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Our very first tank - the Fluval Edge 46 litre!

Not sure what plants you have (being lazy) but if they were grown emersed rather than submerged, some timed the old leaves can die off a bit while being replaced with new ones. This can also happen as they just get used to your tank.

A little liquid carbon and some ferts might help them pick up more quickly
 
Not sure what plants you have (being lazy) but if they were grown emersed rather than submerged, some timed the old leaves can die off a bit while being replaced with new ones. This can also happen as they just get used to your tank.

A little liquid carbon and some ferts might help them pick up more quickly


We did add 2 JBL Ferro tabs when we planted but I would like to add some fertilisers but don't know where to start nor whether they will halt the fishless cycling with food.

These are our plants:
Cryptocoryne beckettii
Cryptocoryne undalatus kasselman
Rotala rotundifolia
Vallisneria (not sure which one but will ask the shop)
Also like to add Anubis

Also is the planting too sparse? We were hoping to provide cover for the fish when (if ever!!!) we add them and had hoped to have the Vallisneria in th right hand corner eventually grow up and across the top of the glass like this (although a more appropriate size for our tank of course):
vallisneria-gigantea-02.jpg
 
Once the plants are settled in they'll start to reproduce. I believe vallis sends out a runner and then pops up another plant. Crypts grow plantlets on their sides so they form a clump. Not sure on the rotala. Anubias are rhizomes and send out a new leaf once every 2 weeks or so in my lo tech tanks

Healthy plants are part of the cycle so if you have tabs in already, I wouldn't worry about ferts for now. Just keep up the water changes and they'll be looking healthy soon. It can take up to 6 weeks :(

Oh and btw, vallis doesn't seem to like liquid carbon so ignore that in my previous post :facepalm:
 
Once the plants are settled in they'll start to reproduce. I believe vallis sends out a runner and then pops up another plant. Crypts grow plantlets on their sides so they form a clump. Not sure on the rotala. Anubias are rhizomes and send out a new leaf once every 2 weeks or so in my lo tech tanks

Healthy plants are part of the cycle so if you have tabs in already, I wouldn't worry about ferts for now. Just keep up the water changes and they'll be looking healthy soon. It can take up to 6 weeks :(

Oh and btw, vallis doesn't seem to like liquid carbon so ignore that in my previous post :facepalm:

Thanks James! I've no problem with a 6 week or so wait, it will give me time to practise my tank maintenance skills.
 
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Just a quick update! Very excited as I've just done a 50% water change and tank clean in under an hour - vacuum thing worked first time! We've now added some extra plants (yes I did say we wanted minimal planting but this is so addictive!!!) and they are as follows:
Annubias cogensis (to the back left - it has been moved around on it's pebble quite a bit until it looked right!)
Annubias barteri nana bonsai x 2 attached to the wood
Eleocharis montevidensis (really adore this tall grass as it sways in the filter)

newP1010012.jpg
newP1010009.jpg
newP1010018.jpg
newP1010017.jpg

Any tips on these plants would be greatly appreciated, especially fertilisers (shrimp friendly) for the future.
I also want to say a huge thank you to everyone that recommended tank cleaning, I'm doing a 50% water change every other day and it makes such a difference! No terrible smell, and the fungus growth on the wood has nearly disappeared completely. The cycle seems to be still happening (ammonia falling, Nitrites still high but now falling and Nitrates starting to climb). Keep the tips coming please!!!!!
 
Most important tip: Throw Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test kits in the tip....and don't look back.

Cheers,
 
Most important tip: Throw Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate test kits in the tip....and don't look back.

Cheers,
Hi Clive,
But how will I know when it's safe for the fish and shrimp? You were absolutely right with the clean tank tip so I'd love to hear more!
Warmest wishes
Glenda
 
But how will I know when it's safe for the fish and shrimp?
Hi Glenda,
Because if you feed your plants and keep the tank clean then automatically, within 6-8 weeks the tank will be safe for fish. No guessing and no worrying. See http://ukaps.org/forum/threads/accuracy-of-test-kits.20009/

Nitrogen compound test kits never told you the truth at all. They are very difficult compounds to test for and people have only ever hypnotized themselves that these kits are telling the truth.

Cheers,
 
It's looking great Glenda, very impressive first tank.
Not sure if it was picked up on before but you need to be adding ferts as anubias, rotala etc will not feed off the root tabs.
For a tank this size and ease I'd suggest getting some tropica specialised, it's more expensive but works great and will last long months, so long enough to look at other options if you please.
As it's low tech dose the amount the bottle says but split it up to daily.... Would guess 1 or 2 squirts a day would suffice.
Keep it up :)
 
Looks lovely glenda, where is the montevidensis planted ? Background plant looks like cypress helfri.
Opps thank you so much Tim I think you're right, I had a long plant list that I took to the store and I may have ticked the wrong one (I'm trying to keep a note for aftercare)!! I'll amend the notes on the posting.[DOUBLEPOST=1408693916][/DOUBLEPOST]
It's looking great Glenda, very impressive first tank.
Not sure if it was picked up on before but you need to be adding ferts as anubias, rotala etc will not feed off the root tabs.
For a tank this size and ease I'd suggest getting some tropica specialised, it's more expensive but works great and will last long months, so long enough to look at other options if you please.
As it's low tech dose the amount the bottle says but split it up to daily.... Would guess 1 or 2 squirts a day would suffice.
Keep it up :)
Thank you so much Iain for the very kind compliment! I did take the added ferts tip on board and very much like the look of the Tropica Specialised, is it one that will be shrimp safe? If so I will buy some right away![DOUBLEPOST=1408694136][/DOUBLEPOST]
Hi Glenda,
Because if you feed your plants and keep the tank clean then automatically, within 6-8 weeks the tank will be safe for fish. No guessing and no worrying. See http://ukaps.org/forum/threads/accuracy-of-test-kits.20009/

Nitrogen compound test kits never told you the truth at all. They are very difficult compounds to test for and people have only ever hypnotized themselves that these kits are telling the truth.

Cheers,
Many thanks once again Clive, it all makes perfect sense - balance = harmony! No more mention of tests I promise!
 
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