BettaHomesAndGardens

Reptile keeping has actually begun to eclipse my aquarium keeping. I have 4 Ball pythons, 1 Kenyan Sand Boa, 1 Boa Constrictor Imperator, 4 Leopard Geckos and a Crested Gecko. Honestly the reptile husbandry is less time consuming then the aquarium husbandry. I love both worlds tho and am blessed to have both in our home.

So I just wanted to jump in to offer my mistakes as a learning tool. Otocinclus are very finicky when first brought home and as was stated they are schooling fish. I feel like with them even more than others it’s important to bring home a decent group at one time as it seems to help relax them and give them a better chance of making it. I made that mistake early on of just getting one at a time and it didn’t work out and I hate losing fish so it was a huge bummer when I realized it was likely my lack of understanding that contributed. Just wanted to offer the heads up from personal experience. They are awesome awesome fish tho so I hope you really enjoy yours!

Kind of a cool shot. I don’t leave the blue light on because of algae of course but it does create a cool effect.

Awesome thank you so much!

So I know it isn’t perfect and it isn’t 100% complete yet but I set up a White Cloud Biotope and I think it’s coming along pretty nice. Just finally added the fish today and I’m pretty excited. I don’t want to plant to heavily but if anyone knows of some native Chinese aquatic plants that would go nicely suggestions are appreciated!

I don’t have that particular model. I have the one that I linked but I did watch some reviews of that model. Everyone said it was good but that the timer instructions were a bit convoluted so there’s been a bunch of people that have made video walkthroughs on YouTube. The model I have is pretty straight forward tho but as far as light output I think they’re both pretty comparable.

Hygger. The fluval is great but absolutely not necessary. There are plenty of alternatives that will grow plants amazingly and look great I have the 30 in Hygger and have for some time and it’s been great and won’t cost you a car payment. https://www.amazon.com/hygger-Sunrise-Daylight-Moonlight-Adjustable-Brightness-Extendable/dp/B08N19ZXMR/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=3PH7MWMPRDUXV&keywords=hygger+aquarium+light&qid=1646695538&sprefix=%2Caps%2C70&sr=8-3

This is the exact model I got. I got mine about 2 months ago so perhaps it has been updated. Hope it works well for you! https://www.amazon.com/hygger-Sunrise-Daylight-Moonlight-Adjustable-Brightness-Extendable/dp/B08N197NGW/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2S4F5ZASQRV2K&keywords=hygger%2Baquarium%2Blight&qid=1646096602&sprefix=hygger%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-5&th=1

That's so strange mine shuts all the way off during the off cycle. I don't know if maybe i have an updated model or a different model or something because mine definitely shits all the way off. As far as the intensity I played with it until I had an intensity that I felt like would suffice. the lack of Algae growth I suspect has more to do with my reduced lighting duration than with the light intensity itself. I've not tested it with a PAR meter so I'm not sure how much of a difference the intensity adjustment is making.

So Hygger lights are the highest tech low budget lights I've ever used and a dimmable have a built in timer, are size adjustable and so on. They are pretty inexpensive and I've liked them quite a bit. I struggled with algae with my old light and I put one of these on and dimmed it and set the timer for 6 hours and I have no issues anymore. https://www.amazon.com/Hygger-Spectrum-Extendable-Controller-Freshwater/dp/B07X9T9PV6/ref=asc_df_B07XBSY32G/?tag=&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385191879806&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6040828051655960627&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9016180&hvtargid=pla-837646189911&ref=&adgrpid=78564976036&th=1

I would leave him be for the simple fact that a shift in parameters so suddenly again could be more detrimental then where he’s at now. Just my line of thinking.

I’ve used pothos before and it works great but my favorite one I’ve done is a peace lily. My LFS actually sells peace lillies for this express purpose.

Like others have said I have a school of six blue spotted corydoras in hard water and they have been thriving.

If you’d like to adjust how much air is being put through the stone you can purchase a control valve that will let you regulate it. An air stone is a great addition to most tanks.

This this this! Couldn’t have said it betta….(ha!) Stability over a magic number everytime.

I actually just discovered that orchids can grow emersed and I can’t wait to add them to my bowl!

Looks really good I love the scape! What type of shrimp are you planning to keep?

Nothing crazy but I've always wanted angelfish. When I first got into the hobby ten years ago I bought one and put it in my 20 gallon. I had no idea what I was doing and new nothing about them an just impulse bought it and it died within an hour. I don't know if it was something I did or it was just already unhealthy but literally ever since then I've never gotten them again. At this point I'm seasoned enough that I'm sure I could successfully keep them in the appropriate sized tank but I still haven't done it.

So this isn't a fix for your Java moss flaking issue but as far as gunking up the filter try getting a pre filter sponge and that should prevent anything from being sucked up into your filter intake and make it easier to remove the moss strands.

API 5 in 1 test strips will tell you KH and GH but aren't as accurate as liquid tests of course but still gets you some data. The aquarium co-op multi-test strips will tell you GH. They sell the liquid API test here on the site but definitely find that out before tampering with the pH using chemicals. Stable parameters are always preferred to trying to achieve a magic number especially with a betta so just keep that in mind as well. Kudos for taking the time to find out more I've always had the tendency to act without thinking and then sit there like "well I hope I didn't mess that up" lol.

Dealing with hair algae and had read that carbon would combat it. The Otocinclus don’t touch the hair algae so I have also reduced lighting and am going to add some Amano shrimp.

This is probably a stupid question but I’ve been reading some horror stories on the internet about some carbon products killing fish so I needed some peace of mind. I have corydoras, Otocinclus and a betta in my tank and just wanted to be certain that easy carbon was ok to use with this stocking. Thanks so much.

My daughter spent the first several months of her life in the NICU in Chicago and at the time my son was 4. The Shedd Aquarium of Chicago maintains a large Reef tank in the hospital and that was on of my sons favorite things to do during our extended stays in the hospital. SO many of the kids would gather there and it was such a source of joy. It saddens me to hear this but unfortunately makes all to much sense that some corporate rube would pull something like this. Good on you for having made this gesture in the first place and for continuing to help as much as you are. Sorry this is happening.

Cancerous tumors in Betta fish are pretty rare so there's a possibility its not that. Has he had trouble swimming or been floating at all? Could be swim bladder maybe? Any which way you slice it there are things you can try. I would try dosing so aquarium salts. It may do nothing but it certainly won't hurt. Just be advised with salts that it can affect live plants or invertebrates. As long as he's eating I agree with the other posters that that is the best indicator he's still feeling pretty ok. Hope this helps.

The way the lighting looks is incredible. Love it!