PassengerTN
Aquarium Advice Addict
Howdy all. Stepped away from the forums for awhile after some life changes, but never stepped out of the hobby. Figured I'd come back around since I'm starting this tank (again).
Last October I divorced my ex wife, and downsized my fish hobby to only my 75 gallon cichlid tank. FF to December I picked up this Topfin 5 gallon all in one aquarium with the intentions of a small planted tank to fill the void of missing having more than one tank.
It hit all my needs perfectly. I wanted it to sit on my dresser, beside my television. Fit like a glove.
Initially I tried the dry start method with dwarf baby tears. Tank was dirted and capped with play sand.
Things went well at first, then it started dying in mass clumps daily.
Finally I got frustrated, ripped it all out, tossed in a few fish with just the rock hardscape and left it alone.
Two or three months went by, and I decided to tackle it again. This happened.
I was pleased, things grew fine, but I still wasn't happy. I planted some s.repens as a carpet plant, and shortly after I got hit hard with cyano bacteria. I let it ride out for a few weeks.
Fast forward to now. I decided if I'm doing it, I'm doing it 110%, not half jacked like I've been doing for almost a year.
Caleb, aka IAmACoolGuy hooked me up on his old pressurized co2 setup. I'm awaiting arrival of a Finnex light which should be here tomorrow. I changed substrate, rescaped, and replanted the tank last night.
Here's the tank now.
Still needs a few plants obviously. Heres what we have so far, and what I'm thinking of adding.
I will likely tear the vals out, as I'm not sure I'll like them in the end. Recommendations for stem plants?
If you've read this all, I am looking for comments, suggestions and criticism please. Let's hear it folks!
Jesse
Last October I divorced my ex wife, and downsized my fish hobby to only my 75 gallon cichlid tank. FF to December I picked up this Topfin 5 gallon all in one aquarium with the intentions of a small planted tank to fill the void of missing having more than one tank.
It hit all my needs perfectly. I wanted it to sit on my dresser, beside my television. Fit like a glove.
Initially I tried the dry start method with dwarf baby tears. Tank was dirted and capped with play sand.
Things went well at first, then it started dying in mass clumps daily.
Finally I got frustrated, ripped it all out, tossed in a few fish with just the rock hardscape and left it alone.
Two or three months went by, and I decided to tackle it again. This happened.
I was pleased, things grew fine, but I still wasn't happy. I planted some s.repens as a carpet plant, and shortly after I got hit hard with cyano bacteria. I let it ride out for a few weeks.
Fast forward to now. I decided if I'm doing it, I'm doing it 110%, not half jacked like I've been doing for almost a year.
Caleb, aka IAmACoolGuy hooked me up on his old pressurized co2 setup. I'm awaiting arrival of a Finnex light which should be here tomorrow. I changed substrate, rescaped, and replanted the tank last night.
Here's the tank now.
Still needs a few plants obviously. Heres what we have so far, and what I'm thinking of adding.
I will likely tear the vals out, as I'm not sure I'll like them in the end. Recommendations for stem plants?
If you've read this all, I am looking for comments, suggestions and criticism please. Let's hear it folks!
Jesse
