Setting up my 15 gal

[Lurch1]

Here's the plan.....

15 gal tank
Zoo Med Ultra Sun 6,500K Super Daylight Lamp - 24" (T8)
HOB Aquaclear Filter
DIY Yeast CO2 with a nano ceramic diffuser

Substrate
Organic Miracle Grow Potting Soil
Potters clay
Topped with course play sand

Plants
Vals
Dwarf sword
Dwarf sag
Rotala Indica
Anubias
Java fern
Star grass
Ludwigia

Fish
Apisto Agazizzi Pair
6 Neon Tetras
BN Pleco (maybe)

Other
Small drift wood on left
Small rock work on right

I plan on holding off on the fish for a couple of months until the aquascape is how I want it. What do you think about the plan (good or bad).

[Peekay]

I'm really interested in hearing about how dirt works out for you.  I thought about going that route. 

Looks like a good plan, but I don't know if I could resist buying fish for a few months.   

[fischkopp]

Sounds like a nice little project.

A word of caution about the Apistogramma agassizi. The males can be very aggressive towards other apistos, including the female. Make sure that when you plan your layout there are lots of obstacles that will break the line of sight and keep it very, very densely planted. When you go out to acquire a pair, get the largest female you can find, but do not get the largest most colorful male you see in that tank. He will likely beat the female up, which could end fatal for her. Best is to find a male that is about her size, giving her a better chance to stand her ground and it's more likely that they will get along better over time.

Good luck!

[Lurch1]

Looks like a good plan, but I don't know if I could resist buying fish for a few months.   

I was just given permission to put the tank in the laundry room (out of the way) I don't want to push the envelope with buying more fish just yet

Sounds like a nice little project.

A word of caution about the Apistogramma agassizi. The males can be very aggressive towards other apistos, including the female. Make that that when you plan your layout there are lots of obstacles that will break the line of sight and keep it very, very densely planted. When you go out to acquire a pair, get the largest female you can find, but do not get the largest most colorful male you see in that tank. He will likely beat the female up, which could end fatal for her. Best is to find a male that is about her size, giving her a better chance to stand her ground and it's more likely that they will get along better over time.

Good luck!

Thanks for the tip!

[Lurch1]

Sounds like a nice little project.

A word of caution about the Apistogramma agassizi. The males can be very aggressive towards other apistos, including the female. Make sure that when you plan your layout there are lots of obstacles that will break the line of sight and keep it very, very densely planted. When you go out to acquire a pair, get the largest female you can find, but do not get the largest most colorful male you see in that tank. He will likely beat the female up, which could end fatal for her. Best is to find a male that is about her size, giving her a better chance to stand her ground and it's more likely that they will get along better over time.

Good luck!

Would I be able to do a trio to break up the aggression?

How many yeast bottles would be recommended with a 15 gal? I want to make it as stable as possible.

[Lurch1]

I have a 55w T5 over my cichlid tank and was wondering if that would be ok (or better) over this new tank?

[bizfromqc]

I have a 55w T5 over my cichlid tank and was wondering if that would be ok (or better) over this new tank?

55w over a 15gal? Sounds a bit much to me, just shy of 4wpg, a bit high light for no injected CO2. I'd go with the original setup you mentioned and go from there. Then, if you see that light is the limiting factor, upgrade. But at this point, you'll probably have to start doing other things to your tank like injected co2, nutrients, etc...

The plant gurus can confirm this, I'm just going with what the experienced planters have told me 

Quick question, where did you get the Agazizzi? Specific color strain?

[fischkopp]

Would I be able to do a trio to break up the aggression?

No. In my experience with agassizi, a trio will mean the sure end for one of the females. If you want to do something like that, get even more. But then it will be difficult for them to do the breeding thing.

[Lurch1]

No. In my experience with agassizi, a trio will mean the sure end for one of the females. If you want to do something like that, get even more. But then it will be difficult for them to do the breeding thing.

Ok thanks, I'll stick with the pair.

55w over a 15gal? Sounds a bit much to me, just shy of 4wpg, a bit high light for no injected CO2. I'd go with the original setup you mentioned and go from there. Then, if you see that light is the limiting factor, upgrade. But at this point, you'll probably have to start doing other things to your tank like injected co2, nutrients, etc...

The plant gurus can confirm this, I'm just going with what the experienced planters have told me 

Quick question, where did you get the Agazizzi? Specific color strain?

I was thinking it was a little high, but I don't have any experience with this as of yet. I will stick with the 15w for now. At what point would you suggest (anyone) that I should upgrade my lighting? What signs or symptoms will the plants exhibit?

[delslo]

stargrass and indica will need more light than 1 wgp t8. you need 2.5wpg t5

[bizfromqc]

Ok thanks, I'll stick with the pair.

I was thinking it was a little high, but I don't have any experience with this as of yet. I will stick with the 15w for now. At what point would you suggest (anyone) that I should upgrade my lighting? What signs or symptoms will the plants exhibit?

I was down a similar road not too long ago. Went from pretty low light to a dual 24w t5ho over a 20G. I didn't have injected co2 and wasn't dosing anything extra other than Excel for carbon and comprehensive once a week. So I basically gave up the high light and went to all LED for low lights.

You'll have to find a balance, match plants to your equipment of upgrade your equipment to match all the plants you currently have in there or plan on keeping. One way being a lot cheaper than the other LOL

Look up a thread from "charlie" (aka Errol), where he basically compares growing plants to driving a car  I can't find it now but I'm sure you will if you dig up a bit in the plants sub-forum. It'll answer most of your questions as it did for me. Errol is the planted masta 

Cheers

[charlie]

I was down a similar road not too long ago. Went from pretty low light to a dual 24w t5ho over a 20G. I didn't have injected co2 and wasn't dosing anything extra other than Excel for carbon and comprehensive once a week. So I basically gave up the high light and went to all LED for low lights.

You'll have to find a balance, match plants to your equipment of upgrade your equipment to match all the plants you currently have in there or plan on keeping. One way being a lot cheaper than the other LOL

Look up a thread from "charlie" (aka Errool), where he basically compares growing plants to driving a car  I can't find it now but I'm sure you will if you dig up a bit in the plants sub-forum. It'll answer most of your questions as it did for me. Errol is the planted masta 

Cheers

, Thanks for the moral boost bud, but the truth is i`m a half decent student  :)there are 3 guys who i always give my thanks to, they made the path easy for me, Jetstream, Toss &  BigDaddy.
I`m more apt to try1- 1.5 WPG of T5 HO with good reflectors on a 15 gallon to grow stargrass & Indica & would suspect that you would still be chasing the balance of the tank.
Regards

[Lurch1]

Quick question, where did you get the Agazizzi? Specific color strain?

I had some a couple years ago that I got from BA, was hoping to do the same route.

I haven't bought any plants yet so I guess the best would be to remove the indica and stargrass and stick with the rest. This is my starter tank to prove to my wife I can keep plants alive. After that I hope to get a large tank with the proper lighting.

I appreciate all of your help. 

[Lurch1]

, Thanks for the moral boost bud, but the truth is i`m a half decent student  :)there are 3 guys who i always give my thanks to, they made the path easy for me, Jetstream, Toss &  BigDaddy.
I`m more apt to try1- 1.5 WPG of T5 HO with good reflectors on a 15 gallon to grow stargrass & Indica & would suspect that you would still be chasing the balance of the tank.
Regards

What if I added another 15w T8?

[exv152]

Two 15w bulbs would be a good start for a low tech setup. If you're thinking hi-tech I would aim for about 45 watts on a tank that size, and add some dry ferts, and a comprehensive micro nutrient (but you'll be dosing on a daily basis). Otherwise, with 30 watts lighting I wouldn't both with CO2 or daily ferts (ferts can be just once a week).

[Lurch1]

I added a 15w 4100k bulb, thats all HD had for an 18" T8. Here are some pics of my tank. Sorry for the blurryness.

[JetJumper]

whats with the chicken? 

[Lurch1]

whats with the chicken? 

I thought the fish might want a friend!



With added plants. BA didn't have some of the plants so I got a crypt instead from Petsmart.


I think the JF is too big for the centre. I have never had a purposeful planted tank before so any advice on plant placement would be great. I currently have Rotala Indica, Ludwigia, JF, JM, Swords, Vals, Crypts and Anubias.

[bizfromqc]

Love the chicken/rooster, although it would probably scare the cr@p out of your fish LOL

Tank is coming along nicely, did you find your Agazizzi yet? There's someone selling some Nijseni and Norberti at the auction so if you can't find your agazizzi, there's some other apistos up for grabs! I've got a million (ok well about 40+) a. cacatuoides fry now but they're too young for the auction.

I can't recall reading it (hey, it's still early...) but is your tank fully cycled yet?

Keep it up, good work!

[touchofsky]

I wouldn't be concerned with the Java fern since it goes so slowly and the other plants will fill in and provide more bulk and the Java fern will look more in scale at that point.

Nice job, and I look forward to seeing it mature.