Totara

Ok I will do it tomorrow, while the first fish is adapting to the temperature.

Thanks, if it is in seed will i get hundreds of this things growing? Thanks Will

Ah, well I know not to trust them again They seemed to be thriving pretty well at the tanks in the LFS... Hmm I'm not too sure, maybe you are right, but I think it looks ok, and when it spreads out a bit (It had in the LFS's tank) It should look alright. The same goes with the flax looking thing on the right. Thanks for the help guys, I will be getting some Christmas Moss or Java Moss to attach to one of the rocks. Does anyone know how I should attach it? Thanks, Will

Added the plants. The LFS (who I trust) said they are fast growing. Will

Dont worry thanks, I have a friend who has a bunch he can sell me

Oh I get it now :facepalm: Update will be coming tomorrow when I get the plants. Will

Ok I will look into it further, the reason I would prefer to get a BN is I have already got his food Will

Are you sure they are sensitive? I have talked to quite a few people who say that BNs are very hardy. Also I dont think that he will get too big, and if he does I can always sell him. Will

What exactly do you mean by that post? All I see is that it is better to use a Dechlorinator (Which I have done) rather than letting the Chlorine naturally leave the water. Will

I think I may go with a Bristlenose, and dose some Nutrafin Cycle immediately after putting him in. The reason being as he is a poop machine, the bacteria may struggle to deal with the initial ammonia, but after it matures and can handle him well there will be a really good colony going. Is my logic sound here? Thanks, Will

Ok then On Wednesday I am going to pick up fish(s) (Wednesday is the earliest day, as I want to have added the plants first). Are Neon Tetras reasonably hardy? I thought I read somewhere that Tetras are generally pretty sensitive. Thanks, Will

I already have Nutrafin Cycle, and I have been using it according to the bottle for the past 3 days. Now that I have finished the 3 day adding cycle does that mean I can add a fish? The reason I ask is I cant get how the bacteria can survive for the 3 days afterwards without anything adding ammonia etc. If so shall I add a fish on tomorrow? (The 3 day cycle ended)? Thanks, Will

Changed the hardscape to what I think will be the final design - please note the tall rock is hard to make out in this photo. Will

Ok I wont worry too much then. On that note, due to the indecision I have been facing around the first fish in the tank, can everyone recommend one fish they think would look good in here, and be a good first fish. Thanks, Totara

Will my Live Plants bring it down? Or maybe peat somewhere? Also what do you mean by gas off your water? Thanks, Will

So would you say that the test by me was accurate? And if so, will that pH heavily restrict the fish I can get? Should I get some pH down? Also I have redone the rockscape to what I think will be my final design, I am very happy with it. Pic will be up soon. Thanks, Will

Ok, I will play around with it. I got my API Freshwater Master Test Kit today, here are my test readings: Low pH: 7.6 High pH: 8.2 Ammonia: 0.25 ppm Nitrite: 0 ppm Nitrate: 0 ppm The pH seems really high, I will take it to a pet store and get it tested to check. Am I right saying that it is high? Thanks, Will

Entry #5 - 23/02/2014 Didnt make it to the store for plants today, but I did redo the hardscape and added on the background - enjoy

I think people misunderstood me, I already have a plain black background. I just havent attached :3 I am heading to my LFS in about 10 minutes to get some Java moss and 3 fern cuttings. I cant wait to show everyone

Ok thanks, I will take that into consideration and change the tank around a little bit.

Oh and yes, I dont have the background on yet. I have done this very out of order so I need to attach the background next Dont judge me too harshly, its my first tank Will

Entry #4 23/02/14 Done the hardscape The plan is to have 3 tall Java Fern like plants, 1 in the middle of the left mound, one just behind the two middle rocks (its hard to see in this pic, but there is a perfect spot between the rocks) and 1 in the middle of the right mound. Then some Christmas Moss (Or similar) on the right rock of the middle 2. My light is 15 watt, are the plants going to be ok? Thanks, Will

Thanks about that. Also can anyone tell me if Blue Opaline Gourami are suitable for my tank? Thanks, Will

Ok thanks for that, I will do all of the things you said. Also, is anyone able to tell me how often to clean my filter? All that is in it is a simple sponge, but the way they have built the filter has made it really inaccessible. Would a weekly quick wash under a cold tap be ok? Thanks, Will

Thanks for that, what would you reccomend instead? I would like to get Honey Dwarf Gouramis, but I dont know how hardy they are.... The Tahuna one is only $1.30 a kilo for this really nice rock I want to get. I will probably get that and check out the one by Bunnings if I get a second tank. Also, my tank is in my garage. The garage is reasonably well insulated, and dosnt fluctuate too much overnight, but are there any precautions I should tank? E.g during the day maybe getting too hot? Thanks, Totara