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Keeping my fish happy: My go-to for putting together a freshwater aquarium
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items What started as a way to keep my betta happy and reduce tank cleaning has turned into a beautiful biology lesson. I love creating pretty fish tanks for happy fish. I’m not an expert, but these are the things that work for me.
Sections
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Hydroponic plants
Fish food
Aquarium set up
Aquatic plants
Hydroponic plants
These are plants (and helpful tools) that stick out of the water with their roots in the aquarium. Their roots help to filter the water.
I purchased this to keep some pothos on the back of one of my tanks. Worked great.
Aquarium Plant Holder
Pothos is so easy and looks great. I love that there are a lot of different varieties.
Golden Pothos - beginner friendly plant- vining plant- Epipremnum Aureum - Devil’s Ivy - Houseplant - easy plant
This one took a little while to get established and it likes getting some time under the aquarium light, but once it got going it is gorgeous.
Begonia Maculata Wightii Variegated Polka Dot Starter Plant
This has been another super easy plant to grow hydroponically. I love the red one in particular.
Red Prayer Plant - Maranta Leuconeura Erythroneura - Multiple Sizes
This plant grows so easily from cuttings, you can just trim a bit off once it gets going and voila, you've got another plant.
Tradescantia wandering jew
This one has been a bit slow to grow but looks great and has adjusted to the hydroponic life pretty easily.
Philodendron Micans Pot 4”. Velvety, shimmery leaves for a luxurious look - Indoor Plants - Houseplant - Tropical Foliage
Best for larger aquariums (I used a large planter like an indoor pond) my monstera adapted to hydroponic living pretty quickly and has been easy to maintain. There are so many different varieties too!
Monstera Deliciosa "Swiss Cheese Plant" starter plant **ALL starter plants require you to purchase 2 plants! **
If I want to hang some plants off the side of my aquarium I have used these. They’re smaller and since they’re clear they blend a bit more than the black version that I only hang on the back.
Milisten 4pcs Adjustable Acrylic Aquarium Plant Holders
Fish food
My fish go crazy for this! I still use flakes also because it’s just more cost effective, but everyone loves the baby brine shrimp and so easy to just drop a little cube in and call it good.
Bio-Pure® Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp
Not all fish food is created equal even though in my opinion most flakes look pretty much the same. These flakes have the nutrition my fish need and also support the red color my raspboras like to show off.
Xtreme Community Crave Flakes | Premium Fish Food for Aquarium Fish
All my betas have loved these. I’ve gotten store bought fancy bettas and wild type bettas who are used to being live fed and they take to these right away. The shrimp love it too.
Fluval Bug Bites Betta Fish Food, 1.05 Oz
Such a helpful addition to a shrimp tank and it lasts forever. Don’t use as much as they tell you, you only need a tiny bit at a time!
GlasGarten Bacter AE Shrimp 35g Nutrients
Aquarium set up
I use this for my planted tanks and I’ve been happy with the results! I will typically put gravel or sand on top of it but it’s not necessary. My plants seem to like it and develop big root systems! I even have used it in an indoor pond with a terra...
Fluval Stratum
These have ended up being my favorite light for the price point. It’s got preset modes and also you can customize it fully. The reds on my red plants look vibrant which is what I’m going for.
Finnex Planted 24/7 Automated LED 30-Inch
I really like sponge filters and the ability to adjust the flow of water and the direction the flow is going. These sponge filters are in all my tanks and have been great so far. I like the course sponge as it gives a lot of surface area for all the ...
Coarse Sponge Filter | Aquarium Filter for Fish Tanks
I love the look of rimless aquariums but don’t love how expensive they are. I have two of these at my house and highly recommend them. They are aesthetically pleasing and definitely sturdy, but are a bit of a better price point than some of the reall...
Long Low-Iron Rimless Aquarium - 12 Gallon
When I was little we had a power outage for days and I lost all the fish in my tank. Since then I’ve worried about filters and thermometers and how to best maintain a tank without electricity. I love that these have a backup battery built in and in s...
Aquarium Co-Op Air Pump with Battery Backup for Sponge Filters & More
This was such an easy, inexpensive way to make an unobtrusive lid for my rimless tanks. I just cut them down to the size I need and use clips around the rim of the tank. Super easy.
Aquarium Lid Hood Fish Tank Cover Grid
These clips are straightforward, you want to make sure you get the sizing right but they’re inexpensive and don’t distract from the rest of the tank.
LINLAN 10mm Aquarium Cover Bracket 12pcs
Aquarium rocks are expensive and they are (for obvious reasons) expensive to ship, but they really change the look of your tank and the type of rock you use matters! If you aren’t too picky about choosing specific rocks, purchasing a set weight on Am...
ChaoLeHo Seiryu Natural Slate Stones 5Lb
I am a sucker for a beautiful piece of driftwood and can get a little particular about what it looks like. I love this site because it offers so many different varieties of driftwood, with measurements, and lets you take a look at individual pieces t...
Types of Driftwood for Aquariums | Shop Modern Aquarium
I have had one of these at my work for a couple of years now. I appreciate that it houses the filter and everything is included to get your tank set up vs. buying all the parts separately. I did swap out of the light for a Finnex one eventually but t...
Fluval SPEC 5-Gallon Aquarium Kit LED
A tool I didn't realize I needed and once I got it I could never be without it. It is my go-to tool for quick and easy spot cleaning.
Fluval Aquarium Waste Remover/Feeder
I have actually bought several of these buckets. They are always half off on Amazon and I use them for both holding water to clean and holding products to carry to and from various places. It’s super helpful to have a bucket for water changes and acc...
Rubbermaid Roughneck 15-Qt Blue Bucket
I’ve had a few of these heaters and they’ve consistently worked for me. I keep a thermometer in my tanks and the temperature stays consistent no matter what it’s like in the room.
hygger Betta Aquarium Heater 10W-100W LED
The cutest little sponge filter and you can’t beat the price. I set up a tiny tank for some shrimp and this was the perfect size!
AQUANEAT Mini Aquarium Sponge Filter, Quiet
Took a chance on a small rimless tank because the price was right and I wasn’t looking to spend a lot on a temporary tank. Works great! The sides in the front are rounded which is a cool feature.
2 Gallon Rimless Aquarium Fish Tank 9.8x7.1x6.3
I’ve used these in my indoor pond to make sure the plants get light. I was worried with the planter type set up the sides were so dark the plants wouldn’t get enough light from the top, and also I didn’t want to have lights hanging on the top of the ...
hygger 24/7 Mode Submersible Aquarium LED Light
I love the aesthetic of a filter less, planted bowl. This little light is good for the wash plants and looks cute!
QWLWBU 10W LED Aquarium Light USB Powered
My go-to for checking my water quality. I love the testing process while cycling a new tank!
API Freshwater Master Test Kit 800-Test
Another go-to for me when keeping neocardinia shrimp!
API GH & KH Test Kit Freshwater Aquarium
It’s helpful to keep tubing on hand for sponge filters, but I also ended up using this for water changes. It goes slowly enough that I can get some of the ground of the tank cleaned up without losing a ton of water and also without sucking up curious...
Penn-Plax Deluxe Silicone Airline Tubing 8ft
I think this is helpful for both intake and outtake valves to both slow the flow and protect any little babies or eggs or just small fish from getting sucked in.
Fluval Intake Strainer Sponge for AC20/30/50
I’ve been lucky to have pretty healthy fish but I try to keep a stock of some of the more common medicines so I’m not stressed and hurrying to find what I need last minute.
Kordon Methylene Blue - 4oz, Fish Disease Preventative
I’ve used this and also just added some plants and a sponge filter from an already established tank to cycle a new aquarium and both work fine. It’s a process either way, but if you don’t have an established tank already this will speed up the proces...
Tetra SafeStart 3.38oz for New Fish Tanks
I tend to try out inexpensive options because if they don’t work I haven’t lost out on much. I haven’t had one of these not work or stop working. Solid choice.
Digital Aquarium Thermometer with Large LCD
I love that this comes in multiple sizes depending on what my aquascaping plan is.
Ultum Nature Controsoil Freshwater Aqua Soil 1L
Great little way to get more oxygen into my tank if I’ve got a sensitive fish or am treating an issue that might affect the oxygen levels.
boxtech Aquarium Air Stone Bubble Diffuser
I’ve been happy with this and have been able to use it in a few different tanks when using it to cover up aqua soil.
Aqua Natural Gold Pearl 10lb Gravel Substrate ...
This has been a great option for one of my 19 gallon rimless tanks especially since the back section is plastic and can be fit around filters and hoses as needed.
H2Pro 20" Glass Canopy 10 Gallon Aquarium
The aesthetic of this heater is great. Since it’s mirrored I literally don’t see it in my tank when it’s behind some plants. My only issue is that it’s a little large even though it’s thin so placement has to be considered a little more.
Fluval M 50-Watt Submersible Heater
These came intact and as advertised!
SunGrow Catappa Indian Almond Leaves, 10 pcs
How I prefer to do an algae scrape.
HOTOOLME 25.6" Stainless Steel Aquarium Scraper with 10 Blades
I actually got this for my shrimp only tank and not for a betta (I prefer a larger horizontal tank for my betta) but I love the aesthetic of the Fluval tanks with filters that feel a bit hidden. The shrimp thrived in here and some hung out in the ba...
Fluval SPEC III 2.6 Gal Aquarium Kit White
Aquatic plants
I was picky about my fertilizer and have been happy with my choice. I don’t need a ton so it lasts and lasts! I didn’t use it for a little while (just forgot) and added it to my blackwater betta tank last week and the water lettuce took off! I couldn...
Easy Green All-in-One Fertilizer
Rooted plants feed heavily from the ground, not the water, and they will deplete the Fluval stratum in not too long. I supplement with these root tabs. The capsules slowly dissolve so they don’t just break apart when you get them wet like some brands...
Easy Root Tabs | Aquarium Plant Fertilizer Made of Enriched Soil
I don’t know how I survived before I had super long tweezers and scissors. They are constantly used. I have a separate set for each aquarium just to make sure no one spreads any germs accidentally.
Aquascaping Tools | Top Quality
A floating plant that is not allowed in all states I believe, I love the way that it looks floating in the water. But I swear my snails and shrimp ate it up.
Salvinia Cucullata
Another favorite floating plant of mine, sometimes it gets adorable tiny white flowers.
Red Root Floater
I love water lettuce although sometimes the roots get a little bit too long for my liking. This one can really take off for me and I sometimes have to throw out handfuls of it so it doesn't take over the tank!
Water Lettuce Live Floating Water Aquatic Plants for Pond & Aquarium
– Aquarium Plants Factory
I've had this one in a five gallon tank for a couple years. It took a little while to get established but it's a great size for a smaller tank.
Echinodorus Small Bear
It's so cute! Kind of a pain to keep in any particular spot in the tank because it likes to go where it pleases, but those little leaves are so cute I don't even mind. Easy to grow, I honestly just stick it in the water!
Hydrocotyle Sibthorpioides (Dwarf Pennywort)
I love Anubias in general because it adapts so easily to being submerged in the water, but coffeefolia is one of my favorites, it's just such a pleasing looking shape and color.
Anubias Coffeefolia
I am also a big fan of the golden anubias because it's such a bright pop of color!
Anubias Golden Vitro Culture
The first time I got this all the stems just melted into mush. I gave it another shot and I am so happy that I stuck with it. It is beautiful and becomes such a lovely pinkish color in higher light.
Bacopa caroliniana 'Variegated'
This is such an interesting looking show stopper. It deserves a central spot in a tank. Mine adapted really easily to my tank and even handled being moved more than once.
Crinum Calamistratum
I love watermelon rind striped plants and this is no exception. Has been very easy to grow.
Dwarf Watermelon (Lindernia Rotundifolia Variegated)
So gorgeous and dramatic looking when all I did was stick a couple bulbs into the bottom of the tank.
Nymphaea Stellata / Rubra (Dwarf Water Lily)