[Date Prev][Date Next][Thread Prev][Thread Next][Date Index][Thread Index]
new tank
Hi,
I'm new to this list. I have been searching the archives and the krib,
since I'm going to tear down a 46 gal. "fish tank" and remodel it into
a planted aquarium (my first one). The problem is that the tank has
already a significant fish population (tropical) of mostly young individuals,
bought 2-3 months ago. Total fish load right now is close to 20" of fish,
but may go eventually to 40". Due to space and money constraints, I cannot
afford to set up a full-blown long-term separate tank to hold them while
the new tank matures. They will sit in a 10 gal. plastic box during the
weekend, but can't be kept there for long and have to be re-introduced
in the aquarium as soon as possible.
I know this goes against all rules about setting up new tanks. I
understand that the sudden increase in fish waste before the bacteria
and plants had time to settle in could cause all sorts of problems. Thus
I started the process by installing an external canister filter loaded with
lots of bio-media, to let the media populate with bacteria before I tear
the tank down. After reassembly, the biological action will be already
established (in the filter media at least) and would, I presume, take
care of the ammonia and nitrite peaks, or at least help to subdue them.
I would compound this with minimal fish feeding, but I wonder what else
should I do, besides water changes, to avoid algae blooms. Specifically,
what strategy should I use to stimulate the quickest possible plant growth ?
I could use nitrate and phosphate adsorbing media in the filter to try to
starve the algae, but I wonder how it would affect plant growth in the
initial phase.
I will use a coarse sand substrate enriched with Substrate Gold and perhaps
Tetra Initial Sticks (1-0-25), coupled with some trace element mix in the
water. Should I use some N-P-rich substrate fertilizer instead ?
I have already yeast CO2 injection and 90 watts of light (one Hagen
Aqua-Glo and two Phillips Colortone 50s). The filter is a Fluval 303 with
under-water return. Tap water pH is 7.4, tank pH is 6.8 after CO2 injection.
KH is 5.0, GH is 8.0.
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
-Ivo Busko
Baltimore, MD