Okay, well now I have a minute off work so that I can post on here again. I fugured I would update on my progress. I originally got a filter from a relative and that didn't help a whole lot but some. So last night I got a bunch of filters from another relative and so far this is what I have this morning. Ammonia=.5 Nitrite=.5 Nitrate=5 (looks like). I have been putting in small amounts of ammonia (1 tsp/day) to help it along and so far my plants aren't doing too bad, but you can tell a few of them don't like the ammonia.
Plant list: Bacopa ( doing very good), Green and White Acorus(varigated grass) holding it's own, Sword Plant (getting brown spots and kind of yellowing), Cabomba (growing like mad), Anacharis(salvaged a few sprigs from what I first bought at the store, and these are doing good), Water Sprite(doing good, showing signs of new growth some roots growing off stem near top), and Ruffle? (this is what the store called it, not doing so hot but still hanging in there). I fully intend to add a lot more plants just as soon as I get the cycle complete and some fish in there, I just want to concentrate on that right now. By the way the algae is not as bad as first thought.
My equipment right now is as follows: 3 X 40W lights: 1 11000K lightning rod, 1 blue lightning rod (this one really sets off the green of the plants) , 1 plant and aquarium light from lowe's (only 1900 lumens) ( i recommend looking at specialized fish stores for the lighting), I also have two moonlights which look great at night.
I will post more later, I need to run to the lfs and do some more shopping.
Jen
