Get rid of the algae that is growing on my dwarf hair grass?
Stats:
10 Gallon aquarium
15 watt 10000k bulb (might upgrade, but what is a good one that will fit on a 10 gallon aquarium???????
DIY CO2 with yeast and sugar
DIY 95 percent efficient CO2 reactor with powerhead (if you want a design i'll email it to you.
Melon Sword
Java fern (i'm soaking the driftwood)
2 pots of dwarf hair grass
20 gallon filter
On it's way:
3 pots of hair grass
Ruffle plant
Amazon Sword
oh yeah, and my substrate is eco complete (I LOVE IT)
Dry fertilizer every 20 days
Don't know how much co2, but i'm building a bubble counter for it today =)))))))
How Do I....?
what kind of algae is it? fish will only eat certain types of algae and not touch others. and in a 10 gallon only 1 type of algae eating fish will fit, the otocinclus, and they will only eat a few types of algae, not all. shrimp will also eat certain types of algae and are much better algae eaters (amano or red cherry shrimp are best).
ID the algae then look at the root cause rather than just treating the symptom. if you have cyanobacteria for example, nothing will eat it.
Reply:get it away from sunlight, or get snails
Reply:there is a certain type of fish that kills algae go to pets mart
they suck on the side of a tank
Reply:a pleco should do a good job
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Live plant lighting and keeping them algae-free.?
I just bought a compact fluorescent fixture for my 55 gallon tank. It has 2 bulbs for a total of 130 watts. Is this considered as moderate lighting? I have onion plants, green hedges, micro swords, and Brazilian swords; will these live? Do I need to add iron fertilizer each month to keep them green?
Also, how do I keep the algae off of them? I had the tank full of java ferns for about 2 months and they are covered in brown algae. I had to set up a 10 with a dozen oto's to clean them. Short of adding a few dozen oto's to my 55, what else can I do to keep them clean?
Live plant lighting and keeping them algae-free.?
The best way to keep the tank free of algae is to keep all the nutrients and lighting in balance. With a lot of lighting but no fertilizer and no CO2, it will be next to impossible for the plants to grow. Algae, unfortunately, is MUCH less demanding and will happily grow with only light and tiny amounts of nutrients. Until you start adding a LOT of fertilizer and a LOT of CO2 to catch up to your 130 watts of lighting, you will continue to see algae breakouts. You definitely need to be adding fertilizer in the recommended dosages (preferably after each weekly water change) and you should really consider adding some CO2 in the form of a carbon block (similar to this http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11... brand name is MUCH more expensive; I have a non-brand unit that only cost me $50).
*Green Hedge is not an aquatic plant, so it will soon rot in your tank, leading to further algae problems as your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate rise.
**Are you sure your "Brazilian Sword" isn't Amazon Sword? Amazon Swords are much more common...
Soop Nazi
EDIT: :~( Unfortunately, your Brazilian Sword is actually Spathiphyllum tasson, which is also called the Peace Lily... which isn't a true aquatic plant either... Next time you go to your fish store, I suggest asking why they sold you two different kinds of terrestrial plants, and if they sold them to you knowing that they would soon rot in your tank... All I can recommend is that you either get pictures of them and make sure they are really what they were sold as*, or take them back ASAP!
*Echinodorus bleheri is VERY similar to Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus), and it has thinner leaves than Amazon Sword, so this might be what you bought... If you can get a photo of it, either post it on photobucket or some other photo site or send it to me to see if I can help you out...
Reply:Thats 2wpg, but do you know the kalvins?
Plants need 6500k-10k specially for tanks larger than 10 gallons
Yes 2 wpg of good lighting is considered moderate, but if not its low medium.
You will need to buy a good fertilizer i will recommend Seachem Flourish and add Seachem Excel for much better plants. I say you buy Both.
The exel and flourish are needed because as the plants light, they need their food to grow. Else you will get you algae all over the place. You maybe have to throw away the tank if you get much algae infestation. Micro -swords need can live in 2wpg , but they need lots of fertilizer and CO2. I think the onions will live. The green hedges and Brazilian sword are going to die because they are terristial plants and need their leafs above water. Yes you need fertilizer/C02 running and you have to add fertilizer every week.
For the algae problem, java ferns are slow growers in poor tanks, so thats why they had algae. You didn't have C02 as well which is making them grow slow, and no fertilizer is just going to grow algae. Add C02, your fertilizer, have a heavy planted tank wth LOTS of plants, one or two plants are just going to grow you and algae garden, and course keep nitrates low. OR you can have otos in their feast.
Reply:wow soup nazi has done it again perfect answer give him the 10 points
Reply:Yup, Soup Nazi pretty much nailed it.
The short answer that a general fertalizer used as needed will be fine to keep the plants alive, but you have to monitor the water conditions. Keeping the algae off of them is achieved by monitoring the water quality with a full test kit, doing your water changes (don't forget conditioner), and putting in some algae eaters.
More info below (Some of which Soup Nazi already covered):
Typically, a planted aquarum looks like this:
1) Good lighting specifically for growing plants: 1watt/gallon = Low 2watt/gallon = Medium 3-4watts/gallon = High. Keep in mind the quality and reflectivity of the Light Hood can increase the wattage without increasing the power consumption or the wattage rating. Your tank falls in the upper range of Medium Lighting. Be sure to put your lights on a timer and leave them on for about 8-10hrs/day.
2) CO2 Injection. Your plants will need this if you really want them to do well. You monitor the amount of CO2 in your tank with a pH meter. It is not harmful to your fish to elevate the CO2 levels with plants in the tank. I've never used or seen anyone use the CO2 system Soup Nazi has, but his experience has been really good with it. I personally have the canister/valve system and have had a ton of success with that.
3) Fertalizers. Most planted tanks use some Laterite in the gravel. They also use colum or substrate fertalizers. It becomes a huge effort of trial and error to get the dosage and frequency exactly right, but it's worth it.
Those three elements all slammed together act essentially like plant steroids. When you put your plants in a tank like that, they go nuts and will start bubbling O2 bubbles. My tank looked like it was filled with Soda instead of Water. However, algae is a plant too, so what's good for your plants will also be good for algae.
The common theory in the planted tank is that your plants will consume the "steroids" before the algae does. If you're getting algae blooms, you have an element of the fertalizer or something out of whack and it's time to adjust. Algae will litterally melt away in a few days if you adjust to get rid of excess elements. Also knowing what kinda algae it is will help direct you to which elements it might be.
Algae will always be present to some degree though, which is why most planted tanks have a plethora of algae eaters. Ottocinclus, Siamese Algae Eaters (not Chinese), Amano Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, Plecos, Flag Fish, snails, etc... I know Clown Pleco's love brown algae, Flag Fish love hair algae, etc...
Also, how do I keep the algae off of them? I had the tank full of java ferns for about 2 months and they are covered in brown algae. I had to set up a 10 with a dozen oto's to clean them. Short of adding a few dozen oto's to my 55, what else can I do to keep them clean?
Live plant lighting and keeping them algae-free.?
The best way to keep the tank free of algae is to keep all the nutrients and lighting in balance. With a lot of lighting but no fertilizer and no CO2, it will be next to impossible for the plants to grow. Algae, unfortunately, is MUCH less demanding and will happily grow with only light and tiny amounts of nutrients. Until you start adding a LOT of fertilizer and a LOT of CO2 to catch up to your 130 watts of lighting, you will continue to see algae breakouts. You definitely need to be adding fertilizer in the recommended dosages (preferably after each weekly water change) and you should really consider adding some CO2 in the form of a carbon block (similar to this http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11... brand name is MUCH more expensive; I have a non-brand unit that only cost me $50).
*Green Hedge is not an aquatic plant, so it will soon rot in your tank, leading to further algae problems as your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate rise.
**Are you sure your "Brazilian Sword" isn't Amazon Sword? Amazon Swords are much more common...
Soop Nazi
EDIT: :~( Unfortunately, your Brazilian Sword is actually Spathiphyllum tasson, which is also called the Peace Lily... which isn't a true aquatic plant either... Next time you go to your fish store, I suggest asking why they sold you two different kinds of terrestrial plants, and if they sold them to you knowing that they would soon rot in your tank... All I can recommend is that you either get pictures of them and make sure they are really what they were sold as*, or take them back ASAP!
*Echinodorus bleheri is VERY similar to Amazon Sword (Echinodorus amazonicus), and it has thinner leaves than Amazon Sword, so this might be what you bought... If you can get a photo of it, either post it on photobucket or some other photo site or send it to me to see if I can help you out...
Reply:Thats 2wpg, but do you know the kalvins?
Plants need 6500k-10k specially for tanks larger than 10 gallons
Yes 2 wpg of good lighting is considered moderate, but if not its low medium.
You will need to buy a good fertilizer i will recommend Seachem Flourish and add Seachem Excel for much better plants. I say you buy Both.
The exel and flourish are needed because as the plants light, they need their food to grow. Else you will get you algae all over the place. You maybe have to throw away the tank if you get much algae infestation. Micro -swords need can live in 2wpg , but they need lots of fertilizer and CO2. I think the onions will live. The green hedges and Brazilian sword are going to die because they are terristial plants and need their leafs above water. Yes you need fertilizer/C02 running and you have to add fertilizer every week.
For the algae problem, java ferns are slow growers in poor tanks, so thats why they had algae. You didn't have C02 as well which is making them grow slow, and no fertilizer is just going to grow algae. Add C02, your fertilizer, have a heavy planted tank wth LOTS of plants, one or two plants are just going to grow you and algae garden, and course keep nitrates low. OR you can have otos in their feast.
Reply:wow soup nazi has done it again perfect answer give him the 10 points
Reply:Yup, Soup Nazi pretty much nailed it.
The short answer that a general fertalizer used as needed will be fine to keep the plants alive, but you have to monitor the water conditions. Keeping the algae off of them is achieved by monitoring the water quality with a full test kit, doing your water changes (don't forget conditioner), and putting in some algae eaters.
More info below (Some of which Soup Nazi already covered):
Typically, a planted aquarum looks like this:
1) Good lighting specifically for growing plants: 1watt/gallon = Low 2watt/gallon = Medium 3-4watts/gallon = High. Keep in mind the quality and reflectivity of the Light Hood can increase the wattage without increasing the power consumption or the wattage rating. Your tank falls in the upper range of Medium Lighting. Be sure to put your lights on a timer and leave them on for about 8-10hrs/day.
2) CO2 Injection. Your plants will need this if you really want them to do well. You monitor the amount of CO2 in your tank with a pH meter. It is not harmful to your fish to elevate the CO2 levels with plants in the tank. I've never used or seen anyone use the CO2 system Soup Nazi has, but his experience has been really good with it. I personally have the canister/valve system and have had a ton of success with that.
3) Fertalizers. Most planted tanks use some Laterite in the gravel. They also use colum or substrate fertalizers. It becomes a huge effort of trial and error to get the dosage and frequency exactly right, but it's worth it.
Those three elements all slammed together act essentially like plant steroids. When you put your plants in a tank like that, they go nuts and will start bubbling O2 bubbles. My tank looked like it was filled with Soda instead of Water. However, algae is a plant too, so what's good for your plants will also be good for algae.
The common theory in the planted tank is that your plants will consume the "steroids" before the algae does. If you're getting algae blooms, you have an element of the fertalizer or something out of whack and it's time to adjust. Algae will litterally melt away in a few days if you adjust to get rid of excess elements. Also knowing what kinda algae it is will help direct you to which elements it might be.
Algae will always be present to some degree though, which is why most planted tanks have a plethora of algae eaters. Ottocinclus, Siamese Algae Eaters (not Chinese), Amano Shrimp, Cherry Shrimp, Plecos, Flag Fish, snails, etc... I know Clown Pleco's love brown algae, Flag Fish love hair algae, etc...
Nice medium sized plant for small aquarium?
I have a 5 gallon aquarium with a 10 watt flourescent bulb.
Currently, I have some crypts (2) Java Fern (1) and a Hornwort (1) in there....The hornwort has managed to take over the tank in two weeks, so I want to take that out...Tried an Amazon Sword, and that croaked....
So I guess I would like a suggestion for an easy to grow plant that can withstand medium light, and 74 degree water....
Something about 8 to 10 inches would be great.....
Any Ideas?
Thanks a bunch
Here is a pic of the type of tank, if that helps....
http://www.aquariumguys.com/eclipse3.htm...
Nice medium sized plant for small aquarium?
You could have hydrilla plants. They are very easy to grow.
CC
Reply:There can be a lot of plants offered at your local fish store or on line sales. But they all have different requirements. Some can be quite easy to grow in your aquarium while others can be very difficult with out CO2 and high lighting. Unfortunately there are also several plants that are regularly sold in aquarium shops that are terrestrial plants and will never survive in the aquarium long term.
So what can you do to avoid the disappointment of filling your aquarium with plants that likely won't survive in your set up or even worse that no matter what you do will never live? You have to do your research first. It's no use wasting your money on plants that won't live. You want to get the plants that are most likely to thrive in your aquarium and the best way to do that is know what you're buying before you hand your money to the cashier.
Which plants are the easiest to grow? In part that will depend on your set up and the make up of the water you use in your aquarium, but I have made a list of some of the plants that usually do quite well even in moderate lighting and without too many extra needs.
One of my favorite plants that's easily found is the Amazon sword. The sword plants you purchase in the store has most likely been grown emersed, with the leaves out of the water. Those leaves will probably not last in your tank, so don't panic if you loose the original leaves as long as new ones are growing in. As the old leaves start dying off clip them off near the base of the stem so they don't start decomposing in your tank. Amazon swords can get quite large. They can easily totally fill a 10 or even 20 gallon tank.
Mellon swords are also regularly sold. These can also be grown fairly easily in your aquarium, though the leaves will usually take on a different shape once in your tank, depending on the species, water quality, and lighting.
Swords are known for liking nutrients through their roots. I've found that it will help them along by placing fertilizer tablets or sticks in the substrate near them. Be sure when planting your swords that you don't cover the crown of the plant, where the leaves come out, with gravel. Just cover the roots, it's better to leave a little too much out of the gravel than put too much under it. Sword plants can also have huge root systems that cover the entire bottom of the tank. If you later pull one out, and aren't careful, you may find most of the rest of the tank can come out with it.
Another plant in the same genus that I'll mention on its own is the pygmy chain sword. The great thing about the pygmy chain sword is it's a low growing plant. It will work great in small tanks and as a carpeting plant in any tank. They reproduce quickly and will soon look like a nice lawn in your aquarium. These are also usually grown emersed so the original leaves will die off and new ones will replace them in your aquarium.
Two other rather similar grass looking types of plants are also regularly available and are easy to grow, Vallisneria (val) and Sagitteria (sag). There are several species of both offered. The largest is jungle val. These can grow extremely long leaves, over 6 feet, and are really only suitable for large tall tanks. Most Vallisneria tend to get long leaves and you can trim them so they don't cover the top of your tank, otherwise they can block light from the other plants in your aquarium. Twisted val is an interesting plant. The leaves have the same shape as other Vallisneria plants but are twisted. I've found that these also don't tend to grow as tall as some of the other val and are more controlled in their growth. Most val can grow very well and can take over an aquarium. Vallisneria are true aquatic plants so you shouldn't experience heavy leaf loss when placing in your own aquarium.
Saggiteria usually has somewhat stiffer darker leaves but looks quite similar to val. The best way to tell them apart is the tips of the leaves. You have to look very closely but in Vallisneria the leaves are serrated on the top and in Saggiteria they are smooth. Saggiteria is often preferable to val in most tanks particularly smaller ones. It usually doesn't grow as tall as val and doesn't seem to reproduce as quickly, making it easier to maintain.
Java fern is another popular plant that's usually easy to grow. There are several very attractive varieties available. Don't plant your Java ferns. These plants do well growing on natural wood in the aquarium. It's easy to tie them on to a piece of aquarium driftwood with dark cotton sewing thread. Your Java ferns will eventually attach to the wood itself and the cotton thread will rot away.
Water sprite is another fern for the aquarium. It can be planted in the substrate or left to float with the roots trailing below. These are very attractive plants with bright green leaves. There are 2 species of water sprite most often encountered in the hobby, though others are sometimes seen. The 2 most commonly found are Ceratopteris thalictroides and C. cornuta. They are both lovely plants and differ in their leaf shape. Water sprite has an interesting trait in that baby plants form on the older leaves of the adult plant. They can easily cover the top of your tank so you will have to thin them regularly.
Hornwort is a floating plant that is also a truly aquatic plant. Hornwort is rather interesting in that it never develops roots. This also means that it's useless to plant it in the gravel. Any part of the plant you put under the gravel will just die. Hornwort can grow quickly and will keep light from other plants below it. Another interesting thing about hornwort is that a small piece of the stem will grow into another plant, so it's easy to trim to the amount you need, though you may have to do it quite frequently.
There are several very nice Cryptocoryne species and cultivars that are easy to grow, and will also do well in both low and high lighting. You can usually find these in the potted plants at your local fish store. If they have a name tag they usually are listed as C. wendtii, walkeri or lutea, and come in green red and bronze. These are plants that may have been grown emersed so don't panic if you have leaf loss at first as long as long as new leaves are forming. Once established crypts can grow a bit more slowly than some of the other aquarium plants but they will eventually spread and if not thinned periodically, can eventually take over the whole tank.
Stemmed plants are often a bit harder to grow than some of the other plants available for the aquarium but there are a few that will generally grow easily even in moderate lighting. These plants include, Rotala rotundifolia, Bacopa monneiri, and Ludwigia repens.
Rotala has small leaves that can take on a red tint as they get more light. Often you'll see the bottom of the stems have green leaves but as they near the top of your tank they start getting more red in the color. If you let these plants grow to the surface of your tank they take on a bit different look. The leaves will grow on either side of the stem facing up. Roots will also form on these floating sections of stem.
Bacopa is a bright green plant with rubbery like leaves. It can grow rapidly and tends to like to grow up out of the tank if allowed. It should be trimmed regularly if you don't want it growing out of your tank. If you do have an open tank it can be quite attractive if left to grow out. The stems will start to drape down the sides of the tank. I had some I let go in my fish room once that started on the upper row of tanks and ended up growing into the tanks on the two shelves below it and down to the floor.
Ludwigia can sometimes be a bit more difficult but still is usually pretty easy going. It's a very attractive plant. The leaves can be dark green on top but the undersides take on a dark red color that can even be almost purple. Like Rotala if left to grow to the top of the tank the leaves will turn to the light and the upper stems will grow roots.
Mosses are some of my very favorite aquarium plants. They are beautiful and grow easily in low to high lighting. There are several different mosses available for the aquarium. The most common is Java moss but Christmas tree moss and occasionally Fontinalis can be found too. Mosses are pretty popular right now and there are even some new ones from the Orient that are sometimes becoming available. Some of these may be more difficult to grow.
Mosses are wonderful on branches or wood in the aquarium and can be attached with thread like the Java ferns. They also look great as ground covers or between your plants. I find they often will fill in all the empty spaces between stemmed plants in the tank and look like a mound of moss with the plants peeking out the top. If you don't trim them back eventually they can take over the whole aquarium, so it's good to trim your mosses occasionally. You can cut or pull out the parts you want removed. Mosses also should not be planted under the gravel.
My favorite of the more common mosses is Christmas tree. It seems to grab on to wood and gravel better, stays down better and has a more attractive appearance. It's also easier to control. Java moss is thinner and tends to grow up more and faster. It's just quite as attractive in my opinion. Fontinalis is a prettier moss than the Java but harder to find and a bit harder to grow.
Remember that each plant may react differently to your aquarium. The plants listed above are those that are often available and that through my own experience and talking with others over the years seem to be the most likely to grow easily and well. Your experiences may differ but these plants should give you a good chance for success.
Currently, I have some crypts (2) Java Fern (1) and a Hornwort (1) in there....The hornwort has managed to take over the tank in two weeks, so I want to take that out...Tried an Amazon Sword, and that croaked....
So I guess I would like a suggestion for an easy to grow plant that can withstand medium light, and 74 degree water....
Something about 8 to 10 inches would be great.....
Any Ideas?
Thanks a bunch
Here is a pic of the type of tank, if that helps....
http://www.aquariumguys.com/eclipse3.htm...
Nice medium sized plant for small aquarium?
You could have hydrilla plants. They are very easy to grow.
CC
Reply:There can be a lot of plants offered at your local fish store or on line sales. But they all have different requirements. Some can be quite easy to grow in your aquarium while others can be very difficult with out CO2 and high lighting. Unfortunately there are also several plants that are regularly sold in aquarium shops that are terrestrial plants and will never survive in the aquarium long term.
So what can you do to avoid the disappointment of filling your aquarium with plants that likely won't survive in your set up or even worse that no matter what you do will never live? You have to do your research first. It's no use wasting your money on plants that won't live. You want to get the plants that are most likely to thrive in your aquarium and the best way to do that is know what you're buying before you hand your money to the cashier.
Which plants are the easiest to grow? In part that will depend on your set up and the make up of the water you use in your aquarium, but I have made a list of some of the plants that usually do quite well even in moderate lighting and without too many extra needs.
One of my favorite plants that's easily found is the Amazon sword. The sword plants you purchase in the store has most likely been grown emersed, with the leaves out of the water. Those leaves will probably not last in your tank, so don't panic if you loose the original leaves as long as new ones are growing in. As the old leaves start dying off clip them off near the base of the stem so they don't start decomposing in your tank. Amazon swords can get quite large. They can easily totally fill a 10 or even 20 gallon tank.
Mellon swords are also regularly sold. These can also be grown fairly easily in your aquarium, though the leaves will usually take on a different shape once in your tank, depending on the species, water quality, and lighting.
Swords are known for liking nutrients through their roots. I've found that it will help them along by placing fertilizer tablets or sticks in the substrate near them. Be sure when planting your swords that you don't cover the crown of the plant, where the leaves come out, with gravel. Just cover the roots, it's better to leave a little too much out of the gravel than put too much under it. Sword plants can also have huge root systems that cover the entire bottom of the tank. If you later pull one out, and aren't careful, you may find most of the rest of the tank can come out with it.
Another plant in the same genus that I'll mention on its own is the pygmy chain sword. The great thing about the pygmy chain sword is it's a low growing plant. It will work great in small tanks and as a carpeting plant in any tank. They reproduce quickly and will soon look like a nice lawn in your aquarium. These are also usually grown emersed so the original leaves will die off and new ones will replace them in your aquarium.
Two other rather similar grass looking types of plants are also regularly available and are easy to grow, Vallisneria (val) and Sagitteria (sag). There are several species of both offered. The largest is jungle val. These can grow extremely long leaves, over 6 feet, and are really only suitable for large tall tanks. Most Vallisneria tend to get long leaves and you can trim them so they don't cover the top of your tank, otherwise they can block light from the other plants in your aquarium. Twisted val is an interesting plant. The leaves have the same shape as other Vallisneria plants but are twisted. I've found that these also don't tend to grow as tall as some of the other val and are more controlled in their growth. Most val can grow very well and can take over an aquarium. Vallisneria are true aquatic plants so you shouldn't experience heavy leaf loss when placing in your own aquarium.
Saggiteria usually has somewhat stiffer darker leaves but looks quite similar to val. The best way to tell them apart is the tips of the leaves. You have to look very closely but in Vallisneria the leaves are serrated on the top and in Saggiteria they are smooth. Saggiteria is often preferable to val in most tanks particularly smaller ones. It usually doesn't grow as tall as val and doesn't seem to reproduce as quickly, making it easier to maintain.
Java fern is another popular plant that's usually easy to grow. There are several very attractive varieties available. Don't plant your Java ferns. These plants do well growing on natural wood in the aquarium. It's easy to tie them on to a piece of aquarium driftwood with dark cotton sewing thread. Your Java ferns will eventually attach to the wood itself and the cotton thread will rot away.
Water sprite is another fern for the aquarium. It can be planted in the substrate or left to float with the roots trailing below. These are very attractive plants with bright green leaves. There are 2 species of water sprite most often encountered in the hobby, though others are sometimes seen. The 2 most commonly found are Ceratopteris thalictroides and C. cornuta. They are both lovely plants and differ in their leaf shape. Water sprite has an interesting trait in that baby plants form on the older leaves of the adult plant. They can easily cover the top of your tank so you will have to thin them regularly.
Hornwort is a floating plant that is also a truly aquatic plant. Hornwort is rather interesting in that it never develops roots. This also means that it's useless to plant it in the gravel. Any part of the plant you put under the gravel will just die. Hornwort can grow quickly and will keep light from other plants below it. Another interesting thing about hornwort is that a small piece of the stem will grow into another plant, so it's easy to trim to the amount you need, though you may have to do it quite frequently.
There are several very nice Cryptocoryne species and cultivars that are easy to grow, and will also do well in both low and high lighting. You can usually find these in the potted plants at your local fish store. If they have a name tag they usually are listed as C. wendtii, walkeri or lutea, and come in green red and bronze. These are plants that may have been grown emersed so don't panic if you have leaf loss at first as long as long as new leaves are forming. Once established crypts can grow a bit more slowly than some of the other aquarium plants but they will eventually spread and if not thinned periodically, can eventually take over the whole tank.
Stemmed plants are often a bit harder to grow than some of the other plants available for the aquarium but there are a few that will generally grow easily even in moderate lighting. These plants include, Rotala rotundifolia, Bacopa monneiri, and Ludwigia repens.
Rotala has small leaves that can take on a red tint as they get more light. Often you'll see the bottom of the stems have green leaves but as they near the top of your tank they start getting more red in the color. If you let these plants grow to the surface of your tank they take on a bit different look. The leaves will grow on either side of the stem facing up. Roots will also form on these floating sections of stem.
Bacopa is a bright green plant with rubbery like leaves. It can grow rapidly and tends to like to grow up out of the tank if allowed. It should be trimmed regularly if you don't want it growing out of your tank. If you do have an open tank it can be quite attractive if left to grow out. The stems will start to drape down the sides of the tank. I had some I let go in my fish room once that started on the upper row of tanks and ended up growing into the tanks on the two shelves below it and down to the floor.
Ludwigia can sometimes be a bit more difficult but still is usually pretty easy going. It's a very attractive plant. The leaves can be dark green on top but the undersides take on a dark red color that can even be almost purple. Like Rotala if left to grow to the top of the tank the leaves will turn to the light and the upper stems will grow roots.
Mosses are some of my very favorite aquarium plants. They are beautiful and grow easily in low to high lighting. There are several different mosses available for the aquarium. The most common is Java moss but Christmas tree moss and occasionally Fontinalis can be found too. Mosses are pretty popular right now and there are even some new ones from the Orient that are sometimes becoming available. Some of these may be more difficult to grow.
Mosses are wonderful on branches or wood in the aquarium and can be attached with thread like the Java ferns. They also look great as ground covers or between your plants. I find they often will fill in all the empty spaces between stemmed plants in the tank and look like a mound of moss with the plants peeking out the top. If you don't trim them back eventually they can take over the whole aquarium, so it's good to trim your mosses occasionally. You can cut or pull out the parts you want removed. Mosses also should not be planted under the gravel.
My favorite of the more common mosses is Christmas tree. It seems to grab on to wood and gravel better, stays down better and has a more attractive appearance. It's also easier to control. Java moss is thinner and tends to grow up more and faster. It's just quite as attractive in my opinion. Fontinalis is a prettier moss than the Java but harder to find and a bit harder to grow.
Remember that each plant may react differently to your aquarium. The plants listed above are those that are often available and that through my own experience and talking with others over the years seem to be the most likely to grow easily and well. Your experiences may differ but these plants should give you a good chance for success.
Please click!!! What more do I need for my tetras and beta? What should this combined habitat be like???
I have a beta in a ten gallon tank. I plan to get 5, maybe later 6 neon tetras (please do NOT question this).
My tank has a dark gravel. i have a few plants: a group of 2 sets (however many comes in a small set at petco...6?) of sword plants? (not sure of the name.) These plants are getting thicker by the day. I also have a small set of some kind of freshwater fern. the gallon is 10 gallons. I am not expecting to breed the tetras unless they breed themselves. i have a power filter. i have beta food (IS BETA FOOD ALRIGHT FOR TETRAS??? its Hikari betta bio-gold), freeze dried bloodworms (yes they are actuall bloodworms) and 2 trial packs of tropical fish flakes. what else do i need to get for my beta and tetras. the only reason i ask this is what i need to do for BOTH the fish. Sure, i can find out alot of info on betas and a lot about tetras but nothing about them being together! PLEASE HELP!!! (p.s. you can do a full paragraph answer and stuff, but please make a list of what i need.
Please click!!! What more do I need for my tetras and beta? What should this combined habitat be like???
The tank sounds perfect. The Tetras will be just fine with Betta pellets, as both are carnivorous. I actually feed my Betta and Tetras South American Cichlid pellets because they're basically the same thing, but cheaper! Is the "freshwater fern" Java Fern or "aqua fern"? Java Fern is a true aquatic plant, but "aqua fern" is just a terrestrial fern in water, which will soon rot. Really, it sounds like you've got the whole tank together, just make sure you have the stuff for maintenace: siphon hose, bucket for siphoning into, net, test kits (for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH), a stand, and possibly a good aquarium book.
Textiles
My tank has a dark gravel. i have a few plants: a group of 2 sets (however many comes in a small set at petco...6?) of sword plants? (not sure of the name.) These plants are getting thicker by the day. I also have a small set of some kind of freshwater fern. the gallon is 10 gallons. I am not expecting to breed the tetras unless they breed themselves. i have a power filter. i have beta food (IS BETA FOOD ALRIGHT FOR TETRAS??? its Hikari betta bio-gold), freeze dried bloodworms (yes they are actuall bloodworms) and 2 trial packs of tropical fish flakes. what else do i need to get for my beta and tetras. the only reason i ask this is what i need to do for BOTH the fish. Sure, i can find out alot of info on betas and a lot about tetras but nothing about them being together! PLEASE HELP!!! (p.s. you can do a full paragraph answer and stuff, but please make a list of what i need.
Please click!!! What more do I need for my tetras and beta? What should this combined habitat be like???
The tank sounds perfect. The Tetras will be just fine with Betta pellets, as both are carnivorous. I actually feed my Betta and Tetras South American Cichlid pellets because they're basically the same thing, but cheaper! Is the "freshwater fern" Java Fern or "aqua fern"? Java Fern is a true aquatic plant, but "aqua fern" is just a terrestrial fern in water, which will soon rot. Really, it sounds like you've got the whole tank together, just make sure you have the stuff for maintenace: siphon hose, bucket for siphoning into, net, test kits (for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH), a stand, and possibly a good aquarium book.
Textiles
How do i....?
lol, 3rd time asking this question, but I HAVE GOOD DETAILS YaY fOr DeTaiLs
Get rid of the HAIR algae that is growing on my dwarf hair grass?
Stats:
10 Gallon aquarium
15 watt 10000k bulb (might upgrade, but what is a good one that will fit on a 10 gallon aquarium???????
DIY CO2 with yeast and sugar
DIY 95 percent efficient CO2 reactor with powerhead (if you want a design i'll email it to you.
Melon Sword
Java fern (i'm soaking the driftwood)
2 pots of dwarf hair grass
20 gallon filter
On it's way:
3 pots of hair grass
Ruffle plant
Amazon Sword
oh yeah, and my substrate is eco complete (I LOVE IT)
Dry fertilizer every 20 days
Don't know how much co2, but i'm building a bubble counter for it today =)))))))
Plants only
Plants only
PlAnTs OnLy
thanks!
and only answer if you know the answer....
How do i....?
okay, your bulb is bright enough, I wouldn't upgrade, if you up grade your light you will find your hair algea problem will get worse, you have a 10 000K bulb, that many K will definitely increase hair algea growth, algea doesn't need near the same amount of light that the dwarf grass requires that's why the hair algea is growing over the dwarf grass, how long is your light on? 10hrs. max for me, any more and I find I get algea every were, now the best fish to get for this problem would be
Rosey Barbs, those little guys love to eat hair algea, the cleanliness of the tank has alto to do with hair algea growth, how clear is your water, floating particles settle and promote algea growth, in my opinion I would do a 25% water change every week!, cut the light time down to 8hrs and slowly climb up to a max of 10hrs, that amount of light is just fine for the plants you have, get few Rosey barbs , I know you said "plants only" but you would be surprised how much hair algea they will eat,
how is your amazon swoard, does it have little holes in the leaves? if you ever find you have holes in the leaves it means there isn't enough nutrients in the water, it sounds like you have alot of diffrent items designed to grow plants, im not surprised your haveing algea issues, I bet its your light, thats alot of K.
Reply:Other than your light is Wow, the fertalizer and the Co2 are adding to the problem. How are your plants in your tank? are they tiered or are all of them seated at the bottom? Sometimes moving the plants around (if you know your tank) moving the hair grass farther away from the co2 input may help. cutting back on both the Co2 and fertilizer unless you really need it that often will help Other than that, cleaning it by hand every two weeks. You could add a molly and not feed it. it will eat the algae for you, that is if you want a fish.
You can also try turning the temp down a few degrees. The plants won't notice but the algae will. Unfortunately with your set up, algae will happen and elbow grease is the main way to clean it. Sounds cool though.
Reply:Only leave the light on for 6-8hours Daily and you might want to get ridof the grass before it spreads, If your hood can take 20w bulbs i subjest getting the clearest ones.
Get rid of the HAIR algae that is growing on my dwarf hair grass?
Stats:
10 Gallon aquarium
15 watt 10000k bulb (might upgrade, but what is a good one that will fit on a 10 gallon aquarium???????
DIY CO2 with yeast and sugar
DIY 95 percent efficient CO2 reactor with powerhead (if you want a design i'll email it to you.
Melon Sword
Java fern (i'm soaking the driftwood)
2 pots of dwarf hair grass
20 gallon filter
On it's way:
3 pots of hair grass
Ruffle plant
Amazon Sword
oh yeah, and my substrate is eco complete (I LOVE IT)
Dry fertilizer every 20 days
Don't know how much co2, but i'm building a bubble counter for it today =)))))))
Plants only
Plants only
PlAnTs OnLy
thanks!
and only answer if you know the answer....
How do i....?
okay, your bulb is bright enough, I wouldn't upgrade, if you up grade your light you will find your hair algea problem will get worse, you have a 10 000K bulb, that many K will definitely increase hair algea growth, algea doesn't need near the same amount of light that the dwarf grass requires that's why the hair algea is growing over the dwarf grass, how long is your light on? 10hrs. max for me, any more and I find I get algea every were, now the best fish to get for this problem would be
Rosey Barbs, those little guys love to eat hair algea, the cleanliness of the tank has alto to do with hair algea growth, how clear is your water, floating particles settle and promote algea growth, in my opinion I would do a 25% water change every week!, cut the light time down to 8hrs and slowly climb up to a max of 10hrs, that amount of light is just fine for the plants you have, get few Rosey barbs , I know you said "plants only" but you would be surprised how much hair algea they will eat,
how is your amazon swoard, does it have little holes in the leaves? if you ever find you have holes in the leaves it means there isn't enough nutrients in the water, it sounds like you have alot of diffrent items designed to grow plants, im not surprised your haveing algea issues, I bet its your light, thats alot of K.
Reply:Other than your light is Wow, the fertalizer and the Co2 are adding to the problem. How are your plants in your tank? are they tiered or are all of them seated at the bottom? Sometimes moving the plants around (if you know your tank) moving the hair grass farther away from the co2 input may help. cutting back on both the Co2 and fertilizer unless you really need it that often will help Other than that, cleaning it by hand every two weeks. You could add a molly and not feed it. it will eat the algae for you, that is if you want a fish.
You can also try turning the temp down a few degrees. The plants won't notice but the algae will. Unfortunately with your set up, algae will happen and elbow grease is the main way to clean it. Sounds cool though.
Reply:Only leave the light on for 6-8hours Daily and you might want to get ridof the grass before it spreads, If your hood can take 20w bulbs i subjest getting the clearest ones.
CO2 systems for planted aquariums?
I have a 150 gallon heavily planted tank and it’s filled with the normal variety of plants: Madagascar lace sword, onion plant, java moss, java fern, Anubias barteri, cabwoman, valisneria, etc. For the past 5 years or so, I’ve been supplementing the tank with carbon rich fertilizers to support growth. However, recently I’ve been looking into CO2 injection systems, as a way to promote better plant growth and provide more stability for the plant. I just want to know whether it’s worth investing in one (as they are quite expensive), and what might be some other effects, if any, of implementing a system?
CO2 systems for planted aquariums?
If you don't want to jump straight into the several hundred dollar (even as much as thousands of dollars), you should really consider a carbon block instead of pressurized carbon... It takes up far less space, is just as easy [if not easier] to regulate, is FAR cheaper (name brand only costs about $150, but brandless will be about $50), and a single block will easily provide sufficient CO2 for a 150 gallon tank... However, if you do decide to add CO2, be sure to minimize surface agitation [if you don't already]-- surface agitation will oxygenate the water and release CO2 into the air. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11...
That is the basic idea of what I was suggesting, though not necessarily that brand.
Reply:If your plants are doing well without it I wouldn't recommend it. CO2 systems can cause problems with the pH if you are not careful so its not worth the risk if your plants are doing fine without it.
Reply:This will help with your pH concern...
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant...
Congrats on the tank, sounds like a nice one.
You've gone this far and once you buy a CO2 regulator you can use the co2 system on any future smaller or bigger tank operations you have with amazing results.
Try finding a used certified cylinder to save money or check at your LFS for anyone selling a complete set up.
CO2 is the backbone of growing strong plants and with a tank that big a pressurized CO2 delivery system would provide some really nice results.
It's like being in a car and stepping on the accelerater. Crank the CO2 you can hear the plants grow.
Your right as supplements cause co2 levels to spike then decrese keeping the water in constant flux and the plants out of whack.
you know with plants its a balance of substrate/lights/ferts/CO2
once there in balance the tank surges.
The only thing you don't have control yet is the CO2 and your at the mercy of iradic supplements.
Monitor your CO2 level now and compare your readings in forums to other people to get an idea.
Once you control the CO2 theres no limit to your tank.
Good Luck!!!
CO2 systems for planted aquariums?
If you don't want to jump straight into the several hundred dollar (even as much as thousands of dollars), you should really consider a carbon block instead of pressurized carbon... It takes up far less space, is just as easy [if not easier] to regulate, is FAR cheaper (name brand only costs about $150, but brandless will be about $50), and a single block will easily provide sufficient CO2 for a 150 gallon tank... However, if you do decide to add CO2, be sure to minimize surface agitation [if you don't already]-- surface agitation will oxygenate the water and release CO2 into the air. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
http://www.thatpetplace.com/pet/group/11...
That is the basic idea of what I was suggesting, though not necessarily that brand.
Reply:If your plants are doing well without it I wouldn't recommend it. CO2 systems can cause problems with the pH if you are not careful so its not worth the risk if your plants are doing fine without it.
Reply:This will help with your pH concern...
http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/aqua/art_plant...
Congrats on the tank, sounds like a nice one.
You've gone this far and once you buy a CO2 regulator you can use the co2 system on any future smaller or bigger tank operations you have with amazing results.
Try finding a used certified cylinder to save money or check at your LFS for anyone selling a complete set up.
CO2 is the backbone of growing strong plants and with a tank that big a pressurized CO2 delivery system would provide some really nice results.
It's like being in a car and stepping on the accelerater. Crank the CO2 you can hear the plants grow.
Your right as supplements cause co2 levels to spike then decrese keeping the water in constant flux and the plants out of whack.
you know with plants its a balance of substrate/lights/ferts/CO2
once there in balance the tank surges.
The only thing you don't have control yet is the CO2 and your at the mercy of iradic supplements.
Monitor your CO2 level now and compare your readings in forums to other people to get an idea.
Once you control the CO2 theres no limit to your tank.
Good Luck!!!
Can anyone help me with a black beard algae problem?
I have been doing a lot of research on BBA and came across a few solutions I would like to try. I have read that SAEs will get rid of it but I have one and his is fat and lazy so I dont want to travel down that road again. I have also read that dosing with Seachem flourish excel will kill it. For the excel I was wondering if it will kill moss balls, and clams. I also have some well developed swords, cryps, and java fern and would like to spot treat the algae with excel but I don't want to uproot the plants. I want an answer from someone who has used excel, WITH SUCCESS, and not just something plajurized off a web site.
Can anyone help me with a black beard algae problem?
I've tried it. Don't do it with loaches, I lost a lot of good fish that way. :\ The plants obviously weren't hurt and the stuff still haunted me until I finally just tore them out through anger. You might have to remove your fish while trying this out.
Did you stifle any potential iron in your tank as well, by the way?
Also, did you try flag fish as well? There's a lot of false siamensis, as you read above , and the true ones will pick on java moss and even do some damage on the balls.
Reply:the only thing i can tell you is maybe you don't have a sae there are like 4 or 5 fish ranging from Chinese algae eater and the flying fox and maybe i think the false sae are all fish that wont eat the black beard algae so maybe go to a pet store you really trust i usually don't recommend the petsmarts petcos and stuff like that because when you buy there fish you never know what your going to get so maybe try buying another sae from a smaller mom and pop store also everything I've read about chemicals that kill algae snails and whatever else you don't want can harm plants so i wouldn't use it. one solution I've read is highering your pH some just for awhile and you'll see the algae die back but yeah i wouldn't use chemicals to do that either maybe several water changes using harder water (usually from i sink in some parts of the world) for the next couple of weeks or so until you notice some changes in the algae growth in the mean time break off leaves with the algae on it and siphon and clean anything with it sorry for not being that helpful.
Can anyone help me with a black beard algae problem?
I've tried it. Don't do it with loaches, I lost a lot of good fish that way. :\ The plants obviously weren't hurt and the stuff still haunted me until I finally just tore them out through anger. You might have to remove your fish while trying this out.
Did you stifle any potential iron in your tank as well, by the way?
Also, did you try flag fish as well? There's a lot of false siamensis, as you read above , and the true ones will pick on java moss and even do some damage on the balls.
Reply:the only thing i can tell you is maybe you don't have a sae there are like 4 or 5 fish ranging from Chinese algae eater and the flying fox and maybe i think the false sae are all fish that wont eat the black beard algae so maybe go to a pet store you really trust i usually don't recommend the petsmarts petcos and stuff like that because when you buy there fish you never know what your going to get so maybe try buying another sae from a smaller mom and pop store also everything I've read about chemicals that kill algae snails and whatever else you don't want can harm plants so i wouldn't use it. one solution I've read is highering your pH some just for awhile and you'll see the algae die back but yeah i wouldn't use chemicals to do that either maybe several water changes using harder water (usually from i sink in some parts of the world) for the next couple of weeks or so until you notice some changes in the algae growth in the mean time break off leaves with the algae on it and siphon and clean anything with it sorry for not being that helpful.
Needle nose Gar?
As you might already know i have a 16 inch silver arowana who wil we in a slightly planted 150 gallon tank with java ferns and amazon swords i wanted to get another arowana but i might get a gar instead needle nose? will they go with arowana and if not can you give me a web site to figure out what to get
Needle nose Gar?
Robert,
No offence to BettaChris, but you already picked your previous question, with his answer as best answer. If you did consider and read over my input, I already addressed what you can keep with them. It really depends on tank size. A 150 offers you some opportunities, but you will need that 400 gallon tank you mentioned as soon as possible if you try to go with the Gar Chris said.
If you feed your Arowana properly from the beginning, and keep him away from feeder fish, you can have most any bottom population you want. The fish you really want to avoid are fish that dart constantly to the top. In my 180, I have some smaller Gourami, and they seem to cooexist quite well with my Arowana. I also, from the time I have had them, keep my Arowana fed on crickets, krill and sometimes even frogs. I have not once lost a fish in this tank due to Arowana munching. And there still are a whole pile of cichlids that are well under 3 inches that would go down in one gulp. I have three Arowana in the 21-22 inch range, and my smallest is now about 12 inches long. They don't target my fish because I've kept them on a surface diet the whole way.
Other then a gar, help me out a little here. What are you interested in?
Reply:I kept a florida aligator gar pike and a clown knife with my large 18" silver arrowana. There shouldn't be a problem if the size of the needle nose gar is proportional to the arrowana.
Reply:Well the needle nose gar, more than likey will be eaten buy the arrowana, in my opinion. If i were you, i would put a tiger, red, or an albino Oscar in your tank. I Love Oscars. They can grow to be 12+ inches. Anywhere from 12 - 18".
Angeli.
Reply:these guys are too much into there HUGE tanks yes a gar would be compatible . Check out snakeheads they are really nice looking and long like the gars and arrowanas. i had a neighbor that had an arrowana a snapping turtle and a gar in a 55 gallon. this was all but they all lived a long life and were all quite large. it was awesome watching em take 5-6" goldfish in a blink of an eye. believe me when i say your arrowana is gonna get quite big like 2 ft i'd guess in a 150gal. oh and of course like joe said they have to be proportional in size or they are food, duh!!
Reply:all you can so is try, different fish have diffrent tempermants
Reply:hmmmm
Reply:needle nose gars are brackish fish
but if u want to have a gar fish try florida gar
or
spotted gar(short-nosed gar)
or rocket gar( they do best i nsmall schools)
Reply:I think you will be fine if you get a larger tank, the arrowana alone should be in a bigger tank than a 150 gallon. i have a 12" long nose gar and a 11" arrowanna in the same tank and they get along fine together and i have never seen an ounce of agression toward eachother.
Reply:Personaly I'm not sure but check out this site
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,...
barber
Needle nose Gar?
Robert,
No offence to BettaChris, but you already picked your previous question, with his answer as best answer. If you did consider and read over my input, I already addressed what you can keep with them. It really depends on tank size. A 150 offers you some opportunities, but you will need that 400 gallon tank you mentioned as soon as possible if you try to go with the Gar Chris said.
If you feed your Arowana properly from the beginning, and keep him away from feeder fish, you can have most any bottom population you want. The fish you really want to avoid are fish that dart constantly to the top. In my 180, I have some smaller Gourami, and they seem to cooexist quite well with my Arowana. I also, from the time I have had them, keep my Arowana fed on crickets, krill and sometimes even frogs. I have not once lost a fish in this tank due to Arowana munching. And there still are a whole pile of cichlids that are well under 3 inches that would go down in one gulp. I have three Arowana in the 21-22 inch range, and my smallest is now about 12 inches long. They don't target my fish because I've kept them on a surface diet the whole way.
Other then a gar, help me out a little here. What are you interested in?
Reply:I kept a florida aligator gar pike and a clown knife with my large 18" silver arrowana. There shouldn't be a problem if the size of the needle nose gar is proportional to the arrowana.
Reply:Well the needle nose gar, more than likey will be eaten buy the arrowana, in my opinion. If i were you, i would put a tiger, red, or an albino Oscar in your tank. I Love Oscars. They can grow to be 12+ inches. Anywhere from 12 - 18".
Angeli.
Reply:these guys are too much into there HUGE tanks yes a gar would be compatible . Check out snakeheads they are really nice looking and long like the gars and arrowanas. i had a neighbor that had an arrowana a snapping turtle and a gar in a 55 gallon. this was all but they all lived a long life and were all quite large. it was awesome watching em take 5-6" goldfish in a blink of an eye. believe me when i say your arrowana is gonna get quite big like 2 ft i'd guess in a 150gal. oh and of course like joe said they have to be proportional in size or they are food, duh!!
Reply:all you can so is try, different fish have diffrent tempermants
Reply:hmmmm
Reply:needle nose gars are brackish fish
but if u want to have a gar fish try florida gar
or
spotted gar(short-nosed gar)
or rocket gar( they do best i nsmall schools)
Reply:I think you will be fine if you get a larger tank, the arrowana alone should be in a bigger tank than a 150 gallon. i have a 12" long nose gar and a 11" arrowanna in the same tank and they get along fine together and i have never seen an ounce of agression toward eachother.
Reply:Personaly I'm not sure but check out this site
http://www.aqualandpetsplus.com/Oddball,...
barber
Help with plant ID + otos?
I've got a 55 gallon planted tank, and I need help IDing one of the plants. I've put in and taken out so many kinds of plants I don't remember what I have any more, heh. I do know I have Java fern, Java moss, Argentine sword and Cabomba. Could this be my sword? It doesn't look quite like I remember. However, the ones I bought were grown emersed, and I heard that when you plant them in water, the old leaves die off and the ones that grow in look different. There's also a sort of stalk growing up from two of the plants. Here's some pictures:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
The brown splotches are algae, so ignore that.
Speaking of algae, I'm having a problem with brown algae at the moment. I was thinking of getting some otos--would that help?
Help with plant ID + otos?
That's definitely the Sword. To limit the algae, either get more intense lighting (more lumens and proper spectrum) or introduce some fast growing plants to the tank like Hornwort, Watersprite, Anacharis, or Duckweed. Otos are busy little guys, but would rather eat something other than algae, and gladly will if presented with the opportunity.
Reply:You probably need to increase the amount of light, to encourage your plants to grow better and use up teh stray nutrients that are feeding the algae.
But a few oto catfish are probably a great addition to the tank anyway, and will help control algae.
Ian
Reply:Looks like a sword, maybe amazon sword plant. Your water is not being moved enough to keep away the brown splotches of algae also know as diatoms, as well as lack of light.
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer....
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v38/Ru...
The brown splotches are algae, so ignore that.
Speaking of algae, I'm having a problem with brown algae at the moment. I was thinking of getting some otos--would that help?
Help with plant ID + otos?
That's definitely the Sword. To limit the algae, either get more intense lighting (more lumens and proper spectrum) or introduce some fast growing plants to the tank like Hornwort, Watersprite, Anacharis, or Duckweed. Otos are busy little guys, but would rather eat something other than algae, and gladly will if presented with the opportunity.
Reply:You probably need to increase the amount of light, to encourage your plants to grow better and use up teh stray nutrients that are feeding the algae.
But a few oto catfish are probably a great addition to the tank anyway, and will help control algae.
Ian
Reply:Looks like a sword, maybe amazon sword plant. Your water is not being moved enough to keep away the brown splotches of algae also know as diatoms, as well as lack of light.
http://www.plantgeek.net/article_viewer....
"Kick Butt" female characters?
I love books with female characters that can and do take care of themselves in the physical sense. I don't care if it's through martial arts, gun play, or sword play.
examples of the books I enjoy are:
Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series : female vampire executioner, know and uses martial arts and guns
Maggie Osborn's Seduction of Samantha Kincade : A western with a female bounty hunter, skilled in guns and thinking
Fern Michaels Captive Passions : A female pirate stilled in captaining a ship and in sword play
These are just a few of the examples of what I like does anyone know of any other books that show similar female characters?
"Kick Butt" female characters?
Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Plum series, Very hilarious, can't help but laugh out loud while reading.
Laurell K Hamilton, Anita Blake Series - vampire, shapeshifters, Awesome series also her Meredith Gentry Series, fairies and lots of fighting and sexual content.
Patricia Briggs, Mercedes Thompson series, A VW mechanic/coyote, Mercy is awesome.
Kelley Armstrong, Women of the Otherworld Series.. Werewolves, Witches, Ghosts, Demons, Vamps and Lots of Strong Women.
Keri Arthur, Riley Jensen Guardian Series One of My favorite Kick Butt Werewolf Women.
Kim Harrison, The Hallows series, I love this series, Witches, demons, pixies, vampires and weres.
MaryJanice Davidson, the Undead/ Betsy Series. Awesome books.
Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampire Series, Sookie is pretty cool.
Carrie Vaughn, Kitty Norville Series, Just started reading it.
L.A. Banks, The Vampire Hunteress Legend series.
Reply:Harper Allen, Darkheart %26amp; Crosse
Kelley Armstrong, Women of the Otherworld
Keri Arthur, Riley Jensen Guardian Series
Patricia Briggs, Mercedes Thompson series
MaryJanice Davidson, Betsy Series %26amp; Wyndham Werewolf series [they mix], Fred the Mermaid Series [book 2 comes out this fall!]
Christine Feehan
Tate Hallaway, Garnet Lacy Series [i think] book 1 is Tall, Dark, %26amp; Dead
Laurell K Hamilton, [of course, all time fav author] Anita Blake Series, Meredith Gentry Series
Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampire Series (aka Sookie Series) coming to a tv series on HBO soon named True Blood
Kim Harrison, The Hallows
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dark Hunter Series [not really more than a few kick *** women, but it is a kick *** series]
Angela Knight, Mageverse [again, a kick *** series]
Rebecca Lickess, Never After [not a series, but its a case of the fairy tale being turned around, princess rescues prince . . .]
Rebecca Locksley, The Three Sisters
Tamora Pierce
J. D. Robb, In Death Series
Savannah Russe, The Darkwing Chronicles
Carrie Vaughn, Kitty Norville Series
Barb %26amp; J.C. Hendee, The Nobel Dead
Reply:Tamora Pierce's Lioness Quartet is excellent, but are considered young adult novels. Also "Dragon Song" and "Dragon Singer" by Anne McCaffery
I am NOT a fan of Laurell K. Davidson, but Patricia Briggs "Moon Called" and "Blood Called", and "Magic Bites" by Ilona Andrews are some good urban fantasy books. "Carpe Demon", "Califonia Demon" and "Demons are Forever" are about a demon-hunting soccer mom and are a little lighter reading. As is "Undead and Unwed" by Mary Janice Davidson.
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books are a laugh a minute and a lot of fun. No supernatural elements in those books unless you count the super-hottie character, Ranger.
Oh, and I also like Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody mysteries. Amelia is like a female Indiana Jones.
Reply:Kim Harrison has a series out called the Hollows... The first book is called "Dead Witch Walking". You've got several female "kick butt" characters to choose from. This would be urban fantasy, with some vampires, werewolves and witches thrown together. Really interesting. The main character is trying to leave this CIA-type deal to start a company of her own... Which means she's under a death threat. And rooming with a vampire. Bad mix.
Then there is the Shaman series by C.E. Murphy. The first one is called "Urban Shaman". She has powers to save the world, but doesn't want them. She has lots of fight scenes, with gods, nonetheless.
James Patterson's women's murder club series. It's really easy to keep these straight. The first book is called 1st to Die, the next one is 2nd Chance, etc.
Reply:Have you read the Naomi Kritzer series?
Freedom's Gate (the first) is fantastic and the main character is definitely "kick butt!"
Also, Ghost Warrior by Lucia St. Clair Robson. About an Apache woman warrior and shaman. Highly recommended!
Another is about a very tough-chick who lives in an alternate universe where vampires and warewolves co-exist with humans. It is a series by Patricia Briggs. The first is "Moon Called." Really great stuff!
And even though it is a "young adult" series, all women should read "Wise Child" by Monica Furlong. The second book is "Juniper" and is fantastic too.
examples of the books I enjoy are:
Laurell K Hamilton's Anita Blake series : female vampire executioner, know and uses martial arts and guns
Maggie Osborn's Seduction of Samantha Kincade : A western with a female bounty hunter, skilled in guns and thinking
Fern Michaels Captive Passions : A female pirate stilled in captaining a ship and in sword play
These are just a few of the examples of what I like does anyone know of any other books that show similar female characters?
"Kick Butt" female characters?
Janet Evanovich, Stephanie Plum series, Very hilarious, can't help but laugh out loud while reading.
Laurell K Hamilton, Anita Blake Series - vampire, shapeshifters, Awesome series also her Meredith Gentry Series, fairies and lots of fighting and sexual content.
Patricia Briggs, Mercedes Thompson series, A VW mechanic/coyote, Mercy is awesome.
Kelley Armstrong, Women of the Otherworld Series.. Werewolves, Witches, Ghosts, Demons, Vamps and Lots of Strong Women.
Keri Arthur, Riley Jensen Guardian Series One of My favorite Kick Butt Werewolf Women.
Kim Harrison, The Hallows series, I love this series, Witches, demons, pixies, vampires and weres.
MaryJanice Davidson, the Undead/ Betsy Series. Awesome books.
Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampire Series, Sookie is pretty cool.
Carrie Vaughn, Kitty Norville Series, Just started reading it.
L.A. Banks, The Vampire Hunteress Legend series.
Reply:Harper Allen, Darkheart %26amp; Crosse
Kelley Armstrong, Women of the Otherworld
Keri Arthur, Riley Jensen Guardian Series
Patricia Briggs, Mercedes Thompson series
MaryJanice Davidson, Betsy Series %26amp; Wyndham Werewolf series [they mix], Fred the Mermaid Series [book 2 comes out this fall!]
Christine Feehan
Tate Hallaway, Garnet Lacy Series [i think] book 1 is Tall, Dark, %26amp; Dead
Laurell K Hamilton, [of course, all time fav author] Anita Blake Series, Meredith Gentry Series
Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampire Series (aka Sookie Series) coming to a tv series on HBO soon named True Blood
Kim Harrison, The Hallows
Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dark Hunter Series [not really more than a few kick *** women, but it is a kick *** series]
Angela Knight, Mageverse [again, a kick *** series]
Rebecca Lickess, Never After [not a series, but its a case of the fairy tale being turned around, princess rescues prince . . .]
Rebecca Locksley, The Three Sisters
Tamora Pierce
J. D. Robb, In Death Series
Savannah Russe, The Darkwing Chronicles
Carrie Vaughn, Kitty Norville Series
Barb %26amp; J.C. Hendee, The Nobel Dead
Reply:Tamora Pierce's Lioness Quartet is excellent, but are considered young adult novels. Also "Dragon Song" and "Dragon Singer" by Anne McCaffery
I am NOT a fan of Laurell K. Davidson, but Patricia Briggs "Moon Called" and "Blood Called", and "Magic Bites" by Ilona Andrews are some good urban fantasy books. "Carpe Demon", "Califonia Demon" and "Demons are Forever" are about a demon-hunting soccer mom and are a little lighter reading. As is "Undead and Unwed" by Mary Janice Davidson.
Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum books are a laugh a minute and a lot of fun. No supernatural elements in those books unless you count the super-hottie character, Ranger.
Oh, and I also like Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody mysteries. Amelia is like a female Indiana Jones.
Reply:Kim Harrison has a series out called the Hollows... The first book is called "Dead Witch Walking". You've got several female "kick butt" characters to choose from. This would be urban fantasy, with some vampires, werewolves and witches thrown together. Really interesting. The main character is trying to leave this CIA-type deal to start a company of her own... Which means she's under a death threat. And rooming with a vampire. Bad mix.
Then there is the Shaman series by C.E. Murphy. The first one is called "Urban Shaman". She has powers to save the world, but doesn't want them. She has lots of fight scenes, with gods, nonetheless.
James Patterson's women's murder club series. It's really easy to keep these straight. The first book is called 1st to Die, the next one is 2nd Chance, etc.
Reply:Have you read the Naomi Kritzer series?
Freedom's Gate (the first) is fantastic and the main character is definitely "kick butt!"
Also, Ghost Warrior by Lucia St. Clair Robson. About an Apache woman warrior and shaman. Highly recommended!
Another is about a very tough-chick who lives in an alternate universe where vampires and warewolves co-exist with humans. It is a series by Patricia Briggs. The first is "Moon Called." Really great stuff!
And even though it is a "young adult" series, all women should read "Wise Child" by Monica Furlong. The second book is "Juniper" and is fantastic too.
Y is some of my guppy dissaper?
i found no bodies(when i clean te aquarium this mor.)
i use to have 30 fry and now it only 5 and they all are 4/5 of an inch when i put them with other one
and 6 males(2 blue,1 white,1 black,2 red) disaper+1 red tail female also dissaper
my aquarium is a fully planted (plastic plants and 1(real) amzon sword,3(real) javar fern)and alot of hiding places.
also i have 12 neon tetras now down to 5-8.
oh i cant seem to get rid off al the snails,(they're everywhere)
Y is some of my guppy dissaper?
They're being eaten. If you want to keep fry it is best to keep them in a nursery. Rule of thumb, if it fits in the mouth it will be eaten. The parents will eat their own fry.
Reply:Um yeah, it's called the food chain.
Reply:grown up fish will eat the babies. its best to get them a really good hiding place if you don't have a separate tank. a big clump of java moss works great.
snails are hard to get rid of -- you have nothing that eats them so they are happy. a clown loach or puffer will take care of them. a puffer would probably take care of all your fish too though.
Reply:They were hiding from your bad spelling, trying to find you a dictionary.
Reply:your bigger fish might be eating them if they don't have appropiate hiding places, like rocks, plants, and caves or rocks. And snails are prolific breeders, I recommend you to sell your snails to a pet store and keep the ones you want.
Reply:I cleaned my tanks today and had over a dozen fry in the power filter. If they die the snails will eat them? Where else could they be? %26gt;%26lt;%26gt;:)
Reply:fish are fish food
Reply:The neon tetras are probably eating the guppies.
Reply:Yea once they died the other fish will nibble away at them until there is nothing left.
Reply:I go thru this every year.... don't know why it happens. and I never find dead fish. wierd huh?
Reply:Your snails, they're eating them. Murderers.
i use to have 30 fry and now it only 5 and they all are 4/5 of an inch when i put them with other one
and 6 males(2 blue,1 white,1 black,2 red) disaper+1 red tail female also dissaper
my aquarium is a fully planted (plastic plants and 1(real) amzon sword,3(real) javar fern)and alot of hiding places.
also i have 12 neon tetras now down to 5-8.
oh i cant seem to get rid off al the snails,(they're everywhere)
Y is some of my guppy dissaper?
They're being eaten. If you want to keep fry it is best to keep them in a nursery. Rule of thumb, if it fits in the mouth it will be eaten. The parents will eat their own fry.
Reply:Um yeah, it's called the food chain.
Reply:grown up fish will eat the babies. its best to get them a really good hiding place if you don't have a separate tank. a big clump of java moss works great.
snails are hard to get rid of -- you have nothing that eats them so they are happy. a clown loach or puffer will take care of them. a puffer would probably take care of all your fish too though.
Reply:They were hiding from your bad spelling, trying to find you a dictionary.
Reply:your bigger fish might be eating them if they don't have appropiate hiding places, like rocks, plants, and caves or rocks. And snails are prolific breeders, I recommend you to sell your snails to a pet store and keep the ones you want.
Reply:I cleaned my tanks today and had over a dozen fry in the power filter. If they die the snails will eat them? Where else could they be? %26gt;%26lt;%26gt;:)
Reply:fish are fish food
Reply:The neon tetras are probably eating the guppies.
Reply:Yea once they died the other fish will nibble away at them until there is nothing left.
Reply:I go thru this every year.... don't know why it happens. and I never find dead fish. wierd huh?
Reply:Your snails, they're eating them. Murderers.
Hows my tank?
15gallons
aquatic animals-4white cloud minnows
2 platys
8 neon tetras
2 pepper corys
1 honey goramis
1 small female boesmai rainbow fish
2 zigzag snails
2 algae eating shrimp
2 dwarf aquatic frogs
Plants-2 anubias,1green cambona,1 amazon sword plant,2 java fern,1moss ball.
Other-1 coconut cave,1 peive of bogwood,1 rock,1 ornamental cave.
Hows my tank?
a little overcrowded -- make sure you do weekly maintenance and no slacking.
if you have 2 algae eating shrimp already in a new tank you will need to feed them some zucchini or something until your tank grows algae.
Reply:If course everyone will tell you that it is over-crowded, because it really is. But you have posted on here enough to know that, and the rule of thumb. Just keep up with the water changes, and remember the rainbow fish will get about 4 inches or so and likes live foods, So the neons might start to look appealing.
Reply:Somewhat overcrowded? The typical rule of thumb is 1 fish per gallon of water. What are you using to aerate the water? The livestock is lovely. The vegetation a delight. Something is needed for water movement/aeration for the tropicals in your aquarium. You also have live bearing fish amongst egg layers, assuming you have a male and female platy. The other aquarium inhabitants will enjoy the live food.
Reply:This tank is overcrowded!!! Remember, 1in to the gallon, so you should have 15in of fish. I think a 30 or 40 gal. tank would be good considering you have the plants and the ornaments. Hope This Helps!!!!
rene
aquatic animals-4white cloud minnows
2 platys
8 neon tetras
2 pepper corys
1 honey goramis
1 small female boesmai rainbow fish
2 zigzag snails
2 algae eating shrimp
2 dwarf aquatic frogs
Plants-2 anubias,1green cambona,1 amazon sword plant,2 java fern,1moss ball.
Other-1 coconut cave,1 peive of bogwood,1 rock,1 ornamental cave.
Hows my tank?
a little overcrowded -- make sure you do weekly maintenance and no slacking.
if you have 2 algae eating shrimp already in a new tank you will need to feed them some zucchini or something until your tank grows algae.
Reply:If course everyone will tell you that it is over-crowded, because it really is. But you have posted on here enough to know that, and the rule of thumb. Just keep up with the water changes, and remember the rainbow fish will get about 4 inches or so and likes live foods, So the neons might start to look appealing.
Reply:Somewhat overcrowded? The typical rule of thumb is 1 fish per gallon of water. What are you using to aerate the water? The livestock is lovely. The vegetation a delight. Something is needed for water movement/aeration for the tropicals in your aquarium. You also have live bearing fish amongst egg layers, assuming you have a male and female platy. The other aquarium inhabitants will enjoy the live food.
Reply:This tank is overcrowded!!! Remember, 1in to the gallon, so you should have 15in of fish. I think a 30 or 40 gal. tank would be good considering you have the plants and the ornaments. Hope This Helps!!!!
rene
Is this a good tank set up?
15 gallons.
1 betta
1 honey goramis
6-8 neon tetras( i lose count :P)
4 white clouds
2 pepper corys
1 platie(platy)
2 dwarf aquatic frogs
2 snails
2 algae eating shrimps.
Plants/others: 1 bunch of elodea, green cabomba, amazon sword. 1 bogwood+jave fern, 1 coconut cave+java fern and anubias. 1 moss ball, 1 rock, 1 cave.
ps: i dont count the frogs,shrimp and snails in the inch rule( they are exluded, as they dont take up any space and make any mess)
Is this a good tank set up?
bettas and gouramis do NOT mix, either have one or the other.
you are definately fully stocked, if not over. and snails should be counted on bioload, they are messy creatures, as are frogs.
Reply:sounds pretty good, justr remember, dwarf frogs need special food! and only get one snail. they could reproduce too much.
Reply:You most certainly count shrimp and frogs towards bioload....they respire, eat and contribute ammonia...
Good Luck
Reply:It seem a little full but its ok. I'm sure its pretty!
Reply:It seems a little crowded to me, and are you certain all of your fish are compatible? Bettas can get along with some fish but not all. As well, everything in your tank, including your snails frogs and shrimp do still make some waste,and take up space, so you still need to take them into consideration. The plants you have are fine, i'm sure the setup looks great. But sad to say that you should probably get a larger tank, say a 30 gallon, or get rid of some of your fish.
And please please please do not use the 1" of fish to 1 gallon of water rule, as this does not always work. Some fish have special needs and need more space than others due to things like aggressiveness, how much waste they produce, and things like how big they get as a maximum size.
And one algae eater should be fine because the live plants actually can help cut down on the algae growth, what happens is they both compete for the nutrients and such in the water, but you will still have to clean the sides of the tank for some algae. And make sure you have proper lighting for your plants, if not it can also make algae growth more of a problem. If you find you are having a problem with algae use a product made for fluval filters in your filter called clearmax. It helps to reduce the amount of green algaes produced.
In a matter of months you may have to add a clown loach, as snails can be pests and breed like mad. But if you have the kind of snail that is a-sexual you should be fine with just one. Most snails are a-sexual though which means they can lay eggs no matter what.
Reply:idk i wouldnt take the chance
Reply:That seems way over crowded. The rule is 1" of fish per gallon, so you are almost over your limit on Neons and White Clouds. This can be very stress full to your fish.
Also, your frogs and shrimp can require different habitats then most of your fish, and will also not be happy. I would suggest getting another tank to split some of them up, or a bigger tank all together at least.
Gouramis and bettas usually don't mix. If you ahve more then one gourami, they can even start attackin eachother. More fish in your tank is not a good idea.
Reply:I think that is a very good set-up.but there are some things i would change.first off the Betta fish will not like being in such a large tank because they are used to small areas.such as a bowl. and may die in a tank in a matter of weeks.and i would keep a close eye on the frogs because they may get snappy with the fish.
Happy to help.
Reply:Too many fish... I think the max rule is 1 fish per gallon of water. You will need more algae eaters too. What kind of lighting are you using?
Reply:it looks good to me.
1 betta
1 honey goramis
6-8 neon tetras( i lose count :P)
4 white clouds
2 pepper corys
1 platie(platy)
2 dwarf aquatic frogs
2 snails
2 algae eating shrimps.
Plants/others: 1 bunch of elodea, green cabomba, amazon sword. 1 bogwood+jave fern, 1 coconut cave+java fern and anubias. 1 moss ball, 1 rock, 1 cave.
ps: i dont count the frogs,shrimp and snails in the inch rule( they are exluded, as they dont take up any space and make any mess)
Is this a good tank set up?
bettas and gouramis do NOT mix, either have one or the other.
you are definately fully stocked, if not over. and snails should be counted on bioload, they are messy creatures, as are frogs.
Reply:sounds pretty good, justr remember, dwarf frogs need special food! and only get one snail. they could reproduce too much.
Reply:You most certainly count shrimp and frogs towards bioload....they respire, eat and contribute ammonia...
Good Luck
Reply:It seem a little full but its ok. I'm sure its pretty!
Reply:It seems a little crowded to me, and are you certain all of your fish are compatible? Bettas can get along with some fish but not all. As well, everything in your tank, including your snails frogs and shrimp do still make some waste,and take up space, so you still need to take them into consideration. The plants you have are fine, i'm sure the setup looks great. But sad to say that you should probably get a larger tank, say a 30 gallon, or get rid of some of your fish.
And please please please do not use the 1" of fish to 1 gallon of water rule, as this does not always work. Some fish have special needs and need more space than others due to things like aggressiveness, how much waste they produce, and things like how big they get as a maximum size.
And one algae eater should be fine because the live plants actually can help cut down on the algae growth, what happens is they both compete for the nutrients and such in the water, but you will still have to clean the sides of the tank for some algae. And make sure you have proper lighting for your plants, if not it can also make algae growth more of a problem. If you find you are having a problem with algae use a product made for fluval filters in your filter called clearmax. It helps to reduce the amount of green algaes produced.
In a matter of months you may have to add a clown loach, as snails can be pests and breed like mad. But if you have the kind of snail that is a-sexual you should be fine with just one. Most snails are a-sexual though which means they can lay eggs no matter what.
Reply:idk i wouldnt take the chance
Reply:That seems way over crowded. The rule is 1" of fish per gallon, so you are almost over your limit on Neons and White Clouds. This can be very stress full to your fish.
Also, your frogs and shrimp can require different habitats then most of your fish, and will also not be happy. I would suggest getting another tank to split some of them up, or a bigger tank all together at least.
Gouramis and bettas usually don't mix. If you ahve more then one gourami, they can even start attackin eachother. More fish in your tank is not a good idea.
Reply:I think that is a very good set-up.but there are some things i would change.first off the Betta fish will not like being in such a large tank because they are used to small areas.such as a bowl. and may die in a tank in a matter of weeks.and i would keep a close eye on the frogs because they may get snappy with the fish.
Happy to help.
Reply:Too many fish... I think the max rule is 1 fish per gallon of water. You will need more algae eaters too. What kind of lighting are you using?
Reply:it looks good to me.
New goldfish tank! Yay!?
I am setting up a 55 gal for my lovely old veiltail-type goldfish.
He is roughly 5-6 inches long(hard for me to measure), not counting the tail which is as long as he is. I want some other fish in it but I don't want to be overstocked. I'm considering a black moor and a bronze type oranda. I love long flowing fins. Most of the fantails I have seen have very short tails. Is this typical? I might also add a bristlenosed pleco, I'm debating about that.
Filtration is just an Emperor 400 bio-wheel and a 9 watt UV, but I am hoping to upgrade to a Rena XP3 eventually.
I'm going to use live plants, mostly crinium, jungle vals, swords, hygro %26amp; java fern. Any other plants that survive goldies? I don't want anubias
Decor will be a little driftwood, white quartz, and reddish rocks.
What do you think of the tank? Suggestions?
Can anyone tell me a website with lots of good pictures and descriptions of the goldfish varieties? Not the show quality ones, the stock that I could find in a pet store
New goldfish tank! Yay!?
Wow, your tank sounds like a very nice tank! Yes, some fantails can have very short tails, considering they are pretty big!! No, the pleco should not be in your tank with the Goldfish because Goldfish should never be put with tropical fish. Yes, the Bronze Ornada and a Black Moor would be a great addition to your tank! It wouldn't overcrowd, either. How about a BubbleEye golfsih instead of the pleco? He's meant to be with goldfish, and helps with the algae buildup.
Reply:The black moor and the bronze oranda would be a good addition and won't overstock your tank.
telescope
red cap
fantail
He is roughly 5-6 inches long(hard for me to measure), not counting the tail which is as long as he is. I want some other fish in it but I don't want to be overstocked. I'm considering a black moor and a bronze type oranda. I love long flowing fins. Most of the fantails I have seen have very short tails. Is this typical? I might also add a bristlenosed pleco, I'm debating about that.
Filtration is just an Emperor 400 bio-wheel and a 9 watt UV, but I am hoping to upgrade to a Rena XP3 eventually.
I'm going to use live plants, mostly crinium, jungle vals, swords, hygro %26amp; java fern. Any other plants that survive goldies? I don't want anubias
Decor will be a little driftwood, white quartz, and reddish rocks.
What do you think of the tank? Suggestions?
Can anyone tell me a website with lots of good pictures and descriptions of the goldfish varieties? Not the show quality ones, the stock that I could find in a pet store
New goldfish tank! Yay!?
Wow, your tank sounds like a very nice tank! Yes, some fantails can have very short tails, considering they are pretty big!! No, the pleco should not be in your tank with the Goldfish because Goldfish should never be put with tropical fish. Yes, the Bronze Ornada and a Black Moor would be a great addition to your tank! It wouldn't overcrowd, either. How about a BubbleEye golfsih instead of the pleco? He's meant to be with goldfish, and helps with the algae buildup.
Reply:The black moor and the bronze oranda would be a good addition and won't overstock your tank.
telescope
red cap
fantail
Java Moss. Experience answers please.?
Ok. I am thinking about growing Java moss but have a few questions first. Will it take over my other plants? I currently have Java fern and micro sword. And how tall will it get? Can I maintain it just by trimming it? Is there any way to get it NOT to grow in certain places? Can I still vaccume my gravel or will it be in the way or would I still have to vaccum my gravel (would the moss use the uneaten food and debris) or would vaccuming it tear the moss from its' roots?
Please answer all my questions. Thank you.
Java Moss. Experience answers please.?
It sounds like you want to use it as a ground cover, but in my experience, that doesn't work at all... Java Moss grows towards the light-- upwards-- but you want ground cover plants to grow along the gravel, so you can't really measure its height (it will get as tall as you let it). If you're gonna keep Java Moss, attach it to driftwood or a rock. It doesn't really grow that fast, and it certainly won't overtake your other plants if you simply do some trimming every month or two... Vacuum around it and you shouldn't have any issues... Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
EDIT: Very few fish will eat Java Moss-- it's semi toxic... Also, I have grown it just fine near (and above) 80* and at 70* and the 80* Moss grew much faster, so I disagree that it does best in coldwater...
Reply:Ooooooo Java Moss! I love that stuff!
I keep my tank a warm 85-degrees F and the Java Moss does very well. Cold water? --Not sure what the girl above me is talking about. Also, Java Moss is an unusual plant because it DOES NOT have roots, and it will sink to the bottom of your tank. It will grow like weeds under the crappiest conditions (no gravel, low light, no fertilizer, warm water temp ranges and most PH ranges) and doesn't look too shabby either. A lot of people think Java Moss is annoying and try to get it out of their tanks, but I happen to like the look of it, especially attached to driftwood or rock.
Java Moss loves stagnant water and lots of nitrite. In fact, it will THRIVE on high nitrite levels and leftover food and fish fecal matters. Java Moss is great for Beta tanks. It WILL NOT take over the other plants in your tank, but it will start to grow like crazy. I trim mine about once a month and sell it to fish stores.
You asked how tall will it get? Mine has been in my tank over a year and has only grown 5 inches tall. That's it. Java Moss grows TOWARD the light, so it grows up towards the light, but it will eventually spread to other areas of the rock/driftwood. It does not grow on gravel, but it does grow on driftwood and rock. I rubber-banded mine on some driftwood until it attached itself. Now it does great and spreads easily.
I have Discus fish in my tank. Such beautiful fish! They love the Java Moss.
Best of luck to you. I have seven aquariums if you have any further questions.
Reply:java moss is grown good in clod water and bunched together and grown of there... it's kidna mard to intentioally grow it where you want it too...
you can try getting java moss balss and letting it grow from there.
the problem is that it likes coldwater., as i said before and some fish like to eat it...especially gold fish
Reply:I have java moss in my tank. It doens't work well as a ground cover as far as I can tell. It does best when attatched to some drift wood. I've had some in my 55 for about 2 months now and it's proving to be a slow grower and it's growing up, not spreading.
Your java fern will also attatch itself to some drift wood.
Please answer all my questions. Thank you.
Java Moss. Experience answers please.?
It sounds like you want to use it as a ground cover, but in my experience, that doesn't work at all... Java Moss grows towards the light-- upwards-- but you want ground cover plants to grow along the gravel, so you can't really measure its height (it will get as tall as you let it). If you're gonna keep Java Moss, attach it to driftwood or a rock. It doesn't really grow that fast, and it certainly won't overtake your other plants if you simply do some trimming every month or two... Vacuum around it and you shouldn't have any issues... Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
EDIT: Very few fish will eat Java Moss-- it's semi toxic... Also, I have grown it just fine near (and above) 80* and at 70* and the 80* Moss grew much faster, so I disagree that it does best in coldwater...
Reply:Ooooooo Java Moss! I love that stuff!
I keep my tank a warm 85-degrees F and the Java Moss does very well. Cold water? --Not sure what the girl above me is talking about. Also, Java Moss is an unusual plant because it DOES NOT have roots, and it will sink to the bottom of your tank. It will grow like weeds under the crappiest conditions (no gravel, low light, no fertilizer, warm water temp ranges and most PH ranges) and doesn't look too shabby either. A lot of people think Java Moss is annoying and try to get it out of their tanks, but I happen to like the look of it, especially attached to driftwood or rock.
Java Moss loves stagnant water and lots of nitrite. In fact, it will THRIVE on high nitrite levels and leftover food and fish fecal matters. Java Moss is great for Beta tanks. It WILL NOT take over the other plants in your tank, but it will start to grow like crazy. I trim mine about once a month and sell it to fish stores.
You asked how tall will it get? Mine has been in my tank over a year and has only grown 5 inches tall. That's it. Java Moss grows TOWARD the light, so it grows up towards the light, but it will eventually spread to other areas of the rock/driftwood. It does not grow on gravel, but it does grow on driftwood and rock. I rubber-banded mine on some driftwood until it attached itself. Now it does great and spreads easily.
I have Discus fish in my tank. Such beautiful fish! They love the Java Moss.
Best of luck to you. I have seven aquariums if you have any further questions.
Reply:java moss is grown good in clod water and bunched together and grown of there... it's kidna mard to intentioally grow it where you want it too...
you can try getting java moss balss and letting it grow from there.
the problem is that it likes coldwater., as i said before and some fish like to eat it...especially gold fish
Reply:I have java moss in my tank. It doens't work well as a ground cover as far as I can tell. It does best when attatched to some drift wood. I've had some in my 55 for about 2 months now and it's proving to be a slow grower and it's growing up, not spreading.
Your java fern will also attatch itself to some drift wood.
How often should I leave aquarium light on?
I have both plants and fish in my 5 gallon tank. Just a few anacharis along with a few neon tetras. The bulb is 25W. I really want the plants to grow so i can continue to replant.
-How long should the light be on?
-Does keeping the light on hurt the fish?
Also, I am in the process of putting up a 29 gallon planted tank. It will also have fish living with the plants. This tank will have more than just anacharis. Maybe a couple amazon sword/banana/java fern. Not sure yet.
-What wattage/type of bulb is good for this setup?
-How long should this light be on for?
How often should I leave aquarium light on?
8-12 hours maximum daily should be fine. any longer and you're going to find yourself with excessive algae problems.
as for wattage, the bigger the better, the watts per gallon rule is a good rough guide. for your plants which are low-medium light, aim for 2-3 watts per gallon, 5 watts per gallon would be optimum but you would have to be careful what fish you add as many fish don't appreciate very bright lights.
most fish stores stock bulbs intended for growing plants, aim for these for starters. as you progress in the planted tank world you can upgrade to more expensive specialist set ups.
Reply:well usualyy around 8-12 but if u really want to get them growing u could strech it out to 14 hours. most likely ur 29 wpuld be designed to come with thw long florescent tubes and ud want one designed for plant growth. 14 hours
Reply:The light needs to on for about 9 hour a day. for the 29g tank you will need likea 75w or 100w bulb to do better job.
Reply:i agree with the first poster....you'll know if you're leaving it on too long if you experience an algae overgrowth. Is your tank in an area where it gets natural light during the day? If so, cut back on the artificial light.
email
-How long should the light be on?
-Does keeping the light on hurt the fish?
Also, I am in the process of putting up a 29 gallon planted tank. It will also have fish living with the plants. This tank will have more than just anacharis. Maybe a couple amazon sword/banana/java fern. Not sure yet.
-What wattage/type of bulb is good for this setup?
-How long should this light be on for?
How often should I leave aquarium light on?
8-12 hours maximum daily should be fine. any longer and you're going to find yourself with excessive algae problems.
as for wattage, the bigger the better, the watts per gallon rule is a good rough guide. for your plants which are low-medium light, aim for 2-3 watts per gallon, 5 watts per gallon would be optimum but you would have to be careful what fish you add as many fish don't appreciate very bright lights.
most fish stores stock bulbs intended for growing plants, aim for these for starters. as you progress in the planted tank world you can upgrade to more expensive specialist set ups.
Reply:well usualyy around 8-12 but if u really want to get them growing u could strech it out to 14 hours. most likely ur 29 wpuld be designed to come with thw long florescent tubes and ud want one designed for plant growth. 14 hours
Reply:The light needs to on for about 9 hour a day. for the 29g tank you will need likea 75w or 100w bulb to do better job.
Reply:i agree with the first poster....you'll know if you're leaving it on too long if you experience an algae overgrowth. Is your tank in an area where it gets natural light during the day? If so, cut back on the artificial light.
Planted tank + parasites?
Two questions:
1. I'm setting up a planted 55g tank. I'm new to planted tanks, so I just want some advice. My substrate will be 2 inches of flourite and 1+ inches of sand. I plan on getting some hardy plants, like anacharis, java fern, amazon sword, java moss, etc. I also want some floating plants. Can anyone suggest more good, hardy plants for a beginner? Also, will I absolutely need a CO2 injector? And is it possible for any plants to get by with the lighting that came with the tank, or will I aboslutely need more wattage?
2.) For over two months now, I've noticed some of the fish in my 20g community tank flashing (scratching themselves on the bottom). I've never seen any signs of any external parasites, but I've treated the tank with three rounds of Jungle Parasite Clear. Some fish are still flashing occasionally. I did leave my filter on during the treatment, because I don't know how to remove the carbon. Should I turn off the filter next time, and for how long?
Planted tank + parasites?
Okay I think i can help you here.
1) With hardy plants like Java moss and Java fern, you really didnt need flourite. Although it wont do any harm, it will promote growth. Normal gravel will do fine and the natural look gravel (tannish kind) looks alot better than the red flourite. Anywho, If your looking for low maitence and low lighting, look for the bigger taller plants - Especially in a deep tank like a 55 gallon.The standard 55gallon tank comes with 2x15W bulbs. Thats 1.8 Watts Per Gallon. Your going to need more sufficent lighting. Id go for 3 watts per gallon for a 55. Main thing i hate about kits is that it comes with the pin flourescent fixture. Screw ins (Incandescent hood) are (well id say) better than the pin flourscent. With 4 screw in fixtures, you can put in flourscent bulbs. Actually, walmart sells incandescent hoods (mine does) for a 55 gallon tank. Just buy two of them. Then all you need is 4 40W screw in flourscent. 55 gallons is alot of lighting and wattage and id rethink planting but if you still want to do it, Read on. Moneywort and cambomba are pritty good plants. Also try Bacopa monneri, Egeria. Heres a link with some Foreground, Midground and background plants to look at as a guide . http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ... The higher and bigger the plant, the easier it is to light them because the light wont have to travel so far. CO2 isnt needed if you have the right amount of fish in the tank. If you have 5-6 guppies in a 55 gallon tank, then thats not really providing enough carbon dioxide to the plants in a 55g. Use your judgement. Depending on weather your fish are going to be big or not, or how many fish, that all varys in the role of CO2. If you wont have any fish you definatly need CO2.
2) The Jungle Clear isnt doing any good if the carbon is in the tank. The carbon will absorb any sort of medications in the tank. What kind of filter do you have? If its a Hang on Back or internal filter, ususally its inside the filter lace. You will have to open the lace and take out the carbon. Theres sometimes a pin on the top, You pull the clip thing off and it opens the filter lace. Never turn off the filter. Ive had fish in my 55 gallon with Ich. They were scratching themselves agenst my gravel and my decor but i didnt see any Ich spots on them. What i did was turn my temp up to 80-81F, Add some Aquarium salt, and the ich dissapears. Its possible its Ich (most likely) but hasnt developed visibly to the naked eye yet. Good luck! Phew that was alot of writing hehe!
Reply:1) Not all plants need a CO2 injection Here is a good website.
http://azgardens.com/habitats_easy.php
2) I have never removed my carbon while im doing treatments for parasites. It really doesnt matter.
Reply:Just a correction on the post above me. 2 15 watt bulbs is 30 watts. Thats 1.8 GALLONS per watt. Or what your looking for, 0.54 WATTS per gallon. You will need much stronger lighting that whats included for most plants.
1. I'm setting up a planted 55g tank. I'm new to planted tanks, so I just want some advice. My substrate will be 2 inches of flourite and 1+ inches of sand. I plan on getting some hardy plants, like anacharis, java fern, amazon sword, java moss, etc. I also want some floating plants. Can anyone suggest more good, hardy plants for a beginner? Also, will I absolutely need a CO2 injector? And is it possible for any plants to get by with the lighting that came with the tank, or will I aboslutely need more wattage?
2.) For over two months now, I've noticed some of the fish in my 20g community tank flashing (scratching themselves on the bottom). I've never seen any signs of any external parasites, but I've treated the tank with three rounds of Jungle Parasite Clear. Some fish are still flashing occasionally. I did leave my filter on during the treatment, because I don't know how to remove the carbon. Should I turn off the filter next time, and for how long?
Planted tank + parasites?
Okay I think i can help you here.
1) With hardy plants like Java moss and Java fern, you really didnt need flourite. Although it wont do any harm, it will promote growth. Normal gravel will do fine and the natural look gravel (tannish kind) looks alot better than the red flourite. Anywho, If your looking for low maitence and low lighting, look for the bigger taller plants - Especially in a deep tank like a 55 gallon.The standard 55gallon tank comes with 2x15W bulbs. Thats 1.8 Watts Per Gallon. Your going to need more sufficent lighting. Id go for 3 watts per gallon for a 55. Main thing i hate about kits is that it comes with the pin flourescent fixture. Screw ins (Incandescent hood) are (well id say) better than the pin flourscent. With 4 screw in fixtures, you can put in flourscent bulbs. Actually, walmart sells incandescent hoods (mine does) for a 55 gallon tank. Just buy two of them. Then all you need is 4 40W screw in flourscent. 55 gallons is alot of lighting and wattage and id rethink planting but if you still want to do it, Read on. Moneywort and cambomba are pritty good plants. Also try Bacopa monneri, Egeria. Heres a link with some Foreground, Midground and background plants to look at as a guide . http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ... The higher and bigger the plant, the easier it is to light them because the light wont have to travel so far. CO2 isnt needed if you have the right amount of fish in the tank. If you have 5-6 guppies in a 55 gallon tank, then thats not really providing enough carbon dioxide to the plants in a 55g. Use your judgement. Depending on weather your fish are going to be big or not, or how many fish, that all varys in the role of CO2. If you wont have any fish you definatly need CO2.
2) The Jungle Clear isnt doing any good if the carbon is in the tank. The carbon will absorb any sort of medications in the tank. What kind of filter do you have? If its a Hang on Back or internal filter, ususally its inside the filter lace. You will have to open the lace and take out the carbon. Theres sometimes a pin on the top, You pull the clip thing off and it opens the filter lace. Never turn off the filter. Ive had fish in my 55 gallon with Ich. They were scratching themselves agenst my gravel and my decor but i didnt see any Ich spots on them. What i did was turn my temp up to 80-81F, Add some Aquarium salt, and the ich dissapears. Its possible its Ich (most likely) but hasnt developed visibly to the naked eye yet. Good luck! Phew that was alot of writing hehe!
Reply:1) Not all plants need a CO2 injection Here is a good website.
http://azgardens.com/habitats_easy.php
2) I have never removed my carbon while im doing treatments for parasites. It really doesnt matter.
Reply:Just a correction on the post above me. 2 15 watt bulbs is 30 watts. Thats 1.8 GALLONS per watt. Or what your looking for, 0.54 WATTS per gallon. You will need much stronger lighting that whats included for most plants.
PLEASE CLICK! am i missing anything with my beta care?
i am just gonna make a list cause there is a lot i am doing:
first of all, he is in a 10 gallon, heated and filtered tank. this tank has a multi-colored gravel (not large enough for him to get his head stuck or anything), 2 types of plants that are growing thicker by the day (java fern and sword plant). i have multiple of both these plants and the swords are intertwining.
i am feeding him hikari beta bio-gold pellets as a base food, tropical fish pellets as his secondary food, and freeze dried bloodworms as a treat. occasionally, a bit of a pea as a treat about once a month.
also, i might of forgotten to say this, he also has a thermometer that he loves examining and swiming around-says the temp is at 80 degrees.
I do 15-25% water changes weekly. he is never tramatized by these. i do these with great care. the water that is put back into the tank is purified by a de-chlorinater made for tropical fish.
I gently chase him around the tank with the end (not the actual net part) of...
PLEASE CLICK! am i missing anything with my beta care?
Actually, you did right by choosing a roomy, heated, filtered tank. Most people think bettas prefer a small, cramped bowl but actually they enjoy being able to move around a little bit. What they DON'T like is strong currents, so try to reduce the turbulence from your filter as much as possible.
It sounds like this lucky little guy has a great life! I wouldn't worry too much about having medications. If you keep taking care of him like you are, hopefully you will never need them. All I would recommend is using a little bit of de-chlorinator like Betta-Safe, and making sure your city tap water doesn't contain any ammonia. A water testing kit might be a good investment, and perhaps a small bottle of blackwater extract (http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/p...
Here's a really nice site for more detailed betta care: http://www.ultimatebettas.com/index.php?...
Reply:Considering most people keep them in unheated jars, this is paradise! Many people don't seem to realize that these are tropical fish and need to be traeted as so. You wouldn't keep a neon tetra in a jar would you?
Reply:no, that sounds fine. you really take great care of your beta but dont you think a 10 gallon tank is kinda big for one little beta?
Reply:i would definitely get a smaller tank but besides that your doing great!
Reply:no your fine bettas are hardy fish! you have great care for him he will be very happy! =)
Reply:Hmm.. Bettas LOVE Absolutely LOVE wide open spaces. Great job. ;D
Oh.. And also, Maybe you can add some other fish in the tank. Like a School of 5 Neon Tetras. Maybe some shrimps a Frog. If you go with Tetras, Defintely a school of them. Frogs need about 1-2gallons each and like to have LIVE food but would settle for freeze dried. I have no idea about the shrimp though. But don't overstock!
Oh yeah! to prevent most diseases.. Use Maybe.. 2-3 teaspoons of Aquarium Salt. Not Saltwater salt(Atleast I think..).. Not table.. But aquarium salt. API makes some in little cartons.
Reply:I had a beta for almost 3 years.I have been told that is a long time!!!!I had my beta in a 1 gallon tank,which had a light in the hood of tank(which I left on at all times).Once a week,I cleaned the tank,by emptying all of the water,and filling back up with water that I kept in a gallon jug for a week(so it would be at room temperature)I would add a drop or two of Tetra Aqua Safe at each cleaning.I didn't have a heater or filtration system and I had one artificial plant and colored gravel..I fed him regular beta food and never bought any of the expensive treats and I think he died from just being old.
Reply:Any answerer who thinks a Betta needs a small space... is a friggin' retard. Bettas are really good community fish, despite all the myths, you can totally add Neon Tetras. Your set up looks perfect but you didn't mention if the tank was cycled. Try to find used filter medium or buy some bacteria booster to cycle your tank, you'll reduce the ammonia burns and nitrite poisoning to your Betta. Luckily Bettas and Neon Tetras are very hearty fish.
Your set up is absolutely fine, good job- it's rare to find a knowledgeable and responsible Betta fish owner.
Reply:just to let you know, bettas HATE (and I mean ABSOLUTELY HATE) tanks that large. I've heard many times that they don't do well in anything larger than a few gallons
first of all, he is in a 10 gallon, heated and filtered tank. this tank has a multi-colored gravel (not large enough for him to get his head stuck or anything), 2 types of plants that are growing thicker by the day (java fern and sword plant). i have multiple of both these plants and the swords are intertwining.
i am feeding him hikari beta bio-gold pellets as a base food, tropical fish pellets as his secondary food, and freeze dried bloodworms as a treat. occasionally, a bit of a pea as a treat about once a month.
also, i might of forgotten to say this, he also has a thermometer that he loves examining and swiming around-says the temp is at 80 degrees.
I do 15-25% water changes weekly. he is never tramatized by these. i do these with great care. the water that is put back into the tank is purified by a de-chlorinater made for tropical fish.
I gently chase him around the tank with the end (not the actual net part) of...
PLEASE CLICK! am i missing anything with my beta care?
Actually, you did right by choosing a roomy, heated, filtered tank. Most people think bettas prefer a small, cramped bowl but actually they enjoy being able to move around a little bit. What they DON'T like is strong currents, so try to reduce the turbulence from your filter as much as possible.
It sounds like this lucky little guy has a great life! I wouldn't worry too much about having medications. If you keep taking care of him like you are, hopefully you will never need them. All I would recommend is using a little bit of de-chlorinator like Betta-Safe, and making sure your city tap water doesn't contain any ammonia. A water testing kit might be a good investment, and perhaps a small bottle of blackwater extract (http://www.bettysplendens.com/articles/p...
Here's a really nice site for more detailed betta care: http://www.ultimatebettas.com/index.php?...
Reply:Considering most people keep them in unheated jars, this is paradise! Many people don't seem to realize that these are tropical fish and need to be traeted as so. You wouldn't keep a neon tetra in a jar would you?
Reply:no, that sounds fine. you really take great care of your beta but dont you think a 10 gallon tank is kinda big for one little beta?
Reply:i would definitely get a smaller tank but besides that your doing great!
Reply:no your fine bettas are hardy fish! you have great care for him he will be very happy! =)
Reply:Hmm.. Bettas LOVE Absolutely LOVE wide open spaces. Great job. ;D
Oh.. And also, Maybe you can add some other fish in the tank. Like a School of 5 Neon Tetras. Maybe some shrimps a Frog. If you go with Tetras, Defintely a school of them. Frogs need about 1-2gallons each and like to have LIVE food but would settle for freeze dried. I have no idea about the shrimp though. But don't overstock!
Oh yeah! to prevent most diseases.. Use Maybe.. 2-3 teaspoons of Aquarium Salt. Not Saltwater salt(Atleast I think..).. Not table.. But aquarium salt. API makes some in little cartons.
Reply:I had a beta for almost 3 years.I have been told that is a long time!!!!I had my beta in a 1 gallon tank,which had a light in the hood of tank(which I left on at all times).Once a week,I cleaned the tank,by emptying all of the water,and filling back up with water that I kept in a gallon jug for a week(so it would be at room temperature)I would add a drop or two of Tetra Aqua Safe at each cleaning.I didn't have a heater or filtration system and I had one artificial plant and colored gravel..I fed him regular beta food and never bought any of the expensive treats and I think he died from just being old.
Reply:Any answerer who thinks a Betta needs a small space... is a friggin' retard. Bettas are really good community fish, despite all the myths, you can totally add Neon Tetras. Your set up looks perfect but you didn't mention if the tank was cycled. Try to find used filter medium or buy some bacteria booster to cycle your tank, you'll reduce the ammonia burns and nitrite poisoning to your Betta. Luckily Bettas and Neon Tetras are very hearty fish.
Your set up is absolutely fine, good job- it's rare to find a knowledgeable and responsible Betta fish owner.
Reply:just to let you know, bettas HATE (and I mean ABSOLUTELY HATE) tanks that large. I've heard many times that they don't do well in anything larger than a few gallons
How do i.....?
Get rid of the algae that is growing on my dwarf hair grass?
Stats:
10 Gallon aquarium
15 watt 10000k bulb (might upgrade, but what is a good one that will fit on a 10 gallon aquarium???????
DIY CO2 with yeast and sugar
DIY 95 percent efficient CO2 reactor with powerhead (if you want a design i'll email it to you.
Melon Sword
Java fern (i'm soaking the driftwood)
2 pots of dwarf hair grass
20 gallon filter
On it's way:
3 pots of hair grass
Ruffle plant
Amazon Sword
oh yeah, and my substrate is eco complete (I LOVE IT)
Dry fertilizer every 20 days
Don't know how much co2, but i'm building a bubble counter for it today =)))))))
How do i.....?
what kind of algae is it? each type has various methods of treatment.
Reply:http://alllinthis.blogspot.com
you can get much information in this website,kindly stay a minute in website and check anyone link at a time
Stats:
10 Gallon aquarium
15 watt 10000k bulb (might upgrade, but what is a good one that will fit on a 10 gallon aquarium???????
DIY CO2 with yeast and sugar
DIY 95 percent efficient CO2 reactor with powerhead (if you want a design i'll email it to you.
Melon Sword
Java fern (i'm soaking the driftwood)
2 pots of dwarf hair grass
20 gallon filter
On it's way:
3 pots of hair grass
Ruffle plant
Amazon Sword
oh yeah, and my substrate is eco complete (I LOVE IT)
Dry fertilizer every 20 days
Don't know how much co2, but i'm building a bubble counter for it today =)))))))
How do i.....?
what kind of algae is it? each type has various methods of treatment.
Reply:http://alllinthis.blogspot.com
you can get much information in this website,kindly stay a minute in website and check anyone link at a time
South American Stream Themed Aquarium?
Hey, I am setting up an aquarium. Found some neat info on this site, thought i'd ask for opinions. Does anyone see any huge problems with the setup im aiming for:
36x18x14, 50(ish) gallon tank. Backplanted with val, pygmy chain sword, java lance ferns, java moss and hairgrass. ABout 2 inches of 5mm gravel (with plantfood in it), a big chunk of nice wood and plenty of large river stones forming hiding places and a natural look. 4 x pictus catfish and 3 x Hoplo catfish in the bottom region, 7 x Bleeding Heart Tetra in the middle region, 3 or 5 x blackwinged hatchetfish in the top region and 3 x octocinclus for algae. Heavily planted at the rear, with lots of swimming space for the pictus. Will be feeding with standard flakes, frozen worms and live guppies.
I do realize i will need a larger tank in a year or so for the pictus. :)
thanks for any feedback
Steve
South American Stream Themed Aquarium?
Sounds pretty good to me. Only thing, the pictus cats get to be about 5 inches, the hoplos about 6-8 inches. I'm just wondering if that's too many for the bottom area, especially when they start growing. And I know pictus cats love swimming back and forth.
You could also get 1 or 2 more oto cats, recommended 1 for every 10 gallons.
And, I'd leave out the feeder guppies. If you get them from the store, it's a good way to introduce bacteria, parasites, or algae into your tank. You could breed them yourself, but I wouldn't. The fish will get more nutritional value out of the flakes and worms. I would also include some spirulina flakes or veggie crisps, algae wafers, frozen/thawed brine shrimp, and sometimes some cut up pieces of salad or cocktail shrimp. Sounds neat-good luck with it!
Reply:i agree with tikitiki that you may be slightly overdoing the catfish at the moment, i know you plan for a larger tank but maybe just keep what you can fit for now, the fish will appreciate it! and the hatchets will appreciate being in the larger group of 5, and never leave your tank lid open with your back turned with hatchets! they're fantastic jumpers.
other than that, the tank sounds pretty.
Beauty Home
36x18x14, 50(ish) gallon tank. Backplanted with val, pygmy chain sword, java lance ferns, java moss and hairgrass. ABout 2 inches of 5mm gravel (with plantfood in it), a big chunk of nice wood and plenty of large river stones forming hiding places and a natural look. 4 x pictus catfish and 3 x Hoplo catfish in the bottom region, 7 x Bleeding Heart Tetra in the middle region, 3 or 5 x blackwinged hatchetfish in the top region and 3 x octocinclus for algae. Heavily planted at the rear, with lots of swimming space for the pictus. Will be feeding with standard flakes, frozen worms and live guppies.
I do realize i will need a larger tank in a year or so for the pictus. :)
thanks for any feedback
Steve
South American Stream Themed Aquarium?
Sounds pretty good to me. Only thing, the pictus cats get to be about 5 inches, the hoplos about 6-8 inches. I'm just wondering if that's too many for the bottom area, especially when they start growing. And I know pictus cats love swimming back and forth.
You could also get 1 or 2 more oto cats, recommended 1 for every 10 gallons.
And, I'd leave out the feeder guppies. If you get them from the store, it's a good way to introduce bacteria, parasites, or algae into your tank. You could breed them yourself, but I wouldn't. The fish will get more nutritional value out of the flakes and worms. I would also include some spirulina flakes or veggie crisps, algae wafers, frozen/thawed brine shrimp, and sometimes some cut up pieces of salad or cocktail shrimp. Sounds neat-good luck with it!
Reply:i agree with tikitiki that you may be slightly overdoing the catfish at the moment, i know you plan for a larger tank but maybe just keep what you can fit for now, the fish will appreciate it! and the hatchets will appreciate being in the larger group of 5, and never leave your tank lid open with your back turned with hatchets! they're fantastic jumpers.
other than that, the tank sounds pretty.
Beauty Home
Will Kribensis get too territorial?
I have a 55 gallon tank with a clown pleco, chocolate pleco, two SAE's, 8 scissortail rasbora, 13 emerald eye killifish, two pearl gouramis, and 6 peppered corydoras. I want to get a krib, but am not sure if they will become overly territorial once they've found a space in the tank that is their own? It is well planted with amazon sword, anubias, java fern, and hygrophila, but its not heavily planted. Will the fish like even more plant cover?
Will Kribensis get too territorial?
wow, that's a full tank as it is..it's a 55 gal not a 100 :p i wouldn't suggest anymore, especially with the plants..but i will answer your question, it is doubtful they will become territorial with that many fish in there, but it may be bullied by the large numbers.
Reply:I'm not going to comment on the fish, but you're seriously over stocking that tank. The two pleco's need at least 20 gallons a piece, and then with the other 31 fish on top of that. Don't add anymore.
Will Kribensis get too territorial?
wow, that's a full tank as it is..it's a 55 gal not a 100 :p i wouldn't suggest anymore, especially with the plants..but i will answer your question, it is doubtful they will become territorial with that many fish in there, but it may be bullied by the large numbers.
Reply:I'm not going to comment on the fish, but you're seriously over stocking that tank. The two pleco's need at least 20 gallons a piece, and then with the other 31 fish on top of that. Don't add anymore.
Please help! Should i always keep on the light?
i have a beta and 4 neon tetras in my aquarium in my office. can i keep the light on all the time? i have been for the past week, but maybe im not supposed to. i have a java fern, an amazon sword, and a sword plant. do i? should i? please help!
Please help! Should i always keep on the light?
No having the light on all the time will stress the fish, the light should be on between 10 and 12 hours a day. turn the light in when you get to work and off when you leave.
Reply:1:
fish out". We have a timer plug on our tank which turns the light off at about 11pm and on again at about 8am
2:
They need the same light and dark that you and most other animals need. Day - light on. Night [or when you go to bed] light off.
3:
You don't need to keep the light on all the time.You can but,you don't have to. For my fish tank we set the light on a timer and it goes on and off during the entire day. But like I said you don't have to keep it on all the time.
4:
its not very good for them. isn't it hard to go to sleep with the light on in your room???
Reply:no! fish need sleep too. turn off the light when it is dark outside, turn it on when it is light. the plants don't need light 24/7, and neither do the fish. excess light can cause algae growth and bad tempers in the fish from lack of rest. also, get a couple more tetras. they do best in groups of 6 or more.
Reply:You don't need to keep the light on all the time.You can but,you don't have to. For my fish tank we set the light on a timer and it goes on and off during the entire day. But like I said you don't have to keep it on all the time.
Reply:Not only is it stressful for the fish, but constant light is not good for the plants either.
Plants and fish both need periods of light and dark.
Leaving the light on all the time will encourage algae.
Reply:My husband says "No you should not have a light on all the time as it will stress the fish out". We have a timer plug on our tank which turns the light off at about 11pm and on again at about 8am
Reply:Not all the time because they need darkness and light. And the light could also effect the temperature of the water.
Reply:They need the same light and dark that you and most other animals need. Day - light on. Night [or when you go to bed] light off.
Reply:its not very good for them. isn't it hard to go to sleep with the light on in your room???
☆beth
Please help! Should i always keep on the light?
No having the light on all the time will stress the fish, the light should be on between 10 and 12 hours a day. turn the light in when you get to work and off when you leave.
Reply:1:
fish out". We have a timer plug on our tank which turns the light off at about 11pm and on again at about 8am
2:
They need the same light and dark that you and most other animals need. Day - light on. Night [or when you go to bed] light off.
3:
You don't need to keep the light on all the time.You can but,you don't have to. For my fish tank we set the light on a timer and it goes on and off during the entire day. But like I said you don't have to keep it on all the time.
4:
its not very good for them. isn't it hard to go to sleep with the light on in your room???
Reply:no! fish need sleep too. turn off the light when it is dark outside, turn it on when it is light. the plants don't need light 24/7, and neither do the fish. excess light can cause algae growth and bad tempers in the fish from lack of rest. also, get a couple more tetras. they do best in groups of 6 or more.
Reply:You don't need to keep the light on all the time.You can but,you don't have to. For my fish tank we set the light on a timer and it goes on and off during the entire day. But like I said you don't have to keep it on all the time.
Reply:Not only is it stressful for the fish, but constant light is not good for the plants either.
Plants and fish both need periods of light and dark.
Leaving the light on all the time will encourage algae.
Reply:My husband says "No you should not have a light on all the time as it will stress the fish out". We have a timer plug on our tank which turns the light off at about 11pm and on again at about 8am
Reply:Not all the time because they need darkness and light. And the light could also effect the temperature of the water.
Reply:They need the same light and dark that you and most other animals need. Day - light on. Night [or when you go to bed] light off.
Reply:its not very good for them. isn't it hard to go to sleep with the light on in your room???
☆beth
What type of aquatic plants should I consider when setting up a 15 gallon freshwater tank?
I plan to have neon tetras and longfin blue or leopard danios. I have been looking at: Philippine java fern, small rotala, dwarf hygro, black amazon sword, twisted val, needle sag and dwarf sag. How many plants is too much? How many fish should I have?
What type of aquatic plants should I consider when setting up a 15 gallon freshwater tank?
No amount of plants is too much, but make sure your tank is fully cycled before you add all of them. You should get 2 watts per gallon of 6500 K fluorescent lights, that will give you a low/medium tech tank. The more plants you give it the less likely you'll be to have algae outbreaks. If you do have algae and don't want to do CO2 diffusion, you can dose with Seachem's Flourish Excel to keep it away.
In addition to the plants you listed, also consider fast growers like water wisteria and water sprite to suck up the most toxins and nutrients, anubias for easy care plants, and crypts for their diverse textures, shapes, and subtle colours.
The most common stocking guideline is the inch per gallon rule. It applies to slim-bodied fish like you mentioned, and applies to the fishes' adult size.
Not everyone agrees with this rule, in fact it's more of a guideline, but it's the best way, in my opinion, to keep your nitrogen cycle healthy. The nitrogen cycle of course is the most important part of tank health.
Check out some of the planted tank photos at ratemyfishtank.com.
Reply:Well in a 15 gallon you need to consider the height the plants grow as well. I would try some plants like ludwigia or hornwort for a center piece with some java ferns and anubias. I would also try some dwarf grasses or ground covers for the front so you can see your fish sometimes. Amazon swords and vals might grow too tall for your tank. As well you need to consider buying something for CO2 and proper lighting, unless your plants all prefer low lights. For CO2 I would go with the hagen natural plant system, using your own mixture instead of the packets, we use white sugar to the first level in the canister, then we put 1/2 tsp of yeast, and if you have hard water you don't need baking soda, but if it is soft use about 1/4 tsp of that. Then fill it to the second level with luke warm water. We always give ours a good shake to mix it all together. The lower the light the less CO2 you will need, but when using CO2 also make sure there is sufficient O2 being produced as well. You can also try turning the CO2 off at night since plants don't consume it then. I would suggest doing so in a tank that size. As well you need to think about fertilizers, some plants require more of one mineral than others. So what I suggest is to use seachem flourish fertilizers. The Flourish excel is a great one and you can also use the iron and comprehensive to go along with it. Hope this helps and all of this will lead to healthier more beneficial plants.
What type of aquatic plants should I consider when setting up a 15 gallon freshwater tank?
No amount of plants is too much, but make sure your tank is fully cycled before you add all of them. You should get 2 watts per gallon of 6500 K fluorescent lights, that will give you a low/medium tech tank. The more plants you give it the less likely you'll be to have algae outbreaks. If you do have algae and don't want to do CO2 diffusion, you can dose with Seachem's Flourish Excel to keep it away.
In addition to the plants you listed, also consider fast growers like water wisteria and water sprite to suck up the most toxins and nutrients, anubias for easy care plants, and crypts for their diverse textures, shapes, and subtle colours.
The most common stocking guideline is the inch per gallon rule. It applies to slim-bodied fish like you mentioned, and applies to the fishes' adult size.
Not everyone agrees with this rule, in fact it's more of a guideline, but it's the best way, in my opinion, to keep your nitrogen cycle healthy. The nitrogen cycle of course is the most important part of tank health.
Check out some of the planted tank photos at ratemyfishtank.com.
Reply:Well in a 15 gallon you need to consider the height the plants grow as well. I would try some plants like ludwigia or hornwort for a center piece with some java ferns and anubias. I would also try some dwarf grasses or ground covers for the front so you can see your fish sometimes. Amazon swords and vals might grow too tall for your tank. As well you need to consider buying something for CO2 and proper lighting, unless your plants all prefer low lights. For CO2 I would go with the hagen natural plant system, using your own mixture instead of the packets, we use white sugar to the first level in the canister, then we put 1/2 tsp of yeast, and if you have hard water you don't need baking soda, but if it is soft use about 1/4 tsp of that. Then fill it to the second level with luke warm water. We always give ours a good shake to mix it all together. The lower the light the less CO2 you will need, but when using CO2 also make sure there is sufficient O2 being produced as well. You can also try turning the CO2 off at night since plants don't consume it then. I would suggest doing so in a tank that size. As well you need to think about fertilizers, some plants require more of one mineral than others. So what I suggest is to use seachem flourish fertilizers. The Flourish excel is a great one and you can also use the iron and comprehensive to go along with it. Hope this helps and all of this will lead to healthier more beneficial plants.
What fish you have in your tank? Anyone with a tank btn 29-35 G please?
I need help to stocking my fish tank. I have a 30 g long with rena xp 1 and 200-watt heater. I need help to stock my tank for bottom and top dweller.
So I need a real life example I am tired of people telling this and that can get along and some people say keep one inch per sq inch / gallon... I need to know from different people what do they have in their tank? So I can copy exactly from one person.
So just tell me what you have in your tank...
by the way I have few plants java moss, java fern , cabomba and Amazon sword.
What fish you have in your tank? Anyone with a tank btn 29-35 G please?
Hi!
I know exactly how you feel, so many different rules/methods people have. I can't believe I never thought about asking people what their tank set ups are!
Anyways, well I just made the cut, I have a 29 gallon aquarium I got from my grandpa after he passed away and it has had quite a variety of fish in it. He had saltwater in it, I have had goldfish, community, and semi aggressive community before, but this is what is in there now.
--13 female bettas- 10 are Wal-Mart rescues, the other 2 are from Petco and 1 is from Denizens of the Deep I feel so bad for all the poor bettas stuck in cups!
--4 bronze corydoras- doing well and are very happy
--1 dwarf bristlenose pleco- has to have driftwood in its diet and are a tad pricey, I got my little girl from Denizens for 13 dollars
--2 ottocinclus- very cheap fish and really cute, I got my 2 from petco for only $1.50 each
I have 3 large homemade rock hideouts and a heater that keeps the water at 78F. I have a tetra external power filter that is for 30-55 gallons. I also have a ton of plastic plants and some java fern from the driftwood. The tank has tons of variety in my opinion. The female bettas add tons of color for being half dead walmart rescues. They have really perked up and now have shown their true colors. I have a yellow one, several red ones, several green/bluish ones, and several purplish looking ones. The cories do a great job cleaning the bottom gravel and the ottos eat the algae that grows. I feed the cories shrimp pellets, the female bettas tetra betta flake, and the ottos eat the alagea plus whatever else food they find.
There was a little chasing from the female bettas at first among each other, but nothing bad. Since you have a 30 gal long you could easily get away with 2 more female bettas or cories, I could right now but choose not to because currently my quarantine tank is being used as a hospital tank.
Also, contrary to belief bettas aren't boring! My little girls are so funny. Every time I walk by their tank they think it is feeding time and swarm at the top.
Hope This Helps!!!
Good Luck in Whatever Tank Set Up You Choose!!!
Reply:Cichlids can be fun, but it is important to get them while they are still small. As they get larger they get more territorial. I have a Rainbow Peacock Cichlid, 2 Frontasias, and two sharks (freshwater).
Also if you want to add smaller fish that stay small with these, as I have, you can get black-neons because the bigger fish won't eat them. (They are slightly poisonous and will cause a tummy ache.)
Reply:I have a 33 gallon with 3 Bolivian rams. Another 33 or 35 gallon with community fish, 4 cory cats, 1 pleco-who's getting moved to a larger tank soon, 2 platies, 3 Buenos Aires tetras, 3 Black skirted tetras, 4 zebra danios, 1 red tail shark, %26amp; 1 blue gourami. Tetras and danios should be about 5 minimum, I just need to replace them from a few that died.
You should figure out which fish you'd like to have then ask if it sounds good. You could easily have a few smaller scale cichlids in there, or a tank full of community type fish, go brackish and get yourself a puffer, even a few salt water fish would do ok in that size tank, lots of possibilities because that's a decent sized tank you have. Good luck!!
Reply:In my tank, I have mid and bottom dweller. I am planning, (maybe, on adding a dwarf gouramir). Generally, cories and most tetras would get along together.
I have the same exact plants except for the java moss and java fern. But I am going to get the Java Fern.
Email me so we can talk :)
Reply:Well I have, and my sister have, a few tanks. My first one is a 10g with 2 platies, 2 guppies, 2 golden danios, and 2 otocinlus. My 15g has 2 australian rainbow fish and 6 corydoras catfish (about to be 8 yay) My 1.6g has 1 male betta and a snail. My sisters 30g holds 1 pleco and to sharks which i think are silky sharks.
For you 30g I Would say 5 guppies, 5 platies, 10 neon tetras, 8-10 corydoras catfish, and 3-5 otocinclus.
Another choice would be an all tetra or live-bearer tank.
All tetra: A few school of tetras like rummynose, neon ,and glowlight.
All live-bearers: Guppies, platies, mollies, swordtail ,adnd a few others.
***Whatever you do go make sure you get 3-5 otocinclus to keep your tank algea free. You will have to give em a few algea wafers every once in a while though.
Happy Fish Keeping! %26gt;(%26gt;+)
Reply:I don't have a 29-35 g but i have a 10 g. I have 2 guppies (the female is pregnant right now), a zebra danio, 3 glow fish, a black skirt tetra, and a red sarpae tetra. From what i've noticed, the glowfish and the tetras that i have generally stay mid to bottom, and they only come to the top when their hungry or just swimming around, and my guppies are usually around the top of the tank.
augmon
So I need a real life example I am tired of people telling this and that can get along and some people say keep one inch per sq inch / gallon... I need to know from different people what do they have in their tank? So I can copy exactly from one person.
So just tell me what you have in your tank...
by the way I have few plants java moss, java fern , cabomba and Amazon sword.
What fish you have in your tank? Anyone with a tank btn 29-35 G please?
Hi!
I know exactly how you feel, so many different rules/methods people have. I can't believe I never thought about asking people what their tank set ups are!
Anyways, well I just made the cut, I have a 29 gallon aquarium I got from my grandpa after he passed away and it has had quite a variety of fish in it. He had saltwater in it, I have had goldfish, community, and semi aggressive community before, but this is what is in there now.
--13 female bettas- 10 are Wal-Mart rescues, the other 2 are from Petco and 1 is from Denizens of the Deep I feel so bad for all the poor bettas stuck in cups!
--4 bronze corydoras- doing well and are very happy
--1 dwarf bristlenose pleco- has to have driftwood in its diet and are a tad pricey, I got my little girl from Denizens for 13 dollars
--2 ottocinclus- very cheap fish and really cute, I got my 2 from petco for only $1.50 each
I have 3 large homemade rock hideouts and a heater that keeps the water at 78F. I have a tetra external power filter that is for 30-55 gallons. I also have a ton of plastic plants and some java fern from the driftwood. The tank has tons of variety in my opinion. The female bettas add tons of color for being half dead walmart rescues. They have really perked up and now have shown their true colors. I have a yellow one, several red ones, several green/bluish ones, and several purplish looking ones. The cories do a great job cleaning the bottom gravel and the ottos eat the algae that grows. I feed the cories shrimp pellets, the female bettas tetra betta flake, and the ottos eat the alagea plus whatever else food they find.
There was a little chasing from the female bettas at first among each other, but nothing bad. Since you have a 30 gal long you could easily get away with 2 more female bettas or cories, I could right now but choose not to because currently my quarantine tank is being used as a hospital tank.
Also, contrary to belief bettas aren't boring! My little girls are so funny. Every time I walk by their tank they think it is feeding time and swarm at the top.
Hope This Helps!!!
Good Luck in Whatever Tank Set Up You Choose!!!
Reply:Cichlids can be fun, but it is important to get them while they are still small. As they get larger they get more territorial. I have a Rainbow Peacock Cichlid, 2 Frontasias, and two sharks (freshwater).
Also if you want to add smaller fish that stay small with these, as I have, you can get black-neons because the bigger fish won't eat them. (They are slightly poisonous and will cause a tummy ache.)
Reply:I have a 33 gallon with 3 Bolivian rams. Another 33 or 35 gallon with community fish, 4 cory cats, 1 pleco-who's getting moved to a larger tank soon, 2 platies, 3 Buenos Aires tetras, 3 Black skirted tetras, 4 zebra danios, 1 red tail shark, %26amp; 1 blue gourami. Tetras and danios should be about 5 minimum, I just need to replace them from a few that died.
You should figure out which fish you'd like to have then ask if it sounds good. You could easily have a few smaller scale cichlids in there, or a tank full of community type fish, go brackish and get yourself a puffer, even a few salt water fish would do ok in that size tank, lots of possibilities because that's a decent sized tank you have. Good luck!!
Reply:In my tank, I have mid and bottom dweller. I am planning, (maybe, on adding a dwarf gouramir). Generally, cories and most tetras would get along together.
I have the same exact plants except for the java moss and java fern. But I am going to get the Java Fern.
Email me so we can talk :)
Reply:Well I have, and my sister have, a few tanks. My first one is a 10g with 2 platies, 2 guppies, 2 golden danios, and 2 otocinlus. My 15g has 2 australian rainbow fish and 6 corydoras catfish (about to be 8 yay) My 1.6g has 1 male betta and a snail. My sisters 30g holds 1 pleco and to sharks which i think are silky sharks.
For you 30g I Would say 5 guppies, 5 platies, 10 neon tetras, 8-10 corydoras catfish, and 3-5 otocinclus.
Another choice would be an all tetra or live-bearer tank.
All tetra: A few school of tetras like rummynose, neon ,and glowlight.
All live-bearers: Guppies, platies, mollies, swordtail ,adnd a few others.
***Whatever you do go make sure you get 3-5 otocinclus to keep your tank algea free. You will have to give em a few algea wafers every once in a while though.
Happy Fish Keeping! %26gt;(%26gt;+)
Reply:I don't have a 29-35 g but i have a 10 g. I have 2 guppies (the female is pregnant right now), a zebra danio, 3 glow fish, a black skirt tetra, and a red sarpae tetra. From what i've noticed, the glowfish and the tetras that i have generally stay mid to bottom, and they only come to the top when their hungry or just swimming around, and my guppies are usually around the top of the tank.
augmon
Is this too many plants? A good combination?
I got a five gallon hex tank....
1 java fern
1 amazon sword
1 Cryptocoryne wendtii
1 Hornwort
and one "mystery" bulb (not apogomatum-whateveritscalled)
I would like to add a Java Moss as well....
Is that too many?
I am planning on putting a Betta and 3 dwarf platys in there....
or maybe 3 guppies and 3 platies....
Whatchu guys think?
Is this too many plants? A good combination?
It sounds like a good combination. You can't really over plant a tank unless you have so many plants the fish can't move. My only recommendation would be to make sure you start small with the java moss and keep it trimmed back. Java moss grows quickly given the right conditions and could easliy fill a tank that small. As far as fish I would recommed sticking with the betta and droping down to 2 dwarf platies, or maybe 3 pygmy cories. If you go with the platies make sure you have all male or all female they will quickly out bred a tank that small. The same thing applies if you get the guppies.
Reply:it looks okay to me.
the quantity of the plants doesn't matter, what matters is finding the right plants, and how you arranged them!
be sure to have open swimming space for the fish.
all your fish won't harm the plants so its okay.
good luck!
Reply:sounds like a very good combination to me. be careful that the fish dont eat all of the plants though. that can sometimes happen.
1 java fern
1 amazon sword
1 Cryptocoryne wendtii
1 Hornwort
and one "mystery" bulb (not apogomatum-whateveritscalled)
I would like to add a Java Moss as well....
Is that too many?
I am planning on putting a Betta and 3 dwarf platys in there....
or maybe 3 guppies and 3 platies....
Whatchu guys think?
Is this too many plants? A good combination?
It sounds like a good combination. You can't really over plant a tank unless you have so many plants the fish can't move. My only recommendation would be to make sure you start small with the java moss and keep it trimmed back. Java moss grows quickly given the right conditions and could easliy fill a tank that small. As far as fish I would recommed sticking with the betta and droping down to 2 dwarf platies, or maybe 3 pygmy cories. If you go with the platies make sure you have all male or all female they will quickly out bred a tank that small. The same thing applies if you get the guppies.
Reply:it looks okay to me.
the quantity of the plants doesn't matter, what matters is finding the right plants, and how you arranged them!
be sure to have open swimming space for the fish.
all your fish won't harm the plants so its okay.
good luck!
Reply:sounds like a very good combination to me. be careful that the fish dont eat all of the plants though. that can sometimes happen.
Will a red tailed shark destroy a planted tank?
Im starting a planted tank, looking for any advice or tips..
29 gallon
sand/gravel substrate
java moss, java fern, amazon sword
red tail shark
5 blackskirt tetras
Will a red tailed shark destroy a planted tank?
They won't destroy a planted tank, but their activity could uproot them if they aren't well planted and the tank is small (a 29 gallon really isn't big enough for one of these guys, which will grow past 6 inches long and are quite territorial).
Reply:Nah, they're usually fine with plants. They'll graze on algae in the tank, but shouldn't uproot or eat the plants.
Reply:I have never had any problems with red-tailed sharks disturbing any of the plants in my aquariums. I have never heard of this being an issue with these fish.
29 gallon
sand/gravel substrate
java moss, java fern, amazon sword
red tail shark
5 blackskirt tetras
Will a red tailed shark destroy a planted tank?
They won't destroy a planted tank, but their activity could uproot them if they aren't well planted and the tank is small (a 29 gallon really isn't big enough for one of these guys, which will grow past 6 inches long and are quite territorial).
Reply:Nah, they're usually fine with plants. They'll graze on algae in the tank, but shouldn't uproot or eat the plants.
Reply:I have never had any problems with red-tailed sharks disturbing any of the plants in my aquariums. I have never heard of this being an issue with these fish.
Everytime i put a plant in my tank something happens to it and it dies? i just put a sword in yesterday and..?
today the tips are black i have java and anubias there fine but the valisinerias turn transperent and die and my sword since the tips are black i guess are diying. i have a 40 gallon freshwater tank with a 96 watt florecent light i change the water weekly and add leaf zone why is it not working for me i checked the water and everyting is perfect ??
the fish i have inside are tetras
umm something else some parts of my java fern are pitch black !!! WHYYY
Everytime i put a plant in my tank something happens to it and it dies? i just put a sword in yesterday and..?
well you got two different things goin it sounds like to me ..
1 the val's are a very touchy plant, and need to be planted with just the roots into the gravel, not the whole root ball , or they turn transparnet and melt. personaly i have never had success with them.
2 the black tips ont he plants does it feel like velvet? it may be black algae starting to grow, but you can out smart it , by planting a whole bunch more of nutrient sucking plants like water whisteria, anything that is fast growing, and stemmy . by over planting the tank with these , you starving the black algae from its food source, your also providing more oxygenation for the fish,and the bactrerial bed as well . the plants since they use the fish poo as fertilizer once the bacteria break it down for them will explode with growth under the condidtions you now have , and it will out compete the black algae .
the fish i have inside are tetras
umm something else some parts of my java fern are pitch black !!! WHYYY
Everytime i put a plant in my tank something happens to it and it dies? i just put a sword in yesterday and..?
well you got two different things goin it sounds like to me ..
1 the val's are a very touchy plant, and need to be planted with just the roots into the gravel, not the whole root ball , or they turn transparnet and melt. personaly i have never had success with them.
2 the black tips ont he plants does it feel like velvet? it may be black algae starting to grow, but you can out smart it , by planting a whole bunch more of nutrient sucking plants like water whisteria, anything that is fast growing, and stemmy . by over planting the tank with these , you starving the black algae from its food source, your also providing more oxygenation for the fish,and the bactrerial bed as well . the plants since they use the fish poo as fertilizer once the bacteria break it down for them will explode with growth under the condidtions you now have , and it will out compete the black algae .
What do you think of water wisteria?
I have a ten gallon divided tank with two male bettas. One is a red dalmation and one is a white and purple marble. Does anyone else think water wisteria is a good choice for a back ground plant in this case? I've got java moss and fern, amazon sword, crypts, and apon bulbs. My lighting is 2 wpg.
What do you think of water wisteria?
Wisteria is beautiful, although I've found sometimes it 'melts' in higher alkalinity situations, so watch our for that! It also has a secondary form when it's floating rather than planted that is kind of neat. It'll look like it's just about dead, then suddenly start growing well for you. (much like amazon swords that are grown emerged often do when you start growing them submerged).
I LOVE elodea (AKA egeria densa)...beautiful, green, and lush, grows so easily, and chows down the nitrates in the tank. Just be cautious getting rid of overgrowth on either. Both wisteria and elodea are 'pest' species of plant, and need to be thrown away, not put into the plumbing in any way. I try to make sure mine is completely dead before I toss it...I've seen horror stories of water ways near dumps getting clogged with. I think it's most likely extreme and untrue, but, hey, better safe than sorry!!!
Reply:it s allur creativity just look after that does`nt ends up in some other disaster so no prob buddy ....... carry on with ur work mr.dexter .......all the best
Reply:Yes if you have sufficient room so they can get enought light than it would be a good addition to your planted tank
Reply:It's beautiful and would make a great addition to your tank
it's also very hardy as well
here is some more info on it
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_diffor...
Hope that helps
Good luck
Eve
php hosting
What do you think of water wisteria?
Wisteria is beautiful, although I've found sometimes it 'melts' in higher alkalinity situations, so watch our for that! It also has a secondary form when it's floating rather than planted that is kind of neat. It'll look like it's just about dead, then suddenly start growing well for you. (much like amazon swords that are grown emerged often do when you start growing them submerged).
I LOVE elodea (AKA egeria densa)...beautiful, green, and lush, grows so easily, and chows down the nitrates in the tank. Just be cautious getting rid of overgrowth on either. Both wisteria and elodea are 'pest' species of plant, and need to be thrown away, not put into the plumbing in any way. I try to make sure mine is completely dead before I toss it...I've seen horror stories of water ways near dumps getting clogged with. I think it's most likely extreme and untrue, but, hey, better safe than sorry!!!
Reply:it s allur creativity just look after that does`nt ends up in some other disaster so no prob buddy ....... carry on with ur work mr.dexter .......all the best
Reply:Yes if you have sufficient room so they can get enought light than it would be a good addition to your planted tank
Reply:It's beautiful and would make a great addition to your tank
it's also very hardy as well
here is some more info on it
http://www.aquahobby.com/garden/e_diffor...
Hope that helps
Good luck
Eve
php hosting
How to turn my tank with plants into a planted tank? what fish to get?
I seem to be able to grow plants well. Im trying to make an aqua scape with the plants and materials I have.
I want to have cory cats of some sort, any suggestions?
sand substrate
5 blackskirt tetras
java moss, java fern, amazon sword
How to turn my tank with plants into a planted tank? what fish to get?
Well you don't say how many gallons your tank holds but I'd go with dwarf corys, spotted corys or panda corys. They all stay under 3" (the dwarf's only get 1.5 to 2" mine are 1.5) They are great and have a nice personality. They also get along with tetras very well and are a great addittion for a community tank. BUT please post how many gallons your tank is so people can give you a good answer.
Reply:What's the tank size?
Any cory cat variety should do fine-assuming the tank is large enough, they love the softer sand substrates. If the tank is large enough, be sure to get a minimum of 3 of them of the same kind/variety, though more is better. They're a shoaling fish and love to be in groups.
I want to have cory cats of some sort, any suggestions?
sand substrate
5 blackskirt tetras
java moss, java fern, amazon sword
How to turn my tank with plants into a planted tank? what fish to get?
Well you don't say how many gallons your tank holds but I'd go with dwarf corys, spotted corys or panda corys. They all stay under 3" (the dwarf's only get 1.5 to 2" mine are 1.5) They are great and have a nice personality. They also get along with tetras very well and are a great addittion for a community tank. BUT please post how many gallons your tank is so people can give you a good answer.
Reply:What's the tank size?
Any cory cat variety should do fine-assuming the tank is large enough, they love the softer sand substrates. If the tank is large enough, be sure to get a minimum of 3 of them of the same kind/variety, though more is better. They're a shoaling fish and love to be in groups.
Poisionus plants for dogs and puppies?
Does anyone know if any of the following are dangerous for animals to eat or chew on?
Cape Honeysuckle
Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Lemon trees
Oranges
Sword ferns
Strawberry plants
Wisteria
Rose of Sharon
Granny Smith Apple tree
Hummingbird vine
I have a bunch of plants to get in the ground and just want to know if I should keep these away from the dogs
Thanks
Poisionus plants for dogs and puppies?
Here's a list of plants that are poisonous to dogs
http://www.uexplore.com/health/poisonpla...
Reply:The ones you have listed I am not sure about but the ones I do know about are lillies and pointsettas. Those I know are harmfull for dogs. I know there are websites out there that list the different types of plants/flowers that are harmful to dogs but don't remember what they are.
Reply:lol you scared me then! Before clicking on the Q I thought you were asking because you wanted to poison them ^^
Cape Honeysuckle
Nandina, Heavenly Bamboo
Lemon trees
Oranges
Sword ferns
Strawberry plants
Wisteria
Rose of Sharon
Granny Smith Apple tree
Hummingbird vine
I have a bunch of plants to get in the ground and just want to know if I should keep these away from the dogs
Thanks
Poisionus plants for dogs and puppies?
Here's a list of plants that are poisonous to dogs
http://www.uexplore.com/health/poisonpla...
Reply:The ones you have listed I am not sure about but the ones I do know about are lillies and pointsettas. Those I know are harmfull for dogs. I know there are websites out there that list the different types of plants/flowers that are harmful to dogs but don't remember what they are.
Reply:lol you scared me then! Before clicking on the Q I thought you were asking because you wanted to poison them ^^
What's the best chemicals to use to feed my freshwater aquarium plants?
I have a 150 gallon tank. I just bought some java ferns, swords, and anubias.
What's the best chemicals to use to feed my freshwater aquarium plants?
With those plants, I wouldn't worry about fertilising. They are VERY hardy and will do just fine without it. However, if you feel it's necessary or would be immensely beneficial in some way (it won't be unless you have other, more difficult plants), I would strongly recommend Flourish, as it provides a concentrated solution of essential macro and micronutrients that plants need. If you want to get a bit more advanced, I would also use Flourish Excel.
Reply:Hi,
Try this, i have one myself, and it keeps the plants happy feeds them and they grow well.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NUTRAFIN-CO2-AQUAT...
I hope i helped :)
Reply:a few drops of liquid per week urea is good for your plants
What's the best chemicals to use to feed my freshwater aquarium plants?
With those plants, I wouldn't worry about fertilising. They are VERY hardy and will do just fine without it. However, if you feel it's necessary or would be immensely beneficial in some way (it won't be unless you have other, more difficult plants), I would strongly recommend Flourish, as it provides a concentrated solution of essential macro and micronutrients that plants need. If you want to get a bit more advanced, I would also use Flourish Excel.
Reply:Hi,
Try this, i have one myself, and it keeps the plants happy feeds them and they grow well.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NUTRAFIN-CO2-AQUAT...
I hope i helped :)
Reply:a few drops of liquid per week urea is good for your plants
What else can go in a 5 gal tank other than a betta?
It has a heater and lots of plants (vals, dwarf amazon swords, java fern, hairgrass, parrot feather).....
I already have another 5 gallon with white clouds and a betta, I was just looking for something different....
I asked this question earlier, I was just hoping for some more suggestions to chose from...
Any suggestions?
Thanks a bunch
What else can go in a 5 gal tank other than a betta?
I like Glo-Light Tetra's, or Rasbora's, or Long Fin Red-Minor Tetra's.
Those will do well with a Betta, because I have them in my 250 gallon.
Rasbora
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cy...
Glo-Light (This picture doesn't do them justice.)
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/images/thum...
Long Fin Red-Minor Tetra
http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/serpa...
Platy's, Molly's, and Guppies will also do well with your Betta.
I'd only get like 1-2 fish, 5 gallon would get some serious Nitrate levels sky-rocketing.
Reply:Little neons are fun active tiny guys...the are pretty hardy as well...Enjoy!
Reply:absolutely nothing can go n a 5 gallon tank. not even a beta. having a relatively happy life would b n a 10 gallon tank.
Reply:I would go with 5 or 6 neon tetras, or maybe guppies but then again they breed like crazy if you get males and females, any small tropical fish would be ok in there
Reply:you can put a neon tetras in there or a female Betta nothing else because it will be overstocked.
Reply:Personally, I feel that a 5 gallon tank is too small for a tropical community or for any fish other than a betta. I would only be comfortable adding an apple snail or a few ghost shrimp into your 5 gallon tank. I would also avoid mixing white cloud minnows (cold water fish) with tropical fish. Minnows need plenty of swimming room and a 5 gallon tank is a bit cramped in my opinion.
If you cannot upgrade to a 10 gallon tank, then I would only recommend a single male betta or a dwarf gourami in a 5 gallon tank. Apple snails and ghost shrimp would be safe tank mates. Guppies need 10 gallons due to adult size, breeding and waste production, dwarf puffers need a 10 gallon for swimming space, tetras school and need at least a 10 gallon long tank for swimming space, any livebearer needs a bare minimum 10 gallon tank. You are seriously limited in your options.
Reply:I would go with some neon tetra and some danios.
arenas
I already have another 5 gallon with white clouds and a betta, I was just looking for something different....
I asked this question earlier, I was just hoping for some more suggestions to chose from...
Any suggestions?
Thanks a bunch
What else can go in a 5 gal tank other than a betta?
I like Glo-Light Tetra's, or Rasbora's, or Long Fin Red-Minor Tetra's.
Those will do well with a Betta, because I have them in my 250 gallon.
Rasbora
http://animal-world.com/encyclo/fresh/cy...
Glo-Light (This picture doesn't do them justice.)
http://filaman.ifm-geomar.de/images/thum...
Long Fin Red-Minor Tetra
http://www.aqua-fish.net/imgs/fish/serpa...
Platy's, Molly's, and Guppies will also do well with your Betta.
I'd only get like 1-2 fish, 5 gallon would get some serious Nitrate levels sky-rocketing.
Reply:Little neons are fun active tiny guys...the are pretty hardy as well...Enjoy!
Reply:absolutely nothing can go n a 5 gallon tank. not even a beta. having a relatively happy life would b n a 10 gallon tank.
Reply:I would go with 5 or 6 neon tetras, or maybe guppies but then again they breed like crazy if you get males and females, any small tropical fish would be ok in there
Reply:you can put a neon tetras in there or a female Betta nothing else because it will be overstocked.
Reply:Personally, I feel that a 5 gallon tank is too small for a tropical community or for any fish other than a betta. I would only be comfortable adding an apple snail or a few ghost shrimp into your 5 gallon tank. I would also avoid mixing white cloud minnows (cold water fish) with tropical fish. Minnows need plenty of swimming room and a 5 gallon tank is a bit cramped in my opinion.
If you cannot upgrade to a 10 gallon tank, then I would only recommend a single male betta or a dwarf gourami in a 5 gallon tank. Apple snails and ghost shrimp would be safe tank mates. Guppies need 10 gallons due to adult size, breeding and waste production, dwarf puffers need a 10 gallon for swimming space, tetras school and need at least a 10 gallon long tank for swimming space, any livebearer needs a bare minimum 10 gallon tank. You are seriously limited in your options.
Reply:I would go with some neon tetra and some danios.
arenas
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