30 US gallon community journal

Hello everyone!

Today I begin my 30 gallon's journal. I just finished shuffling some of the decorations around because live plants will be added soon. I'm getting anubias and java fern, so a rock need to be in the sunlight.

I'll keep everyone updated here.

 

Looks like I'm first to the party. I will follow this thread for when you get those plants.

 

This sounds very cool and interesting! Good luck with it. Will definitely keep an eye out for updates! Awesome tank Also.

 

JLAquatics, I would love advice from you regarding the plants! This is my first time keeping live plants and I know what to do for the most part, but I enjoy talking about my aquariums and I’ll definitely enjoy talking about my plants!

 

I'm here!!!
Ooo I'm jealous of that driftwood piece you have. Can't wait to see what you make of this tank with live plants!

 

That is an awesome piece of driftwood! Tank is going to look great with the plants!
I have a tank that is just anubias and java fern so absolutely nothing planted in the substrate. It’s a great look.

 

Nice Start!



Good Luck!

 

I have a small tip for you. If you want to propagate Anubias and Java fern, you can cut the Rhizome in half as long as there are leaves on each. You will get two separate plants that way in which you can spread out easier in your tank! Good luck with your plants, CrustyDusty!

 

I’ll stop at the LFS tomorrow to go and get some. I also need to get some glue.

 

I think the whole live plants thing has gone down the drain. My dad really doesn’t want them and I bet he’s not even sure why.

 

I think the whole live plants thing has gone down the drain. My dad really doesn’t want them and I bet he’s not even sure why.

Unfortunately, reality dictates that we have to work within the restrictions we find ourselves in, whether that be parental, work, time, money etc. There are always restrictions lol!
So, you said you have plastic plants?
Could you purchase silk? I know they are pricier but they look realistic and are softer for the fish.
I’ve seen some very realistic scapes with silk plants.

 

To add in conjunction to what Basil said, it is very possible to create an artificial aquascape using fake plants. I have seen others do it. A tip I have is to get multiple plants of the same type and work them in that way. It will look less fake if you have a larger area of the same plant type than just one plant off by itself. Another tip to make a great looking scape is buying plants that are colored natural, and Silk plants work great too! Once you get the new plants, the rules I shared to you in my article here on Fishlore on Aquascaping apply to fake plants too.

 

You guys seem to have forgotten what day of the year it is!

Three cryptocorene. They’re not wendtii as LFS had none. I’m not sure what they are but they should be a good substitute.

 

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You guys seem to have forgotten what day of the year it is!

Three cryptocorene. They’re not wendtii as LFS had none. I’m not sure what they are but they should be a good substitute.

Haha! You truly stumped me! Good April Fools prank, CrustyDusty! Those are some nice Crypts you got there!

 

Here are the crypts in the tank. One root tab has been buried under each (three in total). I’d like some feedback on how I’ve buried them.


Here are the melted leaves and the root tab bottle.

 

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You guys seem to have forgotten what day of the year it is!

Three cryptocorene. They’re not wendtii as LFS had none. I’m not sure what they are but they should be a good substitute.

Haha! Completely got me and made me waste my profound words ROFL!
Carry on then!
On the crypts, make sure you don’t bury the plant too deep. They like a little bit of crown showing. I rarely have had issues with crypt melt. And I also put one root tab for each plant.
Those leaves don’t look melted? Although photos on my phone can make it difficult to see detail.

 

Haha! Completely got me and made me waste my profound words ROFL!
Carry on then!
On the crypts, make sure you don’t bury the plant too deep. They like a little bit of crown showing. I rarely have had issues with crypt melt. And I also put one root tab for each plant.
Those leaves don’t look melted? Although photos on my phone can make it difficult to see detail.

I might raise them a bit. I buried them so the roots weren’t visible.

I pulled off leaves and stems that were a burgundy colour. I tried splitting the crypts into several plants but I failed, so that’s why you’re seeing some healthy, green leaves and stems too.

Edit: I exposed the crowns a little more. It looks better now.

 

I might raise them a bit. I buried them so the roots weren’t visible.

I pulled off leaves and stems that were a burgundy colour. I tried splitting the crypts into several plants but I failed, so that’s why you’re seeing some healthy, green leaves and stems too.

Some Crypts naturally have burgundy leaves, so don't worry about that. Crypts often times will melt when first introduced into a new tank, especially if they were grown emerged. Don't worry though, usually they will come back looking better than ever once they adjusted! Here is some Crypt Undulata (Crypt with natural burgundy leaves) I am still waiting for to fill in my own tank.

 

My amanos are loving the crypts so far. They’re nibbling at the leaves. I’ve never seem them so comfortable to come out during the day!

Might not get anubias and java fern anymore because they’ll obstruct sunlight...

BTW JLAquatics, you have some beautiful crypts. I hope that one day mine look like that: nice and bushy.

 

My amanos are loving the crypts so far. They’re nibbling at the leaves. I’ve never seem them so comfortable to come out during the day!

Might not get anubias and java fern anymore because they’ll obstruct sunlight...

BTW JLAquatics, you have some beautiful crypts. I hope that one day mine look like that: nice and bushy.

These Crypts are super tiny though! I really wish they would just grow a little more, the tallest is about 2 inches high. However, I did get them only 2 weeks ago. Crypts are one of the slower growing plants. I guess I just have to be patient. Meanwhile, my Water Wisteria, Duckweed and Hornwort are multiplying beyond control. I have to dispose of large handfuls of this stuff each week. It's too bad you don't live here in the Midwest, I would so send you my excess plants to try out!

 

Mine are quite small. Hopefully as the root tabs take effect they grow and I can say they’ve grown in a few weeks.

 

Crypts grow pretty slow in my low tech tanks also, but they do grow.
Here’s crypt wendti red and crypt costata in my betta tank.
Do you know which variety you have?

 

Crypts grow pretty slow in my low tech tanks also, but they do grow.
Here’s crypt wendti red and crypt costata in my betta tank.
Do you know which variety you have?

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Unfortunately I don’t know what crypts I’m using. They’re all the same species but I can’t remember the name...

I suppose the amanos or the bristlenose won’t pose a threat to them.

 

Nice looking tank and nice April fools! Had me too as I read down the thread haha

I will be following your journal. I am thinking of going for live plants in my 44 just I don't want to add or change substrate at this stage so it's anubias and java moss that is happy with exposed roots and attached to wood or stone?

 

Nice looking tank and nice April fools! Had me too as I read down the thread haha

I will be following your journal. I am thinking of going for live plants in my 44 just I don't want to add or change substrate at this stage so it's anubias and java moss that is happy with exposed roots and attached to wood or stone?

Thanks for the appreciation.

I‘m afraid that I can’t bring much information to mosses, but I know that anubias needs to be tied down or glued to a rock or driftwood piece rather than be buried in the substrate (I assume the same goes for moss).

 

Yeah, I glued some moss to rocks in my 30 gallon and it’s doing great! It grew a lot

 

The crypts are showing signs of having settled into their new home. The leaves are raised, colourful and show no signs of being damaged by tankmates or other causes.


This photo was taken yesterday. As you can see the leaves were droopy.


This photo was just taken now. The leaves are up high and proud now! You can really see the change of the crypt at the far back.

Progress is being made guys!

 

Had an issue where the yellow rainbowfish would chew at the crypt leaves, ripping them. I combated this problem by feeding him lettuce. The angels and boesemani had a taste too, and loved it! I soaked the lettuce in a cup of tank water before adding it to the tank. After feeding lettuce the rainbow hasn’t touched the plants since.

I’ve also observed the cories using the crypts for shelter. It’s cute to watch! The amanos are all about the plants and are more active now that the 30 gallon is planted.

 

This is looking really good! Pretty tank!

 

Woke up this morning to find one of the peppered cories using a leaf as a bed! So cute!

The leaf has been “crushed” in a way. After the cory swam away the leaf didn’t rise back up. I don’t know if this will encourage melting and if I should remove the leaf or not... I estimate the best thing to do is to give the leaf some time.

 

Water change done! I emptied the new water a distance away from the plants. The leaf that the cory used as a bed has risen again.

When doing the water change I used only cold tap water like I used to. I didn’t temp match because my dad told me that hot tap water contains copper which will harm the stock. Does water conditioner (Prime is the one I use) remove copper? If so I’ll begin temp matching again.

 

Water change done! I emptied the new water a distance away from the plants. The leaf that the cory used as a bed has risen again.

When doing the water change I used only cold tap water like I used to. I didn’t temp match because my dad told me that hot tap water contains copper which will harm the stock. Does water conditioner (Prime is the one I use) remove copper? If so I’ll begin temp matching again.

I think it depends on your water source type of pipes, etc. I use cold water, put it in a 5 gallon bucket and plop in a heater until the water is closer to tank temp. My thought is that I’m sure there’s old sludge and stuff in my hot water heater. I know I have hard water and last year had to replace my water heater elements because of so much corrosion. Just makes me feel better that way.

 

I think it depends on your water source type of pipes, etc. I use cold water, put it in a 5 gallon bucket and plop in a heater until the water is closer to tank temp. My thought is that I’m sure there’s old sludge and stuff in my hot water heater. I know I have hard water and last year had to replace my water heater elements because of so much corrosion. Just makes me feel better that way.

When I temp matched I never ran into problems so I might just do it again. The fish, particularly the rainbows, are acting a bit strange now, either because there is a leaf floating around or due to the drop in temperature. Should heat back up soon.

 

Don’t panic, I haven’t forgotten about this thread!

All weekly water changes are finally complete. Phew! The 30 gallon had a 50% water change performed on it on Friday. After I do water changes the water becomes noticeably clearer, which is good to see.

The crypts are in good shape. The one at the front has darker leaves than the two in the background and I’m not sure what that could mean.

 

Following! I love seeing my fishies shelter in the plants. All of my swords always are great for them. Somehow my bristlenose figures out a way to get the plant to hold his weight (he is 4 inches long)

 

I’m considering bumping up the size of my cory shoals. Currently there are three C. Paleatus and three C. Sterbai in the 30 gallon and I’d like to increase both shoals in size by a minimum of three more individuals. My mum has seen orange C. Aeneus that she wants, but I’d prefer to work on what cory species I currently have rather than getting another species.

 

Yes upping the numbers of each will help make them feel more secure but you have chosen corys at the opposite ends of the temperatures they prefer.
C.paleatus prefer the much cooler temperatures, low 70’s whereas C.sterbai prefers the upper 70’s.
Depending what else is in the tank I’d go with one or the other & up their number & rehome the other,then you could add a group of C.aenus as they have a wide temperature range.

 

I think the temperature of my tank is around 25°C (77°F). Despite this, the C. Paleatus are more active than the C. Sterbai. My older C. Paleatus became more active when I added the smaller three (one didn’t make it in the end ). The tankmates prefer temperatures similar to what C. Sterbai prefers... I can find a thermometer and check to see if I’m correct in saying the temperature is 25°C.

Here’s the issue with rehoming: if I ask my parents if I can rehome fish they tell me that they’re acting fine though and don’t need to be rehomed.

 

The temperature of the tank is 26°C (78.8°F).

My best guess is that the peppered cories are acclimated to this temperature although it’s outside of what they prefer. Looking around this forum have I found posts suggesting that some fish have acclimated to extreme conditions; one I read stated that the aquarium in question gets no more than monthly 25% water changes and the fish went into shock as soon as a bigger change and some cleaning was done.

Right now the peppered cories seem very active and they have been throughout the day. If anything they’re more active than the sterbais. Perhaps sterbais are more nocturnal?

 

How are the Crypts doing, StinkyLoaf?