[Anyne using locally sourced/found/scrounged hardscape?]

Ooh, I'm gonna check that out. There's a rock place right next to where I work.

[How to use these thrift store Fluval lights?]

OMG! Of course. Thanks! These are pretty neat.

[How to use these thrift store Fluval lights?]

I scored some pretty dope equipment at a VV the other day. Among which is two Fluval Aaquasky lights and a bluetooth nano. At least, I think. Maybe you could help me identify these?

But anyway, there're not power buttons that I can see. How the heck do you turn these things on?

 

[Is this normal for a pleco?]

I have a 30 gal community with this albino bushynose and he really likes this one spot under some rooty looking wood. He's always pushing the sand away to make his hiding spot. (See pics)

Is this normal? I haven't seen it before, but I'm still kind of a novice..

In one pic you can see him just resting in his hiding spot. In the next one you can see the blur of him blowing the sand around.

[Is this normal for a pleco?]

I have a 30 gal community with this albino bushynose and he really likes this one spot under some rooty looking wood. He's always pushing the sand away to make his hiding spot. (See pics)

Is this normal? I haven't seen it before, but I'm still kind of a novice..

In one pic you can see him just resting in his hiding spot. In the next one you can see the blur of him blowing the sand around.

[Need Centerpiece Fish Ideas for this 20 Gal]

I didn't like those koi bettas at first, but they're really growing on me. I'm a sucker for huge fins though. Maybe I'm a monster, cuz I know that's harder on the fish...

 

,

[Better option for canister filter hoses?]

Does anybody have a better comma more flexible option for canister filter hoses? The ones that come with the canister filters are so stiff, and it can be hard to get the inlet and outlet where I want them.

 

[Need Centerpiece Fish Ideas for this 20 Gal]

Holy smokes! That's a gorgeous betta. Are these expensive? I've only had >$10 fish, and I know some of those bettas can get spendy.

[Anyne using locally sourced/found/scrounged hardscape?]

I'm really in to finding a cheaper way to do things. I do most of my home and auto maintenance. I get most of my aquarium stuff second hand on CL or whatever.

I'm really in to getting driftwood and rocks from the rivers near my house. I live in the Pacific Northwest, so rivers and wood are plentiful. I've got four tanks with hardware store substrate and all hardscape I've found near my house. I think they look decent, and they're free. The stuff you can buy at the shop is way cooler, and more interesting. But I just prefer to save the money when I can. I do try to be aware of what I'm picking up. I've read a bit and try to avoid certain kinds of rocks and wood. All the wood is hardwood, cept for a cool piece of cedar, that seems to be okay...

Do any of you like to scape with self-sourced accoutrements? What're the best pieces you've found? Any mistakes?

 

[Need Centerpiece Fish Ideas for this 20 Gal]

So, I've got this 20 gal planted that's coming along nicely. I've got 9 cherry barb and some ghost shrimp. Probably gonna put a hand full of pygmy corys in there once the tiny crypt in the front is rooted better. But I'm trying to decide on a  centerpiece fish.

I thought about a Blue Ram, but I really prefer easy fish and I don't want to have a special, warmer tank. I really like Dwarf Gouramies, but I've had some issues with mean gouramies. I've seen that the female Power Blue Gouramies are pretty chill.

Maybe a nice, blue Betta? What would you guys suggest for something that'd be awesome in there.

20 gal, Finnex Stingray 2, Nice HOB (can't remember brand), 7.5ph, 78deg,

[What plant is this?]

I'm not a plant expert, but I'd like to be someday... 

But I'm pretty sure the crypt on the right should be planted. 

[What do you do when you don't have to do anything?]

Well, I haven't actually done it yet...

But I do have really awesome kids

[What if I put these in my substrate?]

"So... You're telling me there's a chance!"

 

But in all seriousness, I'll error on the side of caution and stick with the Aquarium CoOp Easy Tabs.

[What do you do when you don't have to do anything?]

Ya, know. I think my thing is that I'm a single father with 4 kids, full time, and if I'm just sitting, people tend to think I don't have enough to do. But if I'm busy with something, anything really, then I'm generally not asked to do something else...

So it can be hard to just sit. Though I love to when I can.

We've actually got a nice Samsung 65" TV with an Xbox Series X, and my 12 year old asked me if we could replace it with a big aquarium. I'mma call that a tiny victory.

[What if I put these in my substrate?]

I saw these at the dollar store, and thought of my tank, of course.

I'm sure it wouldn't work, but I thought I'd ask you guys...

Could they work as root tabs?

[What do you do when you don't have to do anything?]

Do you guys get figity when your tanks don't need anything? Like, I've been tweaking and adjusting and whatever, and everything's just how I like it right now.

And I'm really enjoying watching the fish, but I keep waiting to go to the aquarium shop or find another tank on CL, or various other silly things.

How many of you have trouble just enjoying the finished project and waiting patiently for the next water change or whatever?

[Are there any tweezers that're good for inserting root tabs?]

I have to imagine the 2 ft long metal ones were originally made for a different purpose?

But you just get the regular ones at the pharmacy?

[Are there any tweezers that're good for inserting root tabs?]

Yes! Those are perfect. I bet we have some lying around already. 😉

[Are there any tweezers that're good for inserting root tabs?]

Ooh, yeah. Those have little grippies etched on them. I have the black fluval ones and the tabs just pop right out.

[Are there any tweezers that're good for inserting root tabs?]

I can't find anything that'll help plant root tabs. They're so slippery. When're the Aquarium CoOp Easy Root Tab Placer tweezers gonna come out? We need something with, like, rounded paddles at the  end. Or, like, a straw with a thingy that'd push out the capsule.

What do you guys use? I mean, like, besides your hands...

[What is this plant?]

Sweet! Free fern!

[What is this plant?]

I got this little guy stuck to the leaf of some other plant I got on a Craigslist trade. It seems to be reasonably happy floating around my beta tank, but can anybody tell me what it is?

[How little algea will starve algea eaters?]

My ottos and shrimps are doing a good job, but there's still some algae here and there. Like on the back glass and some of the stem plants. Is there enough for them to eat? Like, will it be, like, MD Fish Tanks spotless when they're done? Or should I feed them when there's just "very little" algea?

[Noob diagnosing yellow spots]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I'm gonna get some Easy Green and start dosing that ASAP.

[Pleco Catching Tips, Please]

Leeegit!