My 55g

[Alltheicons]

So I decided to start cycling my tank with fish. I couldn't bare to look at a empty tank any longer, so i chose 6 black skirts. But, the next fish I add, once i build up some bacteria, has got to be a algae eater of some sort. As you can see in the picture below it's starting to build up in the back. Any suggestions? The end goal for this tank is to support GBR's. Also i added the Black Skirts 2 days ago and 24 hours later my test read. pH = 7.6(with my tap being the same), ammonia<0.25ppm(mg/L), Nitrate = 5, and Nitrite = 0. How often and how much would you suggest to do for water changes for the 6black skirts in a 55? Also do i want to stop flourishing my tank or do it on less of an occasion or what? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Alltheicons/Pictureasdf028.jpg

[Northernguy]

Do your water changes every time you see your ammonia or trites spike.Your perameters will get high,even with just those small fish. I do understand not wanting to wait.
I wouldn't get a fish for the algae yet.Wait till its complete.

[dancethenparty]

well i love my BN pleco. he does a very good job in keeping the algae away.

[Alltheicons]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Alltheicons/Pictureasdf040.jpg
Up to date photo(pre CO2).

Hooking up the CO2 today. Lets see how fast everything will grow now. Hopefully i can bring the Rotala Wallichi(far right) back to life a little.

[domjd05]

Are those all live plants? I thought they looked plastic until I saw you were using Co2..

[Northernguy]

My Bn used to eat algae but stopped! I thinking about a clown pleco now.

[Alltheicons]

Yep, all real. Moonlights a go woooo :P now only if it was a saltwater tank everything would glow a little better.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Alltheicons/Pictureasdf.jpg

[bushwhacker]

what is that plant? not the one next to the white rock but the one to the left of it? i got a pile of it and cant remember the name to save my life... green plant red ends with round leaves

[Amazon]

beautiful tank!

[Alltheicons]

Ludwigia Ovalis i believe. I think the common name is Red Ludwig.

[Alltheicons]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Alltheicons/Pictureasdf045.jpg

[domjd05]

Looks great, what did you use for substrate? Eco complete? If so, how do you like it so far?

[Alltheicons]

Yep, it's Eco-complete. Kinda hard to say because being this my first tank, but everything has been growing great so far. My only concern is if the rocky substrate will damage my cory's barbells. So far so good though. Possibly gonna add some sort of sand over top once everything I would like is planted or until I think the tank looks complete. Haven't looked too much into that yet though.

[Alltheicons]

A few more plants. What I think is hair algae seems to be coming back again on the front glass. I think its the window across the room; gonna put up some curtains.
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Alltheicons/Pictureasdf083.jpg

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a95/Alltheicons/Pictureasdf092-1.jpg

I think one of my tetras caught me taking a picture of the non visible side of the tank. : P

[brianyu]

thumbs2: look great , but how it the cycle going ? it it done ? u can add some otos after the cycle for algae control .

[Alltheicons]

Best way to tell? I did a test today, but I did a 50% water change 2 days ago. Everything was 0 and pH is 0.4 lower than my tap. I used seeded media when I added the Black skirts. My guess would be when everything is 0 the day of my next water change then it is cycled?

[Lab_Rat]

Looks nice! You're actually doing a silent cycle with all those fast growing plants so your readings will be a bit different. If your ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate are all reading zero I would add a few more fish. Those plants are sucking up nitrogenous wastes and using them. You may need to start dosing nitrates if you keep having nitrate readings of zero. Plus, the use of seeded media gave you an instant cycle.

[Chrisinator]

Are you sure your not talking about something else because if your pH is 0.4 that's extremely acidic. Water's pH is usually around 7, but can vary. Also, pH doesn't change during a cycling. Only Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate.

[Wild Turkey]

The tank is looking great pal, growing in nicely and we can do some algae trouble shooting later on if you want



His tank is cycled, I know because the seeded media came from one of my tanks XD

The ph being a few points lower than your tap is perfectly normal and pretty much exactly what Id expect.