Our first aquarium build.

So my wife and I decided we wanted an aquarium and found a 36 gallon bow front for extremely cheap. Now 2 months and WAY to many mistakes later. We are pretty pleased with the actual setup thus far. We are done with decorations and plant. Just a few more fish to add. Let us know what you think!

Plants: excuse my terminology. I don’t know all the names.
Amazon sword?
Anubea nana
Red leaf…. Something x2
And some tall fern like thing. x2

Decorations:
Big bubble rock
Small fake wooden stump
5-6 plants.


Fish:
10 guppies
3 dwarf gourami
Kuhli loach
2 mystery snails
4 ghost shrimp

To be added
1-2 dwarf gourami
And after 2-3 weeks a German blue ram (per advise that they have to be added last.

 

So my wife and I decided we wanted an aquarium and found a 36 gallon bow front for extremely cheap. Now 2 months and WAY to many mistakes later. We are pretty pleased with the actual setup thus far. We are done with decorations and plant. Just a few more fish to add. Let us know what you think!

Plants: excuse my terminology. I don’t know all the names.
Amazon sword?
Anubea nana
Red leaf…. Something x2
And some tall fern like thing. x2

Decorations:
Big bubble rock
Small fake wooden stump
5-6 plants.


Fish:
10 guppies
3 dwarf gourami
Kuhli loach
2 mystery snails
4 ghost shrimp

To be added
1-2 dwarf gourami
And after 2-3 weeks a German blue ram (per advise that they have to be added last.

Looking great,I would cover some deco with java moss adds a nice natural look

 

Looking good! The far left plant is ludwigia, the one next to is anacharis. The anubias should not be planted or it will die, just shove it between some rock as the roots and rhizome needs to stay exposed. Also amazon swords grow REALLY long roots and would rather prefer the gravel with some root tabs. The kuhlis need to be in groups of 6+ and the German Blue Rams prefer warmer temperatures than the rest of the fish so I would just go with only the gourami. I hope I didnt sound negative with all the advice lol

 

Bolivian Rams would be a better fit because they don't need the high temps that the GBRs do. Like RedOnion said, get the Anubius out of the substrate. The plant's Rhizome should not be buried. It's can be attached to hardscape with super glue, cotton thread or fish line. Or, as suggested above, jamb into a tight spot somewhere. The roots will eventuly hold it in place.

 

Impressive Start!
Welcome to the community.

Good Luck!

 

Looking good! The far left plant is ludwigia, the one next to is anacharis. The anubias should not be planted or it will die, just shove it between some rock as the roots and rhizome needs to stay exposed. Also amazon swords grow REALLY long roots and would rather prefer the gravel with some root tabs. The kuhlis need to be in groups of 6+ and the German Blue Rams prefer warmer temperatures than the rest of the fish so I would just go with only the gourami. I hope I didnt sound negative with all the advice lol

All plants are in pots that have holes that we fed the roots through. When we moved things around all the roots were out of the pots and growing extremely long. Will this satisfy the need they have?

Bolivian Rams would be a better fit because they don't need the high temps that the GBRs do. Like RedOnion said, get the Anubius out of the substrate. The plant's Rhizome should not be buried. It's can be attached to hardscape with super glue, cotton thread or fish line. Or, as suggested above, jamb into a tight spot somewhere. The roots will eventuly hold it in place.

Bolivian ram was the other option so it’s good to know they are more resilient. The tank temp is currently 78 and everybody seems good, should I be lowering it?

 

I actually like the pots, and the fact that you can easily move them around. Probably what I would do if I ever did live plants again.

 

No as the others have said the Anubias need to be out of the pots or the rhizome will rot and kill your plant. I glued mine to a little stone to stop it floating , just use the cyanacrilate glue as it’s fish safe , the others aren’t, or just tie it somewhere with some thread. The others should be fine in pots , if a little root bound .

The tanks looking great though

 

No as the others have said the Anubias need to be out of the pots or the rhizome will rot and kill your plant. I glued mine to a little stone to stop it floating , just use the cyanacrilate glue as it’s fish safe , the others aren’t, or just tie it somewhere with some thread. The others should be fine in pots , if a little root bound .

The tanks looking great though

Thank you. We learned a massive amount the past few months. One of the guppies isn’t doing so great but I have a thread in the medical forum waiting on a response. Really hope I can help him.

 

Thank you. We learned a massive amount the past few months. One of the guppies isn’t doing so great but I have a thread in the medical forum waiting on a response. Really hope I can help him.

You’re welcome , it can be a steep learning curve but at least you’re willing to learn !! I’m sure someone will have some advice to help

 

That looks pretty good!

 

Update to the freshwater tank!! Everybody is happy and healthy. I have one snail that is bigger than a golf ball. Swapped some plants and added a few more making sure to plant properly. Here are some pics, I just did a gravel clean and water change so the water is a bit dirty but 99 percent of the time it’s crystal clear.

 

Update to the freshwater tank!! Everybody is happy and healthy. I have one snail that is bigger than a golf ball. Swapped some plants and added a few more making sure to plant properly. Here are some pics, I just did a gravel clean and water change so the water is a bit dirty but 99 percent of the time it’s crystal clear.

Looking really great! That ludiwiga and amazon sword look very healthy! That one plant in the pot on the left does not seem to be an aquatic plant though, and will end up dying underwater. How are the gouramis with the guppies? Ive wanted to do a similar combo but always thought they would be a bit mean to each other.

 

Dwarf gouramis only we had a pearl, we had to take back because it was a bully. We were told 2 of them would gain blue coloring but were lied to haha. We have 3 dwarfs 2 female and 1 male. 8 guppies all male, 1 krib 2 snails 3 kuhli loaches(they are thriving) 2 Otos (healthy and fat) and one hillstream that hangs with the otos and 5 ghost shrimp… the krib ate my cherry shrimp

the plant on the left was sold as an underwater plant and has actually grown a lot since I got it.

the krib cichlid leaves the guppies alone and only chases the gouramis when she is eating.
Here is a bit better of a picture the water is already clearing up and the krib came out from hiding from a water change lol
I forgot to mention I started a pea puffer tank that’s planted it’s doing really well. And we are going to build a 45 gallon saltwater tank as well we are in the planning and prep phase of that atm.

 

Oh

Dwarf gouramis only we had a pearl, we had to take back because it was a bully. We were told 2 of them would gain blue coloring but were lied to haha. We have 3 dwarfs 2 female and 1 male. 8 guppies all male, 1 krib 2 snails 3 kuhli loaches(they are thriving) 2 Otos (healthy and fat) and one hillstream that hangs with the otos and 5 ghost shrimp… the krib ate my cherry shrimp

the plant on the left was sold as an underwater plant and has actually grown a lot since I got it.

the krib cichlid leaves the guppies alone and only chases the gouramis when she is eating.
Here is a bit better of a picture the water is already clearing up and the krib came out from hiding from a water change lol
I forgot to mention I started a pea puffer tank that’s planted it’s doing really well. And we are going to build a 45 gallon saltwater tank as well we are in the planning and prep phase of that atm

oh thats weird, the plant on the left is most likely a ribbon plant commonly sold with aquatic plants even though it isnt, i would just make sure it doesn’t rot then