7 Questions EVERY Fishkeeper Should Be Able To Answer

Well hello there!
I thought it would be fun to bring you some questions and see if you can answer them. Some of them might be a bit unusual but, I think they're fun/helpful!
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As always, thank you for stopping by!
Joanna :-)
#plantedtank #fishkeeping #plantedaquarium

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

You are right, Joanna. Research, research, research before attempting something new. At 75, I still do my research. Wise info. Still here and watching to the end. Never a dull video.

[@thesmallscape]

Thanks, Tom. 😊

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

@@thesmallscape I found a great way to fill a tank once you aquascaped it. Use a nice piece of styrofoam. I did it last night and it worked great. Nothing moved because the foam let the water in easy. I never get bored of your videos. Always informative. You have great presentation skills.

[@ItsLaurenE]

💚 I love this video. Yes everyone should have a list of questions they know how to answer properly. No in a "my way or the highway" or "I've been doing this 40 years blah blah..." Know the most common appropriate answer and maybe a few alternatives to it. Troubleshooting is also important for ourselves and to help others.

[@thesmallscape]

🙌💚🙌 agreed!

[@CraigCampbell-lb9jv]

I get my questions answered feom Prime Time, Small Scape, KG tropical, Fishtory, all you guys have helped me grow in this hobby emencly, thank you so very much❤

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Another great video by the Master Aquascaper and Information on every type of fish in the hobby, Joanna with some super great information today. Excellent!!!

[@SequoiaElisabeth]

Been around aquariums all my life, 60+ years. So, I've kept most all the plants and fish available. My favorite fish right now is the tetra, though I have a rift lake cichlid tank which I love too. Really my main focus now is planted tanks because I live in a condo and we have no place to garden. My favorite plant is the Cryptocoryne, I have about 15-20 different varieties. Good video! Thanks for sharing.

[@thesmallscape]

How fun!! Thank you for sharing, Elisabeth! You just can’t go wrong with tetras and crypts 😊

[@Whips_World]

1. Favorite Fish Favorite is tough to answer because it can change based on what youre setting up. However, if I had to pick one, it would probably be the oscar. 2. Favorite Plant Whatever I can keep alive... which isnt much. 3. Favorite Tank Size Again, this is tough to answer. I love my 210, but I like my twin 150s almost as much because of the viewing panel. That said, I went with a 90 on the newest build because 24" plus room for the HOBs would have been too much for the space I had available. But, like the first answer, if I had to answer, my 210 is my favorite. Unless I had a 300. Then that would be my favorite.

[@thesmallscape]

A 300 with a bunch of Oscars and fake plants. Got it 🙌🙌🙌

[@marymendez4178]

I love fish size like endler guppies, guppies, neon's etc. Mountain stones, Spider wood, sand substrate and anubias. I usually add aquarium salt for fresh water fish because it heals their fins.

[@janets9179]

Everything I have learned about keeping fish is from youtube. I like anubias and pothos and cories and bettas and goldfish.

[@reneesmith1900]

💚 freshwater!!!!🎉catching the replay!!!

[@thesmallscape]

💚🙌

[@dragonmomma7145]

💚 been over 20 years since I had a tank and doing tons of research before diving back in. Thanks for all your experience you share. I really enjoy your videos. Fave Fish: swordtails (despite their probs, still love them most with Angels a close second). plant: Val’s Tank size: 55 gallon (One more question we should all be able to answer is how much filtration does your tank require and is it the best type for your tank.)

[@evilone543]

40g breeder, crypts and CPDs - PH is 8.2 and my GH/KH are around 9. The used 60g cube I setup last weekend blew a seam… so this weekend I’ll start over with a brand new 60g cube. 😊

[@growclipbonsaiforseniors1951]

Mollies my favorite. Took me 3 years to get all the disease out of them by mixing and not keeping the same color. Mine are now use to the Windy City water. I feel that by my mixing, they become a bit more hardier. Just my thought on that. The Anubias and the Amazon Sword are my 2 favorite. No. 1 though, is the anubias for my low light tanks.

[@wheelbite14]

Bettas, rasboras, endlers, and bladder snails are my favorite aquatic creatures. My favorite plants have been crypts for the longest time, but I got into anubias last year, especially nana. It's the perfect size for any tank. I have super hard water, so anubias is perfect. Pennywort is a new favorite as well. I have a shallow 8 gallon that I'd say is my favorite size tank. Tiny tanks are easier to clean, and like you talked about, I don't need to buy expensive furniture to support them. :)

[@thesmallscape]

Love your choices - you’ve got all the bases covered in my book 😊

[@davidspears8108]

I think it's important to work out where you trust to buy fish from. I'm in Dublin and I didn't set up a tank until I discovered Seahorse Aquariums which is the most amazing shop with healthy fish and knowledge staff. Favourite fish world be either Threadfin Rainbows or Liquorice Gouramis. In their own ways they are both peaceful showoffs

[@thesmallscape]

Ooh! Great point! 🇮🇪 ☘️ Ireland, eh?! Cool! Those are 2 VERY beautiful fish! I’ve wanted the licorice gouramis since Melanie Holmes got them. 😊

[@ChadGardenSinLA]

I really💚this list - so helpful for newbies like me. I got Anubias nana petite albo variegata 'White' fm a local eBay shop that I'm just 💚ing at the moment. Regardless of what hobby anyone gets into the best advice is 'know thyself', habits, husbandry, and capabilities as well as budget and mental health.

[@thesmallscape]

Lovely comment - thanks for taking the time and thx! 💚

[@noelbrucker135]

💚 Great video. I find myself trying to decide on the fly whether the person I’m talking to wants the real answer (long detailed) or the shortest version possible because they’re just asking to be polite 😂 💚

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Noel! Wow - that is too funny! A great skill to master 😂

[@juliaheinritz3264]

This was one of your best videos. You covered a lot of relative info! When I first started keeping fish a few years ago NO one at any of the fish stores focused on my water type for example. Learning the hard way, I figured out the hard way it was ALL about my well water type!! I have since put an RO water system and learned what parameters I want for my water and fish. I turned to PrimeTime Aquatics, KG Tropicals, an Cichlid Brothers to solve many problems and answere guestions. As they say of a child: it takes a village to raise a fishkeeper:) lol💚💚

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you so much, Julia! So happy to hear it. And, yes, we sure do learn by trial and error.

[@TessasPlace]

I love freshwater aquascaping. I started with one 15 gallon aquarium. I have CO2, good lights and good fertilizers that I use. I thin my plants and propagate new tanks. I'm up to having seven scaped tanks :) My favorite fish? I'm a fan of all my little inverts! Snails, shrimps, crayfish. So much fish-inality!

[@bettababe7836]

💚 just got home from work ( 2nd shifter) another great video...and I'm for fresh water aquariums 😃..and green neons are my favorite too!!

[@thesmallscape]

Woohoo!! 🙌💚🙌

[@user-rk3ue9wz8l]

My favorite fish are angels, favorite plant is ludwigia repens and 40 gallon tank I think is just right, not too big not too small.

[@vampgaia]

Here we go.... 33 long, crypt wendii, lamprologus multifasciatis. Besides all the fish options, I love fresh water because of all the plant and hardscape options. There are so many biotopes you can attempt to mimic if you want. The only thing about salt water that makes me want a salt water tank one day are the soft corals that wave in the current. Another fresh water bonus, summer tubbing!

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Ginger! Yay! Such great choice and points you make! 💚

[@Soccerchick66]

Favorite tank size = 5 gallon Favorite aquatic plant = dwarf hair grass (I enjoy trimming it and watching new grass come up) Favorite shrimp = blue dream neos (started with 6, and now have over 100...shrimp anyone?) Love your videos and the Primetime livestream (we won the giveaway Wednesday night--- so much fun!)

[@thesmallscape]

Love your choices! I do understand about the shrimp explosion 😊. Congrats on winning! We just love giving away goodies!!

[@littlemidwestrebornsdolls]

I go to KZbin channels like yours. Or local fish stores. They specialize in fish. Those are great things we should know. Gina

[@thesmallscape]

😊!

[@estherabrams7274]

Salt or Fresh? Fresh Why? 1. More affordable, 2. Less work, 3. More green. I’m Canadian, and I really miss and crave green plants over the long, cold, dark. (You probably live north of me, I’m in Toronto) Saltwater probably would go better with my decor, I just don’t feel up to it. Favorite Fish: That’s difficult! I have chosen the fish that I have kept for good reasons. Let’s say, my highest ambition fish goal is to be able to take on Discus. Favorite Aquatic Plant: I’m really just seriously learning about plants on this time around. I have kept fish twice before, with long breaks in between. You have personally done a lot for Anubias in my mind, but Diana Walstad has done a lot for stem plants in my mind. I think perhaps the more relevant question for planted tank aquarists is “What’s your favorite plant light?” Near-term ambition: My first Buce. Favorite tank size: I had a small pond once. That was amazing. My near-term ambition is a 60 gallon, I currently have a 30 gallon and 2 bowls, 1.5 gallons each. Recommendations to newbies: 10 gallons is a good, manageable starter size. Don’t try to go Walstad on your first tank, make sure you have good substrate and lighting before you buy plants, get plants from fellow hobbyists whenever you can, don’t choose your first fish in the store, research your fish first. The first thing to know when deciding on a species is How big does it get? Other questions are important to answer, but that’s #1. Finally. Consider the person or people that you live with. You will be doing the work, spending the money, making the choices, but they will be your main critics. If frenetic fish make your spouse anxious, take that into consideration. Try to involve them in decision-making, but not in spending or work unless or until they want to keep their own tank. I have a roommate now who never had any experience with fish in the household until now, in his 50s. He freaks out when I spill water, but seeing me do a water change, I think, increased his respect for the work and commitment I put in. Perhaps in a future video, you could go into more detail about your journey from “Mr. Prime Time Aquatics wife” to “Ms. Small Scape”. 💚

[@sandradolbel2578]

When I get asked why I like fresh water..I get so excited..I pull out my phone and show them my tanks...LOOK AT THE PLANTS..they always ask..are they real...uhhh YEAH they are...I'm a green thumb in water outside my tanks...plants everywhere...and I love creating an eco system...I have sucked a few people into the hobby..#sorrynotsorry 😂

[@laurabustos6560]

I love your #5! It's a resource for all the other numbers as well if someone got into the hobby without some info that they really need, find someone in person or online and ask, then ask someone else. If the answers are different, keep searching. We're all still learning new things throughout our life, no one's perfect or all knowing. ✌️ And I agree w/ you 💯!! Green neon and black neon are my fav tetras too! 💚🖤💚

[@GenXHeart]

Thank you, this was helpful and now I don't feel so bad I'm killing plants. Good news is I still have 100% success with the fish. First tank, 14 Gal cube, Mermaid Beta, Green Neons, shrimp & snails but what is this "Pick your favorite?" In my head next is a long tank with a couple blue Jellybeans because they are SO CUTE ...even if they are mean. Then I need to learn saltwater on tank three because I NEED a fourth tank to sit on my kitchen counter that has SEAHORSES! YES! I will stay home and feed them 3 times a day and my water is perfect for them! I mean have you seen these magical creatures? So ya, I'm on tank 1 but in my head I'm on 4 and I already can't pick my favorite. MTS, is there a support group? ...and money... OOOH! THIS is why people breed. Oh lord, that's what 20 more tanks and a garage remodel?

[@thesmallscape]

Thanks for your comment! Seahorses ARE adorable and magical - I so agree! 😊

[@purposebredlabs1992]

Yes on the betta!

[@BENfromSUNDIAL]

I just got Green Neons and I love them too! Without the red, they look amazing with my Rummynose and Fire Honey Gourami.

[@thesmallscape]

How beautiful!!! What a lovely combo!!!

[@BENfromSUNDIAL]

@@thesmallscape So happy to find them, totally because of you! I just now moved them from 3g Quarantine to 29g Community, and I've never seen happier fish. All over the place, tightly together, and maybe even drawing the Rummynose and Black Neons out after months of hiding in the corner.

[@BrodysBettas]

💚 I think you can guess what my favorite fish is. 😅 Blue Gularis 😅 I like the low boy tanks the best, and I finally got a hold of one! It's 48" x 24" x 13" and it might be a fiddler crab paludarium. I have thousands every summer in my ditch, lol.

[@thesmallscape]

It’s a beautiful fish! The 50 gallon long is also a great tank! Just love ours and a paludarium for those little guys would be super cool!

[@James_NatureAquatics]

My go to reccomendarion on a first tank is always a 60P. Not too large and just large enough to not fight water parameters. I pair that with an Oase biomaster 350 for the perfect match! I agree with research and finding good information can be hard.

[@thesmallscape]

Nice. “The James Nature Combo” 🙌

[@cynthiapoudrette8436]

You always give solid advice.

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you, Cynthia! So nice of you to say. 😊

[@bonniegoodwin5653]

I had to stop and think about this latest small scape. I’m back into aquariums again after about 20 years. Things have changed so much since I was a kid. I’m able to answer most of those questions, except the KH question. I’m not 100 % sure what that is or what kind of test I would have to have in order to know that. I have a master test kit but I don’t think it has that. As for my favorite fish? That for me would be Siamese Algae eaters. It’s a weird thing but they are hardy and happy fish. They are always up to some kind of antics. Although I will say I do love Cory’s too! Thanks for the insightful, thought provoking content. Always a pleasure to see what you some up with. ❤

[@Brensters63]

Great video Joanna! I think the most important thing is to know your water parameters. Current favourites ( but is subject to change): Fish: Corydoras Plant: Anubias Tank size: 29 gallon.

[@carolebraswell982]

These are very appropriate tips for talking points and great ways to be educated and prepared to talk tank!

[@thesmallscape]

Thank you, Carole! And thanks for playing along 😊

[@critterkeeper5099]

Yeah, I can't decide on my favorite fish. That's why I have a tank with CPDs, kubotai rasboras, hummingbird tetras, sparkling gouramis, pygmy cories, normani, gertrudeae and threadfin rainbows. So, I'm not required to choose. 😂

[@thesmallscape]

Wow! What a great selection of fish you have! I admire your choices. I’m pretty obsessed with the wee rainbows of late. Sparkling gouramis are on my must have immediately again list. Those eyes! 🤩

[@critterkeeper5099]

@@thesmallscape I just started back fishkeeping last year after a close to 30 yr break. (Already up to over half a dozen tanks, didn't realize how much I missed all this). Almost none of the fish I see now were heard of back then and I love the rainbows. But I swear the little gouramis and CPDs are as personable as the angels kept ages ago.

[@CraigCampbell-lb9jv]

Ive gotten a few a of my friends and family into the hobby, the more the merrier. I like keeping the Trout Gudeaed sp?😂 Some species are endangered and need our help❤

[@thesmallscape]

Very nice to hear 😊 and the more the merrier is right!

[@msbranen6261]

Since I have a 'nano' attention span (get it?!) These are my favorites at the moment: Tank- 20 long Fish- tetras! And Pearl gourami- but not exactly a nano fish! Those for larger tanks. And neocarsina shrimp not picky- even wild type colors.are cool. Plants - always anubias, but I"m on a bolbitis and crypt kick right now. Info source- members of my local fish club. I probably got the plants and fish from them anyway. I know you said not always google or KZbin - but Ive learned so much from you and Mr. Prime Time! Id probably refer a newbie to Jasons Science videos dor the basics (cuz Im a nerd like that) I like when he mentions the research thatt backs up what hes saying. 💚

[@rhondafitzpatrick1646]

white cloud minnows, 20L, anubias... I win! got all 3. lol😂

[@thesmallscape]

lol! 🙌🙌🙌

[@passingwind2681]

Brains and beauty again, the perfect package

[@Vincent-kx9ze]

💚 Freshwater!

[@thesmallscape]

🙌💚

[@pandora881]

💚

[@leonardpiittinen9946]

Favorite tank size: anywhere between 25-75 gallons because the choices of fish ish MWAH Favorite fish: Congo tetra, beautiful colors, not too much energy and gets to a decent size. Favorite aquatic plants: Anubis’s and Ceratopteris thalictroides

[@thesmallscape]

Ooh - you’ve got nice choices! 😊

[@cherylbelott]

Hi Joanna 😊 This was a great video, chocked-full of all sorts of good info! 😊 I wish I could’ve watched your video when it came out yesterday, it was a busy day; and sorry I have been away from some livestreams. Lately, Wed. nights I’ve either not been able to join, or I start to watch and I have to step away because I’m needed elsewhere. I want you to know I miss it and the fun conversations too! I always want to comment more in the chat (and often start to) but because I’m too “wordy,” by the time I can get what I’m trying to say within the number of characters that KZbin streams allow, the moment in the conversation has passed. I need to learn how to be more brief. 😆 I was trying to say in a comment last night that Lauren got to bring home a betta for a class project. All the students need to properly care for them and try to train them to swim through a hoop. She has it at home for 2 weeks and then has to return the 2.5g. But she gets to keep the betta if she wants to!! She lives at home (not a dorm) so I get to share the love with a new fish friend. Don’t worry, he will be given a proper 5 gallon! 😉 New opportunity to scape!! I’m excited. 😃 He is blue and slightly black with a hint of red. She named him Cosmo. 💙🖤❤️ …hmm I can’t help being “wordy” 🤣☺️

[@thesmallscape]

I see your comments but frequently can’t get a word in edgewise. 🤭. I understand being wordy, i tend to say very little or way too much. So fun about Cosmo! I’m excited to hear how the training will go so keep me posted! Maybe by next week he will work for the circus! 🎪 hope you’re enjoying the warm weather spell 😊

[@cherylbelott]

@@thesmallscape 💚💚💚 This weather has been awesome! I’m ready for spring and all things gardening! 🌱 Hope you’ve been able to enjoy it too. ☺️

[@peetos-chan2835]

👍👍👍

[@debbielukaszewski4207]

Joanna-I have never used Anubis- I am planning on adding some to my tank. Do you glue the roots,stems, or leaves?? Would really like your advice. Thanks!

[@thesmallscape]

Hi Debbie! I like to glue either the rhizome or roots and I try to just use a little bead of it in a couple places 😊.

[@debbielukaszewski4207]

Thank you!

[@Whips_World]

💚💚💚

[@thesmallscape]

High five! 🙌 💚

[@juliaheinritz3264]

❤❤❤

[@thesmallscape]

😊

[@wendihamlett105]

I am so fickle. I guess that is why I have 20 tanks now! I love my 20 longs but the 40 breeders, 75s, 5 gallons.... sigh

[@thesmallscape]

20 now?! Nice! At that quantity one needs a selection of sizes ..well played!

[@DashDrones]

Only one thing I don't agree with. You do NEED plants for the perfect balance. Happy Wednesday!

[@edpereira1908]

💚💚💚💚

[@thesmallscape]

🙌😃🙌

[@theaquariumcurmudgeon]

A fish keeper should know and be able to explain the nitrogen cycle

[@carolebraswell982]

Favorite fish: shell dwellers Favorite plant: tiger lotus Favorite tank size: 36 gal

[@thesmallscape]

😊😊😊

[@jamesparadigm]

💜💙💚💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊🙌💚

[@msbranen6261]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊!

[@nabokovfan87]

💚💚💚

[@thesmallscape]

💚🙌😊

[@jacqueline7938]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊💚🙌

[@Breznelda]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

🙌💚😊

[@Scaperoot79]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊🙌💚

[@lessons9745]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊🙌💚

[@michaelannscecina7080]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊🙌💚

[@KK4PRESIDENT]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

😊🙌💚

[@TaderSamich]

💚

[@thesmallscape]

🙌💚