Tropical Fish Forum

Tropical Fish Keeping Help and Advice => Fish Tanks and Equipment => Topic started by: Deleted User on November 14, 2017, 11:35:00 AM

Title: Substrate and Plastic Plants.
Post by: Deleted User on November 14, 2017, 11:35:00 AM
Over twenty years I've never claimed to be an expert on anything fish related and I get frustrated when I read other keepers confusing newbies on what they consider the best way to go.
Yes, all advice is welcome but I think that as long as the basic rules of clean water, temperature and biological requirements are understood your good to go.
For example, I recently changed from Malawi fish to South American Angels, so rearranging the rocks and bog wood on my gravel substrate , I put in a lot of plastic plants and let them loose.
They just love it, six very happy Angels, no fighting, no damaged fins on substrate or plastic and the tank looks stunning.
All I'm saying is don't complicate it, if the fish are happy and your happy, enjoy being a keeper with no stress.
Title: Re: Substrate and Plastic Plants.
Post by: Sue on November 14, 2017, 02:15:45 PM
I agree. As long as the water is tight for the fish, it doesn't matter what goes in the tank - with a couple of exceptions. I would not recommend keeping fish that sift substrate on anything but sand. I had a Bolivian ram get gravel stuck in her throat trying to sift gravel, so I know what can happen.



But on the subject of water - Malawi cichlids need very hard water while angels need soft water. Are you doing something to make the water softer for the angels? For example, if you have soft water did you add rift lake salts for the malawis, then stop adding it for the angels; or if you have hard water are you mixing it with RO for the angels?