[glympse247365]

Here is my 5 gallon Fluval Chi. This is my first post and I have been browsing for about a month but I just registered. I'm really having fun and I can't wait to get my Finnex Fugeray Planted+ clip light and a different filter. The stock lighting is abysmal and a third of the LEDs work half the time. I just added the cherry barbs and I am giving the pleco to a friend soon. I also have a male betta. The plants are Anubias Nana, Java Fern, and an Amazon Sword (not sure what kind). I attached the plants to the driftwood with super glue. Just a dab. I dose liquid ferts and CO2 liquid.

I am just getting back into the hobby after a long time. When I was last into it CF lights were just hitting the market and I set up a 6g Eclipse tank with a retrofitted CF light from ahsupply.com and I had DIY CO2 and my plants grew great.

I'm looking forward to participating in the forum and learning as much as possible!

 

[Verivus]

Welcome! Your tank looks great. I would take back the cherry barbs though. They need much more space than a 5 gallon tank, IMO.

 

[glympse247365]

Ok, would they be ok in a 10g?

 

[Neatfish]

The barbs would probably be better in a 10g. I don't know why the lfs even sells common plecos when they know you need a 500g+ tank for them.

 

[Yokai]

I have the 5g Fluval Chi as well... but how the hell is the filter and lighting enough for your plants?!?! Mine all melted away.

 

[glympse247365]

I am replacing the filter and light unit for a small HOB filter and a Finnex Fugeray Planted+ clip light. The lighting now is awful. My sword was doing okay for almost a year but it started melting last week and I'm not sure if it will come back or not. I'm hoping with the liquid ferts, liquid CO2, and a Flourish Root Tab under it it will survive until I get the light. I'll probably move the cherry barbs and add a few once I get my 10g set up. I'm hoping my friend will take the Pleco soon. I have a lot to learn but I am really having fun with it!

 

[nomad1721]

Welcome! I've had my Chi up and running for about 5 years now. I got rid of the stock light and filter after the first week, and it was the best thing I have ever done for the tank. I will say this, the tall square shape makes it a little more of a challenge to scape with all that vertical space, but they can look really great. For the last four years I ran a Finnex Epcoh 26w PC fixture and an Aquaclear 20, and in the last 6 months I switched out to a TruAqua Type-P LED and a Red Devil Canister filter. I've always gone towards the higher side of light output due to the depth, but I think that a Planted +R will do great as well (I have one on the 3g picotope next to it). It looks like you've got a great start, and I can't wait to see what you do with your Chi. I've included a couple of pictures of how mine is currently running. Good luck!

 

[glympse247365]

Wow! Your tanks are amazing! I love how you utilized the vertical space in your tank. I was thinking of getting another piece of driftwood placed vertically to use the space. I'm not quite sure yet really. Do you have CO2 on that Chi?

 

[nomad1721]

Wow! Your tanks are amazing! I love how you utilized the vertical space in your tank. I was thinking of getting another piece of driftwood placed vertically to use the space. I'm not quite sure yet really. Do you have CO2 on that Chi?

Thank you very much! I would definitely recommend getting a tall piece of driftwood or some very tall plants to take up the vertical space. It really makes the tank seem larger and more dynamic.

I started using a DIY CO2 setup after the my most recent re-scape just to help get the micro sword to carpet a little faster, but I don't normally run CO2 on the Chi. The current plants are the aforementioned micro sword, marsilea quadrifolia, anubias nana, rotala indica, java moss and some floaters.