20L build

Here we go again! I am so excited to build my 2nd tank. It will be tank #4 but only the 2nd one I have built knowing how the hobby works. Sorry will be long winded as I'm planning out loud. All suggestions welcome if you make it to the end.

So here's the plan:
-20L needs a good cleaning and test it holds water. I'm going to use ammonia and water to clean it and wipe down with magic eraser after. Then paint the back black.
-Tidal 55 also needs a good scrubbing. Ill also setup a sponge filter on opposite side.
Or I'm thinking 2 aquaclear 20s on each end.
-I'm going black blasting sand substrate instead of white pfs this time. I might put 1/2 inch of organic potting soil. And cap it with an inch of sand. I think this will help with plant growth rather than needing tabs. I thought I'd add some tabs also while cycling just to add extra ferts to the substrate.
-I have 2 clip on lights that were made for an acrylic tank. So I need to figure out how to attach them to the rI'm or above the tank?

Next stocking plan:
One or two Dark rams
Thinking sterbia cory or Venezuelan cory. Since loaches won't like high temps.
Then maybe 2 honey gourami or a tetra school idk.

So will black background and black sand hide dark rams too much? I'll also plant it.

Pics to follow later!

 

I think a Gold Ram would probably look the best with the dark substrate and background, but that is just my opinion. I would also do school of tetra, like Cardinal, versus the Gourami.

 

that was my thought also. Maybe I do a light substrate instead

 

Going to be hard to see black fish against a black background ?
Just me as a fish person ,I would never use soil in a tank.That is plant persons thing .. I try to stay out of planted tank discussions [you 'll hear why ] .
I tend to focus on fish and have better success with them for not compromising them for a plant .Nothing about a planted tank is better for fish besides the plants ?? All the ferts are what fish people pour down the drain as fast and often as possible . We don't want them in our tanks and would never add them any other way then food for the fish ? Water change and food grow fish ..
My plants are sacrifices for the fish ,soil turns the table IMO?? You sacrifice a fish for a plant ?? I am not plant orientated but they are in every tank I have . But for the fish not me ?
Cardinals and sterbais with rams 82-84f [which many plants do not like either] .
Want to know the worst part ? None of those fish should be put in a tank less then 4 months established and running smooth ?
They are not a " I am going to set up a tank for them this weekend " fish IMO..
For the cards and rams I don't think just moving cycled media is great for them ?
There are other bacteria besides the ones we think we know about that need to be balanced for the fishes health ..

 

Many loaches actually like high temps - kuhli; clowns; ... there are lots othat prefer cooler temps but if you really want loaches....

Thinking sterbia cory or Venezuelan cory. Since loaches won't like high temps.
Then maybe 2 honey gourami or a tetra school idk.

So will black background and black sand hide dark rams too much? I'll also plant it.

Pics to follow later!

 

Going to be hard to see black fish against a black background ?
Just me as a fish person ,I would never use soil in a tank.That is plant persons thing .. I try to stay out of planted tank discussions [you 'll hear why ] .
I tend to focus on fish and have better success with them for not compromising them for a plant .Nothing about a planted tank is better for fish besides the plants ?? All the ferts are what fish people pour down the drain as fast and often as possible . We don't want them in our tanks and would never add them any other way then food for the fish ? Water change and food grow fish ..
My plants are sacrifices for the fish ,soil turns the table IMO?? You sacrifice a fish for a plant ?? I am not plant orientated but they are in every tank I have . But for the fish not me ?
Cardinals and sterbais with rams 82-84f [which many plants do not like either] .
Want to know the worst part ? None of those fish should be put in a tank less then 4 months established and running smooth ?
They are not a " I am going to set up a tank for them this weekend " fish IMO..
For the cards and rams I don't think just moving cycled media is great for them ?
There are other bacteria besides the ones we think we know about that need to be balanced for the fishes health ..

Yes I know that they like established tanks. And since I'm getting rams from you I'll definitely take your advice. My worry is how to establish the tank with no fish in there? I can ditch the cycled media and do a full fishless cycle. I also care more about the fish but enjoy the plants also. So I can work with just a sand substrate. I'll plan for lighter substrate and lighter background so the dark rams show up. So my issue now how do I establish a tank with no fish after the cycle?

Many loaches actually like high temps - kuhli; clowns; ... there are lots othat prefer cooler temps but if you really want loaches....

I didnt realize that kuhlI loaches like warmer water I can look into them.

 

Use fish you can easily use in other tanks .I would still try to use cycled media if you have some to help move it along and add maturity to parts of tank ?
20 long is perfect for a pair of anything[apisto] and breed them while you cycle [with good media]and change water ..Add some more or maybe even grow fry to grow the filters capacity and then move them all to larger tank and add the fish you have planned here .. That's how I would do it ..

 

Makes sense. I was only using cycled media to help and would add ammonia to finish the cycle. Maybe I do move apistogramma to breed or just transfer eggs and let them grow out in there. Open tank space is the issue. I don't have space to buy fish and move them. So fry might be a good option.

 

Maybe, just maybe if u heavily plant the tank from start it may help with the stability and lowering of ammonia /nitrogen compounds? My 2 cents.

 

Tank luckily not as dirty as it could be!

Just finished cleaning it out. It's ready for fish now!

 

Here's the filter. Will take a lot more scrubbing for sure.

 

Ah, the 20 long. I always wanted one but had to go for a tall since we didnt have much space. I hope all goes well! Dwarf cichlids are amazing.

 

Lastly for the day. My light hooks for an acrylic tank.

No idea yet how I get this to attach to the rI'm of the tank.

 

Can you put something inside to wedge it in place?

 

Can you put something inside to wedge it in place?

Idk what I would use to wedge it or to get it sturdy. So it's going to take some planning.

 

Is the hook a bit too big or small?

 

Too small. It won't fit over the top lip of the tank.

 

So I haven't been looking too hard into how I attach the lights. Been studying saltwater aquariums. That being said I am putting the 20L together the next 2 days.

I'm planning to go with black sand. I know dark rams will be hard to see. I then decided to go with a bright blue background. I figured the dark substrate will wash out rams some but the bright blue will help level the darkness. I need to get a few more plants and clean up the filter. Hardest part will be fitting the lights on the tank. More to come next 2days.

 

Good luck. Hope it turns out well!

 

Sorry is it a 20gal long or a 20 litre because that's a big difference. Also I vote you use seeded filter media just to help the cycle and of course wait out the period until it's cycled. I added a tadpole to one tank to keep the cycle and just regularly added fish flakes to another and it helped keep the cycle. I say you can never go wrong by adding a little plant life but that's just my opinion

 

Btw petco is having their 1 dollar sale on the tanks if you haven't purchased the 20 long yet. Of course they seem to always have these sales but whatever.

 

Thanks for the heads up I might pick up a 20 this week

 

It's a 20 Long. Got the back painted

 

Now I have to build 2 stands so I can fill it up. Not too much lol

 

Also yeah I know that Petco is doing dollar per gallon. I'm picking up a 40 g at the end of the month. I just need a stand for the 2 40 gallon and my hexagon so I can clear my son's dresser off and fill this. Got some black blasting sand. Some mopanI wood. I plan to cut some of my pogostemon octopus. A Java Fern and some rotala. I planned to have it running but the stands are holding me back

 

Sounds like a nice plan

 

She's finally wet! I'm only running filter with floss for the night to collect any lose particals of wood or sand. Will transfer plants and dose ammonia tomorrow night!

 

What kind of filter are you running?

 

Tidal 55. I will add a new sponge filter tomorrow. I might run my kessil a-80 on it while I build my saltwater tank.

 

Or figure out the lights I have. Might try to blow dry the clips to loosen them to fit around the rim.

 

How do you like the tidal so far?

 

It's super quiet. I put one on my 20 gallon hex and it's doing way better than the top fin I had.

 

Ignore the lights on top have to fix them. And plants were way to little to make a difference. Getting more this weekend. I didn't take into account the size of the wood. Going to be filled with tannin.

 

Or figure out the lights I have. Might try to blow dry the clips to loosen them to fit around the rim.

Tank looks great. I was going to suggest maybe heating the clips up and expanding them. Maybe if you can use a lighter or heat gun and spread them out it should get the plastic far enough apart to get them to fit over your rim.

 

That's the plan and I have a 36 inches long light on there also so it doesn't fit. But wanted some light for now.

 

So I ordered some new plants to spread between tanks. I got 12 stargrass and 3 Blyxa Japonica. Will get picks up when planted.

 

Ammonia dropping in about 2-3 days. Nitrites through the roof. Well around 5ppm. An 10ppm of nitrates so we are moving along. Did a 100% water change to remove some extra peat moss turning the water black. Figure another week and we will be cycled

 

Fingers crossed plants make it through transition.

 

Enjoy that tank! The 35 I have is acrylic and stunning but I still love my 20 long bc it’s easy to clean bc your arm is long enough to vacuum easily and if you ever need to catch fish it’s a breeze. Seriously today my 20 l water change took ten min. My acrylic took 3 hours.

 

My 29 took almost 2 hrs to plant and do wc the 20 took 25mins lol.

 

Here we go again! I am so excited to build my 2nd tank. It will be tank #4 but only the 2nd one I have built knowing how the hobby works. Sorry will be long winded as I'm planning out loud. All suggestions welcome if you make it to the end.

So here's the plan:
-20L needs a good cleaning and test it holds water. I'm going to use ammonia and water to clean it and wipe down with magic eraser after. Then paint the back black.
-Tidal 55 also needs a good scrubbing. Ill also setup a sponge filter on opposite side.
Or I'm thinking 2 aquaclear 20s on each end.
-I'm going black blasting sand substrate instead of white pfs this time. I might put 1/2 inch of organic potting soil. And cap it with an inch of sand. I think this will help with plant growth rather than needing tabs. I thought I'd add some tabs also while cycling just to add extra ferts to the substrate.
-I have 2 clip on lights that were made for an acrylic tank. So I need to figure out how to attach them to the rI'm or above the tank?

Next stocking plan:
One or two Dark rams
Thinking sterbia cory or Venezuelan cory. Since loaches won't like high temps.
Then maybe 2 honey gourami or a tetra school idk.

So will black background and black sand hide dark rams too much? I'll also plant it.

Pics to follow later!

The stocking idea you listed would be pretty heavy on your bioload-- is that for the 20L or 55?

 

It's for a 20 Long. I am completely lost at what to put in here. Maybe just some rams and call it a day.

 

The stocking idea you listed would be pretty heavy on your bioload-- is that for the 20L or 55?

Or I'm thinking about 7 threadfin rainbows and rams.

 

Tank looks nice and clear. Hopefully your plants start taking off once they’re established

 

And we are cycled! Now what to stock..

 

Thinking about calling a lfs in Columbus that I went to and getting 10 threadfin rainbows I seen. Or runmy nose tetras.

 

Rainbows are a great idea