Solstice_Lacer

As long as you have good quality leaves, as far as I know they will still eventually break down and create helpful micro bacteria. Guppies may even munch on them. Just keep an eye on your ph levels. Almond leaves lower ph, but not drastically unless you use lots of leaves at once

6-8 green neon or white cloud and a single honey gourami is doable in a 10, and would probably stay healthier long term at 70-75 F than a betta.

True. OP had mentioned stocking a 10 gallon which I agree would be a minimum size for the gourami

They are all bubble nest building labyrinth fish that get nice color, reach similar size and can be charismatic center piece or species only fish

I don't think any betta does well long term below 75 unfortunately. Paradise fish maybe, but they are more grumpy from what I hear. Honey or dwarf blue gourami might be good. They're also labyrinth fish

You could try spraying the places you find webs with peppermint oil. It's supposed to repel spiders, but if a tiny bit of over spray gets in the water it shouldn't hurt fish

I think one medium leaf per 10 gallons is the general guideline. And you can just leave it in to break down completely, or pull it out once it's skeletonized

Any open top tanks where bugs could feed off the surface when fish are fed?

I too collect sticks and soak or at least pour over several batches of scalding water, as well as hydrogen peroxide. You could also add some parasite killing meds to a soak if you're really worried

Spiders need a food source. Is there a colony of fruit flies or gnats hiding out somewhere eating fish food?

I think short fin plakat are supposed to have less health problems as they age, because they have less fin to weigh them down. Idk if there is truth to that

I can't speak from experience, but I believe the gold are just a color morph, but they are the same species. So in theory they would all hang out. I've also heard white cloud aren't the tightest schoolers anyway, more like shoaling. But again, haven't personally kept them yet

You can also add cuttle bone (or pieces of it) to the water. It's usually available at pet stores, sometimes in the bird section. Just get the unflavored ones. Crushed coral is another option

I love inverts (particularly crabs) and the freshwater pom pom crab seems like the best option for me in a 25 gallon aquarium. Does anyone have experience keeping these critters? Having one vs several, tank mates, ideal foods etc. I know they're supposed to be pretty peaceful omnivorous scavengers

I'm considering getting a pom pom crab..

Got this set up and planted. I'm excited for it to grow out because I specifically chose tall growing plants to fill out the space. There's amazon swords, two types of val, water sprite, octopus plants, tiger lotus and two dwarf aquarium lily, a patch of local moss, java fern, and some stem plant I forget the name of (near the front on the left and right). Also some (intentional) duckweed up top. And some rock work. Stocking still undecided at this moment.

Maybe Japanese trap door snails instead of mystery snails.. They seem to have less tentacle to nip.

Thanks. I'll consider my options

Hmm..I wouldn't want any poor snaily to get nipped. Maybe instead of the corydoras and snails I could do a lemon bristle nose pleco... Tank of gold

I've read honey gourami often do best in groups of at least 4. If this is the case, would I be better off with 2 males and 2 females, or 1 male and 3 females? Should they be added all at once, or should I start with a pair and then add later. And would 4 be reasonable in a planted 25 gallon with ample filtration, with 8-10 pygmy cory and 2 mystery snails? They would be the last fish added after first the snails, then the corydoras.

Google lens thinks either Siamese algae eater or cambodian log sucker. A fish store might take them if you don't have room.

Does anyone have experience keeping danios with mystery snails? Any problems with them picking at tentacles or eyes? The tank will be a planted 25 gallon and they will be the only occupants. Is there a best species of danio to keep with mystery snails? My top 6 considerations are Zebra danios, pearl danios, rose danios, gold ring danios, celestial pearl danios, or white cloud minnows.

I've had good luck with crypt wendtii red and crypt tropica. Also hornwort as a floater, but be aware it can shed needles. Dwarf sag also does well for me. I just got some amazon sword and giant val for my new tank, so we'll see how those go

Welcome fellow Michigander 👋

Just a cherry shrimp on a leaf