LittleNami
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hello everyone ^^ Please be kind since this is actually my first time on the boards, but seeing as how everyone here is so knowledgeable, I figured I might as well throw myself to the wolves here.
I started a planted aquarium about 2 months ago, and I have quite a few questions to say the least. But first, since I know it is needed, I will give the stats that I know for my tank.
~12 gallon kit, Eclipse brand, measuring 20 1/2in front, 18in back, 14in tall, and 10in wide
~small (i think) sized substrate varying in earthen hues and black
~light information (which I know nothing of) 120 vac, 60 Hz, .30 amp
~9 neon tetras, 1 yo yo loach
~fish food: tropical flakes, variety wafers, soft small pellets, tubifex worms (was thinking of having gouramis)
~Jungle CO2 fizz tabs
~First Layer Pure Laterite
~Fresh Lab Deluxe testing kit
~2 Anubias Barteri, 1 Anubias Nana, 2 Cardinal plants, 1 giant Hairgrass
~1 medium sized ceramic driftwood imitation piece
Ok, I know that was a lot of information, but until I get my pictures that I recently took developed, its the least I can do. But as you answer my questions, I ask only one thing. Keep in mind that I am very much a beginner. Using certain terminology won't be of any use to me, it took me weeks to figure out what they were talking about whenever someone mentioned substrate. Now, on with the questions.
1) Because I have live plants, I know I am supposed to be using fertilizer. Originally I was just putting one drop of Red Sea's Flora 24 in and placing one cap full of Thrive Aquatic Plant Supplement in with every water change (which is anywhere from once every 2 weeks to a month). I have no idea if I am supplying my plants with the proper nutrients and would like some opinions on how I could improve this.
2) As stated in 1, I only change my tank maybe about 2 weeks to a month, seeing as how I am busy with 2 jobs. Because of the small size of my fish and the fact that my tank never really got dirty, I never felt it necessary to do more than that. Should I be cleaning it more often?
3) Although I stated that I have CO2 fizz tabs, I rarely use them because they cause a major blossom in algae, despite the directions stating I should be doing it once a week. But I am also afraid that if I do the recommended once a week, it will deplete oxygen in the water for my fish. What is everyone's opinion on this and should I be using the tabs anyway and just clean my tank more despite it?
4) I currently have 10 fish, all fairly small, but in the back of my mind I would like to add more, either more tetras of different types or possibly a pair of Dwarf Gouramis. However, since I know I want a lush plant setting, should I just scratch the idea of more fish?
5) I am planning on adding to my plant list by buying some Jungle Vallsneria (sp?), possibly 3 of them. Would this be advisable in my current setup?
6) My ceramic driftwood piece seems a little low for me and I want to expand it by gluing some pieces of tree branches to it to stretch it out into the upper part of the tank more. I currently have an aquarium glue sitting around somewhere, but do I have to coat the branches in something to keep them from seeping out harmful toxins and possibly disintegrating in my tank, or will it suffice to just soak them overnight? I am thinking of gluing sugar maple branches to the piece for anyone that needs to know what kind of branch.
I am sorry about all my questions, but like I said, I am a beginner and feel that if I don't start doing this properly, I will be wasting a lot of time and money. Hopefully in about a week I can get some pictures up and it might give people more of an idea. Any suggestions at this point, however, are greatly welcomed ^^
I started a planted aquarium about 2 months ago, and I have quite a few questions to say the least. But first, since I know it is needed, I will give the stats that I know for my tank.
~12 gallon kit, Eclipse brand, measuring 20 1/2in front, 18in back, 14in tall, and 10in wide
~small (i think) sized substrate varying in earthen hues and black
~light information (which I know nothing of) 120 vac, 60 Hz, .30 amp
~9 neon tetras, 1 yo yo loach
~fish food: tropical flakes, variety wafers, soft small pellets, tubifex worms (was thinking of having gouramis)
~Jungle CO2 fizz tabs
~First Layer Pure Laterite
~Fresh Lab Deluxe testing kit
~2 Anubias Barteri, 1 Anubias Nana, 2 Cardinal plants, 1 giant Hairgrass
~1 medium sized ceramic driftwood imitation piece
Ok, I know that was a lot of information, but until I get my pictures that I recently took developed, its the least I can do. But as you answer my questions, I ask only one thing. Keep in mind that I am very much a beginner. Using certain terminology won't be of any use to me, it took me weeks to figure out what they were talking about whenever someone mentioned substrate. Now, on with the questions.
1) Because I have live plants, I know I am supposed to be using fertilizer. Originally I was just putting one drop of Red Sea's Flora 24 in and placing one cap full of Thrive Aquatic Plant Supplement in with every water change (which is anywhere from once every 2 weeks to a month). I have no idea if I am supplying my plants with the proper nutrients and would like some opinions on how I could improve this.
2) As stated in 1, I only change my tank maybe about 2 weeks to a month, seeing as how I am busy with 2 jobs. Because of the small size of my fish and the fact that my tank never really got dirty, I never felt it necessary to do more than that. Should I be cleaning it more often?
3) Although I stated that I have CO2 fizz tabs, I rarely use them because they cause a major blossom in algae, despite the directions stating I should be doing it once a week. But I am also afraid that if I do the recommended once a week, it will deplete oxygen in the water for my fish. What is everyone's opinion on this and should I be using the tabs anyway and just clean my tank more despite it?
4) I currently have 10 fish, all fairly small, but in the back of my mind I would like to add more, either more tetras of different types or possibly a pair of Dwarf Gouramis. However, since I know I want a lush plant setting, should I just scratch the idea of more fish?
5) I am planning on adding to my plant list by buying some Jungle Vallsneria (sp?), possibly 3 of them. Would this be advisable in my current setup?
6) My ceramic driftwood piece seems a little low for me and I want to expand it by gluing some pieces of tree branches to it to stretch it out into the upper part of the tank more. I currently have an aquarium glue sitting around somewhere, but do I have to coat the branches in something to keep them from seeping out harmful toxins and possibly disintegrating in my tank, or will it suffice to just soak them overnight? I am thinking of gluing sugar maple branches to the piece for anyone that needs to know what kind of branch.
I am sorry about all my questions, but like I said, I am a beginner and feel that if I don't start doing this properly, I will be wasting a lot of time and money. Hopefully in about a week I can get some pictures up and it might give people more of an idea. Any suggestions at this point, however, are greatly welcomed ^^