Kristen

Hi all! Currently a proud new owner of a modest 10gall aquarium here. /wave. I've had tanks before, usually with goldfish (upon whose lives I have learnt many aquarium lessons the hard way) and a whole load of fake plants. This time around, I decided to try my hand at setting up a planted tank. The tank I have has a filter and light bulb (no clue as to wattage, but it seems bright? The box was printed in Japanese >_<). It also holds two small angelfish, five dwarf rainbowfish, a java fern and nanas on bogwood.

I've read alot about aquarium plants and went hunting for the plants that were hardy. When I was shopping, I noticed that some plants were in pots, others were tied to bogwood or volcanic rocks. Why is this so? Is there anything special about plants on bogwood - other than ease? It's definitely alot easier sticking it in the tank than planting it. In the long run, if I want a nice lush tank, should I buy potted instead?

Thanks for your advice in advance!

Barbrella

The plants on the bogwood are no doubt Java ferns, and the only difference is price and there is nothing special about them. Buying them already rooted on the wood is about 5 times what you would pay for the plants alone, and tie them to wood or stones yourself.

The plants in pots also usually cost way more than bare root plants. The decision is really yours. Many people don't like the pots, since they want a natural planted tank, with the plants directly in the substrate.

Your light - is it incandescent or fluorescent? Fluorescent is best for growing plants, and doesn't heat up the water as incandescent will.

Lastly, you cannot keep angelfish in a 10 gal tank.

Kristen

I can't keep angelfish? >_< uhoh. They seem well adjusted (I think). What will happen to them if I keep them in this tank? Here's them in the tank, it's about a foot long.

My light is flourescent, and there's a blue and a white tube too. Will the plants on bogwood put out roots into my substrate?

Thanks Barbella!

Barbrella

Angelfish can grow 6" long, and even taller. You need at least a 30 gallon high aquarium to keep two (if you want to put any other fish in there) so they will quickly outgrow the tank they are in now.
You need to either get a 30 gal tank, or take them back to the petstore if a bigger tank is not in your near future plans!

I see you have Java fern Windelov. That will do great in your tank and won't generally put roots in the substrate, since these plants do not grow with their roots buried. It will put out plantlets, complete with roots, at the tips of each leaf that can eventually be removed and put elsewhere in the tank, if you like.

HatchetHaven

Kristen

Haha perhaps I should add this to the Early Mistakes thread XD. I guess I can invest in a 30gall tank in the future, hopefully one better filled with plants and stuff than this one. If my fishies survive then I'll definitely buy a bigger one, as I'm growing really fond of watching them swim around chasing each other and playing games (if it's a game, and not some symptom of overcrowding >_<).

I never knew fish needed so much space o_0 Any ideas how long before my two angelfish need more room? They're only about a couple of inches long and high now. I read they can grow to 10 inches high but couldn't find anything on how fast they grow. Hopefully they are like ranchus that take ages to get big... The guy at the store said I could stock four in there with no problem <_<; /lied to.

Barbrella

*yelling* Is there any petstore employee anywhere who knows one single thing about the fish they sell??

In excellent conditions - very clean water with 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, low nitrates, and good food, baby angels grow rapidly.

Keeping them in a tank that is way too small degrades the water quality and can stunt or kill them since baby angels are extremely sensitive to any contaminants in the water.

Kristen, never EVER listen to anything the petstore staff tells you. They just want you to give them your money, and will tell you whatever necessary to achieve this. They don't give a darn what happens to fish afterwards or how upset you'll be watching them die.

If you want more fish, either come here and ask about them OR go to Google and simply type in e.g. "Angelfish care".

angelfish220

On the plus side ive never seen a ten gall look as good as yours.

Dark_Rider2k3

It does look amazing

Kristen

Awe XD Thanks guys. If only my mom thought the same way. She wants to fry them, and I'm almost certain she's joking o_0;

Hopefully these fish survive a month or so for me to save the funds for the big ass fish tank I've always wanted XD and I have a reason to buy it and plant it now too la la la~

...I think I need Aquarium Anonymous meetings <_<; Darn this addictive shoot (LOL they censor).

BTW Barbella, this is something to cheer you up: The guy who told me that 4 fish thing worked at a fish farm ^^

HatchetHaven