My 38 Gallon Diary!

[MrMalta]

Hey All, I just recently got a new tank. A week ago I got the stand and the tank all set up and here's what it looked like:







Taken with my camera phone.. too lazy to get the digi.

 

[MrMalta]

After a couple of days I finally got some substrate and a Penguin 350 Biowheel which didn't fit at first. But I used a Dremel (thanks purrbox) and cut out some of the hood.





What do you all think so far? There's still plenty of stuff I need, including a heater or two.

I used black felt as the background.

 

[Zagz]

Looking good for starters. I am partial to black backgrounds.

 

[MrMalta]

As my tank currently sits!

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4408/camera051mh1.jpg

 

[MrMalta]

I have no idea how everyone is getting picture perfect clear pictures, I just cant seem to do it!

Camera: HP Photosmart R607

Currently in the tank:

2 ceratopteris thalictroides (indian fern)
3 elodea densa
1 red tailed shark
6 black tetras
9 neon tetras

 

[MrMalta]

Any thoughts?

 

[neilanh]

Turn off all of the lights in the room except the tank lights. Use a tripod, and no flash.

 

[speckz]

Turn off all of the lights in the room except the tank lights. Use a tripod, and no flash.

And take pictures at night.

 

[MrMalta]

Well, here's an update.

Just a quick question - there's tiny "dust particle" looking things floating around my aquarium that I noticed ever since I got my new light w/ a blue actinic. I'm pretty sure I'm not over feeding. My filter is working, what is it? Just tiny little dust looking stuff.

Anyways, on to the updates!

View from the top.

Opinions, recommendations, etc, welcome!

 

[neilanh]

Might be particulate too small to be contained within your filter media. Try adding some filter floss and see if that clears it up.

 

[MrMalta]

Alright I'll give that a shot - I'm putting at the very back of the filter or the very front? There's the cartridges that it came with in the middle. Penguin Biowheel 350.

 

[neilanh]

Put it as the last thing the water flows through before it reenters the tank. let the standard media for the penguin capture the larger stuff, then this will catch the leftovers hopefully.

 

[MrMalta]

Didn't clear it up!

 

[MrMalta]

Quick update of growth.

 

[pitt420dude]

Is the dust just actually bubbles? I (like most people I imagine) have those in my tank and they're fin. I think they actually look cool.

YOur plant growth looks great! They're taking off. What kind of lighting do you have, how do you fertilize?

 

[MrMalta]

I don't think they're bubbles. They could be but it doesn't look like it.

I have a Current USA 2 x 39 watt light with one bulb being 10000k and the other being 6700 which I dont like too much as it makes the tank look kinda yellowish, but ever since the new lights and the DIY CO2 the plants have really started to grow!

I do not fertalize yet. I was thinking about it, gotta head to the store.

I just put some java moss, tiny tiny little bit on the drift wood and I'm hoping that will grow quick and cover the bottom of the tank and the wood.

 

[CatatonicBug]

Are those just overturned black flower pots half-buried in the gravel? That is such a cool idea as hiding places that still allow you to see the fish!

I had never thought of puting in a background, but now that I think about it, it would be nice for hiding the filter hoses and camoflaging the black heater... I think I just might try that in my tank.

 

[Karegg]

I really like the look of this tank! What plants and equipment do you have in there?

 

[MrMalta]

Are those just overturned black flower pots half-buried in the gravel? That is such a cool idea as hiding places that still allow you to see the fish!

I had never thought of puting in a background, but now that I think about it, it would be nice for hiding the filter hoses and camoflaging the black heater... I think I just might try that in my tank.

That's actually a black PVC pipe that I used and half buried. It's three pieces at a 2" diameter I think. They were cheap at like .47 each and my red tailed shark loves it! It's awesome to see him swim in one side, peak out the other, turn around swim back.. you should try it!

Karegg - Thanks!

I have a Penguin Biowheel 350. A stealth 200w heater. DIY CO2 and 2x39 watt Current USA lighting one at 10000k the other at 6700k.

The plants I have, well, only three right now but I liked the look so much it was hard to find any more to compliment! They are, 2 ceratopteris thalictroides (indian fern), 3 elodea densa and recently I put a tiny bit of java moss in, I'll see how that does.

Thanks for the compliments guys!

 

[Paty]

Great lookin tank, MrMalta! Seeing it makes me want to go ahead and use real plants in our first tank! : )