My 1 Year Journey

It has been 1 year since I started on this “Wet Pet” and “Underwater Gardener” journey. During this short time I have learned so much but the more I learn, it is apparent that I still have a long way to go. It has been very enjoyable, educational, nerve racking, fun and even comical at times. Except when I tallied every purchase into a nice spreadsheet. You really do not want to know, let’s just say $$$’s.

Okay, so here goes. First pic of my 55 started end of January last year (I know big deal, but it was a start)




I have met and conversed with a good number of people from all walks of life who enjoy and willingly share their own mistakes and successes. First and foremost I need to “Thank” the members from Fishlore, Planted Tank, PRAquactics and my local Aquarium Club – NEOFISH for the help, guidance and support they have given. Some unknowingly of course by having the courage to share their own pitfalls in the threads they post. I am sure without all of you this journey would have been unsuccessful. Granted I still have so much to learn. I have to admit I have had some “Duh” moments along with some very rewarding experiences. Just recently I was reading a thread and commented, thinking I had something relevant to add. I even prefaced it with “Just a Freshman here”. I later did some reading of related threads and most of the participants had upwards of 20-30 even 40+ years in the hobby. So now I refer to myself as a “Pre-Schooler”. I have experienced a lot of issues I could share here (kind of long winded already) but if you look up some of my threads most are mentioned.

Progression pics of the tank to present.
April 2017



June 2017


August 2017


Oct 2017

November 2017


Present



Just throwing this out there. Here are 4 rules I have made for myself.

#1 – Research, Research, Research then when I am ready to spend the $’s. Stop and Research some more. In hopes to prevent “Duh” moments like my first. I have to laugh now but when I first started I wanted some plants. Started looking up ferts, found this one called “Excel”. I figured the name says “Excel” must be good for plants. Silly me without knowing ordered a liter size. Boy did I feel like an idiot after it arrived and I read up on what it is exactly.

#2 – Quarantine everything before adding to my tanks. About 6 months ago, I really got concerned when I noticed large opened bottles of ICH treatment in every chain store and LFS near me and also the horror stories I have read on the forums. I was very lucky I did not bring any diseases into my tanks.

#3 – Patience – That old adage “You have to learn to walk before you can run” Definitely works with fish and plants. Ultimately want a 120 gal Planted Discus Tank. After a year, I feel I am still not ready.

#4 – Remember every tank is as different as a fingerprint. What works for one does not necessarily work for all. By the way I now have 5 tanks. And every tank is different.

“Multiple Tank Syndrome” it is a real I am living with it. No cure.
Still enjoying my “Wet Pets and Plants” journey. Good Luck with yours.
Thanks for reading, if you got this far. On to year 2.

 

Love how your aquarium changed over time! Research is so much fun!

 

wow looks great, what kind of ferts are those I see in the pics I am curious lol I'll take what your having I feel like my flourish is just brown water

 

Piaelliott Thanks!
I was surprised myself without the pics I am not sure I would have remembered how it has changed over the last year. I am already thinking about a Re-Aquascape. But doing my research first. Any recommendations on different low to medium light plants without Co2? So far I want a Red Tiger Lotus for sure.

dwarfpufferlover Thanks!
I felt my plants had reached a plateau with the Seachem ferts. So decided to do some research and with recommendations from members here. I decided to give NilocG DIY EI Liquid Fertilzers a try.
I posted a thread to document the growth here.
Starting Nilocg Ferts -- Underwater Gardener -

 

I've read in proper doses, Excell works good. Did you have problems with it? I just started using it.

 

Thanks jmaldo will look into this, Seachem is great and all, and inexpensive for smaller tanks but I feel like it's not doing anything anymore. My anubius plants took off and are at a standstill now.

I've read in proper doses, Excell works good. Did you have problems with it? I just started using it.

I do also like excel but I can't really use it because I have invertebrates

 

Hmmm.
Excell and shrimp are compatible?

And, from Seachem support...
Flourish Excel & Shrimp - Seachem Support Forums

 

Hmmm.
Excell and shrimp are compatible?

And, from Seachem support...
Flourish Excel & Shrimp - Seachem Support Forums

It’s up to you if you want to use it, I can’t remember the ingredient that’s in liquid co2 but it’s harmful to invertebrates. Some like myself have had a bad experience using it, my nerite snails did not agree and became lethargic.

There are tons of forums about this on here, took me a while to decide to not use it.

 

TexasGuppy
I have researched and read a lot of the negative and also positive experiences people have. So it is a personal choice. I do use it the 55 at normal dosing. Inhabitants include Mystery and Nerite snails along with Amano shrimp. No issues. I did have Vallisneria in the tank and really minimal growth and it appears Vals do not like "Excel". Without it they grow like crazy in my Planted Shrimp 10 gal.

 

Here is a pic of my Planted 10 Shrimp tank started in July

 

I like August the most

 

KadI Thanks
Oh, by the way. Welcome to Fishlore!

 

Just ordered the Thrive S invert specific line. I decided to not go with the micro macro bottles since I have smaller tanks and low-light plants/no co2.

I hope the convenience packaging ( thrive bottles ) works out to be the same.

Edit: any tips for using the Finnex string ray fixture with the ferts on a low light 20L ..@jmaldo

Right now I'm keeping it simple with a 30% WC every 2-3 days with a dose of flourish. Lights on 7Pm to 12am

 

dwarfpufferlover
During my research Thrive had good recommendations. I was going to use the Thrive but decided to go with the NilcoG Dry. Just due to the amount of tanks I have and the ability to to try different ratios of ferts to water if needed. I use the Stingray on a timer 3.5 hrs on siesta 2 hrs off and 3.5 on then off the balance. This works for me. You'll need to experiment with your light times. The best advice I have found is have light on normally no more then 8-10 hours then adjust the time depending on the algae growth. Some members say start with 6 hours and go from there. I would follow the recommended dosage on the Thrive. I do 50% water changes weekly. Hope this helps.

 

thank you!

 

That's some great plant growth you had over the 12 months. Tank looks great!

 

TexasGuppy
I have researched and read a lot of the negative and also positive experiences people have. So it is a personal choice. I do use it the 55 at normal dosing. Inhabitants include Mystery and Nerite snails along with Amano shrimp. No issues. I did have Vallisneria in the tank and really minimal growth and it appears Vals do not like "Excel". Without it they grow like crazy in my Planted Shrimp 10 gal.

So I guess the jury is out on Excel with snails and shrimp? And Vals?

I have all 3 (snails, shrimp and Val’s) and try to weigh the benefits versus the risk. In one tank I quit dozing with Excel because the Val’s just weren’t recovering from the original shipping melt. But other plants thrived.

I wish there was a simple answer but I guess it is just trail and error, case by case?

I’m gone for 9 days so i’ll see how the Vals do without Excel in my absence.

Edit: I nearly forgot to thank you for sharing. Really enjoyed the progression photos.

 

Wonderful thread. Thank you for starting it.

 

TexasGuppy
I have researched and read a lot of the negative and also positive experiences people have. So it is a personal choice. I do use it the 55 at normal dosing. Inhabitants include Mystery and Nerite snails along with Amano shrimp. No issues. I did have Vallisneria in the tank and really minimal growth and it appears Vals do not like "Excel". Without it they grow like crazy in my Planted Shrimp 10 gal.

I have the same issue with jungle Val, but Italian Val doesn’t seem to mind.

Sorry for the double post.