Owl's 20g planted journal

[Owlbehere]

Okay guys I am sitting on my floor at the moment surrounded by filter parts. :19:

I just got home from shopping! I had a 30% off employee appreciation discount at Petsmart and got a 20g set up. I wanted something small that I could have while we get the house ready to sell and move to Idaho. My other tanks are getting sold and staying behind with friends.

Purchase List:
20 gallon high tank, Black trim
Wrought iron stand for a 10/20g tank, Black
Glass top
Perfect a strip light, Black (this is until I get a really nice one)
Rena XP1 canister filter :18: rated for 45 gallons
100 watt heater
Glass in tank thermometer
Air pump
Long air stone strip
Small CO2 thingy... It was on sale for 10.99
Bag of Flourite

I have some filter floss that has been in my other tanks a while, I'm hoping to use it to cycle the tank. My betta will move in first. Then a few plants and fish later.
This is a low light/med light (when I get a better light) tank
With a Betta, Harlequin rasbora, and something else maybe.
I think the betta will love his upgrade from 3g to 20!

I will post photos tonight!

[Owlbehere]

:shappy: This filter rocks! The tank started out cloudy and murky and is clearing up sooo fast. I'm getting a background and more driftwood tomorrow.

http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/26001/2870110700105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2870110700105117783OyzXXo)
Empty shot

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/38356/2193699320105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2193699320105117783ggYmwL)
Filling up

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/43319/2625654300105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2625654300105117783dmvjHm)
FTS (cloudy)

I'm going to post more when I set up the BG and other Driftwood.

[Owlbehere]

Okay so today I got two new driftwood pieces and 2 Java ferns. One driftwood had it attached already and so that totaled 3 Java ferns. The mopani wood is floating in the tank and I don't have anything to weigh it down so I'm letting it soak up the water and sink when it is ready. I also don't mind it staining the water for a while. BTW, I forgot the background.
I got 3 harlequin rasbora to start my school. The betta is chasing them a little but I think more out of curiosity not aggression. He isn't flaring or nipping just getting really close and looking at them. In fact he has stopped. Hopefully I don't wake up to dead fish.
The Java fern isn't tied down but is wedged in the nooks well and I think will stay. I hope they perk up. They are not looking that great but were the best ones available.
I'm worried about the stand the tank is on and will post a question where more people will see it. It is designed for a 20g but the sides do not have support all around. Thinking of draining it and putting wood underneath it.
PHOTOS:
http://inlinethumb05.webshots.com/41796/2549010980105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2549010980105117783rWHUoC)
2 Java ferns (the one in the back is the one that came with the wood)

http://inlinethumb60.webshots.com/44027/2957450000105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2957450000105117783pIIdtI)
Other Java fern

http://inlinethumb21.webshots.com/36372/2296616610105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2296616610105117783tLAmWr)
Only single rasbora photo that came out

http://inlinethumb02.webshots.com/43265/2436268980105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2436268980105117783ujuwrt)
Betta in plant

[Owlbehere]

http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/41974/2451977410105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2451977410105117783AWFtjM)
FTS

edit: The water looks very un-level in this photo. But when I looked at the tank it doesn't look this off... Maybe the angle?

[MCHRKiller]

Tanks looking great! THe betta sure looks like a happy guy in there as well.

[Owlbehere]

Houston we have a problem. Well I was worried about this stand... Its not supporting the tank properly and one of the seams is getting milky. I hope it last till I get home. I'm going to move the tank to another stand for the time being return this stand... Then when I get my next paycheck purchase a new tank and return this one. I don't like having a tank with bad seams.

[Owlbehere]

So this morning I wrote that I was having an issue with the stand. I ended up getting today a new tank and stand. I tore down the old one and set up the new in about 30 min or less... GOTTA LOVE A PYHON. Well its looking really great. The new stand was on sale for 35.00 from 99.00. I'm returning the other stuff tomorrow while at work. I am still amazed that this filter clears the water so fast :18: .

The plants seem to be perking up. Still have brown spots but seem to be "opening" up. They are less wrinkled up. The middle driftwood sunk down into its spot. The betta likes to nestle down in between the two java ferns. I'm hoping Friday I can get 3 more rasbora.

PHOTOS:
http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/32798/2332429620105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2332429620105117783zVMvyp)
New Stand

http://inlinethumb59.webshots.com/41722/2747578030105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2747578030105117783sdOohl)
Tank

http://inlinethumb58.webshots.com/30073/2156234980105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2156234980105117783DgRQte)
The Rasbora and betta hiding.

[Oscar_freak12321]

That's looking great Owl! Good luck!

[Owlbehere]

Thanks! This stand is solid and supports the tank well... Oh and I spent a good bit of time making sure it was dead level. I don't think I will have that problem anytime soon. I need more rasbora. Although mine have colored up well and are in a scattered school.

[matthew.shelly]

wow, looks great. what a home for a betta! i bet he's happy. you should look into getting some more plants. wouldn't want the nutrient-rich substrate to go to waste... and the fish would enjoy more plants to hide in and feel secure.
where did you get the wood?
everything looks great!

[Owlbehere]

Thanks! All the wood is from Petsmart. Two of them were in the reptile section. I am planning on more plants. Probably Friday when I get the other fish If I can find some to go in my light.

[rich311k]

Tank looks great.

[Owlbehere]

Thanks rich!

[Owlbehere]

Added Corkscrew Vals and a BG.

http://inlinethumb09.webshots.com/43144/2456883160105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2456883160105117783aIEugf)
FTS

http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/42197/2495332730105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2495332730105117783wxAPee)
FTS again

http://inlinethumb51.webshots.com/23666/2583243850105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2583243850105117783VTrfka)
FTS down angle

http://inlinethumb20.webshots.com/21907/2818366660105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2818366660105117783oGaFAj)
Rasbora

Next purchases are more plants, @ least 6 more rasbora, better light.

[matthew.shelly]

cool. the val will look neat when it grows and fills in more. itll have a nice effect with the flow from the spray bar.

[Taurus]

Look like you're off to a great start! Kudos to you for going with the XP1.

[Owlbehere]

Thanks! I figured aw what the heck I get 30% off might as well get the best stuff.

[MCHRKiller]

Lookin great so far Owl! I agree thats a great filter choice but then I am like the Rena canister whore of the forum, Ive never used an XP1 tho how do you like it?

[Owlbehere]

Its excellent for this tank! At first it created too much current but after adjusting the spray bar it got better. I need to hurry up and order a better light because the Vals are dying.

Ah and super quiet

[Owlbehere]

I did a water change today. It took longer than usual because I had to pick all the pieces of corkscrew val out. Obviously not enough light and it disintegrated. I'm about to check the parameters... that will take forever as well because I only have one test vial left.

I have a new light on the way. I hope to grow more plants with it.

[MCHRKiller]

Your vals could have just melted from the move or drying out a tad on the way home. Vals IME dont like change...once established they will multiply like crazy but dont be shocked if you experience them loosing alot of their leaves in the process. I did a 5% bleach dip on mine to kill some filament algae for less than a minute...my vals lost 90% of their leaves because of just that.

[Goodbye]

Your vals could have just melted from the move or drying out a tad on the way home. Vals IME dont like change...once established they will multiply like crazy but dont be shocked if you experience them loosing alot of their leaves in the process. I did a 5% bleach dip on mine to kill some filament algae for less than a minute...my vals lost 90% of their leaves because of just that.

So thats why, when I had Corkscrew Vals, they kept loosing their leaves. I have been wondering that for a long time. I brough them home and they had a ton of leaves and about 2 weeks later almost all the leaves had fallen off.

[Owlbehere]

I'll post some pics later guys but just wanted to update.
My total of rasbora is now 6. Dave66 suggested the reason I'm not getting any readings in this tank is because the bio-load was too low. So now I'm checking twice a day to see is I get anything. In other news all the rasbora are eating!!! They were not before but now with 6 of them they are very ferocious eaters:). Oh and I added two small 1"x1" square air stones in the back and the biofilm is gone from the top now.

[Owlbehere]

I just love these guys. When I would see them at the store they just seemed boring to me. But someone suggested I give them a try and I did. I don't remember who or I would give them credit but they have really become a favorite. They have colored up almost instantly in my tank and some even have a bit of blue in them.

http://inlinethumb62.webshots.com/43901/2140657480105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2140657480105117783rYkLVa)

http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/41494/2623901620105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2623901620105117783RUiPZK)

http://inlinethumb31.webshots.com/42078/2774568260105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2774568260105117783vGoQNQ)

http://inlinethumb27.webshots.com/45530/2864249430105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2864249430105117783AJlQeR)

[rich311k]

Nice looking harlies!

[Owlbehere]

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/36517/2672964770105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2672964770105117783zBzMFH)
The betta is hard to photograph because he swishes his tail at the wrong moment. And I can't seem to focus on him.

http://inlinethumb56.webshots.com/42679/2267400410105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2267400410105117783zGlbnL)
Current FTS

[Owlbehere]

Thanks Rich! I really love them.

[Taurus]

I agree, Harlequins, when well cared for, are beatiful and so much fun to watch. thumbs2:

[Owlbehere]

And they school so tightly!!!

[Owlbehere]

So I got the new light today! I need to order a different lightbulb as one is Actinic (sp) and is for coral not planted tanks so I'm ordering the one for plants.

It should provide me with 48 watts total and 2.4 wpg. I also got some small LED lights from Petsmart that I forgot we sold. I need three total and I got one with the splitter. They are blue so I'm going to use them for my moon lights. Although the tank is very blue at the moment because of the Actinic light.

I'm about to set up the quarantine tank for the betta to fix his tail. Not sure whats going on but I'm going to give him some Melafix for now.

[Goodbye]

Nice Harlequin Rasboras and Betta!! thumbs2: thumbs2:

[Owlbehere]

Thank you Agassizii

[Owlbehere]

Very blue full tank shot :hmm3grin2orange:
http://inlinethumb23.webshots.com/38166/2688575230105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2688575230105117783uuUXLr)

[Taurus]

Nice shot! Looking great. thumbs2:

[Red]

its looking great, keep up the good work!

[Owlbehere]

I got some new plants today. Don't know what everything is, very vague descriptions. Picked up a 6500K plant bulb to replace the actinic blue one. I also got an oto. I hope it will clean up the fungus on the driftwood. The betta is eating well and fighting his reflection again. Tail still twisted looking. Nothing missing from it. Treating the tank with melafix. Not getting worse, tail not better but mood is.


New full tank shot.
http://inlinethumb39.webshots.com/44774/2905606100105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2905606100105117783AMhCpF)


Don't know what plant this is or if its even alive. Labeled assorted sword. But so is the one farthest right in the FTS.
http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/43689/2516010910105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2516010910105117783zuARhr)

[Owlbehere]

does anyone know?

[Owlbehere]

Well the oto must of had a field day because my tank had a lot of algae on the spray bar, and it is clean now. I dropped an algae wafer in for him as well hoping he gets nice and fat.

Betta is looking better. His tail is untwisting!

[matthew.shelly]

i think i read that its not good ot have a air stones in planted tanks because it airates the water too much and causes the water to loose any CO2 it has.

[PostalPenguin]

i think i read that its not good ot have a air stones in planted tanks because it airates the water too much and causes the water to loose any CO2 it has.

Thats only if you are going for a "higher" tech plant tank. For a lower tech tank without CO2 injection an airstone will actually help since it will keep more CO2 in the tank(from the air).

That is some type of sword. To me it kind of looks like the emmersed form of the amazon sword. Dont be surprised if those leaves start dying off since its just the plant adjusting to growth under water.

[domjd05]

I think that either looks like an argentine sword or an umbrella sword plant. They are both common in chain pet stores.

[Owlbehere]

Okay, thanks for the input. I will look those up :)!

[matthew.shelly]

Thats only if you are going for a "higher" tech plant tank. For a lower tech tank without CO2 injection an airstone will actually help since it will keep more CO2 in the tank(from the air).
oh neat. i didn't know that.
haha maybe ill have to add my airstone back into my planted tank since i don't have CO2. thanks for clearing that up for me.
oh and sorry to owl for the tangent on your thread.:threadjacked:

edit: oh one more thing...
how's your filter working out? how's the flow for the betta? im just curious how much current a canister filter causes in a 20g.

[Owlbehere]

It was causing quite a bit of flow especially with an air bar. I lowered the spray bar deeper into the tank and faced it slightly up. I also switched to two 1" square air cubes. The betta swims around fine now and doesn't seem to float around wildly. He does occasionally swim into the current for "fun" I guess lol. I love this filter... It kicks butt!

Oh and don't worry about the "thread jacking". It will obviously always be my journal but questions asked by other people regarding things here help me too! I need to know these things and my not think about asking.

[Hailey]

I have the same background! lol

Tank looks awesome!

[Owlbehere]

Thank you very much!

[matthew.shelly]

did you have to do anything to your wood before you put it in the tank?
i just pick up some mopani wood today from petsmart and was wondering if there was anything i needed to do to treat it. i figure it should be good to go since it came from petsmart.
im really excited about it.

[Owlbehere]

Just soak it unless you don't mind tannins. My 20 didn't change color but I have a great filter and don't know if that helped. Thats a great piece! I love how they come in so many different shapes. The two tone is nice too.

OH soak it or weight it down for a bit. Mine floated overnight but was on the bottom by morning.

[matthew.shelly]

any new pics or news on the tank? id love to see how the plants have grown

[bushwhacker]

matt, i'm sorry but an airstone will drop the co2 levels in the tank. due to outgassing from the surface agitation. it will raise the o2 levels tho... sorry matt i should have addressed that comment to postal penquin

[Owlbehere]

Time for an update I suppose.
Well, the only things to survive in the tank since the last update are the plants.

I slowly one by one lost each Rasbora. Then went the Betta. I'm not sure what got them, my only guess was a fungus as one had a white spot on its mouth when it died.

SO it now holds some fish I kept when I tore down my 46 gallon bowfront.
I have two platy and a runt molly. One lone oto. One lone Cory that got left when I took fish to the LFS, I have not gotten around to taking him too.

My happy little dysfunctional tank is doing well. All the fish seem healthy and happy. They are all brightly colored and show off in front of the tank all the time, including my Cory that begs for food.

My camera died while I was taking photos so I only have three. That strange plant has matured... It has purple leaves in the middle and green on the outside.

[Owlbehere]

Picture time!
http://inlinethumb53.webshots.com/45236/2760740310105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2760740310105117783ZuPjig) That plant that is wilted toward the front came off its tie down and was floating upside down for a while. I just put it back. Oh and I'm going to take out the bubble stone soon.


http://inlinethumb08.webshots.com/44167/2519257850105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2519257850105117783ChOdpL) Strange plant

http://inlinethumb38.webshots.com/25125/2401529290105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2401529290105117783pbqeMc) The other sword in the corner and my two fishy hams:)

Before:
http://inlinethumb30.webshots.com/4445/2905606100105117783S500x500Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2905606100105117783AMhCpF)

[rich311k]

Looks good. The plants look nice and healthy.

[Owlbehere]

I wanted to post updated photos but my mom took my camera on a trip with her lol... dang it.

My inhabitants the moment.
Red platy
Sunset platy
runt Dalmation molly
one Oto
and an emerald green Cory.

The cory got left behind when I tore down my 46G and took the fish to the LFS.
I want to know what you think about this cory... should I take it in too. He looks so much prettier in this tank than he did in the other one, his color really brightened up and got a metallic sheen. I know the footprint is too small for him. And he needs a school.

I'm also thinking of getting a new betta. Maybe a placket (sp)?

The plants are all the same as before. The fish really love swimming around the plants and staring at the snails in there.

When my mom gets home from her trip I will take some photos.

[Owlbehere]

So I went to petco today to see what they had.... Still no photos but I picked up a marimo ball and a betta. It was not a placket but I could not resist. Its a turquoise and red delta male

My dad was so funny. He was digging through my bags to see what I got, yea he is that bored being stuck in a cast and in bed all day, and saw the algae ball! He got so excited and was telling me how he would see them in the lake in Japan and how they periodically float to the surface and sink back down. He knew exactly what it was.

[Owlbehere]

Well, I think I need to make a trip to the pet store soon. Not to purchase... To give away.
My runt molly is getting aggressive and its time for it to go. My biggest platy is also causing trouble. She is piggier than the other platy and eats to the point I think she is going to explode... She is constantly bloated and fights off the other fish so they can't eat. She is a hog!
I guess while I'm at it I should take back the Lone Cory as well although I really enjoy watching it.

[Owlbehere]

I think I just came up with a clever way to set up my 46G for my mom cheaper than I originally planned. Which was purchase two new filters for it.

I am going to take most of the fish in my planted tank to the LFS. As stated above I am having issues. It will leave me with a betta and plants. I still have the HOB filter that came with it. I didn't use that filter because I used the Rena XP1 canister.

I'm going to put the 20G HOB on the 20g planted. I'm sure it will be enough for a betta and plants for now. At least until I get another backup one.

Clean the 46, change substrate, Move the Canister over to the 46G (rated for 45G) and add a new HOB filter. I measured and the hoses will fit as is.

Viola, my 20G planted can keep going and my mom's tank will be instantly cycled because I'm using a cycled filter for it :19:

So sound like a plan? :ssmile:

[matthew.shelly]

sounds like a great plan!

[rich311k]

Sounds like an excellent idea.

[Owlbehere]

Updated photos...
I'm having trouble uploading to Webshots.com so I am doing attachments here.

This is the before photo lots of sick starving plants.

[Owlbehere]

After rearanging driftwood and plants... and adding a new fertilizer with more nutrients. My plants were starving and dying. My only problem now is I have a ton of algae growing. All these stupid snails are not eating it.
http://inlinethumb13.webshots.com/16268/2501144330105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2501144330105117783mBtKLV)

The baby Java ferns
http://inlinethumb18.webshots.com/33425/2924431630105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2924431630105117783lvkWJo)

Ryu Guarding his ball
http://inlinethumb16.webshots.com/43791/2138633840105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2138633840105117783WKHOvS)

Plant yet to identify... a similar one at the store was labeled Melon sword
http://inlinethumb41.webshots.com/42792/2894570960105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2894570960105117783INWYRE)

[Owlbehere]

A much perkier and greener Java group
http://inlinethumb28.webshots.com/23771/2459499620105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2459499620105117783hhUSrg)

And Ryu showing off... he is the only one in here at the moment... aside from these pond snails. Any suggestions to remove them... assassin snail? ..........and help with the algae.
http://inlinethumb52.webshots.com/43763/2710114290105117783S600x600Q85.jpg (http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2710114290105117783cNeLxz)

[matthew.shelly]

everything looks awesome! great looking betta.

[rich311k]

Nice tank and I love the betta. Good job.