I had a standard 30 gal (36") planted tank years ago that had two black angels, a 6-8 fish school of diamond tetras and 4 Sterbai cories and it was one of my favorite tanks of all time.
Good luck
Good luck
New 30 gallon planted tank build.
- Thread starter tbsused0327
- Start date
I've been looking at tetras they are definitely on my possibility list. I'm also looking at a few other species for schooling though. Don't worry, I will definitely let everybody know what my schoolers are,lol.
What about cleanup? Will the plecos be enough for that? I would really like maybe some ghost shrimp or something similar.
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Okay guys here she is. I just took this picture today less than 5 minutes ago. I'm thinking that the swords look better and bigger, but that could be placebo because I want them to so badly, lol.
Well the app won't let me upload the picture so I'll have to it from my pc when I get the chance. Sorry guys.
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Well the app won't let me upload the picture so I'll have to it from my pc when I get the chance. Sorry guys.
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Here she is finally. The swords look terrible I know, but the woman I've been working with at the LFS says that is normal and they'll come back green. Hopefully someone on here can tell me if she's right or wrong. The anubiases are literally flourishing though. Let me know what you guys think though.
Okay are my replies sticking or is it just that no one cares anymore, lol?
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What are the tank dimensions? Maybe it's me but that doesn't look like a 30 gallon, at least not the standard 36", not sure why it just dawned on me now but the dimensions are a bit off...looks more like a 20 high or maybe a 29 gallon based on the height vs. length. I only say this because it definitely plays a factor in what you can stock.
Just went and read this thread, here are my thoughts and comments 
A clean, brand new toothbrush works pretty well for scrubbing algae/films off of plant leaves so you don't have to uproot them or take them out. I've never used flourite, but have nothing but good things to say about eco complete by itself or using aqua quartz pool filter sand (from ace hardware) with rootmedic root tabs for my planted tanks. Ive never rinsed either, eco complete you dont have to rinse, and it always clears up in a day or two. So if you ever switch substrate, that's what I'd recommend. I had a melon sword before, and it took awhile, as in a couple months, before it looked healthy again. As long as its not withering away or if it has any new growth, I wouldn't worry too much. Plants take a long time to settle in, since they have to go through transplant shock and all. I'd highly recommend getting some stem plants to fill in the background, I'd recommend ludwigia repens (narrow and broadleaf) for background plants. In my
A clean, brand new toothbrush works pretty well for scrubbing algae/films off of plant leaves so you don't have to uproot them or take them out. I've never used flourite, but have nothing but good things to say about eco complete by itself or using aqua quartz pool filter sand (from ace hardware) with rootmedic root tabs for my planted tanks. Ive never rinsed either, eco complete you dont have to rinse, and it always clears up in a day or two. So if you ever switch substrate, that's what I'd recommend. I had a melon sword before, and it took awhile, as in a couple months, before it looked healthy again. As long as its not withering away or if it has any new growth, I wouldn't worry too much. Plants take a long time to settle in, since they have to go through transplant shock and all. I'd highly recommend getting some stem plants to fill in the background, I'd recommend ludwigia repens (narrow and broadleaf) for background plants. In my
Experience, they are hard to kill and grow fast like weeds, like a foot of growth in a month or two. My bacopa australis is the same way, a piece breaks off and a new plant grows from it. Vallisneria also is a pretty easy plant, either way I'd add some background stem plants, and a black background. As for stock, why two bn plecs and not just one? They are fairly territorial, even females, and like their own space. Not too mention, they have a pretty high bio load and are messy. If your tank doesnt have an algae food source for them, which it doesnt look like it does, youll need to supplement their diet with blanched zuchinni, leafy greens, algae wafers etc. I would personally get only one, and get a long finned, white tip as they are so pretty, but only if you want one because you like the fish, not because your worried about algae. They arent that great of algae eaters. I agree with jpappy, your tank more looks like a 29 then a 3 ft 30, but the picture could be deceptive. The dimensions would be helpful
As for stock, why two bn plecs and not just one? They are fairly territorial, even females, and like their own space. Not too mention, they have a pretty high bio load and are messy. If your tank doesnt have an algae food source for them, which it doesnt look like it does, youll need to supplement their diet with blanched zuchinni, leafy greens, algae wafers etc. I would personally get only one, and get a long finned, white tip as they are so pretty, but only if you want one because you like the fish, not because your worried about algae. They arent that great of algae eaters. I agree with jpappy, your tank more looks like a 29 then a 3 ft 30, but the picture could be deceptive. The dimensions would be helpful
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(sorry for the triple post and not using paragraph format) im on my phone and it won't let me type more than a few sentences per post). For algae, the best algae fish are otos and saes, but like bn plecs, they need algae, so unless you plan to purposely grow it, it can be a pain to feed them. Better to manage algae by adding more plants, adjusting light period, etc. As for angelfish, I wouldnt do 4 in a 30. I only have had one before, but I've read many peoples experiences with having a large group in a small set up doesnt work well. Ghost shrimp are awesome, I highly recommend them. They are extremely fun too watch, and neat little guys. Id get like 6 or 8, they add little to your bioload, are good scavengers, and are fairly large which decreases their chances of being ate, and if nature happens and they do get ate, at least theyre cheap. Well I think that answered all your ?s cept lighting, which I cant help with as lighting confuses me terribly.