What I've learned in 7 months of fish keeping

[cannedham]

7 months = 7 lessons

1st - A 75 gallon seems big... but it is not when keeping CA/SA cichlids
2nd - There is a ton of information out there, but sometimes you just need to find out firsthand through trial and error
3rd - The day after a water change & cleaning is the best time to view the tank
4th - Live plants look amazing once they establish their root systems
5th - Time and patience are KEY!
6th - JDs and GTs grow SLOW!
7th - UNS Controsand (Pacifica) might be the best-looking substrate I've seen in a setup. Will definitely use in a setup in the future.

The JD and GT are OGs in the tank. Got them around 2.5" and they are barely 4" now.
The Nic/HRP (what it was labeled as in the LFS) is the newcomer.
The JD is always the pale coloration... which I'm assuming is a substrate issue (She is the dominant one in the tank).

Just sharing as much has changed from the original setup in November 2024.

 

[Ancistrus Fan]

7 months = 7 lessons

1st - A 75 gallon seems big... but it is not when keeping CA/SA cichlids
2nd - There is a ton of information out there, but sometimes you just need to find out firsthand through trial and error
3rd - The day after a water change & cleaning is the best time to view the tank
4th - Live plants look amazing once they establish their root systems
5th - Time and patience are KEY!
6th - JDs and GTs grow SLOW!
7th - UNS Controsand (Pacifica) might be the best-looking substrate I've seen in a setup. Will definitely use in a setup in the future.

The JD and GT are OGs in the tank. Got them around 2.5" and they are barely 4" now.
The Nic/HRP (what it was labeled as in the LFS) is the newcomer.
The JD is always the pale coloration... which I'm assuming is a substrate issue (She is the dominant one in the tank).

Just sharing as much has changed from the original setup in November 2024.

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I love the colours on the Nicaraguan, it’s looking beautiful. Is picture 2 the JD, it’s almost unrecognisable?! The tank looks great, I’m also newish and have been keeping fish for 9 months so nice to here what others have learnt.

 

[cannedham]

Yup... picture 2 is the JD. I'm bummed because this is the one fish I really wanted to develop the best color. It would just be a nightmare to change the substrate out in an apartment. Once I'm out of the apartment, I plan to change the substrate to something darker... which will hopefully encourage her to darken up.

 

[FINWIN]

Yup... picture 2 is the JD. I'm bummed because this is the one fish I really wanted to develop the best color. It would just be a nightmare to change the substrate out in an apartment. Once I'm out of the apartment, I plan to change the substrate to something darker... which will hopefully encourage her to darken up.

Just sprinkle some dark gravel and pebbles randomly over the white sand...no sweat!