Introduction
This is my first attempt at a heavily planted aquarium. I've always concentrated on the fish in other tanks, this one is about the plants and fish that support the plants in the best way. Once the plants are modestly grown, I want to add some Amano shrimp.
Filtration
Main filtering is supplied by a Marineland C-220 canister filter. It will run filter floss, ceramic rings, Seachem Matrix, activated carbon, and filter floss.
Also added a Marineland Penguin 350 to help with surface agitation and filtering.
Lighting
Lighting is provided by an Aquatic Life 2x54 watt 48" T5HO. 108 watts is much better than the 32 watts I had originally.
Lighting schedule is cut to 10 hours from 12 to try to control algae growth for now.
Flow
Flow will be provided by the Marineland C-220 canister filter. It runs at 220 gph in normal operation. Normal circulation for a planted freshwater tank is 4 times the tank per hour.
Added a Marineland Penguin 350 filter to help with surface agitation, water flow, and filtering.
Neon Tetras, Otocinclus cats, Bristlenose pleco, Harlequin rasboras.
The Oto's are quite the characters, they like to swim around with the Rasboras when they aren't munching on algae.
Additives
Seachem Flourish
Seachem Excel
Seachem Iron
Seachem Nitrogen
Seachem Phosphorus
Seachem Potassium
Seachem Prime
Feeding See more
Wardley Tropical Fish Flakes
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Top Fin Freeze Dried Bloodworms
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TetraColor Tropical Flakes
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TetraMin Tropical Flakes
Feeding is once or twice a day in small increments of high quality flake and freeze dried bloodworms.
Inspiration & Goals
Goals are to have a healthy, plush planted aquarium with a small population of supporting fish and shrimp.
Takashi Amano and his tanks are a big influence, but this is not a copycat tank. Just doing what I can do with what I have.
Words of Wisdom
Research, research, research. Don't buy anything until you know exactly what you want and how to make it all work together.
Disasters & Regrets
When the tank was originally set up, I did a fishless cycle. Unfortunately, this went on way too long as I was unable to get fish or plants in when needed. This caused a serious algae problem that I am still dealing with and trying to straighten out. My first round of plants were overtaken by algae and did not make it.