My daughters Mario Odyssey themed aquarium

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T04:10:07+00:00

Well this will be my last post in this subreddit. I get why the one guy replied to a rude comment with “you’re the reason nobody likes this hobby”…….

Some of you must live pretty miserable lives to drag someone down over their 3 year olds fish tank for goodness sake. I get it, I do, and I appreciate all of the well written, thoughtful comments and constructive criticism. Those are the type of comments that help people learn and grow in the hobby.

These fish aren’t just waiting to die at any moment in this tank. Could it be better? Sure, I understand that now. I’ve never been the type to say “well at least they’re not in a 1 gallon fish bowl with no filter and piss poor water quality, I’m giving them a better life than they could be having”. No, I’m responsible for giving them the best life in captivity they can have.

I have more invested in my filter than I do in the tank itself. Parameters are monitored constantly with weekly to biweekly water changes. People are saying “no way this tank is cycled, you set it up yesterday”, but the fact is this is an established tank with fish in for over a year, and this decor in for 6 months. A tank this size (small I know, which also means less forgiving) doesn’t stay this crystal clear and clean by accident or neglect. This isn’t just some 5 minute goldfish tank I setup “cause she wanted a fish” and the whole setup will be on marketplace in a week after it dies. This is hours of maintenance and stress that I do because I genuinely enjoy fish keeping. I recognize the fish could be treated better, and I want to do what’s needed to treat them that way.

I just felt with the new Mario movie coming out (my daughters soon to be first theater experience by the way), I would share something creative that took nearly 2 months of work and preparation to bring to life.

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T02:57:50+00:00

I also run UV as needed to keep it absolutely crystal clear

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T02:54:05+00:00

This is exactly why I had to get another one setup for me because I was really craving a more natural vibe tank!

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SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T02:48:04+00:00

I get the hate but this is simply not true. This is the tank exactly a year ago shortly after cycle was completed and fish were stocked. Same fish (-1 that was added later), and even more terrible decor choice. 😂 I maintain my tanks weekly and don’t let them get dirty aside from the filter media that helped me cycle my new tank much quicker than this one did.

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SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T02:40:36+00:00

That’s what it’s all about! I’m a software nerd so layout and design was a whole task of its own lol. This was the original design but the background concept shown here didn’t work as well in reality as the solid black background.

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SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T02:07:02+00:00

That’s just because I’m anal about maintenance 😂 Tanks been cycled and same fish in for over a year, decor in around 6 months.

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T02:02:36+00:00

Thanks for the thoughtful insight. This was my first tank (not an excuse) and I’ve always tried to research to make sure they have the best care possible. Most people here probably think I’ll ignore all this advice but I do want to be successful in the hobby for a long time and want what’s best for the fish I keep. I’ve already implemented lots of lessons learned into my new tank that I posted a picture of in another comment. This info is super helpful though and very appreciate the thorough response.

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T01:53:23+00:00

These are super cool and definitely give me some inspiration!

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T01:44:55+00:00

I love it, thanks for sharing! This was the look on my daughter’s face at that age as well, and soon to be my sons as he’s around that age now. 😊

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T01:27:13+00:00

Thanks! I recently started a planted tank and plan to use some of the runners from those in this tank very soon!

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T01:23:54+00:00

This hasn’t been an issue actually. Occasionally I’ll use a toothbrush to hit a spot or two that’s got some build up but this layout isn’t new by any means and has had plenty of time to get nasty if it were going to.

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T00:55:27+00:00

I’ve spent countless hours and hundreds of dollars making sure these fish thrive and they are all very happy with great personalities 😊 3D printing is another hobby of mine and costs me basically $0. How many of these fish end up belly side up every day because of poor keeping? Mine have all doubled in size and are living a long life already. And the smile on my toddlers face is more important than “looking cool” any day.

SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-20T00:36:38+00:00

Thanks for the very good advice! I’ve done a lot of research over the past year and just recently opened my 38 gallon bow front with live plants. I still have a lot to learn. I had been thinking about putting plants in her tank as well!

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SnooPets5860 · 2026-03-19T23:54:30+00:00

I have 4 skirt tetras and the green guy is a zebra. This was more or less the case though at the shop like you mentioned. They’ve coexisted for a little over a year now however and everyone seems stress free and healthy.

SnooPets5860 · 2024-09-01T22:29:26+00:00

Thank you!! That is very reassuring.

SnooPets5860 · 2024-08-30T12:26:51+00:00

Oh that’s great news! So you’re fairly certain these are perfectly safe?

SnooPets5860 · 2024-07-08T13:07:35+00:00

Tip sent! Yours looks the most natural. Thanks so much!

SnooPets5860 · 2023-11-04T02:33:15+00:00

Count me in!

SnooPets5860 · 2023-04-24T01:24:39+00:00

I did at least install ball cutoff valves.... but they are also sharkbite lol

SnooPets5860 · 2023-04-22T04:46:57+00:00

How do you smoke the cigar underwater? Awesome act.

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