ErinV

@Phantom240, my 12 year old says she keeps fighting the urge to go swimming in it so maybe I will let her. Lol @Danielso far on Amazon Canada the largest tongs I can find are 19 inches. Still looking though.

@Guppysnail and @Daniel, I would never have thought to look for longer tools. Just assumed it was the one standard size. Looks like I will be hanging out on Amazon this evening.

I am pretty much eye level with my new 90g set up and I can only rearrange plants and such with the tank half empty. I am getting close to being able to add fish. Question: how do I add root tabs or work on plants without having to do a 50% water change? Especially in those first weeks as fish get settled.

Very interesting topic. I have had two very different experiences with the same local store. We moved to current location about 9 years ago. I found the lfs within a few weeks of being in town. Let's just say, first impressions were not great. It was small, dark, and had tight long isles. It had that musty fish store smell. Water stained ceiling tiles and peeling laminate flooring. You could not see in or out of the front windows because of the water condensation. I know that I did get a few fish but I can not really remember the state of the tanks. Then they MOVED! I think they have been at the new location for 6/7 years now and it is night and day. Same owners, same staff with some additions. Same fish and small animal stuff. We get our cat stuff there as well. The store is big and bright and clean. No funny smells. You can stand 3 wide in the isles (pre covid) or me and the kiddos looking at the same thing at once. I could spend hours in there now instead of wanting to get out as fast as I could. I have built an amazing relationship with them over the last few years and recommend them to everyone. I know that some of the things could not have been helped in other location as it is a much older strip mall and current was a new build strip mall, but it is amazing the difference a person can feel when walking into a place.

@H.K.Luterman, I love your little fish name and personality chart for your fish sitter.

Never would have thought of the double sided tape. Thanks for the tip.

I am very much leaning towards putting the background in. I think it would also help with keeping some of the light in the tank as it will have something to bounce of off.

Intresting. Where do you get something like that?

@xXInkedPhoenixX it does really complete the look sometimes. Very nice tanks.

Welcome. If we let our cats (3) know they could get that close they would figure out how to be in it. We have to keep any "steps" they can climb at least 3 feet away. The tanks have to be a tall island. 2 of our cars also love to play in water. They are non traditional that way. Love the tank!

Very intrested to see the split on this one. Do you use a background and if so what type? Solid colour, graphic, applied or held on by tape? I think when I first started with a tank as a kid it was bare back, however in my adult fish keeping I have always had one. That is until my new 90g, possibly. Due to budget, I have always just got the double sided printed, laminated graphic from lfs. You know, the ones where one side is more blue and water looking and one side is rocks and green plants. That is what I have sitting beside the tank now. When I went to install it, hubby said that it made the tank look cheap. I am very torn. On one hand it hides the cords and all the stuff that keeps the tank running. It also gives that full look while plants are settling in and growing. I can however see hubby's side in that with everything else being real and much more natural looking, it looks fake and sorta brings the class level down. Not sure which way to go. Thoughts on my tank, pictures below. Also what is your preference when it comes to your tanks?

Love all the different answers and how everyone seems to do what works best for them and their fish. Goes to show how much we have to take things with somewhat of a grain of salt when it comes to tanks. Everyone kinda starts with the basics, water/fish/plants but we tweak things here and there due to our specific tanks.

Congratulations! Well deserved.

I am intrested in knowing how others feed their fish. What times do you feed? How many times a day? What do you feed? Until a year ago, I had only ever fed flake food and I did it when I woke up and before bed. I never forget when it is part of the routine. I have since added in moderation the following. Freeze dried blood worms, freeze dried brine shrimp. Frozen blood worms and brine shrimp. Viber bites. Shrimp pellets. Oh, and I have aways done wafers for algae eaters. I cut back to 1 feed a day on my 30g as I was battling some major algae. I was also trying to find the balance between 🐟 🪴 🐌 💡 and fertilizer (no cute emoji). I am slowly moving back to 2 feedings. Part of why I am asking is now that I have the 90g and I am getting closer to the first fishes going in, I want a rough idea of how or where I should start with a feeding schedule.

Love the colours of your plants. I have never had luck with red plants. Green grow like weeds but anything red has melted and never come back.

Intresting, I have had zebras for a few years now and they are fast and crazy sometimes but get along very well with everyone else. Maybe you just had a bully? Or I have just lucked out.

Tank is getting dialed in. Here are my numbers from last night's tests, so Monday July 12th. I had done a huge water change on Friday July 9th. Ph - 7.6 High Ph - 7.4/7.8 Ammonia - 0/0.25 - colour (🇨🇦) was between the two. Nitrite - 0.25 Nitrate - 10/20 KH and GH are both 7 - love that my lfs owner told me I did not need to buy this test kit as our "water is so hard you could walk on it". I was just curious and wanted to have numbers for you. Mind you this is from the tank after being set up. I have yet to test tap water. Temp is currently 77*F. It sat at 82/84 for a long time and has slowly come down. I like it around 77/79 because it gives a bit of wiggle room up or down. Ramshorn and Bladder snails are very happy and proofing it with lots of mating and egg laying. Unfortunately I have only seen 1 fry in the last few days. Could be a different one each time or the same one. It is definitely getting bigger. I have also added a second light. All my plants are low light or low side or medium light buy wanted to to reach a bit more to the corners. In pictures it is hard to see the difference but you can see it in person for sure. I know a few have you have asked for set up, so here it goes. Nothing fancy. 90 gallon Fluval 304 on about 3/4 power right now. 2 4 inch round air stones again on about 3/4 flow. Lights - Aqueon overhead White/Blue LED - not sure of model. Had it for 30g but it was to much and was right in our eyes no matter where we sat in the living room. Tank is up higher on a TV stand. Aqueon 30 inch Day White Led. It is part of a lid hood set I have had sitting around. (Not sure why upside down) Heater I have bought most things at the best quality for my budget and also what is available at my LFS and on Amazon Canada. I also think that some products may be the same but sold under different names. Let me know if I missed anything. I will post plant stock in a separate entry. I have a few more I am picking up later this week.

Update It took about 24/36 hours for the snails to notice the bean. After that, they had it gone in about another 24/36 hours. Good thing hubby was home today or fork would have had to stay in until next water change. Really thinking I need to get a pair of those tweezer/claw sticks to pick things up. With a full tank, hubby had to stand on a chair and was almost upto his shoulder to reach the fork. He is 5'11, I am 5'2. Lol

Penny is so cute. Congratulations on the volunteer hours and potential job with your lfs. What an amazing opportunity to do what you love!

I will add that I don't have filter at full throttle currently.

I have my fist canister filter. Fluval 304. Currently intake near bottom on back left out take on top back right side. Still cycling the tank. I will see how fish like it once the are added. Also have two large air stones that help move water around.

I cooked a frozen green bean until it was tender yet still firm. After 4.5 hours in the tank, no takers. Is it supposed to be mushy or do I just have picky snails?

Looks like I will be doing another 50% water change today. Nitrites are still through the roof. Although snails seem to be loving it. Than it will have time over the weekend, (as I am away) to season a bit more. I will test again on Monday and see if I need to do another one. Water bill is not going to be pretty this month. Also it is very intresting the difference between a strip test and a chemical test. In 🇨🇦 so I can't get Co-op strips.

NOPE - but I understand the story line.

@ARMYVET, you are spot on and just made my morning. My skin felt like it was crawling for hours yesterday. I just fed fry and same thing, saw a few and now I feel itchy.