My FIRST Build Thread!!!!!20gallon high

[mr.waffles1842]

So i was out biking yesterday and guess what i found at a tag sale? a 20 gallon fishtank, with a filter, heater, and gravel that wereill unopened! all for $40! So i bought it soon afterwards, and now its on my desk, waiting to be used! i decided to start a build thread. In here is going my platys from my old tank, a cutting of water wisteria, and some other fish. Now that i have more space, im planning to use the rocks ive found in it.!!! Id post pics, but i cant find my cord for my camera......... I cleaned out the tank, and the gravel, and tomorrow i plant to get a cover for it. Im SOOOOOOOO excited!!!!!

 

[mr.waffles1842]

I got around to getting a cover! I set up the tank, and the filter, heater, and other electrical stuff is running. I'm planning on a fishless cycle.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

Yay!!!!! Now my gravel is finally in!!! The Water pH is fine, and soon ill add my plants. im planning on java fern, java moss, alot of anubias, micro swords, and a carpet plant. Anyone have any good ideas for the carpet plant?

Here's my stocking plan so far:

3 platys
4 julii corys
3 otos
6 cherry barbs

any comments?

 

[mudraker]

What kind types of lights, wattage, k rating etc. do you have?

Most carpet plants need a great deal of light, fertz and co2.

The other plants you mentioned will probably be okay under lowlight with minimal or no fertz. Swords will need a fert in immature substrate though.

 

[Galligak]

That sounds like an awesome find! So watching this! I know that mosses do good for carpets. I would up the number of cories to 6, and maybe take out the platies because that cause a lot of mess, and otto need groups of 5.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

What kind types of lights, wattage, k rating etc. do you have?

Most carpet plants need a great deal of light, fertz and co2.

The other plants you mentioned will probably be okay under lowlight with minimal or no fertz. Swords will need a fert in immature substrate though.

The moss i was thinking of was java moss on a piece of slate... i have somefertilizer already


BIG NEWS!!!

My cousins rummynoses gave birth, so ill get some fish for free! im thinking rummys instead of cherrys now?

I start to see alot of fish supplies now, at tag sales and stuff... no new tanks though lol.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

I have a quick question. if i add water (say a galllon) fronm my old tank will it speed up the nitrogen cycle? thanks

 

[Galligak]

No it wouldn't. Only filter media, and decor can speed up the nirtrogen cycle.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

kk thanks. ill use the stones ffrom my other tank?

 

[Galligak]

Yup, that'd help. If you have some filter media that would be best, the worst looking stuff that you have, cut a little out and stick it in the tank Hopefully that will speed up your cycle!

 

[mr.waffles1842]

sounds like a plan. so anyway, got my new fish today. i decided to get some moon platys instead of using my old ones! they are in my qt right now, and once the cycles done, they're going in.

 

[Galligak]

Yay! New fish! That sounds great! Do you have any pictures of them?

 

[mr.waffles1842]

Haha, taking a bunch, but my cord connecting the camera to the computer is lost.

 

[Galligak]

Well that's too bad! Just keep us updated on everything though!

 

[mr.waffles1842]

Im pretty excited! The ammonia i added is starting to go down, and nitrites are starting to come up! no nitrates yet, but im hoping it will be done soon! i added my first plant today. I read somewhere that if i add plants early, algae will not come as fast. Finally found my camera cord! will post pics as soon as i can.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

for some reason, i think the old owner didnt scrub the glass hard enough. i seem to already have algae blossoming in my tank.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

im testing the water before i log off for the night. im really happy with the results! ammonia is barely here, nitrites starting to go down, and i have my first nitrates! the cycle seems to be almost done!

 

[Galligak]

Yay! Nitrates! This is all down hill from now on! Bring on the fishies soon

 

[mr.waffles1842]

i will! i think ill go get good shots of the platy tomorrow.

 

[mr.waffles1842]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The cycle seems to be done!!!!! 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 15 ppm nitrates! Im taking some good shots right now. will post pics of platy soon. I added the rest of my plants, along with some molly fry i picked up today. Im thinking i could get enough bred to try something i heard about with mollies.