Recent content by SinisterCichlids

To be honest, it was an absolute impulse buy. When I went to petsmart I knew I wanted Javas, anubius, swords, and some carpeting plant like montecarlo. I got there and the carpeting plant option was s repens. A quick google search told me it’s low maintenance and slow growth. Therefore long...

This is exactly a two week update. The repens has definitely grown. I personally don’t know if I am going to like it as a carpeting plant, but I’m trusting the process here. I moved both Javas to the back right. It appeared that the two branches in filter current weren’t happy. So we will see...

Thank you so much! Honestly it’s nothing special, generic black sand from petco/petsmart. Can’t remember which one as it was years ago, but it was definitely the “store brand”. There is also some white in there !!

Thanks so much for the comment. Id be a fool to not save same money! Could you explain the dry ferts and how you would go about it, if you were in my position? Right now with a 30% water change weekly, I’m reading between 5.0 - 20 nitrates. Whatever products or tools you suggest to go that...

Here’s a bit of an update. I added 5 otos and 10 neon tetras. The s repens is growing slow, but I’ve noticed the roots really starting to ground themselves. The TC is cardinalis I believe. It lost its bright color, but I have since split the plant up and it seems to have regained color on the...

Cichlids can be tough. Some are more peaceful than others such as keyhole cichlids, mbuna labs, Rusty’s, acei. Peacocks are fairly decent too. I’ve never kept German blue rams together. I’ve only used them as centerpiece fish in community aquariums and they do great in my experience with...

Best of luck with the tank. I think it looks great !! Hope you continue to enjoy this hobby as well. I also just did my first planted tank, as I mostly always kept cichlids/mbuna so never got a chance before, but I’m really enjoying the process.

Thanks for commenting !! I was thinking of getting easy green, keep it simple and expand as I learn more and see what the tank needs!

Yeah I definitely want to add some floating plants !! I think having floating plants on the ends of the tank will provide for some much needed shade. I added flourish tabs to the substrate for a boost. I feel like I have a lot of learning to go with plants, but hopefully not too much trial and...

My first attempt at a planted tank currently housed by a GBR and hillstream loach. The plants are anubius, java fern, staurogyne repens, and tissue culture. Happy to hear your thoughts, questions, comments, and concerns :)

Is this a standard 20 gallon or a 20 gallon long ? A standard is 24 x 12 x 16. (The long is 30 x 12 x 12 just for reference) Once that's answered I would love to help you come up with some ideas for restocking! Tell me what fish you like as well !

Hello, might be best to answer these questions first and then more people will be able to help you! Best of luck Aquatic Emergency Template | Freshwater Fish Disease and Health Forum

They will be fine. Don't worry about it.

You can alter the carbonate hardness by adding limestone. I think that's the easiest way and should act as a buffer to your pH. BUT I would highly highly suggest trying to get an accurate reading on the kH before trying to "fix" something. If you have Low KH it might be effecting your pH and...

Hey, what is your ammonia level reading each day since the tank crashed? I can't imagine those three fish are creating that much of a bio-load in that decent size of a tank. Also how are you testing the parameters? Maybe bring some water to a LFS for them to test or buy a second api kit just to...