I wouldn't personally, I really don't like stiring substrates. The substrate will stratify on it's own, unless you're adding two different substrates I'd leave the existing one alone personally. But considering the existing substrate is rather new you shouldn't have too many problems if you choose to do it, just monitor the usual ammonia/nitrite spike in case they occur and you may need to wait a couple days for things to settle again.
Hope that helps
Giancarlo
Hope that helps
Giancarlo
Somthing else to consider when setting up a planted tank is water movement. You will want little surface movement, as to allow the plants time enough to do their own exchanges (it works for me anyhow). I have a FW tank that has been up for 3 years housing angels and some balas. My substrate is normal aquarium gravel.. and I don't use any type of fert. I do however use tapwater, and not RO or RO DI. Plants seem plenty happy for the last few years.
Two night ago we decided to get a bag of black gravel the smaller size I think #25.
I mixed that in the the top layer and now its about 3 inches thick. I planted the plants we had in there and got a few more last night. And my wife and sister inlaw had 3 guppies in there when I got home so with half a smile I saw that the kids liked them and figured they would be ok so I left them in there.
I really want to take my time and do this right, Should I take them out? Can you guys see any mistake I have made or do you have any suggestions for what to do next. I was planning on not feeding the fish for a couple days and really not do anything else untill I can see a definite growth with the plants.
Thank you and Merry Christmas
Teddy
I mixed that in the the top layer and now its about 3 inches thick. I planted the plants we had in there and got a few more last night. And my wife and sister inlaw had 3 guppies in there when I got home so with half a smile I saw that the kids liked them and figured they would be ok so I left them in there.
I really want to take my time and do this right, Should I take them out? Can you guys see any mistake I have made or do you have any suggestions for what to do next. I was planning on not feeding the fish for a couple days and really not do anything else untill I can see a definite growth with the plants.
Thank you and Merry Christmas
Teddy
I don't think you've done anything wrong, I think the guppies will help cycle the tank, obviously keep an eye on ammonia and nitrite levels, feed little during the first 2-3 weeks so that the spikes are not very high. As far as the plants go I think you're good.
As for the plants I think you're set, I'd add Flourish Tabs to the substrate every 2 months or so, depends on the amount of plants and light. Initially add them as directed and usually wait until you start to see some signs of stunted growth, that should give you an idea of how often you need to add more.
Hope that helps
Giancarlo
As for the plants I think you're set, I'd add Flourish Tabs to the substrate every 2 months or so, depends on the amount of plants and light. Initially add them as directed and usually wait until you start to see some signs of stunted growth, that should give you an idea of how often you need to add more.
Hope that helps
Giancarlo
Is there any maintinace I need to do to the bio wheel?
And I am a very week man
We now have 12 fish. 6 chery barbs and 6 guppies. The plants and fish seem to be doing well. The reason I ask about the bio wheel is that some of the brown dust from the eco complete is on it.
Thanks for your help
Teddy
And I am a very week man
We now have 12 fish. 6 chery barbs and 6 guppies. The plants and fish seem to be doing well. The reason I ask about the bio wheel is that some of the brown dust from the eco complete is on it.Thanks for your help
Teddy
I use canisters for any tank 20g and up, I just don't like to depend on a single item (wheel, single sponge cartridge...) for most of my biological filtration. I also need to control gas exchange in my tanks (for the plants) so having a biowheel made that impossible. If I didn't have plants and had two wheels, so that one could be cleaned/replaced without loosing most of my nitrifying bacteria, I would see no problem with them. They do work well as wet/dry biological filters, many people use them.
Giancarlo
Giancarlo
Well its almost been a month. The tnak is doing good. The plants are dieing back and new leaves are taking there place. We have 6 cherry barbs and 3 marbled hatchet fish and 2 guppies. I thing they are being picked on by the barbs. I will try to get some pics posted soon.
Thank all of you for your help.
Thank all of you for your help.
teddy:
Glad the tank is doing well. My wife's son's tank (Cal) has a tiger barb in it also. And it does pick on the guppies also. So much so that there are no babies yet.
And it is normal for plants to have some initial die back and then recover. especially the potted types. Kinda like a transplant shock.
Waiting for pics and thanks for update.
Glad the tank is doing well. My wife's son's tank (Cal) has a tiger barb in it also. And it does pick on the guppies also. So much so that there are no babies yet.
And it is normal for plants to have some initial die back and then recover. especially the potted types. Kinda like a transplant shock.
Waiting for pics and thanks for update.
Vitz, That link took me to Reefs.org Bulletin board form index.
But here is a link to pictures of my fish tank can you see them there?
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=sgur5mi.14 ... &y=-s6xm13
Thanks
Teddy.
P.S.
I and my wife are very happy with this tank. Thank all of you for sharing the information that got me started.
But here is a link to pictures of my fish tank can you see them there?
http://www.ofoto.com/I.jsp?c=sgur5mi.14 ... &y=-s6xm13
Thanks
Teddy.
P.S.
I and my wife are very happy with this tank. Thank all of you for sharing the information that got me started.
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