Dart
Member
So, after an 8 year hiatus, I have the aquarium bug again. Nothing too crazy this time, as I now show horses on a national level and am very busy during the spring/summer/fall months. Of course, now that winter is coming, my brain is bored and wants something to do. I do have a 30 gal palludarium I'm working on, but it has a ways to go.
Right now, I'm just looking to set up a nice generic aquarium that will keep me satisfied and not be ridiculous financially. I see there are some good deals at Petsmart and Petco for tank kits on Black Friday so I'm considering them. I've always considered a 29 gal to be the "perfect" mix between a small tank and a bigger tank, so that's been my focus...but I also am loving what some of the smaller, live planted tanks look like (altho I'm pretty aware that come the busy time of year, I probably will not have the time required for a tank like that). So my options are get the 29, have the hubby build a stand and just do a generic gravel (easier to clean for me), fake plants and generic fish (stocked at Petsmart, most likely...which is still a 4 hour drive one way for me), or to get a smaller tank that would fit in our house much easier, and build more of an aquascape with live plants, CO2, etc. So that's the first thing I'm going to have to decide...the size. Any opinions?
Second, stocking options? If I go with generic Petsmart, I am looking at platies (or platys?? Hmm..not sure how that is when plural), cories, a female betta and a school of either bloodfin tetras, glowlight tetras, harlequin rasboras or cherry barbs. Back in the day, I was very successful keeping betta sororities, but after researching a bit, that seems to not be recommended much anymore? I really loved my female bettas! If it matters at all, I have well water that is very hard with about an 8.5 pH. I know this is perfect for cichlids, and I would consider some as a centerpiece, but I like the look of an active, busy tank.
So, I'll take any and all thoughts. With all my $$ wrapped up in horses currently, it has to be financially smart, but would like to still have a nice smaller-ish aquarium that I can enjoy.
Right now, I'm just looking to set up a nice generic aquarium that will keep me satisfied and not be ridiculous financially. I see there are some good deals at Petsmart and Petco for tank kits on Black Friday so I'm considering them. I've always considered a 29 gal to be the "perfect" mix between a small tank and a bigger tank, so that's been my focus...but I also am loving what some of the smaller, live planted tanks look like (altho I'm pretty aware that come the busy time of year, I probably will not have the time required for a tank like that). So my options are get the 29, have the hubby build a stand and just do a generic gravel (easier to clean for me), fake plants and generic fish (stocked at Petsmart, most likely...which is still a 4 hour drive one way for me), or to get a smaller tank that would fit in our house much easier, and build more of an aquascape with live plants, CO2, etc. So that's the first thing I'm going to have to decide...the size. Any opinions?
Second, stocking options? If I go with generic Petsmart, I am looking at platies (or platys?? Hmm..not sure how that is when plural), cories, a female betta and a school of either bloodfin tetras, glowlight tetras, harlequin rasboras or cherry barbs. Back in the day, I was very successful keeping betta sororities, but after researching a bit, that seems to not be recommended much anymore? I really loved my female bettas! If it matters at all, I have well water that is very hard with about an 8.5 pH. I know this is perfect for cichlids, and I would consider some as a centerpiece, but I like the look of an active, busy tank.
So, I'll take any and all thoughts. With all my $$ wrapped up in horses currently, it has to be financially smart, but would like to still have a nice smaller-ish aquarium that I can enjoy.