My 53g tank

Konrad Olejnik · Post by **Konrad Olejnik** » 04 Oct 2005, 10:46

Hi everyone!

Here is a picture of my tank, home
for L204, L260 and L134 (not to mention
about neon tetras, three glass catfish
and some hatchet fish). I'm wonder what do
you think about this setup?

Konrad

rudie · Post by **rudie** » 04 Oct 2005, 11:01

Konrad, very nice. Gives you that real Amazon river feeling.

Duncan · Post by **Duncan** » 04 Oct 2005, 13:05

Very nice! I like planted tanks just a bit more than bare tanks. Do you anchor your plants, or just dig them into the gravel?

-dunc

sidguppy · Post by **sidguppy** » 04 Oct 2005, 14:12

Very nice!

I'd say this tank is missing about 5-7 fish......

or any other species, but I like this pic

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 04 Oct 2005, 14:29

It's indeed very nice...

--
Mats

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 04 Oct 2005, 20:04

Nicely thought out! I really like it!

Amanda

Konrad Olejnik · Post by **Konrad Olejnik** » 05 Oct 2005, 06:53

Thanks for your opinion.
Some additional information:
plants are just dug in the gravel. They don't
grow as fast as I want them to do but it's probably
lack of enough light (only 2x30W - Philips Aquarelle
+ JBL Solar Natur installed).
Quite heavy filtration can be another reason: two canister filters (Eheim 2224 + JBl CristalProfi 250) and one internal
pump with sponge (over 2000 l/h total flow).
Temp. 25 C, pH about 7.6 (a bit too high, I'm thinking
how to solve this problem

Cheers

Konrad

djw66 · Post by **djw66** » 05 Oct 2005, 08:18

Konrad Olejnik wrote:Thanks for your opinion.
Some additional information:
plants are just dug in the gravel. They don't
grow as fast as I want them to do but it's probably
lack of enough light (only 2x30W - Philips Aquarelle
+ JBL Solar Natur installed).
Quite heavy filtration can be another reason: two canister filters (Eheim 2224 + JBl CristalProfi 250) and one internal
pump with sponge (over 2000 l/h total flow).
Temp. 25 C, pH about 7.6 (a bit too high, I'm thinking
how to solve this problem

Cheers

Konrad

Konrad, Your pH. Put some peat granules into a mesh bag and put it into your canister. Will lower the pH naturally and slowly, and will also soften and darken the water. You can clear the tea color with activated carbon, but use it sparingly. Constant carbon filtration can retard the growth of plants. Added benefit with peat is your neons will get so brilliant you'll think they will pop. About 6.8 pH will keep them happy.

As far as the plant growth, your tank is small enough for DIY Co2 kit would help, or, preferebly, a commercial Co2 set up with regulator and tank. Your lighting is OK, but may need to be upgraded to a higher wattage to compensate for the plants' increased metabolism with Co2.

Great tank, by the way

Dave

snowball · Post by **snowball** » 05 Oct 2005, 08:18

It is a very nice tank and, as sidguppy suggested, a school of corys would fit in nicely

I don't think the strong current would be a problem for the plants, unless it is sto strong that it pulls them out of the gravel! More or better lighting would probably be the best solution. You may also want to try using a plant fertilizer or even CO2 - for that sized tank the small 'starter' kits that use reactive tablets can be an affordable proposition.

Konrad Olejnik · Post by **Konrad Olejnik** » 05 Oct 2005, 10:19

Thanks for yours suggestions.
I'll try with peat balls to lower the pH first
as I think it's the biggest problem for now.
I'm also thinking about buying RO filter
in the future.
I don't want to add any artificial fertilizers
(except CO2 of course) because I'm afraid about
my pleco's health.

Konrad