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Fertilizer Regimen for New Tank
I finally set up my new 30 gallon Oceanic tank I got for Christmas. It
looks great! I built a new oak canopy for it with a 96 watt Bright Kit from
AH Supply inside. I am using an Eheim Professional II Model 2026 canister
filter and a pressurized CO2 system from M3 injected into the intake of the
filter. I set the tank up two nights ago. I was running the Eheim on an
established tank for about one and a half months prior to switching it over
to the new tank. So, the Eheim should already be colonized with good
nitrifying bacteria. I used an all-Flourite substrate, but I laid down
about a quarter-inch base of substrate from my established tank before
piling on the Flourite. I hope this helps kick-start the bacteria in the
substrate. I planted the tank Amano style (at least I hope it looks Amano
style once the plants grow in) with what I think is Vallisneria Americana
(gigantean), Red Foxtail, Wisteria, Java Fern, Anubias barteri var. nana,
Christmas Moss, Hairgrass, a crapload of Riccia fluitans and one Red Crypt
Wendtii. Currently, I have two SAEs, one Flying Fox, three Black Skirt
Tetras and one Zebra Danio in the new tank. I want to stock the tank with a
lot of Cardinal or Neon Tetras.
Here are my questions:
1. How long will the cycling process take with this tank? I am using a
cycled canister filter, and I seeded the Flourite with substrate from an
established tank.
2. How long should I wait before I stock the tank with Cardinal or Neon
Tetras? How many could I put in my tank? Which would be a better pick,
Neons or Cardinals?
3. How long should I wait before I start a fertilizer-dosing regimen on this
tank? I’ve heard you should not start fertilizing for a while.
4. Every time I have set up a new tank or refurbished an established tank, I
have always had a lot of plants die off within the first week. Is this due
to shock from the change? If plants start dying off in my new tank, how do
I know if it’s due to shock or a lack of nutrients from not fertilizing yet?
Thank you in advance for your time and advice!
-Gamera
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