New tank - added one Glofish Tetra - should I add more?

[mrsjoannh13]

Ohhh amazing!!! Keep an eye on the shy one, I would hope it's not the case but if it's acting very different from the others it could be sick. Does it look smaller or skinnier than the others? Is it making stringy poop? Is it acting lethargic at all or resting on the plant? Hopefully it just feels like the odd one out if it's the only purple one and if you are able to get a few more of the same color it should hopefully perk up

You've gotten a few suggestions for plants and I would echo the recommendation for hornwort, it's a good option for a floating plant and can really provide cover for the tetras!

You should post pictures if you have a chance!

Oh sorry - regarding pictures.... I've not turned the lights up enough to get a good photo yet. I am going to do a water change and move it into my daughter's room on Friday (when it's a bit lighter during the water change process) and will post some pics then.

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Ohhh amazing!!! Keep an eye on the shy one, I would hope it's not the case but if it's acting very different from the others it could be sick. Does it look smaller or skinnier than the others? Is it making stringy poop? Is it acting lethargic at all or resting on the plant? Hopefully it just feels like the odd one out if it's the only purple one and if you are able to get a few more of the same color it should hopefully perk up

You've gotten a few suggestions for plants and I would echo the recommendation for hornwort, it's a good option for a floating plant and can really provide cover for the tetras!

You should post pictures if you have a chance!

Mcodelia - sorry if this is a dumb question, but without floating plants, could I just leave the lights off all the time in the tank and would the fish be okay with that? Or does the aquarium (without plants) need lights on during the day for some reason? Conversely, if I do get some floating plants, how does that work at feeding time? Wouldn't the food just kind of stick in the plants at the top?

 

[mcordelia]

Not a dumb question at all! The fish don't need the aquarium lights. I suppose if they were in a pitch black closet they might need lights just so their circadian rhythm doesn't get wonky, bit the lights are only there for people to see and for plants to grow. As they are acclimating, it is perfectly fine to just keep the lights off the whole time.

Regarding floating plants and feeding, usually what happens is that the flow from the filter will push the plants to one side of the tank, and you can feed in the open area. If the floating plants grow so much that they take over the entire surface, you can always take some out and chuck them. just be careful how you get rid of them, I would recommend trashcan instead of toilet because some plants, especially hornwort, are invasive species because they are so hardy.

It sounds like you are on the right track! Excited for you!!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Not a dumb question at all! The fish don't need the aquarium lights. I suppose if they were in a pitch black closet they might need lights just so their circadian rhythm doesn't get wonky, bit the lights are only there for people to see and for plants to grow. As they are acclimating, it is perfectly fine to just keep the lights off the whole time.

Regarding floating plants and feeding, usually what happens is that the flow from the filter will push the plants to one side of the tank, and you can feed in the open area. If the floating plants grow so much that they take over the entire surface, you can always take some out and chuck them. just be careful how you get rid of them, I would recommend trashcan instead of toilet because some plants, especially hornwort, are invasive species because they are so hardy.

It sounds like you are on the right track! Excited for you!!

Thank you so much. Great info and so helpful. I really appreciate it. I'll see what plant options the pet store has tomorrow when I go to get the final 1 or 2 fishies. Pics in a couple of days - promise!

 

[mrsjoannh13]

Okay so photo as promised.... sorry it's hard to get a good pic without reflection. You can see our 4 glofish tetras in the middle. We have a pink one, yellow, purple and blue. My daughter was over the moon with her birthday gift. She's already done a water test and is super excited to vacuum the gravel next weekend - we'll see how long that enthusiasm lasts, LOL.

 

[mcordelia]

oh my goodness, that's amazing! I think it's so great that you are also teaching her how to maintain the aquarium, hopefully it will bud a lifelong interest into this intricate but rewarding hobby! I love the bow on the tank hahah

 

[mrsjoannh13]

oh my goodness, that's amazing! I think it's so great that you are also teaching her how to maintain the aquarium, hopefully it will bud a lifelong interest into this intricate but rewarding hobby! I love the bow on the tank hahah

Okay so the funniest thing was when she walked in and saw it she immediately said - "are those betta fish Please tell me those are NOT betta fish!". So I asked why she would say that and she tells me - "If those are betta fish, they are going to fight with each other". Bwahahahaha! How does she know this It cracked me up.

She is totally in love with them and completely obsessed with the master test kit and how the water changes colors. She is telling everyone that she hates ammonia because it kills fish. She's hilarious!

 

[mcordelia]

That's amazing!!! what a great experience!!!