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My 20 long is approaching 2 years. I have made some additions this summer and things are going well. I am definitely having to do my 15% changes more often, or will need to step up to 20-25% changes. I like to target 5-15ppm nitrates because it is planted and I seem to be busting over 20ppm in a week (can't imagine why ).

I'm just doing a sense check here

Here is the stock list and keep in mind this is a 20 long:

Stock List
- 6 White Clouds (1.5 inch ea)
- 6 Harlequin Rasboras (about 1.5 in)
- 2 Guppies (1 Green Cobra; 1 small endler's mix - 3/4 inch)
- 3 Cories (sold as Agassizzi - 2 in ea)
- 6 Habrosus Cories (some 1/2 inch; others 3/4 inch).
- 2 Otocinclus (1.5 in ea)

Plants:
- 1 Java Fern
- Java Moss
- Hornwort (about 3 bunches)
- Unidentified mystery plant Pic in this link
- 3 Banana Plants
- 2 semi-healthy Tiger Val.
- There is also an abundance of thick, green velvet algae that the otos graze on (desired for otos and nitrate uptake).
For those of you who recall my densely planted fake plant setup, there are no fake plants left.

Parameters
- Ammonia: 0
- Nitrite: 0
- Nitrate: 20 (water change time)
- pH: 7.7
- kH: 65
- gH: 100

Filtration: Penguin 170, and 1-15gph Sponge Filter.

I was doing weekly water changes of 15%, but this doesn't keep me in my desired range of 5-15ppm nitrates.

I've been contemplating some type of co2, but I am concerned with my stock list being as large as it is and night time co2 levels. I have a co2 tester and need to understand when I should check co2 to get an understanding of my tanks gases. I've been using Flourish Excel.


Last edited by Cory_Di at 27-Nov-2004 23:37

Last edited by Cory_Di at 27-Nov-2004 23:38

I would be a bit concerned for your guppies and cyprinids, but the general rule of thumb is that, provided your fish don't gulp at the surface, you're good to go.

Since it's planted I honestly think you're pretty okay with it...especially being a long....Considering you've got hornwort in there I'm somewhat surprised you're having continual nitrAtes, even with the stocking. Wisteria is also great for draining your tank of nitrAtes.

^_^
[link=H2g2]http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/upgrade.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] 2005 Don't Leave Home Without it[/font]

Does wisteria do well in low light? How about Water Sprite?

They're sometimes called the same thing I think, although they are different plants. And are planted plants, and not floating...although they will grow floating.

Mine do good in 1.5-2.5wpg.

^_^
[link=H2g2]http://hitchhikers.movies.go.com/upgrade.html" style="COLOR: #EB4288[/link] 2005 Don't Leave Home Without it[/font]

That tank is probably fine, especially since you have plants. However, if it was my tank, I'd dump the guppies, and add three more agassizii cories. They'd probably like a bit more company.

---

And when he gets to Heaven, to Saint Peter he will tell: "One more Marine reporting, Sir! I've served my time in Hell."

sounds fine to me, you are a better judge than all of us as to what your tank can handle. If your filter is coping and your maintenance is fine, i see no problem, however, i would resist the urge to buy more Maybe get some more stem plants tho.

Edit: i actually think you should just double-check that hornwort IS hornwort, not foxtail or similar, it looks more like the spindly foxtail i got ages ago... also, have you replaced your light within the last 6 months? if not, i would You are probably 3 steps ahead anyway, as always

Last edited by Callatya at 28-Nov-2004 09:16

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

- It's hornwort - I think

How can I tell the difference between the two? Anyone got pics to show the difference?

I change my light bulbs every 6 months (spring and fall). I have always used a Power-Glo, which included the spectrum for plants. However, I believe it contributed to algae growth. I have switched, for the first time, to a Flora-Glo which has the spectrums balanced for plants. I'm seeing less hair/beard algae or whatever it was (long strands; hard to remove).

If I added anything, it would have been 2-3 more otos. Guppies have to stay since they were originaly inhabitants. I should mention that they are both males. They stick with each other all day long and I love them both.

This was taken some time ago when I still had fake plants in there, as you can see

Cory_Di attached this image:


Last edited by Cory_Di at 28-Nov-2004 10:24[/font]

This is one of my best shots of "Cobra". I've posted this one before.
Cory_Di attached this image:


Last edited by Cory_Di at 28-Nov-2004 10:23[/font]

Um, i dont know how to tell the difference, foxtail feels slightly spikier and less succulenty?? Thats not going to help much huh?

Oh well. No, it just seems odd that you are getting nitrates with those 2 bunches, they should really keep it in check.

For animals, the entire universe has been neatly divided into things to (a) mate with, (b) eat, (c) run away from, and (d) rocks. - Terry Pratchett

I thought the same thing about the nitrates. It does feel spikey.

Hmmm.... Makes me wonder

I always heard that hornwort was an algae killer too. - Algae grows on mine

When I move - I'm going to really boost the cory count. I love the look of schooling cories. I'll probably have about 20 Panda's too. That's why I want a 125 so I can put big schools in it.

Last edited by Cory_Di at 28-Nov-2004 10:25

Last edited by Cory_Di at 28-Nov-2004 10:26