Noodle's Other Tanks

So I spent all yesterday ripping out the rock substrate (id say gravel, but it was more like stones) of one of my 20gs. I plan on doing the same to my other 20 gallon tomorrow. Ill have that update after it's done. Not feeling great today so I'm opting to put it off.

Anywho, this post is going to be like my 46g thread, but for my other 3 smaller tanks. They don't change up much, but I will post the photos of those fish here too.

Stock for each featured tank:

Planted 20 gallon tall:
1 betta (female)
6 skirt tetras (white, black, and glo)
2 mollies (1 male sailfin, 1 female balloon)
2 platies (mom, daughter)
1 nirite snail
Bunch of ramshorn snails
Elimia snails

Plants:
Water Wisteria (planted and floating)
Amazon sword
Crypt
Moneywort


Non-planted 20 gallon tall:
6 cherry barbs (1M5F) + 1 fry
1 sailfin lyretail molly
3 platies (boys, two are sons of the mom in my other 20g)
4 apple snails
2 nirite snails
Ramshorn and bladder snails
Elimia snail



10g Blackwater:
1 male betta
2 female ghost shrimp
Ramshorn snails

Has java ferns, but super tiny. Trying out bladderwort.

This is the non-planted 20 tall. I can't have plants since my apple snails devour them immediately.

This is it currently, since ive ripped out the old substrate and replaced it with sand.



This is what it was before. I had to remove the tall ornament--paint was peeling off the mushrooms. Makes me sad as it was cute and my male barb loved it. Silk plants got tossed too. The snails chewed them and frayed them so bad.

 

This is my betta's blackwater tank.

Substrate is leaf litter and a few pebbles lol

Filtered simply with an air powered biofilter, made instead of bought. Made only to hold biomedia rather than use for mechanical filtration.






And my planted 20, which won't be staying like this. Tomorrow I will be ripping out all the stones and switching to sand. It will be rearranged as well. But for now, this is the current look.

 

And my planted 20, which won't be staying like this. Tomorrow I will be ripping out all the stones and switching to sand. It will be rearranged as well. But for now, this is the current look.

Cool tank!

 

Here is a preview of the renovated planted 20g.

Gotta love fresh sand...

 

Clearing up a smidge.
Sad is that I rinsed and rinsed and rinsed this sand over last 2 days and it STILL does this.



On another note, needed more Prime so had to run to the store.

Meet Clementine. She is adorably chunky. Shes in the planted 20g, seems fine with it, but back up plan is a divider in Franklin's blackwater. She isn't bothered too much by the other fish and the others aren't bothered by her, so hoping it stays that way.

 

This is the non-planted 20 tall. I can't have plants since my apple snails devour them immediately.

This is it currently, since ive ripped out the old substrate and replaced it with sand.

This is what it was before. I had to remove the tall ornament--paint was peeling off the mushrooms. Makes me sad as it was cute and my male barb loved it. Silk plants got tossed too. The snails chewed them and frayed them so bad.

LOve the black mollys!

 

LOve the black mollys!

I love my mollies too! The big girl in the non planted 20 is a marble and shes a bully lol hence why we stuck her with barbs. Even they stay out of her way



And then my calico boy in my planted 20. Hes a gentleman. Very docile and doesn't bother anyone.



And then my little balloon girl in the planted 20. Shes so derpy but shes cute. Very shy fish, hides easily. She really likes my calico boy, follows him around everywhere and he treats her like a little lady.

 

Try using a pvc tube from home depot or Lowe's or something taller than the tank and at least a few inches round or bigger and use it to pour in the sand through the tube straight to the bottom of the tank while the tank is somewhat full, I myself haven't done it but seen a video and got the idea for next time, that's me assuming you don't already know that trick and either dumped the sand straight in the water or dumped a bucket of water into a fresh bed of sand and rustled it all up. Looks good and clearing up nicely!

 

Try using a pvc tube from home depot or Lowe's or something taller than the tank and at least a few inches round or bigger and use it to pour in the sand through the tube straight to the bottom of the tank while the tank is somewhat full, I myself haven't done it but seen a video and got the idea for next time, that's me assuming you don't already know that trick and either dumped the sand straight in the water or dumped a bucket of water into a fresh bed of sand and rustled it all up. Looks good and clearing up nicely!

Rinsed the sand, and placed it damp into the empty tank, then poured water in via hose, but not directly onto the sand. But alas lol

 

Sorry don't know what alas is? Lol and sorry, just trying to help not make such mess adding sand next time!

 

Ugh I want to switch to sand. But last time I switched color of gravel a bunch of my fish died. So I'm skiddish. They look great so far!

 

I put a little pint or quart container into the tank (or a plastic bag) and put the hose into that so the water flows out of that and doesn't disturb the sand much.

 

Sorry don't know what alas is? Lol and sorry, just trying to help not make such mess adding sand next time!

"Alas" means "this is how it is" or "this is it".
I appreciate the tips though its good to know for future use.

Ugh I want to switch to sand. But last time I switched color of gravel a bunch of my fish died. So I'm skiddish. They look great so far!

I'm wondering if something stirred up and affected the fish? I removed mine from the tank to redo the substrate.

I put a little pint or quart container into the tank (or a plastic bag) and put the hose into that so the water flows out of that and doesn't disturb the sand much.

I stuck the hose on low inside the log ornament so it gently dispersed the water.

 

"Alas" means "this is how it is" or "this is it".
I appreciate the tips though its good to know for future use.


I'm wondering if something stirred up and affected the fish? I removed mine from the tank to redo the substrate.


I stuck the hose on low inside the log ornament so it gently dispersed the water.

So did I....

 

So did I....

That's confusing... possibly a pH shock or temperature. It's hard to say.

Maybe ive just gotten lucky :/

Once my husband switched substrate... he didn't rinse it before dumping it into the tank, fish in too. Lost a few from it.

Woooo we can start seeing things now. Almost there lol

 

So updating.

We ended up dividing the blackwater. Clementine was too scared of the other fish in the tank, so shes been moved and already I'm seeing more exploring and happy betta behaviours from her. Neither of them even care they have a neighbour (or haven't noticed).
I will switch to a black sheet once I find some, but for now they have a white sheet. Black would just blend better. Or red lol









(And Franklin, he wants some spotlight too)


You can see the blackwater on the bottom of the stand for our non planted 20.


As for our non planted20, I added a few more ornaments. Theyre happy with it. I wish it could be plants but... sigh

My water has also cleared up on my planted 20g.

 

Franklin finally realized he has a neighbour lol hes been showing off off and on when he sees her, and she ignores him but neither seem stressed about the arrangement.




Also, momma platy dropped more fry, can't you tell? Monthly buffet. Seen one or two when the lights turned on, and fat tetras.

 

Moved Franklin back to his bowl this last week.
Few reasons. He was not liking the sponge filters both running in the 10, he spent more time hiding than anything.
Second, he is having some fin issues and he didnt have these issues when he was in the bowl before. So, back to his 3 gal with daily water changes. Of course, gently filtered and has a heater. Planted with floating wisteria and some java fern babies. Lighting is natural sunlight in the morning.


His grumpy little face kills me. But hes actually pretty smug, he loves chilling in floating plants a lot.



And then, this skirt boy... he has a little black freckle. Isnt that weird.




His name is Morgan, to keep with the alcohol names. Morgan, as in Captain Morgan lol

(Skirts are all named after alcohol or alcohol brands. We have Rum, Daiquiri, Whiskey, Daniel, Bacardi, Kraken, and now Morgan)

The planted 20 has really put out a lot of growth in the plants since the last photo was taken. The wisteria has nearly reached the top.

 

Love Franklin’s grumpiness and his beautiful Dalmatian spots! Also wow your 20 gallon planted has really taken off!!

 

My 20 planted again. Trimmed and planted baby swords off the first runner. The parent sword is growing a second runner too. I have no room for more haha gonna have to figure that one out.




Stock has changed slightly from first post.
Now is:
1 molly
2 platies
7 skirt tetras
1 nerite snail
Buncha ramshorn snails

Some photos...

This is the boss of all my skirts. She used to be so tiny when we first got her. Now shes huge and bossy.


GMO fish.


These guys have these blank emotionless stares... like the puppets from sesame street.



Lots of ramshorn snails. Had to fight them all off a piece of zucchini, this is the entire population in this tank. I'm so proud, its grown so nice. Slow, but nice.



One of the baby swords off the runner. I'm gonna grow it a bit more and then gift it to my coworker.



And the last photo os one of my cherry barbs from my other 20. Because theyre adorable and hard to photograph because they don't sit still long.

 

Bittersweet day. Time to trim the wisteria. It grew so tall and bushy and beautiful I didnt wanna cut it but had to.

Before trim



After trim. Replanted the tops. So many plants haha.



Theres about 4 sword plant babies planted in this tank besides the mother plant. Plus moneywort (mixed in the wisteria) and a crypt. This tank I think does so well because it gets a few hours of direct sunlight. The plants love it. So does the nerite snail, he eats all the algae and does a great job.

 

Franklin, begging for more food this morning. I love this little guy. Hes going to be getting a better tank in a few weeks. Something small still, because he has some fin issues, but something a little better to scape more interesting for him.
But I love hes up on the shelf above my bed. I wake up each morning and see him doing his little feed me dance. Hes the best

 

So switched up decor. The nonplanted 20 got the log ornament, since everyone who used it in the planted passed so its gone to waste. I boiled it before moving it over.

The planted tank got a piece of driftwood and some plants moved around. Ill only be keeping a couple of the sword plant babies, ill probably keep the nicest one or two. The rest I will sell locally once they grow large enough.

Planted 20, still cloudy as sand was stirred a bit and just finished a hefty water change.



Slight bit of microbubbles from water change, but looking better... ill never be fully satisfied with how it looks. I want live plants, darn it haha... alas, we have the snails so we cant. It's my 4 year old's tank anyways and he loves his snails the most.




Bonus barb photo, because theyre adorable. Theyre liking the log a lot since ive put it in.



Photo with the water cleared up.

 

And another comment sorry Love the 20 planted even more after you took out the log! It looks much more natural and cohesive now

 

I added 6 cories moved from my 46g to my 20 gallon and the turds stirred up the sand within minutes.





Stock now stands:
7 skirt tetras
1 molly
2 platies
3 trilineatus corydoras
3 paleatus corydoras


On another update:
Franklin got a new tank today. The plants need to grow and more need to be added, but its better than it was.



You can see his fin issues, the fins curl together for some weird reason

 

Unsure how this tank will do for live plants. The light changes colour and isn't true plain white... I can select the colour at least but it resets when shut off lol oh well.




Franklin likes the tank, and I'm starting to see some improvement with his fin issues.

 

The light in this tank looks great at night, brings out Franklin's colours.




His fin issues are further improving. The parts that were stuck together have finally come off and apart. Now he just needs to regrow the finnage he lost.

 

Franklin made a lovely bubble nest. Shame ill probably ruin it with today's later water change.




Unfortunately, turns out we are battling a slow moving fin rotting strain of columnaris with him. Expecting the worst but hoping for the best. Water changes and salt baths are all we can do thanks to our country's lack of medication freedom.

 

Loving all your tanks. Sometimes it's hard to get a great look with fake plants, but you've totally pulled it off!

Just wondering about your Elimia Snails... I wasn't familiar with those, so I googled it. And I see they are native to the Great Lakes... did you get these 'wild'? How big are they? Pics? Thanks!

 

That blue mushroom! Did you get it as an actual fish decoration? Or from a craft store? I have a red one but I got it at a craft store and I'm scared to put it in with Rian. Also. Your tanks are really cool!! (๑•ᴗ•๑)♡

 

I love your planted 20, all your tanks look great.

 

Loving all your tanks. Sometimes it's hard to get a great look with fake plants, but you've totally pulled it off!

Just wondering about your Elimia Snails... I wasn't familiar with those, so I googled it. And I see they are native to the Great Lakes... did you get these 'wild'? How big are they? Pics? Thanks!

They are indeed collected locally from the lakes here! I got mine last summer and I plan on grabbing more once its warm here again.

They stay small, maybe 1.5 inches long tops. They like hardscape particularly, especially rocks.
Males have red bodies and females have green bodies. Apparently can live up to 5 years potentially. They eat algaes off rocks, especially diatoms.

A video of a female from my 46g

Photos taken from all the tanks since ive got them in both my planted 20 and my 46. I plan on adding them to each of my tanks as I get more.





^they sleep curled up in the cutest ways

 

That blue mushroom! Did you get it as an actual fish decoration? Or from a craft store? I have a red one but I got it at a craft store and I'm scared to put it in with Rian. Also. Your tanks are really cool!! (๑•ᴗ•๑)♡

Its an actual fish decoration. A little house from Petsmart lol my kid picked it out. My molly who is way too big for it hides in it all the time

 

Its an actual fish decoration. A little house from Petsmart lol my kid picked it out. My molly who is way too big for it hides in it all the time

Aww :3

 

They are indeed collected locally from the lakes here! I got mine last summer and I plan on grabbing more once its warm here again.

Oh my goodness, they are really cute! Do you mind if I ask where specifically you collected them from? I'm in Ontario too, but there's lotsa lakes LOL What temperature do they like? They must be pretty flexible if they live here!

How can you tell male from female? What's the breeding situation? Do they lay an eggsack or single eggs? Is this a population explosion situation, like some other snails?

Sorry, didn't mean to derail your post, but this really caught my interest!

 

Oh my goodness, they are really cute! Do you mind if I ask where specifically you collected them from? I'm in Ontario too, but there's lotsa lakes LOL What temperature do they like? They must be pretty flexible if they live here!

How can you tell male from female? What's the breeding situation? Do they lay an eggsack or single eggs? Is this a population explosion situation, like some other snails?

Sorry, didn't mean to derail your post, but this really caught my interest!

No worries haha

I collected specifically from the Detroit river. I know theyre found in Lake Erie too.

They need a male and a female to breed and apparently they breed in spring. Ive not had any eggs laid by them, not even with the 20 planted that has a male and female together. What I have is what ive collected last summer.

I keep them in tanks temp 75-78 no issues. My understanding is their temp range varies. Detroit river shallows can get relatively warm and these snails are fairly flexible.

Males have red bodies and females grey/brown/green.

The ones above were female (except the curled up one)

This one is a male.



I particularly love these snails. Theyre cute but don't move around very fast at all. They tend to take their time browsing over rocks. They have a shell door too.

 

I collected specifically from the Detroit river. I know theyre found in Lake Erie too.

Wow, really neat. Maybe when you go collecting this summer, you can mail me a couple I'm not near the Detroit river or Erie. Thanks for all the info!

 

The 6 cories I moved from my 46 to the planted 20 are doing good, theyve adapted to their new home and are always busy sifting the sand. Still working on clearing the water with them stirring it up but itll get there.

Pumpkin the molly likes them, because they mean food and he loves food

 

emeraldking would you say Pumpkin is a marble now that his colouring has changed so drastically in the last few months?

When we first got him, covered in ich



Yesterday, nearly all taken over by black markings.

 

emeraldking would you say Pumpkin is a marble now that his colouring has changed so drastically in the last few months?

When we first got him, covered in ich
View attachment 658766

Yesterday, nearly all taken over by black markings.
View attachment 658767

Yes, still marble...