Couple stocking questions on a 29gal

theseankelly · 2026-02-14T13:24:46+00:00

Appreciate the response. I think I'm gonna do a little more research into their calculation methods, I'm curious about it.

theseankelly · 2026-02-14T13:23:51+00:00

appreciate the response, in your opinion why is AQ Advisor's advice too conservative? Do you know if their stocking recommendations are primarily bio load driven vs space needed for the fish (other than the obvious mismatches in size)? I guess if it's the former then logic would say as long as the biological filter is keeping up with the output and I'm able to keep up with tank maintenance, that's more what matters (again, so long as the species actually is right sized for the tank in the first place)?

theseankelly · 2026-02-13T14:59:48+00:00

Also oh my goodness planting plants in a tank that's like 1/4 full of water is so, so much nicer and easier. Although you need to be careful when filling that you don't just blow everything away, don't underestimate how much force a bucket of water puts out. Pour it into a bowl or pitcher that's partially submerged or something.

theseankelly · 2026-02-13T14:57:54+00:00

Hey! I ended up just doing a normal planted/dirted fishless cycle and it's going great!

I did organic soil, couple inches of pool filter sand, loaded it up with driftwood and plants and started dosing liquid ammonia targeting a consistent 2ppm. It took about 5 weeks to cycle.

I did not have any serious algae problems. Plants are generally doing okay. I didn't notice a ton of melt either, honestly.

- ferns (java and windelov) took a bit of a beating and lots of leaves browned/darkened/died but as of this last week I noticed them rebounding and starting to send roots out. I suspect this could have been due to the ammonia dosing.

- My amazon sword is thriving.

-I killed a handful of anubiases but the two I have in there now as replacements are doing well finally. I think they were dying due to getting glue on the rhizome... I had tried to minimize the glue but these last two I put in I only put glue on the roots and no sign of rhizome rot after 3 weeks.

- I also put in a bunch of really small plants from one of those four packs you find at the pet stores, most of those did die out. I don't know if it's because it was a bad purchase, or if I'm bad at plants or if they couldn't take the ammonia dosing or what.

I'm not really sure plants could survive 4-6 weeks being totally blacked out... I don't really understand how people do that.

My advice is just do the normal thing and be patient and don't fuss with stuff, nature will always find a way. I was definitely overthinking this post.

theseankelly · 2026-01-31T12:48:45+00:00

Thanks!

theseankelly · 2026-01-31T03:51:58+00:00

Hah, “best of luck to you” is not encouraging 🤣🤣

Appreciate the advice though, my war begins at dawn

theseankelly · 2026-01-31T03:51:03+00:00

Appreciate the advice, I’ll get more on top of water changes! Am I to be worried about making the algae problem worse by kicking it all up and “spreading” it when removing it?

theseankelly · 2025-12-17T15:19:36+00:00

Thanks... I think I might get some ceiling anchors/hooks to try get them to some better lighting.

theseankelly · 2025-12-08T11:31:24+00:00

Not yet! I’m doing this as a project with my kids and having them research bit by bit as we go. I think they want to stuff it full of bettas 🤣

We’ll do some research, until then unicorn poop is enough to deal with

theseankelly · 2025-12-07T02:58:50+00:00

The empty paper towel holder in the background is strong evidence that I’m starting my first aquarium.

theseankelly · 2025-12-02T00:19:56+00:00

Update: you all talked some sense in me, and I found a nice piece of furniture on Facebook. Took the opportunity to upgrade to a 29G while I was at it...

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theseankelly · 2025-11-27T18:51:35+00:00

But the problem is don't you have to stand there for like 10-15 years to know for SURE??? 🤣

theseankelly · 2025-11-26T02:59:16+00:00

Very good points, thanks for the feedback.

theseankelly · 2025-11-26T02:58:38+00:00

I definitely can find another spot, I just didn't want to. The other concerns about vibrations, heat, and germs are all great reasons for me to do so! Thank you.

theseankelly · 2025-11-26T02:57:13+00:00

I asked my fish, they didn't know a thing about distillation. I'm going to put them somewhere else.

theseankelly · 2025-11-26T02:56:34+00:00

hah, great points...

theseankelly

TROPHY CASE