New to this and screwed up already!

[Coco1019]

Any experience with Axelrod's Rainbowfish? I'm thinking about this now:

 

[phishfriend]

Just things to watch out for:
mystery snails are apple snails. Which are named that way because they can get as big as an apple. trumpet's can reproduce very fast. Also guppies are I think a 3 to 1 female to male ratio so plan on fry. but the rainbows are cool and they can keep the guppy population down.

 

[Coco1019]

I don't need snails as big as an apple...but they're so pretty! I've read that the MTSs only reproduce enough so that their environment can handle it. No? I wouldn't mind having more, they're cool to watch at night.

I have 3 pregnant female guppies now. Yay. Not so much. I'm going to let nature take its course until I get the 55 up, when that happens, I think I'm going to have the 29 become my female guppy tank with who knows what until they die. Will all male guppies in a tank be okay?

 

[phishfriend]

I'm not sure! It's a good question! I see the lfs keep all male and all female tanks. I would think there would be fights........now after looking online. It says that all male tanks work but there may be some bullying of the lil guy in the grp.

 

[Coco1019]

If needed, I could always get an Assasin Snail or two for the MTSs.

 

[phishfriend]

If needed, I could always get an Assasin Snail or two for the MTSs.

I do like Assasin's and a must have if you ever buy plant from patsmart.

 

[Coco1019]

Okay, I got my wood in. I need opinions. I ordered a bunch and figured I would be able to pick something from what they sent.

I can rearrange them in the tank to lay down or to prop, they all fit.

 

[Coco1019]

Painting is all done, too, though it's hard to see because of the reflection.

 

[phishfriend]

I like the propping with the cut ends(thickest) sticking up so that it looks like root going into the water.

 

[Coco1019]

I've started getting yellowish-brown spots on my lava rock. Are these diatoms?

 

[callisto9]

Just things to watch out for:
mystery snails are apple snails. Which are named that way because they can get as big as an apple.

I don't think that's true. They max out about golf ball-sized.

 

[callisto9]

Your tank is looking great! Love the background color. Wood is excellent, too!

I think you likely will have diatoms. Good news is they're supposed to go away. How long are your lights on? I've had to cut my lights to 8 hours (from 16) to try and control some of the algae.

 

[phishfriend]

possible. On a weird note I was in one of our LFS and they have some new rock that looks alot like yours! all most bought a pc for the soon to be 40B build!! I can't wait! I hope to start the trend in the next few weeks!!

 

[phishfriend]

I don't think that's true. They max out about golf ball-sized.

Those are big golf balls then!!! !

 

[Coco1019]

Your tank is looking great! Love the background color. Wood is excellent, too!

I think you likely will have diatoms. Good news is they're supposed to go away. How long are your lights on? I've had to cut my lights to 8 hours (from 16) to try and control some of the algae.

I think I'm going to get rid of the wood. I found some driftwood that I like better so it's been soaking for a couple of days. I'm sure once I start playing around, I'll make even more changes.

possible. On a weird note I was in one of our LFS and they have some new rock that looks alot like yours! all most bought a pc for the soon to be 40B build!! I can't wait! I hope to start the trend in the next few weeks!!

I love my rock! I'm so glad I saw it that day.

Is there anything I can do to clean the rock for good (i just use a scrub brush now) or do I just have to ride it out?

 

[callisto9]

Those are big golf balls then!!! !

That's a different kind of snail. The kinds you see in pet stores max out at golf ball-sized. The link in that one pic states those are cana snails. The "mystery" snails you see in stores are apple snails, or Pomacea bridgesii/Pomacea diffusa

More info here: How to take care of apple snails: food, housing and breeding.

The ones you can buy in major pet stores (PetSmart, Petco, etc.) will not get as big as an apple.

 

[phishfriend]

Is there anything I can do to clean the rock for good (i just use a scrub brush now) or do I just have to ride it out?

Either really. I would just let it "age" in the tank but if you like it clean then scrub scrub or snails.

 

[Coco1019]

When am I going to see nitrites in the 29? I'm still doing daily 25-50% PWCs (depends on if im cleaning rhe gravel or not) and everyday ammonia is .25, nitrites and trates are 0.

I skipped a water change one day and the ammonia went to .50.

Remember, I have a sponge too. Am I just being impatient? My 10 that I started two weeks ago (it has a thread) is seeing nitrates already.

 

[phishfriend]

I thought you have nitrites in the 29? What temp is the tank at? PH?

 

[Coco1019]

I thought you have nitrites in the 29? What temp is the tank at? PH?

Nope, I posted that I had them in the 10.
Temp - 78
pH - 7.4