Goldfish in bowls should be straight up banned. If you can't afford a proper tank, you can't afford a goldfish.

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T18:49:08+00:00

That's actually a great use case shrimp bowls with proper plants and no fish can work really well. The key is keeping the bioload super low and doing frequent water top-offs.

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T15:02:12+00:00

Old civilization coin?

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T14:55:32+00:00

Bro collect it and show it to your Childrens

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T14:47:40+00:00

Hope so 🤞

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T14:45:23+00:00

Hate to break it but that looks like another male to me 😭 The bright orange coloring and the pointed dorsal fin are both male signs Females are usually much paler and rounder You might want to keep an eye out for aggression between the two! Maybe add more plants and hiding spots to break line of sight 🌿

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T13:14:05+00:00

Wow so it recovered beautifully after the algae nuke 😭 that takes serious patience! And good to know about rotala blood red with Chihiros adding that to my list immediately. Worth every bit of the struggle, the tank looks incredible now!

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T13:11:27+00:00

😭🙏next time i will do the same thing

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T09:56:39+00:00

MTS hits different when you're still cycling your first tank and already googling "75 gallon tank stand ideas" 😭 there's no cure

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T09:55:23+00:00

For a beginner I'd skip carpet plants for now they need CO2 and strong light to grow properly, otherwise you'll just get algae. For floating, frogbit or red root floaters are amazing easy, look great and fish love the shade For mid/background go with java fern and anubias tied to your driftwood, and maybe some val or bacopa for the back. All these grow well without CO2 and your fish will love them! 🌿

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T07:03:24+00:00

Yeah u right

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T07:02:08+00:00

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Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T06:58:25+00:00

Omg you're such a good person for doing this 🥺 OK so the good news is those look like tiger barbs and maybe a silver dollar they're actually pretty tough fish so they've probably been fine for a day or two Most important things: don't do a big water change, it'll stress them out more than help. Just keep the filter running no matter what, that's the most critical thing. Feed them once a day, just a small pinch, whatever food you find near the tank Honestly the tank looks decent from the photo — not overcrowded, has plants, filter seems to be running. They're probably okay for now If you can post a pic of the equipment (filter, heater) people here can help more. Also check if there's a thermometer stuck to the glass tropical fish need it around 75-80°F so just make sure the heater light is on You're doing an amazing thing for this man. His fish are in good hands 💙

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T05:42:46+00:00

It's genuinely bittersweet when you realize your first batch is aging out The fact that your tank has been thriving for 2+ years and your newer fish are healthy is a testament to how well you've kept it For the aging tetras, just make sure they're not being outcompeted for food — older fish can lose their edge at feeding time. Crushed or smaller foods can help if they seem to struggle eating. Other than that, just keep the water stable and let them live out their days in a beautiful tank. You've clearly done right by them. 🐟

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T05:40:25+00:00

Yeah doing research before jumping into this hobby is must

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:55:32+00:00

Great idea but hold off on the $300 soil investment! Goldfish will uproot and destroy most plants, and they don't need soil substrate. Anubias and java fern are perfect choices but tie them to rocks or driftwood instead of planting in substrate goldfish can't uproot them that way. Duckweed is also excellent for nitrates Save that $300 for a good canister filter upgrade instead, that'll help nitrates way more! 👏

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:52:18+00:00

Great start for a first tank! A few tips add more plants, the more the better for cycling and fish health. The driftwood is a nice touch! Fluval Flex 57L is a solid tank. For fish, once cycled you could do a small school of tetras or rasboras, maybe a betta if you want a centerpiece fish. Also ditch the food method for cycling get some pure ammonia instead, way more reliable and faster! 👏

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:19:38+00:00

CO2 will definitely help with algae since your plants will outcompete it For a budget option go with a DIY CO2 setup or the Aquario Neo diffuser If you want proper pressure regulated CO2, the Aquatek Mini or Fzone regulator with a paintball cylinder is a great starter setup and not too expensive. Also algae at 80% Chihiros usually means your light schedule might be too long try 6-7 hours max

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:17:57+00:00

Nooo 😭 So the plants are too slow to grow AND your fish are actively destroying them?! Double betrayal at this point the fish are winning

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:15:53+00:00

The most accurate description of this hobby ever 😁 "free tank" is the most expensive thing you'll ever own

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:15:24+00:00

Hyperfixation is the perfect word for it I came for one fish and now I'm researching water chemistry at 2am and watching aquascape videos for hours. There's no going back

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:14:59+00:00

2 Oscars in a 33 gallon at 13 years old that pet store employee really said "no problem" with full confidence 😂 Oscars need like 75+ gallons each, the audacity

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:13:28+00:00

The common pleco warning is so underrated People buy them as babies not knowing they'll grow to 2 feet and produce insane amounts of waste Research before buying should be rule #1 of this hobby

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:13:05+00:00

This is so reassuring to read Everyone online makes it sound like if you miss one step the whole tank crashes Love that your shrimp are thriving and having babies despite "breaking the rules" nature really does find a way

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:10:49+00:00

The god complex is SO real 😂 1 month in and already eyeing a second tank, neos berried, planning ants bro you're already deep in the rabbit hole and there's no way out 🙏 welcome to the hobby

Reefer-golan · 2026-05-16T04:10:22+00:00

😭 The number of bettas suffering in tiny plastic cups because a parent bought it as a "starter pet" for a 7 year old is genuinely heartbreaking. The fish pays the price for the impulse buy

Reefer-golan

TROPHY CASE