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When you have 3 consecutive days of 0 ammonia and 0 nitrite you can add fish. It took me 6 weeks to cycle my tank, you'll probably be a bit quicker. A big water change the night before fish shopping will be needed to reduce nitrates. You need to research which fish suit your water. Otos need...

I bought mine by going to a good LFS. I find it beneficial to actually see the shape, and hold the piece of wood in the flesh as it were.

My husband would love a greenhouse. I'd never see him, he'd be in their constantly, pottering about. Mmmmm what a good idea.....:happy:

How much water do you change every 2 to 3 weeks? I've always done a 50% wc once a week, but I do use EI Ferts, and I keep fish that don't like high nitrates. I try to get as much of the detritus up as I can. Although it is tricky and I don't want to disturb the plants too much. I would try to...

Salvinia Natans is a lovely floating plant. It's more delicate than frogbit. It didn't cope well with my HO Led's, and would probably fair better in a lower tech set up.

Welcome, from another Scottish planted tank fan:D

The only problem I have is the time it takes for them to grow. Patience isn't my strength! I've used culture Echindoras successfully, but had a disaster with pearl moss. You'll "eventually" get a lot of plants out of those little culture pots, so they do represent good value for money.

I have 6 Otos and they are just the most charming little fish. I feed mine algae wafers and fresh veg. Peppers and celery are the favourites with mine. Give them a blanche and attach to the tank with a nori clip. Not sure if you tried this before? Keeping them fat and eating is the biggest...

It will be easier for you to plant without much water in the tank. You don't have fish to worry about so a big water change would be OK

The tank sounds great. I love Kuhli Loaches but discounted them because I read somewhere that you need a minimum of 10, soft water, and a PH of between 6 and 7? I think Panda Garra should be kept in small groups too? Might be worth a bit more research?

Nice to see you had a nice glass of something while you were putting the scape together. It provided artistic stimulation no doubt:D

Yay:D:D:thumbup: ...and very nice too!

I'm probably coming at this from a different angle @EdwinK When I first started out the priority for me was the welfare of my fish. The "fishless cycle" is speeded up by increasing the tank temperature to 30+ and therefore the sooner I completed the cycle the sooner I could safely introduce...

You definitely don't want livestock in there anyway! A cycle without fish is a humane approach, and the best way to do things IMO. I wouldn't be too concerned about the plants but it would be helpful if you can get some in there fairly soon. Just whack the temperature up meantime to get the...

I live in an area with very soft water, and was affected by two Ph crashes during the cycling of my tank. Basically, during the process of the cycle, there is the possibility of pH fluctuations. The ammonia has basic properties which can raise the pH as you add it, and the nitrifying bacteria...

That a gorgeous piece of wood. Looking forward to seeing how your scape progresses.

I'm on my PC and I can't see the pics. Sorry:(

Why don't you test the nitrate level in your tap water to give you a base line? I'm always amazed to hear the differences from one area to another. It's also a good idea to keep an eye on PH, just to make sure your cycle doesn't stall.

"Flow" the magic word! Its taken me too long to get my head around flow. I think the tank is a lot better, but not 100% happy with the flow yet. I basically have the external outflow lily pipe which is on the right had side positioned to gush out to the left to agitate the surface. Also on the...

Fair enough, thanks for that. My plan was to build up the dose over the next few weeks. I prefer a more cautious approach.

Every cloud has a silver lining (or so they say). I'm sure your new tank will be even better than the last.

Thank you. Not quite a first attempt;) It's been fiddled with a bit since it was first planted (I can't help myself!) but in essence the scape is pretty much the same as it was day one. I had a bit of a disaster last October when the LED bar packed in, and it took almost 6 months for the company...

Thanks guys. I'm hoping with the addition of the pressurised CO2 the jungle will become much more dense! The substrate is made up of ADA Power Sand, Aquasoil, and granules, with some Sarawak sand at the front. I dose the water column with EI ferts. I'm using a SICCE Whale 350 external, and a...

I've just joined the forum, and have been asked to start a journal. The tank is a 250L, with an Amazonian theme. It's my first tank and has been running for about 20 months. I only added pressurised CO2 a week ago, in the hope that I would be able to grow red plants more successfully. I've also...

That's great. Many thanks.

Thanks for the welcome. Looking at the tank pics on this forum I am rather embarrassed at my attempt at a planted scape. I've gone for quite a wild, haphazard scheme, in other words, I just went for it, without too much of an idea what I wanted to end up with! I'll start a journal, and you'll...

I've been running my tank for a while, and wanted to adopt a low tech approach, however, plants have become more and more of interest, and I've always wanted to grow Altananthera Rosenvarig. I love red plants an aquascape. I've gone high tech (of sorts) and installed pressurised CO2 a week...

A quick hello to everyone. I have a 250L heavily planted, South American themed tank. When I first started out, the fish stock was very much my focus, however as time has gone by I've become more and more interested in the planting and general look of the scape. I now get a much pleasure from my...