To re-do, or not to re-do? That is the question.

[KiwiWillow]

My community tank was set up a little over 2 years ago. It’s been ticking along without too many issues. A few fish have come and gone, and some plants thrive, some have been replaced. The hardscape hasn’t been altered - a largish log, several rocks, and gravel substrate.
The log is now more green than brown, and there’s a bit of black beard algae on the rocks, and more recently a small amount of hair algae on some of the plants. There’s also a little blue-green slime that grows in the gravel against the glass at the front. It’s in a waiting room - you would have to really study it to notice the issues I think. Or be an aquarium enthusiast. And mostly people aren’t; they just like looking at it while waiting, kids especially.
A 30% water change is done most weeks - slightly more if it’s been a couple of weeks, and that keeps nitrates at about 20. Phosphate is less than 1. I vacuum the accessible gravel, especially along the front where the blue green slime occurs.
My question is, should I be looking at a refresh of hard scape, and cleaning to get rid of the bit of algae? Is it just going to get worse? Is it more risky changing it and risking a cycle crash? Do tanks need to be overhauled, or is it done because we get bored? What are your thoughts and advice?

 

[bgarthe]

First……that tank looks really healthy and many would “kill” to have your set up as is, especially your plants. You seem to have a nice low bio-load as well. Imho, you do not have an algae problem with this tank. Cleaning off a few spots that bother you is ok, but don’t overdo the cleaning as this tank seems to be purring like a kitten/running on all cylinders atm.

If you remove a single large decoration and clean off algae, you should be fine. Don’t forget, your bb is all over the substrate, glass, plants, and filter. I would not suggest you do more than one thing at a time, although I understand the temptation. Just curious…..what is your filtration, length and strength of lighting daily, and water temperature?

Bigtime overhaul/major cleaning is not usually necessary or encouraged in most cases for the reasons you mentioned….unless there was a disease/parasitic outbreak of some sort, need for major substrate/decor change out, or a totally new/different water parameter set up, or a start over.

 

[ProudPapa]

I would not break that tank down and start over because of the small amount of algae you described.

If you're tired of it and want to start over, and are looking for reasons to do so, carry on.

 

[bgarthe]

If you’re tired of it, then merely rearrange some scape or add a fish or two. Using a QT, you could gradually add a few more Neon Tets. How big is your tank?

 

[KiwiWillow]

Thanks for the lovely feedback everyone. It’s my first tank, and I don’t have a mentor in “real life” so wanted to check it wasn’t headed for bigger issues developing. The idea of a complete overhaul actually terrifies me! The initial set up went so smoothly that I don’t think I could get that lucky twice! Mostly that was due to lots of reading on here.
It’s a 125litre Aqua One (33 gallon). Filtration is built in along the top. I use sponges, rings and floss. Lights are also built in and are on 9.5 hours (office hours). Over summer there are a few extra hours from a nearby window. That becomes minimal for the next 6 months. Water is at 24 Celsius.
I agree there’s room for a few more fish - just a little undecided what at the moment. And yes - I always quarantine!

 

[ProudPapa]

. . . I agree there’s room for a few more fish - just a little undecided what at the moment. And yes - I always quarantine!

When I started keeping fish my stocking decisions were mostly in the "those look cool; I'll take two of them" vein, but the longer I keep fish the more I enjoy fewer species in a tank, but more individual fish of each species.

That's just some food for thought when deciding what fish to add. Do with it what you'd like.

 

[bgarthe]

When I started keeping fish my stocking decisions were mostly in the "those look cool; I'll take two of them" vein, but the longer I keep fish the more I enjoy fewer species in a tank, but more individual fish of each species.

That's just some food for thought when deciding what fish to add. Do with it what you'd like.

Yes, by all means, pick what you like, but……do pay attention to fish compatibility and preferred fish parameters. I agree….having a larger group of one species is cool.

 

[KiwiWillow]

Currently there is one hillstream loach. He/she seems very content, but I’d like to get a couple more. I’m wondering about adding a different tetra rather than adding further neons, but not sure on that. Availability really factors into that.
Other current inhabitants are 3 honey gourami, about 6 panda Cory, 5 cherry barbs and 5 orange dadio. Any suggestions are welcome

 

[Noroomforshoe]

I also recomend keeping more of the same species of fish,

Orange dadio? do you mean Danios? Are they orange glowfish danios?

Assuming that you have glow fish danios, I recomend that you get more of them, you could add any colors of glofish danios, regular zebra danios or leopard danios to add variaty, the are all the same species of fish and they should school and play together.

Adding a few more hillstream loaches should reduce your algae. Try to get the same species of hillstream loachesbecause even though it is often hard to notice,they are a social species. Make sure to offer sinking wafer food for the hillstreams too.

And you have neons? how many?

 

[KiwiWillow]

No. They are orange hatchet dadios. Not danios. And there’s currently 9 neons.

 

[DaveKS]

Thanks for the lovely feedback everyone. It’s my first tank, and I don’t have a mentor in “real life” so wanted to check it wasn’t headed for bigger issues developing. The idea of a complete overhaul actually terrifies me! The initial set up went so smoothly that I don’t think I could get that lucky twice! Mostly that was due to lots of reading on here.
It’s a 125litre Aqua One (33 gallon). Filtration is built in along the top. I use sponges, rings and floss. Lights are also built in and are on 9.5 hours (office hours). Over summer there are a few extra hours from a nearby window. That becomes minimal for the next 6 months. Water is at 24 Celsius.
I agree there’s room for a few more fish - just a little undecided what at the moment. And yes - I always quarantine!

You are basically looking for a reason to break it down because for some unknown reason because some unknown social media influencer has simply invented. Your tank and its biotope is primo, build upon that base, let what your eye’s reveal to you to be the truth. That tank is primo just as it is and can only get better with further curating.

 

[KiwiWillow]

Thanks DaveKS. I am very happy with how it is. Verification that it doesn’t need to be changed and isn’t headed for problems is exactly what I’m delighted to hear ! I know some level of algae is normal - I guess I’m less certain about how much is too much. Everyone’s feedback has been very reassuring.

 

[DaveKS]

Thanks DaveKS. I am very happy with how it is. Verification that it doesn’t need to be changed and isn’t headed for problems is exactly what I’m delighted to hear ! I know some level of algae is normal - I guess I’m less certain about how much is too much. Everyone’s feedback has been very reassuring.

My advice going forward is to do small water changes (10-20%), doing some minor pruning/propogation along the way. You’ll know which plants need cutting and which don’t simply by looking at them. It’s a gut feeling.