Welcome to the Jungle

[fishykisses]

Well I got a jump on the aquascaping - i bought eco-complete, gravel, river rocks and plants...
I can't get over how the fish are frolicking - i'd like to think that it's the new digs but i think it could be the 70% water change :;): well...I really think they're enjoying exploring and all the plants - they love them!
I still need to get some little plants. I dunno which ones though. Maybe some dwarf hair grass would be nice, for the ledge in the right corner.
The tank is still quite murky so don't i couldn't get super duper clear pics but i tried.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_03202weekbetta0002.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_03202weekbetta0009.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_03202weekbetta0003.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_03202weekbetta0004.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_03202weekbetta0006.jpg
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b245/fishykisses/2007_03202weekbetta0008.jpg

[jordonsmum]

very VERY cool!!! Nicely done!!!

[Katalyst]

:swoon: That is one huge catfish? Great job on the tank!

[mixixe]

Wow Connie! That tank is looking great! Did you add more substrate? What made you redecorate?

[CACAdmin]

Wow! Looks great! ... lots of new plants too. I'm sure the fish are more than pleased with all the new areas to explore.

[Pamelajo]

Looks great Connie.
For me redecorating is part of MTS. When I ran out of room for new tanks I started redecorating. LOL

[Melody]

I can definitly see the artist at work there!

[traco1]

Great job you've done Connie! Tank looks so nice with the black substrate and the green of the plants pop out.

[fishykisses]

:swoon: That is one huge catfish? Great job on the tank!

He's over 8 inches - so big!
There's another one in there too - she's over 6inches

[fishykisses]

Wow Connie! That tank is looking great! Did you add more substrate? What made you redecorate?

Yes i added quite a bit more substrate...A LOT actually!
I wasn't happy at all with the look - all the plants were dying cause the kittyfish and corries would dig them up. there wasn't a lot of substrate for the plants to root into so this will be a lot better.
I'm really happy with the look of it now. I need to get my Co2 running again though, i'm just scared cause last time i turned it on i got a PH crash and half my fish died. :no:

[ENZO]

Nice catfish looks just like mine. I saw one the other day that was over 2 feet long I couldn't believe it.

[KnaveTO]

First off that tank looks awesome! I love the hardscaping you have done as well as the aquascaping. You mentioned CO2 and a pH crash. What type of CO2 were you using (DIY or Canister)? I have heard that with more plants a CO2 crash is a bit less likely as the CO2 is being utilised more fully in the tank. Also if you are worried about such you can also add a bit of oxygen to the water at night or have your surface of the water agitated at night to release some of the built up CO2 . As for the murkiness it will go away in a day or two as the eco-complete settles and the liquid in it mixes into the water supply.

[fishykisses]

i'm using canester, as for adding co2 at night...i thought that was taboo because that's when plants naturally release their co2?

[KnaveTO]

I never turn mine off... and have had no major issues. However there are people the do turn off the CO2 at night... just depends on comfort level I guess. My 65 gallon has a 5lb tank attached to it and my 50 gallon is on DIY. The 50 will be switched over to canister over the next couple of weeks. Much better control.

[Melody]

I think its pretty standard advice to turn it off at night. It doesn't benefit the plants at night and can cause dangerous build-up for the livestock in the tank. Or so the gurus say anyways.

[grumpystiltskin]

I turn mine off at night, no point having it on when the plants arent using it
i have a 20lb tank on mine, so i get double the amount of time between refills

[KnaveTO]

the new tank I am getting next week will have a solenoid valve on it that will control CO2 flow so that the one tank will have CO2 injected only during the daytime. The one on my 65 gallon needs to have a valve added at sometime. Then again I also need to add a couple of other items so bit by bit I will get it all. And yes once everything is in place there will be no nighttime CO2.

[fishykisses]

i also have a 20lb canester, solanoid valve and a diffuser.
I'm really scared to use it though...anyone want to come over and hold my hand while i try to set it up again?

[grumpystiltskin]

what are you scared of? just plug it in and watch the plants grow:laugh:
you just need one or two bubbles per second, then test the c02ppm
a good amount is 25ppm to 30ppm

[KnaveTO]

now what do you use to test for CO2?

[grumpystiltskin]

first you test the ph
then the kh
and there is a sliding scale that i use, chuck gadds site has it on there
im trying to figure out how to send the link here, i have it on my desktop
Download Planted Aquarium Calculator (http://www.csd.net/~cgadd/download/aquacalc_setup.exe)

[Soggybottom]

It is definitely a good idea to cut off the CO2 at night if you can.
The plants can't use it and may even expel CO2 themselves when the lights are off, leading to a buildup and daily pH swings.