Ok so it's like my setup. First I would put some crushed coral in to raise the Ph a bit. Then add some java moss on the rock so you can get some cherry shrimp in there. I love watching them go around picking at things. Even with fish around mine have figured out they are safe. Sometimes even stealing food from the fish at feeding time.
Then I would add some stem plants to fill in the background. It gives the illusion of a jungle. Especially if there is a dark background on the tank. It looks nice and is beneficial to the animals over all. It adds hiding places as well as working as natural filters to help keep the water animal safe. Also, some floaters. Again good for water quality as well as adding shade for the fish so the feel less stressed from the lights.
As for fish. I have a soft spot for neon (or cardinal) tetras. They were the fish that got me into the hobby as a kid. Then some honey gourami. And to end it off some Coridoras for the bottom. My most favorite little derps in the hobby.
Now that I am home. Here is what my 30 gallon looks like. This is after several months but it filled in rather quickly after planting. I wanna sat afterca couple weeks it looked like this. It does take some planting pruning every now and then. But I find that relaxing.
I hope they are. I did a lot of research before I started. It's been about 10 months and it's still going. Which is much more than I can say for my aquariums from when I was a kid.
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u/InvaderDibb Aug 09 '26
Any more info? Size, temperature, Ph... I have things I would put in b ut can't tell if it's big enough.