slakey

yeah I will look into buying some java fern soon.

slakey

Woop! Woop!

I just struck a deal with my dad about the fish tank

Weds - I put the first coat of paint in my mums office and I just told my dad I'll finish the room if I can have a new tank downstairs, and I told him I wanted a Rio 180 and we're going to have a look around tomorrow

So tomorrow after work I may have a Juwel Rio 180!!!

And I'll also look for shrimp and bn pleco if they've got any!

So the tank has been confirmed pretty much, so now it's time for the stock list!!!

Let the ideas commence!

P.S I'll be going for the setup on the earlier pages, of the rocks and plant pots.

Barbrella

Neither plecos nor cherry shrimp can tolerate those high nitrates you have. That's probably why the others died.

I would work on getting the levels down before adding either of those .

Wisteria is a fast growing plant that absorbs nitrates, so you might want to try that.

slakey

How come my corys and rams can survive?

Barbrella

Different fish have different sensitivities. Some, like most barbs, seem nearly immune to nitrites, and even some ammonia. Other species cannot tolerate a trace of ammonia, nitrites or high nitrates. Some can survive, but not thrive.

COBettaCouple

Shrimp and Plecos are both pretty sensitive.. shrimp especially and even moreso after they molt.

slakey

Okay, some my best bet is to get more plants and make sure I put plenty of Seachem Prime whe I do water change?

COBettaCouple

Yea, those can both help.

slakey

Would it be more effect if I put more Seachem in the tap water then whats actually needed?

COBettaCouple

I don't think it's really more effective, but a little extra doesn't hurt.

slakey

ok just checking

slakey

well i just got back from my nans place and she has quite a few big rocks in her garden... and i was wondering would I be able to use them if i bleach and boil them? also what about house bricks?

COBettaCouple

I don't think house bricks would work. Some rocks are ok, but you'll want to know what kind of rocks they are and check into them. Many rocks can leech chemicals or minerals, alter hardness and/or ph, etc.

slakey

How can I i.d them?

COBettaCouple

Either from your knowledge or getting information from others who would know. Otherwise it's a mystery what you're putting in the tank.

slakey

Ok, I may just take them into the LFS and see what they say.

Went to LFS and came back with 3 plants and three fish.

I did ask prior to getting fish with my nitrate and she said I was doing well if it's 40 as they get it out of the tap at 60ppm!!! *very hard water around here*

See pointed me to some juvenile bn's and my dad wanted 1 coolie loach but I got 2, and also to me surprise I got a free black molly in the bn bag lol!!!

Also whilst putting in the new plants I cam across a dead fish (female guppy) and she was pure white and her stomach had been split open and partly eaten... would this maybe be a reason for nitrate to be high?

COBettaCouple

That could contribute to the nitrates.

slakey

ok well its been taken out now and hopefully that'll help lower it and also the plants will.