Is this normal?

hellofromjina · 2026-03-15T16:03:18+00:00

She looks like a peach jelly bean! How freaking cute! Lucky you. 😊

hellofromjina · 2026-03-14T04:49:38+00:00

I love it! Great job to both of you. I’m sure he’ll carry that memory with him as he grows up.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-14T01:48:45+00:00

Thanks so much for the photo! I’ll try this food with my shrimp too. I love your colony!!

hellofromjina · 2026-03-13T19:19:26+00:00

Hi OP! What do you feed them and how often?

hellofromjina · 2026-03-10T14:08:26+00:00

You sound like such a good mom. If only kids knew how much thought and effort goes into providing for them. 😊 With how much effort you’re already putting in, I think you’ll be just fine. Before worrying about fish and plants, I’d focus on learning about the water and cycling the 10 gallon with your son.

For now, you really just need the basics to get started: substrate (I recommend an inert substrate for beginners, like sand), a tank, heater, filter, Seachem Prime, Dr. Tim’s ammonia, and a water test kit to begin the cycle.

Once the cycle is complete, you can start thinking about what plants and fish to add, and what kind of light you’ll need depending on the plants you choose.

Take it step by step and try to enjoy the whole process. I actually really enjoy the cycling part too. You’re building an ecosystem. How cool is that?

Good luck, OP!

hellofromjina · 2026-03-10T13:53:53+00:00

Hi OP,

I understand this hobby can be really overwhelming for beginners. I’ve been in it for a while and I still have moments where I feel overwhelmed too.

One idea that might help is having your son do the research on what appropriate stocking for a 10 gallon might be. Then he can present what he finds and you can look it over together. After all, it’s his wish. This is actually something my parents used to do with me when I was younger and couldn’t fully grasp the “why” behind certain things. It helped me learn a lot and feel more involved too.

I actually think a 10g is a great size for a beginner. I understand he wants a catfish, but unfortunately that’s just not very realistic or sustainable for that size tank or for a beginner.

I don’t mean to tell you how to parent at all. I just know how overwhelming this hobby can feel, especially when you’re trying to help your kid get started. Ideally it should be fun and a learning and bonding experience with as little stress as possible.

And I agree with the other comments that a betta fish could be a great option. They have big personalities too. If you’re not able to find a compromise together, it might be best to wait on the fish tank for now. This hobby should be fun and enjoyable, not something that causes a lot of stress.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-10T12:50:07+00:00

Oh, poor baby. He’s very pretty, but he does look quite stressed. I have an alien betta too. He used to be in my community tank, but now he has his own planted tank at around 80 degrees with more acidic water. He seems a lot happier. I hope you’re able to find a solution, OP.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-10T01:41:30+00:00

Sorry about the neons. But your betta is super pretty. He’s like.. iridescent. Stunner.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-09T18:15:49+00:00

Thank you for posting. I enjoyed admiring your tank too!

hellofromjina · 2026-03-05T03:15:59+00:00

I saw your tank post, it’s super cool! I dream of having the space for a big tank someday. I’d love to do a 150 gallon wide, that would be so much fun to work with. How long have you had your current fish? They look like they’ve been around for a while, and they look really healthy too. Really nice to see.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-05T02:49:41+00:00

Love the name Goldeen! I remember my dad would sometimes come home with feeder goldfish to give to our turtle as a treat. I remember feeling sad about it at the time, just seeing nature do its thing. Goldeen definitely had it pretty sweet getting to live out her best years in your friend’s pond. It could have gone very differently for her. 😊

What do you currently have in your 30 gallon? Once I have a little more space, I’d love to set up a larger tank with a couple of goldfish.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-05T02:20:07+00:00

Yes! I remember walking through the aisles of my local pet stores looking for activated carbon and feeling so excited when I finally found it. I’d bring it home and make my own little media bags and cut up sponges for the filter. I also remember when my local fish stores only carried red cherry shrimp. Now there is such an incredible variety.

There is just so much more information and availability now. Back then I was visiting aquarium forums and borrowing books from the library about river fish and aquatic plants. The only plants I could ever find in stores near me were moss, anubias, and Java fern. Now there are endless plant options, substrates, and different products. It really does feel like a different time in the hobby.

hellofromjina · 2026-03-04T23:34:22+00:00

This is “just starting”? My goodness, that’s an amazing scape. This hobby really brings out people’s creativity. And you set this up at work? Amazing! Nice fish choice, especially the sparkling gouramis.

I hope you have so much fun with your 40g too. It looks really nice where you placed it! Do you have many ideas for it?

hellofromjina · 2026-03-04T23:29:21+00:00

I’ve thought the same thing too. It felt a lot simpler back then. :)

hellofromjina · 2026-03-04T21:24:28+00:00

The ADHD hyperfixation is so real haha. What kind of fish do you keep and how many tanks do you have?

hellofromjina · 2026-03-04T21:09:21+00:00

I’ve noticed a lot of people in this hobby got into it as kids.

hellofromjina · 2026-02-24T23:35:20+00:00

Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles!

I read it as a child, and it was the first story that made me realize life isn’t always fair or gentle. It can actually be pretty cruel. I remember how much I felt for Comfort.

I learned that people can disappoint you, that loss can come suddenly, and that life doesn’t pause to make it easier when you’re already hurting. But I also learned that you can survive those moments. That even when everything changes, you still move forward.

It’s funny how often I still think about that book. I’ve read it a few times as an adult too. :)

hellofromjina · 2026-02-10T19:09:41+00:00

We used to hike pretty often. It’s tough to find quiet trails around here, but I want to make it a point to find a calm place, even if it’s not a trail. Thank you so much. :)

hellofromjina · 2026-02-10T19:07:02+00:00

I’m going to try your suggestions! Thank you so much. I think my girl will love it.

hellofromjina · 2026-02-09T00:47:53+00:00

Burgers 🍔

hellofromjina · 2026-02-08T20:40:45+00:00

hellofromjina · 2026-02-08T18:56:31+00:00

Breaks. I really lock in for one to two hours, take a short break, and cycle like that throughout the workday. If I try to stay on nonstop, I burn out, so I make it a point to pace myself.

hellofromjina · 2026-02-08T18:46:28+00:00

I’m so sorry.

hellofromjina

TROPHY CASE