The right side of my 20 gallon long.

watts300

Just as titled, these photos are of the right side of the tank. The left side is crap because the tank is only on about week two of cycling. (Yes I'm doing it with fish. I'm a cruel horrible person.) The 30-gallon filter has dug a hole in the sand to the glass bottom, and there's gravel from my cycled 10 gallon aquarium in it.

So I'm taking this time to build up the left side. When I get something to slow the flow of the filter into the sand, I'll work on that side. The middle will be just swimming area with no obstructions -- I found a photo on this site that is my inspiration.







I forgot the kind of plant in the corner. But I remember that it's leaves get really long. The other one and it's "propagations" are a Chameleon plant -- Houttuynia cordata. I like that one a lot.
The blob is Java Moss.
The rocks are lava I found in a tree bed at a park. I only took six, but I think I want more. Where should I put them though?

And SpongeBob? ;) Yes, my son's lamp.



Opinions?
Constructive criticism?

1077

The sea shell if real,, will over time, begin to raise the Ph in your tank and might, depending on the fish you wish to keep,, make the water unsuitable. If you decide to add some cory cats, they will ,,as corys often do,, Swim over every surface in the tank and probably not appreciate the lava rock which could damage their bellies. Some smooth river pebbles found at most lawn and garden stores or landscaping buisness might be a better option. I like the looks of your tank!

watts300

I think I'll take your advice on the lava, because I did want to have some sort of catfish. Although probably not cories. I'll keep it with just those few lava rocks, because I really like them. If I decide I want more rocks, I'll look for some slate(ish).

I've read the caveat about seashells in freshwater aquariums... mostly on this forum. I've also asked two people at two fish stores their opinion... which ended up being contrary.
For now, I'm not worried about it. I'll continue to monitor pH. If it becomes a problem, I'll remove it. There looks to be web sources for artificial shells, too.

willow

you have the same thermometre as i do :)
nice tank.

watts300

It's the only digital thermometer I've used. I had the adhesive kind the 10 gallon came with (in a kit) stuck to the inside glass, but after a few days I found it hard to see which indicator was indicating. I couldn't read it very well.

Since I'm in transition between my 10 and 20 gallon aquarium, I bought another identical thermometer. Before putting it in the 20, I put the probe into the 10 to see if they both measured the same temperature. They were within .5 degrees (F) of each other. Close enough for me!



I finally got a handle on the whole aquarium now. I just made a few adjustments and the sand on left side seems to be a lot more stable now.
PLUS, UPS finally brought my hood this evening. Pictures are slightly improved, but otherwise it of course makes everything look so much better standing next to it.

Observe:


For clarification regarding my signature, in the 20 gallon I have the live plants and the 3 platies, and 3 ghost shrimp. (I read they have a low bioload so I'm not too concerned about them in the cycling water.)

In the 10 gallon aquarium, are the rest of my fish that will eventually be moved to the larger water.
The 2 loaches, Creepy and Crawly. The ballon molly, Chubby. And Slim, the marble molly.

It has a lot more color in it, but I prefer the realistic look that's coming along with the 20 gallon. I'll be giving this one away. I'm contemplating getting a small hospital after I get rid of it. I'd probably plant it up crazy.

willow

real plants always look and move well,however i think that havinga tank like yours there with the bright colours looks really pretty.

veganchick

they both look great! whats gonna go in the 10g?

1077

I might were it me, keep the ten gal for hospital or quarantine tank. Many of the doses for medications ,god forbid you ever need them,, are doses prescribed,per 10 gal of water. To use a smaller tank would make proper dosing more difficult.

Kim

I like the natural look of your new tank :)

I too would keep the 10 gal for QT because really you don't want to go much smaller. With a 10 gal you can keep larger fish, and also more fish if a situation arises.

dramaqueen

Nice tank. Too bad the seashell will mess with the ph; its really pretty.