First planted tank....progress thread.

[JustOneMore20]

Looks good! I like those Penguin tetras (?). They look awesome.

What size tank is this? I probably missed it somewhere, but I was just wondering.

[DLM]

Originally Posted by JustOneMore20

Looks good! I like those Penguin tetras (?). They look awesome.

I got lucky with those penguins. The LFS near me really only deals in high dollar exotic fresh water fish. Due to a screw up, he ended up with a bunch of those penguins. He sold them to me for $1 each just to try and get his shipping costs back. He also sold me all my neons for $1.20 each. Best prices I could find by far....really nice guy to talk to also.

What size tank is this? I probably missed it somewhere, but I was just wondering.

When I bought it I was told it was a 110gallon. I've had it for several years and just got around to measuring it the other day when I started hunting for driftwood. The inside dimensions measure 17.25"W x 48"L x 28"H.....which only equals 100 gallons. Guess I need to change what I tell people from now on.

[Lindsey]

where did you pick up that driftwood at? it's VERY cool!

[DLM]

Originally Posted by Lindsey

where did you pick up that driftwood at? it's VERY cool!

A local fish store had a piece.....then he ordered some more. Very quick, and the prices were reasonable compared to what I've seen online (couldn't find that type of wood online though).

[DLM]

Well...at least one of the plants is doing good. That plant in the middle seems to grow about 3/4" a day. I'm sure it will be at the top of the tank by the morning.

Took this one today just to compare the plants to what they looked like 6 days ago (post 18 of the thread):



I don't think the plant in the front right of the tank is doing very good. Seems to have some new pink leaves at the top...but the other leaves are turning brown and it's really not growing. Added some Flourish today to see if that will help...and I'll leave all 4 lamps on for a little longer each day (vs just the two 10K bulbs that are on the rest of the day).

[Good Wolf]

Light might not be the issue. I use Flourish for growth and API leaf zone when I see browning or holes in the leafs. It seems to work pretty well.

I'm sure someone could explain the difference in the two.

[DLM]

Originally Posted by Good Wolf

and API leaf zone when I see browning or holes in the leafs. It seems to work pretty well.

I'll pick some of that up. Thanks for the suggestion.

[gil_ong]

got the driftwood today, DLM. thanks again.

[DLM]

Originally Posted by gil_ong

got the driftwood today, DLM. thanks again.

Hope it's what you wanted.

You might want to boil it if you have a pot big enough. Some white moldy, bubbly crap started forming on one of my pieces where the wood was cut....probably sap of some kind, or at least a nasty looking mold. All my neons are dying too....so I'm wondering if that has something to do with it. I pulled that piece out tonight and it's going into a pot in few minutes...

[gil_ong]

i don't have a pot that big, but i'm soaking it in a bleach solution. will rinse and wiped off with hot water in a few.

EDIT: so the driftwood is soaking now in a fresh bucket of water. i'm gonna let it soak for a few days, and let it absorb some water. and maybe get rid of some of the tannins. i also had to trim off a few of the branches. i stuck it in the tank for maybe 1 min just to see if it'll fit and it was not fitting in.

[Chaos553]

wow, your tank looks absolutely stunning. maybe you should add in some harlequin rasboras for some serious color, you know what i mean? you could probably also afford getting a good 10 in there as well so they can school pretty nicely. just thought id put that out there, keep up the good work!

[DLM]

Originally Posted by Chaos553

wow, your tank looks absolutely stunning. maybe you should add in some harlequin rasboras for some serious color, you know what i mean? you could probably also afford getting a good 10 in there as well so they can school pretty nicely. just thought id put that out there, keep up the good work!

Thanks. I'll look into those plants you suggested.

As far as the fish go, I had over 30 of the neons in the tank....and now I'm down to 9. I'm guessing the batch I received was infected with neon tetra disease, but it SEEMS that the remaining 9 are going to live through it.

On Tuesday (15th), I'll be receiving 20 Cardinal Tetras and 15 Emperor tetras to go with the 9 neons and 14 Penguin Tetras that are currently in the tank.

[pog0]

Your tank looks beautiful, but I'm going to have nightmares about that catfish picture.