aelphabawest

I second the inkbird temperature controller - I love mine, it makes it so much easier to manage the temperature in the tank. I set the temperature of my heater a little high but not too high (85) and then the temperature of my inkbird where I want it. The inkbird is set to 81F (the temperature I want the tank at) and it keeps the heat at 81 +/- 1 degree. If for some reason the ink bird fails, the sensor on the heater will shut off as a back up. Redundant sensor, less likely to boil my (warm water) fish. ETA: It also has an alarm built in so an alarm will go off if the temperature goes above 86 or below 78 (my settings). As far as heaters, I went through six different brands recently (ugh it was a nightmare) and settled on the Fluval M series. However, right now I'm eying the aquarium co-op heater because it's all black and so is my background. FWIW, I think the life expectancy of a heater is usually only a few years before the sensor starts acting up, but that's based on observation of others on the internet, not personal experience. I tinker too much with my tanks.

Thanks - I hope that's just it. I have central air so it's more or less 75F inside the house all the time and doesn't impact the temperature of the tank with the heater.

Hillstream loach - if it works with the rest of your guys, I haven't checked - is a beast of an algae eater. And really fun to watch. Aquarium co-op's guide to Hillstream loaches.

I have a female german blue ram that came from the pet store so is probably not of the most sturdy stock to begin with. She is in a 20 gallon long with five cardinal tetras (there'll be more eventually) and one albino cory*. There's currently an Aquaclear 50 HOB and a sponge filter rated for 40 gallons running in the tank (so I can jump start my quarantine tank once I get more cardinals). Temperature is set to 81F with +/-1 on inkbird (so, range of 80-82F). It's been this temperature range for the past two months that I've had her. Tank is moderately planted with three arches and a cave to hide in/under. Saturday, I removed and re-homed 6 black skirt tetras because they were bullying everyone and hogging all of the food. The decor did shift slightly as a result, and I did a water change at the same time. Water parameters taken this morning are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, 5 nitrates, pH 7 (this is stable and consistent). Water parameters before the water change were 0, 0, 10-20 (stupid API tests looking the same). I've never let the nitrates get above 20, test weekly, water change weekly. She's been glass surfing since Saturday and her pink belly is fading, although the rest of her color looks normal. She's still eating. This is a new behavior. I'm not sure if she's glass surfing because of the water change/slight shift in environment, or if there's something else going on, but it's sad to watch her so stressed out. Does anyone have any ideas? *This is a long story. I know there should be six of them, basically this is the only survivor of a total of 12 albino corys from the pet store in one very frustrating and sad bad batch from their supplier. Even the fish person at the store said they're having problems with that supplier and she's trying to find a new one. I'm kind of waiting and seeing with the albino before I buy more or decide to rehome him. I know they max out around 80 so the temperature isn't the best match with a GBR. But this guy is why I don't want to raise the temperature more than it is.

Hello all - I am running through the quarantine trio for 6 black skirt tetras that I've had for two weeks (the water parameters were not stable and I didn't want to throw too much at them at the same time). The fish showed no symptoms of anything prior to starting the quarantine trio. Yesterday, I started the quarantine trio. This morning I have one fish that has some white pin pricks on him and I can't tell if it's leftover powder from the quarantine trio or possibly ich. Either way it's already being treated for it technically speaking, but if it is ich should I start treating for ich beyond the quarantine trio and separate out the fish further? Water parameters are currently ammonia: 0; nitrates: 0; nitrAtes: 5ppm. pH 7. Temp 79F. Hardness 6.7dkh. All of these parameters have been stable for the past week, other than slowly easing the temperature up from 77F over the course of a few days because the next fish I'm introducing likes it warmer and I want them used to the temperature. Any thoughts appreciated, thank you!