanted" betta tank

08-18-2009, 08:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
mizu-chan Wannabe Guru (View User Tanks) PTrader: (22/100%) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lakewood/Denver, Colorado Posts: 1,122	IMO 20L is the best sized tank. One thing you should really consider is a foreground plant. I had HC in my old 20 and it works really well. I would also suggest Glosso. Also what are you using to diffuse your CO2? __________________ Rimless 24G Journal // 20L Journal (taken down)

08-18-2009, 10:45 PM	#5 (permalink)
Primetime Rob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 69	I added some rocks today, and replaced the chopstick I was using to diffuse the CO2 with an airstone. I'll order a glass diffuser soon. I also plan on rearranging the swords. Here's the tank with two rocks i added. So far I've had no luck finding HC locally, or any good foreground plants. I may have to order online. Last edited by Primetime Rob; 10-12-2009 at 01:51 AM.

08-19-2009, 02:20 AM	#7 (permalink)
vtkid (fresh)Water-Head (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Woodstock, VT Posts: 414	I find that a lot of places in new england dont carry many good plants __________________ Stumpy 10g 26g bowfront "Turn on, Tune in, Drop out" *Dr. Timothy Leary* WOODSTOCK 40 Years!

08-18-2009, 04:53 PM	#2 (permalink)
Postal Penguin Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (3/100%) Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: PA Posts: 256	That one plant looks like Ludwigia repens. Try moving the red melon sword to where the ludwigia is. That sword will grow tall and will end up blocking out the amazon sword in the back. Great start. You may have to start dosing macro nutrients though(nitrogen, phosphate and potassium) since I dont think Flourish supplies anything but the micronutrients.

08-19-2009, 09:45 PM	#8 (permalink)
Primetime Rob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 69	Thanks for the advice. Here are some more photos. I was able to find some HC today at a local pet store. __________________ Yellow Shrimp Breeding Colony Last edited by Primetime Rob; 10-12-2009 at 01:51 AM.

08-19-2009, 11:48 PM	#9 (permalink)
lilsoccakid74 Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 42	That pic of HC pearling is sick. Last edited by lilsoccakid74; 08-26-2009 at 05:18 AM.

08-21-2009, 12:29 AM	#10 (permalink)
Primetime Rob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 69	Today I added 3 more Neon Tetras and bought a piece of driftwood. When that's ready in a few days I'll plant the HC. __________________ Yellow Shrimp Breeding Colony Last edited by Primetime Rob; 10-12-2009 at 01:51 AM.

08-22-2009, 06:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
Primetime Rob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 69	I gave up on the forest of Wisteria. I'm trying to give the aquarium a cleaner look. I added a piece of driftwood and planted the HC. I'll have to buy some more moneywort to fill out the back of the aquarium. Attachment 14879 Attachment 14880 Attachment 14881 Any thoughts? __________________ Yellow Shrimp Breeding Colony Last edited by Primetime Rob; 10-12-2009 at 01:51 AM.

08-28-2009, 06:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
Primetime Rob Algae Grower (View User Tanks) PTrader: (0/0%) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 69	Attachment 14962 Update time. I replanted the HC, this time I spread it out a little better. Attachment 14960 My Neon Tetras were lined up for some reason Attachment 14961 __________________ Yellow Shrimp Breeding Colony Last edited by Primetime Rob; 10-12-2009 at 01:51 AM.

08-28-2009, 05:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
topfrog007 Planted Member (View User Tanks) PTrader: (2/100%) Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 258	Nice looking tank. How often do you have to refill your DIY c02? __________________ Dog Symptoms * Watch Twilight Online * Watch New Moon Online

08-29-2009, 03:38 AM	#15 (permalink)
speedie408 Prof. Algae Cultivator (View User Tanks) PTrader: (47/100%) Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,123	Great start! You're going through the same process I did about 8 months ago. __________________ Nick "Variance" 40B assorted plant collection tank

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