Here's the plan.....
15 gal tank
Zoo Med Ultra Sun 6,500K Super Daylight Lamp - 24" (T8)
HOB Aquaclear Filter
DIY Yeast CO2 with a nano ceramic diffuser
Substrate
Organic Miracle Grow Potting Soil
Potters clay
Topped with course play sand
Plants
Vals
Dwarf sword
Dwarf sag
Rotala Indica
Anubias
Java fern
Star grass
Ludwigia
Fish
Apisto Agazizzi Pair
6 Neon Tetras
BN Pleco (maybe)
Other
Small drift wood on left
Small rock work on right
I plan on holding off on the fish for a couple of months until the aquascape is how I want it. What do you think about the plan (good or bad).
I'm really interested in hearing about how dirt works out for you. I thought about going that route.
Looks like a good plan, but I don't know if I could resist buying fish for a few months. :P
Sounds like a nice little project.
A word of caution about the Apistogramma agassizi. The males can be very aggressive towards other apistos, including the female. Make sure that when you plan your layout there are lots of obstacles that will break the line of sight and keep it very, very densely planted. When you go out to acquire a pair, get the largest female you can find, but do not get the largest most colorful male you see in that tank. He will likely beat the female up, which could end fatal for her. Best is to find a male that is about her size, giving her a better chance to stand her ground and it's more likely that they will get along better over time.
Good luck!
Quote from: Peekay on February 06, 2012, 04:22:05 PM
Looks like a good plan, but I don't know if I could resist buying fish for a few months. :P
I was just given permission to put the tank in the laundry room (out of the way) I don't want to push the envelope with buying more fish just yet
Quote from: fischkopp on February 06, 2012, 05:45:57 PM
Sounds like a nice little project.
A word of caution about the Apistogramma agassizi. The males can be very aggressive towards other apistos, including the female. Make that that when you plan your layout there are lots of obstacles that will break the line of sight and keep it very, very densely planted. When you go out to acquire a pair, get the largest female you can find, but do not get the largest most colorful male you see in that tank. He will likely beat the female up, which could end fatal for her. Best is to find a male that is about her size, giving her a better chance to stand her ground and it's more likely that they will get along better over time.
Good luck!
Thanks for the tip!
Quote from: fischkopp on February 06, 2012, 05:45:57 PM
Sounds like a nice little project.
A word of caution about the Apistogramma agassizi. The males can be very aggressive towards other apistos, including the female. Make sure that when you plan your layout there are lots of obstacles that will break the line of sight and keep it very, very densely planted. When you go out to acquire a pair, get the largest female you can find, but do not get the largest most colorful male you see in that tank. He will likely beat the female up, which could end fatal for her. Best is to find a male that is about her size, giving her a better chance to stand her ground and it's more likely that they will get along better over time.
Good luck!
Would I be able to do a trio to break up the aggression?
How many yeast bottles would be recommended with a 15 gal? I want to make it as stable as possible.
I have a 55w T5 over my cichlid tank and was wondering if that would be ok (or better) over this new tank?
Quote from: Lurch1 on February 26, 2012, 01:00:30 PM
I have a 55w T5 over my cichlid tank and was wondering if that would be ok (or better) over this new tank?
55w over a 15gal? Sounds a bit much to me, just shy of 4wpg, a bit high light for no injected CO2. I'd go with the original setup you mentioned and go from there. Then, if you see that light is the limiting factor, upgrade. But at this point, you'll probably have to start doing other things to your tank like injected co2, nutrients, etc...
The plant gurus can confirm this, I'm just going with what the experienced planters have told me 8)
Quick question, where did you get the Agazizzi? Specific color strain?
Quote from: Lurch1 on February 21, 2012, 11:48:59 AM
Would I be able to do a trio to break up the aggression?
No. In my experience with agassizi, a trio will mean the sure end for one of the females. If you want to do something like that, get even more. But then it will be difficult for them to do the breeding thing.
Quote from: fischkopp on February 26, 2012, 02:02:42 PM
No. In my experience with agassizi, a trio will mean the sure end for one of the females. If you want to do something like that, get even more. But then it will be difficult for them to do the breeding thing.
Ok thanks, I'll stick with the pair.
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 26, 2012, 01:43:31 PM
55w over a 15gal? Sounds a bit much to me, just shy of 4wpg, a bit high light for no injected CO2. I'd go with the original setup you mentioned and go from there. Then, if you see that light is the limiting factor, upgrade. But at this point, you'll probably have to start doing other things to your tank like injected co2, nutrients, etc...
The plant gurus can confirm this, I'm just going with what the experienced planters have told me 8)
Quick question, where did you get the Agazizzi? Specific color strain?
I was thinking it was a little high, but I don't have any experience with this as of yet. I will stick with the 15w for now. At what point would you suggest (anyone) that I should upgrade my lighting? What signs or symptoms will the plants exhibit?
stargrass and indica will need more light than 1 wgp t8. you need 2.5wpg t5
Quote from: Lurch1 on February 26, 2012, 02:19:06 PM
Ok thanks, I'll stick with the pair.
I was thinking it was a little high, but I don't have any experience with this as of yet. I will stick with the 15w for now. At what point would you suggest (anyone) that I should upgrade my lighting? What signs or symptoms will the plants exhibit?
I was down a similar road not too long ago. Went from pretty low light to a dual 24w t5ho over a 20G. I didn't have injected co2 and wasn't dosing anything extra other than Excel for carbon and comprehensive once a week. So I basically gave up the high light and went to all LED for low lights.
You'll have to find a balance, match plants to your equipment of upgrade your equipment to match all the plants you currently have in there or plan on keeping. One way being a lot cheaper than the other LOL
Look up a thread from "charlie" (aka Errol), where he basically compares growing plants to driving a car :) I can't find it now but I'm sure you will if you dig up a bit in the plants sub-forum. It'll answer most of your questions as it did for me. Errol is the planted masta ;)
Cheers
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 26, 2012, 08:16:55 PM
I was down a similar road not too long ago. Went from pretty low light to a dual 24w t5ho over a 20G. I didn't have injected co2 and wasn't dosing anything extra other than Excel for carbon and comprehensive once a week. So I basically gave up the high light and went to all LED for low lights.
You'll have to find a balance, match plants to your equipment of upgrade your equipment to match all the plants you currently have in there or plan on keeping. One way being a lot cheaper than the other LOL
Look up a thread from "charlie" (aka Errool), where he basically compares growing plants to driving a car :) I can't find it now but I'm sure you will if you dig up a bit in the plants sub-forum. It'll answer most of your questions as it did for me. Errol is the planted masta ;)
Cheers
;D, Thanks for the moral boost bud, but the truth is i`m a half decent student :)there are 3 guys who i always give my thanks to, they made the path easy for me, Jetstream, Toss & BigDaddy.
I`m more apt to try1- 1.5 WPG of T5 HO with good reflectors on a 15 gallon to grow stargrass & Indica & would suspect that you would still be chasing the balance of the tank.
Regards
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 26, 2012, 01:43:31 PM
Quick question, where did you get the Agazizzi? Specific color strain?
I had some a couple years ago that I got from BA, was hoping to do the same route.
I haven't bought any plants yet so I guess the best would be to remove the indica and stargrass and stick with the rest. This is my starter tank to prove to my wife I can keep plants alive. After that I hope to get a large tank with the proper lighting.
I appreciate all of your help. :)
Quote from: charlie on February 26, 2012, 09:00:18 PM
;D, Thanks for the moral boost bud, but the truth is i`m a half decent student :)there are 3 guys who i always give my thanks to, they made the path easy for me, Jetstream, Toss & BigDaddy.
I`m more apt to try1- 1.5 WPG of T5 HO with good reflectors on a 15 gallon to grow stargrass & Indica & would suspect that you would still be chasing the balance of the tank.
Regards
What if I added another 15w T8?
Two 15w bulbs would be a good start for a low tech setup. If you're thinking hi-tech I would aim for about 45 watts on a tank that size, and add some dry ferts, and a comprehensive micro nutrient (but you'll be dosing on a daily basis). Otherwise, with 30 watts lighting I wouldn't both with CO2 or daily ferts (ferts can be just once a week).
I added a 15w 4100k bulb, thats all HD had for an 18" T8. Here are some pics of my tank. Sorry for the blurryness.
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0137.jpg&hash=71e9071f69791b4b37c40805c4d1c0cf0931c97b)
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0136.jpg&hash=0090f66a85c1f75cf92f3886ecbc8f89b505b258)
whats with the chicken? :D
Quote from: JetJumper on February 29, 2012, 08:01:22 PM
whats with the chicken? :D
I thought the fish might want a friend! 8)
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0135.jpg&hash=93eab7cd936a479e3b37034e4c29ba33e7e1a6b3)
With added plants. BA didn't have some of the plants so I got a crypt instead from Petsmart.
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0150.jpg&hash=c327d0f677ac1ff2ad7c3482e7e917894b620c0d)
I think the JF is too big for the centre. I have never had a purposeful planted tank before so any advice on plant placement would be great. I currently have Rotala Indica, Ludwigia, JF, JM, Swords, Vals, Crypts and Anubias.
Love the chicken/rooster, although it would probably scare the cr@p out of your fish LOL
Tank is coming along nicely, did you find your Agazizzi yet? There's someone selling some Nijseni and Norberti at the auction so if you can't find your agazizzi, there's some other apistos up for grabs! I've got a million (ok well about 40+) a. cacatuoides fry now but they're too young for the auction.
I can't recall reading it (hey, it's still early...) but is your tank fully cycled yet?
Keep it up, good work!
I wouldn't be concerned with the Java fern since it goes so slowly and the other plants will fill in and provide more bulk and the Java fern will look more in scale at that point.
Nice job, and I look forward to seeing it mature.
I havent asked at BA yet, but I will be calling soon to see if they can get them. The tank isn't cycled yet, but I don't plan on adding fish for a couple weeks. I used the fishless cycling for my salousi tank and it worked amazingly. I added some ammonia when I thought it was done and it FULLY processed it in 24 hours to Nitrate.
Thanks for the comments, I really appreciate it.
Where is this chicken? I don't see it.... :-[
I like your wood, and I agree that the JF will grow slowly enough that it won't be an issue.
Are there any fish in there yet?
No fish yet, I am going to wait until it is cycled first.
So I had to take my tank apart and replace the sand. There were little stones in the sand raising my pH. I caped the dirt with crushed granite pfs. My wife actually had input this time so I figured I would take the suggestion. I think it looks awesome. What can I put on the right side to cover up that space? I was thinking of adding Alternanthera reineckii in front of the swords, but would like a foreground plants that would go well. I actually have my 55w T5 over the tank now so the plant options are wide.
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0179.jpg&hash=d25d30d75d60ccf7fe7c5c3f6699c43cb76bb6a6)
Taken 2 hours after setup.
Quote from: Lurch1 on March 22, 2012, 06:16:15 PM
So I had to take my tank apart and replace the sand. There were little stones in the sand raising my pH. I caped the dirt with crushed granite pfs. My wife actually had input this time so I figured I would take the suggestion. I think it looks awesome. What can I put on the right side to cover up that space? I was thinking of adding Alternanthera reineckii in front of the swords, but would like a foreground plants that would go well. I actually have my 55w T5 over the tank now so the plant options are wide.
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0179.jpg&hash=d25d30d75d60ccf7fe7c5c3f6699c43cb76bb6a6)
Taken 2 hours after setup.
Can't keep your hands out of the tank hey? Welcome to the club ;)
I think this layout looks better, I personally like the huge JF but I would move it more towards the back of the tank. It might just be the picture but it kind of looks like it's about to jump out at you and leaves you guessing what could be behind it... Just my 2 cents.
I don't know if you took the piece of wood out or not but maybe some wood would look good in the tank, and that pleco I'm seeing at the bottom right (that's a pleco right?) would appreciate the wood.
Might I also suggest some caves and or huts, especially if you're still inclined to get apistos for the tank. They'll appreciate the hiding spots and the spawning options if you've got the right conditions.
Keep up the good work, looks good.
Eric
Here is another view. I really suck at taking pics. The DW makes 1 nice cave underneath. It's vary concave ;D. I was thinking about the fern being to big there, I have a stone soaking to make sure it's pH safe that I can use at the back. I'll move the fern after I test it. The 2 stones w/ DW also form a couple caves which I was pleased about. Thanks for the tips, I appreciate the input.
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi798.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy269%2Fmwhite23%2FIMG_0181.jpg&hash=f18d82f0539b1b14e90df45c8e353f52d315d3a7)
As of right now there are 8 juvenile plecos roaming the new tank with a few RCS.
May I ask where you got the Echinodorus Tenellus?
It's actually dwarf sag. Apparently it almost the same except sag sends out runners under the substrate and the tenellus sends them over the top.