I think the title explains itself, trying to fix past mistakes now. Something some of you have probably heard way too many times, but it was like being a kid in a candy store all over again. So I'd appreciate any info, advice, direction and even a kick in the butt (as I do need it from time to time) on how to do this ... um ... more properly.
I have a 55 gallon tank in my livingroom, that I thought I knew what I was doing. As each day goes by I realize I know less and less. The sticky's are great and often times I feel like a bigger idiot. Plus a few friends have enjoyed my free fish for them, as they've gotten a number over the past 4 years.
So here is where I'm at with my 55. I thought I'd play it safe with 2 green terrors and 2 syno's. Although after some more reading I'm wondering if the GT's will allow the syno's to live once things have grown. So far I haven't seen any problems amongst them, but the GTs are still quite small probably. I'm thinking the GT's are of the same sex, but honestly I've no clue, and currently they are all in the tank. The syno's are a Synodontis Ocellifer (thanks again to a number of members who helped me identify it) who's about 5-6" long, and the other syno is a mixed hybrid featherfin (gift from a friend / although I might find out not such a gift) who's about 2 1/2" long.
As well I received a bunch of plants (I've a green thumb, this should be no problem .... NOT). Sticky's once again have been great but have left me with some confusion along the CO2 lines and such. (I did say I was an idiot anumber of times now). Watched a lace plant wither away to nothing, and was seeing the same begin with the rest of them. That's when I read the sticky's and said ... Duh oh ya ... light. The lace plant had only a plain flourescent, but thats a different tank and different issue ... one tank at a time.
So here's how my 55 sits today ...
For filtration I'm using 2 AquaClear 70 .... I went this route for convenience sake. I thought about the AC110, but I have an AC70 on each of my 30 gallons. So this way I'm only having to buy 1 type of supply for maintenance purposes. Makes it simpler for my family and I'll probably change from a HOB far down the road, when I actually do know a few things.
I've got a Rena Air 300 for my air pump. Now this is one of my points of confusion. When to use the air pump as I've read that it causes the CO2 to escape from the tank, which according to what I've read the plants may or may not need. Or should I not use it all together .... as I don't have a CO2 dispenser, which I'll explain further down.
The heater is a Fluval E200 ... I think I'm safe here. Although not taking anything for granted. The tank is set at 78 fahreinheit currently.
Lights ... hmmm ... yep I now know I need those. The tank sits in our livingroom. Its a very well lit room, although no direct sunlight falls on the tank. But like I said the plants were withering away. So I picked up a T5 overhead light. After about 3 hrs, I started to notice a change in colour (vibrance) of some of the leaves. I'm thinking a good portion of them might be saveable still. But this is going off of my knowledge about non-aquatic plants.
Now back to the air pump, I'd read that many people turn on their Air Pump at lights out, and turn off the Air Pump at lights on. I believe most of these tanks had CO2 dispensers though, whereas I don't. But I've also read I don't need a CO2 dispenser in order to keep plants. (My head is spinning here).
CO2 - Now I tried to get a CO2 unit for my tank, to only discover anything my LFS carries maxes out at 40 Gallons, where my tank is a 55. I was advised to use a CO2 Booster (liquid - just because I'm an idiot ... doesn't mean I'm the only one ... and to me anything that says CO2 on it, has to be gasous or pressurized). So I now have some.
First question on this ... personal knowledge would be a plus in my mind, but anything helps. At what time of day should I add this, morning or night; and how does this apply to previous confusion on the Air Pump. I'm guessing (AND I TRULY MEAN GUESSING HERE) that I add the Booster at lights on and run the Air Pump at lights off.
Although I'm now wondering, if under this set-up I have ... (ie: no CO2 dispenser) that I should un-hook the Air Pump all together. Because the Plants oxygenate the water, but at lights out they start using oxygen as well. From what I've read ... (oh oh ... Head spinning again).
Now the final thing I now have for my tanks. I've read about this thing on here, too many times to count and I've looked at them in stores almost as much. I finally bought a Freshwater Master Test Kit. As I said in my title, the Idiot is done ... I'm ready to learn.
Here's a couple pics of the fish
It was so difficult to get a pic of my syno ocellifer before ... as I found out when I was trying to find an ID on him. He'd spent his entire life in a 30 gallon tank, I had the tank, with him and a few other fish given to me 4 yrs ago (My first tank). There was a pleco at least double his size in the tank as well ... That was the first fish I gave away. But now with the extra space, he's lost all his skittishness. Totally different fish, lets me watch him now; even with the lights on. Always hid before.
The mixed hybrid featherfin .... I like the white accents on his fins and such. But if I could only keep one syno .... this one would have to find a new home.
The 2 Green Terrors ... not the best pick, but I was trying to catch both at the same time. Been keeping an eye on them, I've read its hit or miss with them and plants, and the more hearty plants are better. But so far they seem to be leaving them alone.
The only thing else in the tank other than the gravel and driftwood, are 3 barbs, 2 mollies, and a tetra that I used when I first had the tank set-up. Been too lazy to try and scoop them out.
The tank is currently lid less, although we do have a lid for it if need be ... It evaporates around 4 gallons a week, I've been measuring. Which frankly I do kinda enjoy the moisture around the house. We live in the prairies .... DRY ....
Sorry for the long-winded post, but like the title said ... I'm ready to learn. All feedback is greatly appreciated. The good, the bad and the ugly .... Would just like to be finally going in the proper direction. Thank you all in advance ... really looking forward to all responses.
I have a 55 gallon tank in my livingroom, that I thought I knew what I was doing. As each day goes by I realize I know less and less. The sticky's are great and often times I feel like a bigger idiot. Plus a few friends have enjoyed my free fish for them, as they've gotten a number over the past 4 years.
So here is where I'm at with my 55. I thought I'd play it safe with 2 green terrors and 2 syno's. Although after some more reading I'm wondering if the GT's will allow the syno's to live once things have grown. So far I haven't seen any problems amongst them, but the GTs are still quite small probably. I'm thinking the GT's are of the same sex, but honestly I've no clue, and currently they are all in the tank. The syno's are a Synodontis Ocellifer (thanks again to a number of members who helped me identify it) who's about 5-6" long, and the other syno is a mixed hybrid featherfin (gift from a friend / although I might find out not such a gift) who's about 2 1/2" long.
As well I received a bunch of plants (I've a green thumb, this should be no problem .... NOT). Sticky's once again have been great but have left me with some confusion along the CO2 lines and such. (I did say I was an idiot anumber of times now). Watched a lace plant wither away to nothing, and was seeing the same begin with the rest of them. That's when I read the sticky's and said ... Duh oh ya ... light. The lace plant had only a plain flourescent, but thats a different tank and different issue ... one tank at a time.
So here's how my 55 sits today ...
For filtration I'm using 2 AquaClear 70 .... I went this route for convenience sake. I thought about the AC110, but I have an AC70 on each of my 30 gallons. So this way I'm only having to buy 1 type of supply for maintenance purposes. Makes it simpler for my family and I'll probably change from a HOB far down the road, when I actually do know a few things.
I've got a Rena Air 300 for my air pump. Now this is one of my points of confusion. When to use the air pump as I've read that it causes the CO2 to escape from the tank, which according to what I've read the plants may or may not need. Or should I not use it all together .... as I don't have a CO2 dispenser, which I'll explain further down.
The heater is a Fluval E200 ... I think I'm safe here. Although not taking anything for granted. The tank is set at 78 fahreinheit currently.
Lights ... hmmm ... yep I now know I need those. The tank sits in our livingroom. Its a very well lit room, although no direct sunlight falls on the tank. But like I said the plants were withering away. So I picked up a T5 overhead light. After about 3 hrs, I started to notice a change in colour (vibrance) of some of the leaves. I'm thinking a good portion of them might be saveable still. But this is going off of my knowledge about non-aquatic plants.
Now back to the air pump, I'd read that many people turn on their Air Pump at lights out, and turn off the Air Pump at lights on. I believe most of these tanks had CO2 dispensers though, whereas I don't. But I've also read I don't need a CO2 dispenser in order to keep plants. (My head is spinning here).
CO2 - Now I tried to get a CO2 unit for my tank, to only discover anything my LFS carries maxes out at 40 Gallons, where my tank is a 55. I was advised to use a CO2 Booster (liquid - just because I'm an idiot ... doesn't mean I'm the only one ... and to me anything that says CO2 on it, has to be gasous or pressurized). So I now have some.
First question on this ... personal knowledge would be a plus in my mind, but anything helps. At what time of day should I add this, morning or night; and how does this apply to previous confusion on the Air Pump. I'm guessing (AND I TRULY MEAN GUESSING HERE) that I add the Booster at lights on and run the Air Pump at lights off.
Although I'm now wondering, if under this set-up I have ... (ie: no CO2 dispenser) that I should un-hook the Air Pump all together. Because the Plants oxygenate the water, but at lights out they start using oxygen as well. From what I've read ... (oh oh ... Head spinning again).
Now the final thing I now have for my tanks. I've read about this thing on here, too many times to count and I've looked at them in stores almost as much. I finally bought a Freshwater Master Test Kit. As I said in my title, the Idiot is done ... I'm ready to learn.
Here's a couple pics of the fish
It was so difficult to get a pic of my syno ocellifer before ... as I found out when I was trying to find an ID on him. He'd spent his entire life in a 30 gallon tank, I had the tank, with him and a few other fish given to me 4 yrs ago (My first tank). There was a pleco at least double his size in the tank as well ... That was the first fish I gave away. But now with the extra space, he's lost all his skittishness. Totally different fish, lets me watch him now; even with the lights on. Always hid before.
The mixed hybrid featherfin .... I like the white accents on his fins and such. But if I could only keep one syno .... this one would have to find a new home.
The 2 Green Terrors ... not the best pick, but I was trying to catch both at the same time. Been keeping an eye on them, I've read its hit or miss with them and plants, and the more hearty plants are better. But so far they seem to be leaving them alone.
The only thing else in the tank other than the gravel and driftwood, are 3 barbs, 2 mollies, and a tetra that I used when I first had the tank set-up. Been too lazy to try and scoop them out.
The tank is currently lid less, although we do have a lid for it if need be ... It evaporates around 4 gallons a week, I've been measuring. Which frankly I do kinda enjoy the moisture around the house. We live in the prairies .... DRY ....
Sorry for the long-winded post, but like the title said ... I'm ready to learn. All feedback is greatly appreciated. The good, the bad and the ugly .... Would just like to be finally going in the proper direction. Thank you all in advance ... really looking forward to all responses.
, creeper!) has a nice 55 gallon planted angelfish tank that I'm jealous of that I have learned off of. 
