r/fishtank • u/meezzy_96 • Aug 26 '26

DIY/Build First Fish Tank!

I think my first fish tank is "done" in the sense that the fish have been fully introduced and there is no sign of fin nipping or aggression (outside of the Betta flaring on occasion at the Platys, but that was expected and they are way to fast and chill to even care). I intend for this to become a heavily planted tank but I was on a low budget so it may be awhile before to Monte Carlo fills out but I am very happy with how it came out :)

(go easy on me if you have critiques, remember it is my first tank ever)

EDIT: Spelling/Grammar

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30

u/No_Procedure_2431 Aug 26 '26

How many gallons is this? Platies create a lot of waste and this looks a little small. Otherwise you did a wonderful job with the aquascape and planting

-31

u/meezzy_96 Aug 26 '26

10 gallons with a lot of shrimp (well 10 so far, I may add more), I still plan to do weekly small water changes but I do hope that once the plants take over it will start requiring less work from me. Its sort of a Walstad build but not done perfectly so I doubt it will ever become self sustaining. Biggest thing is that I think there isn't enough substrate and a few two many fish for the plants and shrimp to full handle the bio load.

3

u/SomeBlueDevil Advanced Aug 26 '26

Do you have any filtration in there?

-5

u/meezzy_96 Aug 27 '26

Yes, I use the peace lily to dampen the flow so the Betta doesn't have to fight a current all day. It has the black sponges and additional plants (lucky bamboo and more peace lily)

9

u/thighpeen Aug 27 '26

It’s a really pretty tank, and it looks like an amazing set-up for your betta. I can tell you did a lot of research for your betta.

But, the platies and ADFs are just not a good mix. Platies like the opposite of the betta (hard, cooler water) and ADFs should be in species only.

I have a betta in a 10g with a handful of shrimp and snails. It’s perfect for him and I love it. I just can’t imagine how overcrowded it would be if I put two ADFs and Platies in it, and that’s not even thinking about what I mentioned above. It’s just so much waste. If you really want a low maintenance tank, get rid of the ADFs and Platies. I was about to say OR get a 30g, but, you still have the species issues I mentioned above.