The new setup

[Cuba_Libra]

I'm just getting into this hobby, and I only have one fish, a Betta, His name is Cuba, Chillin in my 20 gallon tank, I'm hoping to add more within the next week or so, gotta wait on that nitrate ( i think) cycle !! =D But the Lady at the local shop told me to use about 40 lbs of substrate for my 20 gal, that looks like a bit much to me .. im hoping my ( i think) undergravel filter will still be able to do a good job =D

heres the setup

 

[bluedempsey]

that is alot of GRAVEL!

 

[Mourinho18]

i was just gonna say that, but I like the look of it. pretty relaxing for smaller fishies

 

[shookONES]

UGF's are obsolete. Get an Aquaclear and start running it.

That really is a lot of gravel too. I like to just cover the bottom of the aquarium-1/2" or less.

I'm sure you're aware, but nitrates are really the last phase of the nitrogen cycle. If you're nitirites read zero, then you are good to go. There is nothing that consumes nitrates (I know there is, but I'm keeping this simple), so a water change is in order if thats the case.

 

[engine49]

The lfs must of needed to sell some gravel pretty bad lol. I would definately ditch the ugf, nitrate factory, especially with all that gravel clogging it up. Good luck with your fish

 

[bluedempsey]

There is nothing that consumes nitrates.

plants

 

[PUFFERMAN]

???????

 

[shookONES]

There is nothing that consumes nitrates (I know there is, but I'm keeping this simple), so a water change is in order if thats the case.

I know. I'm keeping this basic. Just FYI, the main source of food for plants is ammonia, not nitrate. A refugium type deal would be necessary to remove nitrates effectively. IMO, it's hard to justify something like that when a mere waterchange solves the problem.

 

[bluedempsey]

I know. I'm keeping this basic. Just FYI, the main source of food for plants is ammonia, not nitrate. A refugium type deal would be necessary to remove nitrates effectively. IMO, it's hard to justify something like that when a mere waterchange solves the problem.

tainted glory>>>>> <<<<<<<<bluedempsey

 

[rweedon]

keep with the ugf man... the only thing I use and I never have fish deaths ask these guys using aquaclears when the last time they had a fish death was and ask them what percentage of their nitrifying bacteria they throw out each time they throw out a filter cartridge... and how often they have to top off their tank due to condensation, and how much tape they have to use to keep certain fish from jumping out of their tank... and... and.... and...