Betsy

@Ben_RF - Thank you!!! NC is the place to be! 😜 And, thank you for the help with the pH - it keeps trying to creep down to around 6.4...I think it's the driftwood? Maybe? I'm not sure...but a water change always helps raise the pH, so I'm happy to keep doing those regularly!

@Brandy - that's always the goal!!! Making the content relevant is soooo crucial! If it's not relevant, then honestly...what's the point?? I still hate calculus because I have zero desire to know the volume of a donut...or, how fast a cone will empty into a cylinder, haha! (Apologies to all of the calculus lovers...it just feels so derivative to me! 😜)

@James Black - I teach Physical Science (which is an introductory chemistry/physics course for 9th graders). It's a toughie! So, it's nice to have fun things around the room...even if they're more life science than physical science! I am plotting to engage the kids in the water testing (we study the polyatomic ions and acids and bases)...and we can always talk about water displacement and density. I'm planning on putting a betta in the tank when all is cycled...so I can definitely name it something nerdy that relates to a tough topic (the spoonful of sugar, for sure!)! A surprising number of kiddos are super interested in aquariums and aquatic life...so we can have a bonding moment. And...I can educate a few kids about how to properly care for a fish (not that I know a whole lot about that...yet) It's win-win, for sure! 😁👍

I am a newbie attempting a 5 gallon planted tank for my high school science classroom! I thought it would be fun to keep track of the progress...because I know there will be ups and downs. And, if this works out, I've got big dreams for a planted 20 gallon long with a corydora fleet...so, we shall see! 🤗 The set-up includes: 5 gallon Marina LED Aquarium kit (came with the S10 filter, a lid with an LED light, some cycle bacteria, water conditioner, tropical flake food, and a cute lil' blue fish net) Unknown driftwood pieces Fluval Stratum (the 4.4 lb bag was perfect!) Plants from the Co-Op (Golden Anubias, Nana Petite Anubias, Wendelov Java fern, Coffeefolia Anubias, and Red Melon Sword) 25-watt Marina Submersible Heater Velimax Static Cling Total Blackout Window film (for the back glass) I'm also using: Seachem Prime Water Conditioner Easy Green Fertilizer from the Co-Op API Master Test kit 24 hour mechanical outlet timer Digital thermometer Aquaclear Foam and Biomax inserts - slowly transitioning my filter over to become a HOT ROD y'all! 🚙 I am currently working on cycling the tank...and I've attached my data and doings so far! ] The water at school has a pH of 6.8 out of the tap, and for some reason my tank keeps creeping acidic...maybe it's the driftwood? Anyway...SUPER pumped that the ammonia is on the way down and my nana petite's little baby leaves are unfurling and looking great! I do have some dusty black stuff on the golden anubias and the java fern...I think it's substrate dust? Or, maybe black algae? I originally super-glued my java fern...but it's breaking free! So, I'll probably pull that out and see if I can tie it to the driftwood with some thread tomorrow. Any suggestions/thoughts/ideas are welcomed!! Hope this was slightly interesting! 😅

Most of the channels I enjoy are already listed, but to reiterate for funsies: - Aquarium Co-Op (the bookmarks in the videos are gold...my husband still makes fun of me in public about a particular video....and I totally hot rod-ed my filter because of that video. #worthit) - Simply Betta (mainly because I love Bettas, but also because she seems like a wonderful person) - AquaPros (I'm an aqua..sis...for sure! That aesthetic though...also, I need a Jeffrey update ASAP. I am very invested in his storyline. Did I mention that I like Bettas?) - The Small Scape (all the tiny things, pleaseeeee!)

That rhizomes gotta be 6 inches long!! 😲 Do you know what variety it is? Coffeefolia?

Oh my goodness...goals! I love the drama!! You've got the thrillers (the driftwood and the grass behind) and the spillers (the pennywort)! I wish I could do a tank without a lid! And, the progress photos are so fun to look at - thank you for sharing! 🙌

@Garren B - I like your answer a whole lot!! Thank you! I'm thinking about starting one of those journal posts...the ammonia started to go down on Friday, and I'm itching to see what all the levels are like on Monday! I can't wait to get fish in this thing - definitely at least a betta! Thank you for your advice/help!

Thank you all for the welcomes!! I've been treating the tank in the morning and then testing the tank in the afternoon...and I'm noticing that my pH is 6.8 (which is identical to the pH out of the tap at school). On a scale of 1 to 10, how crucial is it for the pH to be above 7 for the bacteria to proliferate?

I spent a loooooong time on Pinterest and YouTube, haha! It was to the point that my husband was like, "Ugggghhh! ANOTHER fish video??!" We'll see how far my internet education gets me in a few months!! Thank you for the kind words and the welcome!! 😁

Hi friends! I am suuuuper new to the hobby! I blame my high school students for my interest...they randomly bought me a betta fish about two years ago. Unfortunately, he became ill and died about a month ago...and I miss him and the joy he brought to the classroom. I'm trying to start and maintain a planted tank to create a better environment for a future classroom fish...maybe I can get our next betta to live for five years instead of just two! I planted a tank yesterday with some plants I bought at the Co-Op! You'll have to let me know how I did...the pile of rocks is on the driftwood because I couldn't get it to sink. I'm sure I'll be searching the forum for tips...hopefully, I can keep the plants looking this great! Any advice is very welcomed! I have no idea what I'm doing, and I'm fighting the urge to try too hard! It's a 5 gallon Marina tank (one of those kit things with the Slim 10 filter), Fluval Stratum, some driftwood, quartz river rocks, and a smattering of plants (Windelov Java Fern, Golden Anubias, Nana Petite Anubias, Coffeefolia Anubias, and Red Melon Sword).