First Tank: 15G

[Novembro]

Hi all! This is our first tank (well, technically it's the husband's project). We just finished our last set of adjustments to it and I wanted to share! You all were so helpful when we were setting up and cycling the tank. Love this site.
 
It's currently stocked with 3 guppies and 2 candy cane tetras, but in the future, I would love to rehome the guppies into another tank and make room for some rasboras, etc.
 

 

 

(Black guppy- "Ringo"- hiding somewhere)
 
Anything we could improve upon? Things seem to be going well right now. Our regular water tests are all good and the newest additions, the tetras, seem to be enjoying their new home.
 

 

[mrstwalker]

looks great

 

[Trev_Miester]

Nicely done. I like the look of the plants on the rocks.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I think a background would be good, to hide the wires and such.
Black is usually good as it makes the colors of the fish & plants pop.
 
I'd recommend upping the candy cane tetras to 6, since they're schooling fish.

 

[Novembro]

looks great

Thanks
 

Nicely done. I like the look of the plants on the rocks.

I thought it looked alright. I'm not a fan of the fake plants, as I would soon like to start my own planted tank, but this one isn't mine haha
 

I think a background would be good, to hide the wires and such.
Black is usually good as it makes the colors of the fish & plants pop.
 
I'd recommend upping the candy cane tetras to 6, since they're schooling fish.

Would you suggest just some black pipeboard for the background? 
 
I would love to do that. We only got the two to alleviate the crazy spikes in water levels. I think if we get through the first week of them being fine, we will add more from the same shop. As I said, I'd like to rehome the guppies to make more room for tetras or rasboras. It's just getting another tank that is the problem!

 

[Ninjouzata]

I'm not sure what black pipeboard is, but would think that'd be fine. People use different things for backgrounds. Some use black trash bags.
 
What do you mean by you get them to alleviate the crazy spikes in water levels? They'd make it worse not better. Not trying to be rude just trying to understand what's going on in the tank.

 

[Novembro]

I'm not sure what black pipeboard is, but would think that'd be fine. People use different things for backgrounds. Some use black trash bags.

 
What do you mean by you get them to alleviate the crazy spikes in water levels? They'd make it worse not better. Not trying to be rude just trying to understand what's going on in the tank.

Oh no, that's fine. We had originally struggled with this tank.
 
A bit of background- this was an xmas gift for the hubs. I told him to cycle it for 5-6 weeks, but he waited about 2 and had a lfs test the water. They said it was good to go, so he bought a few platys. Long story short, most things he put in the tank for the last few weeks have seemed okay at first and then died horrific filter deaths. The nitrate/nitrite levels were off the charts and nothing was seeming to work out. I finally made him cycle it for 2-3 weeks with only the guppies in it. Was just hoping these new additions would be fine with all of the adjustments we've done to the tank.
 
We also started off with only the tetra whipser ez filter. We now have the under-substrate (not sure of the name) filter with new media, etc. It seems to be keeping things at normal levels.
 
I'm sorry I'm not the best at explaining this, but I'm technically only the bystander. I really have loved this site and it's info though!

 

[Trev_Miester]

 
I thought it looked alright. I'm not a fan of the fake plants, as I would soon like to start my own planted tank, but this one isn't mine haha
 

 
Starting a plated tank would be fun. I've thought about it as well. Then you gotta start looking into lighting and all that fun stuff.

 

[Ninjouzata]

I'm sorry ya'll got off to a rough start Hopefully all goes well now so long as you keep an eye on the water parameters and add fish slowly.
Do ya'll have a liquid test kit?

 

[Novembro]

 

 
I thought it looked alright. I'm not a fan of the fake plants, as I would soon like to start my own planted tank, but this one isn't mine haha
 

 
Starting a plated tank would be fun. I've thought about it as well. Then you gotta start looking into lighting and all that fun stuff.
 

I think that's the fun, though. I have patience for stuff like that, unlike him. 

 

I'm sorry ya'll got off to a rough start

Hopefully all goes well now so long as you keep an eye on the water parameters and add fish slowly.
Do ya'll have a liquid test kit?

It's okay! It was truly terrible having to be the one cleaning the filter of...parts...but we're here now and I think we both understand the complexities of fish-owning. I personally love it!
 
We have this:
 

 

[Trev_Miester]

 
I think that's the fun, though. I have patience for stuff like that, unlike him. 

 
It's okay! It was truly terrible having to be the one cleaning the filter of...parts...but we're here now and I think we both understand the complexities of fish-owning. I personally love it!
 

 
I think it would be real nice to have a small planted tank in a living room or something.
 
The complexities as you go is what makes it so much fun. Once you start to learn more and more it becomes that much more interesting. And Fun of course.

 

[Novembro]

Exactly! I love growing plants anyway

 

[Ninjouzata]

That is a liquid test kit indeed. Just wanted to make sure you had one so you can watch the parameters.

 

[Novembro]

Oh, no worries lol!

 

[AmyStroodle]

Looks really nice. :]
Tempted to get some real rocks for my own tank.