Dan Earl A
Member
So, having done a brief introduction on the site and received some really useful tips and now three weeks in to my first aquascape I thought I'd have a bash at a journal. The purpose of this is, I hope, to learn from the wealth of experience on this site and to share my own experiences as I progress.
As a starting point, my set up is as follows:
I've used ADA Power sand and Tropica Aquarium soil substrate, and dosing 1.5ml daily of APT3. I've also followed the 'recommended' routine of daily 50% water changes for the first week, every other day for the second week and now every fourth day. I was using API Quick Start initially with every water change. I was also using ADA Aqua Conditioner.
After a predicted ammonia spike, followed by a jump in nitrites I'm down to zero for both plus nitrates. My water from the mains supply is hard, 268mg/l total hardness and at a pH of 7.7. All my plants seems to have done well, with the exception of the Anubias, which mostly melted but what's left seems to now be recovering. Ive just stocked with Amano's and Cherry shrimps, as well as half a dozen zebra nerite snails which are doing a grand job of keeping any algae at bay.
I think that's it for now. I'm looking forward to stocking with fish in maybe another week or so, and intending to go for ember tetras, probably a dozen.
I'm fairly pleased with the hardscape and plants but I'm sure I can improve a lot here with some advise and experience. All comments very welcome!!
Thanks for reading.
As a starting point, my set up is as follows:
- Dennerle 55L white glass scapers tank
- BioMaster 350 Thermal
- Twinstar 450 SM V3
- Life Aqua CO2 two stage regulator
- Aquario Premium Neo Flow
I've used ADA Power sand and Tropica Aquarium soil substrate, and dosing 1.5ml daily of APT3. I've also followed the 'recommended' routine of daily 50% water changes for the first week, every other day for the second week and now every fourth day. I was using API Quick Start initially with every water change. I was also using ADA Aqua Conditioner.
After a predicted ammonia spike, followed by a jump in nitrites I'm down to zero for both plus nitrates. My water from the mains supply is hard, 268mg/l total hardness and at a pH of 7.7. All my plants seems to have done well, with the exception of the Anubias, which mostly melted but what's left seems to now be recovering. Ive just stocked with Amano's and Cherry shrimps, as well as half a dozen zebra nerite snails which are doing a grand job of keeping any algae at bay.
I think that's it for now. I'm looking forward to stocking with fish in maybe another week or so, and intending to go for ember tetras, probably a dozen.
I'm fairly pleased with the hardscape and plants but I'm sure I can improve a lot here with some advise and experience. All comments very welcome!!
Thanks for reading.