20g Tank Log

[severum mama]

Nice. I'd wait at least another month or 2 before adding GBRs. They're pretty difficult to keep (at least as far as keeping them alive long term), and the tank needs to be more established and stable before I'd risk it.

Start with the corys, and good luck!

 

[black hills tj]

How long do you think I should wait before I do a PWC, severum?

Thanks for the tips about the GBR's.

 

[black hills tj]

Monday June 3rd, 2007

PH: 8.2
Nitrates: 10
Temp: 77*

I should be fine doing a PWC now right?

 

[black hills tj]

June 6, 2007

Hurray for new plants! Thank you newfound77951!

Added some java moss, narrow leaf java fern, and pearlweed to the tank!

Also did a 15% water change.

PIC!

 

[black hills tj]

picked up 6 panda cories today, 2 of them have died due to stress(just recently shipped to LFS)...

Will return to LFS tomorrow for store credit. 4 remain and look healthy to me. pics shuold be up soon.

Update:

sadly it appears that another one passed overnight. I have 3 left, do you think 3 is a happy school of cories or should I look at just replacing them with more? I didn't see any other panda cories at the shop, but would albino cories school with pandas?

update

upon arriving home after returning the 3 deceased cories...if found another one that bit the dust I'm down to 2 panda cories now. Hopefully the remaining 2 stay healthy until I can pick up some more to school them.

 

[black hills tj]

Over the past few days (june 12-14) the crap hit the fan. While I was out of town my 2 gold barbs(who have been perfectly peaceful since I got them) decided to tear up 4 of my von rios, only had 2 left. Also the last 2 panda cories died. The tank is a mess, fish flesh laying around everywhere.

So...I did a 50% pwc with prime and a gravel vac. Exchanged the 2 gold barbs for 3 von rios(back to 5 now) and I picked up 6 rummynose tetras. I now have 6 rummynoses and 5 von rios in the tank. I'm going to pick up 3 ottos when I get the chance, and I'd like to try my luck at finding some healthy julii or panda cories now.

 

[severum mama]

Did you test the water before adding the rummies? They are very sensitive and can be difficult to acclimate. That's another species that I would strongly recommend adding to a more established tank... but they are beautiful fish and I can see why you bought them! I hope they do well for you.

 

[black hills tj]

Did you test the water before adding the rummies? They are very sensitive and can be difficult to acclimate. That's another species that I would strongly recommend adding to a more established tank... but they are beautiful fish and I can see why you bought them! I hope they do well for you.

Water looks good. I did more of a longer acclimation. Floated bag for 20 mins, ran airline from pump into bag , added 1 cup of tank water, floated for 15 minutes, added 1 cup tank water, floated for 15 minutes, released fish. Last night and this morning they were very pale in the face(no pun intended), right now they are brighter than ever! They seem to be acting just fine

 

[severum mama]

That's totally normal. When they are stressed they go completely pale. the fact that they have already colored up is a good sign, and again, best of luck with them. They are great schoolers and awesome to watch if they acclimate well.

 

[black hills tj]

Removed all plants from tank and removed as much algae as possible
Removed rock formations from tank and removed some algae from them
50% PWC with Prime and Gravel Vac
Placed rock formations back into tank
Placed plants back into tank

 

[sweetness8t5]

Just don't get the Petsmart kind (Top Fin). I bought it a couple of years ago for my 29, and a lot of the black color has worn off. Now it just looks kinda gray, but changing substrate is a total pain so I haven't done it yet.

Sh*&#, I think that's what I got and I already put it in my tank. Dammit

 

[black hills tj]

Added 1 male and 1 female GBR

Added 3 ottos

 

[black hills tj]

The male GBR died while I was at work today and one of the ottos died last night

Off to the LFS to get credit for them

 

[black hills tj]

Alrighty now...got some driftwood and anubias today from aquabid. I think they are awesome. And this means that the scape got a little work. Lemme know what ya think

Before:

After:

 

[black hills tj]

PH:8.0
GH: 2*
KH:13*
Nitrates:10
Nitrites:0
Ammonia:0

50% PWC