20 Gallon Long Planted Tank Build- Pictures yah!

[devonjohnsgard]

Hi everyone,

So, I've been hanging around in this forum for some time now and even had the pleasure of helping others in other tanks aspects, but now it's my turn!

A little history. When I was in high-school I had a fun time keeping a 55 gallon freshwater tank. It was different for me then, because I didn't have a real understanding of what was happening with my tank. For example, I had no idea of the Nitrogen Cycle. Things like this that would be very helpful. To me it was a hand-me-down tank, so I took not very much interest in it. I've kept only bettas since then, but now, I currently work at American Aquarium Products, which is a leader in providing in-depth information on all aspects of tank keeping on the web.

It was a right-place at the right-time type of situation and now for the last 2 1/2 years, I have been learning all aspects of freshwater, saltwater, ponds, lighting... Now I have a great sense of what is happening with my tanks.

So with that, I'm starting two new tank builds! I have one 20 gallon long tank with plans to make it heavily planted. While I'm doing my build, I'm thinking of what would be best for plants and then the fish. I want the plants to grow up and out of the tank if possible. I don't plan on adding CO2, but use methods that don't waste off the CO2 from the tank.

I have seen some great set-ups with just some good water parameters, great lighting, and reg ferts. I think it's going to turn out well.

The whole reason for this tank is because my 8 year son "wants sharks". So, I figured some little freshwater ones would be cool. I'm also placing the tank in his room, because it's for my boys and I have to make some room for my 40 gallon reef build I'll start a new thread when I get that one going, but that tank is more for me and my wife. We love the ocean and I have some big ideas.

So, with that, I'll post pictures. I only have one today, but lots more to come.

I'm putting the tank on my sons dresser and plan to have a nice clean HOB set-up. I've also ready secured the dresser to the wall, so there is no mishaps.

I bought this tank off a friend/co-worker (thanks Steven!) and he even gave me some aged media to start the process. I had to do a little clean job on the tank. More pictures about this after the weekend.

So this is the first picture! See how it looks now and we compare it after it's established.



Feel free to chime in. This will be a fun build!

yes, my kids love Minecraft

[devonjohnsgard]

So, I had more time this weekend to work on my boys tank. Coming along quit well. Here's a picture heavy moment :S
I'll give a little snippet as to why I'm doing what I'm doing.


Used a seasoned sponge filter to get the tank going. I'm hoping to have the tank cycled 1-2 weeks.


A good mix of gravel rocks and SeaChem Flourite. Also got this from my buddy Steven. He also gave me the aged media. I also have a thick layer of the SeaChem Flourite for the plant roots.


Cleaning the aquarium. Razor blade was my best bet. Started with window cleaner, then wiped it down with apple cider vinegar.


All clean


The first layer of Fluorite goes in.




You can see the layers. I'm hoping to do my plant roots good.


Got the Hydro Sponge will made up to be placed in the aquarium. I cut the lift tube, so make it so there is not such a harsh breaking of water tension. Putting half aged media and half a new filter.


How I secured the dresser





What I used to get my tank going. Hoping for a quick cycle. I know these two products have great reviews.


Oh now look at what I did.


The next morning. Getting there.


Added a heater and move some stuff around. Now look at what happened...

And finally, this morning.
This is what it looked like today. Coming a long. Don't even know the water parameters yet, because I'm waiting a little for the cycle. But here we are!


Thanks everyone! I hope this will be a good one!

[Carl]

Looking Good!!



Carl

[parker002]

I love Seachem Flourite. So do my plants!

[devonjohnsgard]

Mar 11, 2014 8:55:58 GMT -5 parker002 said:

I love Seachem Flourite. So do my plants!

I'm excited to give it a try... I made sure there was a nice layer on the bottom which I wanted for the plants roots. The top mix with the bigger rock has Florite mixed in because it was used. I'm just thinking it will keep a nice amount of minerals in the top layers too. I'm not sure if that's what will happen, but it make senses .

My parameters are being dialed in and the tank is cycled pretty good, from what I can see. The stability and the age media did the trick fast. I'm going to be adding drift wood most likely today and will be putting the first fish in this week too. Hopefully, start adding plants next week!

Thanks Parker. BTW, I've seen plenty of pictures of your tanks over the time I've been at AAP. Very nice. Looks like your tank(s?) are pretty much on curse control. Again...

[devonjohnsgard]

So, I had a little time to work on the 20 gallon tank this weekend. My goals were to get some driftwood in the tank and do a good cleaning in preparation to getting some fish in the tank.

My parameter show that my tank is cycled. I've never had over an .25 ppm ammonia reading, which is great. I think the aged media with the Stability did the trick. I haven't dosed Stability (expect for the water change) for a couple of days, so I will keep an eye on the reading, which will tell me truly if the tank has cycled!

So, I picked up some driftwood, from the best place I know of American Aquarium Products and followed the direction I was given on how to prep the wood for my tank. I could either boil it or soak it in salt. Boiling was not my first choice, so I soaked it in some salt. Soaked it for over 24 hours with an airstone, then placed it in the tank. I did turn my tank a slight yellow color which I plan on helping with SeaChem Purigen. I'm excited how the tank is coming together. It's going to look great with plants. I want to get some moss and have it grow on the driftwood.

Next goals:
Lighting
Starter fish
Hide equipment
Dark background for the tank

Here's some pictures of what I have now.

[Carl]

I like how you are taking your time, this is so important IMHO

Carl

[devonjohnsgard]

Mar 18, 2014 15:35:49 GMT -5 Carl said:

I like how you are taking your time, this is so important IMHO

Carl

Thanks, I learned from the best

[parker002]

Looks great.

And my kids are completely addicted to Minecraft too!

[devonjohnsgard]

Everything is coming along nicely. I added a pleco, which I got from Steven here at AAP. He's a big guy and the tank is a little small for him, but he seem comfortable. I added T-2 lighting, which I'm super happy with. Nice price and easy. Here's some pics.

[devonjohnsgard]

I also picked up a couple baby Angles. Pick up 6, 2 to me and 4 to Steven from AAP. All were doing just fine, but the biggest one of the bunch. He was very stressed out from the move and may even have a disease. I try to get he to claim down with some Meth. Blue, then made sure my tank was spot on, so not to shock him more. I should have dripped my water into his water to slowly adjust the pH, but I did it bit by bit instead. Here is the process of when I got him home.

He's the big one in the bag. Both about 1 month old.


Me running some tests


Everything I used for my checks




All my parameters are in check. The pH is a little higher than I like, but I have been dosing SeaChem Acid buffer since this picture.


No Ammonia!


See how he swims with his noise up more. He really have to use all of his fins to get level. When his is resting, he will go behind my sponge filter and go completely vertical. Once he swims he's ok. No laying on the bottom and he loves to eat.


Cute little guy.


I'm continuing to give him a MB bath and will be adding Kanaplex starting today.

[babygeige]

Looking good! I hope you have better luck with your baby angels than I did when I started my 50 gallon. I think I bought 6 or 8 - they were all sick with what looked like a parasite issue. Only 1 survived, my pretty Pierre. Baby angels are so cute!

[Ameenah]

Looking forward to seeing your progress. I too enjoy learning (and shopping) at American Aquarium Products!

[Carl]

Mar 29, 2014 17:40:46 GMT -5 babygeige said:

Looking good! I hope you have better luck with your baby angels than I did when I started my 50 gallon. I think I bought 6 or 8 - they were all sick with what looked like a parasite issue. Only 1 survived, my pretty Pierre. Baby angels are so cute!

I agree, do not let the angels discourage you, as baby angels can be difficult, at least initially

Carl

[parker002]

Agree with Carl. My experience with angels has been that if you can get them through those first few weeks, you're home free.

I've not had a single adult die since we started keeping them.

[devonjohnsgard]

So here's an updated shot of what the tank looks like with the T-2 lighting.


Progress with the Angle RIP in "Shakes"---my boys named him Shakes because of the way he would swim.


I had been giving him baths everyday. The last bath, I knew something was wrong. He wasn't able to come up for food. I also learned I missed one of the main things in a bath, which was salt. I had all the medications right, but no salt. He may have survived, but I tried.






Carl, are you able to see what the cause was from the pictures. He couldn't pull himself off the ground. Would go vertical and started to loss his black coat.

I brought home 6 angles. Gave 4 to Steven, 2 to me. Now the one passed away, so I'm left with one. My tank is getting pretty full, so I don't think I try for another. Just work on making my one Angle and the other fish grow to be happy and strong.

Carl, do you know what kind of fish is in the picture with the angle? I need to know what to feed him.

Thanks for everyone's support!

[devonjohnsgard]

Mar 29, 2014 17:40:46 GMT -5 babygeige said:

Looking good! I hope you have better luck with your baby angels than I did when I started my 50 gallon. I think I bought 6 or 8 - they were all sick with what looked like a parasite issue. Only 1 survived, my pretty Pierre. Baby angels are so cute!

---Looking forward to seeing your progress. I too enjoy learning (and shopping) at American Aquarium Products!

---I agree, do not let the angels discourage you, as baby angels can be difficult, at least initially

---Agree with Carl. My experience with angels has been that if you can get them through those first few weeks, you're home free.

---I've not had a single adult die since we started keeping them.

Thanks guys. Much appreciated on the support. I felt bad for the little guy, but knew that he has had some issues since I got him. I thought I would give it my best shot. Lots learned...

[Carl]

Carl, are you able to see what the cause was from the pictures. He couldn't pull himself off the ground. Would go vertical and started to loss his black coat.

I brought home 6 angles. Gave 4 to Steven, 2 to me. Now the one passed away, so I'm left with one. My tank is getting pretty full, so I don't think I try for another. Just work on making my one Angle and the other fish grow to be happy and strong.

Carl, do you know what kind of fish is in the picture with the angle? I need to know what to feed him.

Devon, it is very difficult to tell from a picture of a dead fish, since once a fish dies his/her body immediately gets consumed by opportunistic bacteria, fungii, molds, etc.
However looking at his last pictures just prior to death, shows severe fin clamping, loss of color, poor respiration. These could be a symptom of a lot of things, but because there is no one stand out symptom and he hung on as long as he did, this likely was not angelfish virus, but more likely simply a massive organ failure, likely the liver and/or kidneys

Angelfish virus reference:
www.aquarium-pond-answers.com/2010/03/angelfish-virus.html

I think you have done well with your other fish and the addition of salt MAY have helped by virtue of improving osmoregulation in the kidneys in particular, but then again it may well not have helped either, especially with liver failure.

Your other fish is a Kissing Gourami, which generally do well with a common diet that includes Spirulina 20 Fish Food Flake along with some pellets, maybe FD worms and FD brine shrimp too

Product References:
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/Spirulina20Food.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/BrineShrimp.html
www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquaMaster.html#mini

Carl

[parker002]

Apr 2, 2014 12:49:35 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

I brought home 6 angles. Gave 4 to Steven, 2 to me. Now the one passed away, so I'm left with one. My tank is getting pretty full, so I don't think I try for another. Just work on making my one Angle and the other fish grow to be happy and strong.

Just keep an eye on that one angel.

Mine are somewhat aggressive amongst each other. They've never actually injured one another, they just like to "shadow box" until one or the other backs down.

However, if I split them up, they immediately start getting aggressive with other non-angel fish. When together, they don't even seem to notice the other fish. They only go after them when they're separating from the other angels.

[devonjohnsgard]

Apr 4, 2014 11:54:40 GMT -5 parker002 said:

Apr 2, 2014 12:49:35 GMT -5 devonjohnsgard said:

I brought home 6 angles. Gave 4 to Steven, 2 to me. Now the one passed away, so I'm left with one. My tank is getting pretty full, so I don't think I try for another. Just work on making my one Angle and the other fish grow to be happy and strong.

Just keep an eye on that one angel.

Mine are somewhat aggressive amongst each other. They've never actually injured one another, they just like to "shadow box" until one or the other backs down.

However, if I split them up, they immediately start getting aggressive with other non-angel fish. When together, they don't even seem to notice the other fish. They only go after them when they're separating from the other angels.

You think they are best in pairs? I decided to upgrade the tank (yet already) to a 40 gal. I could pick up another one.