I am really new at fish keeping (though hubby keeps Koi) really enjoy it, though a major timewasting hobby

Here is a pic of my set up....I have 4 platty and 5 Neon Tetra

Not bad.

Just 2-3 things I would like to suggest however...

1) Asssuming the red plant at the front is Alternanthera reineckii (it could also be Hygrophila polysperma with some red leaves), I'd keep a very close eye on this because without very bright light, CO2 injection and a substrate loaded in nutrients, it will die off very quickly. I'd also keep a close eye on the Cabomba (back of the tank on the right) as this also loves light and also flourishes with plenty of iron.

2) I'm not sure if you're dosing any nutrients for the plants, but if you're not, I'd recommend doing so. I can see that the substrate consists of pea gravel, which doesn't really hold any benefit for the plants nutrient-wise; especially for the Alternanthera, Cabomba and the Vallisneria I can see in the background. Without any nutrients, you could end up with a lot of dying plants.

3) Trim off the transparent dead leaves on the Amazon sword (Echinodorus amazonicus) in the foreground to the right.

All in all, the only things that should be done is to keep an eye on the plants I mentioned above and if you can, get hold of a a good aquatic-plant fertiliser such as Tropica Aquacare+. It will make the difference between flourishing plants and dead ones.

Ok thank you for your helpful advice....will certainly keep on top of that, was maybe a bit hasty with the plants in hindsight

What beautiful fish! Love your tank

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Photography

Not at all, you have picked some very good species. One or two just need a bit of extra TLC to keep them in top form however.

Watch your platties or they'll end up breeding...like mine appear to have done!!!!

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i have this hobby for several years it really can enrich my life how long have you do this i apprecite your tank very much very beautiful

I like your fish tank. It is so colourful. Also I am new to fish keeping. I want to know how far should I change the tank water and fill it with new water. Can any one explain about this?

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crm software l customer management software

Around 10% every week

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What a fab new hobby! Can be very relaxing just watching the fish swimming around. Wish my daughter kept her tank as clean as this one !!

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mel