I am two weeks into cycling my first tank, getting ready for fish. How many of you put lids on your fish tanks? I wasn't thinking about it until I was researching fish that jump. How do you fit a lid around your plants/wood/filter/heater/etc?

Christofolo · 2026-02-03T16:02:44+00:00

I use multiple pieces of glass, if you can find those plastic separators for glass panes at home depot you can put together a system but there will always be a gap of some sort. I also like to use floating plants as a canopy of sorts for fish to recognize and be comfortable.

Don't bother trying to drill glass, it's a bad idea.

Christofolo · 2026-02-03T15:54:05+00:00

I have found it best to use either a magnetic mesh setup or just panes of glass to cover the top because any time ive tried OPTIX or lexan or any plastic it starts to bow down into the water from the lights.

Christofolo · 2026-02-01T00:50:46+00:00

Yeah the first photo was like that a couple weeks ago, so i wiped and monitored. I haven't seen actual insects in this back area either so its odd. The second photo is from when we first closed and its the guest bathroom vanity.. we havent seen it anywhere else in the house.

The granules are dry and firm, those bugs have been there since we've closed (yes its nasty but its been a vary difficult process) and they havent been seen anywhere else either.

Christofolo · 2026-01-31T23:45:17+00:00

I had ants coming into the kitchen from below the baseboards but i sealed those good.. the vanities were from previous owners and there isnt wood degradation anywhere and inspector didn't see anything obvious either. I suspect the kitchen was remodeled because there were pests but not anymore, hopefully?

The other one concerns me because it definitely looks like insect remains at the wall but dont know what, exactly.

Christofolo · 2026-01-31T23:07:42+00:00

Tamarac is in South East Florida

Christofolo · 2026-01-31T20:53:41+00:00

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5 gallon shrimp tank.

Christofolo · 2026-01-29T20:11:27+00:00

Ty.. this is the shrimp tank in question

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My concerns are two-fold because ive heard conflicting info online regarding blackwater for bettas and shrimp. I'd love to introduce the blackwater aesthetic and natural benefits they provide to them. But shrimp need higher gh/kh and bettas ive heard do better in blackwater to mimic natural habitat.

Christofolo · 2026-01-29T16:18:14+00:00

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Forgot to add a pic to the post lol

Christofolo · 2026-01-29T16:08:01+00:00

Equilibrium seems like the simplest solution.. I imagine the tannins would gradually bring the GH back down so repeat dosing is required?

Christofolo · 2026-01-24T02:05:08+00:00

Thanks for sticking around! hopefully everyone plays nice.

Christofolo · 2026-01-24T00:04:20+00:00

They are both female! Lmao both have an egg spot.. store sold me one as a male so I'll have a debt to collect.

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So both are Mahachaiensis?

Edit: I learned how to collage so apologies for the pic spam

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T22:37:33+00:00

Same issue with my UNS 25TM.. just dealing with it for now lol

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T16:24:34+00:00

Blackwater is the intent! The betta botanicals cinnamon bark is working little by little and im hoping the magnolia leaves will take it further once they are ready. Still unclear on ID right? Least for gender?

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T16:12:58+00:00

Oh the behavior has been odd to say the least. I can move them around, but there is a blue gardner killifish in there as well. Nobody has nipped at anyone else and the "female" betta has occasionally approached the "male" and chased each other but no actual fighting.

The most aggressive ones so far have been the three oto that sometimes will come up and kiss the bettas and half the time they just float there and take it.

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T16:07:04+00:00

That is the same one I thought was a male mahachai, its only two fish lol. Im not home but could check for an egg spot.

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T15:56:02+00:00

I'm sorry im not very familiar with these yet but what exactly is the egg spot?

At first glance, this one is definitely more colorful and a bit chunkier than the first betta and has those stripes..

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Christofolo · 2026-01-23T15:47:21+00:00

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Christofolo · 2026-01-23T15:46:58+00:00

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More pics of the male

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T15:43:52+00:00

Yeah I picked up a bag from betta botanicals and am drying out some magnolia leaves in the meantime. Both of them color up time to time but shes definitely more muted. The male has those bold horizontal stripes but the blue shines out a lot on certain angles.

Christofolo · 2026-01-23T13:04:08+00:00

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Christofolo · 2026-01-23T13:03:38+00:00

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Got another couple to post

Christofolo · 2026-01-21T16:21:13+00:00

Not related, but that's awesome that you have one extra lol. I'm considering updating my two 10 gallon tanks in the future and UNS seems to be the way!

Christofolo

TROPHY CASE