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6 Week Update - All is going well.
A compilation of my notes.
Chemistry
Following the PPS Protocol
Today AM, Before Light, CO2, and Feedings
pH 6.7, KH 8, GH 11, NO3 18ish, PO4 0.4, TDS 191
The only change is TDS, which was 118 after the last water change on 8/9 (8 days ago)
This is the first week I've not performed a Sunday Water Change
Plants
Hygrophila pinnatifida, Ceratopteris thalictroides, and Ludwigia palustris var Super Red are all starting to emerge from the water.
Ludwigia has been trimmed multiple times with tops added to try and make a nice bush.
Crypt Parva is slowly expanding. More at initial planting would have been ideal.
Buce is doing well, I’m seeing new leaves and roots. Lost most of the Super Mini Ghost. They melted quickly, one day looking good, the next, jelly-like.
The HC Cuba stuffed into the driftwood at the water's edge failed poorly, most died back, and there is some new growth appearing slowly. Lost the left front inside wood planting. Some have hitchhiked the current to the outside of the left front wood and are establishing a stand.
Eleocharis Mini has been through its dieback and is growing new shoots
Hydrocotyle verticillata is spreading.
Red Root Floaters are expanding, staying put, too.
Added Pearl Moss at the waters edge on the left rear wood. It’s spreading nicely. Leaf(?) shape is changing.
Added Fissidens to the back side of the right front wood. It’s spreading, the initial area has some brown fonds..
Algae
There was some early brown algae (diatoms?) that was slight and cleared within 2 days of adding Oto’s, Snails and second batch of shrimp.
Been pulling some small clumps of BBA from the backside of the left rear corner wood.
Noticed a few light colored pebbles have a greenish tinge.
Pulled a new individual strands of hair algae off the Hydrocotyle
Livestock
All fish accounted for.
Lots of shrimp activity, some look about to be gravid.
Fewer shrimp in the pre-filter with each cleaning.
Snails have been doing snail things. Found a patch of snail eggs on a Buce leaf under the left front wood.
None of the inhabitants likes the Snowflake Shrimp Food from Aquatic Arts. Glad I only have a sample size.
Same with the Bee Pollen, that's been repurposed as springtail food.
They all like the Hikari Mini Algae Wafers, Aquatic Arts Fish and Invertebrate Sinking Pellets, and Ultra Fresh Shrimp Pro Seafood Patties.
Hardware
Changed the CO2 check valve to GLA Atomic. Changed CO2 tubing to GLA Transparent Green. Using GLA 4dKH solution with Bromothymol Blue in the Drop Checker.
Changed the filter return nozzle from the lily end to the reliever end. The current was too strong; fish and shrimp would get flung across the tank.
Whats Next
For at least the next two weeks, no additions, until the weather breaks.
I'd like to plant something here. About 2 inches down there is water. I have no idea what to plant there. Located in the left rear. Open to suggestions, please
I'm torn about what I want to add for fish. I'd like a Badis or two. I think there is enough space and hiding room for them to stay out of each other's line of sight. Keeping enough live food around might be an issue. A Brine Shrimp hatchery dish kit would help. I'm thinking of letting the shrimp go crazy, then getting Badis, giving them baby shrimp to prey upon. I've been toying with Guppies too, lots of fry for a Badis to hunt down.
I'd also like to replace the glass filter input pipe with a Stainless one with a skimmer. I'm having trouble figuring out what works in a shallow 7" tall tank.
Some pictures.
A compilation of my notes.
Chemistry
Following the PPS Protocol
Today AM, Before Light, CO2, and Feedings
pH 6.7, KH 8, GH 11, NO3 18ish, PO4 0.4, TDS 191
The only change is TDS, which was 118 after the last water change on 8/9 (8 days ago)
This is the first week I've not performed a Sunday Water Change
Plants
Hygrophila pinnatifida, Ceratopteris thalictroides, and Ludwigia palustris var Super Red are all starting to emerge from the water.
Ludwigia has been trimmed multiple times with tops added to try and make a nice bush.
Crypt Parva is slowly expanding. More at initial planting would have been ideal.
Buce is doing well, I’m seeing new leaves and roots. Lost most of the Super Mini Ghost. They melted quickly, one day looking good, the next, jelly-like.
The HC Cuba stuffed into the driftwood at the water's edge failed poorly, most died back, and there is some new growth appearing slowly. Lost the left front inside wood planting. Some have hitchhiked the current to the outside of the left front wood and are establishing a stand.
Eleocharis Mini has been through its dieback and is growing new shoots
Hydrocotyle verticillata is spreading.
Red Root Floaters are expanding, staying put, too.
Added Pearl Moss at the waters edge on the left rear wood. It’s spreading nicely. Leaf(?) shape is changing.
Added Fissidens to the back side of the right front wood. It’s spreading, the initial area has some brown fonds..
Algae
There was some early brown algae (diatoms?) that was slight and cleared within 2 days of adding Oto’s, Snails and second batch of shrimp.
Been pulling some small clumps of BBA from the backside of the left rear corner wood.
Noticed a few light colored pebbles have a greenish tinge.
Pulled a new individual strands of hair algae off the Hydrocotyle
Livestock
All fish accounted for.
Lots of shrimp activity, some look about to be gravid.
Fewer shrimp in the pre-filter with each cleaning.
Snails have been doing snail things. Found a patch of snail eggs on a Buce leaf under the left front wood.
None of the inhabitants likes the Snowflake Shrimp Food from Aquatic Arts. Glad I only have a sample size.
Same with the Bee Pollen, that's been repurposed as springtail food.
They all like the Hikari Mini Algae Wafers, Aquatic Arts Fish and Invertebrate Sinking Pellets, and Ultra Fresh Shrimp Pro Seafood Patties.
Hardware
Changed the CO2 check valve to GLA Atomic. Changed CO2 tubing to GLA Transparent Green. Using GLA 4dKH solution with Bromothymol Blue in the Drop Checker.
Changed the filter return nozzle from the lily end to the reliever end. The current was too strong; fish and shrimp would get flung across the tank.
Whats Next
For at least the next two weeks, no additions, until the weather breaks.
I'd like to plant something here. About 2 inches down there is water. I have no idea what to plant there. Located in the left rear. Open to suggestions, please
I'm torn about what I want to add for fish. I'd like a Badis or two. I think there is enough space and hiding room for them to stay out of each other's line of sight. Keeping enough live food around might be an issue. A Brine Shrimp hatchery dish kit would help. I'm thinking of letting the shrimp go crazy, then getting Badis, giving them baby shrimp to prey upon. I've been toying with Guppies too, lots of fry for a Badis to hunt down.
I'd also like to replace the glass filter input pipe with a Stainless one with a skimmer. I'm having trouble figuring out what works in a shallow 7" tall tank.
Some pictures.
Last edited:
just any day. 
