PonyPlantedTanks

Fertilizer is definitely a must for plants, but it is normal for Val to melt back at the beginning as it adjusts to your water. Give it time (and root tabs!)

I don’t think the stocking is the problem but rather the issue of finding a betta that won’t eat your shrimp, lol. Bettas bioload is so small and shrimp don’t add hardly any bioload, either (unless you have an absolute ARMY of them). So personally I think this could totally work. Load it with plants and let the plants take care of you!

I see no issue with chilis in a 15g as well!

If you look closely, it’s on the sponge filter and the tips of the Val. Definitely not much of it though, thankfully.

I just recently set up our new 29g (6 weeks ago). I’ve ordered a decent amount of plants but lost a lot in the mail (high temps and shipping plants is not a good mix). Since it’s brand new, I knew id be dealing with a bit of algae as I get the nutrients and light balanced so the plants can start growing. I’ve had the usual brown diatom/hair algae all over the gravel and plants. Seems to be depleting, but there’s still lots of it in the floating plants. The thing I’m concerned about is we already have Cyanobacteria (BGA). That means something is pretty out of whack, but I don’t know in what way. The tank has a nicrew skyled (just a budget dimmable light) on 25% for 6hrs a day. I’m dosing Easy Green to keep nitrates at 20ppm. The Easy Flow sponge filter puts out a decent amount of flow, but I’m wondering if low flow is the issue? Too little light? I keep getting cyano in my 10g as well and can’t figure out the root cause because I don’t have much of other algae’s in that tank. I want to get more plants on this tank, but I’m currently floating Pogo Octopus and Wisteria in hopes that it’ll get used to my tank and do better once planted. So basically, I’m asking this: is it normal to have BGA in a brand new tank? And what can I do to prevent this and other algae’s? Thanks 🙂

More fish likely won’t help. Plus, you don’t know if your betta is going to be aggressive towards tankmates or not. You can also use tall plants to block the back and sides of the aquarium so there’s nowhere to glass surf. Even fake plants do the job for the moment if needed.

It honestly looks a lot like Pearlweed to me😂

Exciting times! So cool to see the old faithful anubias living its best life out there! Off topic question - in your other tanks that aren’t dirted, do you ever have to put root tabs in? Like the 55 (I think) with the massive swords going gangbusters! Does the fish poop take care of that or are you plugging in root tabs all the time?😂

It’s Cyanobacteria, or Blue Green Algae (BGA). Actually not an algae but a bacteria that photosynthesis’s I believe? Anyhow, it’s kind of a beast to get rid of. Usually the only way to completely kill it is with a fish medicine called erythromycin (Maracyn). I used Fritz Slime Out on mine and it took care of it super fast. I haven’t figured out what causes it yet. I eradicated it a few months ago but I’m starting to see it come back in my tank… sigh.

Looking good! Looks like you’re winning the algae battle!!

Off topic but - I didn’t know cherry barbs could be aggressive to other tankmates. I thought they were pretty peaceful with other community fish. What setup did you have them in? I’m trying to get more info on them because I really want to try em out. Also @Mississippi fish guy what’s been your experience with cherry barbs? Sorry to blow up your stocking thread with this😂

Definitely looks to be a male. Sorry about that 😞 He’s very pretty though! A very nice fish for sure

If your fish are doing ok, I wouldn’t worry. You can use your water to your advantage by keeping fish that like high pH like livebearers, African cichlids, shrimp/snails etc!

Looks to me like a beautiful half moon little guy! That’s awesome how he looks different in the light versus out of the light! Your shrimp look like blue dreams to me too 🙂 still very nice shrimp.

9,000 chili rasboras! In all honesty - I’d do a huge community tank. Like said above, an actual big group of smaller fish would be incredible. Something like rummy noses that school tightly. And then like 30 Cory’s on the bottom! Some of the beefier schooling fish like Bosemani rainbows etc would be awesome. Id also love to keep an Oscar or other monster fish with lots of personality.

If you’re looking for Cory cats, Pygmy’s are pretty much your only option there.

Interesting! The stuff on your wood looks like biofilm to me which usually doesn’t have a smell at all. The other thing I was going to suggest is checking if there’s any fish food stuck on the rim of your tank, because that can start rotting and smell horrible. But it also looks like your tank is rimless anyways😂

I just have to say your serpaes are the most beautiful color!

You are lucky! A not so murderous murderbean!

Also - I'm really curious what kind of dirt you used and how you go about doing it? One of these days I'll try a little nano cube and might go the dirted route...

Heck yeah! Getting all the things moving! The plan for this tank is epic. Can’t wait to see things come together I AM SO JEALOUS.😦 the PSO in my new 29 BETTER grow or I’m going to THROW HANDS!!😂😂

Just keep an eye on it. Sometimes bites like that can turn into fin rot, but I wouldn’t worry.

Looks like someone took a chunk out of that fin to me. Fin rot will usually always have a discolored edging (clear, black, or red is most common). That’s how it was on my Betta at least 🙂

Definitely wouldn’t try it in a 2.5g because the betta will have nothing better to do than hunt thr shrimp. 5g could work, but as you said, all depends on the personality of the betta.

I really like the look of your tank! And I’m jealous of your Pogo!