Hello everyone. I'm Dave from Lancaster, Pa. I had my first aquarium as a child. It was a 10 gallon fresh water tank. I didn't know much about it then but enjoyed the fish with the help of my dad. That might have been around the early 1970's.
Jumping to 1999, I started the hobby on my own with a 30 gallon fresh water fish only tank. This is where I cut my teeth so to speak. I tried canister filters and then switched to HOB filters. I learned the nitrogen cycle and started my tank back then with a few live bearer platys. Those fish survived it. Within a few months, IO had a well stocked tank with several fish of mollys, platys, sword tails, tiger barbs. The tank was pretty successful for me. I had that tank for over a year before I had to move with a work reassignment. I gave the fish away to other hobbyists and eventually sold the equipment.
Now just about a month ago, I got the urge to get back into it. I now have a 20 gallon high tank with Cherry Barbs, and Glow Light Tetras that are doing fine. I also went the live plant route and have a few Java Fern, a Crytocoryne Pontederlifolla, and a few Crytocoryne Luciens.
The first set of fish and plants were added on June 15 of this year. The tanks has been doing well for me these first few weeks. The fish appear healthy. I'm just waiting for things to get seasoned as time goes on.
I would like to add some more leafy plants in the background to give more play space for the fish. Any suggestions? I would like to have some plants that could use up the nitrates quicker. My nitrates are holding around 10ppm.
I am using EASY GREEN fertilizer once a week, Aqauriumn CO-OP Root tabs (3 across the front), and Flourish Excel twice a week.My light is a Ffluval AquaSky 12W full spectrum that is 16 inch to 24 inch. My fileter is an AquaClear 50.
I'm looking forward to enjoying this forum.
Dave K