sorry to interupt, what soil are u using whatever99? sorry if i miss to read on that

emily: i've been reading awefully a lot, still kicking start my tank...

here is what happen to the 'nitrogen cycle' in the water.
1. fish/living things shit, and pee... waste turn into ammonia.
2. when enough ammonia,  nitrite-forming bacteria will start to form/grow...hence turning the ammonia into Nitrite.
3. when nitrate starts to gathered enough, nitrAte-forming bacteria will start form/grow and covert the nitrIte to nitrAte
4. NitrAte will get more and more and more... NitrAte is pretty much Harmless.... but this is where "water change" comes in, by doing 25-35% water change, the nitrate will be throw out and new water will bring the nitrate down again.

(i hope i write the right thing... correct me if im wrong)

another thing i read... usually, the ceramic rings are put after the filter. since filter usually used to catch 'dirt/shits'... its pointless to put the ring before the filter to gather those shit too, since u will kill the bacteria when u clean the rings, why not put after the filter, let the filter clean up the shit (and u can wash the filters when its blocked with dirt), and left ammonia that pass through, to the rings where the bacteria will form and makes the ammonia/nitrite to harmless nitrate, since the ring wont get caught up with dirt, so u dont have to wash it, hence the bacteria will always be happy staying there.

Bro mine also got dirt but i put algae eater in they no clean dirt.
Once i put borneo sucker everything okay.

Maybe he eat i duno.

Dude you need more lights.
Build more pylons!

Borneo sucker? is that same with chinese pleco? Sorry still new in this hobby but I saw few chinese pleco on sale at the lfs besides Bangi, Warta. RM6.50 per tail if im not mistaken

Bro mine also got dirt but i put algae eater in they no clean dirt.
Once i put borneo sucker everything okay.

Maybe he eat i duno.

Dude you need more lights.
Build more pylons!

Arghh! really feel like getting one planted tank, but calculated equipment cost yada yada also need around like 1k to start.

Arghh! really feel like getting one planted tank, but calculated equipment cost yada yada also need around like 1k to start.

Just now went and look around at Alive Aquarium, Pudu. I saw:

Dophin brand
50X34X34cm or 15 gallons for RM75
45X30X32cm or 11 gallons for RM65

ADA Amazonia Soil
Normal: RM88/9 L or RM15/kg
Powder: RM160/9L or RM22/kg

Plants:
Glosso: RM10
Lilaeopsis: RM12

45cm AquaZone lights for like RM180 or something

Damn, planted aquarium is so expensive and takes a lot of effort and patience lol. I'll have to see how first, I think once I start I won't stop lolz. All the way  

Let me see:

- 15 gallon tank (50x34x34) RM75
- HOB Silent Filter RM35
- LED light RM180
- ADA Amazonia Soil RM88
- Plants RM80 (estimate some glossos and some hair grass)
- CO2 system RM200 (?)
- CO2 meter RM50 (?)
- Sand/Gravel RM15
- Test kits (PH,Ammonia,Nitrite,Nitrate) RM120
- Thermometer RM25

Total: RM868 ?

Damn, I have no income since I'm still a student

Any picture of the aquazone lights?

try lower budget tank perhaps? my newly started 3 gallons tank used 3xx only (without cost of tank)...

- 3 gallon tank (29x30x14.5) got it from my uncle for free 
- HOB Filter with Skimmer RM39.90
- Aqua Japan AJ-LED30 LED light RM89.90
- ADA Amazonia Soil 6kg RM95.40 (used 4kg only  ><")
- Plants RM84
- CO2 diffuser set RM32.00 (disposable can type)
- Thermometer RM7

I'm also a student, so have to start small and use lower budget since i'm a beginner in this...

Any picture of the aquazone lights?

try lower budget tank perhaps? my newly started 3 gallons tank used 3xx only (without cost of tank)...

- 3 gallon tank (29x30x14.5) got it from my uncle for free 
- HOB Filter with Skimmer RM39.90
- Aqua Japan AJ-LED30 LED light RM89.90
- ADA Amazonia Soil 6kg RM95.40 (used 4kg only  ><")
- Plants RM84
- CO2 diffuser set RM32.00 (disposable can type)
- Thermometer RM7

I'm also a student, so have to start small and use lower budget since i'm a beginner in this...