20 Gallon Low Light Tank Build Journal

[PattyCakes81]

I know it sucks having to wait for them, but atleast he's smart. Better to wait than take the risk of them dying because of the cold.

So true. I thanked him for not shipping it out yet.

 

[PattyCakes81]

Update: Did 25% water change to reduce ammonia and nitrite levels. Also to restore pH levels. Checking tomorrow the levels again to see if they are readable.
Plant guy told me by Friday he will ship them out because it will be much hotter.

 

[PattyCakes81]

Current Parameters:
Ammonia: 2ppm
NitrItes: 1ppm

 

[PattyCakes81]

Parameters:
Ammonia: 1ppm (low need to dose)
Nitrites: 5ppm
pH: 6.6
Ammonia too low redose back up. Testing in a couple of hours. pH not going back to normal reading of 7.0.

 

[simplicitysarah]

I'm following! Just started my cycle couple days ago ! Learning from your thread! I overdosed ammonia too and panicked til i saw your thread !

 

[PattyCakes81]

I'm following! Just started my cycle couple days ago ! Learning from your thread! I overdosed ammonia too and panicked til i saw your thread !

I'm glad I am not the only one learning from my mistakes! Have fun and be very patient.
I am following the fishless cycling stickie. Are you?

 

[Scottyhorse]

That stinks about the plants! At least they will get there alive.

 

[PattyCakes81]

That stinks about the plants! At least they will get there alive.

It does stink but like thst they won't arrive like green popsicles.

 

[simplicitysarah]

Yes following same stickie!

 

[PattyCakes81]

Update: Yay! I received my cholla wood shipment today! I even got a free piece! Paid $7.00 with free shipping. Got it in three days.

 

[simplicitysarah]

Yah! Can't wait to see it in tank!

 

[Mrs.h2012]

Awesome! Did you get it off eBay or amazon?

 

[PattyCakes81]

No post

 

[PattyCakes81]

Parameter Update:
Temp: 79°F
Ammonia: 1ppm (Dosed back up)
Nitrites: 5ppm
Nitrates: 5ppm(looks bet. 5&10)
pH: 6.6 (Its not budging)

 

[PattyCakes81]

Awesome! Did you get it off eBay or amazon?

I actually got it off of Aquabid!
They seller still has some available! Seller name: Mefitness57

 

[PattyCakes81]

Finally decided on my plant layout!!

The key to the plants:

January 25, 2013 Parameters:Ammonia: 1ppm (need 2 dose up)
Nitrites: 5ppm
Nitrates: 5ppm
pH: 6.6

After Dosing-Ammonia 4ppm

 

[Fresh2o]

Finally decided on my plant layout!!

The key to the plants:

January 25, 2013 Parameters:Ammonia: 1ppm (need 2 dose up)
Nitrites: 5ppm
Nitrates: 5ppm
pH: 6.6

After Dosing-Ammonia 4ppm

I enjoy doing layouts; I must have sketched out 4-5 versions before I settled on one. However, the size of the plants you expect to get and what you actually get could be very different and your layout might require changes on the fly. In my case the plants were much bigger than expected. Some plants would not stay rooted so I left them floating on the surface while I am thinking of what to do with them (root development is going well for them; you always wonder whats going on down there). I planned on filling 80-90% of the available substrate surface (aside from DW) and that did not leave much room for any extras. Good luck!

 

[PattyCakes81]

No, post

 

[PattyCakes81]

I enjoy doing layouts; I must have sketched out 4-5 versions before I settled on one. However, the size of the plants you expect to get and what you actually get could be very different and your layout might require changes on the fly. In my case the plants were much bigger than expected. Some plants would not stay rooted so I left them floating on the surface while I am thinking of what to do with them (root development is going well for them; you always wonder whats going on down there). I planned on filling 80-90% of the available substrate surface (aside from DW) and that did not leave much room for any extras. Good luck!

Thanks Fresh2O! I ordered 1 of each plant. Now that you mentioned it, the layout looks bigger than the tank!
UPDATE: Oh crap! My pH is too low!
Current Parameters:
Ammonia: 4ppm
Nitrites: 5ppm
Nitrates: 10ppm
pH: 6.4 (TOO LOW)
WATER CHANGE ASAP!

 

[Mrs.h2012]

Thanks Fresh2O! I ordered 1 of each plant. Now that you mentioned it, the layout looks bigger than the tank!
UPDATE: Oh crap! My pH is too low!
Current Parameters:
Ammonia: 4ppm
Nitrites: 5ppm
Nitrates: 10ppm
pH: 6.4 (TOO LOW)
WATER CHANGE ASAP!

Hope that water change brings your pH back up! Good thing you caught it!