Rita's Princess Tank - Journals

davemonkey · 05-05-2009, 06:31 PM

My 4-yr-old daughter has been begging me for her very own "Princess Tank" for a few months now. I kept telling her "maybe someday" or "we'll see" because I've been strapped for cash lately. Well, turns out that some friends of ours had a 10-gallon hex in their living room that they hadn't been keeping up with (for MANY moons) and wanted to get rid of. SOOOO.....

TA-DA!

This was a good oppurtunity to teach her the satisfaction of WORK and seeing the outcome/payoff.

Bag-o-goodies/filters/etc...

15 minutes, 2 brillo-pads, and a satisfied 4-yr-old resulted in this: (but don't be fooled, it was impossible to get some of the algae caught under the seals, and I'm not ready for cutting and re-sealing

Her very first planted tank - El Natural style

Side view

FTS

Now I have to find out if I have the self-control to not take over her tank for her. That will be difficult.

-Dave

davemonkey · 05-13-2009, 10:38 AM

A week later, some filling in and a couple stems added. Been dosing EI until the soil starts releasing nutrients.

-Dave (and Rita)

Tex Gal · 05-13-2009, 12:47 PM

Rita, good job! I love your princess tank! So glad you let Daddy help you. Just don't let him take over!

cs_gardener · 05-14-2009, 12:59 PM

I see you have the all important pinks in your princess tank. What type of fish are going in there?

davemonkey · 05-14-2009, 01:03 PM

Right now she's got 4 sunset palty's and 2 black mollies. She wants some "tetras", but she doesn't which kind yet (she said the pink and red ones...I'm guessing some serpae like we used to have). When the plants have grown in more and can handle some extra fish load we are taking her fish-shopping (and Daddy gets to buy some fish too! ).

joycould · 05-15-2009, 07:09 AM

That is a great first tank!!

Fishtory · 05-20-2009, 09:43 AM

Aaaah my best memories are of my dad helping me with my fish habit! You're awesome, Dave. Just watch the taking over part.

BTW my dad recently set up a tank, first one he's had since I left home a bazillion years ago. I've been giving him plants. I think he's hooked again!

Navarro · 05-20-2009, 10:23 AM

Rita needs to join NASH Dave!

davemonkey · 05-20-2009, 05:22 PM

Joycloud, thanks!

Fishtory, that neat to hear your Dad helped you with your fish tanks, too! It's been hard, but I have kept my hands out of her aquarium (except when she asked me to plant the plants she chose...she can't quite reach just yet) . This is all hers.

Luis, I'll bring her to a meeting when I think she can sit still for more than 15 minutes.

-Dave

davemonkey · 05-23-2009, 03:31 PM

We took a Father/Daughter trip to the GHAC auction today and had a great time!

Rita wanted some red shrimp and I had my eye on some Blue Pearl shrimp. I got the Blue Pearls for a STEAL, but we were out-bid on the Red Cherries. We tried to get some pics, but these are little tiny babies and hard to photograph. Once they get going I'll post some pictures.

The Blue Pearls were supposed to be for my tank, but after getting home I was informed that "those are for MY Princess tank, and you can have red ones if you want some other time". So, Rita has Blue Pearls and Daddy will have to wait for some Red Cherries (any NASH members got any) ?

-Dave