Hi there! I’m brand new to the online community and just set up my tall, freshwater 20 gallon tank yesterday (8/16). This is my very first time cycling a tank, not to mention it’s also my very first planted tank. I have several questions that I would love some advice on:
1. Are daily water parameter checks frequent enough?
2. How do I go about interpreting my water parameter results? I’ve found contradicting information from various threads regarding acceptable ranges. Here were my results at 11:30a today (8/17):
3. How do I know when to do water changes?
4. I am currently following Seachem’s planted aquarium dosing chart (http://www.seachem.com/downloads/charts/Plant-Dose-Chart.pdf). I completed the dosing for Day 1 (Flourish, Flourish Excel, Flourish Phosphorous, Flourish Nitrogen) in addition to adding Stability and Prime. Is this an OK guide to follow?
Livestock:
- 1 Anubias lanceolata
- 1 Anubias afzelli
- 1 other unidentified Anubias
All are planted in Seachem Fluorite Black.
Equipment:
- Finnex Planted+ 24/7 SE Fully Automated LED Light
- Eheim Jäger Aquarium Thermostat Heater (75W)
- Fluval 106 External Canister Filter
I know there’s a lot of information, but I’ve been researching and planning all summer so that I can have a healthy, successful tank.
Any other bits of advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. I’ll make sure to add daily parameter / picture updates as well.
Thank you guys!
1. Are daily water parameter checks frequent enough?
2. How do I go about interpreting my water parameter results? I’ve found contradicting information from various threads regarding acceptable ranges. Here were my results at 11:30a today (8/17):
Ammonia: 4.0 ppm
Nitrite: 0.0 ppm
Nitrate: 0.0 ppm
Phosphate: 0.5 ppm
pH: 7.6
High pH: 7.4
KH: 53.7 ppm
GH: 143.2 ppm3. How do I know when to do water changes?
4. I am currently following Seachem’s planted aquarium dosing chart (http://www.seachem.com/downloads/charts/Plant-Dose-Chart.pdf). I completed the dosing for Day 1 (Flourish, Flourish Excel, Flourish Phosphorous, Flourish Nitrogen) in addition to adding Stability and Prime. Is this an OK guide to follow?
Livestock:
- 1 Anubias lanceolata
- 1 Anubias afzelli
- 1 other unidentified Anubias
All are planted in Seachem Fluorite Black.
Equipment:
- Finnex Planted+ 24/7 SE Fully Automated LED Light
- Eheim Jäger Aquarium Thermostat Heater (75W)
- Fluval 106 External Canister Filter
I know there’s a lot of information, but I’ve been researching and planning all summer so that I can have a healthy, successful tank.
Any other bits of advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. I’ll make sure to add daily parameter / picture updates as well.
Thank you guys!