The Amazing Aquarium Thread- Why is Fishy Sleeping Upside Down? - General

[B]Somehow[/B] my kuhli is still alive. When I think he's dead and decide to move the decorations to look for him, he shows up out of nowhere He's been out in the open TWICE in the past two days [t]http://i.imgur.com/xVSnJoT.jpg[/t] Yes I know you need groups, ever since I learned that I've been searching for him some friends but I haven't been able to find any without having to pay like $80 for ridiculous shipping costs and $45 minimums online.

Flak I think you've passed the guppy curse on to me, its been a week and today one of them is struggling to keep himself swimming upright, looks like his swim bladder is causing his front to lift up. Also another guppy has vanished, there is no body, nothing. Its just gone. The filter has tiny holes on the intake so it can't be in there and there is really nowhere it could be in the tank that I cannot see just by walking around and peering in. Though I suppose its possible the cory's took it apart after it died.

i just learned a raccoon got one of my eldest kio fish last night after years of trying [t]http://i.imgur.com/oQmHl0s.jpg[/t] the white one

Growing up my parents had a huge ass fish tank with I think a full grown plecostomus and a couple others. Don't remember what happened to it though. My brother had a fish tank 3-4 years ago but he didn't take very good care of it either. I'd like to get one going but not while I'm in an apartment.

Hey guys. I'm thinking of an easy freshwater aquarium that's really easy to maintain (don't have a huge amount of time to spend on it), and holds a couple of fish. Was looking at the following product due to it seeming to be cheap to run and not requiring filter changes etc. Opinions on [URL="https://getecoqube.com/products/ecoqube-c"]EcoQube c[/URL]? If this is bad, are there any similar alternatives?

[QUOTE=LAMB SAUCE;52561339]Hey guys. I'm thinking of an easy freshwater aquarium that's really easy to maintain (don't have a huge amount of time to spend on it), and holds a couple of fish. Was looking at the following product due to it seeming to be cheap to run and not requiring filter changes etc. Opinions on [URL="https://getecoqube.com/products/ecoqube-c"]EcoQube c[/URL]? If this is bad, are there any similar alternatives?[/QUOTE] That tank is a good idea but I kind of feel like it would be too easy for something to go wrong and wreck the tank very quickly given that if you barely ever touch it, chances are you aren't going to be aware when somethings wrong with the water or filtration. Your best bet is alot of research before deciding, since a tank like that is small enough that one simple mistake could destroy it.

[QUOTE=archival;52561407]That tank is a good idea but I kind of feel like it would be too easy for something to go wrong and wreck the tank very quickly given that if you barely ever touch it, chances are you aren't going to be aware when somethings wrong with the water or filtration. Your best bet is alot of research before deciding, since a tank like that is small enough that one simple mistake could destroy it.[/QUOTE] are there any similar larger tank systems that serve the same purpose? but I'd definitely be checking on it once or twice a day and be able to do maintenance once a week

That looks like it'd be great for some shrimps and snails. Get a 20+ gallon tank and get a filter, light, heater, etc.

[QUOTE=LAMB SAUCE;52561514]are there any similar larger tank systems that serve the same purpose? but I'd definitely be checking on it once or twice a day and be able to do maintenance once a week[/QUOTE] If everything is going well maintenance once a week should be enough for a 2 or 3ft tank. Im running a 50L tank (11 gallons?) and when there isn't some annoying disease in the water I generally only need to do things on the weekend for it. Imo you might as well just go for the real deal

[QUOTE=archival;52563214]If everything is going well maintenance once a week should be enough for a 2 or 3ft tank. Im running a 50L tank (11 gallons?) and when there isn't some annoying disease in the water I generally only need to do things on the weekend for it. Imo you might as well just go for the real deal[/QUOTE] ah I see. what are your thoughts of the [URL="http://www.fluvalaquatics.com/us/product/15385-edge/#.WY-gyr2ubqA"]Fluval Edge[/URL] they also have a taller version that's around 40L I'd want freshwater and a bunch of colourful fish, any recommendations on that front too? cheers

If you want low maintenance you need to get a larger thank than that and keep it lightly stocked with fish, but heavily stocked with plants to siphon off the nutrients. For your money, you can find an aquarium at a much more fair price and grab an overpowered canister filter. "Sunsun" on amazon has some very affordable canister filters that will work great. Try to grab a 75 liter+, it'll be much easier to keep than a 23 liter. You'll quickly learn that your money is much better spent on fish, plants, and decor in the form of driftwood. For low maintenance read into the "Walstad method". You use organic potting soil and sand to create a substrate that can grow pretty much any plant. Floating plants are used to get the tank established and help to control algae. Reading into the theory behind aquarium nutrient cycling is essential to the hobby IMO. With appropriate stocking, enough plants, and decent filtration/circulation you can get away with only having to change filter media in your canister once a month or so and the occasional top-off with distilled water. (Algae control is occasionally required, but this can be managed chemically with something called "Flourish Excel"/glutaraldehyde/polycycloglutaracetal. In the US some hobbyists buy this chemical in the form of a surgical disinfectant and dilute significantly, it might not be available in the UK.) Look at aquarium subreddits and dedicated forums to get an idea of what there is out there that you like, then check [URL]http://aqadvisor.com/[/URL] to see how your fish will work in your tank - appropriate stocking levels, etc. For a new fishkeeper, I would recommend keeping several of the hardy/docile species [I]Paracheirodon innesi[/I] (Neon Tetra) and [I]Corydoras[/I] catfish. "Cories" are great fish with remarkable personalities, though they aren't the most colorful. Does anyone else follow this channel on youtube? [URL]https://www.youtube.com/user/uarujoey[/URL] Pretty fun content.

Albino cories are the most active type of cory I have, they're a little more colorful because they're albino, so a pale color instead of a dark gray/green.

I love my corys, would recommend 10/10

Julii cories or trilineatus should be perfect in that 40l tank. Just remember they need sand or their barbs will get infected.

snip changed my mind if anyone knows of a rectangular style, very minimal looking tank which has a sleek hood to keep everything hidden, I would love to know. Looking to canister filter but not necessary, going to need better than low light because I plan on making a planted tank.

I remember reading a few time that corys laying eggs didn't happen often. Well mine have gone and covered the back panel in them again but like 3 times as many this time. Tanks not being medicated anymore so hopefully they might survive

[QUOTE=LAMB SAUCE;52566581]ah I see. what are your thoughts of the [URL="http://www.fluvalaquatics.com/us/product/15385-edge/#.WY-gyr2ubqA"]Fluval Edge[/URL] they also have a taller version that's around 40L I'd want freshwater and a bunch of colourful fish, any recommendations on that front too? cheers[/QUOTE] I've had one of those a few years ago for a short time. I don't remember how the filter worked but my biggest quarrel was it was a pain to maneuver in for cleaning, and that once it evaporates a bit, it kind of ruins the aesthetic since the whole point is that you got the glass on the top. Tank looks good in theory, I personally didn't find it all that great in practice. I'd be willing to dig it out and put some shrimp and tetras in there but that's probably all I'd use it for.

[QUOTE=OvB;52577906]I've had one of those a few years ago for a short time. I don't remember how the filter worked but my biggest quarrel was it was a pain to maneuver in for cleaning, and that once it evaporates a bit, it kind of ruins the aesthetic since the whole point is that you got the glass on the top. Tank looks good in theory, I personally didn't find it all that great in practice. I'd be willing to dig it out and put some shrimp and tetras in there but that's probably all I'd use it for.[/QUOTE] yeah. Decided I want an approx 100L planted tank with a hood that isn't gaudy. not sure where to find any, that's what I liked about the fluval edge.

Look for a glass top on Amazon or elsewhere and get a light like the finnex planted+ 24/7 if you're going for aesthetic. (Check out a video, the color temperature and brightness changes through the day. Really makes being indoors a treat, and can help with seasonal depression during the winter :smile:) For the money you're spending you'd be much better off investing the money in accessories. Fluval stuff looks nice but it's very expensive. In the US you can grab aquariums on sale for as little as $1/gallon. ($1/3.7L) As I mentioned before, a canister filter will be much easier to maintain and cheaper in the long run. Activated charcoal can be purchased in huge quantities for very cheap as an alternative to commercial cartridges. (Those are less appropriate for planted tanks.) Polyester fill, untreated, as used in pillows, can be grabbed at most stores and is the only thing you need to replace in a canister filter at cleaning time. Glass inlets/outlets and custom tubing can further improve the aesthetic of your setup, and are pretty cheap. Anyone ever keep rabbit snails? Thinking of grabbing one of those: [url]http://m.liveaquaria.com/product/3102/gold-rabbit-snail?pcatid=3102&c=1075+3102[/url]

I'm still looking for a hood for my tank, I can't find one anywhere and it's pissing me off.

[QUOTE=FlakTheMighty;52578554]I'm still looking for a hood for my tank, I can't find one anywhere and it's pissing me off.[/QUOTE] Have you tried looking at local glass shops? Provided it isn't a bowfront or another odd form it might be cheap to grab some plate glass or acrylic cut to size. Home Depot and Lowe's both cut to size iirc, I'm sure other chains will as well. You could have two holes cut and make a nice handle for it. Joey from King of DiY suggests greenhouse roofing: [url]https://youtu.be/CriLkV6m8rk[/url] Something like this and an led fixture is all you need. If you need lighting suggestions LMK. I've wasted way too much time researching budget options. :smile:

When I say hood, I mean something like this. [t]http://i.imgur.com/OGObuhh.jpg[/t]

I second the greenhouse roofing. Challenging to cut but works great. It's on my 125 since I'm broke. Keeps a lot of moisture in and freeway dust out since it's on my patio. Also I haven't been updating anything on here really. No net at my parents and typing on my phone is lame.

[QUOTE=FlakTheMighty;52578787]When I say hood, I mean something like this. [t]http://i.imgur.com/OGObuhh.jpg[/t][/QUOTE] Trying to mount a T5/T8? If not, why not something like [URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AS7ZI/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502863474&sr=1-4"]this[/URL]? Paired with [URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NAFQ6FK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502863688&sr=8-1&keywords=finnex+stingray"]an led fixture[/URL]. Newer led lights look 👌

Id go with cut acrylic as you can put extra holes in for air later if you find its not enough (Without needing to get professional help), I still need to get around to doing that since right now I just have a makeshift border of cardboard to stop anyone from jumping out at the edges

[QUOTE=Biotoxsin;52578912]Trying to mount a T5/T8? If not, why not something like [URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AS7ZI/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1502863474&sr=1-4"]this[/URL]? Paired with [URL="https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00NAFQ6FK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1502863688&sr=8-1&keywords=finnex+stingray"]an led fixture[/URL]. Newer led lights look [/QUOTE] I've already got glass, I don't like it is the issue. Also it's 60 gallons but I couldn't find a larger image :v:

Someone put my Gold Gourami in his place I think, he's missing a huge chunk of scales near his mouth. Wonder who did it, everyone else looks fine.

Moving my 29 to my bedroom tomorrow. Wonder how that's gunna go. Probably gunna sell it asap.

[QUOTE=archival;52550257]Flak I think you've passed the guppy curse on to me, its been a week and today one of them is struggling to keep himself swimming upright, looks like his swim bladder is causing his front to lift up. [/QUOTE] Welp one month later and the last of the four guppy's I got is dying, his swim bladder is messed up and most of the time he's laying on the substrate breathing heavily. I honestly don't know what to do, he hasn't shown any external signs of a disease and given that he lasted this long I doubt it was anything the guppys came with. May have to do an autopsy to see if theres something in the tanks water im not aware of. Catfish on the other hand still same as always, though they've finally warmed up to the idea of me walking around the room not meaning im coming to murder them

Oh this is pretty neat, I can't imagine actually getting one myself though. [url]https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/moai/moai-robot-for-your-aquarium[/url]