My 55g Planted Tank Journal - Page 9 - MyFishTank.Net Freshwater Saltwater Aquarium Fish Forum

Avalon · 08-01-2006, 09:41 PM

That's a beatiful tank you have there! Looks like everything is progressing well. I would recommend more plants-lots more! What have you considered in the way of ferts? Eventually, you will need them, say a month or so. As your plants begin to grow in and adjust, they will shed their old growth, especially your crypt. Be careful to keep dead leaves and junk out of the tank. Build-up in the corners can wreak havoc and cause algae.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GIS Guy

With a fish only tank should I worry about the kH any longer or continue to use the liquid calcium?

KH is not necessary. GH is what you are referring to. GH is the measure of Calcium and Magnesium dissolved in water. Fish can survive with 0 KH and varying pH's. It is a myth that you need any KH and a rock solid pH to keep fish happy. In the wild, fish easily withstand massive fluctuations in pH (ex. Rio Negro during the rainy season). There are exceptions, but they are obvious (African cichlids, etc). As for GH and snails, you only need at least 1 degree of GH based on calcium. Some water supplies supply their GH mostly by Magnesium, therefore Calcium would then need to be supplemented.

GIS Guy · 08-01-2006, 10:11 PM

Snails need GH but fish do not?
The bottles of calcium I have are then useless because my snail is no more?

Avalon · 08-01-2006, 10:38 PM

Snails only need just a little bit of calcium. That's about it. Fish only need traces of elements. I keep the water in my tanks extremely soft via RO. I still have snails, and certain fish (tetras) are doing much better since using soft water. My kribs don't seem to be put off in any way either, as their bellies are as red as ever

micah2012 · 08-01-2006, 11:15 PM

Ok I ordered Eco-complete, there is bacteria with it right?. If I add it to my tank with just water while I wait for the plants will the bacteria die?

Breene · 08-02-2006, 12:12 AM

Beautiful setup you have going. Im planning on buying a 50+ gallon tank soon and using eco-complete as well. I love the black sand with the green plants. But very nicley done.

FreshwaterJeff · 08-02-2006, 09:26 AM

August 2, 2006

Yesterday, I added 3 zebra loaches and 1 keyhole cichlid to the tank, and also noticed that it wasn't just my rainbows that were trying to attack their reflection in the glass - pretty much all of my fish do it, which is somewhat frustrating. I put peices of white paper up on the sides of the tank and it seems to have helped a little.

Avalon, I need a little guidance with ferts (I'm going to re-read the stickies in the Planted Tank forum) - and I agree that I need more plants. So far, I've just been dosing with the Kent Freshwater fertilizer and Flourish Excel for CO2 - although it's becoming clear that I need to do a DIY set-up until I can afford my compressed CO2 system. Also, I'll get pictures tonight (of the new fish additions, too), but my Rotala looks like it's closing its top leaves like a flower would close its petals...any idea what's going on there?

It looks like the crypts are starting to bounce back. I'm going to do some leaf vacuuming, water testing, and other general maintenance tonight (there's an area of the tank where the water seems a bit stagnant - I'm going to try and get better circulation by moving my powerhead - or at least re-aiming it).

Answering a comment a little ways up the thread - my tank doesn't really look cloudy from the sides; it comes out that way in pictures because the larger sideways depth of the water column (as compared to viewing from the front) filters the light out as it moves back into the tank, so it comes out looking cloudy. But when you're standing there, it looks clear.

THUNDER · 08-02-2006, 09:43 AM

Jeffy, this is a common mistake that people are thinking that fish are seeing their own reflection on the sides of the tank. They are not seeing their own reflection. When you look thru the tank from the front, as you are looking thru to the side, you are seeing the reflection yourself. The same for looking thru the tank from the sides, looking thru to the front glass, you will also see reflections there. Fish are not seeing their own reflection. If they do, then explain how they see you coming up to them on all sides of tank? You get what I am saying? I have to explain this over and over to alot of people.

Thunder

FroggyFox · 08-02-2006, 09:48 AM

Hey Jeff...lookin great

Can we see a full tank shot with the fishlins in it? Also, curious how your parameters are doing since the addition of the biospira and fish?

Breene · 08-02-2006, 11:54 AM

Yea a full shot would be great! And sheesh I just checked prices of eco complete... ehh not a very happy number haha.

FreshwaterJeff · 08-02-2006, 11:59 AM

Froggy - I should have new pictures and complete parameters tonight

Thunder - I get what you're saying, and think that might be true in a glass aquarium. But either my fish hold a big-time grudge against acrylic, or they are seeing their reflections. They will be swimming along happily in the middle of the tank, suddenly catch a glimpse of the wall of the tank, and charge it, then "chase" themselves up and down the glass a bit - and it has nothing to do with where I'm standing in relation to the tank. It also lessens when the lights are off in the room and in the tank.

I do think the introduction of the new guys last night incited a little bit of this behaviour and expect things to be calmer when I get home tonight.