rjouben
Aquarium Advice Apprentice
Before you go huh?
After months of research, I set a tank up two weeks ago, a 20L. I've been testing the parameter's daily, with the same results: pH 7.2, NH3 1.0, NO2 0, NO3 0, temp 78-79. Today I finally broke through .... ph 7.2, NH3 0.5, NO2 5.0, NO3 1.0, temp 78 (I use the AP FW Master Test Kit).
The Hardware:
all-glass 20L tank
all-glass versa-top
current satellite 65W 50/50 (10K/420nm) CF w/ lunar LED
100W stainless heater w/ remote sensor & external controller
Tetra Whisper 40 Air Pump driving a 23" bubble wand
Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System (installed, but not activated, yet)
The Substrate:
20lbs Eco-Complete underneath 20lbs Tahitian Moon Sand
The Livestock (put in last saturday):
2.2 Java Ferns (that's right .2, one of the leaves has a root mass w/ 2 little leaves coming out of it already)
4 Glass Shrimp (started with 6, but I took two out because I'm an idiot. A shrimp molting looked a lot like a shrimpl dying. I figured that one out today when I found an extra exoskeleton).
I plan to stock with a school each of Royal Emporer and Black Neon Tetras, maybe Silvertips too. A little group of Julii or Panda Corys would be cute as well. I am also going to add a substaintial number of plants as well including more java ferns, anubias v. nanas, & some cuba (if I can get my hands on it). I saw some really sharp rocks at the LFS, they look like Zebras (its some kind of granite, I think) I'd like to toss in, but driftwood would be better for my plants and more natural looking (haven't decide which way to go yet ... maybe I'll do both).
anyway, I was a little proud with myself for my first go 'round and thought I'd "share my feelings with the group"
Fire away with your questions, comments or cries of outrage!
~rj
ps. I've never had my own aquarium before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night ...
After months of research, I set a tank up two weeks ago, a 20L. I've been testing the parameter's daily, with the same results: pH 7.2, NH3 1.0, NO2 0, NO3 0, temp 78-79. Today I finally broke through .... ph 7.2, NH3 0.5, NO2 5.0, NO3 1.0, temp 78 (I use the AP FW Master Test Kit).
The Hardware:
all-glass 20L tank
all-glass versa-top
current satellite 65W 50/50 (10K/420nm) CF w/ lunar LED
100W stainless heater w/ remote sensor & external controller
Tetra Whisper 40 Air Pump driving a 23" bubble wand
Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System (installed, but not activated, yet)
The Substrate:
20lbs Eco-Complete underneath 20lbs Tahitian Moon Sand
The Livestock (put in last saturday):
2.2 Java Ferns (that's right .2, one of the leaves has a root mass w/ 2 little leaves coming out of it already)
4 Glass Shrimp (started with 6, but I took two out because I'm an idiot. A shrimp molting looked a lot like a shrimpl dying. I figured that one out today when I found an extra exoskeleton).
I plan to stock with a school each of Royal Emporer and Black Neon Tetras, maybe Silvertips too. A little group of Julii or Panda Corys would be cute as well. I am also going to add a substaintial number of plants as well including more java ferns, anubias v. nanas, & some cuba (if I can get my hands on it). I saw some really sharp rocks at the LFS, they look like Zebras (its some kind of granite, I think) I'd like to toss in, but driftwood would be better for my plants and more natural looking (haven't decide which way to go yet ... maybe I'll do both).
anyway, I was a little proud with myself for my first go 'round and thought I'd "share my feelings with the group"
Fire away with your questions, comments or cries of outrage!
~rj
ps. I've never had my own aquarium before, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night ...