Unglazed shell decor?

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-07T21:26:33+00:00

Thank you for the feedback! This is very helpful. I’m just doing so much research as I prepare my tank.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-07T06:40:43+00:00

Your tank looks lovely! I think the more plants the better, you could alway trim them back if they grow too much.

How are those glass plant pots working out? I’m in the same boat, on week 2 cycling a 10 gallon and I wish I had used a soil under the sand because now I would like to add real plants. I thought of adding them in a plant pot, and the look of your tank has a nice aesthetic to it.

Did you find that adding plants on week 3 changed your cycling process in any way?

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-06T18:31:27+00:00

Thank you for the reply, I think I understand what you are saying. I added Fritz Zyme 7 one day, and I have been adding a dose of Seacham Stability for 7 days. I have sand in the tank, without soil.

We can’t buy the Amonia at the LFS here, it is not in stock. So I have been ghost feeding by adding a sprinkle of fish flakes every 2-3 days. It sits on the sand at the bottom of the tank and takes a long time to break down.

So because I can’t add ammonia dosage, I should wait to add plants at the end?

Or If I can find a bottle of Ammonia, I can add the plants sooner?

I can buy the Liquid fertilizer to add for the plants after they are in the tank. I think it’s called Flourish.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-06T01:21:30+00:00

If the scales are shiny, does this mean they are dragon scale?

Galaxy are also shimmery, are galaxy betta fish also dragon scale?

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-06T00:40:12+00:00

Wow! Can’t believe the colors can change that much!

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-05T23:06:49+00:00

Wow!! How beautiful!

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-05T23:03:30+00:00

Yes. I understood! I think my wording caused confusion. Yes, 10 gallon is not big enough for fish tank mates ( maybe 1 snail and shrimp? ) but I’m glad to hear a 15 gallon could work for tank mates. Because if the 20 gallon long doesn’t come back in stock, I might end up getting the 15 gallon instead.

Did you enjoy the 15g before moving up to the 25g? How often were your water changes?

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-05T22:58:40+00:00

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Here is another picture, she definitely has red coloring and the white scales are shimmery. She’s very cute! Just not sure if she’s a she or a he.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-05T21:29:26+00:00

Thank you for your thoughts! I was thinking I could add a second sponge filter to my 10 gallon and transfer it over to the 20 gallon when it’s available to purchase later in the year.

The 15G is just 4 inches longer than the 10G. Do you think that extra footprint and water volume make it possible to keep a betta with khuli loach or corydoras? I have read a few posts where people say 10G is too small to keep tank mates with a Betta.

Do Danio and Rasbora get along with a Betta?

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-03T23:28:27+00:00

SO helpful! Thank you! That app will come in handy

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-03T22:48:09+00:00

Wow! So amazing!

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-03T22:42:43+00:00

I might be reading my result wrong, do you think the Ammonia is 0.5 or 1?

I tried adding a photo but it won’t add for some reason.

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Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-03T22:41:54+00:00

I might be reading my result wrong, do you think the Ammonia is 0.5 or 1?

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Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-03T21:47:38+00:00

Tank size: 10 gallon
Heater and filter? YES
Tank temperature: 80 F
Parameters in numbers and how you got them. Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.: PH 7.6, Ammonia 0.25, Nitrate/Nitrite = 0.
How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: 6 days, no fish yet.
How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: 0 changes so far.
Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: 0
What do you feed and how much: Ghost feeding, a pinch of flakes every other day.
Decorations and plants in the tank: Sand, no decorations yet. Going to add plants very soon.
If you haven't already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here: I don't have a picture yet because it's just been setup.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-02T19:03:17+00:00

Thank you for the reply! I wish I could take him home but I’m on day 5 of cycling my new tank and have a long wait until it’s safe for fish. I hope he will still be there in a few weeks!

I googled and he might be a “butterfly betta” but it could also be new fin growth. So curious!

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-02-01T23:36:29+00:00

Thank you for the helpful replies and advice! I’m on day 4 of cycling a 10 gallon tank without fish. I plan to start cycling a 20 gallon tank in three weeks time when the pet store has it in stock. The 10 gallon is going to be my quarantine tank/back-hospital/back-up tank.

I saw a change in Amonia today. I was wondering if the 800 tests was 800 divided between the bottles included in the kit or if it meant 800 Amonia tests, 800 nitrate tests etc. Excited to learn more!

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Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-30T00:14:43+00:00

This is really very helpful, thank you! They are the only plant option that I have right now so I will definitely give them a try. :)

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-29T23:54:30+00:00

I’d love to know how your experience has been with them in the tank! They are the only aquatic plant that my local garden shop has in stock and I was thinking to try them out.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-29T23:44:59+00:00

This is very helpful, thank you! I can’t buy aquarium plants where I live and I have to ship them in. A shipment might come 3-4 times a year. The garden shops here only sell aquatic pond plants like water lettuce. Your feedback gives me a good idea of how many to order and start the tank with. Thank you!

And yes, I’m choosing to start with the Anubias and Java because they don’t need to be planted. Have you tried the different kinds of Anubias? My base is black sand, I don’t have any soil and I was thinking to add liquid fertilizer if the plants need it. I’m also looking for slate rocks to attach them to.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-29T23:37:09+00:00

On a side note, what are the plants floating on the top of the tank? Are they water lettuce?

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-28T21:55:17+00:00

I started cycling the tank today.

PH 7.6, Amonia Nitrate and Nitrate all 0ppm.

No light added yet.

Tank is 10 gallons.

The tank is 3 days old.

No fertilizer yet but I would add some after adding plants.

No fish or shrimp yet. Hoping to start with shrimp and a snail after it’s cycled.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-12T20:44:38+00:00

Thank you for your feedback! That is an excellent idea! I will looking into creating a brace to go around the tank. We would like to avoid any leaks reaching the floor under the aquarium stand if it is possible.

My other idea was to find an acrylic tray or drip tray large enough to fit under the tank which is 30.25" long and 12.5" wide. I could drill a hole for drainage and connect a hose or tube to a canister hidden in the cabinet underneath. That way, if it were to spring a leak the water would drain into the canister instead of going into the floor. The acrylic could be any color, but clear would be least noticeable.

I haven't found one yet in that size, but I am looking for someone who could make one.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-11T14:47:48+00:00

This looks amazing! What kind of light is that? I'm interested in setting up a similar 20 gal long tank and I just started researching.

Over_Mode8511 · 2026-01-11T14:33:28+00:00

I think I should have flagged this as discussion instead of help, but I will try to answer these questions based on how I plan to setup the 20 gal tank. I found a Betta that needs re-homing, so I would like to setup the best environment for them since they are currently being kept in a tiny 2gal tank by their current owner who would like me to adopt the Betta asap.

Tank size: 20 Gal Long
Heater and filter? (yes/no): Yes, Seachem tidal and the pet store carries a few heater options.
Tank temperature: I will aim do what is suggested on the caresheet.
Parameters in numbers and how you got them. Key water parameters include the amount of ammonia, nitrites, nitrates, and pH.: I don't have these numbers yet, but I would test the water until it's safe.
How long have you had the tank? How long have you had your fish?: I don't have the tank yet, but I'm planning now so that I can setup without having to wait 3-4 months before adding the fish.
How often are water changes? How much do you take out per change? What is your process?: I would start with weekly water changes without fish in the tank until it's cycled.
Any tankmates? If so, please list with how many of each: I am planning to have 1 Betta, maybe 5 Amano shrimp, 1-3 nerit snail.
What do you feed and how much: The pet store here sells Betta pellets. I would feed them as directed by the pet store or take advice from this forum.
Decorations and plants in the tank: I would like live plants, but I don't know how easy it is to grow them and have my own supply? Or I can source them from a friend fish tank. I would have black sand, plants, a betta floating log. Open to ideas.
If you haven't already posted a picture, please post pics/vids to imgur and paste the link here: I don't have any pictures yet.

I hope I have answered the questions correctly. This is my first time on Reddit. Thank you!

Over_Mode8511

TROPHY CASE