New 30g planted

KSASTER2

WILL do with the annibus... i'll pick up some driftwood and attach as byron said.

KSASTER2

API MASTER TEST KIT...

PH... (7.6)

AMMONIA.... (.5)------ My tap is .5 and I condition it with Prime

NITRATE... (0)

NITRITE... (0)


6 NEONS are alive as of this morning

when and what should i use for fertizler for my plants? do i even have to fertilize?

Angel079

That ammonia reading is perfectly normal. As you have Ammonia in the tap; Prime will detox this into ammonium; while this is far better for the fish your test kit will STILL pick up the reading of it as if it was Ammonia when its not! So you have nothing to worry about!!!!

You can try w/out ferts first and see how your growth is. If you look at my tanks in my log outta all these tanks only 1 receives liquid ferts and the other tank still grow great. That simply depends on the amount minerals you have coming from your tap water. In my case having used well water that was quite iron rich supported a good growth. Otherwsie I'd suggest a comprehensive fert for you (eg. Flourish) once a week.

KSASTER2

ANGEL thanks again for the advise...

I'm think of adding 6 juli cory's, another 6 neons (total 12)

also I'm not sure what type of center peice fish I'm going with but does anyone think that golden ram would be ok

also I really want to add a dwarf crayfish any thoughts?

Bamboo Shrimp (maybe 2) are cool

red cherry shrimp (maybe like 6-8)

aunt kymmie

Your ph for a Golden Ram is a touch on the high side. How about a Bolivian Ram??

KSASTER2

i just looked into the golden ram and your right my ph is a little to high... Bolivian Ram doesn't seem as colorful.

not sure which direction im going now

Mean Harri

Just a thought...
With a nicely planted tank and well laid out plant placement giving the tank a "natural habitat" look a shoaling fish, such are the neon tetras, make a wonderful centerpiece. Rather than focusing on one fish the entire tank and its inhabitants are the focus. Shoaling neons shoaling, corys in a group of 5-6 actively working, etc... within the tank makes it an active community and is neat to watch. I prefer looking at a tank as an over all "underwater world" compared to "A" fish or pair of fish.

KSASTER2

great point never thought of that approach

i think I really like that idea...

any thoughts on inverts... I really want either a dwarf crayfish or a Red Clawed Crab
my LFS has red clawed crabs and they told me they were fully aquatic no problem, then I do some research and find that they need access to air. So i have no idea?

Mean Harri

Amano shrimp or ghost shrimp, cherry shrimp are all good tank cleaners. It's better to get the tank going and established before adding shrimp though. Same with cory cats. They don't tolerate changes well. Start with a hardy fish after planting the tank. Pristella Tetras are also hardy and very nice. Thinking of getting some myself.
http://www.tropicalfishkeeping.com/p...istella-tetra/

Byron

As Natalie previously remarked here, it depends largely on what nutrients are available via your fish, tap water, fish food. If your tap water is moderately hard, it has calcium and magnesium. It may have trace elements (iron, copper, zinc) but a water conditioner that detoxifies heavy metals will get rid of these. Adding them via a liquid fertilizer (which also contains other nutrients in balance) is usually required with tap water. The Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium, Kent's Freshwater Plant, and Nutrafin's Plant-Gro are good. The Kent is not to be confused with their Plant-Pro iwhich is something entirely different. Used once a week is probably adequate, after a couple weeks I observe the plant's response and consider a second weekly dose if necessary. It is all dependent upon your aquarium, each aquarium is different because of different fish, the biological processes, tap water, etc. B.