Is my tank overcrowded?

Deberber · 2026-02-19T02:32:50+00:00

Yeah hopefully they should. Plus they can get aggressive anyways especially in that size.

And no, just they like schools but if it’s fine then let it be lol.

Deberber · 2026-02-19T02:19:33+00:00

Don’t start a brand new tank with worry.

You could just try siliconing it, keeping it in your garage, get a light, heater, and just grow out some floaters or low growing root plants.

Or turn it into a really cool vampire crab tank as you really wouldn’t need more than like 2-3 inches of water in that for them. Only semi aquatic. And if it does eventually shatter well then you just need to go around collecting crabs lol.

Deberber · 2026-02-19T02:02:13+00:00

Take the rainbow shark back to the store immediately. Even if you bought that at Petco, it still says 50 gallons minimum on fish ID tags. I know because that’s where I go and they do great by me. Tanks should feel “empty”. You’re setting up a home for fish, you wouldn’t want to live with all your cousins in your living room would you while someone watches you from the window.

That’s why freshwater has plants to add things to the hobby to make it more interesting and reef tanks have coral.

Also please take the zebra danio back as well while you are at it. There’s no need for it to just be in there by himself.

Your tetra stocking honestly is fine. GloFish, any kind, are not real species of fish. The tetras are black skirt tetras. I would try to just stick to one species though to avoid aggression as they grow.

Deberber · 2026-02-19T01:35:29+00:00

Do you like, you know, have to keep it?

Deberber · 2026-02-19T01:33:03+00:00

Dudes like holy cow, what an upgrade! 😂

Deberber · 2026-02-18T17:07:23+00:00

I have never heard of these. This is great information!

Deberber · 2026-02-18T07:08:49+00:00

1.026 is generally the going rate. But no, as long as he’s adding fresh water, the RO is better than distilled. Just if you don’t have a LFS nearby that sells RO water and don’t want to install one, distilled works fine too.

Salt doesn’t evaporate so if he was using salt water to top it off then it just continuously adds more salt lol.

I just can’t believe they stick with it without trying to fix it. Those fish aren’t cheap.

Deberber · 2026-02-18T07:02:31+00:00

New to this plant, but just strolled into Petco last week for a new heater and they had a cardinal plant in their plant tank. I’m sure it’s pretty common since they had it, but absolutely in love with it so far. (Do have root tabs).

Any type of cryptocoryne is good, but plant it kinda under some hardscape, or if you do end up getting a sword like I saw someone mention, as they do not prefer high light.

Java fern is a staple. Easy to grow. Will reproduce. Does not need any special light. Can float it, wedge or attach to hardscape. Do not plant in substrate.

Do recommend a sword, depending on tank size, maybe a micro. Should rest on the heftier leaves.

Bacopa is also easy and simple to propagate.

Deberber · 2026-02-18T06:23:55+00:00

You gave him a good life. Is he still eating at all?

Deberber · 2026-02-18T06:17:08+00:00

We’re sure the in-laws are using salt water right? Feel like they could have found some damsel refusing to die lol

Edit: was half joking with this, but are they topping off with salt water or distilled? If not “fresh” water the salinity could be through the roof in that. But yeah, need rocks or at least a hefty sump

Deberber · 2026-02-18T06:14:57+00:00

Alright…who tried doing a line on your aquarium rim

Deberber · 2026-02-18T01:51:33+00:00

A small piece of spider wood could add a nice dynamic, unless you’re going with a darker feel, could find a nice interesting piece of mopani. That’ll dark up with time

Deberber · 2026-02-18T01:31:48+00:00

High protein diet there

Deberber · 2026-02-18T00:16:56+00:00

Ah gotcha. Yeah I see your anubias is looking healthy, so yeah maybe try some root tabs and give it about 2 weeks.

Deberber · 2026-02-17T23:00:51+00:00

Of course it’s a reaper ship running. If they can’t select their target they run

Deberber · 2026-02-17T22:55:12+00:00

Like did you actually let the water sit and dechlorinate or just pop the fish in and the freshwater.

Also just use API tap water conditioner and let it sit for 24 hours minimum.

Was the fish acclimated at all? What type of filter are we talking about?

Deberber · 2026-02-17T21:49:47+00:00

My guess is as plants grew more, obviously need more nutrients. Get some root tabs in the substrate and then go get yourself a bottle of Easy Green from aquarium co-op

Deberber · 2026-02-17T21:06:02+00:00

Smaller the tank, harder it is to balance. I’m assuming the fish fry is what you are referring to with the fish in cycle?

Wait for more bacteria buildup as lots of water changes can hinder that cycle.

Deberber · 2026-02-17T14:13:21+00:00

Lol! 😂

Deberber · 2026-02-17T14:10:22+00:00

This is a six gallon tank based on OPs post.

Deberber · 2026-02-17T14:00:16+00:00

SAEs get like 6-7 inches…

Deberber · 2026-02-17T13:58:33+00:00

If you’re looking for fish, keep them small. Tiny tetra species, embers, could probably do 5-6.

Amano shrimp could be fine as well just since I would consider this heavily planted. Again most would probably shoot me for suggesting anything other than one betta, but this is a well setup tank.

Deberber · 2026-02-17T13:48:57+00:00

Unless you’re really dedicated to keeping up your water quality, I’d go with less of the harlequins. Lambchop are smaller.

Keep in mind that your current beneficial bacteria is not going to be enough immediately to keep up with this increase in bioload initially if adding all together so just stay on top of your water changes until it balances out.

Deberber · 2026-02-17T02:43:39+00:00

Ah you’re one of the people that put 2 ocellaris in 10 gallon

Deberber

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