First aquascape

[PABrooks]

 

[PABrooks]

Interesting re above values that I’m only now seeing a nitrite spike after using Seachem stability since Friday afternoon. Makes me think the one and only and the gel starter balls were inefficient at seeding the filter. I did a 50% water change on last Thursday night too. I’m going to do a very big water change tomorrow (I’ve got no fish in there yet) so I can’t see it doing any harm.

 

[PABrooks]

Hi all, quick update. Overall the tank is up and running well and all the plants so far have survived. Some doing better than others! I’ve got algae issues and this seemed to have correlated with either a water change that may well have had a lot of silicate in the tap water (I live in an area where china clay is mined and the water comes from reservoirs on Dartmoor) or, my over enthusiastic use of Seachem Equilibrium which I may not have needed to have used in the first place (to boost GH).
Any hew, my poor Anubias petites are covered with this brown rust like algae and the Buce Theia’s are partially covered too !
I’ve got part of an algae crew in there now (10 Amano’s 5 Cherries) with more reinforcements coming soon.
Good news is my filter is cycled (I think) and I have zero nitrites so I’m hoping to get a bunch of ottocinclus on Saturday.

I can see how algae puts people off and it’s really annoying. I also feel such a sense of failure too ! I found the two YouTube videos from Green Aqua very interesting and helpful and there’s tons going on inside of me as I contemplate what to do next and how I feel about the whole process.

So, I’m going to take a leaf (no pun intended) out of Brene Brown’s book and choose to be vulnerable about it and post this update!

One of the most exciting discoveries for me is that this journey started out as a tropical fish tank and fish were the main emphasis in my mind. Then I discovered ‘The Beautiful World of Aquascaping” and plants became just as important to me….this was a discovery, how much I love the plants as much as I love the fish! The whole process (not finished) has been a cathartic joy ! (If there is such a thing)

Success and failure (or maybe a kinder phrase, learning opportunity!!) is staring straight at me, and I, at it !

Any hew, here’s a few pics and I hope you’re all doing well. Thanks everyone for your help so far and support. Paul

Ps, the magnificent 7 Cherry Barbs say hi !

Pps Thank you Green Aqua 🙂

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Overall the tank is up and running well and all the plants so far have survived.

Good.

and this seemed to have correlated with either a water change that may well have had a lot of silicate in the tap water

Diatoms are <"incredibly effective"> at obtaining the smallest trace of orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) from water, so silicate levels in water tends to be a bit of a red herring.

Any hew, my poor Anubias petites are covered with this brown rust like algae and the Buce Theia’s are partially covered too !

Ramshorn Snails (Planorbella duryi) are effective at removal.

cheers Darrel

 

[PABrooks]

Hi all,

Good.

Diatoms are <"incredibly effective"> at obtaining the smallest trace of orthosilicic acid (Si(OH)4) from water, so silicate levels in water tends to be a bit of a red herring.

Ramshorn Snails (Planorbella duryi) are effective at removal.

cheers Darrel

Thanks Darrel, any suggestions on where I can buy snails online? (Good source)

 

[dw1305]

Hi all,

Thanks Darrel, any suggestions on where I can buy snails online? (Good source)

I'm sure a member of UKAPS must have some spare? Mine are always small and fragile, but any-one with harder water should have some.

Cheers Darrel

 

[PABrooks]

Hi all,

I'm sure a member of UKAPS must have some spare? Mine are always small and fragile, but any-one with harder water should have some.

Cheers Darrel

I’ve bought a job lot from Riverpark Aquatics 🙂 along with 10 Nerities, 2 big Colombian rams horns and two ‘blueberry’ snails 🙂 although I might have messed up there as they like a warm tank and mine is only just over 24 degrees