The Tank Is Clear!

The tank has finally cleared up! The layout and details of the last two posts are finally visible. I have added a DIY CO2 system (the blue tube in the background) temporarily until the regulator I ordered fro Rex Grigg comes. It has been a month since I ordered it from him and because of whatever reason it has not shipped yet. I have heard from him today though, and he assures me it will be shipping today or tomorrow. As for now I am dosing with the Seachem line of products. As soon as the regulator comes, I will be switching over to the EI method. Today I have also added Seachem Root Tabs around all of the plantings.

The plants are flourishing to say the least.

The Riccia has started to grow up towards the light and is filling in,the Wisteria is developing strong roots and new growth is coming from both the top and bottom of the plant, and the Giant Hygros are developing roots and growing up as well. I have had soem trouble getting the anubias to stay down in the substrate, but after multiple plantings they have finally took and are starting to grow new roots

I have also added Oto Catfish (Otocinclus macrospilus)!!

I initially put 3 in the tank, followed by 6 more the next day. As some of you are probably well aware, Oto Catfish are very hard to acclimate and seem to die for unknown reasons when moved to a new tank. Out of the 9 that were put in, 5 are left. The remaining 5 however, are showing signs of positive acclimation!

*A Quick Note - I have chosen not to cycle this tank in the traditional way. I am instead using the method that Rex Grigg describes on his website. The basic idea is that in a heavily planted tank, you can gradually add fish without having the risk of ammonia or nitrite build up. The reason being is the the plants love the ammonia and therefore consume it before it gets to a dangerous level. While it takes the bacteria column a longer time to develop, one can have fish immediately. As of right now my ammonia readings are at 0ppm and have not seen them go higher than 0.25ppm, nitrites are at 0, and nitrates have been between 0 and 5.


Still not fully satisfied with the aquascape yet... I am debating what to put within the 'horseshoe'. I am thinking Glosso or perhaps some more Riccia...not sure yet though.