Skirt Tetra Community Tank

Right now, I've got four. Two white skirts and two blacks. But I plan on getting more shortly; I'm just adding them two at a time to minimize the chances of getting some kind of unwanted chemistry change. (I've been testing using an API test kit. Ammonia had a small spike when the white skirts wwer introduced, but it returned ro zero ppm within a day or so.)

I think I remember that, now that you mention it. Thanks for the advice! I'll have to get them fixed tomorrow.

Speaking of, might you have any advice for those Argentine swords? I'm pretty sure I've got all of the requirements for their growth, bit leaves (even new sprouts) will grow really well and then start to decay. Any ideas on what I could try? I'd really like to get taller plants in there, and these seem like a good fit.
 
Yeah you need to pull the swords ferns and crypts up. The fern rhizomes need to be above substrate. The crown on the swords and crypts needs to be above the substrate as well. The crown is where the stems start and roots are below.

Nice looking tank :) good to hear your ammonia returned to 0 in one day, that is a cycled tank :)
 
Gotcha. Just went through and fixed them; hopefully now I won't have as many decaying issues. I really like these swords, so I really hope they do well in there! I have them anchored to the spiderwood at the moment. If they're anything like java ferns, that should allow them to get some good growth in, right?

Thank you! I really appreciate it. This is the first tank I've really had to plan and set up, so I'm glad to hear it's up to par! ;)
 
Well, what I could see looks nice! I forgot to say that before oops. You need to plant swords in the substrate, they like a root tab fertilizer near each plants roots. Expect some leaf die back, they're usually farmed with the leaves out of the water (emersed) & will lose those leaves as it adjusts to submerged. New leaves will also likely be smaller & maybe not quite so pretty, less red or spots,etc.

Can we have a full tank shot please, when you get time? I know you were trying for fish & plant shots but I like an overall look too.
 
Thanks! Dang, these swords are a little bit more picky than the, you know... anubias that just grows wherever you put it, lol. I do really love the look of them, though. Thank you again for the information! I'll have to get 'em fixed up tomorrow, I suppose.

Yeah, absolutely! I already switched the lights over to the "night lights", so I'll take a picture of the tank tomorrow, if that's alright?

Speaking of the fish, they're absolutely wonderful! I know I've said it before, but I am so glad you were persuading me to get a 20g. The fish appreciate it too, I'm sure. It's so much fun getting to watch them interact, especially since they all seem to have their own personalities and favorite sections of the tank. =D
 
Yep, swords are more difficult than java ferns & anubias; those need almost no care. Happy swords can be worth it, they're not really "hard"...in the right situation.

I very happy you found a tank size that works for the fish you want to keep :). Keep us updated on your tank & skirts...with pics
 
Yeah. Even if the plants are a little extra work, I would go planted any day over an unplanted tank. They just provide so many benefits that I wouldn't know why you wouldn't want plants in there.

Sure thing! Here's a picture of the tank. Sorry about the weird angle; I was trying to minimize the glare from my window.

DSCN2533.JPG
 
Also, the short white skirt off to the right (he's the one that was hiding in the spiderwood in one of the earlier photos) seems to be abnormally aggressive. It's (I'll just call it "Shorty" from now on so I don't have to keep writing "it" and "he/she") taken the whole area around the spiderwood for itself, and chases every other fish away from that fourth of the tank, except for my other white skirt. Shorty breaks off from the group more than the others, and goes and sits in the middle of the wood.

And then I have this one little black skirt that's almost... testing Shorty. It just keeps swimming over to the same area over and over, and gets chased away every single time, yet still insists upon getting right next to it until a chase starts.

Weird little dudes. Awesome! But weird.
 
Awesome tank, looks great!
 
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