Chick-In-Of-TheSea

I agree. Plant melt is common because the plants in this hobby are raised emergent (partially out of water). When they are completely submerged they will go through a melting period before they spring back. ACO plants usually don't, in my experience, because ACO allows the plant to melt in their tanks and then recover before selling. Just makes it easier on the buyer to have success. However, they do include a little card with the plant shipment warning that plant melt "could" occur. Just in case. Not sure where you got the plant, but give it time.

I think he will like that. And try to keep the light off as much as you can so he can rest.

A bit of Stress Coat could help. Perhaps some aquarium salt at level 1 and monitor progress. I think your net idea was clever. Instant breeding or emergency isolating area at no cost. 🙂

I already have some knitting plastic mesh, so we are good in that department. I do have ONE java moss on sinking mesh on the bottom and 2 microswords, but there is a lot of plain sand. Haven't noticed any rooting activity, but when they were doing their mating dances, they were swimming through the java fern, which they normally don't do. They normally swim around the java fern. I suspect some eggs are in there. I put some floss around the intake, secured with rubber bands. To be clear, I'm not intentionally breeding these guys. They just decided it was time, so I'm trying to care for any fry, if they should hatch. I have a batch of infusoria going in a jar. The java moss is fluffy and has been branching out some. There could be some eggs in there, as long as the snail doesn't run the vacuum over it.

Thank you for your advice! I learn something new every day on this forum. So many helpful tips. Happy fishkeeping!

You may want to add a lid in case someone gets any more curious!

My HOB filter is rather strong. I need to brainstorm how to fry-proof the intake somehow.

I didn't see any drop so they must be tiny. I did notice they were going through the java ferns though between mating dances. They don't usually swim through the ferns, they usually just swim in open water, so I assume she was laying the eggs in those plants.

How do you think I can keep eggs/fry safe, or look for eggs? I have a sand bottom, plants, driftwood, and 2 snails that are constantly on the move. Should I move the adults to a breeder box after I see their mating dance? Or move any plump-looking adults? And would they drop their eggs after being moved (stress)? What's the timeline between mating and egg laying?

Um…Guys? I think we have some magic happening here. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1_uTjqOa7VHpcqpSL7ChH786IcFPIxgn2/view?usp=drivesdk https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ilv45huWVZEVJa5MBRy1-lt0AQO-eCu6/view?usp=drivesdk

In my main tank the snails ate it.

Thanks. Yeah, I have seen it on driftwood before but then it looked more a slimy goo than this flaky stuff. I know biofilm is a good thing, so I will just leave it there. The heater and airline tubing that it is noticeable on are the new items in the tank.

Ok thanks! Next question. All the fish are looking healthy but I noticed this white film on the heater cord and airline tubing. Any ideas? I also noticed some of it flaking off and floating around during the water change. Looked like white-ish clear fish food flakes but it is not food. The only treatment in the tank was paracleanse. That was a 5 day treatment followed by 30% water change per box instructions. Conditioner is Aquasafe plus.

I’m sorry, Bev. I love the little snails so much. What a sad day. I know the snail had a nice life in your tank with you looking after him.

I would recommend continuing with water changes to keep things under control (see test kit instructions for acceptable levels) because you have fish. If you didn't have fish, it would be a different story.

I recently watched a video by a snail breeder/lover and learned some tips. If a snail is sick it can be taken out of water for no longer than 15 minutes, then put back. (The snails have an organ that they use to breathe air.) This is called an air bath and the breeder said it is the only medicine for a sick snail. During the 15 minutes, the snail must be kept on a hand towel that is wet with tank water. Do not let the towel dry; ladle some more tank water on it if necessary. After the snail is put back in the tank, it should resume activity. The breeder mentioned nerites have trouble righting themselves if they are upside down, so when placing the nerite gently back in the tank, make sure to put their opening downwards. Good luck! 🙂

I've always been curious, especially since I live in the mosquito capital of the US (FL), how does one control mosquitos around ponds? I saw there are neem rings that can be dropped into water sources, but I don't know whether or not they are safe for fish. Anyone have any experience with this?

Lately I've been tempted to create a luxurious paradise 🌴 tank, then go into neglectful "chain store" and adopt the sorriest/saddest looking betta in the tupperware cup and give it an EPIC life 🎉. Heck, I have a quarantine tank now so why not do some good deeds?

I want to build a nanoscape vase too. What type of substrate do you use?

I agree with everyone about the overcleaning. Biofilm (beneficial bacteria) forms on objects in the tank, and it's beneficial to leave it there*. Be careful when following any filter media change suggestions. You'll want to make sure you always have cycled media in there so you don't have to go through New Tank Syndrome again which is likely to cause more fatalities and illness. So if you decide to change media, maybe just change half, wait a month, then change the other half. *Source: Walstad, Diana. Ecology of the Planted Aquarium.

I hate to give medicating advice. But I do like to use this attached chart at least for identification of disease. I don't use the brands they refer to. Instead I use the ones that are called the quarantine trio on Aquarium Co-Op's shop. I also made myself notes about this chart and what the medications it recommends actually do. Then I find the equivalent Aquarium Co-Op medications and just use those because I trust Co-op's products. I like this co-op article about medication: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/faqs/how-to-use-quaratine-med-trio

When you say you had a fish just "wither away", that sounds like wasting disease to me (parasite). The fish will have no other symptoms other than getting skinnier over time.

Nerites go above the water line all the time. It's part of their normal behavior. I don't think the issue is air since you said you added a second airstone. Do you have a heater? When you do your water changes (with water conditioner to dechlorinate), are you making sure the water you add to the tank is the same temperature as your tank water? (I use an instant read meat thermometer to check the tank temp, then I also use it at the faucet when filling my bucket). Fish do not tolerate temperature fluctuations very well. When you first bought your fish, did you float the bag in the tank to help them adjust to temp? (Another way to do it is through drip acclimation)

What kind of fry are you raising? I was trying to look at the statue decor you got going on too, but I couldn't see it all.