Axie Tank

[rheann]

Hey Monica, I have a 60 gallon which is just perfect for my 6

I think a 50 will be good for 5, or even a 55. The 60 gallons however are at the price for a 50 gallon at petsmart. Hehe, I got a deal! 10 free gallons!

 

[andrew]

You certainly have gone to great effort. It shows!

Well done! Nothing looks more impressive than a well planted tank!

Got any tips on keeping your plants healthy?

Mine keep slowly dieing. I think its because they don't get allot of light. Its summer here and tank temperatures are soaring so i cant afford to have the light on very much.

 

[jojo]

l have the same problem with my plants slowly dieing off too!
I put it down to water temp and no light also.
I cant afford to even open my curtain more then 10 cms because once the smallest ray of light hits the tank - its all over, the temp is sky high.
So tips would be awesome!
I let them get light early in the morning before it starts to get too hot and thats it.

???

 

[rheann]

I keep a light over my tank, but my Axolotls are also used to light, and there is a thick sheet of duckweed already covering all of the waters surface area, which contributes a lot to the light being blocked out. However, my plants are still doing very well, haven't lost any, and gained a few buds that I think I can plant

Plants need lights, but if the lights can't be kept on, maybe go with fake plants?

They have some silk ones that look pretty real. I have them and am half tempted to use them in my tank

 

[jojo]

ohhh WOW, silk plants - may give them a try.
Thanks Rheann

 

[monica]

I picked out hardy and low light rated plants for the tank. Anubias are good and hardy. I also have a light on during the day and duck weed floating on top to filter some of it for the axies. I added some plant clay fluorite stuff as substrate but you have to make sure you cover it up with something, sand in my case. Ohter than that...buy cheap plants and give them atry.

I buy plants I see in the pet stores and buy one just to test it out in the tank and if it does well, then I can go back and buy more. I've had luck with the broad leaved anubias. Plus the axies like to rest on them.

Good luck!

 

[rheann]

Monica, I read over the net that the sand eventually over time settles with the clay stuff

and the only way to make it look as though it hasn't is to add another layer of sand. This is why I decided not to go with it, but have you had any problems with it as of yet?

Anubias is a very pretty plant

Eventually I will like to get some. I just recently purchased some Anacharis and more fox tail plants. I now have 4 foxtail, two Anarcharis, one tall red Ludwigia, several bunches of Java moss, duck weed covering the entire water surface area and some curly and straight Dracaena (lucky bamboo)

. Which I am very happy to say all is doing well. I also have some Aponogeton bulbs growing and so far many have sprouted and have large leaves on them. I also have Hygrophila buds that came in with the duckweed and they are growing very nicely too. I will be able to plant them soon

. There is also a mystery plant that I have yet to find the name of growing rather nicely.

Do you have any more pictures of your tank? I would love to see them!

 

[monica]

No new pics yet. I have finals at school so things have been pretty hectic. No, I havent had any problems with the sand and the clay stuff. I mixed it up and then added a layer of just sand on top. Things are going well so far! I'll post more pics soon. My duck weed has disappeared completely.

 

[rheann]

LOL Looks like I will have to loan you some of my duck weed! I have so much now I have to scoop it out about once a week or so to thin it out. It's crazy

Did something eat it?

 

[jojo]

regarding testing plants to see if they are worthy (HA) enough to be in the tank is the logical thing to do.
Of course, jojo has never thought of doing this.. im so stupid!
On too many occasions l have walked into a pet shop, bought a hell of alot of plants... and seen then die in a week LOL
NOTE TO ONESELF:
Test ONE plant before making yourself broke of plants that are sure to to do nothing but dirty your tank!

 

[monica]

I think something is eating my duck weed...or rather ate my duck weed. something round...with the same mouth parts of a snail, no hard shell...and they stick to the glass. I have no idea what they are and i'm assuming that they came in with some of the live plants i bought. They dont seem to be affecting any of the live plants i have but the duck weed is gone.

 

[monica]

Ok, it's a type of snail.

Now how do I get rid of it???

 

[rheann]

Just keep picking them out each time you find one. This should eventually help, or help some

 

[sharn]

leave your lights off for a while (about half an hour) turn em back on and viola! snails all over the place just right for the picking and crushing

 

[monica]

Thanks you two. They are really tiny...So i guess I better get picking. I'll try the lights thing.