Who Gives A Fish Forums

Yeah, sponges are chill for small setups. I run a canister on my 55 gallon but keep a sponge in there too, just for backup.

I'd wait at least 48 hours to be sure. Even with seeded media, new tanks can be sketchy. Test ammonia and nitrite twice a day. If they stay at zero, you're golden.


Yeah, but if the sponge was healthy, it's kinda overkill. I've tossed sponges into new tanks and added fish same day. No issues if ...

If you're gonna add shrimp, make sure your tank's cycled and stable. Cherry Shrimp are colorful but sketchy with Gouramis—they might get eaten. Nerites are safer, just don't expect 'em to clean the whole tank.


True that. Also, if you're into weird vibes, try some Mystery Snails. They're big ...

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll definitely consider the Neon Tetras and Gouramis. Any thoughts on adding shrimp or snails for cleanup?


Yep, Amano Shrimp are solid for algae control, and they won't bother your fish. Nerite Snails are also a vibe—they're tidy and won't overpopulate ...

Yo, sandpiper, you gotta check out some Neon Tetras and Dwarf Gouramis. They're chill, colorful, and won't mess with each other. Throw in some Cherry Barbs for extra red pop. Just keep the water params steady, around 76–78°F, and you're golden.

Thanks for the tips, everyone. Gonna try the priming trick and check for clogs.

I've been struggling with my gravel vacuum lately, it keeps losing suction halfway through. Anyone got tips to keep it going strong? Using a basic siphon with a 20 gallon tank, sand substrate, and a bunch of Corydoras.