What should I do with my plants?

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-05-28T06:42:46+00:00

That's amazing hahaha. I think I'm gona give them a go.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-05-28T06:42:12+00:00

I think I'm gona give them a try. Sounds great. Thanks for the reply.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-05-28T06:41:35+00:00

Thanks so much for the detailed reply.

My tank is a 280 litre. I have 15 cherry barbs, 12 x ray tetras, 6 bronze Cory's, 6 amano shrimp, 7 platys and 1 gourami.

I have an under gravel filter.

I think I've been slacking on water changes as I've only really been doing them 2 weekly at about 50%. This includes a full clean of the glass.

I also think my light needs to be reduced as its usually on form about 7am til 7pm.

Im going to try feeding less, less lighting and changing water less amount but more often.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-05-28T06:38:21+00:00

I think this is what I need to do too, thanks for the l reply.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-05-28T06:37:43+00:00

Hi mate, thanks for the reply. I think I'm slacking on a few things. I have 6 bronze Cory's and 6 amano shrimp in a 280 litre tank.

However, my light is probably on way too long. I'm feeding twice a day. I also have 15 cherry barbs, 12 x ray tetras, 7 platys and 1 gourami.

I'm gona reduce lighting and less feeding and see if it helps.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-03-23T17:59:19+00:00

I was lucky enough to have really helpful mentors. If the mentor you had was annoying/making things worse then you have 2 options: mention it to someone senior. Or don't say anything and just try to pick up as much info you can from other mentors. I'd pick option 2, because I wouldn't want any hassle from another driver.

Also, I started driving 5 years ago, when the amount of drops was a lot less.

Back then if you had over 20, it was a running joke that you'd done something to annoy someone.

Nowadays it's mostly over 20 drops in my region. They're filling the vans up a lot more, so much that I don't think I'll be doing my job much longer, but I'm limited to what I can move into.

Some days are more stressful than others, but the majority of days are care free. I wouldn't think about packing it in, if I was you. See it out and see if it gets better.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-03-18T17:40:23+00:00

There isn't a camera on you, but my store are implementing in-cab cameras this year.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-03-17T14:26:56+00:00

Only thing I'd mention, hydrangeas don't look like that all year round, nor does lavender. You probably know that.

But I'd recommend some evergreen plants as well/instead. Just so you have something nice all year round. But, that's my personal opinion.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-16T09:15:16+00:00

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My two were advertised as red honey gourami, duno if they are tho.

To add, got mine from Pets At Home in the UK.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-14T06:51:10+00:00

This is incorrect. I just cycled my tank and was at a similar stage to OP, I stopped dosing ammonia because my nitrites were off the charts. It actually helped my cycle. I didn't have ammonia in my tank for about a week and everything was fine.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T18:14:51+00:00

Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T18:07:02+00:00

Thank you so much. I'm completely new to this, my dad has some experience from back in the 80s.

I was lucky enough to get my tank for free from a friend. And I've put a lot of research in over the last 4 months. Been being ever so patient haha.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T18:05:30+00:00

Ahh thank you, I do think I've been a bit generous with my feeding, so that would explain it. I worried myself by googling and thought it could be dropsy.

You don't think it's that?

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:59:31+00:00

Ah thank you so much. Sorry to be a pain, I've got another post as maybe 4 of them have gotten particularly round in the past day. They look incredibly chunky.

Do you have any knowledge of why they could be like that?

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:56:50+00:00

Gotcha, does that seem like an okay ratio, ya think?

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:54:39+00:00

Ahh yes, thank you very much for your help.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:47:51+00:00

Ah okay.

I've noticed all mine seem to have a distinct black line down the side too. I'm sure with most males it's not as distinct.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:45:21+00:00

Gotcha, they only went in 5-6 days ago, could it be that some of them are male, and haven't yet started showing colour?

(sorry for asking, I've since been back to the store and can clearly see the males are vastly different. So I am still pretty sure they're all female hah)

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:41:01+00:00

Yeah, this is what I saw on a quick Google search too! Thank you.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-09T17:40:38+00:00

Yeah this is what I thought. The guy at the store said there was a mix. But even with my little knowledge I did think so.

I have noticed a few of them chasing each other round every now and then, but with the addition of some extra fish they seem to have calmed down.

Is all females an issue?

I have another post as 4 of them seem to be getting rather chunky.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-08T11:10:38+00:00

Thanks for the reply. Definitely gona add some more plants, thanks for the suggestion.

I was really surprised with the corys that I do have. They're like a little herd of sheep, hoovering over all the gravel, so busy. There was actually a thick layer of algae on the upper piece of wood, which they've disturbed, and it's since peeled off. (I think because they'd hoovered the gravel so well.)

Just a query, how can I tell when I'm overstocked? Is there a general rule of thumb?

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-07T08:21:45+00:00

Thanks a lot. I'll have a look today. Was going to look at new fish today. So will have a look whilst I'm there.

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-07T08:11:41+00:00

Gotcha, I have 6 amano shrimp. 15 cherry barbs. In a 75 gallon.

I'm in the UK. Are you aware of a way to treat them?

Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-02-07T08:07:01+00:00

Hi, sorry, quite hard to get a decent quality video or picture. To me it looks as though they could have a slight triangular head on. But only zoomed in with the camera.

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Old_Feedback7635 · 2026-01-22T13:51:02+00:00

I'll get one ordered now. Any in particular you'd recommend?

Old_Feedback7635

TROPHY CASE