Ok, I am having some problems with my 15 gallon planted tank. I think that it has been up for about 3 months now, so it is still what I would consider new. Here are the specifics:
pH: 7.6
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5
temperature: 78 degrees
gravel: eco-complete
filtration: 1 mini canister filter, and a HOB filter rated for up to 20 gallons
lighting: new 15 watt plant bulb
fertalization: flourish excel
1 anubias nana
1 crypt red wendtii
some java moss
2 java fern lace
1 cryptocoryne spiralis
3 plants that look like the above plant but that have twisted leaves
1 plant that has broad, long, light green leaves
I also have one large piece of driftwood
3 cory catfish are the only inhabitants as of now
Here's the background:
I did a fishless cycle on this tank in the beginning of the summer. This tank was meant as a bigger home for my betta and 6 corys who were to be his companions. All went as planned, and I then added the plants. A few days later I got the 3 cory cats. Then some of the plants started going through shock, and many of the leaves died off. I figured this would happen, so I just trimmed the dead leaves off daily, and pretty soon I started to see some regrowth. Meanwhile, I noticed that the water was always cloudy, although there has never been any ammonia or nitrite. So, I got the other filter and the water is clearer now. Meanwhile, I had added my betta fish, who within a week managed to split his fin on something :roll: , and get finrot. So, I had to move him out and that is when I got the other filter figuring that the finrot was a result of the cloudy water. Now I am seeing some brown algae covering some of the glass and the plants.
My questions are:
1) How do I get rid of the algea?
2) Why does this tank seem to be so dirty (It only has 3 fish, but if I move the gravel, a lot of gunk is released into the water), and how can I fix this?
3) The new filter makes a lot of water movement, will my betta have the smarts to stay away, or will he just get stressed out?
4) Is this just not meant to be??? I have spent a lot of time researching how to do everything right, and spent a lot of money trying to do it right the first time.
5) Any other advice anyone can give me would be VERY welcome as this is my first planted tank, and I am really starting to regret doing this in the first place.
I apologize for how long this post is, and am very greatful to anyone who replies. Thank you!!!!
pH: 7.6
ammonia: 0
nitrite: 0
nitrate: 5
temperature: 78 degrees
gravel: eco-complete
filtration: 1 mini canister filter, and a HOB filter rated for up to 20 gallons
lighting: new 15 watt plant bulb
fertalization: flourish excel
1 anubias nana
1 crypt red wendtii
some java moss
2 java fern lace
1 cryptocoryne spiralis
3 plants that look like the above plant but that have twisted leaves
1 plant that has broad, long, light green leaves
I also have one large piece of driftwood
3 cory catfish are the only inhabitants as of now
Here's the background:
I did a fishless cycle on this tank in the beginning of the summer. This tank was meant as a bigger home for my betta and 6 corys who were to be his companions. All went as planned, and I then added the plants. A few days later I got the 3 cory cats. Then some of the plants started going through shock, and many of the leaves died off. I figured this would happen, so I just trimmed the dead leaves off daily, and pretty soon I started to see some regrowth. Meanwhile, I noticed that the water was always cloudy, although there has never been any ammonia or nitrite. So, I got the other filter and the water is clearer now. Meanwhile, I had added my betta fish, who within a week managed to split his fin on something :roll: , and get finrot. So, I had to move him out and that is when I got the other filter figuring that the finrot was a result of the cloudy water. Now I am seeing some brown algae covering some of the glass and the plants.
My questions are:
1) How do I get rid of the algea?
2) Why does this tank seem to be so dirty (It only has 3 fish, but if I move the gravel, a lot of gunk is released into the water), and how can I fix this?
3) The new filter makes a lot of water movement, will my betta have the smarts to stay away, or will he just get stressed out?
4) Is this just not meant to be??? I have spent a lot of time researching how to do everything right, and spent a lot of money trying to do it right the first time.
5) Any other advice anyone can give me would be VERY welcome as this is my first planted tank, and I am really starting to regret doing this in the first place.
I apologize for how long this post is, and am very greatful to anyone who replies. Thank you!!!!