[Sveinne]

Hi everyone! I'm so glad I found this forum! I currently have the following:

55 Gallon with 2 Angels, 3 Danio, 3 Clown Loaches, 2 Dwarf frogs, 1 Ghost cat. Plants- 1 large Sword Plant, several (what I believe are) Rotala Rotundifolia - These are doing very well. I also had a couple other plants which I am not sure of the names, one was a very frilly fern, and I believe the other was anubius, both of these died almost immediately.

Two ten gallon tanks with a Blue Crayfish in each. (one male one female)

One 5 gallon quarantine tank, nothing currently, just stays cycled.

Two 2 and 1/2 gallon tanks with a betta in each.

I'm always looking out for other cool things.

I have only planted the 55 gallon so far, as I'm new to this planted tank thing. I have a sand substrate, with some pebbles mixed in as well. I first added a water nutrient which didn't seem to help much. Then I used Flourish tabs, and that has done much better. I know I don't have adequate lighting, I have about 30 wats for the whole tank. But I think the plants I have appreciate low light. I do plan to upgrade my lighting very soon.

I have a hard time identifying plants, as I have a very limited access to any really good plants. PetSmart is about it. And I don't trust their listed names because when I look online I don't see any of the plants that look like what they say they are. It's really hard to identify some plants based on a picture online. Plus you have the latin name versus the common name thing.

I'm going to be doing alot of reading here and hope to learn more.

I'm really curious just what the perfect balance is between fish and plants to have a self-maintaining tank. I know it's possible, but I don't know how to go about it.

Thanks for a great site!

Sveinne

 

[Sveinne]

Hi Kevin,

My substrate is sand only.

I currently have only the lighting which came with the hood which is two 18 inch 15 watt flourescent bulbs. I am in the process of trying to find a new light source that will work with my hood so that I can upgrade my lighting with minimal cost. I realize I have very poor lighting. It appears that if I stay with the 18 inch ballast I don't have much choice but to stay with 15 watts. I'm scouring the net trying to learn my options.

I am really looking into co2 but I have to admit it's still a bit confusing to me. I've done alot of reading online, and I don't really completely understand just how and where it's hooked into the tank. But I'm going to keep reading on that.

I can't say I planted heavily, but I have quite a few separate plants although not much variety. I'll take a picture or two later tonight and try to post them to give you an idea.

Sveinne

 

[Sveinne]

Thanks so much! I have alot more reading to do.

Sveinne