HelplessNewbie

@knee I think these 2 next ones are girls. Please confirm. https://photos.app.goo.gl/nxLPiKMV1qkSQJRZ6

Congratulations!

Thank you for sharing your experience and lessons learned. I will probably try a dirted tank in a 5 gallon some day. In our 20 and 65 gallons, we went with something odd, I think... 1 inch bottom layer composed of hardwood pellets (for smoking meats) with diy N-P-K root tabs sprinkled alternately with a few diy iron root tabs and seed material like organic compost or gunk from a seeded filter, then capped with 1 inch coarse sand. The idea behind using the wood pellets is similar to heugelkultur. When we reach the 1 year mark, I will report on the plants, but barring another water quality issue and ensuing, panicked beginner hobbyist response last year, the plants seem to be doing okay right now. So, it is basically an inert substrate. I expect to replenish the root tabs periodically anyway, so it won't be a hardship to do this later on with a future dirted tank. I mean, when the soil layer gets used up, I don't intend to redo the substrate. Sounds like a pain! I will just use root tabs. Just like your observation about the soil later needing to be waterlogged before capping, we had to do the same with the wood layer. Otherwise, lots of bits and pieces floated up. Coarse sand and calcined clay (Safe-T-Sorb, on a separate part of my 65g) seemed easy to plant in compared to gravel in another tank. Now, if only I can get the jumbo amano shrimp and mystery snail to stop pulling the stems out. I like the idea of mounding up or surrounding the stems with small rocks. I saved a little money by using Black Diamond blasting sand mixed in with the coarse sand. I saved the large water changes for after a 4 week period of ghost feeding and keeping the tank covered to keep algae from getting a toehold. I put the plants in after the 4 weeks.

I caught the twitching on video, after watching a dozen clips: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hapW6JvNx2idZk366 Why would a male act like he is courting the other male with this seizure-like twitching? The movements didn't match your courting pair's.

Such a nice looking tank! I supposedly have 14 pygmy cories in my 20 gallon long, but I only see 3-6 out at a time. So, I don't know if the group is still intact. But, they are sure so cute.

It turns out it wasn't legal here in my state. I got it with some fish that was shipped to me. It took a few months for me to get rid of it all, once I decided I didn't want it anymore.

@Pepere I wanted to ensure they convert to submersed first before reverse respiration soak. I placed each plant in a gallon jug (with top cut off) of dechlorinated water and substrate, then placed them outside. Will also fertilize after a week.

Cool beans! Will do and will report back if anything interesting happens.

These were collected at a sandy lake shore littered with driftwood. Will someone be able to identify them and help determine if safe for my freshwater aquarium? If no way to identify, I was thinking of placing it for 2 weeks in a plant quarantine of sorts with a couple of endlers (I have lots). Do you suppose this is a good test? We also have these branches and root. One piece looks like an antler, I don't know if that is aquarium safe.

Yes, that's exactly what I have ordered online. My last batch didn't make it because I seltzer soaked (reverse respiration) them too long (12 hrs). I am looking forward to trying again (will soak for only 1 hr next time)! However, USPS has a disappointing delay in this shipment, so I don't know if I will have mush upon arrival. Floating plants like duckweed, frogbit or salvinia don't make it in my display tanks because of too much surface agitation and, their leaves never dry off because I keep tank lids and water level on most of them is up to the rim. I had duckeded in my daphnia jars and qt for a while but I got tired of having to scrape them off my arm each time I messed around in the water. I decided I will stick with floating hornwort for a while longer. Eventually, I might try floating water wisteria. I like the idea of having long roots hanging down.

Yes, thanks in advance for helping! I will give these 2 another few days before moving them out of this qt into the 65 gallon. Then, I will have photos to share (no good visibility in the quarantine tubs).

Oooh, these are really neat looking. I like the blue! I will keep these fish in mind for future stocking.

I was planning on 2 pairs only, but I wonder if I can squeeze one more pair in this community (20 kubotai rasbora, 10 serpae tetra, 7 cherry barb, 5 cw097 cory, 8 med amano shrimp, 1 mystery snail, 1 unknown sp. from silverside family)? The tank is 48x13.5x23 inches. Maybe the 48x13.5 inch footprint is big enough for 3 pairs? It is currently moderately planted but I plan on making it heavily planted. Based on your other comment, I guess I have to make sure which individuals I will keep because they will be hard to catch, if I change my mind. Here are the 2 males today, do they seem no longer stressed?

Oh, I have that in my pantry! Will add that to the rotation.

Will flax seed work, instead of chia seeds? Both are considered vegan egg substitutes and make a gel-like consistency, when ground and water added.