cherokeeluvr
Aquarium Advice Addict
- Joined
- Sep 16, 2014
- Messages
- 1,038
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I'm down to one tank now, a Fluval Spec V. I want to make this tank awesome, since I'm not spending time and money on any other tanks. I've had this tank for a few years and have changed things up several times. I went through a period of having too many tanks and after taking them all apart, this one got neglected for a couple months. I am now ready to take good care of it again.
My current setup is:
- flourite/flora max mix substrate
- fine planted plus
- 20inch Finnex planted plus (light runs for about 6 hours daily)
- green crypt wendtii
- a giant green unknown crypt (it used to be dark, but got lighter when i was using the stock light)
- rotala indica
- 1 betta
- 4 cardinal tetras
- 3 ember tetras
- 3 amano shrimp
- 1 red cherry shrimp
I am dosing:
- flourish about weekly
- iron also about weekly
- excel (well matricide) daily, unless I forgot a day or two
Maintenance:
- about weekly 50% water changes
- clean glass
Here is a picture of the tank
http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_0648_zpsxdmkb5i0.jpg
When I left the tank be for a couple months, I didn't dose anything or do any water changes. I used the stock light at that point, and had no algae. The plants really didn't grow during the period, but they didn't die. Yes, I know I shouldn't have neglected it for so long, but I just needed a break!
With the finnex planted plus back on the tank, I'm beginning to experience the wonderful world of algae! The rotala indica is starting to grow again, and the crypts are getting new leaves and sending runners.
*** I'm ready to do some co2 in this tank. I want to be able to grow harder plants than I currently have, and help decrease algae. I have played around with diy co2 in the past, but I'd like to do pressurized co2 now. The problem I'm running into is finding the right co2 setup for a 5 gallon.
I've looked at the fluval co2 kits, but they have mixed reviews. I'm not sure if they would work well for a small tank like mine or not. I don't want to be replacing the cartridges every couple weeks. I'm also concerned with the fact that you can't put it on a timer...
I've also seen some paintball co2 systems, but I don't know if thats overkill for a 5 gallon.
If anybody has put co2 on a 5 gallon or has any ideas please share!!
I'm down to one tank now, a Fluval Spec V. I want to make this tank awesome, since I'm not spending time and money on any other tanks. I've had this tank for a few years and have changed things up several times. I went through a period of having too many tanks and after taking them all apart, this one got neglected for a couple months. I am now ready to take good care of it again.
My current setup is:
- flourite/flora max mix substrate
- fine planted plus
- 20inch Finnex planted plus (light runs for about 6 hours daily)
- green crypt wendtii
- a giant green unknown crypt (it used to be dark, but got lighter when i was using the stock light)
- rotala indica
- 1 betta
- 4 cardinal tetras
- 3 ember tetras
- 3 amano shrimp
- 1 red cherry shrimp
I am dosing:
- flourish about weekly
- iron also about weekly
- excel (well matricide) daily, unless I forgot a day or two
Maintenance:
- about weekly 50% water changes
- clean glass
Here is a picture of the tank
http://i1117.photobucket.com/albums/k587/Cherokeeluvr/IMG_0648_zpsxdmkb5i0.jpg
When I left the tank be for a couple months, I didn't dose anything or do any water changes. I used the stock light at that point, and had no algae. The plants really didn't grow during the period, but they didn't die. Yes, I know I shouldn't have neglected it for so long, but I just needed a break!
With the finnex planted plus back on the tank, I'm beginning to experience the wonderful world of algae! The rotala indica is starting to grow again, and the crypts are getting new leaves and sending runners.
*** I'm ready to do some co2 in this tank. I want to be able to grow harder plants than I currently have, and help decrease algae. I have played around with diy co2 in the past, but I'd like to do pressurized co2 now. The problem I'm running into is finding the right co2 setup for a 5 gallon.
I've looked at the fluval co2 kits, but they have mixed reviews. I'm not sure if they would work well for a small tank like mine or not. I don't want to be replacing the cartridges every couple weeks. I'm also concerned with the fact that you can't put it on a timer...
I've also seen some paintball co2 systems, but I don't know if thats overkill for a 5 gallon.
If anybody has put co2 on a 5 gallon or has any ideas please share!!
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