Before And Afters Of My Little Tank

Yeah, tetras have ripped Mr. Wimpy Fish's fins to shreds before. Not recommended. Cories are cute. ^^; ;3

Well, I've decided to do a (very carefully monitored) fish-in cycle. I've got three little Cherry Barbs, as well as Betty (female betta) and the snail.

I suspect another hitch hiking snail is present in my tank, but It's teeny still, and I've only seen it once.

I have some (REALLY) basic plants, but could use the wisdom of the forums for some design help.

Congrats!

Bettas often like floating plants. ^^; I really find that they like duckweed/water lettuce (floating plants, in other words). They like tall plants and plants that they can hide in. Bettas like lots of hiding places -- knock yourself out!

The tank looks great as it is, but ofcourse as Amber had said, they do like alot of plant coverage, to hide and sleep on.

So maybe some vallis and Java Fern

Java Fern, you say Betta_246? Like this?

Did a little re-planting (took the metal weight/ties off the plant bunches) so the fishies are a little stressed...they'll get over it.

I thiiiink that my tank is cycled now.. The ammonia level is 0, but the nitrate test strip never went any shade of pink at all, like it was supposed to; it just kept turning yellow. (I use a 6-in-1 test strip from 'jungle labs') Anyone experienced this? Did i miss something? Inferior product?

I'm starting to get a nice buildup of crud on the walls of the tank. Who eats algae? another snail? a shrimp? Lets make this tank interesting!

right: so here's the picture. I'm loving this tank.

Brilliant!

It looks great! Nice plant scaping too!, im sure the bettas will love there new home!

Sorry, cant help you on the water test strips as i use the liquid test kit.

And yup, snails and shrimp will eat the Algea!

Do snails and shrimp get along?

yes They keep themselves to themselves!

betta_246 said:

yes They keep themselves to themselves!

Click to expand...

Fab! (and thanks for the compliment on the plant scape.!)

How is everything going now, Taybird?

Love the tank upgrade, much better than the little orange one! Looks great with all the plants and caves.

are you still using test strips? I've gotta say that they're really inaccurate which might be why your nitrates never showed. How are your readings looking now? When you run out of strips I'd defintitely recommend getting a liquid test kit. API Freshwater Master Test Kit is amazing

You still got plans for more girls? with your cherry barbs it might be best to increase the group to 6 or 7 and just have them, Betty and some shrimp and snails. 6 barbs and 6 female bettas would be a lot for such an ickle tank!

Wow! what an upgrade! That looks really nice

last time i came on here, it was 1g min for a betta! amazin how it changes of time..

Updates updates updates!!

So my little betta tank has morphed into a full out freshwater community tank. I've branched out with my plants as well (ditched the sword, as it was outgrowing the tank, height-wise), and have more plans scheming in my brain. I really need a HOUSE with room for a 180Gal tank!

Current inhabitants are:
Betty (of course) who is grand matriarch of all the other fish, they kind of defer to her. She' not nippy, but she's got the respect, as it were.
3 cherry barbs, who tend to hang out with
4 Ember tetras, who have adopted into their shoal
1 White Cloud Mountain Minnow and
1 Pristella Tetra (both one-offs from my LFS)

I have now TWO snails (the original hitchhiker from the orange tank, and an intentionally purchased Mystery snail), and I'm considering a pair of Bee Shrimp.

It occurs to me that what I identified early as Java Fern is actually Hornwort (according to google images), which grows like a WEED! I bought one bunch before christmas, and have given away 3x as much, while still keeping my original amount.

I cannot for the life of me remember what the remaining plants are called, it's just one, and it's growing very fast, shooting off new sprouts, which I'm cutting and replanting, to make a little forest. It's fairly haphazard right now, as i want to give the plants space to grow, and not crowd them too early on.

I'm thinking of laying down some sort of grass/moss.. ideas?

@Assaye, I think I'm going to invest in the test kit you suggested. I had such high hopes for my strips, but I admit it. They kind of suck.

For your viewing pleasure: Betty ACTUALLY HELD STILL ..just for a moment.