Trying to help daughter with new aquarium and dying fish

[mommy1]

You can wash the plants in tap water before putting them in your tank, or use a potassium permanganate dip. Tie them down to something in the tank or stick them in the substrate, either will work, but if you stick them in the substrate make sure you don't bury the rhizome, only bury the roots.

[Slaphppy7]

the tank does look good. Perfect for a little girl!

as to prefilter sponges - they're great but make certain you get one that's not so dense that it makes the filter work harder and obstructs the water flow. I used a prefilter sponge on my ac for a while that was so dense, the sides of the sponge sucked in to the intake tube (think of an hour glass shape) and interfered with the water flow into the filter which consequently reduced it's functionality.

Thank you, and thanks for the sponge info!

[Slaphppy7]

You can wash the plants in tap water before putting them in your tank, or use a potassium permanganate dip. Tie them down to something in the tank or stick them in the substrate, either will work, but if you stick them in the substrate make sure you don't bury the rhizome, only bury the roots.

Ok, easy enough...was just reading an article about planting the, and they also mentioned not to bury the rhizome...thanks ma'am!

[gronlaura]

Tank is looking good! If your heater is one that can be placed horizontally or on an angle (some can't, so check your product info), maybe it can be partially hidden behind the house. Then add a medium tall plant to the side where there are none, to cover the rest of the heater. That would also give some visual interest to that side. I like the rocks, as they break up the pink color in the gravel.

[Slaphppy7]

Tank is looking good! If your heater is one that can be placed horizontally or on an angle (some can't, so check your product info), maybe it can be partially hidden behind the house. Then add a medium tall plant to the side where there are none, to cover the rest of the heater. That would also give some visual interest to that side. I like the rocks, as they break up the pink color in the gravel.

Thanks gronlaura!...I like your idea about the heater, here's the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-M-100-W...al+heater+100w

It just attaches with suction cups...I've already got it submerged enough to where the water almost covers it all, except for the temp knob...don't see anything in the description that says it can't be mounted horizontally...I could put it low behind the house...I am thinking of planting java fern all along the back wall of the tank, and letting it grow up and cover that back wall...may help hide the air line tubing, too!...does java fern spread "out" as well as "up"?...don't know how many I would need for that relatively small area...

I like the stones too, they were from a family vacation, so they have a little sentimental value too, IMO...

[gronlaura]

Thanks gronlaura!...I like your idea about the heater, here's the one I have: http://www.amazon.com/Fluval-M-100-W...al+heater+100w

It just attaches with suction cups...I've already got it submerged enough to where the water almost covers it all, except for the temp knob...don't see anything in the description that says it can't be mounted horizontally...I could put it low behind the house...I am thinking of planting java fern all along the back wall of the tank, and letting it grow up and cover that back wall...may help hide the air line tubing, too!...does java fern spread "out" as well as "up"?...don't know how many I would need for that relatively small area...

I like the stones too, they were from a family vacation, so they have a little sentimental value too, IMO...

On the Fluval website, it doesn't say you can't place it horizontally. Your water heats better with it placed that way or on a severe angle.

I know nothing about live plants. I am considering a future shrimp/corydoras tank and will have to learn about mosses for that.

[fishmommie]

I know nothing about live plants.

You could get a couple moss balls for this tank. Very cool and you just plop them in. they add color and green. Also check out the banana plants. Your daughter would love them. Just drop them in. no planting necessary.
but DO as suggested and dip them in something to kill any hitchhiker snails. you don't want trumpet snails in your tank. ug.

[Slaphppy7]

On the Fluval website, it doesn't say you can't place it horizontally. Your water heats better with it placed that way or on a severe angle.

I know nothing about live plants. I am considering a future shrimp/corydoras tank and will have to learn about mosses for that.

Gonna do that with the heater then...

[Slaphppy7]

You could get a couple moss balls for this tank. Very cool and you just plop them in. they add color and green. Also check out the banana plants. Your daughter would love them. Just drop them in. no planting necessary.
but DO as suggested and dip them in something to kill any hitchhiker snails. you don't want trumpet snails in your tank. ug.

We like those moss balls too...have not heard of the banana plants, gonna look into those...thanks!

[Slaphppy7]

Ok, those little banana plants are TOO COOL...wouldn't 2 of them look neat in the front corners of the tank?