Squirrelmanajh 29g Tank Blog

Well, I kept posting updates in various threads, so I decided it'd make more sense to make a blog. I'll try to keep up to date on this a lot and post pics and videos.

But anyways, here's the rundown. I started the tank b4 I really knew anything, so it was a bit of a rough start, then I found this site and it saved almost all my fish (8 out of 10). So, after about 7 weeks I had 3 Sunburst platies (3m), 1 Dalmation molly (m), 2 Serpae tetras, 2 Black Skirt Tetras.
So last week I bought four more BSTs to make it a 6 school fish, and they are all doing wonderfully. Then, today I bought an angelfish and female platy (I thought one of the males was a girl, so I was trying to balance it out but I realized tonight that I was wrong about that, so I might take her back). I prob shouldn't have bought them already, but I couldn't resist. So hopefully, everyone works out, and I'll post pics tomorrow and update a bit more.

 

Tetras like to be in schools of at least six, so that's good you got yours some friends. As far as I know, the general rule of thumb with fish like platys is two females for each male. (I'm currently quarantining three platys, and I didn't know when I bought them how to tell the genders apart, and I got two males and one female. The males are bickering and nipping fins, so sticking to the rule of more females than males is a good idea!) I would definitely consider taking the female platy back. (Actually, I need a female... ) Especially since there are three males, I think you would have some aggression problems. I think a 29 gallon tank is a little small for an angel, but hopefully someone else can comment on that.

 

yeah, I discovered that rule when I got mollies. But with my platies, I was pretty sure that they were all males, but 2 of them hung out a lot and ignored the other, so I thought perhaps I was wrong and decided to get a female for the lone guy, but after getting her it's quite obvious the other 3 are males and she a female. So far they've behaved, but if it starts getting nippy I'll take her out pretty quick.
And about the angel. Well it's a long story, but I started a thread to determine if it'd be possible bc my roommate really wanted one after losing his columbian shark (which we shouldn't have had) so I asked around and did a good bit of research and most people thought that one in a 29 gallon would work, and right now he's really small, so I think it should be ok.

my angelfish seems to be very shy. He's always hiding behind something and away from the other fish. Is this natural for an angelfish or do you think he's getting bullied? I haven't noticed any fish messing with him

 

I think I remember reading about your roommate and his Columbian Shark. If people say 29 gallons is fine, then I wouldn't be worried at all; I'm planning to get one for my 55 gallon once it's cycled, so I'm not really sure about smaller tank sizes.

I don't think angelfish are usually shy fish, I know they can be rather aggressive during feeding and breeding times. It doesn't sound like you have any characteristically nippy fish, so I'm not sure. Hopefully someone else can comment.

 

haha yeah that was us. I've read a few times that when first introduced they tend to be shy so I hope that's all it is, bc he still hasn't gotten out and about much yet

well, my angelfish is still hiding mostly. I'll try to get pics and stuff up tomorrow, just been swamped lately

here's a video of my tank and my angel coming out finally!

I'm thinking about adding some corys and 2 gold killifish. Whatcha all think?

well my angelfish is finally starting to come out at eating times, but he still doesn't swim around much

 

This is exciting news! Huzzah!!!

Don't worry, it will take some time for you Anglefish to adjust. I have confidence in you.

 

thanks kaleb xd

Well, I changed the decor a little. I'm wondering something though. When I look at pictures or see videos of people's 29 gallon tanks, it seems like they have a lot of open room for swimming, but my tank doesn't seem like it does at all and I'm not sure why. So, any opinions on that would be wonderful

 

Your tank dose look great but it dose look cluttered to me. You've got a lot of decor but no taller plants. Angelfish like plants.

I like the driftwood. You should pull out a few other decor and put some taller plants in the back. Do you have any fish that use the caves?

 

Well, I want to get live plants, but none of my LFS have what I want so I haven't gotten any yet. And, the angelfish does sometime, but none of the others do. I'm hoping to get 6 corydoras when I upgrade the filter, so they might use a cave.

ok, I took out the castle out of the back left corner and now there's a nice open area in the middle, so hopefully the fish will like that better. pics soon

 

Deff need the floor space if you get Corys.

Mine don't use caves. They just lay around in the open when resting.

 

hmm, ok, well hopefully there's enough space for them. I'll prob do another vid tonight

ok just did a water change and tested the water and my ammonia is up still no matter how many water changes I do
Am-.25 ppm
NO2-0 ppm
NO3-30 ppm
P.H.-8.2

I'm pretty sure I need another filter, but I still can't afford one yet

 

Have you checked your tap water?

 

no, I guess I should do that

 

You should, if you can't get a handle on the ammonia in your tank. Here at school, the water is awesome, not even chlorine (but I still use Prime). Kept a ram for a few months, and he was the best. But when I moved the tank home, the water there has .25 ammonia straight from the tap, and even all my plants couldn't keep up with it, and he died. When in doubt, check the tap!

 

well, tap water was good, no ammonia. I must just be overstocked.

 

You are overstocked, but not so much that it can't be managed. Perhaps you need to add another HOB filter. The AquaTeck 5-15's are good, and cheap. Stuff it full of filter sponge, and you should be good to go.

 

Yeah I want to get one. Everyone has suggested like aquaclear 50 or 70 tho which I can't afford yet. U think a little aquatech would be ok? I still want to add corys and remove the serpaes.

 

Its really just more about adding more surface area for the good bacteria to grow, so yeah, I do

 

ok, I'll def look into it. Thanks!

 

I'd do the Ac70 on that size tank.

For now just add another cheap filter. Reduce feeding.

Are you doing gravel vacs? Getting under all the decorations as that's where debris collects.

Removing the Serpaes would be a good idea. I've heard they can be fin nippers. You've got an Angelfish.

 

Yeah, definitely move stuff around every few weeks, and do a good gravel vac under it all

 

ok, I will try to save up for one of those. I have begun to reduce feeding bc I do think I've fed them a tad much. And I do grav vacs, but I don't always get under everything very well. And I do move stuff around a good bit, my roommate is always amazed at how much I change stuff.

The serpae's actually haven't bothered the angel much, but I want to remove them b4 they do bc I like him more than them. I just haven't found someone willing to take them and all my LFS won't take them, so I'm not sure what to do with them.

here's an update from last night. my angelfish hid the whole time.

and one of my lights just burned out so it's kinda dark.

well, my Black Skirt Tetras are starting to pick on my angelfish and that's def a bit on the annoying side. Not sure what to do about that so any suggestions would be great. I found someone to take the serpae's so they'll be heading out hopefully tomorrow.

random question for everyone...do you think I could add neon tetras to this tank or would they just become food?

Do you guys think that ghost shrimp would survive in this tank or would they just become food? I'm just trying to think about dif combinations and learn more about what works with what so any feedback is great!

 

You could try, sure

 

ok! how many are good to start with? And how do you introduce them to a tank? just like all the other fish?

 

Just do what ever feeder deal the pet stores do around you. Then quarantine them for a couple weeks. So, yes, just like fish

 

ok, thanks a bunch!

 

Sure thing

 

well, no update on the tank. Still don't have a new filter. All the fish seem to be doing good, except the angelfish hides most of the time. I'm strongly debating rehoming the black skirt tetras bc I think my angel is scared of them, but I don't have a spot to rehome them to right now.

 

I like your aquascaping. You have a nice eye for items that mesh well in your tank. And, I enjoy the music that you post with your videos. Well done!

(sometimes we worry so much about our water parameters, fish compatibility, tank size, food, etc., that we forget we are supposed to ENJOY our tanks!)

 

Thanks! Ive slowly adjusted what's in my tank to get it to where I like it. Now I just need live plants. And as for the music I just pick random classical music from Youtube that usually has water in the title. And I totally agree with your 2nd point. I started to get that way and then I was like, man I just want happy fish that are a joy to watch (but I do still keep up on that other stuff xd)

Well a quick update. The move from WV to IN went well, but I've mostly just been helping my parents with their tanks at this point. I haven't really changed anything in this tank, but hopefully soon I can do some stuff.

Well, I rehomed the black skirt and serpae tetras. Then I got 8 harlequins. Everyone seems happy right now.

here's an updated video

Update: I went to Petsmart yesterday and they had ottos for half off and cherry barbs for $1.00 and I've wanted each for quite awhile so I decided to take the plunge and get 9 ottos and 3 cherrys (all they had). It was a semi-impulse buy, but I do know a good deal about them. I know most of you guys will probably say my tank is overstocked now, but I do have an AC70 and I stay pretty consistent with water changes. So I'm hoping very much that this will work and everyone survives.

 

Cherry barbs are fun. You'll like them

 

I already do very much. One thinks it's a harlequin rasbora lol

Well, I lost 2 otos, so I decided to return the rest to the store b4 they all died. I don't think ottos are for me. But the cherrys are doing great so far. They're fitting in nicely with everyone.

10/22 update. Well a lot has happened but I'll just give the current state of my tank as it is now.

8 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Cherry Barbs (recent addition who seem to be doing well)
4 Sunburst Platies
2 Dalmation Mollies (I got a female for my male, and they get along pretty well for the most part, but my GWK tends to chase her a lot)
1 Golden Wonder Killifish
1 Angelfish
1 Rainbow Shark (I don't want him, but my good friend at school got a 10 gallon tank and bought him with a bunch of other fish and it killed all his others, so he didn't know what to do with it, so I took it for now until I can find a better home for him [prob not til Thanksgiving when I can take him back home]. For now, he's mostly hides and occasionally chases the cherry barbs)

So that is where my tank is at right now. I know it's probably a bit overstocked, but I caved into the pressure of my roommate and others telling me to get more fish, but I'm hoping that it won't be too many. No one has had any issues for the week or so the tank has had all these occupants.

Well, my female platy died a few days ago and I have no idea why. I also got another female molly bc the one was being harassed quite extensively.

Updated Pictures:

Well, after going home for 9 days, I returned back to my fish and they are all doing well. I also was able to pick up a GBR at home and bring him to the tank. So far he's doing good and I really hope he continues to do so. I also got a java fern, which I've added onto the driftwood.

Update time: I've had string of deaths of almost all my original fish (2 platys and my male molly). At this point my stock is

1 Angelfish
1 German Blue Ram
1 Cremsicle Molly (f)
1 Sunburst Platy (m)
8 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Cherry Barbs

I also bought new light bulbs for my light and they don't fit for some reason, so I'm just gonna get a whole new fixture as soon as I'm able to because the one I have is old and rusting away and only works when I bang it a couple times.

Update: Well, quite a ton has happened. I'll upload pictures soon.

Stocking:
1 Angelfish
1 Golden Wonder Killifish
1 Betta
8 Harlequin Rasboras
6 Cherry Barbs
1 Panda Cory

 

Interesting. How are the betta and GW getting along?

 

Love the little houses!

 

They actually are getting along wonderfully! All three of the "boss" fish just do their own thing and never bother each other. They're all hams tho when it comes to food time.

becky-the tank actually looks nothing like that anymore but thank you!

 

I'll just have to wait for some updated pics to see what changes you have made now.

 

Here are some updated tank shots!

 

Nice job! Looking good!