Who else keeps freshwater?

[Indytraveler83]

Who else keeps freshwater, and if so, do you still really enjoy it?

I used to always dream of having a heavily planted f/w tank. After 2 years of growing it out, I honestly have the setup I want (just wish I could find the fish I wanted for it!)

Curious as to who else keeps both, or who “graduated” from it, and everyone’s thoughts.

Pic included (it’s a bit overgrown).

 

[Hemmdog]

I did fw planted for awhile before reefing. I never really found many fw fish that gave me as much joy to watch as sw fish. Once I made the step into salt I never looked back. I would like to have a koi pond one day though.

 

[Indytraveler83]

I did fw planted for awhile before reefing. I never really found many fw fish that gave me as much joy to watch as sw fish. Once I made the step into salt I never looked back. I would like to have a koi pond one day though.

I somewhat agree. I absolutely like s/w fish more. However I cant get over how awesome a well grown planted tank looks. Can I just keep a bunch of wrasses and clownfish in a planted tank somehow? Lol.

As you can see, my planted tank is heavily planted, but very lightly stocked.

 

[JimSRT4]

I've kept many FW tanks in the past and will again in the future. The wife would like a Cichlid tank ;)

 

[Indytraveler83]

I've kept many FW tanks in the past and will again in the future. The wife would like a Cichlid tank ;)

I’ve had about all cichlids except for African and discus. Very cool fish. If I ever throw my hands up in frustration with my reef tank, it’ll go African cichlid.

 

[OutsideBrian]

I’ve had a few in the past honestly can’t say I miss them after having Sw.

 

[Auquanut]

I still keep 4 FW tanks (3 planted). Just took down my African cichlid tank a few months ago. Planning to take down the 93 soon, but I'm not ready to part with it yet. Just too many tanks. I'm sure I'll always have one or two planted tanks though.

 

[Mono]

I keep them both and love the contrast.

 

[Alex808]

I’ve had planted tanks and a thick packed jungle tank is my first love. My first successful 0 maintenance set up was a lush green over grown dirted 10 gallon with I don’t know how many plants with tons of snails and other critters. Was full of life and I honestly miss that set up. Once I have the budget I plan on setting up a really large planted fresh water again and letting it go nuts.

This is a video of that 10 gallon. It changed a lot after I made that video and then I moved and tore it down. I wish I had more pics of it to show how overgrown it got.

 

[flchamp89]

Fluval 3g and aqueon 10

 

[Indytraveler83]

Not gonna lie, totally geeking at the planted tank photos and videos right now.

My lfs guy thought I was crazy when I was talking tank upgrades, then had to correct him when I meant I wanted to double my planted tank in size, not my reef (yet...).

 

[Sorcha2]

I have one true freshwater tank and a fresh-ish tank. I used to keep more but as fish have died of old age I've torn down my small tanks.

 

[Mono]

They are just different. I like my planted discus tank as much as my reef. In fact, I have learned more about about aquarium design and water chemistry through reefing. But I still like the variety of aquascapes and challenges.

 

[Indytraveler83]

They are just different. I like my planted discus tank as much as my reef. In fact, I have learned more about about aquarium design and water chemistry through reefing. But I still like the variety of aquascapes and challenges.

Discus!!! My “unicorn” fish!!

Can’t wait to get a bigger tank so I can keep them. A 55g is just too small...

 

[Peace River]

I currently have freshwater, brackish, and saltwater tanks. I enjoy freshwater North American native fishes as well as killifish and have bred many freshwater fish of all types (catfish, tetras, barbs, minnows, cichlids, killifish, livebearers, gouramis, bettas, as well as shrimp) in addition to various saltwater species.

 

[Red_Beard]

I have a planted 90 in our dining room, 2 discus, a lone albino barb(used to be a barb tank. Odessas, tigers, rosies... that fish is no joke 10 years old.), 5 black neons, 3 cory cats, and 11 rummy nose tetras. Honestly i love watching that tank too, the rummies all stay schooled up and that contrasted with the discus lumbering around is really peaceful.

 

[ZipAdeeZoa]

I'm actually a freshwater tank person dabbling in reefing, I'm catfish fanatic so I can't do traditional planted tanks mainly because of my two species of banjo catfish (for those unfamiliar they bury in the substrate) but the other like to root around as well. I can only javafern, buce and anubias since they don't need to be planted. I know the fish I keep and the ways the setups look aren't for most people but I like it and more importantly so do the fish!

I've stopped adding new fish or replacing them as they pass recently since I want to travel a lot but if I live long enough to retire you can bet I'll have a catfish room! I'll probably still dabble through the years through. having a hard time not starting an asain themed tank around my lone pseudomystus funebris... Maybe one more...