AllFishNoBrakes

I was gonna say Angels, but then I read your post lol

Personally, I don’t think it would push enough for my liking. I’ve recently replaced (2) dual outlet ACO pumps that were each running 2 easy flow kits (2 outlets, each outlet went to 1 sponge). I used to run my tanks with basically no flow. Just a sponge. More recently I’ve gotten more interested in additional flow. Could the single outlet, split with a T, and then each line from there going to 1 easy flow kit (so 2 kits total) technically run bubbles up and out the kit? Probably. Just like anything else it’s going to depend on air tubing length, where the pump is placed, are you rubbing check valves, height of tanks, etc. I just personally think that it wouldn’t produce the flow that I’m looking for these days, and I’m not looking for anything crazy. If I was going to run 2 Easy Flow kits I would just use the dual outlet ACO air pump if I was set on an ACO pump to run them. Update: in another thread I saw a lovely idea of how to unclog the air collars for the Easy Flow kit. I just went through and did all my air collars and they’re like the day I took them out of the box! Turns out it probably wasn’t the pumps getting weaker, and just the collars beginning to clog. That being said, I’ve replaced and upgraded all the air pumps to Tetra Whisper 150’s, and I would still recommend the dual outlet for 2 kits. If you already have a single outlet pump there’s no harm in trying to split it, but if you have to purchase an air pump I’d recommend the dual outlet.

That’s absolutely a great thing to do. If you’re already thinking of more tanks, I would personally buy a sponge filter and air pump and get it running in your established tank. The longer the better. From there, when you have the new tank, squeeze that filter into the new tank, put the filter in the tank, and you’re basically instantly able to do the initial stocking of a small number of fish. Obviously test often and look out for any issues, but it’s one of the best things you can possibly do. If you can afford it, buy the sponge filter and air pump now and get it going. One less thing you have to worry about when it comes to actually setting up the next tank.

Agreed that a glass top and the light of your choice would be the way to go. Lighting can be crazy expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. On most of my tanks they have Aquaneat lights and they do great for me.

If you go the Krib route, I would suggest a single one. If you end up with a pair they breed like rabbits, and they’re cichlids so they get super defensive of their eggs and fry. Some of the best parents of the fish world which is awesome to see, but I learned a hard lesson about breeding fish with my Kribs when I couldn’t get rid of them.

I have a tiny internal filter with a tiny little spraybar in my 20 long. I keep it pointed up towards the water surface so as to not disturb my botanicals all over the bottom of the tank. In my opinion, it’s quiet. I think I paid like 8 bucks for it on Amazon. I’d try something like that. Easy on the wallet, might fit your needs, and if it doesn’t it’s easy to return. Here’s the link: https://www.amazon.com/NICREW-Aquarium-Submersible-Adjustable-Waterflow/dp/B08TLK2XXD/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_maf_2?crid=3QNPZI9UJP5JF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.JtDUXDzyeDWtH1qmKmfndqYtmsuibbTPYTC4kN5yYSAyjejABDZOVASWLAg_m5JTDJP_L4VAkRy35UQePz77V537hU0YeU8_xXftbkR7EZCfHP-kl9VXUIXPfbevlvJnd0hPAYtqgnnKZQi2wiciMd-sGIhRZ1Z8Qs8ZMKjofOUlibcrFJv2mWkzrrRxgZLcWKNiRkRbZG0WbEiwByYCWA.MhpYK8zlHBCBGpvRqwSXaD-JRYze7TqCYQ_rmgNXqug&dib_tag=se&keywords=tiny+internal+aquarium+filter&qid=1708371752&sprefix=tiny+internal+%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-2

Agreed that when I started my first tanks and didn’t have other filters/media/plants to pull from established tanks I only dosed once. Doesn’t hurt to continue to dose ammonia, but I never personally have

Dirted tanks are fun, but like you said yourself I would suggest becoming more comfortable with just a standard tank first. The variables of dirt and other things make it different. I have 14 tanks, and only 1 with dirt. I was like 2 years into my hobby when I finally took the dive and felt comfortable with it. Here’s my dirted tank: No filter, no fertilizer, no c02. Fun little Pearl Weed forest of a tank. This tank pearls more than my tanks with c02. As far as lower maintenance, I still water change this tank every week. You probably don’t have to, but I do. Keeps things consistent with my super soft water, and I’ve gotten green water on this tank 3 times. Any little change causes green water and I have to balance it again.

Floating plants are great. I used them in all my tanks in the beginning. Now I just have them in a couple as the plants are big enough and dense enough to not really need them anymore to stave off algae. My only advice with salvinia is make sure when you buy it there’s not duckweed with it! When I found some salvinia I was super excited and didn’t pay attention to the duckweed that came with it. I welcomed it at first, but like most I decided later I didn’t want it in all of tanks and it has been a big battle to rid tanks of it.

It’s all good! We’re all here for the same hobby and want to help each other. Just continue to be patient, and keep an eye on those ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates. We all want our tanks to be cycled and get some fish and do all the things, but you gotta make sure the tank is ready to support the fish. The cycle becomes a blip on the timeline of the tank over its lifetime. Keep in mind that soon you are likely to see ammonia drop to 0, and it will take some time after that for the nitrites to do the same. Just continue to be patient until they’re both at 0. It pays off when you get fish.

Considering there’s no fish in the tank, I wouldn’t be concerned at all. Like @Tony s said the plants will eat ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate. When you go to put fish in, I would water change to get nitrates below 40. Biofilm is absolutely normal. Water is the source of all life!

For sure. I use it in my aquaponics tank all the time. Flowers, veggies, herbs, etc all do well with it. Now, depending on what you’re growing hydroponically, there are probably much better fertilizers out there though.

Considering you’re doing fishless, I personally wouldn’t water change until ammonia and nitrite are 0. Once they hit zero, do a water change to bring the nitrates down, and then add a couple fish.

Some pictures of the tank might help, but I have a couple of thoughts: -When you’re not in front of the tank, are they out and about? -Any lighting coming from behind you causing a shadow when you walk up making you look like a big scary predator? Like a tv on the other side of the room? -Any loud noises by the tank? Like a tv perhaps?

Nice! I just got sooooooo tired of having to mess with Ziss air stones every week with maintenance, and I have super soft water. I still really love the air collar. I’d rather clean the air collars once every 3 or 4 months than pull apart sponge filters and swish felt pads in the tank water in the bucket and reset them every single week.

My thought exactly. I can just never remember how to spell “gonopodium” lol

I’m not an expert, but from the pic that looks like a male to me.

As much as you want. From no substrate, to very thick. Pros and cons to everything. At this point, I want enough that I can plant into. Too little substrate and your plants just float right out of it. Too much and it’s just money spent on gravel that could be spent on other things in my opinion.

The 5 lb tank is the smaller one @Pepere showed in their picture. I have 2 bubble counters on mine, each one serving one tank. Between the 2 counters, it runs ~5 bubbles per second total, and lasts over 6 months. So, $30 total per year max if I had to swap the tank twice in that year.

The detritus worms and algae are completely normal. Algae is just showing that your tank is coming alive. You could remove the algae if you want to, and I personally wouldn’t water change until the cycle is complete considering you’re doing a fishless cycle. Once ammonia and nitrite are at 0, you’ll be good to add a couple fish.

I’d just go with a 5 lb c02 tank and a regulator. I have a 5 lb tank with a dual regulator, and 2 citric acid/baking soda generators. I’m about to ditch the generators for another 5 lb tank and regulator. While I can’t refill the 5 lb tank myself, I can take it to the local welding store and swap it for a filled tank for $15 bucks.

My baby Bristlenose started dominating the Sword that I have, that yours actually came from. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are the reason for you aponogeton being damaged.

@nabokovfan87 for sure. I’ve been doing the pre filter sponge weekly or every other week, and then the canister itself every 4-6 weeks. Agreed that I don’t look forward to taking the hoses off and doing it, but it’s really not THAT bad compared to what you hear people say.

I just ignore it until I can’t anymore, and then I scrub it kinda clean, and then I ignore it until I can’t anymore.

I definitely had a female a couple of years ago! I guess we’ve both just been pretty lucky lol