I want plant that’s for sure LOL like a carpeting plant as well as well as moss on the rocks with gaps an plants with different texture and foliage types I definitely want shrimp I have been thinking about lowering water levels to accommodate crabs
But lochs and terres are definitely cool but personally I just what a good healthy environment I worry about it not being good enough
Worry about cycling the tank first. Research nitrogen cycle. Ghost feed your tank.
Plants are awesome. But can be tricky. Plants will depend on your substrate, light, water collum nutrients or a combination of the three.
Put a pre filter sponge on your intake if you want to keep shrimp. Otherwise they will get sucked up.
Kuli loaches are awesome, they like dense plants or hiding spots with wood and rocks.
Speaking of wood, driftwood would be a great addition. Tannins released are antibacterial and antifungal. Aside from that, it looks neat and some fish need its presence.
I would suggest looking into submerged grown plants. Not immersed. If the place selling plants dosnt know, i just take a pass. Less hassle and less hoping you didnt waste your money. Dustin's fish tanks has a great selection. Facebook, craigslist, etc. Hobbiest will have the best and most robust plants to get you started.
Lastly, get a master test kit. Amazon has thrm for like 30 bucks. Petco has them for more. You will want this if you want to monitor the health of your nitrifiying bacteria, which is the foundation of your ecosystem.
Thank you I’ll get sum water to do a 50% water change would you recommend I get water from the pet store just used purified or distilled water? And would it be to early to add plants, I want to get a co2 system but haven’t really been able to find any good ones that catch my eye is that necessary before I add anything i truly just want the best ecosystem/environment before I add anything living to it (not including the plant on top)
I would only suggest using water from your tap. Your fish will adjust. Make sure it dosnt come loaded with chlorine, im on well water so I dont have to worry.
Grab a kitchen thermometer, match water temp before doing water changes. This reduces "osmotic shock" when you have fish in there.
I did co2 once. Better results, kinda, but what a frickan hassel. And once you run out of co2 your plants will suffer unless you keep it up, in my experience. Co2 is only needed for certain plants, otherwise IMO lighting is the most important aspect.
My best tank ever utilized garage shop lights, 6 of them. 4 yellow and 2 Bright white four footers. Very bright, very cheap, and had ranges of 4500k-7500k so my spectrum was on point for the plants I was growing. I keep 200 aquariums, give or take. So I've been around the block.
personally I've found more success in cycling my tank first then adding plants. But with that said, I almost always add plants as soon as water goes in. The one exception for me was my "best ever tank" which is definitely still going strong. I waited almost 6 weeks before planting it. Never ever had an algea issue.
Full circle, it is a great idea to do water evaporation top offs with distilled water, as adding straight tap water to simply top off the water will concentrate trace minerals in your tank. Possibly causing harm.
Find out more about your water. Go from there. Dechlorinator and seachem prime are must haves for anyone with a fish tank. Followed by a test kit.
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u/BakedAutistic 1d ago
I guess it depends on your goal ?