Noticed the bucephalandra finally pushed out a new leaf, first one since I planted it back in August. Everything else is just doing its usual growing, nitrate's sitting around 12ppm, temp steady at 77F. Small win but I'll take it.
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canister swap day
Swapped the media around in the Fluval 307 today and somehow turned a 20 minute job into an hour and a half fighting with the intake tube fittings. Got water everywhere, shrimp probably judging me the whole time. Flow's noticeably better now at least, worth the headache I guess.
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day 85
Carpet's coming along nicely, still a couple bare patches but way better than a month ago. Noticed the endlers keep chasing each other around the sword plant like it's their own personal arena, same three fish every time too. Moss on the wood is finally thickening up which makes the whole scape look less sparse.
Grow-in progressPhoto Date
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week 6-ish
Did a water change today, pulled 25% and trimmed the hairgrass edges since it was flopping over. Found a cherry shrimp molt stuck in the carpet, freaked me out for a second thinking something died. Tested after, ammonia 0, nitrite 0, nitrate around 10ppm. Pretty happy with that.
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the CPDs are in
Added the celestial pearl danios today, first fish in the tank. Bag was floating for a bit to match temp, sat right around 77F. Only got a small group to start and they're already darting around near the moss. Been trying to name a couple based on markings but honestly they all kinda look the same so I gave up after two names.
First fish going inPhoto Date
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day 14
Two weeks in and there's this brownish film starting on the glass and a bit on the substrate too, classic diatom stuff I think. Kinda ugly honestly but I know it's normal this early. Hairgrass sprigs are still tiny and sad looking but at least something's happening in there.
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day 3
Filled her tonight, filter's running now. Mixed up prime at the full 40 gallon dose, didn't want to mess around with the driftwood tannins throwing off readings before I even get a baseline. No livestock, just letting it cycle and stare at empty water for a while.
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day 0
Hardscape's finally in. Spent like 45 bucks on wood alone and then threw my back out hauling the substrate bags up two flights of stairs, so this tank better be worth it. No water yet, just dry rock and wood sitting there looking kinda naked. 40 gallons of potential I guess.
