[AirSong]

Figured I could get some help, advice, tips on my first ever tank.

Went for a planted one because I believe they're overall nicer looking, plus I don't have space for an outside garden. So one in limited space is just perfect for me.

This is a 2.5 gallon tank, with a very simple hardscape.

Tank is on the cycling stage at this point.
Currently no ferts, ammonia, etc., are being added, I'm letting it run on it's own.

Equipment:
It has a mini filter that runs at 25gph.
Temperature is kept at a constant 25-26 celsius degrees without a heater.
11w fluorescent lamp, which is on 6 hours a day.

Plants:
Claudophora Aegopropila (Marimo), which I hope will keep the harmful algae away.
What I believe to be "Elodia Densa", if anyone can confirm this that would be great. (I plan to eventually replace it with smaller plants)

Fish to be eventually added:
Betta

I'll try to take a new pic once a week so I can watch it's progression :icon_surp . I'm really excited with this whole thing.

 

[demonbreedr16]

It's some kind of Eloda...I'm not sure which though...I have one sitting outside in a 10gal tank that's just filled with water and no fish and I have noooo idea what kind it is...but it blooms.

Having ~5 Ponds (could be more) and 2 gardens of my own, I tend to get lost in them rather than the aquariums.....I just stare at those disgusted. LOL

Anyways, remember betts like it warm...even 90 degrees is ok(not great though...). More perferably 82-86. Mine is at 80-82 and is thriving.

Good start and good luck. I'm subscribed as I can't wait too see how this turns out!

 

[sewingalot]

Such a nice tank. I like the arch of the stems with the driftwood. Very relaxing to look at......

 

[AirSong]

demonbreedr16: well whatever it is it isn't growing as fast XD. I know only two of those have grown roots. Three haven't (had to replant them) and the rest I don't know. Maybe I should start adding ferts now?

sewingalot: I will probably end up keeping it like that, I wanted smaller plants but my family likes the Elodeas >.>; . Ah well, I'll see how it turns out later.



UPDATES:

-Elodea's had snail eggs and some of them hatched, took out as many as I could but some are still there.

-Marimo was taken out, I am not sure if the snails will harm it and I rather not risk it.

-Elite Mini Heater was added, had some low temperatures during the weekend so I went out and got one.

-New light added, old one removed. Fluorescent 5w bulb that gives off 25w of light. (My old light actually died, but they need it for 15 days to decide whether to make the warranty valid or not, so I got this one meanwhile)

-This is how the tank looks today... doesn't seem to be a lot of progress.

 

[Pinto]

NiCE.
Very simple and clean.
What other plant you going to add?

 

[AirSong]

I'm between Glossostigma elatinoides and Hemianthus callitrichoides. I just want something for the carpet. I was thinking of dwarf hairgrass too, but it might look too tall in such a small tank o.o; .

UPDATES:
I forgot to mention there is a small Corydoras paleatus in the tank (It's been there a week).

And an unknown snail I got from the LFS and placed in today, it's large and they assured me it wasn't the pest kind like the ones that came with the elodeas (got rid of all of those already ).

Got a bottle of Fluorish Excel, maybe I can start dosing tomorrow once I figure out the right amount.

I'll get a pic of the snail tomorrow, maybe someone can tell me what it is n.n;;.

 

[AirSong]

... So, I pretty much butchered my Elodeas >.>;; . Replanted them, and hopefully that'll get them thicker on the back. I plan to get some Blyxa Japonica (?) too for the back. I started dosing excell since last thursday.

I have gotten some sort of brown residue on my plants, not sure if it is dust, or algae, or broken substrate. :help:

 

[AirSong]

Added a new filter since my old one left a lot of dirt on the plants, I replanted the Egeria densa to make space for the blyxa and HC, so I redid the hardscape along with a 95% water change.. basically started over. This is what the tank looks like today D:

and since I still owe snail pictures:

 

[AirSong]

Aquarium Log

Log on water parameters/important changes in case it ever disappears from my hard drive:


WATER OUT OF TAP
pH: 7.4
GH: 30 dH - 530ppm+ (liquid rock)

Hardware:
2.5g glass tank
Azoo Plant Grower Bed
15w fluorescent light
Elite Stingray 5 Filter
Elite Mini Heater
Thermometer

Inhabitants:
Betta Splendes
Corydora Paleatus
Apple Snail

Plants:
Egeria Densa
Blyxa Japonica
Hemianthus Callitrichoides
Myriophyllum Aquaticum


TANK STATS

March 5, 2009
Tank was started.
Egeria Densa planted.

March 15, 2009
"Corydoras Paleatus" introduced to the tank

March 22, 2009
"Apple snail" introduced to tank

March 28, 2009
"Betta Splendes" introduced to tank

March 29, 2009
First water testing done after 4 weeks of tank running on its own.
pH: 6.2
Ammonia: 2.4 (Non Toxic)
Nitrates: 12.5<-25 mg/l (ppm)

April 3, 2009
pH: 6.6
Ammonia: 2.4 (Non Toxic)
Nitrates: 25<-50 mg/l (ppm)

April 4, 2009
Stingray Filter Added / Old one removed
Rescaped

April 5, 2009
Due to new filter and rescaping decided to start over.
95% water change was performed
Plants taken out and replanted
Hardscape rearranged to give space to Blyxa and HC
Fish and snail introduced a few hours after

April 6, 2009
pH: 6.2
GH: 30 dH - 530ppm+ (liquid rock)

April 7, 2009
Planted 'Blyxa Japonica', 'Hemianthus Callitrichoides' and 'Myriophyllum Aquaticum'

April 9, 2009
Light bulb changed from 5w to a 15w
25% water change done

 

[Kayen]

Why not try elite mini instead of the stingray 5 ?

 

[AirSong]

I looked for the elite mini everywhere D: , neither LFS nor general pet shops carry it :icon_cry: . The stingray 5 was the best I could get, that or a whisper, and the whisper seemed bulkier.

 

[Centromochlus]

Very nice start!

I strongly recommend getting a filter like this one, they're actually pretty good little filters and cost no more than $50. I know petsmart sells one that's very similar (it can be found in the reptile section, they're made for amphibians i think). They won't take up as much space in your aquarium as the stingray, and will probably do a much better job circulating the water in your tank. Once again, highly recommend getting one, and good luck! :thumbsup:

 

[timme278]

I looked for the elite mini everywhere D: , neither LFS nor general pet shops carry it :icon_cry: . The stingray 5 was the best I could get, that or a whisper, and the whisper seemed bulkier.

have you looked on ebay? :hihi::hihi:

looking good... depending on your lighting per gallon you could look at a forground plant like hc, it just needs paitents (oopps selling) to plant

cant wait to see it progress more

 

[AirSong]

AzFishKid: I did look for that one as well, I made this list with 6 or so filters recommended by the people here. Unfortunatly I don't think there is even a distributor for those specific ones in Mexico.

timme 278: ... didn't think of ebay D: , silly me, will see if I can get one then in a few months, so much filter buying makes my mother worry.

I already asked for the HC (and some Blyxa), it will arrive either today or tomorrow. Will my 5w bulb (that according to package gives off 25w of light) be enough? or should I get something stronger?

 

[organic sideburns]

cute tank, love the substrate color and the newest scape looks the best, with the hairgrass it will look great. what was that brown stuff on ur plants?

btw what kind of snail is that?

 

[AirSong]

The brown stuff turned out to be just detritus, which is why I went and bought a new filter :icon_redf.

The snail is some sort of apple snail, I'm pretty sure it's "Pomacea Canaliculata" though.

 

[rountreesj]

nice. keep the water level up, unless you are trying to get the snail to spawn...

 

[AirSong]

Added new plants, now there's some Blyxa, HC and some Parrot Feather (?), which came in a really bad condition, but since it was gift I'll see if I can rescue some. Also changed my 5w bulb for a 15w since the new plants require more light.

And, since I like showing my fish, a pic of Jazz trying to find some food.

and Optimus trying to hide from me D: , he's having a hard time finding quick access to the Egeria forest.

The snail (named Bumblebee XD) , will be taken back to the store on the weekend, I never see fish droppings, but we all see snail poop everywhere (here, it's on the glass).

 

[organic sideburns]

haha those pics are awesome. really clear pics, and i like this tank a lot. cute combo with the betta and lone cory. that last pic is funny, the betta doesnt look too happy with the snail poop.

 

[matticusfinch92]

This is a great tank!

I love the layout, and that's a beautiful betta you have there.

I'd love to see how it all progresses