nerdy's 20 Gallon Long

[nerdyjon]

11/15/2009: Rescape



11/2/2009



10/26/2009



9/29/2009



My tank specs are as follows:

Lighting: 65W Current Satellite
Substrate: Eco-Complete
Filter: Generic Filter
Heater: 50-100 W?
Rocks: Local Rock, Local Driftwood
Fish: Blue Dwarf Gourami, Black Skirt Tetra, Flying Fox-tail

Suggestions welcome

[SPECIAL||PLANS]

are you sure those rocks are not calcium rich, they look like limestone? is that the same 10 gallon tank w/ a 65 watt light fixture on it? if so, that is way too much light.

[Hilde]

Yeh that light could cause you some problems. Possible to balance things out using diy Co2. You see you have to balance Co2 with the light or you have major algae problems.

Eco-complete is the best substrate.

I have read that you test the rocks using vinegar are Hydrochloric acid. If it fizzes it is limestone. Limestone raises the ph up.

It is helpful to know if you have soft or hard water when starting planted tank. Also the ph benificial. You can this info from water company.

Cheapest way to do a planted tank is to use rhizome plants which need no substrate or ferts. For lights could under counter light strip.

[JennaH]

Is the 65w on a 20 gallon? it may be a little high, if you run co2 is could be ok, or maybe raise the light slightly? The rocks are really nice looking, but sounds like they may cause you some trouble. i would bring a rock and a water sample to your fish supply and they can steer you into how hard your water is, and which fish would do better.

[dooboogoo]

With 65W on a 20g is too high light with no CO2, IMO. You could look at a Coralife 30" 36W T5NO, which would put you at low-light. Big Als sells them, and I think they're cheaper than a 65W CF. If you do decide on CO2, I would suggest you invest in a canister filter, just so you don't out gas the dissolved CO2.

Otherwise, it's looking good...just make sure those rocks aren't limestone and good luck!

[nerdyjon]

I think the rocks are limestone since the largest limestone querry is 5 minutes down the road.

Also Can I buy a smaller 18" CF for my light fixture? Would it cover the entire tank still?

I will be doing DIY CO2 and ferts if that helps

[dooboogoo]

I doubt that the 18" light would cover the entire tank. If you're doing DIY CO2 and ferts, I think the 65W would be fine, just make sure you're on top of the CO2 mixture so its somewhat consistent. You could also play around with the light period, keeping it shorter can help prevent an algae outbreak.

[nerdyjon]

Anything else that would help algae?

I am going to make 2 1 L bottles that are a week apart I think for the CO2

[nerdyjon]

Updates 10/19/2009:

[nerdyjon]

Updates 10/26/2009: Lots of growth in a week

[Phil Edwards]

Good looking start Jon. I got re-started in aquariums during my undergrad years too. It's a good time for it.

Regards,
Phil

[SPECIAL||PLANS]

looking lush! now its time to trim back the needle leaf plants. they can brown quickly and start falling off into the water, a huge pain to remove once it happens.

[nerdyjon]

How would I go about trimming?

[SPECIAL||PLANS]

grip the plant slightly above where you want to trim and cut the plant below that. this way clippings can easily be removed. for the most part, plants grow back nomatter where you trim them at. same as on land.

[nerdyjon]

So are we talking about the blxya?