148.6L (39.2 gallon) aquarium journal

[elephantnose3334]

I haven't posted in here for a while, but I will update you on the tetras soon.

 

[elephantnose3334]

The tank is 291 days old as of today. A lot has kinda changed. The snails had eaten the ambulia, derooting it from its pot and floating on the water. I removed a massive amount of snails from the tank a few weeks ago as their popluation continues to explode. I also did water changes every two weeks, as normal. The silvertips aren't using the Java moss to lay their eggs in, and it's full of tiny snails. Meanwhile, the valisnera and red root floaters (although now green) are growing well.

19 Aug

23 Aug: I removed most of the visible snails and disposed of them in the backyard. That would've been a big meal for a dwarf (pea) puffer, if I had one (I don't have one, but might keep them one day).

After the snail removal

30 Aug: I was able to sex the two fry since they had grown a bit more. One is a male and the other a female.

Today. I am experiencing another snail population increase and it is quite messy.

 

[Colin_T]

Ramshorn snails, and they did a number on the Ambulia. The plant was looking really good a month ago, those snails are a pain in the blank. You need to look for snail eggs (thin flat jelly with spots in) and remove them along with netting out any adult snails. You will have to do it every week or two just to get their numbers down, and if you get a chance, do what the Daleks on Dr Who do, exterminate them.

The 2 baby tetras might be big enough to live with the adults now, especially if you can sex them.

 

[elephantnose3334]

I did a water change today on the silvertip tank. Yesterday, I was able to remove the fry saver and the adults finally have more space to swim. The right side probably needs more plants and I'm still dealing with the snail headache every once in a while. The silvertips have now been breeding since the last hour (chasing, males sparring, egg dispersion). I'd probably need to remove the java moss in the jar and move it elsewhere in the tank.

The eldest trio (especially the one with the notched tail) are continuing to display natural behaviours alongside the younger adults. They're fun to watch.

 

[elephantnose3334]

Today's tank photo.

 

[Colin_T]

Looks empty without all the plants, damn snails

 

[elephantnose3334]

Update on the tank coming soon. Nearly a year old now.

 

[elephantnose3334]

Brief update time. A recent photo of the tank as it stands now. 355 days old since it was first set up. The silvertip tetras are doing/behaving fine in the tank but I still have a snail problem that I need to control. The valisnera has survived the snail problem for a long time. I now feed the fish once a day, sometimes twice because of schedule changes that I have made, and I still fertilise the tank sometimes.

 

[Colin_T]

all the ambulia is gone?

how are the baby silvertips?

 

[elephantnose3334]

all the ambulia is gone?

how are the baby silvertips?

The baby silvertips are grown-up now and doing well with the adults. The ambulia is gone sadly.

 

[connorlindeman]

You should enter the Tank of the Month contest.

🐠 TOTM - ENTER NOW: November 2025 Tank of the Month Contest (31 US gallons and larger)

:big_boss: Please enter now! Ladies and Gents, Boys and Girls, all our fish lovers around the world - it's time for our monthly Tank of the Month Contest! This month we are allowing only freshwater aquariums sized at 31 US gallons (117 litres) and larger to be entered in the TOTM contest. If...

www.fishforums.net

 

[elephantnose3334]

You should enter the Tank of the Month contest.

🐠 TOTM - ENTER NOW: November 2025 Tank of the Month Contest (31 US gallons and larger)

:big_boss: Please enter now! Ladies and Gents, Boys and Girls, all our fish lovers around the world - it's time for our monthly Tank of the Month Contest! This month we are allowing only freshwater aquariums sized at 31 US gallons (117 litres) and larger to be entered in the TOTM contest. If...

www.fishforums.net

Thanks for the offer, but I won't enter this contest. Probably too late to enter now.

 

[elephantnose3334]

In two days time, this tank turns a year old. I've learnt a lot about looking after a larger tank and the fish I've kept since late 2022-23 (I just checked the date that I brought the three eldest silvertips and the original shoal of six in that cramped 10 gal tall, brought between December 2022-January 2023). I can tell that keeping a large aquarium is a bit easier than a smaller tank as the water parameters are more stable than the latter. The two younger tetras that were born in the 39gal long are still doing normally fine with the other fish. Silvertip tetras are a hardy fish, and hitchhiker snails breed very quickly if the conditions are right.

The 39gal aquarium has had a lot of changes, with some experimentation on the plants (Java fern, valisnera, water sprite, etc.), and the valisnera worked really well and is still surviving in the tank. I might need a bigger pot for it, but I have to move the driftwood in order to do this. Red root floaters aren't turning red and some look like they were eaten by snails, but they are growing for the cover.

I don't post here as frequently anymore since I have a lot of studying visual arts at TAFE for two semesters (Sem 2 2025 and Sem 1 2026), but I will keep posting occasional updates on the two tanks I have in my possession.

 

[Colin_T]

Are you doing the water changes now or does your dad still want to do them?

How is TAFE going, enjoying it? passing everything?
Are you on Aus Study for TAFE?

Still working at the Good Sammies or Salvos, and are you still enjoying it?

 

[elephantnose3334]

Are you doing the water changes now or does your dad still want to do them?

How is TAFE going, enjoying it? passing everything?
Are you on Aus Study for TAFE?

Still working at the Good Sammies or Salvos, and are you still enjoying it?

Not working at Good Sammys anymore, since I finished my time there in April this year. I am still doing the water changes by myself now. This semseter (Sem 2 2025) of TAFE is just about to finish this week. Bit busy overall, but I will keep posting updates on my tanks every now and then.

It is the 1st anniversary of the silvertip tetra tank today.