jackhorn01
New Member
Hey Everyone, I'm Jack from East Texas. Little background info. I grew up in Southwest Louisiana. Served close to 10 years in the Army and now work in East Texas as a paramedic. I have had aquariums off and on my whole life and have always loved it. I am recently able to get back into the hobby after several years taking a break due to life. I can see alot of things have changed with current recommendations on certain things. In the past, I have always just fed my fish flakes and dropping in the occasional bottom feeder tablet for the guys down there. Although, being " wiser " ( not older lol ) now, I have researched more in depth and realize I have missed alot over the years with there being so much more science to this that can make the tank happier and healthier. I have never had major issues with stress or loosing fish, but I'm the kind of person that wants everything to be as happy and healthy as I can make it. That being said, I'll explain what set up I am starting with / plans for it. Advice from more seasoned hobbyists is greatly appreciated.
So, I am starting with a 10 gallon to get back into the swing of things. More of these and much bigger ones will follow. This first " starter " tank is a basic rectangular 10 gallon aquarium. Currently, I have 2 plastic plants in it. Didn't want to spend money on any fancy hiding places or decorations yet, as I am going to put live plants in it in a couple more weeks. I will look at some kind of log, cave rock, etc... to add to it for anyone to take a break, hide etc after I decide on plants and get them all arranged. Currently, I have a cory catfish, a couple platties, and neon tetras. Everyone is vigorous and happy, eating well etc. And I think we are off to a good start. One of the main things I would like to hear from some of you more seasoned peeps is feeding. What I've done in the past is feed flakes twice a day ( morning and evening ) as much as they will eat in about 2 minutes, and also dropping a bottom feeder tablet in for the cory ( I have to have at least one of these in every tank just to check the box, I love their personalities ) every other day. Researching more, and learning more about their needs / happiness and wanting to give them more of a feel for how they live in the wild, as I said live plants will be coming soon. But, back to the feeding, I have branched out and am learning more about bloodworms, brine shrimp, other foods that they love and are good for them. The kind of tanks I like are multi species tanks. I like the natural look of different things doing their thing in different areas kind of like a natural ecosystem kind of deal. That being said with the kind of set up and goals I have explained here, from what I have read so far, the general consensus for feeding this type of tank would be something along the lines of continuing to feed them twice a day what they will consume in 2-3 minutes, bottom feeder food for the cory ie tablet/wafer/pellet approx. every other day, and substituting some type of frozen food for 1 of their daily feedings 3 times a week. I was thinking blood worms would be a good choice since after reading about the fish I have, they all seem to do well on them. Do some of you more experienced people think this is a solid plan? If so, I have a ? How many approx. blood worms are in 1 frozen cube, from what I read way too much to put even half of one in the tank for the few fish I mentioned that I have. Maybe chop it in 1/4 and defrost that and see how they do with it? Any critique, comment, or advice is welcome and greatly appreciated.
So, I am starting with a 10 gallon to get back into the swing of things. More of these and much bigger ones will follow. This first " starter " tank is a basic rectangular 10 gallon aquarium. Currently, I have 2 plastic plants in it. Didn't want to spend money on any fancy hiding places or decorations yet, as I am going to put live plants in it in a couple more weeks. I will look at some kind of log, cave rock, etc... to add to it for anyone to take a break, hide etc after I decide on plants and get them all arranged. Currently, I have a cory catfish, a couple platties, and neon tetras. Everyone is vigorous and happy, eating well etc. And I think we are off to a good start. One of the main things I would like to hear from some of you more seasoned peeps is feeding. What I've done in the past is feed flakes twice a day ( morning and evening ) as much as they will eat in about 2 minutes, and also dropping a bottom feeder tablet in for the cory ( I have to have at least one of these in every tank just to check the box, I love their personalities ) every other day. Researching more, and learning more about their needs / happiness and wanting to give them more of a feel for how they live in the wild, as I said live plants will be coming soon. But, back to the feeding, I have branched out and am learning more about bloodworms, brine shrimp, other foods that they love and are good for them. The kind of tanks I like are multi species tanks. I like the natural look of different things doing their thing in different areas kind of like a natural ecosystem kind of deal. That being said with the kind of set up and goals I have explained here, from what I have read so far, the general consensus for feeding this type of tank would be something along the lines of continuing to feed them twice a day what they will consume in 2-3 minutes, bottom feeder food for the cory ie tablet/wafer/pellet approx. every other day, and substituting some type of frozen food for 1 of their daily feedings 3 times a week. I was thinking blood worms would be a good choice since after reading about the fish I have, they all seem to do well on them. Do some of you more experienced people think this is a solid plan? If so, I have a ? How many approx. blood worms are in 1 frozen cube, from what I read way too much to put even half of one in the tank for the few fish I mentioned that I have. Maybe chop it in 1/4 and defrost that and see how they do with it? Any critique, comment, or advice is welcome and greatly appreciated.
