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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Help with my tank please
First Post woop woop 
I have a freshwater 28 Euro tank currently running for about a week now
Gravel mixed with live substrate
Fish: crown tail beta
Plants: bamboo, peacock fern, White ribbon, onion bulb, Vallisneria
Decoration: one rock
Lighting: 15 watt
Temp: between 80-84 F pH 7.8ish
water quality is hard i believe
I unfortunately i believe that the peacock fern & white Ribbon r not water plants is this true? and my bamboo doesn't look like its doing well :/
should I feed my plants anything?
also how can I make my water softer?
Heres a list of what I'd like to put in my tank:
Crown tail
Ram cichlid
Pearl Gourami and or Dwarf Gourami
guppy (4)
cardinal or neon tetra (4-6)
sword tail if i can lower ph
possible some more later
what u guys think? 
ps i attached pics of my tank  | 
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Hello fishnchips and welcome to FL!! 
a betta doesn't do well with a community especially with the stock you provided. The betta would most likely pick fights with the gourami's and the guppies. What do you mean by 28 Euro, 28 gallons or Liters? Have you cycled your tank or did you just put the water in and then the crown tail? | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Hi Welcome to FishLore
Your tank looks really nice, someone else will have to answer your plant question. I can't keep them alive so I stick to plastic and silk. lol
Is is it 28 Liters or 28 gallons?
Knowing this would help answer your stock questions.
One thing though, if you want to get a betta, it would be best if he had a tank of his own (at least 5g's imo). Most Bettas don't make good community fish. Especially with Gouramis and Rams.
Unfortunatly, you'll end up with someone hurt or killed.
Here's our Betta Care Guide
Before adding any fish to your tank, please cycle it first.
Here's an explanation of the Nitrogen cycle
Here are Four Methods of Fish Less Cycling
I wouldn't worry about changing your pH or hardness. Many fish can adapt to different pH if acclimated slowly. Most times it's better to have a stable pH that having it fluctuate. That said, driftwood is a natural way to lower your pH.
I know I gave you a lot to read, but nothing can replace research before adding fish to your tank.
Best of luck!
Edit: Sorry, saw eiginh's post and re-read your post and see that you already have a betta in the tank.
Disregard the link to fish less cycling but read up on the nitrogen cycle.
Last edited by Lucy; November 3rd, 2009 at 05:09 PM.
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Hi guys thanks for the replies. I do believe I cycled the tank or at least Im in the process of cycling it, Im using Nite-Out II which is a "nitrifying bacteria" and live gravel. I let the tank run a few days then I put in the crown tail and he keeps swimming around and going up to the top to get water so i think he's fine. My tanks a 28 GALLON bow front sry lol. I really dont know what to do about my non-aquatic plants tho and my bamboo :/ petco! ahhh
I was gonna get some driftwood but Im waiting for my local fish store to get in a new shipment. Should I clean my tank to lower the ph and the hardness or is it to early? also Im confused about using a gravel vac, because Im worried that it would ruin and destroy my plants roots.
thanks guys
ps eiginh loven the entourage quote haha  Hello. I've edited your post for language, slang for foul word.
Thanks!
Ken
Last edited by aquarist48; November 4th, 2009 at 03:10 AM.
Reason: Language/Slang for foul word | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Welcome to Fishlore, your tank looks great.
the onion plant and the vall are aquatic plants, dont know about the others (take a look at plantgeek.com).
What kind of live gravel do you have?
The plants look fine in the pics. If you happen to have nonaquatic plants, you can simply take them out and plant them in a pot with some soil. | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Thanks Beth
idk why but my vall is looking transparent any suggestions?Do i need to anchor it to a rock?
the other two are deff not aquatic effing petco :/
I cant remember then name of it but its fine gravel and it said it had beneficial live bacteria
any suggestions on other plants to buy? | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| java fern, mosses, amazon swords are good ones to start with. you dont have to anchor the vall. is it close to the heater? could that be making it melt? It could be getting too much light. see what others say.
petco is notorious for sellling nonaquatic plants. try going to aquabid.com if you dont have access to plants in your area (like me) - i find the site addictive. | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| thanks ill check out that site , I think the light was on too long i was gone two days and no one turned off the light :S
are there any colorful plants you know of? | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| What kind of test kit do you have? Also what are your water paremeters? Some of those plants may require high light. You have .54 WPG (watts per gallon) which may not be enough to provide for your plants. As a precautionary warning, do not leave your lights on for too long b/c you may start growing algae which sometimes may be hard to get rid of! I haven't used Nite Out II but I hope it works with cycling your tank. I also suggest to re do your stocking list or get a new home for your betta.
Entourage is one of the funniest show!  | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| I need to go buy a new test kit mine doesnt measure everythng but i have taken it to the pet store and they said it was good. Soooo should I get a new light??
I no joke watched every season of Entourage in a week and a half hahaha love that show im hooked! | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Helper
| Bamboo is a land plant, I don't think it would do well in an aquarium.
From this site: http://mgonline.com/articles/luckybamboo.aspx Quote:
Place your Lucky Bamboo anywhere you want indoors except in direct sun. Kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, all are suitable for Lucky Bamboo
The "trick" to long term growth and happiness is to plant in rich loose soil. You most likely purchased your Lucky Bamboo in a container with water, but it actually needs to grow in normal soil
Also, the stones often associated with the plant when sold are nothing but decoration to get you to buy. The plant does not like or want the rocks
If you leave your Lucky Bamboo in water, eventually, your Lucky Bamboo will die, sorry
| Don't know enough to answer anything else though. | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by fishnchips  I need to go buy a new test kit mine doesnt measure everythng but i have taken it to the pet store and they said it was good. Soooo should I get a new light??
I no joke watched every season of Entourage in a week and a half hahaha love that show im hooked! | Don't mean to rain on your parade but I think you should put the API test kit on your list first.
Beth | |
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November 3rd, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| If you keep that Betta in your tank, make sure you have some tall plants that the Betta can rest/sleep on. Betta's need to go to the surface to breath air, and in a deep tank if they are sleeping at the bottom it could be too far of a trip to the surface. | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by jdhef If you keep that Betta in your tank, make sure you have some tall plants that the Betta can rest/sleep on. Betta's need to go to the surface to breath air, and in a deep tank if they are sleeping at the bottom it could be too far of a trip to the surface. | ya he does that a lot so I think he's fine. | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth1965 Don't mean to rain on your parade but I think you should put the API test kit on your list first.
Beth | So i listened to ur advice beth n went n got the API test kit
I know it may seem really dumb but I cant tell my nitrite level, I cant decide on wether its 1.0 or 5.0 heres a pic if sum one can help | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| That looks like the very bottom! Do you have any book lamps or really strong light? If so put the tube and the card under the light and it will help target the color. | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| it looks like its 5
what should I do? | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| %40 water change, do you have any water conditioners like prime or amquel+? | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| no I used the one that came with the tank
if i buy one of the API set ph things will that helps solve the levels
these are my levels
ph- 8-8.2 ammonia- .25
nitrite- 1 nitrate- 5 | |
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November 4th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Don't worry about your ph right, fish will get used to it as long as they get acclimated properly. What is the type of water conditioner that was given with the tank? Stock w/cs usually aren't that good. For example I bought a 6.6 tank that came with these 4 jelly wrapped looking water conditioners that are orange. Never heard of it and I don't plan on using it. If you can, grab some prime or amquel+. I prefer prime b/c you dose less meaning you use less | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| it was aqua safe water conditioner | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh Don't worry about your ph right, fish will get used to it as long as they get acclimated properly. What is the type of water conditioner that was given with the tank? Stock w/cs usually aren't that good. For example I bought a 6.6 tank that came with these 4 jelly wrapped looking water conditioners that are orange. Never heard of it and I don't plan on using it. If you can, grab some prime or amquel+. I prefer prime b/c you dose less meaning you use less | BTW
how does prime work do u add it to the tap water first then put it into the tank? | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Some add prime into the water in a bucket before adding it into the tank but I add the water first into the tank and then add Prime. If you have driftwood in the tank it will lower the ph a bit and also crushed coral as well. Make sure to keep up with the water changes | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| i bought a really nice piece of driftwood a few days ago and im letting it soak in some water and pouring boiled water over it a few times a day, I believe thats one of the methods to help with the acids in the wood. I just dunno if I feel safe still about putting it in the tank | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Welcome to Fish Lore FishnChips.  You have a wonderful set up!
Best of luck and I hope you enjoy the site!
Ken  | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| thnx ken
sry bout the language i didnt even realize I did it lol  | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by eiginh If you have driftwood in the tank it will lower the ph a bit and also crushed coral as well. | Actually crushed coral will raise the ph, where driftwood will lower it. | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| I have seen folks with bamboo in the tank by putting it in the filter or just making sure the top where the leaves are out of the water. | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Bum
| Quote:
Originally Posted by redlessi I have seen folks with bamboo in the tank by putting it in the filter or just making sure the top where the leaves are out of the water. | ya my bamboo was too short so im just gonna plant it, thanx tho!
ps sry bout last night | |
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November 5th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Quote:
Originally Posted by jdhef Actually crushed coral will raise the ph, where driftwood will lower it. | Oops!  Thanks jdhef | |
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