Hello, I’m so new to the aquarium world that a year ago I didn’t even know that you could grow plants in a fish tank, so please excuse my potentially stupid questions …
So, I hate my tank! It’s just dull, and the white sand was the single worst decision I’ve ever made, having moved in what I can only describe as poop machines I find myself trying to vacuum up their mess at least twice a day because seeing it lying on the sand drives me insane. The main issue with this is, I’m very short and my tank is very tall, so I struggle to reach in and end up either half in the tank on a step ladder or with a sore back from trying to stretch but I understand how important it is to keep the tank free of waste. My plants also don’t seem to grow, but they don’t die either.
I currently have white coral sand as substrate, with various types of plants along the sides as I’m slowly building the amount over time. I have two ornaments and a large piece of drift wood with Java fern attached to it which stands upright in a corner. It’s a 300l slim, tall rectangle shaped tank which is home to Balloon Mollies, Dwarf Gourami, Angels and Sword Tails. There are also 3 yo-yo loaches.
I know it’s not ideal to be messing around with the tank after I’ve added fish, but they’ve been there for months and I didn’t know all of this was possible until after they’d moved in. I really need advice from people who know what’s what!
1. Is there a better substrate? I’ve seen tanks with what looks like little black/dark brown balls which look amazing, ideally I’d like something that will allow my plants to grow healthier etc but that also won’t make the poop stick out like a sore thumb in between vacuuming.
2. Are there any alternative substrates that will be amazing for the plants and fish, that I can add to the tank now that it’s established? I do have three other tanks running that are under stocked but I’d rather not move them for weeks if I can avoid it.
Thank you for any advice you can offer, and I apologise for being so clueless!
So, I hate my tank! It’s just dull, and the white sand was the single worst decision I’ve ever made, having moved in what I can only describe as poop machines I find myself trying to vacuum up their mess at least twice a day because seeing it lying on the sand drives me insane. The main issue with this is, I’m very short and my tank is very tall, so I struggle to reach in and end up either half in the tank on a step ladder or with a sore back from trying to stretch but I understand how important it is to keep the tank free of waste. My plants also don’t seem to grow, but they don’t die either.
I currently have white coral sand as substrate, with various types of plants along the sides as I’m slowly building the amount over time. I have two ornaments and a large piece of drift wood with Java fern attached to it which stands upright in a corner. It’s a 300l slim, tall rectangle shaped tank which is home to Balloon Mollies, Dwarf Gourami, Angels and Sword Tails. There are also 3 yo-yo loaches.
I know it’s not ideal to be messing around with the tank after I’ve added fish, but they’ve been there for months and I didn’t know all of this was possible until after they’d moved in. I really need advice from people who know what’s what!
1. Is there a better substrate? I’ve seen tanks with what looks like little black/dark brown balls which look amazing, ideally I’d like something that will allow my plants to grow healthier etc but that also won’t make the poop stick out like a sore thumb in between vacuuming.
2. Are there any alternative substrates that will be amazing for the plants and fish, that I can add to the tank now that it’s established? I do have three other tanks running that are under stocked but I’d rather not move them for weeks if I can avoid it.
Thank you for any advice you can offer, and I apologise for being so clueless!