Bert H

Did I miss somewhere where you state your tank size?
As far as retrofits go, check out www.ahsupply.com. Great guy to deal with, and excellent stuff.

ericpop27

Bert H

IMO, around 60 watts should do it for you.

ericpop27

Sterling919

Let me tell you from a failure's point of view...do not give up. I've had the exact same problems your are having right now. Take everything back out and super wash everything you plan to stick in there. Everything that will have water touching it...you wash it real good. Was that tank too outside real good and dry it down with clean plain paper towels.

Put your sand back in there and concock some way to add your water without disturbing the sand. Put straight cold tap water in there do NOT use warm water or hot water. I know you know this stuff but I'm just trying to help you. Then if it's cloudy or whatever let it sit for awhile and then turn the filter on. Change the filter media before you start the pump back up. It will get clear it'll just take you some time and you have to make sure everything is clean.

Your lighting situation. I can tell you that I got ticked about lighting too when trying to grow live plants. Instead of buying a high dollar light fixture, make your own. If you can't do that buy a plant growth light that'll fit your current hood. I built a canopy out of 2x4's and bought my own ballast at Lowes and the things the lights fit into to wire to the ballast. This was for my 10 gallon tank and I put 3 18" 15w bulbs on it...way too much light. But I can control how many are on and when. Just one or all three. Two plant lights and one 10K to pick up the color some. All for around 40 bucks or so including the 2x4. So think about that before you give up.

You can work around your problems and you can fix that tank. I'm the worst person in the world with live plants, fish and tank problems. Just search my name out around forums..ahhaha. I've got a lot of my issues worked out and I DIY'd them.

Tex Gal

What filter are you using? Can you put a micro/micron pad in it? I got some mirco filter material from Dr. Smith and Foster.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produc...53&pcatid=4353
I cut them to the shape I want and they really do a good job. I even have used it in my HOB. I cut it to fit either vertically or horizontally. It will trap the really small particulates that are making your water cloudy. You can also get some Seachem Clarity or like product. That will clump the small particles so your filter can clear them out.

Don't give up. This is not the most difficult thing that you will experience. Just think how great you will feel when you have conquered this and have a tank you are, once again, very proud of!

ericpop27

Phew.

I re-drained the tank. Rinsed EVERYTHING off, rewashed the sand for about thirty minutes and refilled the tank.

So far it's pretty clear, here's an updated shot...I really need a camera:

ericpop27

Almost forgot, here is the newly converted 29 gallon tank. It's only got decorations in it. I'm doing the DIY CO2 setup this weekend. The lousy hood it comes with is holding one 24" 6700 standard fluorescent tube...I've had brighter nightlights.

Tex Gal

LOL

Looking good! You must have had a lot of bacteria in that sand! Glad you solved your problem! GOOD JOB!

ericpop27

New Problem...

I repopulated the tank after having a test fish.

All of my water parameters are fine, but the fish are dropping like flies now!

And both the tanks are starting to get cloudy.