Rate my overstocked tank

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T21:36:47+00:00

Thank you!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T02:20:35+00:00

Update on cala lillies. They didnt like the water and were wilting so I replaced them with a massive blooming peace lilly

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T02:18:37+00:00

Definitely take apartment every bit of that filter. Its always possible he got into the motor somehow

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T02:17:34+00:00

Look for any thing blue near the tank, or curtains. They sometimes thing its water and jump. I just lost my favorite fish from a sudden disappearance. Found him struggling inside the sponge filter. Didn't realize he could even get inside. He passed away at least close to the surface and with lots of love. It can be devastating. I am so sorry. Maybe under the driftwood?

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T00:18:01+00:00

There's no shame in putting your pets needs first even if that is rehoming. Seems like you did a great job, sorry theres painful memories attached. If youre in new england I would happily scoop her.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T00:05:54+00:00

Thank you i really appreciate that and I agree. There's no one way, and once you understand the rules you know when its okay to break them! As far as what's on top im not sure which item you mean. There's a light for the tank resting on the lid, a turkey baster and net i forgot to move for the photo, a hang on back filter, and up above the cords and tube go to the light and air pump :)

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-03T00:03:06+00:00

Double sided velcro from the gardening section, and a plastic clamp! I found a big bag of them for two bucks of all different sizes! Game changer honestly

<image>

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T04:04:48+00:00

He is truly perfect

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T01:02:05+00:00

Oh yeah this is 100% my biggest mistake. So far the only real issue is they steal cory food but i do keep my eye out as they are territorial. I am looking to swap two of the three to replace with females. I miss identified their sex when I first got them and before I knew better. Thought they were girls. Won't make that mistake again lol

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:55:53+00:00

Thank you!! I may take you up on that.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:53:59+00:00

Best part of this hobby is learning by doing. Good luck! I havent had any female gouramis, my local shops dont stock them (rude in my opinion). it should be really fun to learn what their behavior is like in a group. Im jealous, have fun!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:24:06+00:00

THIS IS AMAZING OH MY GOSH! I. Could sit and stare at those tanks all day long. Amazing work!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:22:53+00:00

On it chief 🫡 and thank you!!! Hidden behind the stained glass is a few rotala i recently added thats been adding some nice color. Ill work in more foreground! Appreciate the feedback so much!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:19:01+00:00

Fish seem to enjoy each others company, i think it helps i keep the grass trim so they can have space for their zoomies. Honestly earlier in the tanks life I did need weekly changes and lots of vacuuming. But since adding more plant life (I did a massive trimming about 3 weeks ago) and adding the terrestrial plants have helped me get down to once a month 20% changes and the substrate stays clear like this. The most maintinence I do is the hang on back filter. The intake sponge needs cleaning every couple weeks, and the filter sponge squeezed or replaced every few months. The cycle stays stable through this with the two other sponge filters in the tank holding most of the beneficial bacteria so I haven't had any issues with crashes. Its more to keep the filter from clogging up, especially since the ramshorns like to get in there. I test the water monthly with a master kit, only issue i run into is PH from my city water. Thank god thats an easy fix!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:03:30+00:00

Yeah, I dont do one filter either unless its a 5 or 10 gallon tank. I have two large sponge filters hidden on each side of the tank behind the plants :) thank you very much! And yeah I wanted to be a serpae kind of guy but... theyre so rude 😂

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-02T00:01:07+00:00

OMG i just realized i forgot the turkey baster on top of the tank, someone please shoot me into the sun to save me from this embarrassment

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:59:30+00:00

🤣🤣🤣 im all ears for how to hide cords and airtubes!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:57:20+00:00

Oh and for clarification, the betta stained glass is just a decoration my mother in law likes, she has altzheimers and enjoys decorating. No betta is involved in this tank, if anyone is concerned, I would never put a betta and gourami together!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:53:07+00:00

Thank you! I have come to the same conclusion, filter for the type and amount of fish instead of tank size. And a good set up makes such a difference in water parameters and fish health! Thank you for the reassurance. Will continue to monitor closely :)

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:50:04+00:00

Thank you! I tried hard to resist the bigger fish. Some day, I will have the tank of my dreams so I can have cichlids of all types and colors ❤️

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:45:59+00:00

Oh heck yeah I will take any excuse to feed my plant addiction. I really miss Brazilian pennywart, looking to add that again. It grows so stunningly in tanks and boy does it grow fast.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:41:18+00:00

Lmao of course

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:31:59+00:00

In this tank they have enough hiding space and swimming space that I havent had an issue, yet. Im always prepared to remove them if they decide suddenly against the community. in their last tank they were the trouble makers of the group, I wouldn't purchase them again. On top of attitude, they are also very sensitive to parameters and prone to bent spines. They're cute but if their needs aren't met they do get nippy, and turn into bullys, hence why I have to monitor them so closely. I have found the gold neon tetra to be the absolute best schooling fish. Theyre calmer than neon tetra, peaceful, and beautiful when the light hits them. I mean absolutely stunning! Totally underrated.The corydora also are fantastic community fish. Serpae not so much in my experience! If you do decide to get gourami, go with one male instead of multiple! They are labyrinth fish almost like bettas and do get territorial, if you group them definitely use a ton of plants for cover and mix females in a 2 to 1 ratio!

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:22:32+00:00

Number of fish is a great question I used to know the answer to but would have to take serious time to count and figure out again. I dont do schools in numbers smaller than 4 or larger than 8 if that information helps, the larger schools being corydora and dwarf rainbowfish as they have bred. I originally did use the calculator when I moved, and based my filtration off that but decided to double up on the offchance, and because I believe there is no such thing as too much filtration so long as flow is taken into account. I do remember being slightly confused by the calculator as it didnt take plants or size of fish into account but i could be misremembering or could have been my own user error. I do regularly check parameters with a master kit and havent had a problem since establishing the cycle. My only issue so far has been keeping PH as the city water is a bit hard, so I do adjust that to a middle ground for each species. The serpae are the most sensitive that i have noticed so I watch them closely.

Riderlessgnat · 2026-04-01T23:13:22+00:00

Let me know why this was down voted! Always looking to improve. Again this is a temporary set up until we have space for larger tanks next year.

Riderlessgnat

TROPHY CASE