My First Tank in Over a Decade

[Scrum Fish]

As someone who recently came back to the hobby after a long time away this is a fun thread to read!  Looking forward to seeing some pics of your fish and shrimps.  I really liked the story about the scout rasbora, haha

[Intuos]

On 8/1/2021 at 7:46 PM, CalmedByFish said:

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't even 1 sword eventually swallow a 20 gallon? (I have 1, so I'm particularly curious.)

Probably will eventually depending on how much it likes your water and lighting. Would suggest that you don't use root tabs though 😂. 

[Scott P.]

On 9/7/2021 at 2:48 PM, Intuos said:

Probably will eventually depending on how much it likes your water and lighting. Would suggest that you don't use root tabs though 😂. 

I don't use tabs and only use a small amount of ferts. So far they are putting on new leaves and for the most part staying a few inches below the water line.

There is one leaf that says, Hey look at me, I'm above the water line. There's always that one that just has to show out. LOL

[Scott P.]

Added two Bolivian Rams to the tank today. They settled in pretty quickly and don't seem to be bothered by the Rasboras and they don't seem to even notice the shrimp.

That said my Harlequin Rasbora pack has earned the name "Pack of Hyenas". These guys are all around the Rams when they are trying to eat. If one of the Rams drops a food pellet for a second, one of the Harlequins swoops in like a fighter jet and is gone with the pellet. The chunk of food is way to big for them to swallow so they swim off and hide till they can get it down.

If anyone has any advice on how to make sure my Rams are getting enough to eat I am all ears.

Edited September 14, 2021 by Scott P.

[Tihshho]

You'll need to feed two types of food, one that floats/stays suspended and another that sinks. Start by feeding the suspended food (flake) on one half and then put the sinking food on the other. It's going to take some time, but the Rams will eventually figure it out. Plus, they dwell towards the bottom anyways and will be pecking at the ground while the Rasbora's are too busy being a midwater fish.