Need reassurance

[black17]

Hi. I'm new to planted aquariums. And no matter how much I read up on the topic, I still need some re-assuring. I'm into the end of the 1st week of my new setup. I noticed that my plants are no thriving (in fact, some are starting to turn yellow) and the water is still a little cloudy and brownish. Is this normal? Do I have to be patient for things to clear up? And is it time to clean my filter elements? Appreciate some words of wisdom from veterans.



Info:
2' tank
overhang filter
FL
Some moss, ferns, nanas, tellenus
No fish or prawns yet
Water change (1/3) every alternate day
DIY CO2

[|squee|]

It's just the first week, relax.

1) Your water should be clearing up soon. It'll turn clear overnight one day, it's always a big surprise. I used old filter media and bacteria seeded from another tank, so my process is much faster. If yours is brand new, then most likely you have to wait for about 2 more weeks or less.

2) The plants will need time to adjust. Which are the plants that are turning yellow?

3) Don't touch the filter yet. In fact I'd suggest you go out and get some source of bacteria or even those commerical products that help to cycle a tank fast.

4) Reduce your frequency of water changes. Once a week is often enough for planted tanks.

[black17]

Thanks for your advice. Good to be able to draw from your experience instead of fish shop owners whom I think is mostly profit motivated.

The plants that are turning yellow are mostly nanas and tenellus.

[PeterGwee]

Do more water changes to a new tank to whip it into shape faster. Consider getting some dirty filter material from your favourite LFS and seed the tank (instant cycled tank with live bacteria) and remember to pack the tank with plants...not just a few stalks only. Not sure if you are dosing all the necessary nutrients here but if you did, DIY CO2 is your main issue then. Yellowing is something major namely NO3 or CO2.

Regards
Peter Gwee

[ehlim]

Hi. I'm new to planted aquariums. And no matter how much I read up on the topic, I still need some re-assuring. I'm into the end of the 1st week of my new setup. I noticed that my plants are no thriving (in fact, some are starting to turn yellow) and the water is still a little cloudy and brownish. Is this normal? Do I have to be patient for things to clear up? And is it time to clean my filter elements? Appreciate some words of wisdom from veterans.

Hi, just like you I am too a newbie and my tank is 6 days old. If it is of assurance to you, I too hv cloudy water. I hv added Nutrafin Cycle to aid the filter. The only problem I face, is the temptation to add fish. But patience......... Cheers.

[black17]

Do more water changes to a new tank to whip it into shape faster. Consider getting some dirty filter material from your favourite LFS and seed the tank (instant cycled tank with live bacteria) and remember to pack the tank with plants...not just a few stalks only. Not sure if you are dosing all the necessary nutrients here but if you did, DIY CO2 is your main issue then. Yellowing is something major namely NO3 or CO2.

Regards
Peter Gwee

I haven't read up on dosing and providing nutrients yet (trying to read up as much as I can - just found out about this forum today). The only nutrients that went into my tank was Azoo basic fertilizer laid out under the gravel. Apart from that, nothing new has been added.

[black17]

Hi, just like you I am too a newbie and my tank is 6 days old. If it is of assurance to you, I too hv cloudy water. I hv added Nutrafin Cycle to aid the filter. The only problem I face, is the temptation to add fish. But patience......... Cheers.

Did Nutrafin Cycle work?

[ehlim]

Not sure, as I don't know how to measure its performance. But recommended by some fellow members. 1 member thinks that it speeds up the tank maturation by a week. And heck, it costs only $15 for a 500ml bottle, might as well buy some assurance.

[black17]

I have read that during the 2nd week of setting up, prawns should be introduced to prevent algae. I'm keen on putting in some prawns as it's cool to see them moving around the tank.

[|squee|]

If you're confident of your parameters, why not? I did that for my tank in week two.

[Phillipians]

i ve added in shrimps in the 3rd to 4th day before, as loing as you are confident that there are no fluctuations in water parameters, you are good to go. No worries. But the 'yellowing' plants could prove to be tricky, need more specs like how much wattage... etc etc...

Nanas are hardy plants that dont usually need light or co2, i m wondering whether your tank temp is the prob here

[black17]

I will try to furnish more information, but may be a bit tricky as the tank came as a set (with light, overhang filter and undergravel plates). Tried looking at the FL tube, but nothing imprinted looks like an indication of wattage. Will be getting pH test paper strips tomorrow from the shop I bought the tank from. Maybe he can give me more info.