Ben (mtsa) malik

Let's see those antique tanks or cool aquarium books from back when we all had to read magazines and books to learn about the hobby! I found these at a book store while on vacation in Daytona and had to pick them up!

That's pretty much where I keep running aground mentally. Now I can use that brain space for coming up with ways to keep plants alive in the aquariums (or in the case of pathos up and out of it.) Maybe somehow incorporate the plants as a dietary supplement for the goldfish at least. God knows they eat me out of house and duckweed as it sits. Thanks!

Ok, So I am planning setting up two large ( 300ish gallons) tanks, one Will have ten fancy goldfish in it. The other will have bitchers and oscars in it. I have always had very heavily planted tanks and have always used them to extend my water change schedule but with these fish being.....well....not the best at being happy tank mates with plants. So I have been researching doing over the tank refugiums but...I cant find anything really pertaining to fresh water. Finding information like flowrate, using miracle mud or enriched substrate? regular gravel with tabs? best water column feeding plants i'm thinking pathos out of the water, duckweed, and maybe some hornwort maybe some marimo moss balls. Populate it with some ramshorn snails or cherry shrimp to help up biodiversity and if they fall into the tank hey its a nice crunchy treat for the big fish. my questions are: Flow rate? what is going to give the best nitrate absorption but also keep water moving. Should I use a seperate tank besides a sump? a completely separate slower moving system? Substrate? gravel? miracle mud? Water column feeders> pathos>hornwort? Cherry Shrimp>snails>freshwater copepods? I would love any feedback, like am I completely mad? am I wasting time money and brain power? Best regards- Ben Malik

Greetings from North Georgia, Here are some of my fish!

16- if you count the breeding tanks!

My name is Ben and I live in Ga Currently keeping: Oranda goldfish, lion head ranchu goldfish red cap oranda, black moor, and a couple that defies all categorization. Also have neon tetras, corydoras, a feather in squeaker catfish. A couple of betta's I breed mutt guppies, mystery snails, and skittle shrimp. Also, have two cats a senior beagle and a sulcatta tortoise. There are ducks but they are not really ours lol. I am so excited to be involved in this kind of forum and I hope to learn and contribute as much as possible!