Dramatic 16G Tank Reconstruction

[slinky]

So after getting plants I found out that (a) I planted the anubias improperly and (b) using standard gravel is not recommended with double emphasis. So I dragged myself across the city to buy two 20 pound packages of Eco-Complete and two supposedly low-light plants (Wisteria and Red Crypt.) I also found some great stones to build a few caves which I've been seeing and reading the fish really enjoy. Since I found out that my wood floats, I yanked out everything but the water and started again... and WOW. I think the improvement is INSANELY great. Let me know your thoughts.

The Eco-Complete gravel is SO much nicer than the black with rainbow rocks I had before. While the vegetation is now much more dense than it was before, I've also noticed that the fish really like squeezing themselves into tight spots too. Leaving open the whole front and two side spots (and the back) allows the cories to school/shoal in full view when the want to (and they did soon after setup. I also built two caves - one on the left in front and the one on the right, which actually opens to the back and wraps a bit around the wood.

What I'd REALLY like to know is how badly I'll need a CO2 cannister. The "pro" at a real fish store said that the air pump is pretty much worthless, even at night. What really makes a huge difference is the CO2 during the day. If this is a definite yes, then which one should I buy for my 16 gallon bowfront?

Coming next is the 20" retrofit kit for my 15 watt light, which I am told will definitely not be enough to support plants, even low light plants, and I can get a 36 watt CF to fit. However, am I going to suffer an algae problem people? I've already noticed diatoms forming on the top end of the wood. Am I better off getting a glass top with a new lighting fixture? What a pain these little 10g-16g tanks are since nobody makes parts of the 20" width. I also bought Seachem's Flourite. So what else do I need to really keep the plants flourishing? I hope this effort is worth it....And now... without further waiting, the before and after pictures. I'll post more later this week of the tank and the new fish (I'll probably finish off by adding a pair of blue rams to the 3 Julii Cories, 2 Otocinclus, 2 Bumble Bee Gobies and 2 glo-fish (red and yellow which I may or may not decide to keep although they fit well and stay to the top.)

BEFORE

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AFTER

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[Dave66]

You're moving into a whole new world with live plants. If you got pressurized Co2, you'd need a regulator with a solinoid so you can plug it into a timer to turn it off at night. There are units for your size tank. Look here ([Only Registered Users Can See Links.]).
There are two books you need to buy. One is Ecology of the Planted Aquarium by Diana Walstad, and the other is Encyclopedia of Aquarium Plants, by Peter Hiscock. The first will make you become a planted tank expert, the second lists 150 plants with photo and husbandry information for each. It also shows how balancing light, temperature and Co2 levels can greatly improve plant growth. You could do DIY Co2, but they are difficult to control, as Co2 levels can vary markedly.
You won't need an air pump if you use pressurized with a timer, but if you keep a heavy fish population, you may want to use one at night just to drive off any lingering Co2.
Your Eco tank is shaping up nicely. You should be proud how its going, as right now, your tank looks larger than a 16.

Dave

[Lady Hobbs]

I think I would plug up that very tiny hole in your wood with a cork so no fish get stuck or make sure your fish are very small and will remain that way. Fish do tend to jam themselves in places and can't get out.

Tank looks very nice. Good job.

[Rue]

It does look better though! Congrats on the aquascaping!

[hpt84]

I love the natural look of the ecocomplete. It should greatly bring out the color of your fishes

[slinky]

Thanks Rue and everyone for the comments. It was so much work to finally learn the first time to get it this way. :)

Lady - Thanks for the suggestion! Very true but that small "hole" is actually just a cool knot in the wood and not hollow. I think I was lucky with this piece.

hpt84 - I had no idea what a HUGE difference using Eco-Complete is, with or without real plants. Colored black gravel was most tolerable and looking at them side by side I can't stomach the comparison.

Dave66 - MANY thanks for the books and the link. I will probably get the first eventually. For right now I'm just trying to maintain my small planted tank while keeping to an insanely busy work schedule. I can't believe my small 16 gallon is only that size but it is! The bow makes it look larger and I think the setup also helps give it a wider look.

I don't plan on having any more than 9-11 fish MAX in this tank. Despite what everyone says about how the 1 gallon rule doesn't matter as long as there is good filtering, I think that the fish act much happier with space and an ability to claim an area. If the LFS free Danios decide to take the highway (as they frequently do) I will probably put in 2 German Blue Rams and call it a day. Tank stock is currently:

3 Julii Corydoras
2 Bumblebee Gobies
2 Otocinclus
2 Glo-fish (Danios)

There isn't as much bottom room to add another Cory and I think they are happy in their threesome. Gobies are wonderful but a pain (mine only eat live food.) The 2 Otos are funny but you need vegetation and algae for them to eat. So I figure the 2 small blue rams will finish this little aquarium for a while. I didn't realize how pretty rasboras could be with their tin foil-like appearance. I was very taken in by these colorful emerald green tiger barbs I saw but I was warned that if I couldn't get at least 4 or more, they would be very aggressive towards other fish. In 4-6 groups they just play with their own.

so with all that said, I was thinking I don't need the CO2 in this small tank just for maintenance and minimal growth and will continue to put the light on for 10-11 hours a day and the air pump on when the light is off. All advice and comments are welcome and thank you!!!!