Fish, shrimp and frogs!

A long time ago (like last summer) we bought a 15-gallon tank. The purpose of this tank was to create and maintain an aquatic ecosystem that would support life for tropical, freshwater creatures. I'm happy to report that, as far as I can tell, this is happening. It took a long time to get the tank setup and everything in place to begin stocking the fish. I'm confident that I could bring the tank to this point even quicker the next time around from the little experience I've gotten and the extensive reading I've done.

The setup:

• (1) 15-gallon rectangular long tank
• Power Filter T25772 - Tetra 20-gallon with activated carbon
• Various fake plants
• Air pump for aeration
• Skeleton decoration connected to the air pump
• Flexible air tube connected to the air pump
• 8 lbs of small aquarium gravel
• Treated tap water (pros and cons noted)
• 2 incandescent bulbs in a hood
• Digital thermometer
• In-tank ammonia monitor
• Decorative log
• Pirate Dora the Explorer decoration

I think that's it. I'll append the setup as needed. I need to get some more specifics on some of those items but it is all really standard stuff.

Tank Stock:

• 1 Leopard Danio
• 3 Longfin Gold Danios
• 2 Glo-Fish (1 red and 1 orange)
• 3 Otocinclus
• 3 Ghost Shrimp
• 3 African Dwarf Frogs

We bought our Glo-Fish from a local Jack's Aquarium. We used to have a yellow one but it perished after a month and quite a bit of lethargy toward the end. That store has since closed and we've begun sourcing our aquatic friends from a local PetSmart.

The frogs were an interesting addition and have (for now) fulfilled our desire to provide the kids with some sort of unique pet. We're interested in keeping a turtle, but I'm not very interested in keeping a terrarium (the prospect of lingering reptile smell is very unappealing).

Tonight is a 15% water change and 33% gravel cleaning. I always dread doing this as I do hate stressing the fish. I try not to scare them too much but going through all the gravel and moving the plants are sure to upset them some I imagine. Of course, when they're upset they poop and then you're on ammonia watch again. Actually, I've picked up a bit of ammonia somewhere over the past week since the last change.

I must admit that I hadn't been diligently cleaning the gravel and was recently informed as to how vital a function this is to the health of the tank. I was always concerned about destroying the bacteria bed and established biological filter by doing that but it seems that a 30% cleaning once a week is in order and should be safe for the animals. I suspect that stirring up the gravel in the cleaning last week has churned up some long buried waste and even pockets of broken down matter to contribute to this new minor spike in ammonia (around .5 ppm).

Thanks for tuning in. I'll keep you all posted on the progress of our tank and will hopefully get some pictures going soon!

Until next time...
Joe