Hi Planted Tank People! Recent Lurker, New Poster.
I have not kept fish for about 15 years, so I am really starting from ground zero. In the past, I have had 10-gallon, 32-gallon, and occasional betta tanks. I've never had more than a few live plants in my community fish tanks. The main focus has always been fish. This time, I want to focus on the entire eco-system.
I have been keeping a journal and doing online research. The Planted Tank forum has been really helpful, so I am going to share my journal. Despite serious reading up, I have made a few mistakes already. Embarrassing, but I can’t get helpful advice without full disclosure, right? So here I am owning the whole experience online.
So.....my re-entry into the fish-keeping world is an ambitious undertaking to say the least.
My build:
75 gallon standard Aqueon tank
Penn-Plex Cascade 1200 canister filter
60% eco-complete 40% standard black gravel
Resin rocks/wood with my take on a Dr. Who disaster landing (hahaha)
Fluval Aquasky light
I purchased my initial plants online in a kit:
anubias barteri
anacharis
java fern
rosette sword
cryptocoryne wendtii brown
I set my tank up on 10/10/2019. I purchased pure ammonia on 10/12/2019. I checked the label and the manufacturer data sheet online to validate. I was still nervous about using it, so I started with a very small amount--thankfully. Mistake 1. The ammonia formula has some surfactant.
100% water change and lots of cleaning later….
Bottom line here:
Anarcharis melted down completely. The other plants had various shock levels from the initial change in environment followed by the scrub down. The Crypt and Micro Sword seem to be fine. The anubias is struggling though I have hope it might recover. The java ferns have some brown spotting, but remain green. One rosette sword is shooting new leaves. The other has some functional leaves, but no new growth.
I stated dosing with Dr. Tim’s ammonia on 10/17/2019.
On 10/30/19, I added a few more plants:
ludwigia repens
brazilian pennywort
dwarf hairgrass
Things are mostly coming along with bacteria, but like everyone else with a new tank, I struggle with patience. I dumped a bottle of Tetra Safestart Plus in 11/1/2019. I have a daily API testing log. Current tank numbers (11/2/2019):
Ammonia: 3 ppm (roughly between 2-4 ppm)
Nitrite: .25 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Tank PH is pretty stable at 7.6
Current cycling temperature: 80 degrees
Finally, I ordered some ThriveC and put a half dose in the tank. Not sure if fertilizer is the right move, but the brown leaves on the anubias and java fern with no detectable growth have me worried. There is mixed-messaging on fertilizing during cycling, so we’ll see if this ends up being a mistake or not. It's an art AND a science?!?
I have not kept fish for about 15 years, so I am really starting from ground zero. In the past, I have had 10-gallon, 32-gallon, and occasional betta tanks. I've never had more than a few live plants in my community fish tanks. The main focus has always been fish. This time, I want to focus on the entire eco-system.
I have been keeping a journal and doing online research. The Planted Tank forum has been really helpful, so I am going to share my journal. Despite serious reading up, I have made a few mistakes already. Embarrassing, but I can’t get helpful advice without full disclosure, right? So here I am owning the whole experience online.
So.....my re-entry into the fish-keeping world is an ambitious undertaking to say the least.
My build:
75 gallon standard Aqueon tank
Penn-Plex Cascade 1200 canister filter
60% eco-complete 40% standard black gravel
Resin rocks/wood with my take on a Dr. Who disaster landing (hahaha)
Fluval Aquasky light
I purchased my initial plants online in a kit:
anubias barteri
anacharis
java fern
rosette sword
cryptocoryne wendtii brown
I set my tank up on 10/10/2019. I purchased pure ammonia on 10/12/2019. I checked the label and the manufacturer data sheet online to validate. I was still nervous about using it, so I started with a very small amount--thankfully. Mistake 1. The ammonia formula has some surfactant.
100% water change and lots of cleaning later….
Bottom line here:
Anarcharis melted down completely. The other plants had various shock levels from the initial change in environment followed by the scrub down. The Crypt and Micro Sword seem to be fine. The anubias is struggling though I have hope it might recover. The java ferns have some brown spotting, but remain green. One rosette sword is shooting new leaves. The other has some functional leaves, but no new growth.
I stated dosing with Dr. Tim’s ammonia on 10/17/2019.
On 10/30/19, I added a few more plants:
ludwigia repens
brazilian pennywort
dwarf hairgrass
Things are mostly coming along with bacteria, but like everyone else with a new tank, I struggle with patience. I dumped a bottle of Tetra Safestart Plus in 11/1/2019. I have a daily API testing log. Current tank numbers (11/2/2019):
Ammonia: 3 ppm (roughly between 2-4 ppm)
Nitrite: .25 ppm
Nitrate: 5 ppm
Tank PH is pretty stable at 7.6
Current cycling temperature: 80 degrees
Finally, I ordered some ThriveC and put a half dose in the tank. Not sure if fertilizer is the right move, but the brown leaves on the anubias and java fern with no detectable growth have me worried. There is mixed-messaging on fertilizing during cycling, so we’ll see if this ends up being a mistake or not. It's an art AND a science?!?
