🐠 TOTM November 2026 Tank of the Month Contest (31 US Gallons and larger)

[connorlindeman71 12]

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Please enter now!
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, fishkeepers from around the world — it’s time for our monthly Tank of the Month Contest!

We’re excited to announce this month’s contest, and we’re also experimenting with a new voting format designed to make participation easier and encourage more community engagement.

For November, we are accepting entries from freshwater aquariums sized at 31 US gallons (117 litres) and larger.
Whether you have a beautifully established aquascape, a thriving community tank, or an aquarium that’s still a work in progress, we want to see it! Planted or unplanted, high-tech or low-tech, all styles are welcome.
The more entries we receive, the better the competition!

Entry Rules​

1. You must own the aquarium you are entering, and it must be located in your household.
2. Each member may submit one aquarium entry.
3. Your entry must include one recent photograph uploaded using the forum’s attachment feature.
4. The photograph must include a handwritten note displayed in front of or attached to the aquarium reading “November 2026 TFF TOTM.”
5. Alongside your photograph, please include a detailed description of your aquarium.

Your write-up should cover as many of the following details as possible:

• Aquarium size and dimensions
• Age of the setup
• Fish and other livestock
• Water parameters
• Fertilizers and supplements used
• Lighting equipment and schedule
• Filtration and aeration
• Maintenance routine and water changes
• Feeding schedule

Previous TOTM winners must sit out at least two contests before entering another aquarium.

No AI-Generated or AI-Manipulated Photos: Entries must feature authentic photographs of your actual aquarium. Light photo enhancements, such as basic brightness, contrast, color, and sharpness adjustments, are permitted. However, AI-generated images, AI enhancements, or substantial digital alterations that change the appearance of the aquarium are not allowed. Let’s keep it real!

Voting – A New Experiment!​

This month, we’re trying something a little different!

Rather than using a traditional poll, we’re experimenting with a reaction-based voting system.

Here’s how it works:

• To enter, simply follow the entry rules above and click "post reply." You are now entered!
• To vote, simply click the Like () button on your favorite entries.
• Each like counts as one vote.
• You may vote for multiple entries.
• The entry with the most likes at the end of the voting period will be declared the winner.

Voting closes on November 15, 2026, at 4 PM ET. The aquarium with the most likes at that time will be crowned our November Tank of the Month winner!

A little tip: The earlier you enter, the more time your aquarium has to collect votes!
Please remember that voting is intended to reflect genuine community appreciation. Members may not create accounts or recruit friends and family to join the forum solely to vote for a particular entry.

Since this is an experimental voting format, we welcome constructive feedback on how the process works. Depending on participation, we may make adjustments to future contests.

What Do I Win?​

The winner will receive:

• A special Tank of the Month winner banner displayed on their forum profile.
• Their aquarium showcased in a dedicated TOTM Winner thread.
• A permanent addition to our Tank of the Month Wall of Fame.

Please note that once we reach 10 qualifying entries, additional submissions will not be accepted.

Finally, please keep this thread focused on contest entries. Comments expressing opinions about individual entries may be removed to keep the competition organized and the voting process fair.
Good luck to everyone, and most importantly, have fun!

Now let’s see those aquariums!

 

[connorlindeman71 12]

We are trying an experimental voting system this month. Please note the updated contest instructions above.

 

[bgarthe76 93]

Aquarium Size: 75g
Age: 2 years
Fish/Livestock:
**12 Congo Tetras (Phenacogrammus interruptus)
**7 GoldBlue-Eyed Congo Tetras (Phenacogrammus aurantiacus)
**3 Peppered Corycats (Hoplisoma paleatus)
**2 Bronze Corycats (Osteogaster aeneus)
Water Parameters: pH 7.8-8.0, GH 2-5, KH 2-5, Temp. 77 deg. F
Fertilizers/Supplements:
**Seachem “Replenish” monthly if needed,
**Seachem “Discus Trace” each 3-4 months
Lighting/Schedule: Fluval AquaSky 3.0 LED for 6 hours daily
Filtration/Aeration:
**2 Fluval AC 110s baffled with sponge, polyfil, BioHome/Matrix media,
**1 3g sump w Surf 2 Floating Algae Scrubber & BioHome media bags
**1 Airstone
Maintenance/Routine:
** All fish went through a 4-5week Quarantine
**1 Seachem NH3 Alert Tag 24/7,
**Water Changes 14-18 days (depending on NO3 levels) of 40-50%
**2 HOB prefilter sponges squeeze rinsed at WCs
**New RO and Well tap water (by measured ratio) into tank at WC has been aged, aerated, and heated to tank temperature.
**AC 110s fully cleaned out based on visual inspection and reduced flow/overflow channel having water in it.
**At lower left is hallowed out half rubber/resin log with holes on top to deliver food (via long clear rigid plastic tube) to Corycats without Congos snatching up the Cory food.
Heaters: 3 Finnex HMX Titanium 200w (two regulated by Blueline Controller) to protect against overheating in heater failure. 1 heater as stand alone back up in case Controller fails or one if two mains does.
Feeding: once daily measured…..
**Micro Pellets of several varieties,
**Omega and Cobalt Flakes,
**Freeze Dried Blackworms
**sinking Catfish pellets for Corycats
Decor/Substrate:
**Real aged slate anchored Driftwood, artificial plants
**Substrate is 3/4”-1” deep Black Blasting Sand (coarse sand/fine gravel) which is vacuumed at each WC.

 

[bgarthe76 93]

This type if voting is great imho.

One idea to toss out might be to make a general announcement or special “news-like” banner so everyone who visits TFF sees how easy it is, feels no pressure, and has multiple “like” vote options for those who are stuck between choosing one or the other entry as in the past. Also, this system allows people to “like” anytime they’re visiting the site and they don’t have wait to comeback when voting starts to cast their vote as, like you said, voting starts with each entry post.

One question……
If someone uses one of these ( ), does it count as a vote or do they have to it? This, too, might be mentioned in the announcement if you elect to post a general announcement.

Again…….. I like this voting concept and

******* Please remove this post if it doesn’t belong here. Your request for constructive comments in the listing doesn’t say where to post them. *******

 

[Coryking39 12]

This is my Fluval Roma 125L (33gallons)

The tank has been set up for quite a while starting out as a southeast Asian themed tank. I do plan to rescape the tank sometime soon.

Stocking
6x wrestling halfbeaks (Dermogenys pusillia)
6x five banded barbs (Desmopuntius pentazona)
6x Harlequin rasbora (Trigonostigma heteromorpha)
5x daisys ricefish (Oryzias Woworae)
3x pea puffers (Carinotetraodon travancoricus)
2x glass catfish (Kryptopterus vitreolus)
1x angelfish (Pterophyllum Scalare)
8x bronze albino cory (Osteogaster aenea)
1x ninja wood cat (Tatia musaica)
1x flash pleco ( Panaqolus albivermis)
1x twig catfish (Farlowella acus)
1x banjo catfish (Bunocephalus coracoideus)
1x bumblebee catfish (microglanis iheringi)

Some people may be alarmed by the angel and pea puffers. They have been together for about 4 months with no problems. The angel is stunted and has never grown in the two years i've had her. The pea puffers are fully grown, I've raised them in a community setting and keep them well feed. They don't bother each other and I have a spare tank if things go south.

The filter is a fluval canister filter I don't remember the exact model but it is rated for a much higher volume of water then my tank is. water changes are weekly with the filter cleaned once a fortnight.

Feeding is once a day with pellets of different types, blood worms about 5 times a week, algae wafers 2-3 times a week and a small amount of pellets every other night for the nocturnal fish.

The tank is lighted by a desk lamp
plants are somewhat limited, I have Amazon swords, tiger lotus, Crystal wart and Cryptocoryne crispatula. They are quite large and occupy the back of the tank. There are also a lot of house plants growing within the tank.

 

[connorlindeman71 12]

Remember! If you want to be competitive, you need to get your entries in ASAP!

 

[FishForums.net]

Update #1 — and we are under way!
2 photos in, the voting is live, and 11 days on the clock.



Current standings

#	Member	Votes
1	bgarthe	7
2	Coryking	4

React to a photo to vote for it. Post yours in this thread to enter. Last day to vote: Nov 15, 2026.

 

[Magnum Man76 190]

Ok, maybe more than we need during election results… my pet peeve is them posting a leader, with 3% of reports in… a guess at best…

 

[Fishmanic75 191]

Reminder: entries are accepted till the contest ends on November 15th:
Our new rules are:

• To enter, simply follow the entry rules above and click "post reply." You are now entered!
• To vote, simply click the Like () button on your favorite entries.
• Each like counts as one vote.
• You may vote for multiple entries.
• The entry with the most likes at the end of the voting period will be declared the winner.

The earlier you enter, the more time your entry has to accumulate likes. So get your entry in ASAP.

 

[FishForums.net]

Update #2
Still wide open — 2 photos in it, and 9 days to go.



How it stands right now

#	Member	Votes
1	bgarthe	9
2	Coryking	6

4 votes cast since the last update, from 2 different members.

Post a photo in this thread to enter, and react to the ones you like to vote for them. Last day to vote: Nov 15, 2026.

 

[FishForums.net]

Update #3
7 days on the clock, 2 photos in the field.



Current standings

#	Member	Votes
1	bgarthe	11
2	Coryking	6

3 updates in a row at the top for bgarthe. That's some staying power.

2 votes from 2 members since the last update.
bgarthe picked up the most new votes since the last update — 2 of them.

React to a photo to vote for it. Post yours in this thread to enter. Last day to vote: Nov 15, 2026.

 

[FishForums.net]

CONTEST UPDATE #4
Back with the latest from the photo contest: 2 photos in the running, 5 days left.



How it stands right now

#	Member	Votes
1	bgarthe	11
2	Coryking	7

bgarthe has held first place for the last 4 updates.

1 vote cast since the last update, from 1 different member.

Post a photo in this thread to enter, and react to the ones you like to vote for them. Last day to vote: Nov 15, 2026.

 

[FishForums.net]

Update #5
Still wide open — 2 photos in it, and 3 days to go.



Current standings

#	Member	Votes
1	bgarthe	13
2	Coryking	8

5 updates in a row at the top for bgarthe. That's some staying power.

3 votes from 2 members since the last update.
bgarthe picked up the most new votes since the last update — 2 of them.

If you have been meaning to enter, now is the time.

React to a photo to vote for it. Post yours in this thread to enter. Last day to vote: Nov 15, 2026.

 

[FishForums.net]

Update #6
2 days on the clock, 2 photos in the field.



How it stands right now

#	Member	Votes
1	bgarthe	14
2	Coryking	8

bgarthe has held first place for the last 6 updates.

1 vote cast since the last update, from 1 different member.

Not long now — get your photo in and your votes cast.

Post a photo in this thread to enter, and react to the ones you like to vote for them. Last day to vote: Nov 15, 2026.

 

[Rusty_Shackleford75 190]

I'm not really a contest guy but what the heck.
This is my 36 gallon bowfront, Rio Paraguay biotopish tank.

This tank is still a work in progress.

• Aquarium size and dimensions - 36 gallons, 30"L x 23.5" H x 12" W (15" at the bow)
• Age of the setup - Set up since 11/03/2024
• Fish and other livestock - 2 Laetacara dorsigera, 10 Megalamphodus megalopterus (Black Phantom Tetra), 9 Aphyocharax rathbuni (Green Fire Tetra)
• Water parameters - KH 3°, GH 6°, pH 7.4. Zero ammonia and nitrite, nitrate ranges between 0-10 ppm. Current water temperature is 74°, though I do vary it seasonally from a high of 80° to a low of 70°.
• Fertilizers and supplements used - Seachem Safe powdered dechlorinator, Niloc G DIY EI fertilizer. 6 ml of Macros and 2 ml of Micros per week.
• Lighting equipment and schedule - 2@ 24" Finnex Planted+ 3.0. One in the front one in the back. Lights are on from 10:30 - 19:30. A half hour ramp up in the morning, full intensity (80%) for 8 hours, half hour of ramp down in the evening.
• Filtration and aeration - Aquael Ultramax 1000 with spray bar. 2 filter trays with Poret foam and 1 with Polyfill. Oase Crystalskim 350. During the summer I will run an air pump with a single airstone.
• Maintenance routine and water changes - Weekly water changes every Thursday. During the warmer months 60%-75% per week, with water cooler than the aquarium water. During the cooler months, 25%-50% with water around the same temperature as the aquarium. Tap water is used for all water changes.
• Feeding schedule - Varies. During the warmer months once per day sometimes twice per day. NLS community flakes, NLS pellets, Northfin community pellets, Northfin Nano Bites. Supplemented with frozen foods and live mosquito larvae. During the cooler months feeding is once every other day, predominantly the prepared food stated above. Perhaps some frozen food once per week or so.
• Plants are currently Potamageton gayi, Bacopa australis, and Valisineria spiralis. The Val doesn't fit in with the biotope and will eventually be removed. I'm planning on adding an Echinodorus amazonicus, Hydrocotyle leucocephala, and Egeria najas.
• Substrate is Black Diamond Blasting Sand.
• Driftwood - Spiderwood.