Did get a Dennerle Nano Cube 30L from my girlfriend for my birthday yesterday. A total suprise, but a good one. The sad thing is I have to work in Aachen for the next 2 weeks ( 400km away from my home in Stuttgart ).Not to bad because I can use those 2 weeks to cycle the tank.
So between breakfast and my party I rushed to the garden of the opa of my girlfriend to fill up some 10l water bottles with rain water. Did drive to a big pet (kölle-zoo) here, did bring a small sample of rainwater with me to get it tested. PH 5,5 – GK 0 – KH 0 – Nitrite <0,025 mg/l - Nitrate <2 mg/l - conductance 24 µS/cm. I was happy with the water parameters. Still in the shop I wanted to buy some plants and a 1 piece of wood so I could start cycle the tank. So i did come home with a Ceratopteris thalictroides , a Microsorum ptreropus and 2 cups of Taxiphyllum barbieri and a very small piece of wood.
After coming home I did cover the bottom with deponitmix and some black shrimp gravel that where in the aquarium-kit. Did fix the moss to the piece of wood with some fishing line and did set the other 2 plants very simpel on the bottom. Just want to cycle the tank so the place where everything is will change later.
Did fill the tank with 2/3 of rain water and 1/1 with normal drink water ( treated with water conditioner ). Filter and lights on ..... and now the hard part.... waiting.
For the next time I want to look for a Blyxa aubertii or B. japonica, get some more wood and stones to create some more hiding places, and look for a piece of wood that I can make hollow so my future paro's have a cave to place the eggs.