JenTheDroid

There was a video a I watched awhile ago where Cory suggested a Neon Tetra only tank. For the life of me I can't find that video now, but I originally wanted a Neon Tetra only tank but let someone else persuade me to get bigger fish. (It was my husband). He saw some Neon Tetras the other day and really likes them so I'm wanting what I originally wanted. I have a 55 gallon. I'm currently running 2 sponge filters. I have 4 Amazon Swords. I also have floating plants. I have 3 Ottos also.

Or do I need the large? Just asking since the large ones do take a larger amount of space. I’m worried they will be a little snug.

Alright, thanks Cory! I'll try to get another one ASAP!

I'm think about switching completely to sponge filters. I already have the pump but I don't know about splitting the air or anything like that, like if it will be enough air. I was going to buy another pump but they are currently sold out. I have a 55 gallon and was planning on using two of the 20 gallon (medium) sponge filters if that matters. If it is okay, what all do I need? and should I go ahead and buy a second pump when they get more or is one enough?

I ordered some Java Moss and it arrived today. It came attached to some metal grid thing. Can I leave it on that?

I have a 55 gallon with 2 Aquaclear 70’s on them. They are on the lowest setting. When I originally started I wanted a bunch of Neon Tetras but they were too small to my husband. So I bought some long fin black skirts while at the store. Then I learned there are white ones and fell in love. My local mom & pop fish store had 3 so I bought them. I called them and asked them to order more so I now have a total of 14. I don’t know if it’s because the black ones were from PetSmart, they were old, or what but the didn’t do well. The white ones are doing fine. I still really just want some Neons. I was gonna get like 20 of them but my local store told me not to get them and go with the rummy nose ones. I don’t like the rummy nose ones because they are mostly white or whatever fish she was suggesting. I don’t really want black ones anymore either. So I need a suggestion for a fish I can get with the long fin tetras because I didn’t realize they were semi-aggressive? At least everything I’ve read has said they are. I also have 2 glo tetras for my kids and don’t want those either because they are crazy expensive.

I have a 55 gallon. 20 inches tall. I switched from sand to gravel because I hated the sand. My Val isn’t growing as well as it did with the sand. I hate the gravel color. It was the cheapest kind I could find at Walmart. Not sure if I need to get a better gravel first. Cory mentioned rounded gravel in one of his videos and I’ve looked for specific rounded gravel but wasn’t sure if that was just gravel like Caribsea or if I’m not understanding. Anyway, I’ve kinda decided I want to switch to Amazon Swords because I liked them better. I want to put one on each end. I have these two towers though and I was thinking about adding Anubias Nana to these towers. Would they be alright or is it too close to the light? My light is on around 40% intensity and I was gonna raise to maybe 60% when I added Amazon Sword. I also need another plant for the middle. I could just do 2 more Amazon Swords. Would that be enough space? I truthfully really love Amazons. So I’m just looking for advice.

That was exactly the answer I was looking for! I assume that with 2 HOB filters then the water should be continuously moving even with a lower flow. Thank you so much! I seriously love when this happens. 😂 I wouldn’t have ever found that video because I wasn’t sure how to search it.

I’m in a group online and I saw a comment the other day where someone said the slowest flow rate on your aquarium filter allows more time for bacteria to flow through or something like that. I have never seen anyone mention this before. I’m sorta confused at this point because I see (read) where all these people are buying filters that are like a 75 model for a 20 gallon or a 110 model for a 55 gallon. Wouldn’t turning the flow all the way down defeat the purpose of more GPH filtering through? Especially since a lot of these filters, that I’ve seen anyway, show the maximum output flow on the box but I rarely see the minimum flow. I know there are instances where people turn down the flow because of fish who prefer calmer waters, but at that point I’m kinda wondering why you would buy the largest filter you can find just to turn it all the way down. I have two 70 gallon filters on my 55 gallon. I originally bought a 110 but the flow/current was way too strong for my fish. It was also too heavy for me to take it off to clean it. So I switched to 2 smaller ones, mostly so if one goes out I still have one as a safety net. I’m honestly pretty sure my fish would prefer if I turned the flow down but then I worry about the water being too still or not getting cleaned enough. I’m not sure. I hope this makes sense. I’m sorry for all the word vomit.

Overall, I just hate it. I hate the weird sponge shape. I don’t want to have to drill holes, cut things, use silicone, etc. because it is so much extra work for me. I also don’t want to have to turn it off just to feed my fish. As far as a baffle goes (from reading the other comments) there is a guy on Etsy that sells 3D printed baffles. His shop name is GalaxyGlowStudio. He makes several different kinds (in the description). I know some people don’t like the outflow for the Aquaclear but I would just get some from him for it.

Does anyone have any long term reviews? I’ve been using two 55’s on my 55 gallon. The maintenance indicator goes up after a few days (even when I just cleaned it a few days earlier). I thought using 2 would help with maintenance. The surface skimmer makes feeding difficult. Anytime I do clean it (once a week except when the indicator pops up again) so much debris gets let out into the tank from where it was stuck in the basket so I have to take the whole filter off every time. The only thing I’ve done recently in the past week was adding a pre filter sponge. I thought the self primming was a big deal to me but I unplug my filters during water changes anyway because the water was still getting too low. I really wanted to love them but I’m not sure I do. I feel like it was mostly hype when I joined the hobby. I’m considering getting 2 Aquaclear 70’s. I only ever see positive reviews so I was wondering if everyone really does just love them or if there are some people who are like me and are on the fence?

Sorry, I didn’t answer the other question. They have been sprouting like crazy! But my tank is starting to smell and I don’t know why else other than the Val. I want to get some shrimp and a snail so maybe that would help with that.

Since March.

I have some now but was thinking of starting over because they don’t look like they are doing well. I started with 2 chains (one had 4 the other had 2) and probably have 20 now but they look a little see through and yellowish and brownish. The very first one is starting to melt now. The main reason I wanted to start them over was because I was worried both sides were kind of fighting with each other for space. Sorry for the dirty glass. I was mid cleaning it when I took the pictures.

I have a 55 gallon. Is it better to buy one plant and put it in the corner and let it take off or is better to buy more than one plant? I don't want them crashing into each other, I guess. I don't even know if that matters. Maybe starting in the middle is best? I don't know. That's why I'm asking.