Thursday, November 29, 2012
Questions that need answering
Questions that need answering if I'm going to set up a dwarf cichlid tank:
1. How many dwarf cichlids can I fit in a 29 gallon tank?
2. How many species of dwarf cichlids can I fit in a 29 gallon tank?
3. Do I need dither fish?
4. What is a good dither fish?
5. Would Angels fit in a 29-gallon tank?
6. Can I put cories in a dwarf cichlid tank?
7. What plants belong in a 29-gallon dwarf cichlid tank?
8. What lighting is appropriate for a 29-gallon dwarf cichlid planted tank?
9. If I use Eco-complete, will that be okay for corydoras?
10. Would a HOB or a canister filter be more appropriate for dwarfs?
I want to pose these questions to the forum. However, I don't want to post seventeen million different threads, so I'm doing it slowly. I have until January to get this tank set up in my head. And then I have plenty more time while I cycle it. It may well be March before this tank is inhabited. But that's good because it gives my plants time to grow.
Meanwhile, I've bid on some driftwood on eBay. Dwarfs need lots of territory, in the form of driftwood. It's cheap, and it's actually Ohio River driftwood, from Indiana.
Dwarfs like dimmer light. Plants light lots of light. That means I need big, tall, shady plants and maybe something that floats. Wisteria, how I love you.
1. How many dwarf cichlids can I fit in a 29 gallon tank?
2. How many species of dwarf cichlids can I fit in a 29 gallon tank?
3. Do I need dither fish?
4. What is a good dither fish?
5. Would Angels fit in a 29-gallon tank?
6. Can I put cories in a dwarf cichlid tank?
7. What plants belong in a 29-gallon dwarf cichlid tank?
8. What lighting is appropriate for a 29-gallon dwarf cichlid planted tank?
9. If I use Eco-complete, will that be okay for corydoras?
10. Would a HOB or a canister filter be more appropriate for dwarfs?
I want to pose these questions to the forum. However, I don't want to post seventeen million different threads, so I'm doing it slowly. I have until January to get this tank set up in my head. And then I have plenty more time while I cycle it. It may well be March before this tank is inhabited. But that's good because it gives my plants time to grow.
Meanwhile, I've bid on some driftwood on eBay. Dwarfs need lots of territory, in the form of driftwood. It's cheap, and it's actually Ohio River driftwood, from Indiana.
Dwarfs like dimmer light. Plants light lots of light. That means I need big, tall, shady plants and maybe something that floats. Wisteria, how I love you.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Christmas comes early at Wet Pet
I want to preface this blog with a statement regarding how awesome my husband is. He knows I love this "hobby" (read: obsession) (read: expensive obsession). He spends money he does not have on me and my fish. Actually, that man would go into debt for the rest of his life to buy me a unicorn if I asked him for one.
Yesterday, the universe sent me a message. At least, it felt like it. Wet Pet sent out notice that they were having a $.99 per gallon tank sale. At the same time, Petco sent out notice that some of their stands were 50% off. If that isn't a loud attention-getter, I don't know what is. I saw the adds and from 7:30 to 8:45 went completely bananas. Then I snapped out of it, told myself to simmer down, and let it go.
But my loving husband knows me so well. He knows I hadn't let it go in my heart. I was perfectly willing to wait, but he saw the perfect Christmas gift in the form of whatever tank I wanted. So he told me to order the stand (a nightmare) and go to Wet Pet today and get a tank. So I did.
The tanks Wet Pet had on sale were 10s, 29s, 55s and 75s. The big ones sold out immediately. I don't have room for another 55. The only place left in the house for a tank is the basement. So, a 29 is perfect. It fell into place that Wet Pet had 29s and the stands that were on sale were also 29s. Fate?
This morning when the snow/sleet/crud began to taper off, Ben and I made the trek to McMurray. We got the tank, and I also bought a light for it. It has a 10,000k bulb that Frank from Wet Pet said I may want to change out for a 6,700k. Dwarf cichlids don't like super bright light. I have time to think about it. While I was there, I decided that I wanted Pygmy Cories. The 6.6 is small but it has a large footprint, so pygmies are doable. The catch is that Jerkface is, well, a jerkface. So when I got home, as I acclimated the pygmies, I swapped bettas. Rhaegar is a gentle soul (watch him make a liar out of me). Jerkface needs to live alone and I swear that he doesn't like the 6.6. He seemed so happy in the 2.5 for the past few weeks. When I put him in the 6.6 he began to hide and cower. I hope he'll flourish in the 5.5. Rhaegar, meanwhile, took to the 6.6 immediately and has been exploring. One of the cories came right up to him and he didn't bat an eye. (Not that he can. Fish have no eyelids.)
Now that they're in there, I realize I should have gotten 6 rather than four. Next time I'm at Wet Pet I'll get two more. They are so tiny that they take up no space at all.
Meanwhile, my lamp came two days early. Did I mention that? It's a sunlight lamp for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder. It's a 6,700k bulb. How can you go wrong? I put on the glass top I bought at Wet Pet 10 days ago, and the lamp is above it shining down on the plants and Jerkface.
So, after Christmas I can get to my 30 gallon tank and the cycle. Hopefully it'll go quickly. I have the meantime to consider the following:
1. Filter: I have the HOB from the 55 or I could buy a Penn Plax Cascade 700
2. Substrate: Eco-complete for the plants or sand for the cories I want (Frank at Wet Pet said Eco-complete was fine for cories)
3. Stocking: My heart is set on a dwarf cichlid tank, but I'm intimidated. I've considered rams, apistos and kribs, or any combination thereof. Frank at Wet Pet said I could fit three breeding pairs of d.c.'s in the tank. I think apistos may be too tough for me. They had beautiful electric blue rams, gold rams...all kinds of rams.
I also have to decide what will go with the d.c.'s. Dither fish are recommended. I also want panda cories, if possible. I have a lot of research to do.
Yesterday, the universe sent me a message. At least, it felt like it. Wet Pet sent out notice that they were having a $.99 per gallon tank sale. At the same time, Petco sent out notice that some of their stands were 50% off. If that isn't a loud attention-getter, I don't know what is. I saw the adds and from 7:30 to 8:45 went completely bananas. Then I snapped out of it, told myself to simmer down, and let it go.
But my loving husband knows me so well. He knows I hadn't let it go in my heart. I was perfectly willing to wait, but he saw the perfect Christmas gift in the form of whatever tank I wanted. So he told me to order the stand (a nightmare) and go to Wet Pet today and get a tank. So I did.
The tanks Wet Pet had on sale were 10s, 29s, 55s and 75s. The big ones sold out immediately. I don't have room for another 55. The only place left in the house for a tank is the basement. So, a 29 is perfect. It fell into place that Wet Pet had 29s and the stands that were on sale were also 29s. Fate?
This morning when the snow/sleet/crud began to taper off, Ben and I made the trek to McMurray. We got the tank, and I also bought a light for it. It has a 10,000k bulb that Frank from Wet Pet said I may want to change out for a 6,700k. Dwarf cichlids don't like super bright light. I have time to think about it. While I was there, I decided that I wanted Pygmy Cories. The 6.6 is small but it has a large footprint, so pygmies are doable. The catch is that Jerkface is, well, a jerkface. So when I got home, as I acclimated the pygmies, I swapped bettas. Rhaegar is a gentle soul (watch him make a liar out of me). Jerkface needs to live alone and I swear that he doesn't like the 6.6. He seemed so happy in the 2.5 for the past few weeks. When I put him in the 6.6 he began to hide and cower. I hope he'll flourish in the 5.5. Rhaegar, meanwhile, took to the 6.6 immediately and has been exploring. One of the cories came right up to him and he didn't bat an eye. (Not that he can. Fish have no eyelids.)
Now that they're in there, I realize I should have gotten 6 rather than four. Next time I'm at Wet Pet I'll get two more. They are so tiny that they take up no space at all.
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| Corydoras pygmaeus |
 |
| Rhaegar, out and about |
Meanwhile, my lamp came two days early. Did I mention that? It's a sunlight lamp for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder. It's a 6,700k bulb. How can you go wrong? I put on the glass top I bought at Wet Pet 10 days ago, and the lamp is above it shining down on the plants and Jerkface.
 |
| With the bright light cropped out and the drapes closed |
So, after Christmas I can get to my 30 gallon tank and the cycle. Hopefully it'll go quickly. I have the meantime to consider the following:
1. Filter: I have the HOB from the 55 or I could buy a Penn Plax Cascade 700
2. Substrate: Eco-complete for the plants or sand for the cories I want (Frank at Wet Pet said Eco-complete was fine for cories)
3. Stocking: My heart is set on a dwarf cichlid tank, but I'm intimidated. I've considered rams, apistos and kribs, or any combination thereof. Frank at Wet Pet said I could fit three breeding pairs of d.c.'s in the tank. I think apistos may be too tough for me. They had beautiful electric blue rams, gold rams...all kinds of rams.
I also have to decide what will go with the d.c.'s. Dither fish are recommended. I also want panda cories, if possible. I have a lot of research to do.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Jerkface's Lair
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| the 6.6, a day after the remodel |
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| the lord of the manner |
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| excellent view of the colors on his fins |
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| he likes the dugout log - maybe I'm stuck with it after all |
Sunday, November 25, 2012
6.6 Aquascape
Today was a big day for the 6.6. It was officially finished cycling...
...so once the temperature was where it belonged, Jerkface went in. He's still getting used to his new surroundings, and has been lurking by the heater with just his head hidden behind the intake. I don't think he knows we can see his body.
Once it was cycled and he was in, I took a look at how freaking ugly it was...
...and went to the Aquarium Advice forum (henceforth AA) for assistance. I showed them the tank and asked what they suggested. I got two responses (so far) that gave me some help. They think the driftwood is too large, and really, it is. I'd prefer something small and delicate, but when I find it, I find it. For now, I have that piece.
Here is what I came up with:
I put a black background on it. I flipped the driftwood around so it takes up less space. I put a large anubias in the 55, and replanted all the ludwigia and other anubias and ferns in different spots. I brought over one of the giant java ferns from the 55 as well. And I did some wisteria pruning in the 55 and brought a fair amount of it over. Lastly, I tied the riccia to the rock on the left. I was going to let it float, but it won't float. Oddly enough. The tank looks better in person than it does in the photo.
So now I have some waiting to do. Yeah, I want to find better driftwood, but with Christmas coming, it's not a priority. Next time I'm on Aquabid or eBay or at Wet Pet maybe I'll take a peek. I need a small piece, and I think something more delicate would look better. However, the money needs to be spent on the rugrats in the near future. But the waiting has begun in terms of growth. Once things have gotten going and growing, then I can see what else needs done.
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| the colors of a cycled tank |
Once it was cycled and he was in, I took a look at how freaking ugly it was...
...and went to the Aquarium Advice forum (henceforth AA) for assistance. I showed them the tank and asked what they suggested. I got two responses (so far) that gave me some help. They think the driftwood is too large, and really, it is. I'd prefer something small and delicate, but when I find it, I find it. For now, I have that piece.
Here is what I came up with:
I put a black background on it. I flipped the driftwood around so it takes up less space. I put a large anubias in the 55, and replanted all the ludwigia and other anubias and ferns in different spots. I brought over one of the giant java ferns from the 55 as well. And I did some wisteria pruning in the 55 and brought a fair amount of it over. Lastly, I tied the riccia to the rock on the left. I was going to let it float, but it won't float. Oddly enough. The tank looks better in person than it does in the photo.
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| wisteria, riccia on the rock, more wisteria, and java ferns on the driftwood, with ludwigia in the background |
 | ||
| the driftwood |
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| ludwigia, anubias in the driftwood, anubias on the rock, wisteria and the java fern from the 55 |
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| the view from the average Joe in the kitchen |
So now I have some waiting to do. Yeah, I want to find better driftwood, but with Christmas coming, it's not a priority. Next time I'm on Aquabid or eBay or at Wet Pet maybe I'll take a peek. I need a small piece, and I think something more delicate would look better. However, the money needs to be spent on the rugrats in the near future. But the waiting has begun in terms of growth. Once things have gotten going and growing, then I can see what else needs done.
Cycled and ready!
October 26th to November 25. One month of cycling and it's ready for Jerkface. Did a 90% water change, warming it up, and in he shall go!
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Plant Growth
Here are some photos of tank growth.
I put more wisteria cuttings from the 55 into the 5.5.
Below, the anubias' roots are finally wrapping around the piece of driftwood. I keep reading about it but haven't ever seen it.
In the 55, the red wendtii.
Java fern babies, almost ready to leave the mother plant. I tried to pull them off gently and they wouldn't detach/
Rotala rotundifolia. The flowers, as the forum told me, have mostly rotted off and I'm *thinking* it's taller. Maybe I'm nuts.
It's nice to finally have a healthy sword. Lots of new leaves. At first I thought I was imagining it.
There's talk of moving Rhaegar to my bedroom to keep Ben away from the tank. I'd really prefer to have him where he is. I think I'll ponder it further.
I put more wisteria cuttings from the 55 into the 5.5.
Below, the anubias' roots are finally wrapping around the piece of driftwood. I keep reading about it but haven't ever seen it.
In the 55, the red wendtii.
Java fern babies, almost ready to leave the mother plant. I tried to pull them off gently and they wouldn't detach/
Rotala rotundifolia. The flowers, as the forum told me, have mostly rotted off and I'm *thinking* it's taller. Maybe I'm nuts.
It's nice to finally have a healthy sword. Lots of new leaves. At first I thought I was imagining it.
There's talk of moving Rhaegar to my bedroom to keep Ben away from the tank. I'd really prefer to have him where he is. I think I'll ponder it further.
Friday, November 23, 2012
Are we cycled?
Yesterday when I tested the 6.6 for the first time in a few days, I got a shock when the nitrites reading was 0. Holy cycled Batman?
It's too soon to tell if we're officially cycled. The ammonia was 0, the nitrites were 0, and oddly enough, the nitrates were 0. I was horrified by that. How could nitrates be 0 if the tank was cycled and no water change had been performed? It was impossible. I did some research. Ultimately I decided to go with an explanation offered on one forum; if the nitrates are literally off the chart, the indicator solution can't display it. Much like when I got a gray nitrite reading last week, this was just too high to register. Somebody suggested diluting the tank water with tap water, and when I did, I got a nitrate reading, as you can see in the photo.
So when I got the no-ammonia, no-nitrite reading, I assumed it was the final stage. I dosed the tank with ammonia. A few hours later, these are the readings I got. So I have to wait 24 hours to make sure the bacteria can process things.
It's too soon to tell if we're officially cycled. The ammonia was 0, the nitrites were 0, and oddly enough, the nitrates were 0. I was horrified by that. How could nitrates be 0 if the tank was cycled and no water change had been performed? It was impossible. I did some research. Ultimately I decided to go with an explanation offered on one forum; if the nitrates are literally off the chart, the indicator solution can't display it. Much like when I got a gray nitrite reading last week, this was just too high to register. Somebody suggested diluting the tank water with tap water, and when I did, I got a nitrate reading, as you can see in the photo.
So when I got the no-ammonia, no-nitrite reading, I assumed it was the final stage. I dosed the tank with ammonia. A few hours later, these are the readings I got. So I have to wait 24 hours to make sure the bacteria can process things.
This morning, the nitrites are sky-high. They have until this evening to disappear. Fingers crossed!
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
Happy!
The tank really looks spectacular, I think.
I really think I want a school of cardinals. I just can't decide if there's enough room or if I have to get rid of my skirts. Then I feel guilty.
Monday, November 19, 2012
Riccia fluitans
After doing some reading, I've discovered that riccia fluitans floats. Period. It floats. They way people get it to carpet is by laying down a rock or log and tying the moss to the object. I've found a very simple how-to using a shower pouf, of all things.
For the moment, all three of my riccias are where I put them. I put gravel on the riccia in the 55 and it's not going anywhere.
I also read warnings about riccia being a mess. I'm not sure what to do, but I spent the $9.99 for the damn moss ball. I'm going to do something with it. I like the idea of a moss-covered rock. I have two round rocks that would be perfect.
Meanwhile, all my fish forum fun has come to an end. At least on the laptop. My husband informed me that forums are a very likely place to pick up a virus, and I have. So from here on out, I have to do my forum fact-finding on my iPhone, which I find endlessly annoying. Plus, it looks like we're going to have to wipe my system entirely. So instead of playing with fish tank stuff, I'm going to be backing up photos for 3 days.
What a pisser.
I've been toying with the idea of upgrading Rhaegar's tank to a 10 gallon. I can get a metal stand at Petco for $30. I would have to exchange the glass lid I bought. I'd have to return the lamp I bought on Amazon yesterday. I'd have to buy more sand. More plants. I could get my school of dwarf cories, though.
Ultimately I think I need to relax and be satisfied with my nanotank for now. Of course I hope Jerkface and Rhaegar live long lives, but if one should pass on, then I can think about upgrading. I'm going to get myself into more work than I can handle if I keep upping the amount of water I have to change every week.
For the moment, all three of my riccias are where I put them. I put gravel on the riccia in the 55 and it's not going anywhere.
I also read warnings about riccia being a mess. I'm not sure what to do, but I spent the $9.99 for the damn moss ball. I'm going to do something with it. I like the idea of a moss-covered rock. I have two round rocks that would be perfect.
Meanwhile, all my fish forum fun has come to an end. At least on the laptop. My husband informed me that forums are a very likely place to pick up a virus, and I have. So from here on out, I have to do my forum fact-finding on my iPhone, which I find endlessly annoying. Plus, it looks like we're going to have to wipe my system entirely. So instead of playing with fish tank stuff, I'm going to be backing up photos for 3 days.
What a pisser.
I've been toying with the idea of upgrading Rhaegar's tank to a 10 gallon. I can get a metal stand at Petco for $30. I would have to exchange the glass lid I bought. I'd have to return the lamp I bought on Amazon yesterday. I'd have to buy more sand. More plants. I could get my school of dwarf cories, though.
Ultimately I think I need to relax and be satisfied with my nanotank for now. Of course I hope Jerkface and Rhaegar live long lives, but if one should pass on, then I can think about upgrading. I'm going to get myself into more work than I can handle if I keep upping the amount of water I have to change every week.
Sunday, November 18, 2012
Wet Pet
Today, after an adventurous time at Chuck E. Cheese, we stopped at Wet Pet. Lucky for me, Wet Pet is only 8 miles and 18 minutes from Chuck E. Cheese. The kids didn't last very long, again. Ben is a nightmare in that store. But this time it wasn't crowded. I managed to snag the same dude who helped me last time. Not sure if that's good or bad.
I told him he'd sold me my 55 light but that I'd switched the bulb to a 6,500k. He said, "Yeah, an actinic isn't going to do your plants any good." Well, dude, why the hell did you sell me one?!?!? What kind of dog and pony show is this?
I got a glass lid for the 5.5 gallon. It as $20. I'm pretty sure it was only $13 online. (Plus shipping, so it evens out.) I asked him to get me a plant light, but that required me buying a fixture and then buying a separate bulb because the included bulb was garbage. And he was out of the necessary bulb. I passed on the whole thing. I got the lid, and then ordered a light on Amazon. $79 marked down to $21. How can you go wrong? It's an adjustable daylight lamp with a 6,700k bulb. I think it's for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the fish forum people said it was perfect for a nano tank.
I asked Wet Pet Dude for a carpet plant that would work without CO2. My options were limited to moss. He sold me a hunk of Riccia fluitans, also known as Crystalwort. It's a moss. We'll see how it does. I got a tightly-packed ball that, when opened up, was enough for three tanks.
I also got a Red wendtii (cryptocoryne wendtii).
More shots of the riccia.
I told him he'd sold me my 55 light but that I'd switched the bulb to a 6,500k. He said, "Yeah, an actinic isn't going to do your plants any good." Well, dude, why the hell did you sell me one?!?!? What kind of dog and pony show is this?
I got a glass lid for the 5.5 gallon. It as $20. I'm pretty sure it was only $13 online. (Plus shipping, so it evens out.) I asked him to get me a plant light, but that required me buying a fixture and then buying a separate bulb because the included bulb was garbage. And he was out of the necessary bulb. I passed on the whole thing. I got the lid, and then ordered a light on Amazon. $79 marked down to $21. How can you go wrong? It's an adjustable daylight lamp with a 6,700k bulb. I think it's for people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, but the fish forum people said it was perfect for a nano tank.
I asked Wet Pet Dude for a carpet plant that would work without CO2. My options were limited to moss. He sold me a hunk of Riccia fluitans, also known as Crystalwort. It's a moss. We'll see how it does. I got a tightly-packed ball that, when opened up, was enough for three tanks.
I also got a Red wendtii (cryptocoryne wendtii).
More shots of the riccia.
The tank is looking pretty full right now of plants. I'd say it's time to stop, at least in the 55. When the plant light arrives for the 5.5, I may throw more stuff in there.
Meanwhile, Shawn and I discussed switching the betta to a 10-gallon. The problem is finding a proper stand. We don't have one. If I had a10-gallon, I could have gotten a school of those darling little pygmy cories I saw at Wet Pet today. They were beyond adorable. The cutest fish I have ever seen. I was genuinely sad not to bring them home. My only options are to bring up a stand from the basement - those old yellow cabinets - or to find one on Craigslist. Or, to just shut the hell up and be satisfied with Rhaegar's nanotank. A 10-gallon would require more sand, more money. Maybe a bigger heater. (Wait, I have one!) Anyway, I just bought the glass lid for the 5.5. So that's it. I'm locked in. Shut up, Laura. Get your sh*t together.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
The 6,500k Pays Off
I installed the 6,500k light and ditched the actinic just over a week ago. I think the decision paid off.
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| One week of growth with the 6,500k. |
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About a month of growth with the actinic.
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Friday, November 16, 2012
Ludwigia and Cycling
It appears that the 6.6 is about finished cycling. I have a few more tests to run. I have to be certain the nitrites are gone. I did a 90% water change today, and set up the plants and driftwood. I don't love this driftwood piece in this tank. but I don't have any other pieces to put in there and I'm not buying more. A carpet would look so nice in there. I wonder what I could try.
I found some ludwigia at Petco. I had to go up there because that damn Aqueon heater in the 55 was still knocking. I suspect that's just the way the heater is, but I'm not taking any chances that something terrible could happen. (Electrocution, for example.) I bought a replacement heater, a Petco brand which I'm not too impressed by, and saw that they'd received a shipment of plants. There were three lovely red ludwigias in their tank. I bought two. One for the 6.6 and one for the 55.
I also bought this:
I *think* it's rotala indica. I see something similar labled dwarf bonsai, but then there's a comment that says that it's no longer that species but in fact a rotala. So I am going with rotala indica. I've asked the forum, though.
Meanwhile, Jerkface's log still needs to be water-logged, hence the rock on top of it. It needs, I suspect, better lighting. Which means a new lid. And more money. Phooey.
Edit: Tonight the damn nitrites were way high again in the 6.6. I don't understand. I did a 90% change today, and they nitrites were so low yesterday. What. The. Hell. I guess Jerkface isn't going anywhere.
I found some ludwigia at Petco. I had to go up there because that damn Aqueon heater in the 55 was still knocking. I suspect that's just the way the heater is, but I'm not taking any chances that something terrible could happen. (Electrocution, for example.) I bought a replacement heater, a Petco brand which I'm not too impressed by, and saw that they'd received a shipment of plants. There were three lovely red ludwigias in their tank. I bought two. One for the 6.6 and one for the 55.
I also bought this:
I *think* it's rotala indica. I see something similar labled dwarf bonsai, but then there's a comment that says that it's no longer that species but in fact a rotala. So I am going with rotala indica. I've asked the forum, though.
Meanwhile, Jerkface's log still needs to be water-logged, hence the rock on top of it. It needs, I suspect, better lighting. Which means a new lid. And more money. Phooey.
Edit: Tonight the damn nitrites were way high again in the 6.6. I don't understand. I did a 90% change today, and they nitrites were so low yesterday. What. The. Hell. I guess Jerkface isn't going anywhere.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
Forum Recommends Colorful Plants
Recently I asked the forum for advice on a colorful plant. I want to post the replies so I don't lose track of the info.
1. Rotala Indica is mostly green but at the tops they get a nice reddish/pink color to them. They are a nice plant. I have quite a few in my tank and love them! I know there are tons more but my brain isnt working too well this morning!!
2. As mentioned, the various ludwigia species have some nice reds. Also Alternanthera reineckii is a nice one. There is a red cabomba as well.
3. This is a list of all the red/pink/orange/yellow range plants I use:
Limnophila aromatica 'hippuroides'
Proserpinaca Palustris
Myriophyllum tuberculatum
Nesaea pedicellata 'Golden'
Rotala macrandra
Rotala Wallichii
You can see the various colors in my tank at 220g planted-newly rescaped
I like alot of color in my tank, probably more than most, but even adding alittle can just give your tank a whole new look.
4. I have a red crypt. Very tall/ wide and pretty.
5. Forgot to add Red Tiger Lotus. They have unique shaped leaves and can really add a nice touch of color and they don't require high light.
6. You should be able to grow alot of plants with that lighting. One I would really suggest is Limnophila aromatica 'hippuroides'. It doesn't ship the best but you can usually cut the bottoms off the stems to get it going. Once it really takes off you can cut the growing tops off and plant them to make a larger stand. Then often the bottoms will sprout 2 stems where you cut it. The reason I like it so is it gets these incredibly bright pink tops, usually about the top 3-4 inches. Plus the stems and leaves get really large and it makes and incredible statement. Another really stunning plant is Proserpinaca Palustris. Sometimes it comes in its emmersed form and you have to wait for the leaves to change and it usually comes in green but after being under good light it can turn orange, pretty bright orange if light is high enough. With a 55 you don't have an overly deep tank like my 30" deep one so your light will be good. But most of all don't be afraid to use color.
1. Rotala Indica is mostly green but at the tops they get a nice reddish/pink color to them. They are a nice plant. I have quite a few in my tank and love them! I know there are tons more but my brain isnt working too well this morning!!
2. As mentioned, the various ludwigia species have some nice reds. Also Alternanthera reineckii is a nice one. There is a red cabomba as well.
3. This is a list of all the red/pink/orange/yellow range plants I use:
Limnophila aromatica 'hippuroides'
Proserpinaca Palustris
Myriophyllum tuberculatum
Nesaea pedicellata 'Golden'
Rotala macrandra
Rotala Wallichii
You can see the various colors in my tank at 220g planted-newly rescaped
I like alot of color in my tank, probably more than most, but even adding alittle can just give your tank a whole new look.
4. I have a red crypt. Very tall/ wide and pretty.
5. Forgot to add Red Tiger Lotus. They have unique shaped leaves and can really add a nice touch of color and they don't require high light.
6. You should be able to grow alot of plants with that lighting. One I would really suggest is Limnophila aromatica 'hippuroides'. It doesn't ship the best but you can usually cut the bottoms off the stems to get it going. Once it really takes off you can cut the growing tops off and plant them to make a larger stand. Then often the bottoms will sprout 2 stems where you cut it. The reason I like it so is it gets these incredibly bright pink tops, usually about the top 3-4 inches. Plus the stems and leaves get really large and it makes and incredible statement. Another really stunning plant is Proserpinaca Palustris. Sometimes it comes in its emmersed form and you have to wait for the leaves to change and it usually comes in green but after being under good light it can turn orange, pretty bright orange if light is high enough. With a 55 you don't have an overly deep tank like my 30" deep one so your light will be good. But most of all don't be afraid to use color.
Monday, November 12, 2012
I Ooched the Sword
The sword definitely didn't loook good where it was. I still plan to put in the big driftwood, but it's not even close to sinking yet. So I re-arranged things, but I'm getting less neurotic about temporary placements.
Moved the crypt (yikes...they hate that) and the ludwigia and a java fern. Meanwhile, the guppies seem happy and Rhaegar does too. He's staring at me. Lastly, I'm concerned about the dim lighting in the 5. I posed this question:
I've got a 5-gallon with a betta. I have a few java ferns, an anubias, floating water sprite and a sprig of wisteria I yoinked from my 55. A friend gave us the tank and it has a crummy old hood that holds a light bulb. I put in a 6,500k super daylight CFL, 10 watts. It still seems kinda dinky to grow much. I'm doing root tabs, Flourish Excel and a liquid fert. Also, the tank is in a window but doesn't receive direct sunlight, except for maybe between 8 and 8:15am. I'd like to have it lush in there but stick with low light plants. Do I need to bite the bullet and get a better lighting/lid? I don't think this old hood can handle much more power.
Thanks.
So far, I've gotten this answer:
I've got a 14w cfl in a 10g and it's sufficient enough to grow low light plants. A 10w in a 5g should be fine IMO.
Moved the crypt (yikes...they hate that) and the ludwigia and a java fern. Meanwhile, the guppies seem happy and Rhaegar does too. He's staring at me. Lastly, I'm concerned about the dim lighting in the 5. I posed this question:
I've got a 5-gallon with a betta. I have a few java ferns, an anubias, floating water sprite and a sprig of wisteria I yoinked from my 55. A friend gave us the tank and it has a crummy old hood that holds a light bulb. I put in a 6,500k super daylight CFL, 10 watts. It still seems kinda dinky to grow much. I'm doing root tabs, Flourish Excel and a liquid fert. Also, the tank is in a window but doesn't receive direct sunlight, except for maybe between 8 and 8:15am. I'd like to have it lush in there but stick with low light plants. Do I need to bite the bullet and get a better lighting/lid? I don't think this old hood can handle much more power.
Thanks.
So far, I've gotten this answer:
I've got a 14w cfl in a 10g and it's sufficient enough to grow low light plants. A 10w in a 5g should be fine IMO.
Monday Musings
Plip plop, flip flop.
The guppies went into the 55. Rhaegar went into the FIVE.
I still can't believe what a hare-brained idiot I am.
I thought about upgrading Andy's tank to an actual 10. I have a bazillion 10-gallon tanks sitting around. I've decided I don't want my stand collapsing. I have no idea how much it can hold, but why push it? Right now I have one big tank and two betta tanks. That's really enough. And now that I can see him up close, I do see that Rhaegar's fins have been nipped a bit. He'll be happier here, ultimately, I hope. I know that five gallons probably isn't enough for four guppies. A big part of my concern was the fry; when they come every month, who will eat them and keep the population in check? The big tank is a better place for them. The provide interest in the top level of the tank.
Their tails are starting to heal, I think.
I'm sitting next to Rhaegar and he's next to me. This is way more personable. Bettas enjoy socializing with their people. I'll make the five gallon his planted home and enjoy the driftwood. I put a piece of wisteria in there that I lopped off from the 55. Several pieces. This can be my mini project. I'll order some cherry shrimp today for both Rhaegar and Jerkface's tanks.
The guppies went into the 55. Rhaegar went into the FIVE.
I still can't believe what a hare-brained idiot I am.
I thought about upgrading Andy's tank to an actual 10. I have a bazillion 10-gallon tanks sitting around. I've decided I don't want my stand collapsing. I have no idea how much it can hold, but why push it? Right now I have one big tank and two betta tanks. That's really enough. And now that I can see him up close, I do see that Rhaegar's fins have been nipped a bit. He'll be happier here, ultimately, I hope. I know that five gallons probably isn't enough for four guppies. A big part of my concern was the fry; when they come every month, who will eat them and keep the population in check? The big tank is a better place for them. The provide interest in the top level of the tank.
Their tails are starting to heal, I think.
I'm sitting next to Rhaegar and he's next to me. This is way more personable. Bettas enjoy socializing with their people. I'll make the five gallon his planted home and enjoy the driftwood. I put a piece of wisteria in there that I lopped off from the 55. Several pieces. This can be my mini project. I'll order some cherry shrimp today for both Rhaegar and Jerkface's tanks.
Sunday, November 11, 2012
I. Am. An. Idiot.
I've just had a realization. A humiliating one.
I don't have a TEN gallon tank.
I have a FIVE gallon tank.
And Jerkface's hospital tank isn't 5. It's 2.5 gallons.
I am shamed. What is the matter with me?
This genuinely throws everything off. There is no room for anything but the guppies in Andy's tank, and maybe a few shrimp. Perhaps the guppies need to go into the 55 and Rhaegar needs to be in the 5. That actually seems more sensible.
Dear me. These steroids have FRIED my brain. Yeah, that'd be a good excuse...if I'd been on steroids when I set up the tank a month ago.
I'm going to have to think on possible changes, now. Do I upgrade to a ten-gallon? Do I keep the five so the damn table doesn't collapse? Maybe I just let it ride for now.
D'oh.
I don't have a TEN gallon tank.
I have a FIVE gallon tank.
And Jerkface's hospital tank isn't 5. It's 2.5 gallons.
I am shamed. What is the matter with me?
This genuinely throws everything off. There is no room for anything but the guppies in Andy's tank, and maybe a few shrimp. Perhaps the guppies need to go into the 55 and Rhaegar needs to be in the 5. That actually seems more sensible.
Dear me. These steroids have FRIED my brain. Yeah, that'd be a good excuse...if I'd been on steroids when I set up the tank a month ago.
I'm going to have to think on possible changes, now. Do I upgrade to a ten-gallon? Do I keep the five so the damn table doesn't collapse? Maybe I just let it ride for now.
D'oh.
Sunday Changes
Today was a big tank day, being Sunday. Although, one might argue that every day around here lately is a big tank day.
It started out early with a 40% water change in the 55. I was pleased to see that the new faucet fits the Python perfectly. Not a drop was spilt. Literally. Not a drop. I also dismantled the hospital tank, and transferred the filter to the 6.6. But it didn't work well in there, so instead I just put the filter media into the 6.6's filter and boxed up the actual Tetra Whisper. (That thing is such a joke. I should have gotten a sponge filter.)
I separated out the ludwigia sprigs that are in my wisteria. There are about 4 of them. It's not much, but I bunched them and planted them, mid-ground. My next purchase needs to be something red for the 55. (Fish or plants, for that matter.) Or pink. Or yellow. Or textured.
As the day wore on I started musing about aquascaping the 10. It just looks like heck, and I don't have any money at all right now to put into it. As we talked, Shawn suggested we put the 10 on the end table right next to my fish-viewing chair in the living room. It's where I sit when I view the 55, which is most of the time. All of my fish supplies are right there. It was a perfect idea. So we siphoned out 40% of the water and moved it into the living room. Once I was able to sit in a chair next to the 10, I realized that Jerkface has done massive damage to those guppies. Andy was bothered by it.
At first I tried assembling that tank divider kit I'd bought for $17. It was a fail; it doesn't fit under the tank hood. Waste of money. So, despite the fact that this morning I dismantled the hospital tank, I reassembled it quickly and put Jerkface in it. There is plenty of crud on the filter cartridge that is meant to go on the Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter; I've kept it in the 6.6's filter. At least, I hope there is. Bettas tend to be more forgiving. I handled it badly; as I was siphoning out water from the 10 to go into Jerkface's temporary 2.5 tank, I sucked him into the cup. So I just plopped him in there. Not a good idea, ever, to do that. I'm on these steroids and I'm grouchy and hyper and unable to think clearly, and he was going after those guppies with gusto and rage.
In the late afternoon, after hours of contemplating, I went and found the old 55-gallon stump I bought on eBay all those years ago. Only of late have I realized I had the stump on its side for the entirety of its career in the tank. Duh. I tinkered a bit and then got Dad's hacksaw and whacked that thing in half. The smaller half fits perfectly in the 10-gallon.
It started out early with a 40% water change in the 55. I was pleased to see that the new faucet fits the Python perfectly. Not a drop was spilt. Literally. Not a drop. I also dismantled the hospital tank, and transferred the filter to the 6.6. But it didn't work well in there, so instead I just put the filter media into the 6.6's filter and boxed up the actual Tetra Whisper. (That thing is such a joke. I should have gotten a sponge filter.)
I separated out the ludwigia sprigs that are in my wisteria. There are about 4 of them. It's not much, but I bunched them and planted them, mid-ground. My next purchase needs to be something red for the 55. (Fish or plants, for that matter.) Or pink. Or yellow. Or textured.
 |
| 4 sprigs of ludwigia, replanted |
As the day wore on I started musing about aquascaping the 10. It just looks like heck, and I don't have any money at all right now to put into it. As we talked, Shawn suggested we put the 10 on the end table right next to my fish-viewing chair in the living room. It's where I sit when I view the 55, which is most of the time. All of my fish supplies are right there. It was a perfect idea. So we siphoned out 40% of the water and moved it into the living room. Once I was able to sit in a chair next to the 10, I realized that Jerkface has done massive damage to those guppies. Andy was bothered by it.
 |
| The 10 gallon, in the window looking like hell. |
At first I tried assembling that tank divider kit I'd bought for $17. It was a fail; it doesn't fit under the tank hood. Waste of money. So, despite the fact that this morning I dismantled the hospital tank, I reassembled it quickly and put Jerkface in it. There is plenty of crud on the filter cartridge that is meant to go on the Tetra Whisper In-Tank Filter; I've kept it in the 6.6's filter. At least, I hope there is. Bettas tend to be more forgiving. I handled it badly; as I was siphoning out water from the 10 to go into Jerkface's temporary 2.5 tank, I sucked him into the cup. So I just plopped him in there. Not a good idea, ever, to do that. I'm on these steroids and I'm grouchy and hyper and unable to think clearly, and he was going after those guppies with gusto and rage.
 |
| the orange guppy, with a chunk taken out of his tail |
In the late afternoon, after hours of contemplating, I went and found the old 55-gallon stump I bought on eBay all those years ago. Only of late have I realized I had the stump on its side for the entirety of its career in the tank. Duh. I tinkered a bit and then got Dad's hacksaw and whacked that thing in half. The smaller half fits perfectly in the 10-gallon.
 |
| the old log, sawed anew in half - just have to cover that raw stump somehow |
Then I decided to put the larger half back in the big tank. But that sucker is so buoyant that it'll take two weeks of soaking before it'll sink. At the moment it's outside in a bucket, under a rock. I'll just have to be patient. Meanwhile, the growth is so luscious that I think I can really save money by taking cuttings and putting them into the 10-gallon. Plenty of wisteria to go around, and maybe a big java fern. That would leave room in the 55 for...a red plant!
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