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Tanks... You're Welcome! (Jonelle's Journal)
- Thread starter Nells250
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
Today I visited a shop in NH and saw some small Fluval tanks set up with plants and bettas. I wasn't aware they have different versions of the 2.6 gallon kits. When I came home I looked at the Fluval website, and ALMOST clicked the BUY button for one of the shrimp tanks. I KNOW I want to upgrade one of my tanks, but I just can't justify the price yet.
Usually, it takes reading people's reviews for me to start second guessing my potential purchases!
Other than that, both bettas are doing fine, and the two test tanks MAY actually now have too much light, since I trimmed back/removed some of the alternanthera which is letting more light in. Buce's are growing like mad and I don't know why...
Usually, it takes reading people's reviews for me to start second guessing my potential purchases!
Other than that, both bettas are doing fine, and the two test tanks MAY actually now have too much light, since I trimmed back/removed some of the alternanthera which is letting more light in. Buce's are growing like mad and I don't know why...
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
UPDATE:
Betsy the betta in Tank #1 is doing well. Did a bit of a clean and removed some dead leaves, etc. Speedy the Snail is still going, a year later...
Mr. Un-named the betta in Tank #2 is also doing well, with Zip the Snail also slithering along. I think I'll have to clean his substrate soon.
Plant Test Tank #1 seems a bit too small now. I really can't change much in there now that it is teeming with shrimp! Pulled out some Alternanthera Reineckii and planted some new bacopa.
Plant Test Tank #2 is in process of being replaced. I ended up finding a Fluval Ebi kit at a shop and bit the bullet, since I had a little extra cash to spend on myself. The current PTT#2 is sitting across the room while the new one cycles (for the shrimp). Setting it up is definitely a learning process for me...
Betsy the betta in Tank #1 is doing well. Did a bit of a clean and removed some dead leaves, etc. Speedy the Snail is still going, a year later...
Mr. Un-named the betta in Tank #2 is also doing well, with Zip the Snail also slithering along. I think I'll have to clean his substrate soon.
Plant Test Tank #1 seems a bit too small now. I really can't change much in there now that it is teeming with shrimp! Pulled out some Alternanthera Reineckii and planted some new bacopa.
Plant Test Tank #2 is in process of being replaced. I ended up finding a Fluval Ebi kit at a shop and bit the bullet, since I had a little extra cash to spend on myself. The current PTT#2 is sitting across the room while the new one cycles (for the shrimp). Setting it up is definitely a learning process for me...
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
Betta #4 is now officially known as SPACKLE.
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
TANK #1 - Betsy's tank looks HORRIBLE. As posted elsewhere, the "big clean" I did in an effort to make things nice for the fish RUINED everything else! Crypt and Buce all melted! The beautiful plants I was so happy about, GONE! Also the Sword was getting all fuzzy, so I trimmed it all the way to the crown. Today I added a little more gravel and planted a few of my MANY spare alternanthera stems in an effort go get some life back there.
I simply can't get used to the fact aquariums should NOT be pristine!
TANK #2 - After the Tank #1 debacle, Tank #2 with the now-named male betta Spackle is going to ONLY get partial water changes from now on. The plants in there are sill doing well, and hopefully Zip the Snail keeps them algae-free this winter.
Plant Test Tank #1 - Shrimp were starting to escape the tank, so I did a partial water change. Also finally made my low-tech transparent lid to help keep critters inside, including snail #3, who doesn't have a name yet. STILL baby shrimp showing up. Took the potted crypts and planted them in the actual substrate. The Test Chai plants have been decimated by the shrimp, who I swear can't leave anything alone!
Plant Test Tank #2 - Looks HORRIBLE as I await the replacement tank to be ready for the shrimp that live in there. It is entirely possible I won't put them in, as it is NICE to not have poo and damage from wildlife!
Photos to follow at some point soon, I hope...
I simply can't get used to the fact aquariums should NOT be pristine!
TANK #2 - After the Tank #1 debacle, Tank #2 with the now-named male betta Spackle is going to ONLY get partial water changes from now on. The plants in there are sill doing well, and hopefully Zip the Snail keeps them algae-free this winter.
Plant Test Tank #1 - Shrimp were starting to escape the tank, so I did a partial water change. Also finally made my low-tech transparent lid to help keep critters inside, including snail #3, who doesn't have a name yet. STILL baby shrimp showing up. Took the potted crypts and planted them in the actual substrate. The Test Chai plants have been decimated by the shrimp, who I swear can't leave anything alone!
Plant Test Tank #2 - Looks HORRIBLE as I await the replacement tank to be ready for the shrimp that live in there. It is entirely possible I won't put them in, as it is NICE to not have poo and damage from wildlife!
Photos to follow at some point soon, I hope...
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
PLANT TEST TANK #1 - Nerite Snail #3 (this one doesn't have a name) almost got stepped on this morning. I didn't have my glasses on, and saw something small and dark on the carpet. It was the snail! I picked it up and put it in a cup of water, and sure enough it was still alive. There was a little trail of what looked like bubbles on the carpet I had to wash off after!
So much for my do-it-yourself plastic tank lid!
So much for my do-it-yourself plastic tank lid!
I also don't have fancy set ups when it comes to my breeding tanks. Tanks should be practical and functional in first place. A fancy set up is just meant for the vain eye...I don't have a lot of space or money for fancy setups
Hope the snail is still doing okay...? Having a lot of open tanks (so, no lid), this does happen from time to time overhere as well with some snails. Thusfar, I've always been in time to put them back.
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
I wonder... Does the tank need to have a fish in it? Tank #2 is a planted cube with a betta, Plant Test Tank #1 has shrimp only w/plants.
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
I don't see it, but as we know, that doesn't mean it isn't in there ;-)
No fish are required… just has to have freshwater in it
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
R.I.P Zip the Snail 2.0 5/2024-7/2025... Zip was responsible for cleaning Tank #2. Need to get a replacement sooner than later!
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
I have been VERY annoyed at the lack of progress I am making with this hobby. I'm sick of seeing everyone's pristine tanks with nice plants and no algae... My tanks look horrible no matter what I do for them! Only good thing is my bettas are fine. I am even loosing nerite snails!!
TANK #1:
TANK #2: STILL unnamed female betta HAD a new snail (Zip #3) but now it is in Tank #1 to take care of some algae until replacements arrive.
PLANT TEST TANK #1/Shrimp Tank: Not looking great... plants just look BLAH. Saw some shrimp babies in there, but have also been loosing some. Added a Wonder Shell and some PH-down to try and make the shrimp happy, BUT so far it doesn't seem to be helping. Trimmed down plants but not seeing any growth... NOT HAPPY...
PLANT TEST TANK #2/Betta Tank: This tank has been only plants. It started out looking really nice, but then one by one plants died, or look HORRIBLE. So I decided, since I was ready to give up on this stupid hobby, I'd pick up a THIRD betta, an alien male, and if he is happy in that tank, GREAT. He seems fine so far, and today I decided MAYBE it was finally time to add a heater in case the plants are too cool.
A while ago I picked up a Sicce Jolly heater, and I just placed it in the back of the tank. We shall see... now I need another thermometer...
PLANT TEST TANK #3: Absolute failure... Did well in the beginning, then everything melted or got covered in algae. Added a snail and two shrimp to eat it all. Even one Amano shrimp. The snail and Amano disappeared, and nothing touched the algae. I decided to change MOST of the water, swapped out the sponge filter for my Fluval AquaClear, which I was NOT happy with the first time around, and ripped out most of the plants, trimmed them, and swapped out the Imagitarium Planted Light for my old basic Stingray. The filter is NOT keeping the water clear. I don't understand why people love them...
TANK #1:
R.I.P
Speedy the Snail
12/2023-8/2025
Otherwise Betsy the Betta is still going strong in there.Speedy the Snail
12/2023-8/2025
TANK #2: STILL unnamed female betta HAD a new snail (Zip #3) but now it is in Tank #1 to take care of some algae until replacements arrive.
PLANT TEST TANK #1/Shrimp Tank: Not looking great... plants just look BLAH. Saw some shrimp babies in there, but have also been loosing some. Added a Wonder Shell and some PH-down to try and make the shrimp happy, BUT so far it doesn't seem to be helping. Trimmed down plants but not seeing any growth... NOT HAPPY...
PLANT TEST TANK #2/Betta Tank: This tank has been only plants. It started out looking really nice, but then one by one plants died, or look HORRIBLE. So I decided, since I was ready to give up on this stupid hobby, I'd pick up a THIRD betta, an alien male, and if he is happy in that tank, GREAT. He seems fine so far, and today I decided MAYBE it was finally time to add a heater in case the plants are too cool.
A while ago I picked up a Sicce Jolly heater, and I just placed it in the back of the tank. We shall see... now I need another thermometer...
PLANT TEST TANK #3: Absolute failure... Did well in the beginning, then everything melted or got covered in algae. Added a snail and two shrimp to eat it all. Even one Amano shrimp. The snail and Amano disappeared, and nothing touched the algae. I decided to change MOST of the water, swapped out the sponge filter for my Fluval AquaClear, which I was NOT happy with the first time around, and ripped out most of the plants, trimmed them, and swapped out the Imagitarium Planted Light for my old basic Stingray. The filter is NOT keeping the water clear. I don't understand why people love them...
Algae overgrowth is almost always caused by too much light and/or overfeeding. Attention to both variables can mitigate algae issues.
Doctoring tap water, other than adding conditioners to strip away chlorine chemicals leads to problems. What is the GH, KH and pH of your tap water?
Doctoring tap water, other than adding conditioners to strip away chlorine chemicals leads to problems. What is the GH, KH and pH of your tap water?
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Nells250
Fish Crazy
Usually all I use is a tap of conditioner, if at all, and Seachem Excel. Recently I started using some CO2 tabs from Buce Plant and iron from Aquarium Co-op as well.
You know, stupid me has never actually tested straight tap! One shop man told me that the water where I live tends to "change" a day or so after leaving the faucet. Most of what he said went RIGHT over my head, but it had something to do with a treatment that prevents it from attacking people's plumbing. He said it dissipates after a little while.
I'll check it from the tap and "get back to you".
I do think the lamp I was using was too strong. I am surprised, though, since the tank is 12" high.
You know, stupid me has never actually tested straight tap! One shop man told me that the water where I live tends to "change" a day or so after leaving the faucet. Most of what he said went RIGHT over my head, but it had something to do with a treatment that prevents it from attacking people's plumbing. He said it dissipates after a little while.
I'll check it from the tap and "get back to you".
I do think the lamp I was using was too strong. I am surprised, though, since the tank is 12" high.
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