redsea's 20g Freshwater Build

[bud29]

Honestly I see no scientific evidence behind the "wait this long before adding rams" recommendation. They are not bottom feeders that need lots of algae and biofilm (like otos). I can see not adding them right off the bat, but after making sure that your biofilter can handle some fish, you have received the ram green-light IMO. Same goes for rummynoses.

Have you looked into apistogramma cacatuoides "double red" or "orange flash?" They bring the same beauty as GBR's without all the health problems. Even in tanks with awesome conditions, GBR's can die suddenly. Many attribute these health conditions to all the inbreeding done to get the striking colors.

[thomasina]

Hey Red!! You sure have learned a lot in all these posts, and I along with you. Really liked your youtube movie. Tank looks really nice and slick. Makes me wish I had a long instead of a high. If I may make a suggestion, that some will and will not agree with: When picking out your stock, pick the fish you like, make a list, compare and then look for the fish that will be staying at the top, middle and bottom. Creating a tank with all three areas taken care of lets the fish have their own space, not be on top of each other, and makes a really fascinating tank. I hope you enjoy yours as I do mine!!

[redsea]

Thanks both of you! I appreciate it!

[redsea]

Originally Posted by Rivercats

I use filter floss strictly as a mechanical filtration and once it's good and loaded with detris I trash it and start with new. This works very well at removing detris completely out of the tank. You should have other biological filtration in your filter yes? If not I would consider adding alittle bio-media in the excess filter space and putting filter floss on top of that to be used strictly as mechanical filtration.

For bio-media, what about Purigen? I am currently using that. So the floss should go on top on the Purigen? Thanks!

[Rivercats]

Don't know how your filter is set up but the floss should go before the purgen so it filters the water before going through the purgen. This helps the purgen stay cleaner longer.

[Ian086]

Originally Posted by redsea

For bio-media, what about Purigen? I am currently using that. So the floss should go on top on the Purigen? Thanks!

Hey Red, purigen is a chemical media and you should put it on top of the floss. It should be the last thing the water passes through before returning....

[redsea]

Thanks both of you! I still need to buy something that I can remove and squeeze/through away though, correct?

You guys are great, thanks again Janis and Ian!

[Ian086]

Originally Posted by redsea

Thanks both of you! I still need to buy something that I can remove and squeeze/through away though, correct?

You guys are great, thanks again Janis and Ian!

Haven't you got that already with the floss??

[redsea]

Oh, so that doesn't have much bacteria in it?


Sorry for me being confusing.

[Ian086]

Originally Posted by redsea

Oh, so that doesn't have much bacteria in it?


Sorry for me being confusing.

Yes, it would have but as Janis said, you should be using other media(rings/sponges) for your BB colony. You will eventually have to toss the floss, so I wouldn't rely on it for it's BB.....

[redsea]

Right, thanks.


I get it now, thanks guys. Sorry for basically asking the same question twice, lol. I tend to do that sometimes

[Ian086]

Originally Posted by redsea

Right, thanks.


I get it now, thanks guys. Sorry for basically asking the same question twice, lol. I tend to do that sometimes

No problem buddy....

[redsea]

Hi everyone, I have a quick question this evening.

I have noticed some algae on my plants, and was wondering if I should skip the ferts this week.

Thank you!

[calfishguy]

Originally Posted by redsea

Hi everyone, I have a quick question this evening.

I have noticed some algae on my plants, and was wondering if I should skip the ferts this week.

Thank you!

Can you post a pic of the algae. You may have to do different thing depending on the type.

[Rivercats]

Originally Posted by redsea

Hi everyone, I have a quick question this evening.

I have noticed some algae on my plants, and was wondering if I should skip the ferts this week.

Thank you!

Cut your lighting to 6 hours only for starters. Don't skip ferts and are you using Excel/liquid carbon? Also a picture of the algae would be great, plus do you know what type of algae it is?

[redsea]

Originally Posted by Rivercats

Cut your lighting to 6 hours only for starters. Don't skip ferts and are you using Excel/liquid carbon? Also a picture of the algae would be great, plus do you know what type of algae it is?

Not exactly sure what kind of algae...maybe diatoms? I will get a picture when I get home.

[redsea]

Okay everyone, I need your opinion on when to do a water change.

Here is the situation:

I will be out of town for all of next week (starting on Friday). The issue is that I normally do my water changes on Sunday.
Either I......

1. Do a water change tomorrow (I did one this past Sunday, and just added plant "food" yesterday)
2. Do a water change when I get back from my trip (Saturday or Sunday)

What do you guys think?

Also, how often do you put in new root tabs, and how many do you put in? I put in three a few weeks ago.......


Thanks, and have a great night!

[ASF07003]

I've had the same conundrum with my guppy tank. If the fam takes a holiday where we'll be away for more than a week, I get a small water change (10-15%) before we leave and a big one (40-60%) when we return. That seems to keep everyone happy and active. I tried skipping out on a water change before going for a vaca, opting to top off with conditioned water only to find quite few nipped fins, lost shrimp and fry.

Last vacation (we were gone for 10 d), I left one of those 3 d feeder tabs right before we headed out and came back with more fry than we when we left!

All the best. A.

[ASF07003]

I also use root tab every 6 wk for my crypt, amazon sword and micro sword

[Rivercats]

Actually I'd do a big WC the day before you leave and another one when you come back. If you make up the little daily packets of food like we talked about for your feeder your tank should do just fine.

When it comes to root tabs the brand determines how often you should use them. The ones I use from AquariumPlants.com are suppose to be added every 45 days. Honestly I do it about every 3ish months. I would shoot for that time frame. What brand are you using?