54 litre freshwater aquarium diary
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gwand
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Beautiful and peaceful. What kind of fish are those blue ones?
Hello gwand and welcome!
Those are a shoal of regular green neon tetras, but in their full size. I've had them all for almost 2 years or so. They are usually bit smaller in shops.
Other inhabitants are Macrotocinclus affinis algae eaters and Neocaridina Davidi Yellow Line shrimps from a year ago. I'm still sometimes considering adding 1 male Honey Gourami. Do you think that would be a good addition?
- - -
As in btw, I'm much pleased with my filter after all. I planned to change it for a canister filter, but it's working superb enough. I haven't wanted to risk tubes out of the water in my apartment after all.
The filter is a bit oversized but I would not pick a smaller one! And it has flow adjustment button on top. It's Eheim Biopower 160 (for 80-160 litres) inside lined with filter floss to block the filter from shrimps. I renew it at every filter maintenance. Then inside of it is the original coarse sponge, then biological filter media Eheim Substrat Pro which has performed excellent! And lastly a very small pouch of Seachem Purigen (50g) in the top section of the filter for added clarity. Surface flow attained with its vertical outflow tube. This filter has been enough in power and capability and the Purigen keeps the water crystal clear, like I didn't have any wood at all in there. It used to colour the water. I'm super pleased with Purigen. It was a brilliant investment for enjoyment!
Those are a shoal of regular green neon tetras, but in their full size. I've had them all for almost 2 years or so. They are usually bit smaller in shops.
Other inhabitants are Macrotocinclus affinis algae eaters and Neocaridina Davidi Yellow Line shrimps from a year ago. I'm still sometimes considering adding 1 male Honey Gourami. Do you think that would be a good addition?
- - -
As in btw, I'm much pleased with my filter after all. I planned to change it for a canister filter, but it's working superb enough. I haven't wanted to risk tubes out of the water in my apartment after all.
The filter is a bit oversized but I would not pick a smaller one! And it has flow adjustment button on top. It's Eheim Biopower 160 (for 80-160 litres) inside lined with filter floss to block the filter from shrimps. I renew it at every filter maintenance. Then inside of it is the original coarse sponge, then biological filter media Eheim Substrat Pro which has performed excellent! And lastly a very small pouch of Seachem Purigen (50g) in the top section of the filter for added clarity. Surface flow attained with its vertical outflow tube. This filter has been enough in power and capability and the Purigen keeps the water crystal clear, like I didn't have any wood at all in there. It used to colour the water. I'm super pleased with Purigen. It was a brilliant investment for enjoyment!
Last edited:
gwand
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I have never kept gourami so I don’t know what kind of tank mate it would be. But it is a good looking fish. A single Paradise fish would work.
Surprise!
I have just introduced a sweet pair of Honey Gouramis (Trichogaster chuna) to my aquarium! A day to celebrate! The upper section of the tank had always been a bit empty. They are the natural colour variety which I love and their colours will get stronger and brighter.
I was positively surprised to see that the female Honey Gourami has orange on her fins.
I have just introduced a sweet pair of Honey Gouramis (Trichogaster chuna) to my aquarium! A day to celebrate! The upper section of the tank had always been a bit empty. They are the natural colour variety which I love and their colours will get stronger and brighter.
I was positively surprised to see that the female Honey Gourami has orange on her fins.
In order to create a breeding spot for Honey Gouramis with halted water movement, I cut a plastic circle out of a noodle cup and firmly attached it around the thermometer. Perfect match!
The breeding rim is visible, yet stylish. Looks like it belongs there. I'm super happy! So blessed!
Already more colour. I love these fellows!
MattW
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I had a pair of honey gourami once. They only lasted as a pair for a week. The males, when guarding nests can be very territorial and bully other fish. The issue I had was that I had them in a cube tank, which meant less room (surface area). You should have a much better experience since you have a longer tank. 
I bet they will be breeding soon! They are beautiful fish.
I bet they will be breeding soon! They are beautiful fish.
Autumn in the aquarium
I'm a little bit worried if it was a good idea to add a maple leaf to the aqua. May there be some contamination? I know they sell some special leaves for aqua, but is it necessary for it to be from a special tree? Could someone enlighten me fast please?
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Naughts
Fish Aficionado
If the leaves were found in a pollution free area, no traffic nor pesticides, and are clean of contaminants such as spores and disease, it will be ok.
I am more worried about the new fish without quarantine. The male honey looks “itchy”.
I am more worried about the new fish without quarantine. The male honey looks “itchy”.
Yes, I'm not so familiar with quarantining. I only have space for 1 aquarium. I'm not sure if a possible quarantine would be up to the fishes standards, in where they could actually calm down and relax, like in an actual planted aquarium with hiding spots. All went well though, gladly!
Both of them were fine, but the female passed away after a few months. Male is still alive and healthy and active. Competiting over food with shrimps and tetras very well. He seems in peace, unless when I mess around in the aqua. I really like the decision of geting it!
Hello!
Time for an update!
My camera makes colors yellowish, whereas in reality the greens are more bluish green, less yellow.
Aqua current state after yesterday's and todays messing with it - switced some plants and objects around. The look isn't AS fancy in my opinion, now, but there's more room for fishes to actually swim around.
Tomorrow I'm geting a new LED light, to swap out the dimmed and partly broken old led, that I have right now. Then, I assume the right side plants will start growing big again! Which I am very much waiting for to happen!
Tiger Lily is doing well, which I love to look at! It really seems to love Seachem Iron and root fertilizers. It started growing again once I added more/fresh ones.
ABOUT THE BALANCE OF THE TANK:
I must say I'm just amazed how well balanced this tank is as 54 litres and with Eheim biopower 160 (oversized) filter, which has sponge wrapped in filter floss for shrimps not to enter the filter, then biological filter material and then Seachem Purigen to make water crystal clear.
I can truly have and autofeeder on and take a LOOONG vocation.... come back and water parameters are still excellent! It's just amazing! Only thing that changes is the speed of the water exchanged in filter slows down when it gets glogged. But aqua is doing great nonetheless. Anyone else with similar experiences? WIth a very very hardy tank? With for example Nitrates staying down?
LIVESTOCK:
Some changes have happened, few old green neon tetras passed away, but main pack is still active and energetic and healthy. Only male Honey Gourami left and only one Otto left. Yellow Stripe shrimps are continually growing a new generation, after I got the Java moss. Though with moderate feeding the new generation has not taken over the tank.
PLANS:
- I should probably get a few more Ottos, BUT.... to me it seems my tank has sufficient algae for only one. The one Otto seems constantly grazing thoug, active and as if not noticing anyone missing, but I might be wrong.
- With more light coming in soon, with new fresh and fully functional LED light, I am concerned if I might get an algae issue. With current light, which is partly broken and rest of it dimmed somewhat, the light hours can be long though and no much lagae issue. Any tips for how to proceed with the new light? I thought to add is as a second light for starters and have it on only 2h per day at start. The rest of the time I would have old light on.
THIS PICTURE OF Cyperus helferi IS THROUGH INTERNET SEARCH JUST TO GIVE AN IDEA FAST.
- Also dreaming about right side plants growing big again and maybe adding another plant there. Cyperus helferi for example. Aso some small Anubians maybe under the TIger Lily and Cryprocoryne? To make them less stand out and more of a bush look, but I'm not sure how these plants would manage in my tank long run.
ISSUE:
I still have a tiny bit of beard algae left in my tank, which pops up every now and then and I need to trim off those plant parts. With new light I might lose the wood to it, which is now in the dark side of the aqua. I'm not really sure how to batte it. They say that it's a clean and fast flowing tank issue....?
Time for an update!
My camera makes colors yellowish, whereas in reality the greens are more bluish green, less yellow.
Aqua current state after yesterday's and todays messing with it - switced some plants and objects around. The look isn't AS fancy in my opinion, now, but there's more room for fishes to actually swim around.
Tomorrow I'm geting a new LED light, to swap out the dimmed and partly broken old led, that I have right now. Then, I assume the right side plants will start growing big again! Which I am very much waiting for to happen!
Tiger Lily is doing well, which I love to look at! It really seems to love Seachem Iron and root fertilizers. It started growing again once I added more/fresh ones.
ABOUT THE BALANCE OF THE TANK:
I must say I'm just amazed how well balanced this tank is as 54 litres and with Eheim biopower 160 (oversized) filter, which has sponge wrapped in filter floss for shrimps not to enter the filter, then biological filter material and then Seachem Purigen to make water crystal clear.
I can truly have and autofeeder on and take a LOOONG vocation.... come back and water parameters are still excellent! It's just amazing! Only thing that changes is the speed of the water exchanged in filter slows down when it gets glogged. But aqua is doing great nonetheless. Anyone else with similar experiences? WIth a very very hardy tank? With for example Nitrates staying down?
LIVESTOCK:
Some changes have happened, few old green neon tetras passed away, but main pack is still active and energetic and healthy. Only male Honey Gourami left and only one Otto left. Yellow Stripe shrimps are continually growing a new generation, after I got the Java moss. Though with moderate feeding the new generation has not taken over the tank.
PLANS:
- I should probably get a few more Ottos, BUT.... to me it seems my tank has sufficient algae for only one. The one Otto seems constantly grazing thoug, active and as if not noticing anyone missing, but I might be wrong.
- With more light coming in soon, with new fresh and fully functional LED light, I am concerned if I might get an algae issue. With current light, which is partly broken and rest of it dimmed somewhat, the light hours can be long though and no much lagae issue. Any tips for how to proceed with the new light? I thought to add is as a second light for starters and have it on only 2h per day at start. The rest of the time I would have old light on.
THIS PICTURE OF Cyperus helferi IS THROUGH INTERNET SEARCH JUST TO GIVE AN IDEA FAST.
- Also dreaming about right side plants growing big again and maybe adding another plant there. Cyperus helferi for example. Aso some small Anubians maybe under the TIger Lily and Cryprocoryne? To make them less stand out and more of a bush look, but I'm not sure how these plants would manage in my tank long run.
ISSUE:
I still have a tiny bit of beard algae left in my tank, which pops up every now and then and I need to trim off those plant parts. With new light I might lose the wood to it, which is now in the dark side of the aqua. I'm not really sure how to batte it. They say that it's a clean and fast flowing tank issue....?
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MattW
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Glad to see the tank and its inhabitants still thriving! 
Your point on over filtration for a balanced tank is true in my case as well. I have a ‘overstocked’ 60L tank running a Fluval U3 which is rated for over 120L, lots of plants and weekly water changes and it’s the best balanced tank I’ve ever kept!
The addition of new Ottos would benefit the lone one, however. The shrimp and Otto are both feeding on the same things pretty much. If they are both happy I would leave it IMO. The more food the merrier.
You could do what you suggested with lighting. I would increase the new light duration in 30 min blocks every other day. Try it until you start to see algae growth.
Can’t comment on the C.helferi but adding anubias would be fine. I’ve found them to be hardy plants. If there is a big change in the environment they will make it known but eventually they settle in.
I’ve been battling BBA for years and I now just let it stay in the tank. It’s a pain especially when it smothers plants.
Your point on over filtration for a balanced tank is true in my case as well. I have a ‘overstocked’ 60L tank running a Fluval U3 which is rated for over 120L, lots of plants and weekly water changes and it’s the best balanced tank I’ve ever kept!
The addition of new Ottos would benefit the lone one, however. The shrimp and Otto are both feeding on the same things pretty much. If they are both happy I would leave it IMO. The more food the merrier.
You could do what you suggested with lighting. I would increase the new light duration in 30 min blocks every other day. Try it until you start to see algae growth.
Can’t comment on the C.helferi but adding anubias would be fine. I’ve found them to be hardy plants. If there is a big change in the environment they will make it known but eventually they settle in.
I’ve been battling BBA for years and I now just let it stay in the tank. It’s a pain especially when it smothers plants.
Nice to hear from you MattW!
It's always interesting to read your replies, thank you! And congrats on more tank of the month winns!
Aslo, thinking about what you said about Ottos.
The new light has come in!
BEFORE!
AFTER!
Yeyyy! Am super happy! My brother gifted me a giftcard to the aqua store here for Christmas, which covered about half of the new light price now. So happy! And a good gift idea if someone asks you what would you wish for!
I bought the plant light version of EHEIM ClassicLED series. I had the daylight version before, but it's as you can see old, partly darkened and rest of it dimmed. It's like I've fallen in love with the aqua again now that I can see it shine!
As you can see I also got a new pack of Vallisneria in front of the filter.
O' happy day!
It's always interesting to read your replies, thank you! And congrats on more tank of the month winns!
Aslo, thinking about what you said about Ottos.The new light has come in!
BEFORE!
AFTER!
Yeyyy!
Am super happy! My brother gifted me a giftcard to the aqua store here for Christmas, which covered about half of the new light price now. So happy! And a good gift idea if someone asks you what would you wish for! I bought the plant light version of EHEIM ClassicLED series. I had the daylight version before, but it's as you can see old, partly darkened and rest of it dimmed. It's like I've fallen in love with the aqua again now that I can see it shine!
As you can see I also got a new pack of Vallisneria in front of the filter.
O' happy day!
MattW
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That new light has definitely brightened things up! I haven't owned many Eheim products, but I rate the build quality of their water pumps. I can see the plants benefiting from the new lighting. Especially that Val, I used to have it in my Cube tank, but it quickly blocked all lighting to the bottom 
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