New 10 gallon setup

NoDeltaH2O · 03-04-2005, 06:25 PM

Yeah, I have to completely agree with the last 2 comments (from MrParker and dss2004). Planted tanks are completely different that nonplanted tanks and a different set of rules apply, like keeping the surface as undisturbed as possible.
Some things are the same though, like the fact that flourescents, oven if overdriven by a factor of 2 will not heat the water by more than 1degree F maybe. Who uses incandescent anymore anyway?...The last time I used an incandescent bulb in an aquarium was way back in 1986! I could understand the concern if you were using MH lighting, but I didn't think you were, unless they make MH in the 13W variety now!

Our hailai amigo need not discourage you MrP.

我们新来的朋友真不懂水族馆的事!!!

MrParker · 03-04-2005, 06:44 PM

我们新来的朋友真不懂水族馆的事
and that would say what? haha

And could you explain the keeping the surface undisturbed as possible? no one informed me of this.

NoDeltaH2O · 03-04-2005, 11:24 PM

我们新来的朋友真不懂水族馆的事 = our new friend doesn't understand aquariums

If you are trying to increase the CO2 level in the water above its normal level then you want minimal surface agitation, since the surface is where gases are exchanged out of the water. You could be pumping tons of CO2 into your water but if you have heavy surface agitation, the CO2 will escape as fast as you are pumping it in. This is why we keep our water levels up to the level of the filter returns so the water from the filter does not splash in.

MrParker · 03-04-2005, 11:37 PM

lovely. Makes soo much sense. like shaking a soda.

Whats the best kind of algea eater to get rid of brown algea? or rust algea? i cant tell the diff. it looks like rusty leaves. (its in my other tank)

dss2004 · 03-05-2005, 10:38 AM

That is why I love pressurized co2. I keep just a little surface agitation but I can compensate by increasing my co2. I still have a little surface agitation and my water stays at 30ppm of co2 saturation. It is great!!!

Mr. Parker most planted tank people like to keep the color temp between 5,000-7,000 most of the retrofits come with a 6,700-7,000 bulb. These colors most closely resemble the midday sun or so I have read, lol. This specturm I believe is deep with reds and blues which plants most readily use. I have heard that 10,000k and above promote more algae growth but I have heard many discount this also. I like the color of the 6,700 in my tank and the plants seem to like it so personally it has worked well for me. It does make the tank look different.

Here is something from the krib that explains some things about the color temp of bulbs and other useful things related to lighting.

http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/H...7/spectra.html

Emg · 03-07-2005, 08:15 AM

Great tank so far Mr P. I am currently looking forward to setting up a 20L I have sitting around. Just waiting to pick up a stand and filter and need another bag of Echo-Complete. I am planning mine for some blue rams. I have a batch of 3 week old babies and I think I will keep a few for myself.

I really like the rock setup you have there. It was the first thing that jumped out at me in you first pic with them. Can't wait to see the finished product, though what tank is ever really finished..lol...

Have you seen any picks of aquarium clover ? I don't know much about it at all, but it's a very attractive little ground cover, though I don't know what it's true name is.

Have fun ! I look forward to more pics !

MrParker · 03-07-2005, 09:40 PM

If you are talking about the 4 leaf clover for aquariums, its actually not a little plant, but rather tall, like 15 inches or so (about 45 cm or so) thats how big it was when i saw it in stores anyways. However i just found this about it, might be a different variation, but could be what youu're looking for Marsilea Crenata

Avalon · 03-07-2005, 10:31 PM

Missed this one! Very cool tank you have going there MrParker! Here's what I would do: move the large rock to where the small one in the middle is and use the smaller ones to accent the left side. You have mondo grass, a la "monkey grass" as we Texans like to call it. Trade it back in.

I'm a crappy aquascaper, but you happen to get me at a good time, so here's what I think. Use glosso for the forground, some Sag. subulata in the front corner(s). Leave the anacharis in the back right corner, use L. repens in the left corner, maybe wisteria in the mid-center. I'm thinking you need a fine leafed plant somewhere in there. You might be able to accent with some pearlweed as well! I'm thinking either pearlweed with glosso foreground or Sag. subulata (SS) with hairgrass. Heck, what might really be sweet is if you used glosso for the foreground, hairgrass around the perimeter of the rocks, and SS at the starting of the focal lines, mainly to fill in empty space and to provide a unique leaf shape.

I like that pre-filter idea...

MrParker · 03-08-2005, 12:35 PM

Ok soo the mondo grass is definately going back and i'm thinkin about sending the hygro back too, its wayy to bouyant and just doesnt like to stay down in the sand for more than a day or two, even though it has started putting roots out, still wont stay. Plus the leaves are just so big and not flexible, it makes it really awkward. Then once those are gone, i think i might get a val for the back where the hygro was.

Would you all suggest that i use some fertilizer, considering i dont have any fish in there right now (i dont have fish because my readings on nitrite have been wayyy in the danger zone and wont go down) Id like a small algea eater to take care of the small amount of brown algea developing.

Oh and Avalon: the prefilter idea? yea that was yours, i stole it haha from your 10 step setup for planted aquarium haha. Thanks

MrParker · 03-10-2005, 12:55 AM

response please? Should i use fertilizer if there are no fish in the tank? (still waiting for nitrite to drop)

I now have appx 43 Watts on my 10Gal, if i want the brown algea to go away, should i:
A) not worry about it because i have high light now?
B) decrease my hours of lighting to 5-6?
C) let the algea take over the tank
D) i have a chinease algea eater in my other tank and a pleco, they took care of all the brown algea on the rocks in one night, but however they dont go after the plants too aggressively if at all. What shall i do.

03-04-2005, 06:25 PM	#21
NoDeltaH2O Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 1,868	Yeah, I have to completely agree with the last 2 comments (from MrParker and dss2004). Planted tanks are completely different that nonplanted tanks and a different set of rules apply, like keeping the surface as undisturbed as possible. Some things are the same though, like the fact that flourescents, oven if overdriven by a factor of 2 will not heat the water by more than 1degree F maybe. Who uses incandescent anymore anyway?...The last time I used an incandescent bulb in an aquarium was way back in 1986! I could understand the concern if you were using MH lighting, but I didn't think you were, unless they make MH in the 13W variety now! Our hailai amigo need not discourage you MrP. 我们新来的朋友真不懂水族馆的事!!! __________________ Love, Peace, & Soul,... Delta________I am the Chosen One_I bring balance to the forum Hillstream Loach Planted River Tank ~4.5wpg ODNO DIY CO2 ________"A Proud Member of the Anti-Ballistic Comment Treaty" PS: my school web account got closed down after graduation, so none of my pictures in old threads are accessible until I move them all elsewhere, sorry. Last edited by NoDeltaH2O; 03-04-2005 at 06:34 PM..

03-04-2005, 06:44 PM	#22
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	我们新来的朋友真不懂水族馆的事 and that would say what? haha And could you explain the keeping the surface undisturbed as possible? no one informed me of this. __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

03-04-2005, 11:24 PM	#23
NoDeltaH2O Super Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Portland Posts: 1,868	我们新来的朋友真不懂水族馆的事 = our new friend doesn't understand aquariums If you are trying to increase the CO2 level in the water above its normal level then you want minimal surface agitation, since the surface is where gases are exchanged out of the water. You could be pumping tons of CO2 into your water but if you have heavy surface agitation, the CO2 will escape as fast as you are pumping it in. This is why we keep our water levels up to the level of the filter returns so the water from the filter does not splash in. __________________ Love, Peace, & Soul,... Delta________I am the Chosen One_I bring balance to the forum Hillstream Loach Planted River Tank ~4.5wpg ODNO DIY CO2 ________"A Proud Member of the Anti-Ballistic Comment Treaty" PS: my school web account got closed down after graduation, so none of my pictures in old threads are accessible until I move them all elsewhere, sorry.

03-04-2005, 11:37 PM	#24
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	lovely. Makes soo much sense. like shaking a soda. Whats the best kind of algea eater to get rid of brown algea? or rust algea? i cant tell the diff. it looks like rusty leaves. (its in my other tank) __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

03-05-2005, 10:38 AM	#25
dss2004 Large Fish Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Frisco, Texas Posts: 926	That is why I love pressurized co2. I keep just a little surface agitation but I can compensate by increasing my co2. I still have a little surface agitation and my water stays at 30ppm of co2 saturation. It is great!!! Mr. Parker most planted tank people like to keep the color temp between 5,000-7,000 most of the retrofits come with a 6,700-7,000 bulb. These colors most closely resemble the midday sun or so I have read, lol. This specturm I believe is deep with reds and blues which plants most readily use. I have heard that 10,000k and above promote more algae growth but I have heard many discount this also. I like the color of the 6,700 in my tank and the plants seem to like it so personally it has worked well for me. It does make the tank look different. Here is something from the krib that explains some things about the color temp of bulbs and other useful things related to lighting. http://www.thekrib.com/Lights/ http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/H...7/spectra.html __________________ Doyle's Fish Tanks and Friends Updated 8/20 Last edited by dss2004; 03-05-2005 at 10:41 AM..

03-07-2005, 08:15 AM	#26
Emg Teenie Weenie Fish Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Ct. Posts: 10	Great tank so far Mr P. I am currently looking forward to setting up a 20L I have sitting around. Just waiting to pick up a stand and filter and need another bag of Echo-Complete. I am planning mine for some blue rams. I have a batch of 3 week old babies and I think I will keep a few for myself. I really like the rock setup you have there. It was the first thing that jumped out at me in you first pic with them. Can't wait to see the finished product, though what tank is ever really finished..lol... Have you seen any picks of aquarium clover ? I don't know much about it at all, but it's a very attractive little ground cover, though I don't know what it's true name is. Have fun ! I look forward to more pics ! Last edited by Emg; 03-07-2005 at 08:25 AM..

03-07-2005, 09:40 PM	#27
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	If you are talking about the 4 leaf clover for aquariums, its actually not a little plant, but rather tall, like 15 inches or so (about 45 cm or so) thats how big it was when i saw it in stores anyways. However i just found this about it, might be a different variation, but could be what youu're looking for Marsilea Crenata __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

03-07-2005, 10:31 PM	#28
Avalon Moderator Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ft. Worth, TX Posts: 2,836	Missed this one! Very cool tank you have going there MrParker! Here's what I would do: move the large rock to where the small one in the middle is and use the smaller ones to accent the left side. You have mondo grass, a la "monkey grass" as we Texans like to call it. Trade it back in. I'm a crappy aquascaper, but you happen to get me at a good time, so here's what I think. Use glosso for the forground, some Sag. subulata in the front corner(s). Leave the anacharis in the back right corner, use L. repens in the left corner, maybe wisteria in the mid-center. I'm thinking you need a fine leafed plant somewhere in there. You might be able to accent with some pearlweed as well! I'm thinking either pearlweed with glosso foreground or Sag. subulata (SS) with hairgrass. Heck, what might really be sweet is if you used glosso for the foreground, hairgrass around the perimeter of the rocks, and SS at the starting of the focal lines, mainly to fill in empty space and to provide a unique leaf shape. I like that pre-filter idea... __________________ View my gallery here and join us in the MFT.net chatroom!

03-08-2005, 12:35 PM	#29
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	Ok soo the mondo grass is definately going back and i'm thinkin about sending the hygro back too, its wayy to bouyant and just doesnt like to stay down in the sand for more than a day or two, even though it has started putting roots out, still wont stay. Plus the leaves are just so big and not flexible, it makes it really awkward. Then once those are gone, i think i might get a val for the back where the hygro was. Would you all suggest that i use some fertilizer, considering i dont have any fish in there right now (i dont have fish because my readings on nitrite have been wayyy in the danger zone and wont go down) Id like a small algea eater to take care of the small amount of brown algea developing. Oh and Avalon: the prefilter idea? yea that was yours, i stole it haha from your 10 step setup for planted aquarium haha. Thanks __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::

03-10-2005, 12:55 AM	#30
MrParker Medium Fish Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 419	response please? Should i use fertilizer if there are no fish in the tank? (still waiting for nitrite to drop) I now have appx 43 Watts on my 10Gal, if i want the brown algea to go away, should i: A) not worry about it because i have high light now? B) decrease my hours of lighting to 5-6? C) let the algea take over the tank D) i have a chinease algea eater in my other tank and a pleco, they took care of all the brown algea on the rocks in one night, but however they dont go after the plants too aggressively if at all. What shall i do. __________________ Current - 45 Gallon :: 3 otos :: 1 Chinese Algae eater :: 16 neon tetras :: 1M & 3F Fancy Guppies :: 5 Ghost Shrimp :: 2x32WATT T8 6500K :: DIY CO2 :: Substrate From SandDunes :: Wisteria :: 4 Melon Sword :: Microsword 3 10 Gallon Tanks Empty 2004 - 10 Gallon ::9guppy fry(4 weeks old)::5Ghost shrimp, 1 amano::2 SAE::3 otos::4 neon tetras:: 2 Redwag Platies :: DIY CO2::My own Substrate:: ::anacharis::Wisteria::Ovalis::Lilaeopsis brasiliensis(Microsword)::Limnophila indica(ambulia)::