Pics of my first planted tank + questions

[Wulfonce]

Thanks for the info guys.

As far as the BB goes, the tank has been running for about 2 months and the water parameters are perfect (plenty of surface area in there for it to grow on, and a lightly stocked tank). What I am wondering, is whether aeration is even necessary. Can I dose with co2 without the filter? Or should I have it on a timer. I'd prefer not running a filter at all, but I want to do the right thing here. The filter that's on the tank in the pics is a small one meant for a 20g tank, every time it shuts off it siphons its water out. making a timed system difficult to do.

 

[Wulfonce]

Update with more pics...


While at my lfs I picked up some liquid co2 supplement as well as a few more fish. I swear I cant walk out of that place without buying more fish lol. Anyways I bought 3 spotted bristlenose plecos and 3 royal blue neon gouramis.

I moved most of the fry into a holding net until they get big enough to not get eaten. Turns out there's way more then 25. I'd wager closer to 80, which surprises me that that amount came from only 4 females. I'm not real familiar with live barers so I dont know if 20 fry a piece is a normal birth amount?

I got home from work just now and one of the gouramis has built a bubble nest in the corner. I wasn't expecting this, which brought up a few more questions.

Is it the male or female that builds the nest?

Will they do this even if they aren't paired off?
I'm almost positive that the fish doesn't have a mate, cause I never see them hanging around each other.

Can you tell which is male and female in gouramis?


More pics.

Whats up bro?

 

[Pyramid_Party]

The male builds the nest just like the male betta does. They will build it even in the absence of a female. IMO you don't need filtration just make sure to have a bunch of plants (weedy plants work best) and do waterchanges weekly. There is plenty of bacteria in the gravel and like Aquapaw said don't do gravel vacs let all the gunk settle in the gravel. I have had a set like this before and works out fine. Try to keep to tank on the understocked side though it will help.