BabyShark

yep, I did that. Another rookie mistake! And now the internet is telling me that their water parameters don't match. => 78.8 - 86F: Blue Ram=> 64.4 - 75.2F: Zebra Danio source: http://aqadvisor.com/ However, some youtube videos did suggest that Danios will do fine up to 82F. My tank's temperature is currently sitting at 79.88F I only put 2 rams (pair) and 7 danios. Got 2 amano shrimps at the bottom but they are hiding somewhere, which I believe is normal. What do you guys suggest I do? They both seems to be doing ok so far. Danios are doing their thing on top of the column and Rams are swimming gently everywhere. They are going into that plants, swimming around the rocks, sometimes they go to mid column, sometimes it looks like they are looking for something in the substrate. So far they are both swimming together for most of the time. I am not 100% sure that it's infact a pair. Will look into that tomorrow. What do you guys suggest I do?

OK. I removed the sponge filter from the u2 and put it in the aqua clear along with the sponge it came with. I also mixed up the white rocks from u2 with the ones that came with the aqua clear. Which I will remove later. I only kept them because of all the nitrifying bacteria it might be carrying. I'm running it at the lowest settings. Since the flow is moving all my background plants. I now have little empty space between my background plants 😞 I also notice some algae in the tank this morning. Forgot to plug in the filter last night after a little adjustment with decor. I will continue to monitor the tank tomorrow.

Just few order placing the order of https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B010PRHDWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&tag=tank01-20 I cancelled it and order this instead https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B000260FVG?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image I did not want the sponge filter for two reasons one is that I would have to put two of them which will mess up the aesthetics and second the noise from the air pump is annoying. The hang back filter seems to be solving all the issues. Stayed up till 3 AM trying to fig out which filter to order. Phew! Why does one need air stone with HOB filter? Doesn't HOB filter provides oxygen with the water flow and surface movements? Or am I missing something here.

ok so I just ordered this guy https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B010PRHDWK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 And here is how my betta is doing with U2 It is currently set on the middle spray bar on the lowest setting.

Make sense! I guess what I need to figure out at this point is that should I replace my U2 with a sponge filter (with or without rocks)? Does the sponge filter itself provides water circulation?

Does the foam filter creates the circulation? Because U2 is doing a decent job with circulation I see water is constantly moving and so does my mystery snails.

What if I don't add shrimps?

It is a 20 gallon tank. On the box of U2 it says up to 30 gallons I am also thinking that u2 maybe an overkill since I am gonna have some shrimps and corydora at the bottom as well. I do have live plants as well.

This is what I have it running at, still feels a bit strong. Maybe I am overthinking.

Hi, here I'm again with another help topic. I'm currently running a fish less cycle. The filter I own is fluval u2. Although I have a feeling that it'll be too strong for the fish I'll add in the tank. I might replace the fluval u2 with the conventional sponge filter. To add to my confusion I'm now finding sponge filter with bio chemical filter. See pictures below. My question is does it really make a difference? Does it provide cleaner tank and do a better job? Thanks.

I also think this is around 10 Ppm. I will use a cell phone flashlight next time thanks @Torrey

What do you guys think?

It's coming along nicely. Plants are showing signs of growth. 👌

Here's an update on the readings. Ph 6.5, previously 6.0 Ammonia 1.0, previously 0.25 Nitrite 0.2, previously 0 Nitrate 10, previously 10 What do you guys think? Going in the right direction? Thanks

got it! Thank you for explaining all of this. I am happy to have a filter in there as it is keeping the water clear so far.

ok so you are saying that I may not need the fluval u2 filter in there? I should be ok with some plants and a sponge filter?

I have added 1 tsb of baking soda - is that enough for 20 gallon? Thanks for the tip. ok - I will take pictures when I run the test again. Thanks hmm, I need to find out what does `plant handling it` means. make sense, I just threw in some baking soda and some betta fish food. I am thinking of moving decors from my small betta fish tank as well. I got enough toys for the betta.

Thank you, make sense. I will see if I can find easy green or a similar product here (Toronto, Canada)

Hi, I got a brand new tank running, started 4 days ago I finally got my testing kit yesterday (topfin test kit) I did some readings and here is what I got. PH 6 Ammonia 0.25 ppm Nitrite 0 ppm nitrate 20 ppm Now my confusion is that should I do a water change right away or does some amount of ammonia help in any way to get the beneficial bacteria? I mean should I wait few more days to see if ammonia levels go down by itself? I do have live plants in there. TIA

Hi all, Just got into this hobby, it's expensive but exciting and most importantly rewarding. This is a 20 gallon tank that sits in the family room as a corner piece so I gotta make it look pretty. Plants I'm using are rotla in the corner, Monte Carlo as a carpet but only in the back (will cover 25% of the tank) I want to keep the front clear, got some anubias petite and java moss on the dragon stones and Hygrophila as background. I have fluval stratum as substrate. No soil, no fertilizer and I didn't use anything additional(no seachem products). Internet told me that stratum should take care of my plants in the first 6 months at least, because of the added nutrients. I also have fluval u2 filter running. Although I'm not sure if I should keep it or replace it with a sponge filter. It is doing an amazing job at keeping the water clear. I did not add additional ammonia to kick start the nitrogen cycle, something I'm still learning. I might move the lucky Bamboo and some decor from my betta fish tank to introduce bacteria. I do plan to add fish and make it nice colourful community tank for the kids (including myself) to enjoy. Let me know what do you guys think or if you have any advice for me. Cheers