Freshwater for the Kids! Build

[troy tucker]

It looks great. I'm looking forward to seeing it lit-up.
As a tank cycles the water will get cloudy and then after a few day it will clear up. Cycle over.

[AHP]

***Update***
Lights have been installed and they look great. I will post the pics later because I am not at home.

Also I ended up doing a water test and I am thinking there is no way that I have cycled the tank in less than 4 days.

pH = 7.5
nitrite = 0ppm
nitrites = 0ppm
Temp = 84 (I am still trying to calibrate the Ehiem Jagar. I am trying to get it at 78-80 but I have to wait 24hr each time to make sure it is working correctly).

I am going to test again in 2 days and if it is still the same. If it is still the same then I am going to put some plants in and test ever week along with putting fish food in every night.
If I am doing it wrong please let me know.

[AHP]

Sorry I didn't post this sooner but here is day two of the fish-less cycle.

So far I have 50/50 mix of RO and waste water. I have add 125ml of Purigen in a bag within my canister that had previous used media already in it.
So now we wait and test the water... Say every 3 days or should I wait a week? I was hoping by this weekend or next I could get some plants.

Here are the pictures:








and... Here is a little something I wanted to test out, a little DIY tank cover.


My lights should be coming in some time last this week or next, so I am still looking for plants!
Tell me what you think!

[AHP]

BTW here a fish list that I was thinking about...

- Cardinal Tetra's
- Otocinclus Catfish or Trinidad Pleco
- Celestial Pearl Danis
- Dwarf Gourami or Neon Blue Dwarf Gourami
- Red Platy
- Redtail Shark
- Tigar Barb
- Red Cherry Shrimp
- Maybe, Lemon Cobra Guppy

If you can think of any more that are compaitable or semi compatiable, I am intersted.

For Plants I am still looking at that. Here is what I will be using for the sand and lights
Sand:
Super Naturals

http://www.caribsea.com/itempage_freshwatersubstrate_supernaturals.htm

Lights:
buildmyled.com
Fish Focus Blue 13000K - Medium Light (I wanted the fish to pop but also support some plant growth, I know I am not encouraging the best growth but I am only going to have about 4-5 plants).

http://www.buildmyled.com/fish-focus-blue-13000k/

We define medium light as being most suitable for lo-tech planted tanks (with your preferred fertilization schedule) and soil tanks. The “medium” light level provides enough PAR that almost any plant will thrive -- though growth rates (speed) will be limited by the absence of the CO2 injection found in a hi-tech tank. That said, it is also perfectly acceptable to use medium light with CO2 injection -- in which case plant growth rates will be higher

[AHP]

You could say that a fish auction provides a very unique anniversary date !
Glad to hear you got your stand leveled. I think it's a very nice-looking one. Love the beadboard doors.

Funny you said that... I tried talking to her today about it and she just blew me off and told me, not only no but HELL NO!

Thanks on the stand I couldn't have done it without Troy reassuring me I was not ocd.

[snailtrax]

You could say that a fish auction provides a very unique anniversary date !
Glad to hear you got your stand leveled. I think it's a very nice-looking one. Love the beadboard doors.

[AHP]

Fotas, is coming up. There will be alot of plants an fish at the auction.

Yea I was looking at that and really wanted to go but that is my anniversary weekend.
We will see how the weekend goes and play it by ear.

[troy tucker]

Fotas, is coming up. There will be alot of plants an fish at the auction.

[troy tucker]

I use a large tote to soak DW. But you can use purigen to remove tanins from the water. Stuff is so good they call it magic beans.
The slate is the way to go for holding down your driftwood.

[AHP]

For the last two days I have been soaking Driftwood, which I am glad I did because there were a hole bunch of fire ants tucked away in the wood.
I have read many ways to get rid of tannins in the DW... (soak in tub, dishwaster and my favorite LOL tank of the toliet). I might try the tub and dishwaster then screw it to a piece of slat.

[troy tucker]

I like matrix for substrate. It a lava rock. I use a lot of pot scrubers. They are cheep and work very well.
Glad your back on track. looking forword to seeing it finished.

PS. You are welcome.

[AHP]

This canister is new to me so I replaced each sponge with a new one.


I cleaned about 50% of the rings


I am not sure what this is but it was in the area where you would put Biological Media (Substrates)... I am thinking about get some new Substrates, but if I don't I only cleaned about 50% of this as well.
Any ideas on which substrate would be best I am all ears.


The only thing I need to buy is the filter floss and since today is Labor Day nothing is open.



I also bought some lights today from buildmyled.com and they seem like a great fit for what I am going to do. (Plant / Community)

[AHP]

Troy... It was a pleasure meeting you and thank you again for helping me with the stand.

Ok! Back on track and moving in the right direction. Today I installed the RO/DI unit, very easy yet it produces a lot of waste water. This really isn't a big deal as I am just using the waste water to water the plants.
Here are some pics.




I think I am going to go with FPS (tan or white) and for my lights I am going to use buildmyled 13000k setup.

[AHP]

Ok

[troy tucker]

It can be levaled. If you would like I can come give you a hand getting it level? PM me.