Need help! Setting up Amazon/Tetra tank!

redchigh

reptile wood may work in an aquarium, but I wouldn't do it.

Look for Mopani or Malaysian driftwood... Those are both good.

small fry

What is 'tannis'? (sorry, I don't know alot about aquatic wood)

Byron

Tannins are released by all wood when submerged. It is completely harmless to fish, though not everyone like the yellowish/brownish tint it gives the water. Over time it will dissipate. Wood releases more tannin at the first, it varies depending upon the type of wood, and less over time until it is scarcely noticeable about a couple months or longer depending upon the wood. Tannins acidify the water, making it softer and more acidic, and this too varies depending upon the amount of tannin bveing released and the initial hardness of the water.

Any plant matter can release tannin. Wine has tannins from the grapes. Tannins affect proteins, and are used to "tan" animal hide. In the aquarium, dead leaves also release tannins [some aquarists use certain species of dead dry leaves for various purposes] though usually less than wood will.

Byron.

small fry

So for an amazon tank, tannis is a good thing? Other than color of the water, tannins take the water to the prefered acidity levels of the amazonian fish? Sounds like a good thing?

The diatoms are getting worse.. I am going to Petsmart today, I am wondering if I should pick-up an Oto Catfish. I have a question, though. Will the oto be picked on by any of the tetra (including 2 1/2" Black widows), hatchetfish (marbled), Bolivian Ram (), cories (), or Ghost shrimp or vise versa (oto picks on these fish?)?

Is there any kind of aquatic wood at Petsmart I could get? I haven't seen alot. What about Morpani or Malaysian wood? I know it isn't as prefered as Iron wood, but maybe just for starters?

Can I overplant a tank? I need to pick up some Amazon Sword (or any other plant I need for the 55g amazon tank) if they have any, but my 10g QT is taken over by Hornwort.

I like to have the main topics in bold. It makes it easier to remember to comment on.
diatoms, oto, compatability, Aquatic Wood, amazon plants.

Thanks!

Byron

Normally I do not recommend fish solely for algae issues, as one is better finding the cause and rectifying that. However, all tanks have some common green algae, and at the first diatoms, so when there is room (as in a 55g) a couple extra fish will not upset the bio-load. Otos are a good choice, but they need a group, at least 3. And if you like them, and have diatoms, now is fine to get them; the other fish mentioned will not bother them, or vice-versa. There are other fish good at eating diatoms and common green algae too, something to consider; your shrimp will do this too. And the diatoms will be gone after a couple months.

Yes, tannins are fine in tanks with soft acidic water fish. Depending upon the hardness of your tap water, wood may have little impact on acidifying the water, but it certainly will not hurt anything. Unsightly at first (to some), but not harmful in any way.

small fry

Well the diatoms are going crazy in my 10g QT. Right now, I am Q 5 Lemon tetras (soon to be 6) and 4 cories (3 ablino, 1 3-stripe, soon to be 2 more 3-stripe) and a Ghost shrimp. This setup is probably too full for another 3 bottom feeders. I think maybe I should wait until I get these guys out (excludeing the GS). I am thinking maybe I can Q these otos along with Black Widow Tetra, and during the Q, maybe the otos will have finished off the diatoms.

My question is, what do I do after the algae runs out? The 55g tank wont have enough algae to support the otos after it has only been setup for 2 weeks. Is there something I can do to encourage algae growth? Do I want to encourage algae growth? Good thing is, is that otos are amazonian species, so they will make great fish if I decide to put them in my 55g tank.

The 10g QT is right next to a window (that has a blanket and blinds to block sunlight). Should I take down the blanket and open the blinds to give the 10g QT more sunlight (to encourage algae)?

I am not going to Petsmart today.. Maybe I can go this week. For the 55g QT, I need some (liquid?) plant food, Amazon Sword or any other plant that I need for the amazon tank, maybe a 60g rated air-pump, maybe another 3-stripe cory or 2 (if they have them in stock), maybe 3 otos if they sell otos and you guys recommend it, maybe some other things.

I think that is all I have for now. Thanks!

Byron

I would ignore the diatoms in a QT.

The best liquid plant fert is Seachem's Flourish Comprehensive Supplement for the Planted Aquarium. It is a bit more expensive, but you use considerably less than with other products, so it lasts much longer and is thus less expensive long-term. Make sure it is exactly what I name, they make several different products in the Flourish line but this one is complete in itself. Petsmart carries Flourish [at least they do here in Canada].

small fry

So no oto for now? That is Ok. The diatoms are pretty ugly, but I don't want to introduce a species that I can't support for extended periods of time.

Does anyone know if Ghost Shrimp are cannibals? I have heard conflicting information on that. I have another GS that I could put in the QT if need be, but I don't want it to disappear like the other one (back when there were 2 in the QT).

I will write down the name of that type of Flourish. Petsmart distributes the Seachem brand, so that should include the Flourish line.

I think that is all for now.

small fry

This is somewhat random but, are there any snails that live in the amazon/South America? I would like a snail (or 2 or 3,4,5,6,etc) in my 55g amazon tank. I know that alot of snail's shells will corrode if the water is too acidic, but surely there are snails in the amazon?

Thanks!

(btw, my diatoms are getting worse)

Kazzy

Can't wait to see your tank! Sounds like it's going to be great!

Also, read this on another forum. They call it the 'beaslbob method' (beaslbob is a member of the forum there). Basically it's a method to create an environment in the tank that doesn't need much maintenance at all. This is what he messaged to me after I asked him about it (it's an example he gave me for a 10g tank)

Maybe this will help. Several others on the forum have this type of set up and I hear great things about it. It's supposed to create a self-sustaining environment where you only have to do water top offs and feed the fish.