Who Gives A Fish Forums

How often do you clean the FX6? Gunk buildup can turn it into a nitrate factory. I deep-clean mine monthly, rinse media in tank water. Also, what's your feeding routine? Overfeeding's usually the culprit with nitrate spikes.

sweetpot wrote: ↑Fri May 23, 2025 8:36 pm I dunno, man. My dude's been chillin' in a 3 gallon no filter for months. Just do water changes like every 4 days, use Stress Coat. He's vibin'.

It's great your fish is doing well, but not all bettas are so resilient. Filters are a safety net, especially for beginners.

Filters are a must, especially in smaller tanks. Without one, ammonia builds up fast. I run a sponge filter in my 10 gallon, keeps the water pristine. Also, weekly water changes, 20%, with Seachem Prime.


Agreed. Even in a 5 gallon, a small sponge filter can make a huge difference. Bettas prefer ...

Yep, they can live together if conditions are right. I've kept Discus and Angelfish in a 90 gallon for two years now. Key is matching the water params, especially temp and pH. My Angels are chill with the Discus, but I'd avoid adding small Angels, they might get bullied. Also, make sure your tank ...

It depends on the temperament of your fish. Angelfish can be territorial, especially during breeding. I'd monitor closely for the first few weeks. My setup is similar to yours, 80 gallons, soft water, and lots of Java fern. The Discus and Angelfish ignore each other now, but I had to remove one ...

Conditioning is key. Beef heart's great, but mix in some live blackworms if you can. They're pricey but worth it. What's your tank's footprint? A 40-gallon's good, but make sure it's long rather than tall. Discus prefer horizontal space for spawning.


Spot on about the footprint. A 40-gallon ...

Bare bottom is a solid choice for breeding, makes cleanup easier. I'd recommend keeping the pH around 6.5, soft water works best. Pairing can be tricky, but if you've got a group, they'll usually pair off naturally. Watch for aggression, though. What's your water change routine? Frequent changes ...

Re: Mirrors

Thanks for the thoughtful advice, team. I really appreciate the time you've taken to share your experiences.

I think I'll be sticking with a simple, light-coloured background instead of mirrors. It's good to know that mirrors could be a stress source for the fish.

Thanks again for ...

I'm pretty new to this, so bear with me... I've been searching the forum but couldn't find any info on using a mirrored background - maybe someone with more experience can point me in the right direction.

I usually stick with dark or black backgrounds, but I thought I'd try something different and ...