/aq/-Aquarium General

File: image.jpg (135KB, 1280x960px) Image search: [Google]

135KB, 1280x960px

What's going on here?

>>2206037
Either parasites or very fancy fish.

>>2206039
Santa fish

why did we have two threads going?
like they were two full and active threads

>>2206059
You mean the ones that hit bump limit buddy?

>>2206061
well yeah, i only noticed it because the one thread still in the catalog is different than the one I had open previously

>>2206062
Once they hit bump limit its time to make a new thread I believe. Bump limit is 310 or 315 I can't remember

File: Snapchat-1016213527184907359.jpg (119KB, 480x800px) Image search: [Google]

119KB, 480x800px

Trying to explain goldfish to my dad

Considering getting a 10L unfiltered/unheated shrimp tank in my dorm. What plants would do well in the tank? Anubias and cryptoryne maybe?

>>2206219
I wrote a list a few threads ago:

Here's some options of beginner plants (that don't require co2), with my personal 1 - 5 rating for lighting, growth, hardiness

Anubias 1/1/5
Cabomba 3/5/3
Elodea Canadiensis 2/5/4
Javafern 1/1/5
Javamoss 2/3/3
Echinodorus 3/3/3
Rotala Rotundifolia 4/4/3
Hygrophila Polysperma 3/4/3
Hygrophila Corymbosa 'Siamensis' 4/3/3
Ludwigia Repens 4/3/3
Marsilea Hirsuta 4/3/3
Hydrocotyle Tripartita 4/4/3
Staurogyne Repens 4/4/2
Glossostigma elatinoides 4/3/3
Valisneria nana 3/4/3
Limnophila sessiliflora 4/3/2
Hornwort 1/5/5
Cryptocoryne Wendtii 2/2/4
Marimo Mossballs 1/1/5

Beware that Hardiness/Lighting Requirement only refers to plants that can be kept by beginners with low/medium lighting. Alternanthera and other red plants aswell as other very sensitive/high co2 and/or high light plants used for aquascaping like pogostemon helferi or HC are not included and would exceed the ratings.

You can also check: http://www.flowgrow.de/db/aquaticplants and put in your parameters/what you are looking for in the plant.

File: image.jpg (933KB, 2717x1854px) Image search: [Google]

933KB, 2717x1854px

>>2206259
I would like to add one to the list.

Aponogeton Crispus. Currently growing with 1/2 watt per gallon with a growth rate faster than any plant I have seen once it starts going. Don't even need ferts. It's pretty much fool proof. Had a few bulbs when I was a noob and they grew nicely. Pic related are the flowers they shoot to the top.

HOW DO I GET RID OF NITRATE? my fish ;-;

>>2206268
Water changes

>>2206272
ive already done a 20% water change yesterday

>>2206275
Size of tank? And what's living in it?

>>2206268
What are your nitrates at?

>>2205984
>>2206029

>>2206275
Increase it to 40%

>>2206263
Sure, I'll add it. I'll also add the plant list to the faq aswell as the youtube channels we had. So the general topic isnt blown up and the in depth info is in the faq.

>>2206174
Maybe he'd understand better if his son could actually communicate. Also a 2ft by 1ft by 1ft is a 15 gallon not 50.

>>2206294
>>2206280
over 100ppm, can I do a change daily? it won fuck with my bacteria?

>>2206306
...what? that's insane.

-What test kit?
-What's your ammonia and nitrites?
-How large is your tank and stock list?
-Do you have dead fish or plants?
-When's the last time you cleaned the filter?

>>2206307
>api master test kit
>ammonia and nitrite are 0
>tank is 15gallons with a dwarf gourami and guppies
>i have some crypts that are melting and a bulb plant that is sort of melting
>yesterday during the water change

I want to do a mainly invert marine tank.
Stocking suggestions?

I just got a mystery snail, and I know I can feed it pellets.

My question is, how many pellets should I be feeding the snail per day?
There is a small algae presence in the tank (11 gallons).

>>2206335
If there's anything else you feed in the tank I wouldn't bother feeding the snail.

>>2206308
I think your test is malfunctioning. It doesn't make sense for nitrates to be at 100 and the others at 0. If you have a fish store near buy I'd bring in some water for testing.

>>2206341
I didn't feed the last snail I had and it curled up in a corner and died. I know it didn't die from the fish or water condition, so I figure it was starvation.

What's /aq/s experience on shoaling different but genetically similiar fish?


I want to my Hengil's rasboras to shoal with some harlequins I plan on getting. I'm doing it to diversify my tank but mostly to make my current fish become more comfortable with my setup.

What would be some drawbacks?

>>2206359
Depends on how similar they are. I would think that the glowlights and harleys would shoal fine but personally I would get at minimum 4 of each.

>>2206368
Well I had five but lost two due to lazy maintenance. I plan on getting 4 would that be sufficient?

I also have a blackskirt thats still hanging around in a 10 gallon setup.

>>2206299
Hes texted me that you twat.
Apple users man..

>>2206037
Probably a side effect of too much inbreeding.

>>2206359
>diversity
The Jews have invaded /aq/

>>2206359
I have a single guppy that has been adopted and actively shoals with Zebra Danios, don't know if that's anything.

>>2206444
Gas the guppies, species war now

>>2206400
>>2206450
>>>>/pol/

>>2206468
Relax, they're obviously joking around

>>2206343
I wouldn't feed it food, so much as make sure it has a good source of calcium, cuttlebones are best, just toss it in somewhere the snail can access it and forget about it.

If all else fails, get an egg, poke a hole in each end, blow the yolk out, widen the holes enough that you can scrub the inside clean of the membrane, then smooth the edges of the holes with fine grade sand paper. Then toss the eggshell in the tank.

And I believe algae tablets would work better than pellets, if it's a snail.

>>2206532
Thanks for the advice, I'll try one of those.

>>2206591
>1349
yea but you didnt show your work

File: IMG_20160902_180920487.jpg (999KB, 2592x1456px) Image search: [Google]

999KB, 2592x1456px

Dragon 10 gallon tank guy here. I bought 5 red minnows, 1 pleco and 2 ghost shrimp (one of whom is preggers). I also bought Peacock fern because I thought it would house shrimps comfortably. Upon getting home I found out that the plants are not actually aquatic and will probably die. Now the problem is I bought the pleco on impulse (worth $8) and I have no idea what to do with it, he just stays on the tank glass all day. The shrimps and minnows seem fine but I don't know what to do with the baby shrimp, I don't have an extra tank to put the mother in and I don't want them to get eaten

>>2206012
I love you as a friend, anon. Or maybe more like an /aq/uaintance.

>>2206029
Hi again endler guy! Thanks a lot, that really puts my mind at ease.

>>2206591
>>2206618
He's right, you didn't explain :^(

Ok lads help me out, 2.5 gallons big enough for a betta or not?

File: tumblr_mtxvqeqzXr1r38hk2o1_500.jpg (154KB, 500x535px) Image search: [Google]

154KB, 500x535px

>>2206663
No problem! :3

>>2206662
If it's a common pleco you'll need to rehome him. I'd return it and the plant if you can. For the shrimp babies, you could get use any container and purchase a sponge filter. Put pregnant mama in and then remove her when she has her babies. Or make or buy a prefilter and cross your fingers they make it. You'll need to feed them microfoods though.

>>2206666
No but you can probably keep it alive a few years.

File: image.gif (755KB, 323x206px) Image search: [Google]

755KB, 323x206px

>>2206663
I have so much love to give!!

>>2206667
I don't think I can, I threw the package away and planted the tanks, as for the pleco, I don't know. I really want to keep him but I don't if my tank is good home for him.

File: sneaky.jpg (2MB, 2448x3264px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 2448x3264px

Observe as the smaller hermit crab snacks upon the tetras face, unbeknownst to the larger crab. Or perhaps the larger crab is aware yet simply does not care?

>>2206674
You know they make frozen foods for your hermit crab cause you know since they're scavengers? Like silver sides. A much better option than a freshwater fish. But you do you boo.

File: image.jpg (77KB, 640x372px) Image search: [Google]

77KB, 640x372px

>>2206671
Just get a smaller pleco. Bristle nose don't get fuck huge. And there's some that stay even smaller. My favorite is the l34

File: derp.jpg (1MB, 2448x3264px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2448x3264px

>>2206676
>frozen fish
nothx, tried that before and it was a mess. Frozen fish make more of a mess than fresh, believe it or not. Plus she's always much more active and energized when I feed her live ones.

>>2206668
thats good enough I'll do it

>>2206668
Not that anon, but is their life more than just a few years? I had two different betta as a kid and mine both lived between 2-3 years. In what was probably a 2.5 gallon tank (this was a long time ago)

>>2206682
That's okay. It'll die at some point from a disease from the fish. 98% of these fish come straight from the wild to the store them to your tank.

File: 1471759107421.png (38KB, 499x338px) Image search: [Google]

38KB, 499x338px

>>2206686
>from a disease
>implying freshwater diseases and parasites can survive in saltwater
l u l
u
l

Just put your trip back on so everyone knows how retarded you are. Don't be so booty blasted just cuz ma kreb is higher up in the food chain than yer dumb lil fishes.

>>2206689
My puffer would rip your hermit to teeny tiny pieces ^.^

File: 1460440863741.png (143KB, 800x1000px) Image search: [Google]

143KB, 800x1000px

>>2206695
>Are you retareded?
>retareded
Yeah I'm super retareded, kid.
>n-no you're stupid!
>j-j-just google it, you'll see!
Uh huh. Okay. Seriously, just put the trip back on so I can filter you.

>>2206689
>he thinks a freshwater disease can't pass to a saltwater fish.
Countless times have my clients said this and they end up with ich and what not. SOME parasites won't be able to survive though but it's not a guarantee. But you do what you want if it makes the crab happy

>>2206671
What was he labeled as at the store? Or can you take a picture of it? If he's a common he'll quickly get to over a foot.

>>2206684
More like 5 years.

>>2206692
Ila pls.

>>2206696
If you really think "freshwater disease" can't infect a salt water tank I have bad news about your intelligence anon

File: 1421180530160.jpg (28KB, 380x250px) Image search: [Google]

28KB, 380x250px

>>2206697
>my clients
Sure anon, I believe you.

>>2206703
That's fine. I wasn't even arguing anything. Just trying to inform.

File: IMG_20160902_200813344.jpg (1MB, 1456x2592px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 1456x2592px

>>2206679
>>2206698
I forgot desu but, he's a brown-green color and has light stripes on his dorsal fin. Pic related but I Can't get a clear picture.

>>2206710
You can always keep the bunghole and trade him off once it gets too big

>>2206711
Also
>shrimp gave birth while I wasn't paying attention
MY EGGGSSSSSSS WHERE ARE THEY!?!
;-;

>>2206715
The pleco ate them.

wew lmao

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPQThj0cS5U

>>2206710
Yeah I have no idea what that is. When he's the size of your forearm you'll know.

>>2206741
Actually I remember, the qt lady helping me get shilled me about it only growing to 4 inches and how it would be more perfect than just ghost shrimp

>>2206710
I've known that as a rubber pleco but don't know much about it. I think it's a wood eater though, so you need to look into it

>>2206745
He's probably either a Clown or Rubbernose. Hopefully it's a Clown since that's about the only pleco suitable for your tank. It's important you grab some driftwood for him. They don't eat much algae so get some bottom feeder pellets and feed blanched veggies.

File: sdfsdfsf.png (2MB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 1920x1080px

>>2206679
What a beautiful fish, how small of a tank can one of these fit comfortably?

File: 1381789632573.jpg (358KB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

358KB, 1920x1080px

>>2206701
Hi there!

You seem to have made a bit of a mistake in your post. Luckily, the users of 4chan are always willing to help you clear this problem right up! You appear to have used a tripcode when posting, but your identity has nothing at all to do with the conversation! Whoops! You should always remember to stop using your tripcode when the thread it was used for is gone, unless another one is started! Posting with a tripcode when it isn't necessary is poor form. You should always try to post anonymously, unless your identity is absolutely vital to the post that you're making!

Now, there's no need to thank me - I'm just doing my bait to help you get used to the anonymous image-board culture!

File: nixon.png (225KB, 585x439px) Image search: [Google]

225KB, 585x439px

I've got a bottle of chlorine neutralizer that expired in June. That would still be right to use, right?

>>2206662
Return the pleco and the plant. Get a lot of javamoss, javafern and anubias aswell as some driftwood, where you can bind all the plants too (malaysian driftwood, sinks immediately, medium price range).

Never buy fish or plants on impuls. If you dont know the species parameters and care, don't buy. Even of it's just a bristlenose pleco, he will grow massive for your tank and upp the bioload by a lot.

Also, feel free to get indian almond leaves for the shrimp. They like to graze on that.

File: 1466043822083.jpg (965KB, 1201x1383px) Image search: [Google]

965KB, 1201x1383px

>>2206769
I heard the almond leave are also good at lower ph, but I can't find any in town only online. hrm :(

>>2206768
Yep.

>>2206770
...you don't need to order online. Just go find some oak leaves, dry them out, and stick 'em in the tank. They'll sink after about a day.

File: white shorts.jpg (17KB, 480x736px) Image search: [Google]

17KB, 480x736px

>>2206772
Will that really be safe? what bout contaminants? I just saw some youtube vid that said the almond leaves are good for lowering ph.

This is a picture of white shorts.

File: images.jpg (7KB, 276x183px) Image search: [Google]

7KB, 276x183px

>>2206774
Don't collect them from an area where people use pesticides.


This is a picture of a pitbull wearing a squirrel costume.

>>2206766
They don't large. Maybe 5 inches. So something with a 30-36 inch long footprint.

File: 1467941690345.jpg (101KB, 500x496px) Image search: [Google]

101KB, 500x496px

>>2206778
i have a 20 gallon long with a 30 inch by 12inch long foot print, 5 inches seems a bit long do you think it would be ok?

>>2206781
They spend most of there time chilling between crevices in streams and come out at night. 5 is on the high end. Once they hit 4 you'll notice little to no growth.

>>2206784
i'm ok with it being smaller than normal, but does that mean it won't be comfortable?

The first of my pregnant platty fish gave birth last night and I had no idea the babies would be so tiny. I only saw two trying to hide between the gravel at the bottom of the tank and today I don't see any. I'm hoping my ghost shrimp or my catfish didn't eat them.

>>2206359
Fish are usually much more comfortable when shoaling with their own species. They'll shoal in times of stress, but not as often as if you merely got a large group of the same species.

>>2206790
It'll be fine for them. They aren't extremely active. They're expensive though at $50

Where do all the aquascapists find these tree-like driftwoods? I want to make a moss tree but everywhere I look for driftwood has nothing that could even remotely be used for it.

>>2207041
Spiderwood usually looks like a tree, just look for a fitting piece

File: IMG_20160903_075905644_HDR.jpg (1MB, 1456x2592px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 1456x2592px

>>2206769
Does PetSmart allow me to return fish, I probably will. Pic related, I took a more clear picture of the pleco

Also I was wondering if I get more ghost shrimp (possibly another 3), will it be okay? I got pretty upset that the pregnant shrimp I bought gave birth and I didn't even notice. I know its going to be hard to raise shrimp fry with the minnows and shrimp in the same tank but at Ieast I'd like the increase the chances of making more baby fry. Also there is no where they have Java moss, only online.

>>2207045
My local Petco carries both Java moss and another type so you could try them.

Petsmart is pretty loose on their return policy, especially if it is dead. I think its 30 days for a dead fish so I don't see why they would care if it was alive?

How do I combat green spot algae? It seems to only be a problem on my glass since I cant see it anywhere else. I typically just scrape it off during weekly water changes but is there a way I can prevent it from growing in the first place?

>>2207048
Nein, it really bothers me almost all pet stores only have slow growing non-dense plants. But will I get a refund for both the pleco and plants? I found the packaging although its bit ugly. The plant + pleco = $16 worth of shit I didn't really need, which is I'd like a refund.

>>2207053
No idea about the plants. My LFS allow you to return fish alive for store credit. Just call or something.
As for the plant just stuff it back in and hope for the best .

File: pleco.jpg (137KB, 1276x764px) Image search: [Google]

137KB, 1276x764px

>>2207045
You can get dozens of ghost shrimp if you wanted, they have low bioload.

If you have the receipt you can probably get a refund for both. Does he look like this? I'm still not 100% sure what he is.

>>2206679
>tfw somebody drops off a full-grown albino bristlenose pleco at the fish store so I bring it home
>had some other $50 pleco already
>drop albino in the 75gal, find out the two really don't like eachother
>just have to sit and watch two $50 fish fight to the death
Albino bristlenose took over. Can't remember what the other one was, another breed that gets around 6" and had a cool dark brown and lighter brown almost camo pattern.

I wish I still had my 75gal. Then I moved and just left the thing in my old garage about 3 years ago. Big Fluval canister, solid pine stand, nice light fixture, bunch of driftwood and rocks. I don't think I even have a pic anymore.

File: image.jpg (84KB, 640x480px) Image search: [Google]

84KB, 640x480px

>>2207045
Is it a rubbernose? I know Petsmart sells those sometimes.

And coming from somebody who worked at Petsmart for 4 years, they will always take fish you don't want anymore. They won't give you money, but if you bring it in and say you are going to flush it, they have to take it.

Sometimes it is a pain in the ass with really big or aggressive fish, but when that happened either an employee would take it or we would put it in an iso tank in the back and normally I would give them to one of my regular customers with big tanks.

>>2206701
You're somewhat correct. Some freshwater parasites cannot live in saltwater. Take ich for example. With the power of convergent evolution, two different types of protists genera parasitize fish almost exactly alike, however one genus can only live in saltwater, the other fresh. But a lot of parasites, like fluke can affect fish in all kinds of water. And once it kills all your fish, you're pretty much stuck with inverts only for a year(learned my mistakes in my reef tank)

>>2207048
My petco made java moss look like memeballs before they actually wanted to buy the real thing.

>>2207059
Look at the shape of his head. I'm betting it is a rubbernose. Plus those are one of the few that Petsmart actually sells.

Occaisionally they will have a different breed for a couple months, but common plecos abd rubbernose are the main ones they sell.

>>2207052
See if anything balances out. If you wanna add ferts, begin in small doses, if you wanna add fish, don't add much just one at a time, reduce your lighting schedule or up your co2 if you inject.

>>2207070
>And coming from somebody who worked at Petsmart for 4 years, they will always take fish you don't want anymore. They won't give you money, but if you bring it in and say you are going to flush it, they have to take it.
Someone dump an adult pacu off there

>>2206715
Shrimp don't lay eggs. They flick the babies off there leggs. If you put a bright light over the tank they'll gather around and just look like dots with eyes but they'll be hard to see.

File: image.jpg (1MB, 3072x2304px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 3072x2304px

So the guy at my lfs gave me some water lettuce for free, also said that they can only be kept in ponds and die in the aquarium, is that true?
>>2207308
Last time I went there I saw them selling a baby pacu

>>2207308
There was an adult jack at my local petsmart. They eventually sold him for 30$. Fucking ridiculous.

>>2207447
They do fine. Need good light that's why.

File: 20160902_225225.jpg (295KB, 1280x720px) Image search: [Google]

295KB, 1280x720px

I bit the bullet and bought some pricey Celebes Rainbowfish. Wonder why I didn't pick up these guys sooner, they're so goddamn pretty and I don't have to worry about them living in warm liquid rock CA water since they thrive in it

Can't wait to see them in my planted tank soon after quarantine!

File: 20160903_194533.jpg (161KB, 820x615px) Image search: [Google]

161KB, 820x615px

I bought some ghost shrimp from Petsmart two weeks ago and two I have are relatively normal size but then this one here I named Godzilla has doubled in length in two weeks.
I heard mentioned a few times here that they mix in shrimp and you might not get actual ghost shrimp?
Is this just a big ghost or did I get something else entirely? Just in case it's not clear in the photos the shrimp has a band of red on each antenna and red dots on its tail. I can't accurately measure how long it is but it's almost as long as my red wag platties.

File: IMG_20160903_150856780.jpg (987KB, 1456x2592px) Image search: [Google]

987KB, 1456x2592px

>>2207494
Looks normal sized to me. Its probably a female, they get bigger than males. Pic related is mine, she has red dots on her antennas but red bands on her clwas/feet.

>>2207498
Had no idea the females got that big! I knew they were bigger but she's double the size of the others and when I got them they were all the same size more or less so I wasn't entirely sure if it was normal. Thanks for letting me know!

>>2206682
>>2206674
Is the smaller hermit crab the same species as the larger one? Is it the same sex? Will it grow up to be as beautiful as the larger one?

>>2207519
They'll be dead soon.

>>2207041
>Buy a big fat thick piece of wood.
>Carve it into a tree trunk.
>Attach moss.
>???
>Profit!

File: 20160903_192348.jpg (3MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 5312x2988px

can someone explain to me why my amazon swords look like over ripe bannanananas?

It seems they get the browner the closer they are to the light, but they've been moving TO the light

>>2207537
Any ferts?

>>2207447
>water lettuce

Can you eat it?

File: t3_4t96sy.jpg (54KB, 721x528px) Image search: [Google]

54KB, 721x528px

>>2207540
yes I have dosed with flouris excel and have root tabs in

>>2207494
>>2207498
>>2207510
>single giant female matriarch living the dream in a tank with a harem of twink boys all to herself

Damn, I jelly of your shrimp, anon.

>>2207537
Is that tank stocked? Looks like nitrogen deficiency.

>>2207546
I literally never thought of it that way but now I will never unsee it. Bless, anon.

File: feesh.jpg (12KB, 161x117px) Image search: [Google]

12KB, 161x117px

>>2207554
no, it's a new tank and has no fish or anything.

>>2207059
>>2207045
That looks more like a Borneo sucker than a pleco to me

>>2207537
Possible stress of moving into new parameters are killing older leaves. Look for new growth. Either let them die off or snip them as they'll never be green again. If new growth then it will be fine and adjusting to the new parameters.

>>2207579
Definitely not a hillstream loach.

File: 2CCGvhw.jpg (200KB, 1980x1320px) Image search: [Google]

200KB, 1980x1320px

>>2207589
what if no new growth is seen senpai? :/

Having trouble figuring out how much CO2 to inject. I have a pH and KH reading and have been looking at the charts but I am confused on how to read my CO2 in ppm.
Do I just inject CO2 slowly until it reaches the pH on the given chart to match my KH?

And how do bubbles per second play into this?

>>2207595
Give it time. My first aquatic plant was a Amazon sword and it died. Then about 2-3 weeks in it had new growth.

File: brown snek.jpg (929KB, 2887x1920px) Image search: [Google]

929KB, 2887x1920px

>>2207598
ok I will wait, it's my first tank so I'm just paranoid that i'm going to fuck everything up thanks.

>>2207308
It's ok, somebody would have taken it. Not sure where we would keep it with the couple of 55gal iso tanks in the back. Probably just drop it in the gaint sump behind the tanks.

One kid who worked there was always taking big shit home. But I always hated the fact that we sold pacus. Nobody who shops at Petsmart should be buying stuff that can grow to the size of a turkey platter. Same thing with the common plecos, so many stupid people buying them for their 10gal tanks. That was one of the main things that got dropped off at the store.

>>2207575
That's probably the issue with your plants. Most fertilizers for aquariums skip nitrogen because they assume you have more than enough from fish. I think, anyways. I'm guessing you're cycling right now? Parameters?

File: 1469316130279.jpg (200KB, 1280x800px) Image search: [Google]

200KB, 1280x800px

>>2207629
7.8ph .50ppm ammonia 0 nitrites and 0 nitrates

so i guess i'm waiting for the ammonia to drop and nitrites to pick up

File: IMG_20160903_212853.jpg (3MB, 5248x2952px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 5248x2952px

How are those water changes going guys?

I did my 36g today and had to scrub the shit out of the algea

>>2207651
I gotta do one tomorrow
any tips for hard water stains?

>>2207651
They're getting harder to do. I'm getting tired of moving buckets around.
>>2207673
Nothing that you can do in tank, for the outer side get some barkeepers friend. That shit destroys hard water stains.

>>2207651
Haven't done one in 3 weeks. Only top offs. Right amount of plants absorbing everything bad and crazy growth.

>>2207596
Best thing to do is to watch dennis wongs video on co2 injection on yt. Not only does he explain the chart, but everything else you need to know.

>>2207674
Invest or build one of those water changers that can attach to a faucet tap. Shits fantastic unless you have a reef tank

Yo /aq/ I need to know how big I must make a sump for a 1.2m x 60 x 45 and help us greatly appreciated

>>2207753
ideally half of your main tank size

File: 1402994460693.png (398KB, 1920x1200px) Image search: [Google]

398KB, 1920x1200px

What are the best lights for planted tanks?
i'm looking for one to fit 5ft and less than $300

ty in advance

>>2207767
How deep is your tank?

>>2207821
25 inches
i was looking at the finnex planted+

But i can't tell the difference between the planted+ 247 and the fugeray planted+ aside from the 247 feature

>>2207767
>>2207821
>>2207822
also i will be using high light plants and preferably LEDs

File: Planted-tank-foreground-larger.jpg (130KB, 709x349px) Image search: [Google]

130KB, 709x349px

>>2207767
Alternatively, what are the best lights for planted tanks that can be considered cheap? Less than $60 really.

>>2207870
You can get good value of you build your own led-system but you need some proficiency for that. You will not get a good fixture for a tank your size for 60 $. Maybe a used T8/T5 double fixture.

If you are willing to spend 300 $ on an LED you may wanna check out the eheim powerLED, since it has long warranty and good energy efficiency.

>>2207870
>>2207878
Keep an eye out for T5 stuff on clearance. When I worked at Petsmart, they got in a bunch of nice T5 strips that never sold because lolPetsmart. They all ended up going on clearance after a year or so and I picked up a 48" one for my 75gal for like 60% off.

Alternatively Craigslist is great for finding cheap aquarium stuff because so many people give up the hobby and just want the shit gone.

>>2207674
I hear that about the buckets. I'm sick of that already. Oh well. Pouring the water back in is the worst.

>>2207870
Dome lights and 6500k CFLs you could get five for less than a hundred

>>2207636
That must be it then. Plants like 10-20 PPM. You could find a fertilizer with nitrogen or just be patient for your tank to begin cycling.

>>2207673
I use a melamine sponge foam like Magic Eraser. There are no chemicals and melamine is inert, takes off buildup like nobodys business. Seems safe since I was using it as filter media for ~1 year.

>>2207711
I just built one, it's fantastic except for that it's 50 foot when I only need 10 feet. Rolling it up is a pain in the ass.

>>2207870
Tank dimensions?

File: ^DB5C0E1273D4C0453FE88915BF3023A4464D54BF47702BCFD9^pimgpsh_fullsize_distr.png (511KB, 675x1200px) Image search: [Google]

511KB, 675x1200px

my apple snail is getting super big. i keep it with four others roughly the same size, and they all keep laying eggs. in the past two weeks i've had eight lain.

look at how big. i've seen a couple pictures where they get bigger than a soda can. i hope my apple snails reach that size. i want to recreate that picture of the isopods surrounding a bag of doritos, but with my snails

>>2207651
I was getting into the habit of doing 25% water changes every week on my 40 breeder. The plants and fish seem to be responding very well, I did about a 40% change last week and now my 4 rasboras actually seem to explore around the tank more frequently instead of chilling inside a dense thicket of plants near the bottom

Thinking about changing it to 12.5% per week, since no more Excel and I've been dumping less and less ferts in my tank. Will probably have to go back to 25% per week and 40% once per month when I move my rainbows from quarantine over

Should have listened to you guys and got LEDs
Which do you reccomend?
Fish tank is 65 Gallons, fresh, and not planted

>>2208299
If not planted you could get away with getting the cheapest leds.

>>2208404
Harambes dead you desensitized jerk

>>2207963
Can I just dump in api quickstart and wait for nitrites to show?

me ->>>2207636

>>2208453
I've never used quick start stuff, don't trust it. I'd just pee in the tank personally :^)

>>2208453
Or just add a few fish. Or if you don't trust yourself throw in some fish food every now and then. Or throw in some quick start and add fish.

>>2208455
Anyone got the pics when an anon took it serious?

File: x6tAnRX.jpg (436KB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

436KB, 1920x1080px

>>2208455
are you fucking with me? I will do it.

>>2208456
I may just wait for it to cycle naturally

>>2208457
>>2208458
I'm completely serious. It's good for watering your plants too. Don't unload a full bladder, just a little bit is needed.

How are you cycling your tank now?

File: lmao.jpg (1MB, 1600x1066px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 1600x1066px

>>2208459
Just a little fish food every day, I also dose the tank with liquid c02 and excel flourish, until my c02 system arrives.

>>2208460
Yeah fish food has to decay first so it takes more time. Urine contains carbon and nitrogen. Dunno why so many people think it's gross, I'm a girl and I do it. I guess it's pretty funny if you think of whipping your dick out and pissing directly in the tank, though.

>>2208462
It just seems so obtuse, not I have this hilarious image of some girl taking a squat over her tank lolololol, I suppose a cup is much easier

>>2208466
now*

>>2208458
Urine has high ammonia content. I believe Mythbusters did an episode on "Pirate Myths" that proved if you boil urine to distill it (all the H2O evaporates during the boiling) then you wind up with a pure enough concentration of ammonia that you can use it for basic cleaning, like removing bloodstains.

But I wouldn't piss directly into a fish tank, cycled or otherwise. You would be introducing all kinds of bizarre things that could wind up detrimental to your tank.

File: 1382057810781.jpg (1MB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 1920x1080px

>>2208469
I dunno there's something strangely satisfying to piss in your tank and have nature work it's wonders.

>>2208471
Dude, that's gross.

File: 1421831215463.jpg (504KB, 1920x1080px) Image search: [Google]

504KB, 1920x1080px

>>2208473
Dude, everyone one of your fish pisses in the water it lives, gross.

>>2208466
I would have to get a ladder

>>2208469
I encourage those bizarre things to happen in my tank. I want my tank to be a tiny slice of nature, not a sterile tank full of Petsmart pagodas and memeballs.

>>2208474
They fuck in it too. That's why I don't drink water.

File: color skull.jpg (730KB, 1920x1200px) Image search: [Google]

730KB, 1920x1200px

>>2208478
Anon water is the best drink for you! Just not aquarium water!

guys, how resilient is java moss? Long story short I had some with bluegreen algae on it and doused it in Flourish Excel in a jar for a day, rinsed it thoroughly, then put it back in the jar with new water, then on the windowsill.

I look at the jar 2 hours later and it's a urine yellow instead of the light green it was before. Did I scorch it? Can it come back to life?

>>2208478
Pee in my mouth please. Then I'll spit some into the tank.

Newbie here.
How many small fish could fit in a 10 gallon tank?
I want a few cory cats and my husband likes any colorful fish. What would you guys recommend?

File: pZgQXzS.jpg (2MB, 4288x2848px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4288x2848px

>>2208518
WHAT THE FUCK DUDE URINE IS STERILE WHO WOULD WASTE GOOD URINE BY PUTTING IT IN YOUR BACTERIAL LADEN MOUTH BREATHER HOLE .

>>2208487
The thing is, javamoss is resilient as hell. Problem is, the gluteraldehyde in the excel does not only attack algae, but also, to some degrees mosses and liverworts, since they are closer in molecular structure to algae.

So dosing excel in a tank with moss is fine, I do it myself, but putting moss into a excel bath is most likely a death sentence.

If you need to get rid of algae in moss, just get some amano shrimp if possible. Or lower your lighting period/increase co2, lower feeding

>>2208534
Theres no set number, it all depends on planting, filtratrion and bioload of the fish.

You could get 10 dwarf cories and 10 micro rasboras for example.

File: 1000sump1.jpg (20KB, 500x277px) Image search: [Google]

20KB, 500x277px

Does /aq/ have a sump system?

Drilled or siphon action?

Was it worth the trouble/cost?

Would you recommend drilling the holes yourself?

Hey /aq/ I recently got my old stuff from when I was a kid back. And in them were two tanks. One is 30 gallon and the other is a 20 gallon. I'm thinking of getting them set up again. Preferably as a community aquariums. One as freshwater and other as sea water.

What does /aq/ recommend? Also I don't want to mollies and guppies and sword tails, they are boring. Something more, exotic?

>>2208652
Do you have experience in the saltwater hobby? If not, I would recommend doing a lot of research before you consider going salt, since the tank parameters in a marine environment are less forgiving than in freshwater. Also expect to invest a lot more money into a marine setup.

Do you still have lighting fixtures and pumps or do you need to buy new ones?

There are really plenty of options for a 20 and a 30, but it also depends on your experience and what you wish to keep. Would you want just fish or also some shrimp/other inverts or amphibia?

I would always recommend planted tanks, if the species you wish to keep allow it.

Here's an exemplary stocking for a 20:

1 Pair of Ram Cichlids
8-10 Panda Corydoras
6 Amanoshrimp (against Algae)
8-12 Otocinclus affinis (do not introduce these right away, they need an established tank with stable parameters and lots of biofilm)
For a schooling fish, if you so desire, you can go from 15-20 Mircro Rasboras, to 10-12 Black Neon Tetras/Glowlight Tetras to pretty much anything that stays small/medium.

Plant the tank heavily with Echinodorus, Stemplants, Javamoss, Javafern etc. and add some Wood as hardscape. Rocks are also nice to structure it.

Wump

>>2208656
I hope you mean that each of those is an individual option and not all together.
>>2208534
10 one inch fish or 5 two inch fish. Don't listen to the other guy, yes you have wiggle room if you have live plants but not much.

>>2208824
Yeah, of course I didnt mean all at once. Nonetheless, the inch rule is flawed, it often just depends on the species and other factors. Easiest way to start a successful tank as a beginner is copying the stocking of an already well established tank and of course, doing appropriate research, slowly building up the stock, so there's no 0 to 100 drastic change in nutrients.

I want to put lots of plants in my tank. However I find the prices of lightning really expensive ($100+ for a good setup! Wtf?!), however I have my aquarium next to my window where it gets hit with sunlight for a full 10 hours. Is that good enough for plants? Or do I really need some bullshit lighting solution?

>>2208887
Yeah the suns Gonna beat out any lighting solution, you just lose the control and have the possibility of raising the temp of your tank. But that's only a problem if you live in an 3rd hole with no ac.

>>2208903
Kak, temps outside are 100+°F all day, but ye my inside temps are around 75-78°F , is that good?

>>2208906
Beware that sunlight is often a very double edged sword, meaning that it can promote algae growth like crazy and you cannot channel its direction, meaning that your plants will grow towards the sun, most likely horizontally instead of vertically with a normal light.

How big is your tank? You can usually can get used LED fixtures for a good price, or even t5 fixtures on sale, like others pointed out before.

Sunlight may seem like a good idea at first but has many drawbacks. Your tank will most likely turn green from algae spores in the water in a matter of a few weeks if you expose it directly to the sun.

>>2208887
Direct sunlight will give you tons of algae. If you have livestock the temperature fluctuations are gonna kill 'em.

I have a heavily planted tank with a T8 shoplight. Ran me about $15.

File: Untitled.png (35KB, 720x1184px) Image search: [Google]

35KB, 720x1184px

>>2208915
Its a ten gallons, I've made an image representing how it looks like. As for algae, I have a pleco and couple shrimps going on about, I don't mind scrubbing algae off every now and then.

>>2208924
Your tank is too small for a pleco. Direct sunlight is going to fry your fish- there's just not enough water volume to buffer against rapid temperature changes.

>>2208934
I've been keeping for a few days next to the window (with a curtain in-between), temps change but they are massive changes, it goes from 71°F in the morning to 79 by noon and then slowly starts to recede back to 73 by 5 pm.

Hey guys, any ideas for algae eaters for a 40 breeder with 1 comet goldfish (about 6 inches) and 4 white cloud minnows? Preferably something that stays small and actually eats algae a lot (as opposed the chinese "algae eaters"). Thanks.

>>2208958
more white clouds.

>>2208961
Mine don't seem to eat algae at all. If they do it'll probably take a lot more to make in impact, maybe more than the tank can handle.

>>2208958
Nerites are about it.

>>2208924
I wasnt talking algae you can scrub off, you water will most likely go full green.

Others already pointed out the other cons. I would heavily advise against this practice.

>>2208958
Chinese Algae eaters are bullshit since they dont really eat algae that much, get huge and aggressive. Only real good algae eaters are from the crossocheilus family like siamensis, latius, reticulatus, but they all get too big for your tank.

Amano Shrimp may be to your liking, but your comet goldfish may eat them pr attack them, depending on his temper.

Nerite Snails wouls be you best bet, and test out amano shrimp. I would advice against otocinclus, despite their algae eating capabilities, they may not be hardy enough for your tank.

But in the end, I would lower your feeding, lower ferts (if you dose any) and lower your photo period.

My guess is, that your goldfish has such a massive bioload that he almost automatically oversaturates your tank with nutrients via the waste he produces. So you may also wanna look at your filtration and water maintenance, aka water changes.

>>2208924

https://youtu.be/-kWRT3X_uPE
Also, feel free to check out joeys videos on lightning fixtures. Especially the ones linked can be built with ease and you can put in proper cfl bulbs with high wattage to get the lighting intensity you need.

>>2208980
Yeah, I was thinking amanos, but he's eaten ghost shrimp in the past. Might just get a bunch of nerites.

>>2208656
No I have no experience in Salt water, I do have experience with fresh water.

And I did do a bunch of reading and it seems like saltwater isn't for me. I'm gonna stick with fresh water for the time being.

I have pumps and filters (a gravel filter and ordered a sponge one now)

Is there any site I can buy these plants internationally?

The store near me can get fishes, but with plants they are dumb af. And I live not in the states.

I'm considering using the 30 gallon for what you said and the 20 gallon for a flower horn or some piranhas. I don't want to get an arowana cause I don't want to pay a thousand dollars. I'm confused, is there any other solo fish that are considerably cheap and but aren't completely boring?oscars are pretty boring imo, I can get discus, but the place where I buy is over pricing them and saying they can't assure a pair even if I buy about 6 of them.

how long does it take for apple snails to grow into at least kind of the size of an adult? one of the eight egg clutches hatched today and while i'm excited for my 50 new bundles of joy i'm a little concerned as to how long it takes for them to get big enough to see. i have them in a ten gallon tank with the water at a steady 78f. they're in there with one docile amano shrimp and a betta fish

File: image.jpg (133KB, 800x600px) Image search: [Google]

133KB, 800x600px

Aku got a little beat up after I left for the weekend.

File: image.jpg (107KB, 800x600px) Image search: [Google]

107KB, 800x600px

>>2209250
I really love his colors though.

File: image.jpg (116KB, 714x858px) Image search: [Google]

116KB, 714x858px

Last one. A little spec if metallic color on his. It's not a cataract or anything.

File: 20160905_173024.jpg (3MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 5312x2988px

I have a calico fantail goldfish in a 20 gallon tank with fake plants and a large castle. A couple weeks ago, I went on a camp trip, and fished trout. I ended bringing home a hemorrhagic disease that killed the other goldfish in my tank. My sole surviving goldfish is about 4x the size of the goldfish at petco/petsmart/etc... Is the risk of my older fish attacking the new ones worth mitigating the stress of being alone? Also, the tank is chock full of algae because my room is designed to that it is impossible to avoid direct sunlight, and I cant put curtains up, so excuse the nasty look.

>>2209376
Really you shouldn't have more than one goldfish in a 20 gallon. If you want other fish, maybe get some white cloud minnows. They should be fast enough to get away if the goldfish decides it's hungry. Make sure you have good filtration and do plenty of water changes, though.

>>2209383
I do once a week 50% water changes, and have two seperate filters, both rated for much larger tanks. I keep my fishbros healthy. And 20 gallons is only a temporary size, as he/she grows I get a larger tank, and put other stuff in the now well-cycled smaller tanks

>>2209385
Alright, cool. In that case, I don't think there's a huge risk of your fish attacking new ones, I just switched some small comets into a tank with my big one, and he was a bit curious at first but now doesn't seem to care. You can try changing up the decor when you add the new fish, it's supposed to mitigate any territoriality they may have. Also, if you get a few. even if the big one is aggressive, it probably won't focus on one.

File: _static_aku_smile.jpg (16KB, 381x365px) Image search: [Google]

16KB, 381x365px

>>2209250
>>2209253
>>2209256
>actually named him Aku
Anon, you're my hero. And that is one cool-looking betta.

>>2209186
Mines took about 3 months from when they hatched to get to adults size. Warmer water and good food helps


>>2209250
>beat up

By what?

>>2209418
The only other tank mates are 5 cherry barbs so that's what I'm assuming. He's in a 30 long.
>>2209409
Yep! It is a very fitting name thank you.

>>2208554
okay, thanks anon
I still have more super healthy Java moss so I'll just avoid the same mistake
cheers

File: vjGlZyW.jpg (89KB, 622x900px) Image search: [Google]

89KB, 622x900px

little experiment

>>2209455
Are you making a carpet?

>>2209423
Cherry barbs are completely docile 99% of the time in my experience, but when that other 1% can be brutal. If nobody was feeding the tank while you were gone, the cherries probably got a little nippy.

>>2209502
Probably it. I was gone for two days.

File: tank.jpg (95KB, 1024x576px) Image search: [Google]

95KB, 1024x576px

>>2209497
by george he's got it!

>>2208887
Just go get some CFL daylight grade bulbs and some metal halide lamps. You can probably get them super cheap at walmart or lowes.

>>2208998
Try to get female amanos. Amanos are bigger than ghost shrimp, and females are larger than male amanos. Seriously, they are large enough that to those who aren't familiar with them, the females are mistaken for a completely different species.

They just might be big and tough enough to fend off your goldfish.

But yeah, nerites are awesome.

>>2206021
I have a fairly large walk in closet and I plan on putting a 20 gallon in there to prevent my cat from fucking with it when I'm not around. I would be keeping the doors to the closet closed whenever I'm not around (there is a good half inch of space between the bottom of the door and my carpet, same amount of space at the top) so two questions:

>Would this cause any sort of air flow or mold problems?

>Would my closet become humid to the point that it's damaging to the walls/wood.

It would be closed roughly 12 hours a day always with my main room door open.

>>2209376
For fucks sake, get some java moss, amano shrimp, and a nerite snail!

>>2207973
I'm jelly

>>2209152
Dont get piranhas or flower horns for the 30. You need way bigger tanks for them, think 4-6 times the size.

I recently helped an online-friend of mine from guatemala set up a planted shrimp tank and via using Facebook groups and a site that's similiar to craigslist in his country, he got all the plants, substrate, equipment he needed for cheap. So that would, would be your first starting point.

May I ask which country you are from? Maybe I already know a site that ships to you.

File: cohhh2.jpg (756KB, 2304x2284px) Image search: [Google]

756KB, 2304x2284px

Getting this in tomorrow, also ordering an adapter so I can use it with standard paintball c02 canisters so refills will be cheap I'm really hoping it will liven up my plants and bring some life back to my luwigia repens, It looks like it's barely hanging on -_-

>>2209651
I wouldnt worry too much. Repens is hardy as hell, and yours is just adjusting due to the low fert Situation of a new tank.

File: 3ZovDEu.jpg (938KB, 2988x5312px) Image search: [Google]

938KB, 2988x5312px

And this thing was dark dark red about a week and a half a go
Only did two water changes. The Tetra 3i I bought to replace the shitty airstone did the rest.

Cornelius says hi. I never knew how much personality a fish could have. He frequently stops at the front of the tank to see what I'm up to before he's off to his fishy business again.

>>2209729
People here can hate on them all they want but bettas are pretty cool bros

>>2209729
gonna get him some amano friends, so I don't have to worry about algae build up as much

hopefully he doesn't decide to beat them up

>>2209729
bettas are cool, I think it's kinda childish to hate on a species because it's suitable for beginners or many people keep it. The important thing is, that you enjoy your fish, not someone else.

If you like personality, you may also wanna check out pea puffers, if you ever want to get another tank/fish. These guys act like underwater puppies.

File: 20160906_072352.jpg (1MB, 2048x1536px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2048x1536px

I used to get my aquarium plants for $5 at Petsmart and avoided their prepackaged $8 baby plant baggies.
I went to Petco today and found my usual anacharis plant bundles for $3 and full grown potted plants for like $5. Took some anacharis home and it's double the size and healthier than the Petsmart shit. Fish guy even gave me half a bundle extra for free. Consider me converted to Petco.

>tfw I didn't know what I was missing
The prices on common fish aren't as cheap but I got a nice balloon belly molly that Petsmart never seemed to have in stock and 5 for $5 neon tetra that I didn't know I'd like so much.

Also went by the back of Petsmart and saw someone digging in their dumpster and thought of you all. Whoever it was, hope they found a tank or something else good.

Pic related, all that in the back vs the dying shut up front. Sorry for size or rotate, I'm on mobile.

>>2209769
I'm more of a fan of nature/dutch aquaria, but I like your 80s/90s vibe with the gravel.

You may wanna think about getting an amazon sword for the background so your neons get some shade.

>>2209775
Yeah I had some normal covered gravel but we switched because some of the fish blended into it and the room the tank is in is painted blue. That was before the neon which now blend into the gravel so the problem continues.

>amazon sword
I'll definitely get some. I can't garden worth shit so this has turned into a fun little past time for me adding more plants and rearranging in the month or two I've had the tank.

>>2209776
Yeah, good luck. Amazon Swords are very hardy so it shouldn't be an Issue.

I also wrote a list of easy beginner plant species >>2206259 so you can check that out if you need suggestions.

hello /aq/

so i left my tank in the capable hands of my sister when i went away for 6 months and she bought 3 platies. the LFS were dumbfucks and even though she asked for 3 males they gave her 2 and 1 female. so now 6 months later I have 17 platies.

anything I could do with these other than take them back to the shop?

I am tempted to move them over to my 400L and put some angels in there (which ive been planning for a while anyway) that should stop any more babies

>>2209783
Thanks! That'll come in handy since I relied heavily on Google when I first planted the tank.

>>2209784
Angels should eat up the babies, no prob. What else is there in the 400l? You could also think about selling them off or giving them away via craigslist or another comparable site.

>>2209784
I know that feeling well.
>ask for all males
>get one male and three female
>find 5-6 babies when cleaning tank
>two females still pregnant

You could always see if anyone on FB/Craigslist wants them? I plan on seeing if my neighbor would want some and if not then giving them to my mom who is looking to upgrade her tank in the future.
I'm sure someone would take them though if you asked around.

>>2206037
Sick-ass mane

>>2209729
When I had my 75gal with African cichlids, they would always come up to the glass when I walked in the room and scope me out or wait for food.

>>2209931
Yeah man hopefully you don't have trash fish anymore

>>2209938
>Trash Fish
I liked the Africans for that tank. They got big enough where I could feed them feeder guppies if I wanted, but not so big where the tank seemed cramped. Plus all the variety and colors. Only problem is they loved to move the gravel around so I was pretty restricted on what kind of plants I could do. It was one big piece of driftwood and then a ton of stacked rocks around so it worked well. Still trying to find a pic from when I had that tank set up.

File: ecoqube-c-2.jpg (37KB, 412x591px) Image search: [Google]

37KB, 412x591px

Is this ecoqube a meme or will it just poison your fish with excess nitrogen?

http://getecoqube.com/products/ecoqube-c

>>2209962
All aquaponics is trash and a meme.

Insufficient fertilization for the plants, Insufficient filtration for the fish.

File: 20160906_132753.jpg (3MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 5312x2988px

Finally got this hopefully my tank will be happy! Wish me luck

>>2209631
India.
The fish stores here are dumb af. I'm preset sure all the fish they have are full of diseases and will die as soon as I get them home. Thankfully I know a fish farm that's not too far from where I live, about a 50km drive, so, I can get any fish from there. But they don't do plants. I have to rely on online stores for that.

So what should I put in the 30 gallon. I want a single species or solo fish. Something that won't make me go homeless?

>>2209980
Oh one thing I forgot to ask, when is the best time to turn on c02? Lights on or off? The manual says to use it when lights are on

>>2209983
India, sadly I dunno any guys that are in the hobby there, can only imagine that you may find facebook groups about fish.

You could put in a single goldfish in the 30, since they grow quite big. But I figure those may be too 'lame' for you. My gut would go with a pair of gouramis (pearl gouramis look very fancy) or even just one, but it would depend on the tank dimensions, is it of a long footprint? Gouramis are quite hardy.

>>2209995
Time it to go on like 1 hour or two before lights on, so it can saturate the water beforehand.

For fertilizing tanks I assume it would be better to by individual bottles of each fertilizer (such as PO4, K, N, etc) then dose them based on what is measured?
Or do they make general fertilizers that work well?

Lastly, how do I measure what is needed by the tank? What tests do I need to buy?

>>2210005
That's going to be difficult cause its a valve you have to turn on, and the lights come on when I get home from work, any ideas?

>>2210017
There's usually general fertilizers from seachem in the US and easy life in europe that just work fine. I for example use easy life profito (the general fertilizer) but add easy life ferro, because I cultivate plants that prefer more iron, but if you are just starting out, get a general fertilizer and unless you are a aquascaping on an intermediate/professional level, don't chase numbers.

Dose your fert slowly and increase the dosage gradually, while observing plant results. I prefer to dose ferts daily instead of weekly because its easier for me to make sure that I have a constant supply of nutrients in the water column, instead of having an oberabundance of nutrience at the beginning of the week and a lack of nutrients at the end.

>>2210030
There are magnet-valves you can use via a timer that can also be used for lighting. Could buy it as an accessory. If I were you, I'd just turn it on when the lights go on and maybe turn it down 1 hour before lights off or when the lights go off. With pressurized systems you can pump a lot of co2 in your tank, so when you start out, try to begin low instead of blasting 30mg co2 right away, since some of your inhabitants may react very badly to big swings in water parameters.

>>2209966
There are some fucking beautiful planted tanks that require no filtration though. Some Japanese guy is famous for it and I remember jerking off to pics of his tanks years back. Mostly just Tetras in them.

>>2210040
Please understand there are no fish or inverts, only plants as I'm still waiting for the tank to cycle, so I can put as much c02 without having to worry yes?

File: 14184422_10154547471731155_6267686280489334039_n.jpg (75KB, 960x720px) Image search: [Google]

75KB, 960x720px

Anyone know what kind of fish these are? Saw them schooling in the Eno River in North Carolina and I really want to make a fish tank based around them if possible, very very interesting looking fresh water fish, very beautiful scaling and really nice bright orange fins.

File: 14225501_10154547476041155_5415641291235245833_n.jpg (76KB, 960x720px) Image search: [Google]

76KB, 960x720px

>>2210095

File: Untitled-3.jpg (43KB, 700x300px) Image search: [Google]

43KB, 700x300px

What you guys think

A: Myriophyllum Matogrossense
B:Ludwigia Repens Rubin
C:Hydrocotyle Tripartita
D:Ammannia sp. Bonsai
E:Myriophyllum tuberculatum
F:Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba"

Inspiration: http://tropica.com/en/inspiration/layout/Layout49/5044

>>2210041
Takashi Amano? He sadly died, but did use filters, in order to distribute co2 and other ferts in the tank. Filterless tanks are also possible, but if you keep anything live in there, unless its very simple inverts, you want some sort of surface agitation to get oxygen into the water, so at least an air stone is advised.

Nonetheless, the problem of aquaponics is, that you are basically stuck with very basic terrestrial plants, that would be better off in a normal pot, not to mention that they alone won't be able to draw all the nutrients out of the water, unless you have a very specific setup, so your fish will have shitty water.

And to the co2 guy, yeah, if you have no livestock yet, you can up the dosage a little bit, less need to worry. Just dont let it run all day and night, would be a waste in the dark

>>2210106
Could work, I assume via the plant selection, that you can provide sufficient lighting and co2. Since there's no hardscape present, its hard to imagine what trimming pattern you wanna go for.

As a personal advice, since i keep hydro trip myself in my scape, be prepared to trim that shit every few days. It grows like a weed. So maybe you can sell some off.

hey my tap water has a ph of 7.4 and i need a ph of 7 any good ways to lower ph

>>2206308
nitrate test for api needs you to shake the bottles each for like a minute before putting them in the test tube then you need to shake the test tube for a few minutes and your test should be more accurate

File: sick dude.jpg (41KB, 757x757px) Image search: [Google]

41KB, 757x757px

>>2207674
i bought a python water changer thingy for $50 canadian and its worth every penny.

File: 50w-led-reflektor-86-500x500.jpg (30KB, 500x500px) Image search: [Google]

30KB, 500x500px

>>2210109

Trimming would be

A, E > B > C, D right > D left > F


setup is

70x30cm - 40cm height (84L)
7kg Flourite Black Sand (thats 3,5cm substrate height maybe I need more?)
diy co2
50W led like img
local brand liquid fertilizer

>>2209578
get a dehumidifier and put it beside it

>>2209962
ponthos or something is supposed to be good for it. miss jinxs on youtube has a video about it.

>>2210132
Meant to quote >>2210114

>>2210121
What you need the exact 7 for? I wouldnt actually worry too much, unless you wanna keep a very sensitive species. Instead of dumping chemicals, naturally lower your ph via adding driftwood (malaysian sinks immediately) and via the addition of leaflitter.

You could also think about r/o-water, but yet again, in 90% of the cases, 7.4 will be just fine.

>>2210132
The tropica slideshow didnt display properly. Now that I seen it, its easier to get an idea.

I would propose 5 cm or more substrate even. I like to have a lot of substrate for two reasons: 1 - better established root system, 2 - you can bank up the substrate at the back and create the illusion of depth. You can also cheat your way into a better PAR value since the higher the substrate is banked, the more light gets through to the bottom.

Just a minor idea, if you are already invested with such an apparent budget, juding by your setup and lighting, you may aswell blow some cash on an aquascaping soil like ADA, but that's just a minor idea. Would be interested to see pics of your progress.

Keep it up.

>>2210155

I will start posting pics in maybe 2 weeks since I don't have the tank yet.

About the hydros. I saw this video and thought, "hell a background of hydros like this would look nice" idk how viable it is tough.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Zlf9Ml8u0U

>>2210186
Yeah, that would look awesome, I myself also wanted to do a javamoss wall for my tank but never really bothered with it, sadly.

I dunno if you ever kept some hydro, but I really cant stress enough that this thing's growth rate with co2 and proper lighting is hard to imagine. If you wanted a wall of that, I'd figure you'd be trimming every 2 days.

>>2209962
You don't need some fancy shmancy shit like that. Just get some potho vines and stick their roots in your tank.

>>2209980
God speed anon. God speed.

>>2210095
>>2210098
Is this a joke, anon? Cause I don't see any fish.

>>2209769
Just noticed my balloon belly is a bit.. odd.

It randomly did two barrel rolls then swam off like normal then an hour later it's just laying on the gravel not moving for about 15 minutes then it darts off and now it's randomly swimming/floating around and bumping into stuff and getting pushed up by the bubblers without fighting it then it just bobs around then swims off like normal.

>>2210095
>>2210098
Without being too familiar with NC fish, my guesses are Redhorse Sucker or Spotted Sucker. Can't help you with scientific names, but we have them in Missouri and they're usually present in large numbers.

>>2210135
Thanks anon I assumed that was all that was needed but just thought I'd make sure

>>2210208
Mine did this before they died

>>2210229
Well shit. My last molly died relatively quickly as well while everything else has lived with no issues. I just got this fish too so I'm hoping maybe it's just adjusting? I put some aquarium salt in there yesterday as well for it.

>>2210199
They blend in a bit with the dirt, but in the first picture there is one very visibly on the left center of the screen, as well as one just to the right of the big rock that's in the bottom left corner.

Second picture just below dead center

File: anenomes.jpg (282KB, 900x880px) Image search: [Google]

282KB, 900x880px

I'm finally going to set up my saltwater tank after doing freshwater for so long. It's a 20 gal long so practically a nano but I'm turning a 10 gallon into a sump/refugium, which will be kind of fun. I'm planning everything well out in advance because I don't have much space and it will have to be completely customized. I plan on making it into a invert-only tank, just want to get into the basics of coral, maybe crusty Seans, molluscs, maybe a brittlestar.

File: image.jpg (28KB, 500x250px) Image search: [Google]

28KB, 500x250px

>>2210109
That's the guy. That shit was incredible whether or not he was filtering it. I would love to have one of the simple looking ones with grasses all over and a few rocks.

>>2210129
>tfw no more mouths full of aquarium water
Feelsgood.jpg

>>2210121
What other anon said. 7.4 is fine for anything besides a handful of picky fish.

File: image.jpg (94KB, 697x328px) Image search: [Google]

94KB, 697x328px

>>2210266
Damn, that pic was awful. Maybe this one is better.

Can I have shrimp if I've got large river gravel as substrate? Will they be able to get around or are they too small? Also what's the tiniest common shrimp I could get? Are there any very small shrimp, smaller than ember tetras, that would be okay in river gravel substrate?

>>2210299
Bro they'll be okay

>>2210299
They can get around no matter what the size is, but the bigger the rocks you have to worry about rotting food and debris getting trapped and the phosphates poisoning your bottom-dwellers.

How should I help my dwarf hairgrass carpet? I curently have CO2 being injected and 2.7 watts/gallon.
Will adding a general fertilizer (Seachem Flourish for example) help that much or should I bother learning how to fertilize my tank?

>>2210324
If your substrate is inert then yes, you should use ferts.

File: 20160906_212428.jpg (4MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 5312x2988px

we c02 now! got it going at 1 bubble every 3.5 seconds What you guys think?

File: 20160906_212339.jpg (4MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 5312x2988px

>>2210335

>>2210325
What do you mean by inert?

>>2210347
Inert means chemically inactive. Basically if you have sand, gravel, stuff like that, it's inert. My tank is dirt so I don't dose ferts.

>>2210350
I use CaribSea Eco Complete. Its gravel but I assume its not inert?
Thanks for your help.

File: 20160906_212343.jpg (4MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 5312x2988px

>>2210339

File: 1471847379335.jpg (136KB, 861x1024px) Image search: [Google]

136KB, 861x1024px

>>2210339
>>2210366
Sorry, I really don't know why they upload sideways, they are upright when I see them..

>>2210355
Definitely not inert, I think a lot of people use fertilizer as well (but I might be wrong). It probably just depends on what plants you have.

Stupid question but do I need to do anything different with water changes once I start injecting CO2? Or just let it run like I normally do?

Whats some good lighting options for a 20 gallon tall for plants like dwarf hair grass

>>2210428
Some T5 HO would work. DHG needs high light and CO2 so any lighting that supplies enough wattage. I just have a dual T5 HO above my tank but they make quad-T5 if you want high light plants.

I'm sure there are LED options out there as well but I can't help you there.

>>2210431
Any fixtures you would recommend?

>>2210437
I got a cheap Odyessa one from Amazon. Just look for a fixture that lasts a long time, you could build one for cheaper if you are good with your hands.

>>2210368
Glad to see your plants have a chance of thriving now, best of luck!

>>2210002
No, I actually love goldfish, but won't they be stressed if they are single?

I mean from what little reading I did, I found that goldfish are better off as schools?

Alternatively, if I were to put in a school of gold fish, how many would be right for a 30gallon?

>>2210558
Thing about goldfish is that they get huge and are huge waste machines, thus you would need to overfilter your tank and do water changes weekly or twice a week to maintain good water quality in such a small tank.

If I were you, I'd rather consider the gouramis, they are way easier to manage and produce less waste. Just make sure, if you get two, that they are either male/female or two females.

>>2210335
Good luck on your tank, you should be fine for now.

>>2210299
Shrimp don't mind river gravel, so that shouldn't be a problem. The smallest common one is the malawa-shrimp (that can be kept by a beginner), but even neocaridina dwarf shrimp only grow up to 2-3cm at max.

>>2210615
>>2210558
So if you decide for Goldfish, they can stay single but would prefer a group. putting in 2-3 regular ones into a 30 would be stretching it. You should rather get 2-3 of the fancy breed goldfish, that stay smaller. They are less of a strain on your water quality.

Alright so I finally caved in and decided I'd get a 30 or 45l nano tank for dwarf shrimp. I've had lots of pets and other fish before so I know how to go about informing myself about the topic.

I just have two small questions:

Are there any good, small external pumps for a 30 or 45l nano tanks so I don't have to put a big ugly internal one in? And if not how do you go about hiding it?

Also are there any LED lighting options you'd recommend? I already know I want to go quite heavy on plants so I may need some CO2 too but I don't want to cheap out on the light.

File: 20160907_072649.jpg (952KB, 2048x1536px) Image search: [Google]

952KB, 2048x1536px

>>2210229
Well you were right. I found it floating in the tank this morning, barely two days after I bought it. I'd return it but I didn't pay much and it's out of my way to go. No more Mollies for me because this is the second one to die.

At least I have these cuties to cheer me up.

>>2210657
I trust eheim in terms of external filters, for pure external ones, check out these:

https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/external-filters/aquacompact

https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/external-filters/classic

Beware that you should put a piece of sponge at the intake, so baby shrimp don't get sucked in.

You could also try a hang on the back:
https://www.eheim.com/en_GB/products/technology/hang-filters/liberty but basically any no name HOB would do. Same thing though, put a piece of sponge on the intake.

If you decide to go internal, try a hamburg mattenfilter (HMF) you can build one yourself with the most basic materials you can find at a hardware store or buy an assembled one. This thing is probably the most cost efficient filter you can get.

Just put a thick and fast growing stem plant like cabomba, limnophila or rotala in front of the filter and you won't see it.

If you on a budget, get an a cheap HOB or the mattenfilter. If you have some cash to spare, get one of the above mentioned eheim externals, according to your tank size (you could also buy a used eheim, they are very sturdy and have a crazy long warranty)

Lighting with LEDs:

All according to the plant species you wanna keep. If you wanna keep low/medium light plants, a standard nano led will do (dennerle, fluval etc.) - if you wanna go full aquascape with medium-high light plants and co2, you could buy http://dennerle.com/en/products/aquascaping/lighting/scapers-led but beware that you will invest 100€+ together with the power supply unit. Eheim has also another product, the Eheim PowerLED which I use on my 54l.

About the same price range, afaik the dennerle Scaper's LED will be a bit more pricey, but has an even higher energy efficiency.

You could also buy some china LEDs and assemble those, but they will very inefficient.

If you decide not to go LED, you could get an 11W Dennerle Nano light or two (25-35€) - the bulbs will run you 10-15€.

>>2210680
I'm sorry to hear that. Platys are often overbred like hell, same as fancy guppies and mollies. You may wanna think about endler guppies, which are basically a smaller, wild type cousin of the guppy. They are not overbred and very hardy, if you want to get some live bearers in the future.

>>2210685
I got my hands full with live bearers right now due to a clueless employee but I will look into them if anything else dies down the road.

>>2210700

Already prepared the new general, added some points to the FAQ.

>>2206282
It isn't toxic to fish as once the glaze is "fired" it becomes glass. Nothing will leak out of it or dirty the water. But if any of the ceramic (the fired clay) is showing it will be a easy place algae to grow.

So you are perfectly fine but just keep a eye on it in case algae grows on it.

>>2206332
Find some pretty shrimp and some fancy snails of different breeds.
use sand not rock or gravel

>>2210615
Thanks, I probably won't have time to do water changes twice a week. I'm gonna look for other fishes then.

I'm considering black tiger Oscar. It's a small one, about one inch now. Would that be okay for the 30 gallon now. Also, can I add tank mates with the Oscar. I know the big ones won't allow me to, but this is a baby and till it grows can I have some mates? Or would it strain the fish?

Also, I just found that I can get some cherry shrimps, which tank can I put them on? Any aquatic plants?

Bunnycart. Com this is the site that sells some decent fishes here, can you help me out by picking a combination?

My current list is

20 gallon : 4 pairs of guppies. A single pair of glow light tetra. And one cherry shrimp. I haven't thought of plants, as I don't know much about plants. It does seem like a lot but I have a gravel filter and ordered a good quality sponge one. From what I can understand, this would be more than enough with bi weekly water changes and monthly full tank scrubs.

30 gallon : tiger Oscar? Idk much else.

>>2206335
I'd say one or two algae pellets every other day.
That's what I do at least.

>>2206376
Get atleast 6 of shoaling fish. They would be fine with 4 but more active and happy with the more fish you get

>>2206450
agreed

>>2207464
Those fish are amazing. How much id they cost?

>>2209651
Share a link to the adapter? I might actually do a co2 tank depending how much refills are in my area

>>2209744
I had a plan to restock my 10g into my 20g and then get puffers, but now I have to get rid of my 10g. Feels bad man

>>2210335
Hide the co2 stuff more then 10/10

>>2210746
I wouldn't add more fish with a oscar period unless it also a aggressive fish that it can't eat.
Add shrimp to literally every tank. But get at least 5 and they will breed to what the food source allows them to.
Guppy wise always have a 3:1 female to male ratio. The males are douches and pick on the females. Plus they will breed more babies that you can sell at a shop for credit for things you want or need
Don't plant and root plants on a gravel filter tank as the plants will die. Moss or any other plants that don't need to be rooted will be fine. (I recommend literally every moss and banana plants where the gravel filter isn't) But always do more research on plants before you buy them. You will also need some time of light specifically for plants if you want some, but aren't that expensive once they are up and running

I have 10 gallon tank, unfortunately it has a huge bioload, and even with my plants it seems unable to keep itself balanced. That tank has recently had a massive brown algae bloom, and another tank it has a pleco which is still in its infancy but has almost nothing to eat (I feed it algae wafer I read even that isn't enough algae). Would it be safe to move the pleco there? I read that to keep a balanced diet, plecos need A LOT of algae.

>>2210765
They don't necessarily need algae. If it is labeled algae wafer is is good for if it is from a trustworthy brand. It would be fine to keep it in there for a while to help with the algae but will add bioload which is the last thing you need right now. I recommend removing some of the bioload and doing a large water change (50-60%) and add the pleco if the load is small enough and seems to stabilize after a week or two

>>2210746
http://pastebin.com/mCeEhYiA

I have added some new sections to the faq, including aquatic plants and substrate choices, feel free to check those out, but I can still help you with stocking.

what >>2210760 said is mostly true about your stocking ideas. A baby oscar will be fine in a 30g, but be prepared to buy him a 75g or even a bigger tank. Oscars will grow and become mean fish, so you shouldn't house them with anything that isnt a huge cichlid or pleco.

Oscars are very hardy too, but the size and maintenance requirement when they are grown, may be overwhelming to a beginner. You could even get some cool sterbai or splendens corydoras in the 30g, they get quite big. So imho big cories or the gouramis would be an idea.

I'm currently at work, but if you have whatsapp or telegram, let me know and I will give you my data, so we can talk about the setup/stocking in detail.

Cherry shrimp are also a good starting point. in a 20g you could have more than 100 and they are very hard to kill.

how do i glue an anubias/fern into a rock/driftwood? by the roots or risome?

>>2210818
I bury mine in the substrate really deep

>>2210818
super glue. seriously

File: IMG_20160829_184637880.jpg (1MB, 2592x1456px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2592x1456px

Before