8 entries · Page 1 of 1
Swapped in the Fluval E200 heater today... Took longer than expected getting it positioned so it wasn't visible behind the stone, kept knocking a plant loose every time I adjusted it. Box is still sitting by the stand, haven't broken it down yet. Tank's looking close to how I pictured it now.
Looking a lot fuller lately. Noticed the vallisneria kept flopping over so I moved it a little further from the flow of the filter output, seems to be standing up better now. Moss is getting thicker too, still a few gaps in the carpet but it's getting there.
Getting a decent algae outbreak on the leaves, kind of a green fuzzy look... Cut the light schedule back by a couple hours and lowered the intensity a bit on the Chihiros to see if that helps. Not doing a full blackout, just easing off for now.
Did a water change and small trim today... Took almost an hour all together, longer than I expected since I had to untangle some moss that had drifted into the intake. Tank looks cleaner now at least.
Added the celestial pearl danios today, 30 days after setup so figured the cycle had enough time. Let the bag sit on top of the water for about 20 minutes then added small amounts of tank water over the next hour before netting them in... They went and hid immediately but I saw a couple already picking at the glass by evening.
Noticed a dusty brown film on the glass and substrate this week... Diatoms I think, from what I've read this is normal during cycling. Kind of gross looking but not worried about it yet, just wiping the glass when I do a peek in.
Got the water in and the filter running today. Set the heater to 76 for now since that seemed like a safe middle ground for the danios and corys later on... Water's a bit hazy but I think that's just from the substrate settling. Plants look so small and sparse right now, hard to picture it filling in.
Hardscape is in, no water yet... Happy with how the stone sits.