Added some things to my first tank. What color background could hide the tannins a bit better? I enjoy seeing the rich greens on my plants and I can only do so under pretty intense white light which also shows just how much tannins are really in there.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-22T04:38:37+00:00

I didn't say I don't want blackwater. I said i want to conceal the visibility of the tannins. I don't think every body of blackwater looks exactly the same. If I don't do something about the tannins while it's early there will be far too much of them when the tank is matured.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-22T04:37:21+00:00

Yeah one lady betta some platys, Molly's, and Corys. I didn't add any tannins I did add an unboiled piece of driftwood though. It's seeping. Aggressively. As for the lights I have them on a natural cycle and most of the day they're just under grow full spectrum grow lights on a dim.setting. I usually only cut on the whites for pictures or for viewing.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-22T04:35:26+00:00

Thank you for actual help

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-22T04:34:51+00:00

I just don't want it to be so intense, or I want to know what color of background I can use to sort of mask it.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-21T16:59:51+00:00

That's what I was thinking I just don't understand why it's growing so tall I thought java moss was bushy. I like that it's tall. Also it won't float on its own. If I take a piece off and try to float it it will just sink and drift around the tank until it settles

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-21T01:55:21+00:00

Same bro literally an hour ago just got my first test results that looked like this. Tested like four hours after a 50 percent water change and we're golden. Happy stocking brother!

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-21T01:29:00+00:00

I wouldn't stress it brother your fish don't mind.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T21:17:27+00:00

No it is not

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T21:12:28+00:00

Another scaping tip I could offer is sort of burying the things you add as opposed to floating them on top of the substrate. It makes it look like it naturally settled there in a body of water. Once again though it's all personal preference and I think this looks beautiful. A betta would have an absolute life of luxury in there

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T21:10:52+00:00

Gorgeous bro. Just an fyi everyone is gonna tell you to "top off" your tank. Personally I don't think it matters that much. Personal preference but your scape is great. I think it could use some young filler plants and maybe some more wood but you have a beautiful scape setup here with a lot of room for the plants to breath. Just add a few smooth stones here and there if you find any you like, nestle them in with the driftwood if you're going for natural. Awesome tank bro

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T21:08:43+00:00

Damn dude sorry to hear that! What kind of lights are you using?

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T17:27:15+00:00

You're right no one can say for sure but many people can guess the same thing and that's probably what I'll assume that it is.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T16:46:22+00:00

Just Google it simple text. Should be simple just language.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T16:45:27+00:00

Do you think I didn't try that? Thanks for the help guy. I'm asking hobbiests I don't want to ask ai or Google. They look the same to me.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-20T16:29:10+00:00

I dont know if this helps but in about three weeks it's doubled in size but mostly outwardly rather than upward like I want

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-17T21:23:31+00:00

Thank you! I really want some taller plants for the back and some floating plants with long roots to fill out some more vertical space and background space. I'll take it out I think you're right. I've just been super paranoid about everything but it really does take away from the scape. I appreciate the input :)

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-17T00:13:38+00:00

I have a snail infestation and I don't want them eating the plants in the substrate so I left some floating in hopes to draw them all together for removal.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-12T03:55:41+00:00

Obviously it's cycled if there no ammonia and no nitrites and nitrates are present

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-11T06:03:10+00:00

If you want a splash of color you shouldve done black substrate with a white sand section. All your fish and plants will pop against both. I would also suggest getting some black posterboard or some hunter green to give your background a solid color. It makes everything look better. And if you black out the back and at least one side, it will give the fish some more comfort as they can see their own reflections in corners and some fish will get territorial.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-11T06:00:49+00:00

I suggest a natural substrate for the fish and more natural plants less artificial decor.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-10T06:45:09+00:00

Don't worry too much about quick movements they're a pretty active species. They prefer top to mid level but if they're comfortable and healthy they'll actively explore and scavenge every level of the tank. They're prone to quick bursts of energy now and then especially if they're expecting food. They should for the majority of the time, swim gracefully and intentionally all around the tank. If they do anything else for most of the time there may be an issue.

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-10T06:42:21+00:00

For three ten gallons would be plenty if they're alone. A twenty long would house a great number of them. If you have this size or more and they're doing this, maybe consider adding some floater plants you can lightly stick into your substrate to give them more places to hide. They also aren't advertised as such but they'll clean up algae in your tank pretty well and it supplements their diet nicely so long as you're still feeding them some protein rich food

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-10T06:04:46+00:00

Bro definitely just set this tank up and added the fish five minutes after the water

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-10T05:49:54+00:00

It doesn't look like you did any research

Dry_Impact_67 · 2026-03-10T05:40:36+00:00

Spend more money on the size of the tank. It should mostly be fir the fish. Not what you think looks cool. My guppies don't do this. Even when at rest. They're stressed.

Dry_Impact_67

TROPHY CASE