3Ft Tank

[Marekzero]

Hey guys,

Just starting a new tank and though I would put it up here.

Just started cycling on 28/03 so its not even 100% going yet.

I started feeding the tank with flakes and put in gravel from another tank and also a filter pad.

Although not too sure what been going on in there, I've tested it the past three days and these were the parameters:

30/03
Ammonia:0-0.25ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:0-5.0ppm
Ph:7.6

31/03
Ammonia:0.25ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:5ppm
Ph:7.6

01/04
Ammonia:0.25ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:0-5.0ppm
Ph:7.6

I've also gotten some stability and have been dosing that for two days now.

I know its a bit bare atm I'm still deciding on plants. Does ph affect the plant? and what type of fertilization should i got for ? I have flourish and flourish excel so I'm interested in non liquid ferts, but like root balls or the one which goes below the substrate but I'm guessing its too late to layer the substrate now.

Would you guys recommend a huge water change and then it would be ready for the next step? Any thoughts and recommendation welcome.

Thanks
Happy Easter.

[wombat1100]

G'day marek, tanks up and running i see:)
you are still in the early stages of cycling as you haven't had a ammonia spike yet, most important thing is to be patient! definitely don't do a huge water change, it will only slow down the cycling cycle.
As for the layering of the substrate, I would still do it if thats is the result you want from the tank, it will cloud your tank for a few days but the filter should take care of that and you don't have fish in there to stress out yet so i would say it should be fine.
Personally i would be happy with the Ph at 7.6 for now , I would wait and see how the tank settles first.

[Marekzero]

So a few things happened over the Easter break.

Put in some plants and also 16 odd neon tetras.

03/04
Ammonia:0ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:5.0ppm
Ph:6.8

03/04 after added plants and fish
Ammonia:0.25ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:5.0ppm
Ph:6.8

04/04
Ammonia:0ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:5.0ppm
Ph:6.6

05/04
Ammonia:0ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:5.0ppm
Ph:7.0

06/04
Ammonia:0ppm
Nitrite:0ppm
Nitrate:0-5.0ppm
Ph:7.0

I've also put in some JBL fertilizing balls for the plants.

The plants I have are:
Amazon sword
Corkscrew val
Baby tears??

I'm unsure about the stemmed plants I have lining the back of the tank or the two smaller plants in the bottom left and I would greatly appreciate it if someone knows to let me know.

I am also planning on moving my bristlenose and cory over from my old tank towards the end of this week.

[Marekzero]

Hey guys,

I have moved my bn and cory over to the new tank and they have settled in fine.

So livestock are loving it but the plants arn't :confused:

I've put in fertilizer balls into the substrate, purchased new light tubes and dosing with flourish excel daily and flourish 2 times a week. Although the plans seem to be dwindling.

Towards the roots the plants seem to be browning/ going transparent. Have a look at the attached pic.

Thanks for any help.