TomReiner » glowlight tetra

Crypt Re-growth Progress

Tom — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 03:24:27 +0000

The crypt I cut completely down is making some progress. One of them isn't growing back at all yet, but the other one is starting to put back a leaf. We'll see about the progress as it continues. I'm hopeful.

Crypt Wendtii Regrowing

Additionally I now have a heater and I'm keeping the water around 82 degrees Fahrenheit. I moved the java fern back in the tank more. I plan on going to Skipton's Pet Center this week sometime to get some more plants that will go in the front. Maybe some pygmy chain sword to go in the front. I also might have to get rid of the Java Moss because it's dying and I'm not sure why. I'll give it another week.

Entire Tank Picture

Here is a bonus picture of two of the remaining glowlight tetras playing in the Java Fern.

Glowlight Tetras and Java Fern

First Fish Death

Tom — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:40:41 +0000

The first death in the aquarium has taken place. When I woke up yesterday one of the glowlight tetras was sitting dead on the bottom of the tank. This wasn't completely unexpected but I can take complete blame for actions I took.

Usually when using live animals to cycle the aquarium you expect some difficulties and even fish death due to a rise in Nitrites and Ammonia. However I also was beginning to get some fuzz algae growth on plants and my driftwood. So after reading an article online I decided to overdose on Flourish Excel. Usually a 1-2x dose is good for removing algae but I wanted to push it. It was combination of hatred for algae and a desire to see my plants grow quickly that led me to overdose more than necessary. By my estimations I did a 3x dose. Now on the website I read this on it said 3x was ok, but it was running into risky territory in regards to fish health.

Clearly I hit that barrier and cause the death of one of my fish. Fortunately it was a $2.00 fish and not a very interesting one at that.

On a good note the fuzz algae is beginning to die off and I should do a water change tonight probably. Additionally the Crypt Wendtii that I cut back completely is starting to grow back. Not much, but the plant closer to the glass has grown by probably 2mm. Nothing but but definitely noticeable. Perhaps by Thanksgiving it will grow enough to start having leaves again.

Aquarium Page Added

Tom — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:15:28 +0000

I've added an aquarium page to the website to track by new 10g setup. I'm going to be combining this page and blog updates as a personal aquarium journal. This way I can track the growth of my plants, fish, and other assorted creatures in the tank.

The aquarium is a 10g Aquatic Edge setup that I've been slowly tweaking as I go. I have Flourite Black Sand substrate, a small piece of driftwood, and a large rock from Chinatown in terms of decoration. For my flora I have a combination of plants that are listed on the aquarium page that I've recently added. I'm planning on dosing the tank with Flourish and Flourish Excel for plant nutrition. Right now in terms of fish I have five Glowlight Tetras just for the sake of cycling the tank and providing some entertainment. I hope none die but if they do I can replace them with more attractive and entertaining fish once the tank is cycled.

Once the tank is cycled I intend on putting either Neolamprologus Multifasciatus or German Blue Rams (Mikrogeophagus ramirezi) in the tank. They require different water qualities and I'm not quite sure which direction I would like to go yet.

I'll be taking pictures and uploading them to the blog, picture album, and aquarium page so if you want to follow the tank development feel free. Email me if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions.