I currently have 16 embers but hope to add more, maybe they will have fry. I plan on someday having embers and shrimp only in my tetra tank so as my other fish die I am not replacing them .
I use salvinia to help shade my fish, frog bite is also good. I am trying to grow some frog bite to use in my tetra tank. I only use duckweed for my turtles. (they like to eat it)
I have seen a few badgers in the wild in Wisconsin. As long as you leave them alone they are fine. Of course if you go downtown to state st. in Madison Wisconsin you will see plenty of them hanging out in the bars having a good time.
I prefer to do a silent or planted cycle instead. Add several fast growing plants like hornwort or moneywort and let them take care of the ammonia made by your fish.
Good luck, I had a peace lily in one of my 29 gallon tanks but had to plant it after the tank had a bad leak, It grew to be very large and had long roots that were taking over the tank so I had to trim them every month or two.
One of my old 29 gallon tanks is leaking from the bottom, I am thinking of buying a new one when Petco has their 1 dollar a gallon sale and not repairing it. Too many old tanks springing leaks lately.
It has been years since I had Budgies, I miss mine:wub: they were also very playful and liked to sit on my should while I watched TV. They would tap on my ear if I was not giving them enough attention.
My 29 gallon guppy/platy tank is overrun with guppy fry too. I put some in with my turtles but they just ignore them. A neighbors 8 year old daughter took 6 of my platy fry that had grown to adulthood but no one is interested in free guppy fry.