Tinkerpuppets low tech 29g

[tinkerpuppet]

Thanks Oliver77! I should update the specs on this, a lot has changed!

Tank - 29g Aqueon
Filter - Fluval C4
Heater - Aqueon 100w
Light - Hagen Life Glo (6700k) 24" T8
Substrate - Flourite Black Sand
CO2 - none
Ferts - none (osmocote caps to be added soon)

Flora
crypts (not sure which kind)
amazon sword
water wisteria
corkscrew vals
bacopa (carolina?)
egeria najas
dwarf saggitarius
anubias (not sure what kind)

Fauna
10 neon tetras
6 otos
5 pygmy cories
1 female guppy
1 mystery golden snail
3 amano shrimp
A few pond snails I'm growing out for the assassins in my other tank

I'm thinking about adding a few more neons and pygmy cories. My son was still asking for a betta, but I kind of like the harmony of the community right now. And I am in love with the cories! The guppy has been in my family for quite awhile now, when she goes, I'm thinking maybe a male swordtail. I love them, just not sure how one would do on his own.

[tinkerpuppet]

So its only been a few weeks since I last updated the picture, but wow, things are growing like crazy! The water wisteria and egeria rajas are nearing the top of the tank, the vals are growing, the anubias has a ton of new leaves, the crypts are starting to look like real plants and not just random leaves, everything is doing great. I added some osmocote tabs I bought from a member here, I'm sure that has something to do with it!

The guppy passed, and I've replaced her with a couple of dwarf blue gouramis. The lfs guy told me to get two, but I was a bit nervous they wouldn't get along. However they're doing really well. There is enough cover if they want to be apart, but I often see them swimming together. Once in awhile one will chase the other, but so far that's been very rare.

I like their blue colouring, but honestly I wanted the gorgeous orange ones I saw at the store. My 4yo was with me however and really wanted the blue ones, so....

I'm surprised how much I'm enjoying the gouramis. From photos I wasn't that enamoured, but I am so happy I gave them a shot. I've also only had some tetra sized fish, I love how big they are without being *too* big.

My only issue with this tank now is I have no contrasting plants. I tried to get plants with different textures and shades of green, but I need some red stuff or something too. Not sure what I'll do about it, probably nothing until after Christmas anyways. But I'm open to suggestions!