Doug_E

My tank water has turned cloudy. It will vary day to day and even hour by hour some days. I recently had a big diatom bloom as well, but that seems to have stopped. Could it be the diatoms are dying and the bacteria are now blooming? The diatom bloom followed a re-scaping of the tank. I removed sand (which I had washed very well), moved rocks, planted more plants, and otherwise really stirred up the tank. I suspect that lead to silicates in the water which caused the diatom bloom. My water parameters have been steady. 0 ammonia for the most part (today it is maybe a smidge above 0 and the water is the cloudiest it has been). 0 Nitrites. Nitrates are now between 5-10 but were up around or over 20 when the diatom bloom began. It is a 20 long with 8 small white cloud minnows, 6 blacknose dace (native minnow) that are 1-1.5" long, and 3 amano shrimp. I have several plants (anubias, jungle val, water sprite, java fern, and some others so it is moderately planted). The fish seem normal and active. They don't seem to care. I also recently added a Fluval 207 in preparation for switching to that filter. Old filter, which is still running at low, is a Tidal 55. Filtration seems to be more than adequate. I plan to reduce feeding (was feeding once a day and don't think I was over feeding). I may also add charcoal to the filter. Right now they are both just the sponges and biorings. No chemical filtration (charcoal, Phosphate, etc).

Fluval wrote back and I THINK the Aquasky 36-48 has a PAR value of 32 at 18". I asked for both the Aquasky and Plant 3.0 values and was only given one. Given it is low I assume it is the Aquasky.

Mine has had a bloom in recent weeks, just after I re-scaped which kicked up a lot of sand particles (sand substrate). I got 4 nerite snails yesterday and already they are making a difference. More of them and more time and they could probably take care of the problem, and add a nice new element to the tank. The good news is it is normal, and not harmful. But it may be an indicator of other problems that could be a problem. IE high Nitrate. I wasn't great at water changes so mine were up around 40-50ppm, now down to 20 and the diatoms seem to be slowing down. I also added more plants so the plants may be doing their part.

Is that tank 18" tall or taller? I imagine it is if a 36" light fits on it. I wish I had gotten the 36" when Petsmart had them 50% off. I nearly did get one but put it back thinking I needed the Plant 3.0.

I have a 20 long that will eventually be swapped with a 40 breeder. It is planted with easy low to medium light plants (Anubias Nana/Petite, Java Fern, Water Sprite, amazon sword, Jungle Val, and some of the easier reds whose names I cannot remember). I was thinking I might move the 24-36" Aquasky to the 40 breeder and pair it with a second 24-36 someone is selling. The other idea is getting a 36-48" Aquasky. Would that be sufficient? I can't find PAR values for the Aquasky lights. I've tried asking Fluval but no response. I know the Plant 3.0 would be more than sufficient...too bright even...but price is prohibitive. The 24/7 is another good light, but I like the customization the Fluvals allow.

A 29 is the leading option because it is the same LxW as my 20L and I could use the same lid, stand, and light. A 33 long or 40 long does look nice, but creates some issues with space. I'm also curious about the 40 breeder for the greater width (Depth as you look at it). I like giving some foreground to background perspective. Though at 40g I start getting nervous about that much water and weight. Such vigilance is helpful for engineers and IT professionals like me, but not good for hobbies like this!

Years ago I used to have an aquarium. Time, work, moving, kept me away. I wanted to get back into it, but didn't want the problems that come with it. Now that we bought our own place my wife found a few tanks for free. As you might imagine the hobby tends to....grow, in about every way. I started with the free 20 tall. I prefer wider shorter tanks (and don't trust a used tank in my office) so I got a new 20 long. I added a lid and light (Aquasky...great light). The plastic plants are gone and now have a few species from the Co-op that are doing well. Now I'm looking at a larger tank. Not huge, I don't have the space. My office is just 12x12. I also want to keep cost reasonable. I'm also worried about leaks and the problems 40+ gallons of water can do on the second floor! What do I like, not like, look for, avoid? I like natural looking: real rock, wood, leaves (maybe), live plants natural looking fish that are on the smaller side schooling fish maybe one or two bigger 'centerpiece' fish low maintenance no heater? I currently do not use a heater (blacknose dace from the creek and white cloud minnows). I will probably get a heater some day so I can expand my fish options quiet...I currently have a Aqueon quietflow but have a Tidal 55 on the way reliable and looks good for a long time, I'll spend more for the right stuff. definitely do not like tanks that lead or go *pop* leaking water everywhere :) I prefer shorter longer tanks, but if a taller tank allows for more natural looking habitat with fish and plants that occupy different zones, I could go for that. I was thinking a 29/30 gallon would be easy. I could use the same stand, cover, light, and filter (Tidal 55). But would I wish I had gotten a 40? 55!? What questions should I be asking myself? Any suggestions based on your journey?

Thank you all. Plants are on the way. I’ll see how this goes!

I currently have a simple 20gal tank with no heater. I would like to start growing plants as well. I see light requirements but nothing about temperature. Cory’s videos are very helpful and I’ll probably get 5 or 6 varieties form his beginner plant recommendations. Are there any that do better in 62 (winter) 78 (summer) degree range?