This is my DIY CO2 system. Uses silicone tubing to resist CO2 wearing it down, a 2 liter soda bottle, and a 20 oz soda bottle to seperate any liquids or solids that came along with the CO2. Air tight tubing, hard to describe but easy to show. Because it's in the stand, if it blows up, at least only inside is messy.

Look at the little 3-way tube outlet. This is an emergency vent just incase something with the CO2 is clogged. Nikita, you don't need it, but I'm too cautious, so here's my precautionary action.

My fertilizer. Just wanted to show what brand name and what it actually was.

This is the silicone tubing going through the stand and coming out from the back.

I got this hood by switching it with my sister's. Now I have 2.8 wpg on the 10 gallon. The bulbs are 6500K and 14 watts each. I can have up to 5.0 wpg IF I switched each bulb with 2 25 watt bulbs.

The whole thing; had to take the picture with the camera on its side. The circle is indicating where the DIY CO2 system is compared to the stand and tank.

My 10 gallon tank. There is the 90 degree turned PVC piping for the little pandas. The Amazon swords, fake plants floating and planted, Anacharis, Java Moss, and Java Fern. The circle is indicating the CO2 bell. I made it with another 20 oz soda bottle without the cap and top portion; very easy and cheap. Cheese likes to hang inside it... no CO2 yet, going to add it today. 50 watt heater and Top Fin Filter 10 GPH 50. The water level is a little low, I'll bring it back up with a water change and more water. Gravel substrate; nothing sharp with one flourescent glow-in-the-dark plastic plant. Over-turned flower pot for Cheese and the Pandas. But mostly for Cheese.

My Amazon Swords. They love the lighting and fertilizer, especially the second one from the left. It's the most abundant one growing new leaves EVERYDAY!!! The roots didn't hack into the gravel just yet but I'm hoping it does.

Finally, some fish. The Pandas hanging out behind the plants. They look totally awesome, just sitting there. The biggest one (I have no idea right now) is Po, named after the Panda in Kung Fu Panda and the other two are his friends. I call them Po and the Gang.

Here's Cheese. There's his reflection staring back at you. Is this a Honey Gourami or Thick-lipped Honey variety? He doesn't eat at all, seems really shy. Should I add more decor?

That's all the pics! Reply and comment about them if you will!

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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If life gives you lemons, squeeze them into people's eyes and run away!

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Hmm...I bet the gourami's a little faded right now just from stress.  In a couple days, his color will perk up and it'll be clearer what species he is.

Personally, I go heavy on the natural decor, but what's in there now should suffice for the fish. The only thing I worry about is the light-colored gravel.  Cheese is a nervous little guy right now, and light gravel doesn't make fish feel as secure as a darker color does.  They just feel more exposed, you know?  So maybe putting some small plant growth like some of that Java moss around the flowerpot entrance to make it darker and more secure for Cheese would help him until he get accustomed to his new home.

The Amazon swords may or may not grow very large.  It depends on the cultivar.  Normal, "wild-type" Amazon swords, the kind that gave the group its name, grow big.  If those are the ones you have, you'll need to move them further apart as they get larger.  But right now, looks good.  I'm glad they're growing well. :)

"The only time you run out of chances is when you stop taking them."