Stef's first planted tank - 50g build.

[Stefernini]

After two, count them, TWO 90% water changes, my nitrates are still almost too high. I've got a kickin' filter going I guess.





Do you guys think I should do one more? Maybe 50% before adding fish?

Oh and any ideas as to why my ph would drop with a water change? Its been a steady 7.8 until I started trying to get rid of the nitrates, now its 7.4

 

[Kharrnn]

It looks like you're at 20 ppm? If so, it's a little high but within tolerable levels for fish. Wouldn't hurt to do another though.

 

[Stefernini]

I finally have fish! A dozen cherry shrimp and 8 tiny celestial pearl danios and an albino bn pleco for now. I added some plants and swapped out the big log. I have some java moss as well, just haven't added it yet.

 

[Kharrnn]

You switched out the big log? I liked that one! lol

 

[Andysol]

Looks really good. Tons of room for plants to grow on the left.

 

[boadams87]

How's the trates doing?

 

[Stefernini]

Hanging at about 10. I did another 50% before buying the fish.

 

[boadams87]

Looking good

 

[Stefernini]

Thanks!

 

[Stefernini]

My tank is stable (0,0,5 consistently), the brown stuff is almost gone and I am now stocked! Yay!

12 Red Cherry Shrimp
1 Albino BN Pleco
4 Ottos (All fat and happy)
8 Celestial Pearl Danios
6 Lemon Tetras (will add 4 more next time my lfs gets some in)
3 Painted Swordtails
and 2 Honey Gourami I fell in love with! (I'll post pics once they settle)

Now I get to sit back and enjoy all my work and wait for the plants to fill in.

I did sadly lose two ottos the first night I had them even tho the water all tested okay and I acclimated them slowly. I got two more, and so far so good with the four little guys.

 

[Kharrnn]

I like what I've seen so far. Can't wait to come over and see in person though. I'm excited!

 

[Stefernini]

My two honeys are being terribly shy

 

[Stefernini]

Pics!

I need more plants.....and a better camera

My painted swordtails - Love them!

My honeys - hope they get comfy soon and come out more

My four remaining lemons and some danios

This little guy is starting show quite the personality, very glad I got him/her - and one of my remaining ottos is in the background

My shrimp have all gone into hiding, except for a few bold females, due to the big scary swordtails for now. I'm hoping they'll come out again once everyone is settled in.

 

[Kharrnn]

I'll be arriving with plants in about a month. I just added co2 to my new tank so my plants will grow rapidly and be ready for transport.

I like your tank a lot. Can't wait to see it. Maybe you'll have teeny tiny shrimp babies when I get there

 

[Stefernini]

Yay! I may have some for you as well, want any amazon swords?


I told you I saw a berried shrimp, so I hope so. I think I have enough hiding places considering I can't find a single adult at the moment

 

[Kharrnn]

Are they low light plants? I have some space in my 10 now.

 

[Stefernini]

Are they low light plants? I have some space in my 10 now.

Moderate and actually would outgrow your 10

I may have some bacopa for you, it's undemanding. I may also have some wisteria available by then too, but it's also moderate. My ludwigia is growing slower, so I probably won't have any of that yet.

Do you have any floating plants? I'm in need of those for my gourami

 

[Kharrnn]

No, nothing floating except duckweed, but my filters keep sucking it up so I really don't have much. I suppose you could let java moss float, but it wouldn't do well. I'm actually not sure what a good floating plant would be.

Speaking of java moss, did you want some of that too?

 

[Stefernini]

The little bit of duckweed I have gets sucked up too. I'm good on java moss, but thanks anyway.

I pulled my pennywort and am letting it float for now, there just isn't much. when I do catch the honey's out tho, they're under it and I'm pretty sure I managed to get a male and female, yay!

As much as I want a betta, I may put my honeys in the 10 when I get it set up and see if I can get them to breed. I think I have too much flow in the 50 for a betta to be comfy, and maybe the honeys too. I have to do more research first tho, I am finding mixed reviews on the minimum sized tank the honeys should be in.

 

[Kharrnn]

Cool. So I'm bringing Rotala Walichii, Java fern and Stargrass. I got some Cambomba recently and could bring a piece of that too if you want. Not much though, unless it does amazingly well in my tank in a month.