enrgizerbunny
Aquarium Advice Addict
Well I just started up my 55 that I purchased in July, spent until Oct 28 building a stand (like a freight train) for it, and finally after a move, filling it and stocking it with some tiger barbs to get through the cycling process. The barbs are in my stocking plan, and I purchased 15 of them, all 1 inch or less. I feel like I have a bit too many, but they were half off and I figured at that size, they wouldn't produce a bioload I couldn't handle.
As far as the filter is concerned, I have an old Rena Filstar XP2 that came with the tank, with a new impeller, new gasket set and all new filter media including: (2) 20 PPI sponges, (2) 30 PPI sponges, 1L ceramic media, Biochem zorb pouch, and finally a micro filter. In that order, from bottom to top. (Any input on the order will certainly be considered with a reason behind it)
I have an API freshwater master test kit, and have been logging my water tests since 12/18, the day after I put the barbs in. I test my water (recorded) twice daily.
My tap water does not contain any chlorine, but it is fairly acidic, which I have been using seachem neutral regulator to curb before water changes. I have an extra 10 gallon aquarium that I fill which has a heater to temp match and I add the buffer to that tank. Any recommendations as to how I can be successful with larger water changes than 10 gal without shocking the fish?
My sister has a 75g tank with oscars, and a 55g with tropical fish. She is about at cleaning time and I plan with get one of her filter medias that I am going to wipe the poop off of and place on top of my ceramic media unless anyone tells me otherwise. I already brought a sample of water including media squeezings with the 3 small plants I transported up here (she lives an hour and half away).
Would this be a good plan? Or would it be better to just put the media directly in the tank and tack it to the side? I also understand that the nitrifiers are sensitive to temperature change. What kind of change are we talking? +/-10 degrees? Or lower? I want to develop a plan to ensure that the majority of the bacteria make the journey to my tank instead of opening my filter and putting a poop filled media with a bunch of dead bacteria in my canister.
Finally, the ultimate stocking plan for this tank is:
2 Kissing Gouramis
15 Tiger barbs
1 Rainbow Shark
1 Bristlenosed pleco
As far as aquascape, I have an artificial plant, 3 small live plants that I hope to be prolific, a large piece of quartz from my yard, and a two piece pirate ship that the barbs seems to enjoy for hiding. There will be plantings on either end of the tank, with plenty of open water mid tank for our space intensive species.
Pictures may follow.
As far as the filter is concerned, I have an old Rena Filstar XP2 that came with the tank, with a new impeller, new gasket set and all new filter media including: (2) 20 PPI sponges, (2) 30 PPI sponges, 1L ceramic media, Biochem zorb pouch, and finally a micro filter. In that order, from bottom to top. (Any input on the order will certainly be considered with a reason behind it)
I have an API freshwater master test kit, and have been logging my water tests since 12/18, the day after I put the barbs in. I test my water (recorded) twice daily.
My tap water does not contain any chlorine, but it is fairly acidic, which I have been using seachem neutral regulator to curb before water changes. I have an extra 10 gallon aquarium that I fill which has a heater to temp match and I add the buffer to that tank. Any recommendations as to how I can be successful with larger water changes than 10 gal without shocking the fish?
My sister has a 75g tank with oscars, and a 55g with tropical fish. She is about at cleaning time and I plan with get one of her filter medias that I am going to wipe the poop off of and place on top of my ceramic media unless anyone tells me otherwise. I already brought a sample of water including media squeezings with the 3 small plants I transported up here (she lives an hour and half away).
Would this be a good plan? Or would it be better to just put the media directly in the tank and tack it to the side? I also understand that the nitrifiers are sensitive to temperature change. What kind of change are we talking? +/-10 degrees? Or lower? I want to develop a plan to ensure that the majority of the bacteria make the journey to my tank instead of opening my filter and putting a poop filled media with a bunch of dead bacteria in my canister.
Finally, the ultimate stocking plan for this tank is:
2 Kissing Gouramis
15 Tiger barbs
1 Rainbow Shark
1 Bristlenosed pleco
As far as aquascape, I have an artificial plant, 3 small live plants that I hope to be prolific, a large piece of quartz from my yard, and a two piece pirate ship that the barbs seems to enjoy for hiding. There will be plantings on either end of the tank, with plenty of open water mid tank for our space intensive species.
Pictures may follow.