8 entries · Page 1 of 1
170 days in now and the Monte Carlo has taken over almost the entire foreground, way past where I originally planted it. Had to trim it back from creeping up the spiderwood last week. Anubias nana is doing fine too but the carpet growth is what's stood out the most the last month or so, went from patchy clumps to a solid mat pretty fast once it got going.
Not much going on, just noticed one of the nerites has been parked on the same piece of spiderwood for like 3 days straight. Rest of the tank ticking along, water params normal, nothing to report really.
Compared to may this thing looks like a different tank. Monte Carlo has finally knitted together into an actual carpet instead of separate clumps, and the anubias has pushed out a few new leaves that are noticeably bigger than the original ones. Back in the early weeks I could see bare Amazonia everywhere, now it's mostly green. Minnows school together more too, guessing they've settled in.
Did a 30% water change and trimmed the Monte Carlo edges that were creeping onto the substrate path. Also snipped a couple older anubias leaves that had some algae spots on them. Gravel vac picked up a surprising amount of debris for such a small tank. Temp holding steady at 74F, shrimp were out and about while I worked which was nice to see.
Added the white clouds today, 6 of them, first livestock in the tank.
Day 14 of cycling and I keep checking ammonia/nitrite way more than I need to. 0.25 ppm ammonia today, nitrite still reading 0. It's hard not to just throw shrimp in there already. Tank looks the same as last week basically, water's crystal clear now at least. Trying to remind myself there's no point rushing this part, ADA soil takes its time leaching but man it's slow.
Filled her- no. Filled it up today, water's a bit hazy from the substrate settling, should clear in a day or two. Filter is running, heater set to 74F for now since it's just cycling with no livestock. Planted Monte Carlo in small clumps and a couple anubias nana on the wood, everything looks tiny and sparse right now. Going to leave the heater alone for a while and just watch temp stability before I add anything.
Spent most of today just getting the stand level before touching the tank. Used a torpedo level, had to shim one corner with a piece of cardboard, kept checking it like 5 times. Dry scape is in - spiderwood placed the way I want it, ADA Amazonia Ver.2 down as substrate. No water yet, just looking at the bag of substrate wondering if I bought enough. Plan is to fill tomorrow or the day after once I'm sure the stand isn't going anywhere.
