u/Artistic_Program1263 — reddlx

So as a follow-up to this post - https://www.reddit.com/r/Planted\_tanks\_India/s/QNxHA97tvm, I managed to get a tank of 2 ft X 1 ft x 1 ft, along with aqua soil, sand, a bluepet filter, a 16W LED light and some plants.

Its been around 4 days and the plants are slowly growing. I keep the light switched ON for around 7 hours. I had some 3 very small snails, looks like pest snails, but their numbers is upto 10 now. They do seem to feed on the bit of algae that is appearing.

I had the following queries;

I plan to buy a water test kit, especially to check on Ammonia. Any experience with Bionix?
Should I buy Beneficial bacteria? Any recommendations?
Any other tips to check if the tank is cycled?

I am not looking to add any fish for now, as I want to focus on plant growth. I may get some cherry red shrimp though.

Thank you.

Hi all,

I have been into this hobby as a kid along with some lovely fishes like goldfishes, red-tailed shark, silver sharks, widow tetras, tiger barbs, loaches and sucker fish. After that there was a break of almost 20 years and now I want to get into the hobby again. When I look back, I realise my fish combinations, as well tank sizes were totally wrong back then.

I plan to start small, thinking of a 1 ft x 1 ft fish tank, with a back hanging filter. I would like to have some suggestions for the following:

1: type of soil

2: type of plants

3: Any filter brand suggestions

Fish suggestions? I do like dwarf or moonlight gouramis, so thinking a pair, 3 pairs of either mollys or guppies or swordtails??, 2 pairs of loaches, a small sucker fish and some cherry shrimp.

5: fish food brand suggestions

6: any other accessory / maintenance tips

I am based out if Goa. Ww do get soft water.

Thanks in advance.