From: Christopher
Subject: Re: Pearl Gourami too big?
Yea, the guy who got me into doing this warned me about algea eaters, he told me of one that doesn't grow big, but I don't remember the name of it, if I can think of it I will get the name from him and post it tomarrow[spelling?] I made one major mistake buying the gourami, I am very carefully researching anything else that I am doning. I want happy fish, and I am not doing any fish a favor by bringing it home without knowing about it. Thanks for the advise and keep it comming. I love to learn!
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Pearl Gourami too big?
Hi again Christopher,
I think I can help with algae eaters. The small algae eater you're thinking of is probably otocinclus. They get about 2 inches max. They're sometimes called Dwarf Suckermouth Catfish or Oto Cats.
Good things about otos: they're peaceful, cute, and love the green algae that grows on the glass, plus the reddish brown algae (diatoms) which you often get in new tanks. I have 5 of them (in a 33 gallon) and they are quite social and prefer to be in groups. They'll often swim around in a school.
Bad things about otos: they don't eat hair algae. They also don't eat fish food so you shouldn't put them in an algae-free tank or they can starve. For some reason otos don't do very well in a tank without live plants. They also need a bit of driftwood in the tank to stay healthy as they eat small amounts of it. A lot of otocinclus are wild-caught and in poor shape when you buy them, and some people report die-offs of 50% within the first couple weeks. If they live that long, they do tend to be healthy, though.
Chinese Algae Eaters: I would NOT buy one of these. I wouldn't give a CAE to my worst enemy. They're the commonest algae eater sold and this bugs me because they're about the worst algae eater on the planet. They much prefer fish food to algae and become quite aggressive as they grow. In a small tank they will end up terrorizing your fish and do nothing for the algae problem. And yes, they get big.
With a 10 gallon your algae-eater selection is limited. You could try some Amamo shrimp, if you can find them. They're sometimes sold as algae-eating shrimp. NOT the same as ghost shrimp. You'll know when you find Amano shrimp because they're a couple dollars EACH, as opposed to other shrimp which are a couple dollars a dozen :)
The other option is snails. Snails eat a lot of algae. But they're very dirty, they multiply out of control, and once they're in the tank, they're hard to get out if you change your mind (except for the large apple snails.)
If you don't have live plants, algae can usually be controlled by reducing the lighting duration and doing lots of water changes so nitrates don't build up. Algae tends to thrive on excess nutrients in the water.
For bottom feeders, corydoras are always nice and do a great cleanup job of uneaten food. They are a schooling fish and are unhappy by themselves but you could put 3 in a 10 gallon.
If this is a new tank that hasn't been set up long, make sure you understand the cycling process and the importance of adding fish very slowly. "New tank syndrome" is the biggest killer of fish and can be very discouraging.
But have fun...
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: Pearl Gourami too big?
Thank you so much. I am going to write everything that you have said here down. I had just found the oto's today and yes they are cute. I will look for the shrimp too. I talked to Pet Smart today and they said that they would take back my gourami and give me my money back, so I can put that tward the new light, thermomiter, plant food, and about 10 other things that I need for the tank. I am having so much fun learning about this. I just cant understand why I didn't get into this before. Thank you again for the helpfull info:) Feel free to email me at lordsoth@wildmail.com if you have any other suggestions you think I might want, I wont return emails unless I am given expressed permision, so dont worry about an unwanted spammer:)
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Pearl Gourami too big?
A 10 gallon is too small for an adult pearl, in my opinion, even if he was alone. They get 4-5 inches when mature. With all the other fish, ack, no. Can't see how any of them will be very happy.
Gouramis can be aggressive, but they can also get beaten up... in my experience they're one of the hardest fish to fit into a community tank -- when it works, they're beautiful, but it can take a lot of experimentation before you find the right fit. If the only plan for the 55 is "aggressive fish" it's impossible to know whether the gourami could live in there without more details. They like lots of live plants and cover, and especially floating plants as they like to hover near the surface a lot, kinda like bettas in their behavior.
I suggest you take him back, and if the 55 turns out to be good for a gourami when you get it set up, you can always go buy another one. Right now it looks like you don't have a suitable tank for him. Hope this helps.
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: Pearl Gourami too big?
Thank you, my research has been leading me to this conclusion, and your opinion has helped me to make my desision. I am going to take him back weather they let me exchange him or not. Both my wife and I are animal lovers, and while I want a beautiful aquarium to look at and enjoy, my first priority with any of my pets is that they are happy. Call me sentimental. Thank you again:)
From: Sue
Subject: Ph too high
Hi everyone,
Sue here again. I tested my water this morning is the ph seems to have gone up greatly since I checked it a couple of days ago. Any ideas on how this could happen and how can I get it down to normal again.
Any help is appreciated.
Sue
From: AJB
Subject: Re: Ph too high
Gravel, rocks and decorations can waiver ph levels. Take out any suspected objects and pour a little vinegar on them. If it fizzes than that is what is changing your ph. If it is a decoration just don't put it back in. In it is the gravel than you have to change all of it or it will continue to mess up your ph and make your fish sick and ultimatly dead in the end.
If you have any Q's, ask.
AJB
From: Sue
Subject: Re: Ph too high
Thanks so much, I will give it a go.
Sue
From: Karen
Subject: Another thought
Do you lower your ph for your fish?
Some communities use something, now I am not a scientist so maybe someone else can be more specific. Anyway, it acts to keep the ph high and despite trying to lower it, it can bounce back up. This is why I only keep fish that will do well in my water as is.
From: john
Subject: betta compatability
are male bettas and black tail sharks compatible with each other
From: christopher
Subject: Re: betta compatability
Everything that I have ever heard about Beta's is that they are not compatible with anything. As close as you could get to a compatable tank mate for a beta is something that kills it instead of the other way around.
From: Rachel
Subject: Re: betta compatability
I have my betta in a community tank w/ about 15 more other fish so you are Wrong!
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: betta compatability
Thank you for your comment. I learned something new about bettas. I love learning and I never claim to have absolute answers, well ok I do, but not when it comes to fish:) What kind of fish do you have with yours, and how big is the tank, because I love the look and style of bettas, but untill I saw your reply to my comment I didn't have plans to put them into my community tanks. I am new to all this by the way, just started my first 10 gallon and am dealing with many common begginer problems. any info will help. Thanks again!
From: katie
Subject: Re: betta compatability
Christopher-I only have a five gallon but in it i keep three neons, two glolights, and my betta.
Small schooling tetras aren't a threat to bettas, and my betta doesn't seem to mind them-except when they are eating his food! man is he a piggie!
okay, i have also heard that corry cats, which like to be in groups as well(3) get along fine with bettas-
What doesn't work? Fin nippers like barbs- or other aggressors, and fish that look similar to bettas or also have long flowing fins-
Alot of time each betta will react differently to each community situation-
to make it work, good planting would be helpful-
and i just think maybe adding the betta first and then maybe a few peacful fish at a time is a good way-but most people do think bettas should be kept stricktly alone- I have five others that are:)
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: betta compatability
Cool! Now I know how I can set up a tank for my son! He had a betta, but my youngest son got to it and, well he kinda dumped a whole bottle of food into its tiny little tank. I wasn't told about it till the tank had about an inch of grim inside it and by then it was too late for the betta. Now I can set him up another tank and he wont have to worry about his fish being lonely:) I may even see if he wants to name one of his new fish katie in your honor:)
From: katie
Subject: Re: betta compatability
Christopher-
Just make sure you don't overcrowd-if you add the math up mine is overcrowded-i do waterchanges twice a week to help maintain a healthy tank.
If you have a five be really careful. and only at a few tetras at a time. i wouldn't add any more than i have...but if you went with a ten gallon you could have about 6-8 small tetras, and they would school most likely(mine don't:() and still have room for the betta.. You can add a nice bunch of fake plants, so your tetras feel more secure-
I hear that neons are very sensitive, and glowlights are just a tad bigger and more hardy-there are many varietys that are about 1.5 inches(you probably know a fish in gerneral needs one gallon per inch) There are sites out there that you can search that gives more information about a specific fish size and temperment...
Let us know how it is coming:)
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: betta compatability
I will let you know. I love this sight. I read almost all of the posts. Loads of info here, even if it is just ppl's opinions, I usualy find that more informative than cold "facts" Thanks again:)
From: katie
Subject: Re: betta compatability
i am addicted! i love the site too-and have really learned alot:)
From: cheryl
Subject: Molly in trouble!
Hi, My preg. molly is not doing so good......she breed 35 days ago, and is enourmously fat, she stopped eating, has been having small amounts of white pus bubbles comming out of the vent for 2 days now, and can no longer get off the bottom except for more than a minute. I had to put her in a breeder, cant have the male hounding her. Does this sound normal for a black molly about to deliver? Or do you all think she has a problem? Her Last drop she only had 3 and they were huge, 3 times the size of other molly fry I have seen. Im wondering if perhaps the fry are just too big ! Any advice will be so appriciated, Cheryl
From: Mary
Subject: Re: Molly in trouble!
Please take no offence but I truly HATE this contraction. In my opinion any fish already stress will simple succumb willingly to anything rather than prolong his/her stay in such a constricting apparatus. Again my opinion is that rather than keep the male away I would have ensure he’s availability to stimulate her so that she would be force into birthing. Very strange for mollies not to eat usually they’re pigs eating everything in sight. I would put her in a 5-gallon rubbermaid with an airstone, change 1/3 water daily and feed only medicated flakes. HTH
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Molly in trouble!
Does sound like something is wrong. The white bubbles almost sounds like an infection of some sort. I have never seen anything like it so I have nothing to compare it too.
From: Lindsey
Subject: Re: Molly in trouble!
Is shw with a male?? the eggs are definatly in-fertile- will not hatch-mollies are livebearers so they should hale live young, but in this case, the eggs could not be fertilized and when she got to fat, just slid out. Theres nothing to worry about except buying her a male! ----dont want her to get EGGBOUND-- the infertile egg thing happend to a guppy of mine---i know all about it--
From: cheryl
Subject: Re: Molly in trouble!....Update
The molly dropped her fry last nite, it started around midnight....the first was a large pale yello sac with 3 fry in it...it took her quite sometime to expel it, they did not live, than she had 24 more sacs with fry still in them, none of them survived. [ frowns]...I picked these black mollys after searching for awhile for blacks that looked expecially beautiful and breed them at home, I have bought preg fish, but this is my first at home breeding, so I am saddened and dissappointed. My hubby is very very dissappointed. Mommy molly is not doing well, she is now behind a plant, at the bottom, and her tail is curled sidewaze.....Something went wrong, I will never know what though....my water tests perfect and has for weeks now so its not that.
Mary I only put her in the net yesterday, when she couldnt get away from the male. I also dont care too much for the nets, but sometimes I beleive its nessacery. She isnt eating at all, not even live baby brine, so I doubt she will make it. I dunna know maybe I wont do livebearers again, first the guppy dieing and the C-section and now this....dont mind me folks, Im just feeling like I failed today. But on the Up side all my baby guppys from the C-section are now 3 weeks old, with not a single death, and they are growing so fast, there about an inch long now, which I contribute to daily water changes in there 10 gal, and feeding live baby brine....and there tails have dark lines on them, so I guess that is there color marks starting.....I already have a pet store willing to take them when they are ready. Thank you all for listening to me rattle on, Cheryl
From: me
Subject: cichlids
what types of cichlids will thrive together? i'm getting a 55 and would like to set it up for different types. i know that they are a bit on the aggressive side, so i know roughly come types of fish to avoid. [unless they're meant for food]
From: erin
Subject: Re: cichlids
i have a 75 gal African Cichlid tank and i started with different varieties all from the same area and roughly the same size, they are doing wonderfully but the important thing is the aquascaping. Although mine chase each other around periodically, there are plenty of rocks, caves, etc for each to have their own space. When I clean the tank I move around their rocks and caves a bit which gives them something to do like pushing rocks and finding new spots that they aren't that interested in fighting! It's easiest to start with young cichlids or older ones that were kept together before. My experience has been that the African cichlids are hardier than some of the South American species. Good luck!
From: me
Subject: Re: cichlids
i know that much, i was wondering if anything else could go in there with them?
From: vermonster
Subject: Re: cichlids
Sure...feeder fish.
From: me
Subject: Re: cichlids
lol...i know that, silly. i would like to know if anything else can thrive in there w/o having the fear that they'll be a snack. :)
From: Erin
Subject: plant tank
I have a 30 gal Eclipse twin tube tank I would like to start my first plant tank in...any suggestions for first-timers hardy plants and good tankmates for this would be appreciated!
From: vermonster
Subject: Re: plant tank
I know you dedicated plant people will laugh and call me dumb but the best luck i've ever had with plants were the apongenton and dwarf lily bulbs found at any wallmart or kmart. Other than that all my plants have died over time. I know they're not as pretty as the expensive ones at the petstore but I have wallmart apongenton bulbs still growing that i got 3 years ago. How's that for 3 dollars for a package of bulbs? Guess i AM pretty cheap lol.
Vermontster
From: vermonster
Subject: Re: plant tank
I know you dedicated plant people will laugh and call me dumb but the best luck i've ever had with plants were the apongenton and dwarf lily bulbs found at any wallmart or kmart. Other than that all my plants have died over time. I know they're not as pretty as the expensive ones at the petstore but I have wallmart apongenton bulbs still growing that i got 3 years ago. How's that for 3 dollars for a package of bulbs? Guess i AM pretty cheap lol.
Vermontster
From: AJB
Subject: Re: plant tank
How many watts of lightning do you have?
Good plants for people new to plants would be:
Java moss
Java Fern
Any of the Val. Species
Water sprite (floating)
Water Sprite (rooted)
Water lettuce\
Pennywort
Anything that you know of that take low light.
Plants not to have as a first timer:
Any amazon sword
Any sword in general
Ricca
glosstigma
Moneywort
Most anything with red leaves.
Try to steer clear of tank mates that won't eat meat. I had a silver dollar two months ago and one of my plants just started to repair itself, and it is a fast grower. If you can steer clear of herbevores (sp) in general.
HTH,
AJB
From: Erin
Subject: my first plant tank....
Even though I just started my first tank (30 gal) 8 months ago, i am addicted! 2 months ago I started a 75 gal African Cichlid tank and they are doing very well with the exception of alot of brown algae growing on the rocks in the tank. Is there an algae eater that would do ok in this tank or what else can i do? My pH is about 8.0 - 8.1 and the temp is kept at 80. Thanks!
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: my first plant tank....
Isn't this great! I have no advise for you, because I just started my first 10 gallon tank last weekend, but I couldn't help noticing your comment about being addicted. I am too! I am surfing the net and reading magazines and researching everything that I can to make the best environment that I can. And when I am not doing that I am just sitting and watching my tank.
From: christina
Subject: reply to christopher and erin
addicted? maybe just a wee bit. i started my first tank -- a 55 gallon (a bit adventurous for a beginner, but the bigger the better is my motto when it comes to tanks) about two months ago and am going nutty with it. my husband thinks i've kinda lost it cuz i'm always wanting to go to the fish store to either buy them or buy books about them. i've got my tank stocked with neons, corys, and a couple plecos. i just added the corys and plecos a couple nights ago and i think i've now found my new favorites -- corys. they are the cutest little guys. i've got a 20L i'm planning to get set up in the next month or so and God only knows what i'll put in that tank. my husband wants a red tailed shark in the worst kind of way, but i'm the one who does the water changes and maintenance so its pretty much up to me. anyway, good luck with your tanks and keep your fingers crossed for me, too.
From: Christopher
Subject: Re: reply to christopher and erin
My next tank for myself is going to be a 55 gallon. I plan on putting all small schooling fish in it. I think that it will be realy cool to have about 30 or 40 small fish and or crustations living in a miniatur environment. My wife wants larger, more exotic looking fish, so I told her I would take care of a 29 gallon for her, but I won't let her just "experiment" with different fish. {she wants to just go buy 'odd' looking fish and throw them together and see what happines} But I love all my pets and I want them to be happy and comfortable first and formost. So I am going to have to restrict her on what she is going to get. Well, I have rambled enough:)
I will see you all here :)
From: Bettafreak
Subject: DROPSY!!!:HELP FAST!!!!!!!!
One of my fish has dropsy. I am isolating him and treating him w/ epsom salt. HELP FAST!!!! and 1 more thing, keep him in your prayers...
Bettafreak :~(
From: Mary
Subject: Re: DROPSY!!!:HELP FAST!!!!!!!!
Karen’s advice is excellent. Water quality is the single most important factor for fish health. I have heard of cures solely on changing/maintaining water in pristine condition. If you decide on adding medication the one recommended is kanacyn and if he will eat a medicated BACTERIA food. Tetra makes both pellets and flakes. Here is something I tried to save a fish and it worked; though it was not dropsy. In a bowl with some tank water I opened one of the Kanacyn capsules added the food and let it soak/absorb for about 10 minutes then fed to the fish. HTH
From: Karen
Subject: Re: DROPSY!!!:HELP FAST!!!!!!!!
Ok, first, GOOD LUCK.
You need two containers, either tanks or rubbermaid containers.
Set them both up, filtration is not important as matching water. Day one put fish in bucket one, next day put just the fish in bucket two and disinfect bucket one and reset it up and back and forth. This can go on for weeks and is called the bucket to bucket method. Any meds you use and the epsom salts need to be added in the same doses to each container.
From: Bettafreak
Subject: Re: DROPSY!!!:HELP FAST!!!!!!!!
Thanks! I put in some epsom salt. It seemed to help. I found the antibacter biosphere. My goldfish is in a seperate 1 gallon tank w/ tank water. The things I keep in my my tank are:
salt
stresscoat
amQuel (on occasion)
would those interfere w/ the work of the med? I know tetracycline cannot be mixed w/ any chems, or uit kills the fish. That is why I havent been using medicine just yet. Thank you for your help and sympathy.
Bettafreak
From: Karen
Subject: Re: DROPSY!!!:HELP FAST!!!!!!!!
The med bottles should say waht they will work with and what they won't. At least some do.
Let us know how it goes.
From: Madi
Subject: growth on zebra danio
I hope someone can help me. I have a zebra danio but don't know if it is a male or a female. For the last 2 - 3 months it has had a bulge in the abdomen area.I am a little puzzled what is going on as it is the only danio in the tank. The growth or whatever it is seems to be getting a bit bigger everytime.
Any help would be helpful
Madi
From: Karen
Subject: Re: growth on zebra danio
I am guessing it is a female full of eggs, she will absorb them or lay them without a male. if you have the room and like the fish add a couple more, they are very active.
From: Madi
Subject: Re: growth on zebra danio
Hmmm...curious....how long do fish carry eggs?
From: Karen
Subject: Re: growth on zebra danio
Depends on feeding, water quality, temperature, if they are being conditioned to breed or just letting nature take its course.
I have had them look egg full all the time.
From: cheryl
Subject: tank size measurments???/
Hi does anyone know how to determine the gallons in a tank by the tank measurments? Or know a site that gives info on this? Yesterday my hubby came home with a pleasent surprise for me, 2 tanks complete with hoods, filter systems, heaters and decos. He was bragging, lol, about my fish keeping to one of his customers, and the gentleman stopped back in with the two tanks and gave them to us. I am interseted in finding out the gallon size. I started this fish keeping in June and now its become an addiction...LOL. Thank you Cheryl
From: erin
Subject: Re: tank size measurments???/
lol, I can relate about getting addicted to fishkeeping! I started in April this year and now have 5 tanks! To answer your question,
a)measure the length, width, and height in inches.
b)multiply length by height by width (LxHxW).
c)divide by 231
round this number off and theres your gallon capacity! have fun!
From: cheryl
Subject: Re: tank size measurments???/
Never mind folks, I got the measurments....its a 30 gal and a 20 high. now one more question, can I use my emporor 400 in a 30 gal or 20 high? Cheryl
From: AJB
Subject: Re: tank size measurments???/
Only if you have fish that like lots of current. I have a 400gph by Marineland on my 46 bowfront tank and the water moves pretty fast until it hits the driftwood. I would say no on the twenty gallon. Try it if you want on the thirty gallon, and if it looks to fast than adjust the little grey thing to slow it down some. If it is all but stopped in the filter and it still looks moving to fast, then try the 280gph by marineland. I had one of those on my 46 but it did not move enough water. It is still sitting in my basement in a box waiting to be used/sold/given away/chewed by mice/dropped (ha ha ha on the second to last one)
AJB
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: tank size measurments???/
Hi Cheryl,
You might find this interesting. The aquarium manufacturers cheat when calculating tank capacity.
The volume of your aquarium is figured out by this formula LxWxH (in inches) divided by 231. This is for the INSIDE dimensions, where the water is. So height is from the bottom glass to where the waterline will be, etc. The resulting number is capacity in US gallons.
Tank manufacturers use this same formula, but they use the OUTSIDE dimensions, plus height is measured from top to bottom frame, so a 30 gallon tank holds nowhere near 30 gallons. My 33 holds about 26 gallons, once I've got all the gravel, decorations, and rocks in.
The reason I mention this is because it's sometimes very important, with medications for example, to know exactly how many gallons you're treating. So it's good to measure the tank properly so you have a rough idea of the actual volume, not the manufacturer's fantasy volume.
Have fun with the tanks! I'm jealous.
From: Brackman
Subject: Meds that will not harm the Ammonia/Nitrogen cycle
A lot of meds say that they will not interfer with the cycle of the tank but if you are fighting a bacteria infection, won't this kill the good bacteria? Also, does ick meds, fugus meds, medifix, etc. hurt the cycle? I was looking for a web site that list different meds that will tell if they will interfere with the cycle or not. Any help will be appreciated.
From: Michelle
Subject: Re: Melafix and . . .
Hi, I know for a fact that Melafix doesn't hurt the good bio bugs in the tank. BUT, sometimes it doesn't help all bacterial disease like it says - it is very good in assisting the regrowth of fins and healing sores.
I have used Maracyn2 "as directed" and it DID NOT harm my biological filter. I have also used Maroxy and it did NOT harm the filter either - it is important that they are used "exactly" as directed and I wouldn't mix them like Mardel suggests - since I did that before and it did not work - mixed they WILL destroy the good bio bugs.
This is just my experience with these meds. Hope that it helps some.
From: Ike
Subject: Goldfish & Tropicals
I want to switch my sons tank from Goldfish to Tropical fish. My room temp keeps the water in the 76-78 degree level to begin with. The Calico Goldfish are alive and well, but as I was informed on another website, they just hang in corners a lot. Can I add tropical fish to the tank, since the temp is right and keep these two Calico Goldfish in there too?
From: Mary
Subject: Re: Goldfish & Tropicals
You were not informed correctly. In the proper environment and with proper care (tank size, maintenance and, nutrition) a healthy goldfish will be constantly on the move looking for food. Ideal temperature for FANCY (egg shape) gf is 70-76, they can/do survirve with slightly lower or higher temps. Although others may disagree, they are not suited to remain outdoors in colder climates. Goldfish are not suited to be housed with other kinds of fish but their own kind. Even within their own some are not compatible. Such as, the Black Moor, Bubble Eyed, elaborate head-growth Orandas will find it hard to compete with the other fancy (egg shape) ones for food. All egg shape gf have difficulty keeping up with the faster and much bigger Comets, Shebukins and Koi (koi should only be kept in ponds). Tropicals should never be housed with goldfishes. In the first place they will eat/root through the gravel and find every morsel of food leaving other fish without, could also wound up been a meal to the gf or/and tropicals can harass, pick at the slower moving gf. These are just a few reasons why gf should be with gf only, and by the way they do like their own company so never keep just one. HTH
From: Karen
Subject: You can........
You can and some people do. Is it in the best interest of the fish? Now that is altogether a different answer.
The water is too warm for the golds as you may know and that is why they just hang around. They also have different dietary requirements. Also some fish, mostly algae eaters like to eat teh slime coat of goldfish. They are so slow moving they make easy targets.
From: EEEEK!
Subject: Thin Fishes!
Ive had two fish for like, ages but theyve suddenly gone really thin! They get a good balanced varied diet and they do get their share.
What should I do?????????
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Thin Fishes!
Well, what kind of fish, have you made any changes and how long have yo had them?
They may just be getting old.
From: Kizzi
Subject: Re: Thin Fishes!
Sailfin and Dalmation mollies,
No recent changes to water,
Approximately 1 year old.
From: cheryl
Subject: disaster in fry tank
yesterday I started another batch of brine shrimp, I use the store bought hatchery,but the bottom slipped off about 20 minutes after I started it and what a mess. I had no choice but to move all the fry to breeding nets and put them in the community tank. I than had to drain 90% of the water (I saved a bit of the tank water and have the filter medium soaking in itso as not to destroy my bio bugs)...I added another 2 gal I drained from my 20 gal, filled the rest up with tap water added my aqua safe and will wait 24 hours to re add my babies. I hope I did the right thing. I havent had a disaster like this before and I didnt know exactly what to do. Cheryl
From: Brackman
Subject: Meds that will not harm the Ammonia/Nitrogen cycle
A lot of meds say that they will not interfer with the cycle of the tank but if you are fighting a bacteria infection, won't this kill the good bacteria? Also, does ick meds, fugus meds, medifix, etc. hurt the cycle? I was looking for a web site that list different meds that will tell if they will interfere with the cycle or not. Any help will be appreciated.
From: brackman
Subject: Onion Plant
I have an Onion plant in my brackish tank. The bulb on the plant seems to be rotting, it has a slime on it with dark spots. I was wondering if anyone could help me to solve this problem if it is a problem. Also, should the buld be completely buried or just the roots?
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Onion Plant
What kind of onion is it? There are different species of crinum. C. thaianum is the commonest one with large strappy leaves a bit like jungle val. I have C. calamistratum which has narrow curly leaves. C. calmistratum is often found in brackish water and does fine in it. C. thaianum I don't know.
All the crinums are very prone to rot. Usually they're planted halfway, so half the bulb is above the substrate. But you can do everything right and they'll still rot sometimes. Once they start rotting there isn't much you can do. I had the rot go away one time when I was using Melafix in the tank for a different problem, so maybe Melafix inhibits the rotting, but it could have been coincidence.
From: brackman
Subject: Re: Onion Plant
The plant is a crinum. C. thaianum.
Thanks for the comments
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Onion Plant
I do not know about the onion plant specifically but few plants do well in a brackish tank.
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Bettas with Bettas
I've never done this, but... a lot of people who breed bettas say that males (brothers) raised together who have never been separated since birth tend to be very tolerant of one another and can often be kept together as adults with only minor squabbles. However, if they are separated and then reintroduced, they fight. So they say.
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: Bettas with Bettas
Not a good idea to keep the males together, but it is possible to keep them without one or more of them dying.
But, this does make all the males in the same tank very stressed and will reduce their lifespan by months. Also, you could never introduce a female into the same tank as then she would probably be killed and also the males would fight even more.
Yes, there must be lots of plants.
I agree with Katie, and would never attempt it. For some people it is the only option if they breed and are left with lots of males.
HANNAH
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Bettas with Bettas
Needs to be a large tank and very heavily planted.
I did it once, 3 in a 29. While they did not kill each other they always looked rather ragged. After a week I separated them and decided that was not the bewst experimetn I ever did.
From: Mary
Subject: Re: My brothers swordtails are dying
Have you tested your water parameters for ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte. With that many fishes your water quality is most likely not healthy. How much/often do you change the water and how often/much do you feed? You need to upgrade that tank now, in my area a 10 gallon is under $10 usa. You will also need a filter, the aquaclear mini would be excellent and its under $15. Other stuff are not needed and can be added later as you can/want. Please do get the tank and filter as soon as possible if you wish to save your fishes. HTH
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: My brothers swordtails are dying
There's not much info. in your question.
I am assuming that this small 2 gallon tank is fully equiped with a small filter, heater and airstone.
If not, that is the problem.
I think it might just be a coincidence that the bigger ones are dying, unless they are getting diseases.
Also, what is he feeding them?
You seem to already know that it is important to get a bigger tank.
By the way, even expert rarely get a 100% survival rate, so try to save as many as possible, even if you only end up with 1 or 2.
How many babies are there?
HANNAH
From: Trinia Klein
Subject: Re: My brothers swordtails are dying
There is about 20 or more babies. The tank has everything it needs.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: My brothers swordtails are dying
I am surprised two swordtails would survive more than a few weeks in a 2 gallon, that is going to be part of your problem. If you have decorations and gravel all that takes up water space so you would have less than a full two gallons in there.
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: betta behavior-(pet bettas)
To Katie, I am sure that this is normal behaviour. You seem to know alot about looking after bettas, so don't worry. i think it could be that he is in the mood to breed or the weather over there could be just right for him (e.g. air pressure and humidity, when he uses his labrynth to breath)
To Steph, I personally would say no. I have tried keeping frogs and they are hard enough to look after without having a betta pestering them of stealing their bloodworms.
Good luck!
HANNAH
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: Temperature in a tank-warm
Hi,
Definately not neons - they like temps of around 21/24 degrees C. A pair of dwarf cichlids might be a good choice.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Temperature in a tank-warm
Does it go down much at night?
A 3 gallon tanks temperature will fluctuate more than a larger tank and this will cause stress in the fish.
Not neons but there are other small tetras and barbs that might do well.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: killifish
The problem with small convicts is they will grow.
From: AJB
Subject: Re: Snails???
They come in on live plants. My tank has hundreds of them. The clown loaches do eat some of them, but the best way is to remove them by hand or drop a piece of cucumber in there and take it out in the morning.
AJB
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: Snails???
Yeah, to make sure you don't ruin the balance in your aquarium, I'd just take out any that you can see on the sides of the glass or plants. its the best way. The snails are not really harmful.
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: Betta fights?
As Eddie says, it is just any colours that a male betta could be. Stressing the fish like this, or similarly putting a mirror to the glass will reduce your fish's lifespan.
HANNAH
From: Eddie
Subject: Re: Betta fights?
the three bettas i have in the 30 gallon are about 3 years old...
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: Betta fights?
Well you seem very experienced with betta's, so yours are very healthy and are fine in the set up they are in!
HANNAH
From: Lisa
Subject: Re: tiny worms
i had the same thing in my tank, 3 times! i went as far as to toss out everything, but my fish, and start all over. within about a week, they were back. i did this again and again. then someone suggested a copper base Rx. (aquarisol (sp?) and, so far so good. i do regular h2o changes and only feed every other day, so i really didn't know where they came from. if you don't mind chemicals, this should help. good luck
From: Karen
Subject: Re: tiny worms
If they are what I think they are and I do not know the name, they are harmless. Some fish will eat them.
They are usually a result of overfeeding and not vacuming the gravel often enough.
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: tiny worms
They are most likely planaria. They're a kind of flatworm. They don't hurt your fish, but they're a sign of too much food lying around in your gravel.
Sometimes people have fish die right around the time they start seeing planaria, so they assume the planaria are killing the fish. But what's actually happening is that planaria tend to appear when water quality is deteriorating, and it's the water quality that is making the fish ill.
Do some vacuuming of the gravel. Make sure you aren't overfeeding. Some fresh carbon in the filter will help with dissolved organic compounds. The planaria normally disappear on their own when conditions in the aquarium improve.
Hope this helps.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Life of a betta
Keeping it in a locker will not keep it in good health so its lifespan and health are going to be severly compromised. If you fight it it will lose due to its poor health, you won't be able to keep it healthy enough.
Now I won't even go into what I think of people who fight these guys or roosters or dogs or any other animal, including the two legged ones.
From: Karen
Subject: Re: gold fish colour
This question looks familiar but I will answer it again.
Some change color some don't. Some do only once some every few months. Some do not change til they are older.
So you have 11 goldfish in a 55? 6 small ones and 4 adult ones?
I am looking at my 55 with 4 goldfish and can only imagine how crowded yours must be. My largest is 6 inches not counting the tail and he is still growing (I hope), the others are not much smaller.
You asked if there is something wrong with what you are doing, if I figured out how many fish you have in there that is a big thing you are doing wrong. It can affect their growth and color.
From: Rebecca
Subject: Re: Yipes, what are these larvae in my freshwater tank?
They're probably planaria. If you go to the post called "tiny worms" I wrote a reply about them which might help you.
From: christina
Subject: reply to ajb
yea, i have changed my mind a lot. i've done a lot of reading and this is just how it has turned out. my serpaes were a little 'testy' with my neons and cardinals, but my cardinals all died and after about a day the serpaes left my neons alone. anyway, i really like neons so what i did was get a bunch of jumbo ones -- the serpaes never bothered them at all and now that there are so many neons, i think the serpaes are a little more intimidated. they never bothered the head and tail lights so that was never an issue. all is well and harmonious.
my tank is not fully covered -- back is exposed a little bit so i don't think i'm gonna go with the hatchetfish -- thanks for the input though. any other ideas about top swimmers (somethng that doesn't require a fully covered top)
as always, your advice is appreciated and taken into consideration. i bought the book by gina sandford you had recommended -- thanks again for that bit of advice.
From: christina
Subject: Re: crustiness on tank: Christina/Karen-
i use aquarium salt with every other water change, but only use 1 tablespoon to every 6-7 gallon water change. i'm only using it every other time and so little because i've read and heard conflicting stories about whether or not to use it. some people have said that absolutely NO and other people say YES so i figure i can't go wrong if i just use a little bit every once in awhile. what is your thought on the whole salt issue. here's what i have in my tank:
20 neons 9 serpae tetras 9 head and tail light tetras 6 cory cats 1 pleco
From: Karen
Subject: Salt Creep
Salt creep is where the salt content of the water slowly increases. I use 1/4 teaspoon per gallon in my tanks, with one gallon added fresh. It does not keep disease away but it helps. I have not had ich in a long time but I did get velvet recently, wish I knew where it came from.
I keep Ottos in one of my tanks and they do not like salt but are doing great with this low amount.
I keep my brackish tank at 1 teaspoon per gallon so your betta is in quite a bit of salt. However if he does well I would hesitate to change that.
The crustiness can be salt, I get it on my 55 goldfish tank. it is how I know where it leaks and how bad the leak is. It is a committed leaker and despite my best efforts won't stop.
it can also be hard water depostis which are harder to remove, the salt just wipes away.
From: katie
Subject: Re: crustiness on tank: Christina/Karen-
I keep one teaspoon with my betta in one gallon. They do really well -it is supposed to be good for keeping away disease, and helping to cure some infections-however, i think you are right at adding only a little bit-it will certainly help i think, also your neons i have heard(from karen:) as well as your catfish are more sensitive thank the others to salt, but can tolerate small amounts-
My tiny one gallon houses a betta, and my five gallon has neons so i don't use it in the five also because of Petunia my apple snail.:)
From: christina
Subject: oh yea, i forgot -- it's a 55 gallon tank
n/t
From: Karen
Subject: Re: karen's response to chaulky crustiness on tank
If you are thinking it might be a leak you have to seal it from the inside. Otherwise it sounds about right to me.,
From: Attila
Subject: It was not blue, it was red.
From: Joey
Subject: Re: Compatabilty
two zebras: blue and grey
One sollid yellow
From: Karen
Subject: Re: Karen! Re: Does my plecostimus have
Sorry I am getting back to this one so late, went on vacation for the weekend :-)
I am puzzled to. Have you ever dealt with ich before? You said it does not look like ich and I am just checking to see if you have seen ich?
Looks like eggs, but not like ich. I think I would go with an ich treatment if you are sure he has something, maybe a broad spectrum ich treatment. It is hard to say without actually seeing the fish.
From: Hannah
Subject: Re: Guppy has distended belly, help
It won't be the lettuce, because guppies, like all the livebearers adore vegetables like lettuce and peas. I am sure its not this - it will do him more good than harm!
HANNAH