My new tank

[hconvertino]

Hello everybody,

I started my first tank recently and am pretty proud of how it’s looking so I thought I’d share it with you all. It houses 1 pea puffer currently as we await the call from the LFS for the other 5. I am hoping to get it more planted as time goes on but I think it’s a good start. I also started raising brine shrimp last night, or attempting to, so that I’ll have some live food. I’d love to hear y’alls thoughts!

 

[MaloK]

Looks good !!! I love the way you arranged the substrate.

Suggestions:

Try a darker if not black background. You are going to love it and the fish too !

 

[hconvertino]

Looks good !!! I love the way you arranged the substrate.

Suggestions:

Try a darker if not black background. You are going to love it and the fish too !

Thank you, I thought the contrast looked nice! I am not sure how I would add the black background as that white piece is actually the house for the filter and its media, so it would have to go in the water. Any ideas?

 

[MaloK]

Oh, is that a fluval flex ?

 

[CassCats]

Yeah that's a flex.

I'd opt perhaps for some darker sand more on the surface. A white background plus white sand is likely to make your fish lighten their coloring and appear washed out. Dark substrate will help balance that out.

Adding a touch of tannins can help as well, though you won't want to go too too dark. Perhaps just a light tea color. Botanicals will help with that, and allow places for the puffers to explore and shelter in if they need to. Jungle pods, monkey pods, etc would be really good long lasting choices.

 

[hconvertino]

Yeah that's a flex.

I'd opt perhaps for some darker sand more on the surface. A white background plus white sand is likely to make your fish lighten their coloring and appear washed out. Dark substrate will help balance that out.

Adding a touch of tannins can help as well, though you won't want to go too too dark. Perhaps just a light tea color. Botanicals will help with that, and allow places for the puffers to explore and shelter in if they need to. Jungle pods, monkey pods, etc would be really good long lasting choices.

I’m not sure I’m familiar with botanicals… what are they? Does the fishes color washing out have any adverse effects, or is it just that the overall aesthetics are reduced?

 

[MaloK]

I’m not sure I’m familiar with botanicals… what are they? Does the fishes color washing out have any adverse effects, or is it just that the overall aesthetics are reduced?

Many species of fish will temper their colors to the clarity of their environment. A darker place makes them intensify their colors.

Yeah that's a flex.

First time I see a white one, my LFS only stocks the black model...

 

[CassCats]

I’m not sure I’m familiar with botanicals… what are they? Does the fishes color washing out have any adverse effects, or is it just that the overall aesthetics are reduced?

Its not really "harmful" but most fish come from dimmer lit areas in the wild, so having it less bright also helps them feel more secure in their environment.

The lightening of color to blend in though itself is not harmful.

Botanicals are simply natural items. Sometimes it's leaf litter, sometimes alder cones.

Are you in USA? Or elsewhere?

 

[hconvertino]

Its not really "harmful" but most fish come from dimmer lit areas in the wild, so having it less bright also helps them feel more secure in their environment.

The lightening of color to blend in though itself is not harmful.

Botanicals are simply natural items. Sometimes it's leaf litter, sometimes alder cones.

Are you in USA? Or elsewhere?

Yes I am located in the USA. I’ll look into botanicals… maybe I can get some shipped.

 

[CassCats]

Yes I am located in the USA. I’ll look into botanicals… maybe I can get some shipped.

SEED PODS

Seed pods are Nature's "matrix" for biological activity. When they fall into the water, they provide a myriad of benefits for aquatic animals at all stages of life...

tanninaquatics.com

They'll have tons of stuff of interest

 

[hconvertino]

SEED PODS

Seed pods are Nature's "matrix" for biological activity. When they fall into the water, they provide a myriad of benefits for aquatic animals at all stages of life...

tanninaquatics.com

They'll have tons of stuff of interest

Thats a nice site! I'll give it a look, thank you!

 

[AtomicFish]

Wow that looks like a nice tank. I am considering upgrading to a bigger tank. My 20 gallon is at max capacity according to my local petco I found a tank I like on Facebook marketplace that I might go take a look at thats not 2 far from me if it’s still there by Monday.