12x8x8
- Thread starter convict360
- Start date
It's about time I gave an update on the 16g high tech.
I've always had algae issues with the tank, whether it be thread algae, hair algae, or just the normal strain the grows on the side of the tank. A couple of months ago a strain of algae took over my tank, and it grew faster than anything I've seen. The filamentous algae would cover the entire tank, including the plants, and once it covered the tank it would grow in layers on top of it self, thickening and choking out the plants.
I tried cleaning it out of the tank every week, but the same amount grew back within 5 days. Eventually I gave up, and it killed my Baby Tears, Rotala, and others. The algicide I used did have some affect on the algae, although it grew back in 3-4 weeks. It also killed my Puffer, Cardinals, and all but one of my Guppies.
Recently I closed the blinds to the window in my room, and the algae began to die. I felt so stupid for not doing that before. Once it died off, it revealed the plants I still had alive. Most of my S. Repens bush was still in tact (to my surprise. It was completely covered with algae), and I still had a bit of my reckenii and one stem of one of my background plants (forgot what it was called; gold something).
Yesterday I went to my lfs to restart with my tank. They had quite a good variety of high tech plants, so I had a decent amount of options to pick from. The only type of plant they were short on were carpeting plants, so I was forced to go with Monte Carlo. I am glad I chose it though, as it grows much faster than the Baby Tears. I've already noticed new growth within 24 hours. I also picked up Rotala Wallichii and Rotala Macrandra. They should both make good background plants. I'll post pics soon once the plants start to fill in and the tank looks better.
Although I am upset that the Puffer died, it leaves more options for stocking. The current stock is 1 Guppy, 4 Platies (Got them as fry for free), and 3 grow out Polypterus. This is what I plan to add once I move the Polypterus to the 210:
24 Pygmy Cories
20 Crystal Red Shrimp (Grade A/S because I like the red)
5 more Guppies (to have 6 in total)
3 Gold Neon Dwarf Gobies (freshwater gobies that feed off the same food as the shrimp)
I do still plan to have a Dwarf Puffer, as I really liked mine, although it will be in a separate tank. I have quite a few nano tanks I'm looking at getting, so I'm not sure which I'll use for the Dwarf Puffer. I'm leaning towards the Marineland Portait 5 gal, as it's cheap, and the bioload will be extremely low with the stock being just a single Dwarf Puffer.
convict360
Fat Homer
Hendre
What do you think?
I've always had algae issues with the tank, whether it be thread algae, hair algae, or just the normal strain the grows on the side of the tank. A couple of months ago a strain of algae took over my tank, and it grew faster than anything I've seen. The filamentous algae would cover the entire tank, including the plants, and once it covered the tank it would grow in layers on top of it self, thickening and choking out the plants.
I tried cleaning it out of the tank every week, but the same amount grew back within 5 days. Eventually I gave up, and it killed my Baby Tears, Rotala, and others. The algicide I used did have some affect on the algae, although it grew back in 3-4 weeks. It also killed my Puffer, Cardinals, and all but one of my Guppies.
Recently I closed the blinds to the window in my room, and the algae began to die. I felt so stupid for not doing that before. Once it died off, it revealed the plants I still had alive. Most of my S. Repens bush was still in tact (to my surprise. It was completely covered with algae), and I still had a bit of my reckenii and one stem of one of my background plants (forgot what it was called; gold something).
Yesterday I went to my lfs to restart with my tank. They had quite a good variety of high tech plants, so I had a decent amount of options to pick from. The only type of plant they were short on were carpeting plants, so I was forced to go with Monte Carlo. I am glad I chose it though, as it grows much faster than the Baby Tears. I've already noticed new growth within 24 hours. I also picked up Rotala Wallichii and Rotala Macrandra. They should both make good background plants. I'll post pics soon once the plants start to fill in and the tank looks better.
Although I am upset that the Puffer died, it leaves more options for stocking. The current stock is 1 Guppy, 4 Platies (Got them as fry for free), and 3 grow out Polypterus. This is what I plan to add once I move the Polypterus to the 210:
24 Pygmy Cories
20 Crystal Red Shrimp (Grade A/S because I like the red)
5 more Guppies (to have 6 in total)
3 Gold Neon Dwarf Gobies (freshwater gobies that feed off the same food as the shrimp)
I do still plan to have a Dwarf Puffer, as I really liked mine, although it will be in a separate tank. I have quite a few nano tanks I'm looking at getting, so I'm not sure which I'll use for the Dwarf Puffer. I'm leaning towards the Marineland Portait 5 gal, as it's cheap, and the bioload will be extremely low with the stock being just a single Dwarf Puffer.
convict360
Fat Homer
Hendre
What do you think?
Angelphish
if you wait for your 16G to establish first, you could potentially add the single dwarf in there as long as you keep him well fed and dont mind losing some fry and baby shrimp???
My last Dwarf puffer killed Ghost Shrimp much larger than it. I'm not sure if the next one would be okay with smaller species.
I forgot to mention that the new stock will come after the filter upgrade for my tank. The Gold Neon Dwarf Gobies need very clean water with a turnover of at least 10x. I plan to get a Fluval G3 for the ease of maintenance, quality, design, and it's the only filter of its size that will fit in my stand.
You can. I got an eheim 2211 for $60. If quality/costumer service isn't a concern, SunSun canisters are even cheaper.
I have very little money left lol. My dad's buying me a small aquaclear for my 8 gallon
