Streetwise Indoor Aquariums

[Streetwise]

Somehow I only recently learned about the Export to gif function in Photos, even though it has been around for several years.

I have enjoyed the evolution of my tanks, but I sometimes wish that I would have kept old configurations, and just setup new tanks to expand my knowledge.

This loop represents learning plants from the box stores, and the first or second stage of my organic substrate progress.

Two of those plants are still in the current version of this aquarium.

Edited February 19, 2021 by Streetwise

[Streetwise]

I finally cleaned the glass on my Askoll 20, and topped off some water. I still don't know what I will do with that tiny 1.25 gallon tank. The 7.5 needs the glass cleaned too, from when I left my drapes open to too much sunlight. It has been a long time since any water changes, but I love plants, and they reciprocate. 

Edit: I stirred up my substrate in my oldest tank, and added a plant.

Edited February 20, 2021 by Streetwise

[OceanTruth]

I like how you’re a part of a very small percentage of hobbyists who keep their aquariums looking and feeling as “natural” as possible. Correct me if I’m wrong.

Do you also play around with completely no filter, no air pump aquariums as well? I’ve seen a slight trend in that style and want to experiment with it in a very low stocked tank.

[Streetwise]

Thanks, @OceanTruth. I grew up in the woods with a nearby river, and spent a lot of time on the lake, so I feel pretty connected to nature. I like all the messy parts, including decomposition. We had a deep well, and a septic system, and heated mostly with wood harvested from trees downed by storms. I think this all setup my hobby approach. I'm also a network administrator at work, so stable systems allow me to relax.

I ran my tubs outdoors last summer (back in those woods, in fact), and didn't use any technology, until they were moved indoors for winter. I pulled all the tech from my 2.5 gallon window shrimp tanks a little while ago. Without lights, I can't photograph them at the same time as my others, so here are a couple from this morning.

[OceanTruth]

Thank you for the info! I guess I’ll be pulling some equipment from a tank today. Lol. Just been dragging my feet a bit, because it’s awkward to think of a tank with no filter. Experience will subside those fears I’m sure.

The window tank looks really beautiful like that. Love the look of it in the pic, just slightly backlit from the outdoors. I’m aiming for my tanks to look half as interesting as yours. Lol. 😛 

[Streetwise]

I decided to stir things up in my oldest planted tank, after thinning my substrate and cap. I am increasing flow and changing the lighting.

Edited February 23, 2021 by Streetwise

[Streetwise]

I am on vacation, so I made a mess. I trimmed and stirred.

I added a Co-Op plant pot, which is many plants:

Edited February 23, 2021 by Streetwise

[Streetwise]

I'm not sure what happened here. Perhaps two lights, and more flow, or an accidental camera setting. One shot came out as expected.

[Brandy]

I like it anyway.... it is "art", lol. Especially like the squiggles in the first two pics.

We should take more time to enjoy found art, don't you think?

[Streetwise]

I used to do digital art back in the day, so I like the accidental images. I will use those new photos.

I noticed something interesting after adding those HOBs back, plus the other light, but not changing the heater.

 

Edited February 24, 2021 by Streetwise

[Streetwise]

On my way back from my folks's house the other day, I picked up six Bloodfin tetras, and one additional SAE for my 16 gallon bow, and a pair of SAEs for my Askoll 20. In the 16, the Bloodfin tetras proved themselves to be proper dither fish, and brought all the introverts out from the plant cover. In the Askoll 20, the SAEs are already going to work. I also took a couple of top-down photos of my window 2.5s.

20:

16:

2.5:

 

Edited February 25, 2021 by Streetwise

[OceanTruth]

The Bloodfins are a good looking tetra. Always love seeing your tanks and different views/angles of it.

[Streetwise]

Thanks @OceanTruth. I try to take really square photos of my tanks, but those often don't show the inhabitants. Sometimes messy pictures are the only way to catch the fish and shrimp in action. I have tried to keep different tetras, danios, and minnows in each of my tanks, but the Bloodfins just have such fun swimming behavior, and they bring out so much from their shy tank-mates.

The 2.5 photos weren't square because I was standing on an office chair, trying not to fall.

[Streetwise]

I made some changes in my Askoll 20, and 16 Bowfront. I removed the heaters and moved one HoB to the 16 for flow. I also removed the lid and background from the 16 Bow. I dropped in a bunch of water lettuce in both tanks.

Edited February 26, 2021 by Streetwise

[OceanTruth]

Both tanks are looking beautiful!

[Streetwise]

[Betsy]

I didn't think I was a crypts person...but your tanks might be convincing me otherwise!!  That first picture is especially glorious!

I am also really jealous that you can take such great pictures of your betta!  Mine has no chill, so 95% of my pictures of him are blurry, haha!

[Streetwise]

Cheers @Betsy! There are so many nice varieties of crypts. The various colors and textures just look so good together, and you never have to trim them. I think that almost all of my crypts and anubias came from the Co-Op. Since I run small tanks, I tend to avoid most stem plants, so I have focused on smaller plants. I also love dwarf sagittarius.

When photographing my betta with my iPhone, I usually hit the 2x, and then just try to take pictures while dodging the reflection of the light. Most of them are blurry, but there are always pauses in the swimming patterns. This betta likes to do runway turns with her blue gown.

[Betsy]

If I ever do another tank (and I hope I will!), I will definitely try out some crypts!!  I prefer smaller tanks, too...I don't think a tank larger than 20 gallons is ever in my future!

I will have to try out your suggestions the next time I try to photograph Spritz!  I usually just photo burst and hope for the best.  I wish phones had a sports mode or a way to adjust the shutter speed to really get that quick shot. 📸🐟

Does your betta lady have a name??  Her blues are so bright and pretty!

[Streetwise]

I am really in-love with my SAEs. Sorry for the slightly blurry photos.

I also pointed my lens at one of my cubes.

 

[OceanTruth]

That cube is a beautiful jungle!

Any reason for the SAE love? Keeping the tank algae free?

[Streetwise]

@OceanTruth, I had some stubborn algae on anubias, so I got some fish that might enjoy snacking on it. I think they also add some more adventurous behavior for an ecosystem, compared to some of my other grazers.

The SAE look so much like Otocinclus that I had to really pay attention to how their shape and swimming behavior differs.

I should be clear that I only have SAEs in my 16 Bow, and Askoll 20, and not in any smaller tanks.

Edited March 5, 2021 by Streetwise

[Streetwise]

[Streetwise]

Edited March 12, 2021 by Streetwise

[OceanTruth]

Now that’s how water lettuce should look. The roots make such a beautiful scene. You take some great photos.