[RipariumGuy]

Hello, I am new to planted tanks and aquariums in genral. This is my first planted tank and I am loving the hobby!!! So now to the tank specs.
Aqaurium: 20gallon high from Petsmart
filter: Tetra Whisper 30i internal filter
Heater: Tetra whisper heater
Subtrate: aquarium gravel
Plants: Java moss and dieing java fern
Fish: Convict Cichlids
Lighting: 1, 17 watt florecent tube !Will upgrade soon!
Other decor: lots of slate
Do I need more lighting even if I only have Java moss, Fern, and anubias? Also, does anybody know why my Java fern is looking so bad? I got them from Petsmart even though they didnt look good, at all. Is their any way of saving them? I regularly dose Leaf Zone, liquid fertilizer, should I dose other ferts too? Comments, suggestions and criticizems are appreciated! Sorry about the bad pics, I havent gotten use to aquarium photography! Thanks in advance,
JakeJ

 

[RipariumGuy]

Another question. With my lighting, how long should I have the lights on?

 

[FrostyNYC]

Your java fern may have been grown emersed, and they may be adjusting to submersed form right now. The chain petstores arent known for their plant husbandry, so just give them some time to settle into your tank. Update if they get worse.

You have less than 1 wpg. Your plants should be ok, but dont expect much growth out of them. If you want to keep your rocks algae-free, Id leave the lights on for no more than 8 hours a day.

 

[RipariumGuy]

The Java Fern was in an aquarium when I got it so it was'nt grow emersed.

 

[demonbreedr16]

How do those convicts like that 20gH? I'm very tempted to get a pair myself if they are low maintainance. Nice tank BTW...I like the different sized gravel as that's what I'm going for in my next tank...I think.

 

[RipariumGuy]

The Convicts do fine and are very low maintanance. In the four or five months I have had them, I have had three or four batchs of fry! Though I have never raised them. For the subtrate I got a big bag of normal aquarium gravel and added some dollar store bags of river rocks.

 

[demonbreedr16]

Great to know...I'll definitely consider a few for my old 29 then...

Thanks!

kENNY

 

[RipariumGuy]

How do I change the wattage of my light??? do I change the tube or do I have to get a new light fixture?

 

[demonbreedr16]

You have to get a new fixture....I think yours is T8...but if you want better, look around for light fixtures call T5's....they are great...so I hear.

 

[kyle loves gars]

dont mean to be "that guy" but all those convict in a 20g is pretty cruel. Keeping just one in there would be fine but with what youve got going right now your bound to have some serious aggression
i tried keeping 3 juvies in a 20 way back in the day. 2 were beat to near death
i like the look of the tank so far though its gunna look good grown out

 

[RipariumGuy]

Its OK that you where "That Guy" Kyle. I was really REALLY stupid when I got six them. I am trying to think of a way to get rid of four of them ASAP so I would have only one breeding pair but havent thought of a way yet. Thanks though! By the way I tried to recreate their natural enviroment (Centeral Ameirican river) in the aquarium scape.

 

[blackandyellow]

Convicts... they can live in mud! The hardiest fish I´ve ever had. I´m surprised they are not tearing up all the plants. the problem with convicts is actually keeping them from spawining rather than breeding them.

Whoever made rabbits popular for their breeding habits never saw convict cichlids. If you keep a breeding pair only they will raise the fry for months, you will end up with tons of little cichlids

 

[RipariumGuy]

Does anybody know of a cheap light fixture???

 

[demonbreedr16]

Coralife F/W T-5 Aqualight Double Strip Light-24"

Hope that helps!

 

[RipariumGuy]

Thanks DemonBreeder16! By the way the java fern is getting worse ever since I got it.

 

[demonbreedr16]

It couldn't be as bad as my Java Fern! I wonder if these ferns are EVER happy???

 

[RipariumGuy]

Some of my ferns looks worse!

 

[demonbreedr16]

Really??? I think you should find a new plant then...I'm currently thinking about replacing my Java Fern with Anubias Nana 'Petite'. So maybe some Anubias, or even Crypt's?

 

[zeldar]

If you have a LFS around you ask if they will take a fish donation. They probably won't pay you for the convicts but they may take them off your hands. Worth a try.

 

[RipariumGuy]

Thanks for the idea Zeldar. I only know of one LFS that might take them, only they just downsized (over half their store) so.....