[Brine shrimp hatchery kit]

It’s unlikely you’ll get all the eggs to hatch from those packets. Eggs are graded by hatch rate. Those may be 60 to 70% hatch rate which is considered a low grade.

[Fish in a barrel/mini pond build]

Looking good. It'll be fun to see the peppers and such. 

[C.A.R.E. Tip - Easy Access]

This is awesome, I didn't know this was possible. I'll probably think of some other sites to do it with as well.

[Is it safe to completely swap substrate?]

34 minutes ago, Tanlefan said:

Thanks. Would a safer option be to move everyone into my community tank (assuming the betta gets along with them, he can be sassy), do the substrate change and then wait a while to make sure everything is balanced before moving them back?

This is an option that is often done at the store, easier to just move the fish to another tank, lets the new substrate and plants get established again, test parameters and then move them back. Obviously it's better if all the fish are healthy any such. There is really no "right/easy" way to do it, only having a decent plan in place to have maximum chances at success. 

[Tetras gasping...Help?]

For sure we have losses in quarantine. Sometimes people will be like, you're killing fish! or how are you ok with not all of those rummynose making it? The answer is, we aren't ok and work to improve our success rate every day.  While it's a harsh thought, we consider ourselves professionals and would rather treat an illness and potentially lose the fish, than sell it and have the customer lose it.  Our goal is always 100% success rate with every fish we bring in, at a core level that is how we stay open. We do know that so far we don't know of anyone in the world that can achieve that so we strive to get closer to it every day.

[How I'm Treating Fin Rot in my Betta]

Also know that typically Equilibrium doesn't affect pH and you'll want to use something like crushed coral to buffer that up.

[Is it safe to completely swap substrate?]

I'd say think of it like a liver transplant. Sure if done 100% correctly, it's safe. However there can easily be complications. So if I was wanting to do it on one of my tanks, I'd have no problem doing it. I know not to feed for a few days before and like a week after. Do some extra water changes, monitor things, and in general can get through anything like that cause we do that all day long every day with importing fish. However fort he average person at home, it becomes a loaded question. If people are wondering can I scoop it all out, and put new stuff in and do nothing else differently, then that can't work. 

[Rasbora Mouth Stuck Open]

Looks like it could be broken jaw and possibly an infection starting to set in?

[Brine Shrimp saltwater outdoor Pond Build Log]

Pardon the loud neighbors, but lots more visible brine shrimp today. 

 

 

[What's your dream aquarium product that doesn’t exist?]

Thanks, ordered the reusable IV bag. I had always meant to find one like that, but it never made it to the top of my list. I can't wait to experiment with it. Drip feeding daphnia ponds, drip feeding live baby brine into a tank possibly, can't wait! This will be the most fun I've had with $15 ina long time!

 

[What's your dream aquarium product that doesn’t exist?]

On 7/22/2020 at 9:27 AM, Daniel said:

Like this?

I catch native fairy shrimp from time to time, but never get more than a few when I have tried to raise them. They are huge and so pretty.

Yes, where can I find that aqua dose thing? @Daniel

[Cardinal tetras dying, need help with diagnoisis]

I would agree with making sure parameters in the tank are optimal. Then you could move to meds, after looking at symptoms again. 

[Fish shows in 2020?]

Aquatic experience is no more. They ended that show. There is Aquashella, but it’s been rescheduled twice so far this year. Currently aquashella is scheduled for  November in Chicago I believe. However I don’t think any events will happen the rest of the year at this point.

[1930s historically accurate planted aquarium]

I know at one point to add calcium they added milk to the aquarium. 

[Java fern issue]

Most often people have java fern being out competed for nutrients by other plants. In the original poster's tank, this is highly likely when you add higher light and co2. Other plants just take up nutrients faster. So while you may have enough nitrogen, you are most likely running out of trace elements and others. Stem plants when growing well can grow 6+ inches a day and really just consume the lions share of nutrients and java fern on it's best week grows like 1 more leaf. 

[Snails]

I like ramshorn snails quite a bit. I prefer the pink ones which are just really ones with translucent shells. 

[preserving bulk dry food]

I think this probably does a darn good job. I'm not even sure if there is much of a way to improve on it. The only thing I can think of is using those containers that you can pump out the air, each time you use it after you feed each day, but the gains are probably so small.

[You might be a fish nerd]

If when looking at moving, even your spouse is asking where the fish room will go 😛

[Can you choose just one ? ** Fish Challenge ** 🐬​​​​​​​]

I'd choose guppies for sure 😉

[A few questions..]

2 hours ago, Wmarian said:

I found crushed coral lowers ph,

 

Just to make sure we aren't confusing things, I assume you mean raises the pH? I've never seen it lower pH. 

[Gourami Hiding]

Usually this is related to something like lighting, a ceiling room light on, you create a big shadow, and without the extra fish to show it's safe, it's easier to hide and then come out when the shadow is gone. This can happen from having summertime windows and such open or a TV etc.

[HELP!!!! Hole in the Head. Heximita]

What is the pH at? With that substrate it could be pretty low. I'll assume there is a varied diet. So I'd probably use paracleanse or prazi first for a week and see what that does. 

[Columnaris maybe?]

I'd have a dose of maracyn in the tank with these guys for a week, and keep feeding them well and watch to see if it's gets any worse. 

[bump on pea puffer face]

I'd say have some salt in the tank and have it be low stress and it'll probably heal over time, if it pops the salt will keep it from getting infected.

[Post Columnaris Death]

I personally would just add a bunch of salt to the tank and let it sit for a week or so. I don't really understand the "starting over" thing after illness. If that was a thing, all fish stores like mine would be constantly doing it. We never do that, and don't have any recurring illnesses. Mostly taking simple precautions of letting a disease die out or using extra meds or salt to be sure is  more than enough.