Add A Sorority To Which Tank....?

[Jenste]

For now I have decided to go the sparkling gourami route.

I will be doing one tank with black sand and rocks...going for a more mountain feel. Unplanted.
The second tank will be done like an island - natural sand in a large shallow tupperware surrounded by blue sand. Planting only in the natural sand.

Think I may also add kuhli loaches to the tank as I have been wanting them forever but they would be cute pieces of spaghetti in my other tanks.

 

[Wildbetta]

Sounds like a very nice idea.  Can't wait to see pics once completed.    Khuli loaches are soo fun!  You might not be able to keep the natural sand out of the blue sand (or vice versa) with the khulis since they will dig but other than that I see no reason not to get some to add to the tank.  Give them a small bubble wand and they will play in the bubbles.    Best in groups of 5 or more but I have a group of 3 at the moment that are doing great.  I hope to add a couple more to up their numbers back up to 5+.

 

[Jenste]

If it mixes a tiny bit that is fine as it will help break up the too perfectly curved separations due to being in a tupperware.

I am hoping to find banded kuhlis as all my LFS have only been carrying the black kuhlis lately.

 

[Wildbetta]

That is the kind I have.  I haven't personally seen the banded ones except in pictures.  I wouldn't mind getting a couple of them as well.  

 

[Jenste]

Today I finally got both tanks cleaned out and moved back to the dresser. Heaters and filters moved over as well as black sand in the left tank and a tupperware holding the natural sand in the right tank. Have my smallest amazon sword nestled into the tupperware for now.

Tomorrow I will be cleaning the rocks and picking up some blue sand. Both filters are cycled so I may pick up some kuhli loaches also. I may pick up some black ones and wait until I find banded locally.

I figure with 5 sparkling gouramis and a bunch of kuhlis, the bioload is still going to be small. Both tanks have a Fluval U2 filter on it which may be overkill for the amount of fish but IDK.
I may just run one filter (on the rocky side) and see how the other side does with the Amazon Sword. Since they will be connected it may work.

 

[Jenste]

Ok here are the rocks.
I have to get more black sand before I can put them in.

I set up a towel, folded it to the dimensions of a 10 gallon tank and used that to play around with how I want to set up the shapes.The Orange is where the filter is, the Apple is where the heater will be.



Rocks

Here is the structure I decided on

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