New 90 Gallon Adventure!

[ErinV]

Seasoning is in full swing. Numbers are on the high side right now. I know that I need to do a bit of a water change but need to figure out how to do so without sucking up the fry. They are getting bigger and go crazy for the for the fry food. Snails are happy and making babies and plants are happy. Going to monitor or the next few days and figure out next steps.

 

[ErinV]

Looks like I will be doing another 50% water change today. Nitrites are still through the roof. Although snails seem to be loving it. Than it will have time over the weekend, (as I am away) to season a bit more. I will test again on Monday and see if I need to do another one. Water bill is not going to be pretty this month.

Also it is very intresting the difference between a strip test and a chemical test. 

In 🇨🇦 so I can't get Co-op strips.

[ErinV]

Tank is getting dialed in. Here are my numbers from last night's tests, so Monday July 12th. I had done a huge water change on Friday July 9th.

Ph - 7.6

High Ph - 7.4/7.8

Ammonia - 0/0.25 - colour (🇨🇦) was between the two.

Nitrite - 0.25

Nitrate - 10/20

KH and GH are both 7 - love that my lfs owner told me I did not need to buy this test kit as our "water is so hard you could walk on it". I was just curious and wanted to have numbers for you. Mind you this is from the tank after being set up. I have yet to test tap water. 

Temp is currently 77*F. It sat at 82/84 for a long time and has slowly come down. I like it around 77/79 because it gives a bit of wiggle room up or down.

Ramshorn and Bladder snails are very happy and proofing it with lots of mating and egg laying. Unfortunately I have only seen 1 fry in the last few days. Could be a different one each time or the same one. It is definitely getting bigger.

I have also added a second light. All my plants are low light or low side or medium light buy wanted to to reach a bit more to the corners. In pictures it is hard to see the difference but you can see it in person for sure.

I know a few have you have asked for set up, so here it goes. Nothing fancy.

90 gallon 

Fluval 304 on about 3/4 power right now.

2 4 inch round air stones again on about 3/4 flow. 

Lights - Aqueon overhead White/Blue LED - not sure of model. Had it for 30g but it was to much and was right in our eyes no matter where we sat in the living room. Tank is up higher on a TV stand.

Aqueon 30 inch Day White Led. It is part of a lid hood set I have had sitting around.

(Not sure why upside down)

Heater

I have bought most things at the best quality for my budget and also what is available at my LFS and on Amazon Canada. I also think that some products may be the same but sold under different names. 

Let me know if I missed anything.

I will post plant stock in a separate entry. I have a few more I am picking up later this week.

 

 

[ErinV]

I am in love with my tank. Plants are doing well and first round of fish are settling in nicely.  I don't think any of my surprise fry made it. I figured that it was time to give you my plant stocking list. All my plants are low to low end of medium light.

*Salvinia Floating

*Hornwory Floating

*Amazon Sword

*Java Fern

*Anubias Nana

*Hygrophilia Polysperma

*Bacopa Caroliniana

*Water Wisteria (sold as sprite but leaves seem to big)

*Jungle Vallisneria

*Narrow Leaf Vallisneria

[ErinV]

Above pictures are giving away some of the fishy friends. That list will be in the next post.

[JettsPapa]

If this is the plant you said was sold as water sprite but you think is water wisteria, you're right.

[lefty o]

tank is looking nice.

[ErinV]

On 7/22/2021 at 10:44 AM, JettsPapa said:

If this is the plant you said was sold as water sprite but you think is water wisteria, you're right.

Yes it is. Looks a little funny right now because it has about a 2 inch section with leaves grown out of water while camping in my 30g. Now it has a couple of inches of new underwater grown leaves.

[JettsPapa]

On 7/22/2021 at 12:59 PM, ErinV said:

Yes it is. Looks a little funny right now because it has about a 2 inch section with leaves grown out of water while camping in my 30g. Now it has a couple of inches of new underwater grown leaves.

It's a great plant, and will do very well if it likes your tank conditions.  I have some in my 65 that completely hides the HOB intake tube, heater, and sponge filter, and frequently needs trimming because it reaches the surface.

[Mmiller2001]

Looking good!

[ErinV]

Time to let you in on the fish inhabitants of the 90g. I had two losses at the beginning of a couple Angel's that seem to have come from an off order at the lfs. They were really good about it and even said that I should hold off on getting more as they have not been impressed with them lately. I love that they are more concerned about happy fish and customers then sales. Everybody else is doing great and loving live.

10 - Silver Tip Tetra - First time having them.

9 - Black Skirt Tetra - I love these guys and have had them multiple times.

4 - Zebra Danios - Have some in 30g as well.

2 - Striped Angel's - been a long time since I have had Angel's.

2 - Longfin Rosy Barbs - First time owning.

2 - Opaline (Blue) Gourami - First time.

1 - Golden Gourami - First time.

Ramshorn, Bladder and Malaysian Trumpt Snails

Plan was to have 3-5 Angel's and add some Rummynose. Not sure if that is still the plan. I am open to suggestions. The Blush Angel's would have added some really nice colour to the tank.

Also got a couple Red Flame Amazon's that I will plant in the next couple of days. Plants are growing like crazy.

Edited July 29, 2021 by ErinV

[FrozenFins]

@ErinV I too live in Canada and dont have acess to co-op test strips. I have been using the API Liquad Test Kit as well as the Tetra Test Strips both produce almost identical results. I have found the tetra strips at walmart for like $15.

I find that whenever I have a plan with stocking when setting up a tank, it usually changes once I visit the LFS🤣.

Awesome to see that you finally have fish for this tank!

Edited July 29, 2021 by James Black

[ErinV]

On 7/28/2021 at 9:18 PM, James Black said:

@ErinV I too live in Canada and dont have acess to co-op test strips. I have been using the API Liquad Test Kit as well as the Tetra Test Strips both produce almost identical results. I have found the tetra strips at walmart for like $15.

I find that whenever I have a plan with stocking when setting up a tank, it usually changes once I visit the LFS🤣.

Awesome to see that you finally have fish for this tank!

I use the same ones.

[Jungle Fan]

@ErinV I love your choice of plants, and fish, as well as the hardscape. Looks great! Don't know if you can get them in Canada, and this box is a bit pricey but I've found the tests more reliable than the API, and it's got most of the relevant tests all in it.

[ErinV]

I also want to add some corydoras of some sort as I have never had them before.

[JettsPapa]

On 7/29/2021 at 7:48 AM, ErinV said:

I also want to add some corydoras of some sort as I have never had them before.

I'm a big fan of them, especially the smaller ones.  I have panda, trilineatus, and pygmaeus, and like all of them.  The Corydoras pygmaeus are especially fun to watch, though they might be too small for your tank.

[lefty o]

On 7/29/2021 at 7:48 AM, ErinV said:

I also want to add some corydoras of some sort as I have never had them before.

cory's are a fun addition.