Author Topic: PaddyC's Peaceful Community (Read 81461 times) 637 replies

Paddyc · « **Reply #120 on:** March 10, 2016, 11:34:10 PM »

I shall report back after tomorrows browse around two more fish shops. My main aim is to decide where I will get the fish and plants from. I may even buy some plants tomorrow and get them in the tank so I don't have to deal with planting plants and adding fish at the same time, any thoughts on this?

Matt · « **Reply #121 on:** March 11, 2016, 06:06:52 AM »

I would absolutely get your planting sorted now, it will be less stressful for the fish in the long run. You might like to be aware that plants will use ammonia etc as food and therefore could marginally alter your readings so to speak, but I suppose if you intend for them to be a permanent fixture, then that shouldn't matter.

Paddyc · « **Reply #122 on:** March 11, 2016, 07:08:47 AM »

Quote from: Matt on March 11, 2016, 06:06:52 AM

I would absolutely get your planting sorted now, it will be less stressful for the fish in the long run. You might like to be aware that plants will use ammonia etc as food and therefore could marginally alter your readings so to speak, but I suppose if you intend for them to be a permanent fixture, then that shouldn't matter.

Done deal. Plants today it is

Littlefish · « **Reply #123 on:** March 11, 2016, 11:21:40 AM »

ooh, it's starting.......live things going into the tank.

Paddyc · « **Reply #124 on:** March 11, 2016, 02:35:38 PM »

Todays readings first of all...

pH = 7.6
Ammonia/NH3 = 0ppm
Nitrite/NO2 = 2ppm
Nitrate/NO3 = >40ppm

So it appears that the tank is not quite where I thought in the cycling process. I think I am now at stage 9 of Sues cycling guide. I have to wait for two consecutive Ammonia Zero readings before adding a one-third dose of ammonia. Sue could you confirm this? Do I wait now for 24 or 48 hours?

I got some plants today from my recommended LFS. I did look in Dobbies, their aquarium has been under the control of Maidenhead Aquatics and there are some impressive species in there, lots of Marine species too! Someday I might have a bash at a marine tank...

The prices in Dobbies were very steep though, so I am sticking to local for my stuff unless there is something they cannot get for me. I have already forgotten the species of plants I have but I took the advice of others and used cotton thread to attach the longer plants to the back of the bogwood and hope they anchor on. I was lucky enough to find I had brown thread so it is virtually invisible!

Before shot...

Arranging the wood and planning how/where to attach plants... Apologies for the image quality. Flash doesn't help...

Bogwood out, plants ready to be tied on...

After around an hour (the thread wasn't the easiest thing to work with especially with soggy fingers) this is what I have just now. Hopefully you like what I have done... the plants in the substrate are right down into the compost hence why not a lot of the smaller plants actually stick up above the gravel!

Thanks for looking!!!

Extreme_One · « **Reply #125 on:** March 11, 2016, 02:58:34 PM »

It's really taking shape now.

I love the big pieces of wood.

Regarding tying the plants onto the wood, this is only necessary with Anubias and Java ferns or any species with a Rhizome.

This is done to keep the Rhizome above the substrate where otherwise it would rot and die.

I can't tell what species you've tied whilst I'm viewing this page on my tablet.

If you're tying plants with standard roots then they might just end up growing really long trailing roots, which seek their way towards the substrate.

Anyway, looking good.

BlindDogStanley · « **Reply #126 on:** March 11, 2016, 02:59:16 PM »

Looking good Paddy you're a natural!

Nice pieces of bog wood too.

Littlefish · « **Reply #127 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:02:14 PM »

Hey Paddy the tank is looking great

I really like the plants and how you've arranged them.
Well done

Paddyc · « **Reply #128 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:37:39 PM »

Cheers guys, the wood was just laid in there before to let it cycle with the filter. I'm trying now to take full advantage of the height of my tank and have a natural looking backdrop (plus it will hide the heater and spray tube).

As some might have seen in other threads I reckon I'll have a few ornaments in the foreground so I have kept it pretty clear, plus it helps for observation. The wood and plants give plenty of hidey holes for the fish so they should be fairly happy I think.

When it comes to fish buying day I think I'll end up getting approximately 20 fish but I'll probably restrict myself to large shoals of two or three species. My LFS has assured me they will sell me that amount at once no problem. Which you struggle to get with certain Mainstream Petshop Chains....

Paddyc · « **Reply #129 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:39:31 PM »

Quote from: Extreme_One on March 11, 2016, 02:58:34 PM

I can't tell what species you've tied whilst I'm viewing this page on my tablet.

If you're tying plants with standard roots then they might just end up growing really long trailing roots, which seek their way towards the substrate.

Anyway, looking good.

The tied plants are Amazon Sword I think, from a quick Google Image search.

Sue · « **Reply #130 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:40:28 PM »

Quote from: Paddyc on March 11, 2016, 02:35:38 PM

Todays readings first of all...

pH = 7.6
Ammonia/NH3 = 0ppm
Nitrite/NO2 = 2ppm
Nitrate/NO3 = >40ppm

So it appears that the tank is not quite where I thought in the cycling process. I think I am now at stage 9 of Sues cycling guide. I have to wait for two consecutive Ammonia Zero readings before adding a one-third dose of ammonia. Sue could you confirm this? Do I wait now for 24 or 48 hours?

It's not too bad. You added 3ppm ammonia 2 days ago. That 3ppm ammonia gets turned into 8ppm nitrite. if you'd had no nitrite eaters your reading would have been off the top of the scale rather than 2.0. So you have enough bacteria to 'eat' 6ppm nitrite in 48 hours.

It is now 2 days since you added the last ammonia. #8 and #9 say test every 2 days, and when you have 2 consecutive ammonias.... Today is test after 2 days with the first zero ammonia, so test in another 2 days for the second zero ammonia. If nitrite is still over 1ppm, you are at stage #9 so add 1ppm ammonia. if nitrite is below 1.0, you are at stage #10.

Extreme_One · « **Reply #131 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:43:52 PM »

Quote from: Paddyc on March 11, 2016, 03:39:31 PM

Quote from: Extreme_One on March 11, 2016, 02:58:34 PM
I can't tell what species you've tied whilst I'm viewing this page on my tablet.

If you're tying plants with standard roots then they might just end up growing really long trailing roots, which seek their way towards the substrate.

Anyway, looking good.

The tied plants are Amazon Sword I think, from a quick Google Image search.

Amazon Sword should be planted so it's roots can take hold in the substrate, but you shouldn't bury the crown.

Quote

Its roots will grow to be quite large and extensive, growing deep and wide throughout the tank. So make sure there is enough substrate depth to accommodate this soon-to-be very tall plant. When planting, make sure the plant roots are anchored well, but take care to not bury the crown. The crown of the plant should be above the substrate and visible to the eye.

http://www.aquariumcarebasics.com/aquarium-plants/amazon-sword-plant/

Paddyc · « **Reply #132 on:** March 11, 2016, 03:47:35 PM »

I was chatting to the lady in the shop who told me it was fine to tie to the wood with the thread... It definitely looks like Amazon sword... Will it die if not planted in the substrate??

Extreme_One · « **Reply #133 on:** March 11, 2016, 04:07:01 PM »

It won't die but the roots will grow and grow and you might feel they look a bit unsightly dangling in front of your wood.

Tying plants onto wood and rock is only a temporary measure until they anchor themselves. I use natural cotton as it will break down naturally over time. Other people use a synthetic material such as fishing line and then remove it when the plant is established.

Amazon Sword won't anchor onto wood, as it's a root plant, so if using cotton it'll eventually detach and come loose.

Paddyc · « **Reply #134 on:** March 11, 2016, 04:21:39 PM »

Ah, that might not be so bad then as I have tied them to the rear of the wood anyway (except for one...) so to save getting up to my shoulder in the tank again I think I'll leave them as they are... The brown cotton is practically invisible anyway so it'll just get left there. Thanks for the info Simon, I might eventually get some anubias to attach to the wood, I like the effect it makes from what I've seen in the shops

Paddyc · « **Reply #135 on:** March 11, 2016, 04:58:21 PM »

Quote from: Sue on March 11, 2016, 03:40:28 PM

It's not too bad. You added 3ppm ammonia 2 days ago. That 3ppm ammonia gets turned into 8ppm nitrite. if you'd had no nitrite eaters your reading would have been off the top of the scale rather than 2.0. So you have enough bacteria to 'eat' 6ppm nitrite in 48 hours.

It is now 2 days since you added the last ammonia. #8 and #9 say test every 2 days, and when you have 2 consecutive ammonias.... Today is test after 2 days with the first zero ammonia, so test in another 2 days for the second zero ammonia. If nitrite is still over 1ppm, you are at stage #9 so add 1ppm ammonia. if nitrite is below 1.0, you are at stage #10.

That's what I thought too Sue, thanks for confirming. And I also thought it was better left for 48 hours so that's fine.

Matt · « **Reply #136 on:** March 11, 2016, 05:27:18 PM »

I would defiantly recommend planting the Amazon Sword, it is a root feeder and needs a to or tab containing iron to grow. It is a plant which has no capability repair its leaves so any damage will cause a loss of the leaf slowly over time as it effectively rots in your tank, whilst this is probably unavoidable, you do want the plant to root and grow replacement leaves.

Paddyc · « **Reply #137 on:** March 11, 2016, 05:35:30 PM »

Quote from: Matt on March 11, 2016, 05:27:18 PM

I would defiantly recommend planting the Amazon Sword, it is a root feeder and needs a to or tab containing iron to grow. It is a plant which has no capability repair its leaves so any damage will cause a loss of the leaf slowly over time as it effectively rots in your tank, whilst this is probably unavoidable, you do want the plant to root and grow replacement leaves.

I've been reading more about it Matt and I've pretty much decided I will remove the thread and plant the swords. Will they potentially grow quite high towards the surface? I've got 2cm of John Innes no.3 compost under the gravel and I'm planning on using fertiliser...

Fiona · « **Reply #138 on:** March 11, 2016, 05:45:25 PM »

You can expect it to get to about 20 inches Paddy but they do get as wide as they're tall. If you're going to be sticking your arm in again, I'd recommend puling the plants in the front up a bit so the shoulder of the plant is level with the top of the gravel, the roots will eventually reach the soil but the way they're planted now you're risking them rotting off.

Vallis would actually easily reach the top of the tank, its a form of underwater grass and there is broad leafed variety which has strappy leave about an inch wide. Have a look on ebay, you should find them there if you cant find em in a shop. Its also reasonably cheap.

Paddyc · « **Reply #139 on:** March 11, 2016, 07:21:45 PM »

Quote from: Fiona O'Mahoney on March 11, 2016, 05:45:25 PM

You can expect it to get to about 20 inches Paddy but they do get as wide as they're tall. If you're going to be sticking your arm in again, I'd recommend puling the plants in the front up a bit so the shoulder of the plant is level with the top of the gravel, the roots will eventually reach the soil but the way they're planted now you're risking them rotting off.

Vallis would actually easily reach the top of the tank, its a form of underwater grass and there is broad leafed variety which has strappy leave about an inch wide. Have a look on ebay, you should find them there if you cant find em in a shop. Its also reasonably cheap.

Done, thanks Fiona, see the below pics. I will look into the other plants in the weeks to come, I want to make sure I can actually keep plants before investing in more greenery

I took the advice of Matt, Simon and the links he provided. I went for another dunk and removed the thread and planted the Amazon swords.

Before pic (same as above)

After pics (including close ups, please let me know if I've done it wrong

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PaddyC's Peaceful Community

PaddyC's Peaceful Community

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