Hey all,

Well the new tank finally cycled with ammonia and nitrite both zero for 10 days, and nitrate less than 5. I think the addition of some enheim biological filter media made a big difference.

I have added 5 new fish, 2 small bristlenoses, 2 small platies and a red male betta. Everyone is getting along fine, water tests have been good the last couple of days with nitrite at zero and nitrates at about 5. I have also cranked up the lighting with a 10W feature light in my shipwreck and another 8 watts up top.

Now my question is how do i get my betta to eat his betta food and the bristlenoses to eat their spirulina bottom tablets when the guppies and platies seem to eat everything?

Oh and in a month or so I want to add a school to complete the tank, I was thinking either 5 rasboras or glowlight tetras, any suggestions on the pros and cons?

Cheer cheer

Bristlenoses are nocturnal so drop their pellets in just before you turn the lights off. Guppies and platies are middle to top feeders anyway so the BNs should get their share.

Have you any floating plants? Try feeding the main lot out the front and train the betta to come up to a corner separated from the rest by plants (like water wisteria, sagittaria, cabomba etc) so he gets his share tucked behind the plants and the rest can stuff themselves in the front of the tank.

Rasboras or glowlights would be fine.

Sounds good, although the area I can feed my fish in is small due to the lid being cut out of the top of the TV. Last night I moved the pump down a bit further in the tank so the current was not as strong at the top and Jake the betta came up and was fed some of his food which was good.

My bristlenoses are very young and don't appear to have bristlenoses at all, I did some research and they look more like gold nugget plecos than B/Ns is this because they are so young? But they seem happy and content with the amount of food they are getting.

Thanks again

They are lighter in colour when young and don't get their bristles for quite a few months - and then only the males get them.

Bettas do not like strong currents so perhaps moving the pump will be enough. At least you noticed he wasn't getting his share!