Looking to rescape to improve quality of life

TLDR

My family members are unwilling to upgrade the tank or re-home the fish. I want to re-scape to make this too-small aquarium more livable for them. Yes, obviously the Greek ruin decoration has TO GO. Looking for feedback on my plan, see second to last paragraph.

I just moved and am staying with my aunt and uncle until I get my own place. This is in their son’s room who is at boarding school and they are unwilling to part with the fish or upgrade the tank size.

The poor things huddle in that Ancient Greek ruin decoration all of the time and the blood parrot can barely fit through the columns anymore. It’s a situation where anyone who has kept fish properly takes a look and can tell they are immensely unhappy and stressed. They also never do water changes, have some low quality starter kit cartridge filter, and just top off the water line. I think it’s safe to assume the nitrate levels in here are off the charts. My bet is these guys are persisting because they are deeply acclimated to the old tank syndrome conditions in here (they’ve had this tank running for years)

I offered to try and arrange re-homing the fish and they are unwilling. There is no possibility they will upgrade the tank or equipment.

My solution is the following and I think I can suggest this in a way where they’ll be into the idea of proving a more natural, suitable environment.

Because these guys aren’t going to get a new home or larger tank, this needs a major re-scape. My initial idea is a large driftwood piece in the middle for cover and to break line of sight. Two large terra cotta pots on either end, PVC fittings for the pleco, and a butt load of tall fake plants. I would also like to get them to go in on some cheap and easy growing rhizome plants and floaters to suck up some nitrates, Java fern, Java moss, water lettuce etc.

What else am I missing here in this plan?? Any suggestions/ tips on how to improve the lives of these fish appreciated.

Small planted community tanks are my forte so I don’t know a whole lost about the bushfish or the blood parrot. I really wish I could convince them to get rid of the tank. My aunt thinks the fish are huge and gross but my uncle thinks they looks cool and their son doesn’t give a darn. I don’t want to push the issue and potentially offend because I am after all a guest in their home.

 

Yeah your in a no win situation. Shame that tanks a mess. The waters yellow. But it does prove fish can adapt to some terrible conditions. Unfortunately you can’t change a lot of the water. You have to change that water slowly so the fish aren’t stressed. Cleaning that tank up may take a month. And with the resistance your getting it doesn’t seem worth it. And once you leave it will go right back to the way it was.

 

Yeah, unfortunately taking over someone's neglected tank only works when you're around. What happens when you leave?

You might be able to do some rearranging, but careful with water changes, they will be sensitive to new clean water.

Floating plants won't do well with a lid either, the humidity on top of the leaves will cause early rot, and only make more issues.

Not really many plants that will work with those stock LEDs in the lid. rhizome plants might do ok, but are slow growers, so likely will grow algae better than the plants, without better intervention from tank owners.

 

I do understand your frustration and know you want to help these fish out but unless you are going to be there for the life of these fish I recommend you not do anything. Should you work at slowly acclimating these fish to fresh water they will just go back to these conditions once you move out.

Getting them acclimated to fresh clean water would have to be done very very slowly. You would have to start by doing steadily increasing daily water changes. In this case I would start with 10% and go up 5% daily meaning 10% today, 15% tomorrow, 20% the next and so on until you were up to a 75% water change.

Are they willing to let you do that? And if they are willing will they be willing to keep up with 50% weekly water changes once you are no longer there to do them? If the answer to these questions is no then I wouldn't do anything to this tank.

Edited to add: I think adding live plants will end up doing more harm than good. Since the tank isn't being properly taken care of I feel sure the plants won't either and will just melt off and cause more problems.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Just to be clear, wasn’t my intention to start them off on a water change routine for the reasons y’all have mentioned.
I feel like the best I can do is rearrange just for the sake of their comfort. I don’t think there could be anything but benefit from adding some proper hides, a driftwood piece and some cover in the form of fake plants right?

 

Thanks for the replies everyone.

Just to be clear, wasn’t my intention to start them off on a water change routine for the reasons y’all have mentioned.
I feel like the best I can do is rearrange just for the sake of their comfort. I don’t think there could be anything but benefit from adding some proper hides, a driftwood piece and some cover in the form of fake plants right?

If they would allow you to do that it will make a more comfortable home for these big guys. Hopefully they won't balk at removing the one piece of decor in there.

 

I do understand your frustration and know you want to help these fish out but unless you are going to be there for the life of these fish I recommend you not do anything. Should you work at slowly acclimating these fish to fresh water they will just go back to these conditions once you move out.

Getting them acclimated to fresh clean water would have to be done very very slowly. You would have to start by doing steadily increasing daily water changes. In this case I would start with 10% and go up 5% daily meaning 10% today, 15% tomorrow, 20% the next and so on until you were up to a 75% water change.

Are they willing to let you do that? And if they are willing will they be willing to keep up with 50% weekly water changes once you are no longer there to do them? If the answer to these questions is no then I wouldn't do anything to this tank.

Edited to add: I think adding live plants will end up doing more harm than good. Since the tank isn't being properly taken care of I feel sure the plants won't either and will just melt off and cause more problems.

See below, but my main goal is rearranging with proper hides and mostly fake plants. I see your point about the live plants. What if if we’re to keep them as basic as possible? As in just Java moss,

If they would allow you to do that it will make a more comfortable home for these big guys. Hopefully they won't balk at removing the one piece of decor in there.

Agreed. I’m pretty confident I can make the case they’ll be happier/more entertaining to watch if they have some proper hides and cover. That’s my in to make it happen. It just sucks I can’t straight up tell them they are suffering badly because they would not take that well

TLDR

My family members are unwilling to upgrade the tank or re-home the fish. I want to re-scape to make this too-small aquarium more livable for them. Yes, obviously the Greek ruin decoration has TO GO. Looking for feedback on my plan, see second to last paragraph.

I just moved and am staying with my aunt and uncle until I get my own place. This is in their son’s room who is at boarding school and they are unwilling to part with the fish or upgrade the tank size.

The poor things huddle in that Ancient Greek ruin decoration all of the time and the blood parrot can barely fit through the columns anymore. It’s a situation where anyone who has kept fish properly takes a look and can tell they are immensely unhappy and stressed. They also never do water changes, have some low quality starter kit cartridge filter, and just top off the water line. I think it’s safe to assume the nitrate levels in here are off the charts. My bet is these guys are persisting because they are deeply acclimated to the old tank syndrome conditions in here (they’ve had this tank running for years)

I offered to try and arrange re-homing the fish and they are unwilling. There is no possibility they will upgrade the tank or equipment.

My solution is the following and I think I can suggest this in a way where they’ll be into the idea of proving a more natural, suitable environment.

Because these guys aren’t going to get a new home or larger tank, this needs a major re-scape. My initial idea is a large driftwood piece in the middle for cover and to break line of sight. Two large terra cotta pots on either end, PVC fittings for the pleco, and a butt load of tall fake plants. I would also like to get them to go in on some cheap and easy growing rhizome plants and floaters to suck up some nitrates, Java fern, Java moss, water lettuce etc.

What else am I missing here in this plan?? Any suggestions/ tips on how to improve the lives of these fish appreciated.

Small planted community tanks are my forte so I don’t know a whole lost about the bushfish or the blood parrot. I really wish I could convince them to get rid of the tank. My aunt thinks the fish are huge and gross but my uncle thinks they looks cool and their son doesn’t give a darn. I don’t want to push the issue and potentially offend because I am after all a guest in their home.

Thank y’all for the comments regarding the feasibility of some of the live plants in mind. I would hate to put in stuff only to have it melt and just introduce more issues.
What do y’all think about keeping it as basic as possible. Scrap the rhizomes and floaters and only do Java moss. I was also thinking I could put in some pothos and only have the roots emersed? Wouldn’t that be a win as a bigger terrestrial plant that won’t have the issues of being submerged or underneath the hood of the tank?

 

See below, but my main goal is rearranging with proper hides and mostly fake plants. I see your point about the live plants. What if if we’re to keep them as basic as possible? As in just Java moss,

I really wouldn't add any live plants. Java moss may work but it could also do what it does for me and just melt away. Java ferns glued to something might work. They are fairly tough plants but even they need some attention to thrive. If a plant isn't thriving it isn't helping the water. If your Aunt is into house plants maybe you could talk her into growing Pothos (ivy) in this tank. Roots in the water, leaves out of the tank. The roots should help pull some of the nitrates out of there.

Agreed. I’m pretty confident I can make the case they’ll be happier/more entertaining to watch if they have some proper hides and cover. That’s my in to make it happen. It just sucks I can’t straight up tell them they are suffering badly because they would not take that well

Sadly some folks just don't know any better and if they really aren't into the hobby they aren't going to look into what is best for the fish I am assuming this tank belongs to their son and he left it in their care as to feeding and topping off. Do you know if he did regular water changes? If he did the water may not be as bad as we are thinking it is and the pothos may really help.

 

Slowly slowly.
My opinion is to clean the gravel slowly over a few weeks.
The Creek ornament just needs to be somewhere other than in the perfect centre. Just move it to one third or the other. To be honest in this situation I think you need to embrace plastic plants. Try and find some more realistic green plants so you can hide the pink ones behind. Bulking up the plastic plants will offer some shelter if you have multiple plastic plants like the 3 green ones and hide the palm tree on the left discreetly behind them .

No wood it makes the water brown and dirty looking. No live plants they will die and make a mess. No need for terrcotta pots the fish are making do with how it is.

 

I really wouldn't add any live plants. Java moss may work but it could also do what it does for me and just melt away. Java ferns glued to something might work. They are fairly tough plants but even they need some attention to thrive. If a plant isn't thriving it isn't helping the water. If your Aunt is into house plants maybe you could talk her into growing Pothos (ivy) in this tank. Roots in the water, leaves out of the tank. The roots should help pull some of the nitrates out of there.


Sadly some folks just don't know any better and if they really aren't into the hobby they aren't going to look into what is best for the fish I am assuming this tank belongs to their son and he left it in their care as to feeding and topping off. Do you know if he did regular water changes? If he did the water may not be as bad as we are thinking it is and the pothos may really help.

Yeah agreed. I think it’s one of those cases where he had a fleeting interest. The tank has been up and running with these fish for years. My bet would be a water change hasn’t happened since my cousin went to boarding school - so at least three years. Even still don’t you think the pothos would still be good to suck up some nitrates at a rate that won’t shock the system?

Slowly slowly.
My opinion is to clean the gravel slowly over a few weeks.
The Creek ornament just needs to be somewhere other than in the perfect centre. Just move it to one third or the other. To be honest in this situation I think you need to embrace plastic plants. Try and find some more realistic green plants so you can hide the pink ones behind. Bulking up the plastic plants will offer some shelter if you have multiple plastic plants like the 3 green ones and hide the palm tree on the left discreetly behind them .

No wood it makes the water brown and dirty looking. No live plants they will die and make a mess. No need for terrcotta pots the fish are making do with how it is.

Agreed on the plastic plants. Gotta say that I disagree with you about them making do. That center piece decoration is there only refuge - they never leave it and they look miserable. That thing also takes up a huge amount of dead space. My idea with adding two terra cotta pots on either end is to add some semblance of separate territories and individual hides in this tiny space. I like the idea of a wood piece in the middle to break up line of sight and provide some hard scape they can interact with . The water quality is so far gone, I’m not worried about affecting how the water looks.

 

Yeah agreed. I think it’s one of those cases where he had a fleeting interest. The tank has been up and running with these fish for years. My bet would be a water change hasn’t happened since my cousin went to boarding school - so at least three years. Even still don’t you think the pothos would still be good to suck up some nitrates at a rate that won’t shock the system?

Since this tank has had no water changes we can assume it isn't going to ever get them unless you choose to do so. Pothos or similar plants may be the best thing you can do for these guys. Well that and maybe changing up the decor.

The pothos roots won't suck up the nitrates fast enough to shock the system so is the way I would go if allowed to do so. At least it won't be melting in the tank and should help some. If you could figure out a way to support them Chinese Evergreens are another plant that will help pull nitrates out of the water. It, like pothos needs to just have the roots in the water.

 

Moss balls are hard to kill, thrive in low light and soak up nitrates fairly well.

 

So w

Since this tank has had no water changes we can assume it isn't going to ever get them unless you choose to do so. Pothos or similar plants may be the best thing you can do for these guys. Well that and maybe changing up the decor.

The pothos roots won't suck up the nitrates fast enough to shock the system so is the way I would go if allowed to do so. At least it won't be melting in the tank and should help some. If you could figure out a way to support them Chinese Evergreens are another plant that will help pull nitrates out of the water. It, like pothos needs to just have the roots in the water.

Thank you for all the input. Sounds like pothos is the move and potentially moss balls as well