Tanks... You're Welcome! (Jonelle's Journal)

[Nells250]

Test Tank #1: BABY SHRIMP!! Seeing a BUNCH of tiny shrimp in different shades of blue and clear/black.

 

[Nells250]

Today I visited a shop in NH and saw some small Fluval tanks set up with plants and bettas. I wasn't aware they have different versions of the 2.6 gallon kits. When I came home I looked at the Fluval website, and ALMOST clicked the BUY button for one of the shrimp tanks. I KNOW I want to upgrade one of my tanks, but I just can't justify the price yet.

Usually, it takes reading people's reviews for me to start second guessing my potential purchases!

Other than that, both bettas are doing fine, and the two test tanks MAY actually now have too much light, since I trimmed back/removed some of the alternanthera which is letting more light in. Buce's are growing like mad and I don't know why...

 

[Nells250]

UPDATE:

Betsy the betta in Tank #1 is doing well. Did a bit of a clean and removed some dead leaves, etc. Speedy the Snail is still going, a year later...

Mr. Un-named the betta in Tank #2 is also doing well, with Zip the Snail also slithering along. I think I'll have to clean his substrate soon.

Plant Test Tank #1 seems a bit too small now. I really can't change much in there now that it is teeming with shrimp! Pulled out some Alternanthera Reineckii and planted some new bacopa.

Plant Test Tank #2 is in process of being replaced. I ended up finding a Fluval Ebi kit at a shop and bit the bullet, since I had a little extra cash to spend on myself. The current PTT#2 is sitting across the room while the new one cycles (for the shrimp). Setting it up is definitely a learning process for me...

 

[Nells250]

Betta #4 is now officially known as SPACKLE.

 

[Nells250]

TANK #1 - Betsy's tank looks HORRIBLE. As posted elsewhere, the "big clean" I did in an effort to make things nice for the fish RUINED everything else! Crypt and Buce all melted! The beautiful plants I was so happy about, GONE! Also the Sword was getting all fuzzy, so I trimmed it all the way to the crown. Today I added a little more gravel and planted a few of my MANY spare alternanthera stems in an effort go get some life back there.

I simply can't get used to the fact aquariums should NOT be pristine!

TANK #2 - After the Tank #1 debacle, Tank #2 with the now-named male betta Spackle is going to ONLY get partial water changes from now on. The plants in there are sill doing well, and hopefully Zip the Snail keeps them algae-free this winter.

Plant Test Tank #1 - Shrimp were starting to escape the tank, so I did a partial water change. Also finally made my low-tech transparent lid to help keep critters inside, including snail #3, who doesn't have a name yet. STILL baby shrimp showing up. Took the potted crypts and planted them in the actual substrate. The Test Chai plants have been decimated by the shrimp, who I swear can't leave anything alone!

Plant Test Tank #2 - Looks HORRIBLE as I await the replacement tank to be ready for the shrimp that live in there. It is entirely possible I won't put them in, as it is NICE to not have poo and damage from wildlife!

Photos to follow at some point soon, I hope...