[Bolivian Ram Journal]

I hate seeing our little buddies not feeling well.  You have been a champ for Spike.

[mods/hacks to cover/prevent bubble splash w/ airstones?]

I've been needing to add some lids to my tanks.  The bubbles pop everywhere!

[Just brought this pretty boy!]

He is a beauty.  Congrats.  We just lost our male betta this week.  We need to figure out what to replace him with.

[Kuhli Loaches - Is Sand A Requirement?]

On 9/12/2023 at 2:06 PM, Allan said:

Mine are fine with gravel substrate.  I think I have 9, had them for 18 months now.

We keep ours on gravel also they have been fine.  Just make sure they have lots of hiding spots to get under since it's harder to dig in gravel.  They hide under the sponge filter, wood logs, rocks, etc.

[Bolivian ram - is this a bully behavior or a sign of illness]

@beastie  I'd follow the QT advice above and treat for any illnesses.  You clearly have better luck keeping multiple rams.  Our two, one was dominant and didn't let the little guy eat regardless of what I did.  The small one would hide like yours all day long.  The big one would hunt down and chase the little one.  I bought them at the same time from the same tank.  Even after I separated them the little guy never really recovered.  The big one lives in the community tank and doesn't bother any other fish.

[Hi Everyone! New to the forum :)]

Awesome.  I know they are great table fare but raising them as pets would be really cool too!

[Hi Everyone! New to the forum :)]

Welcome aboard!  This is a great place to learn and share with fellow enthusiasts.  Nice username.  Have you raised them or something else?

[Melting Swords]

ACO recommends root tab fertilizers too.  I noticed my swords seem to like root tabs.  Maybe it's lack of nutrients in the water but they do well with root tabs.

[Easiest way to initially fill a 75 gallon?]

I use the outside hose through a window when filling tanks over 30 gallons.  I have one 55 Gal tank next to the window so when I was filling and rinsing the gravel, etc I just ran the suction hose out the window also.  No difference in inside or outside water for me on city water.

[Let’s get ready for summer tubbing!]

Awesome.  My little tubs are ready for fish I think I just need to figure out what to put in them.  It's been so hot though I'm worried they won't last long.  My tubs have plenty of mosquito larva to for anything to eat too.  So many, if I don't add fish soon, I want to drain and refill to kill the mosquitoes.

[blackened Windelov java fern]

I know it's frustrating watching your plants go through this.  It could be they are experiencing the same melting/dying back like your other plants.  I have some  java fern that turns dark brown/black when it's dying but eventually new growth begins again.  This normally happens when the tank gets out of balance with fertilizer and lighting schedule, etc.  It will usually recover once you get everything balanced again but it takes a couple weeks to see any progress since it's a slow growing plant.  Sometimes it just takes a while for plants to grow in a new tank.  I've experienced melting for several plants.  Some grew back, some didn't.

You are correct that java fern primarily feeds from the water column and doesn't need root tabs in the substrate.  Here is a pic of a java fern going through some die back.  You can sorta make out the brown/black spots on the leaves and some new leaves forming. 

 

It's hard to pin point exactly what is happening with your plants but don't give up.  We have all been there.

 

[blackened Windelov java fern]

Do you think it's something growing on the leaves or do you think they are blackened themselves?

[Trouble growing guppy grass...]

Water parameters are all similar between tanks.  Lighting would be my best guess.  The first tank didn't have good lighting so it never took off I suspect. I've had other bad experiences with "Easy" floating plants so I'm happy this finally seems to be something that grows well in my tanks. 

[Trouble growing guppy grass...]

I had similar issues with mine at first.  I ordered a few times and it just melted away.  I finally had a couple little pieces left and moved them to a newer tank for my guppies and it finally decided to grow.  I floated it and it decided to grow it's own "roots".  Even the parts I moved took root in the gravel in a different tank.  It's now in a few tanks. 

[Greetings! New to the Forum.]

Welcome.  That's jumping back in with both feet on the 75G.  Don't be afraid to ask for help.  Lots of great people here.

[Redpots & Harriet Journal - 7th tank is the charm🪴]

Awesome tanks and terrariums.  MTS is a serious problem 🤣.  

[Greenhorn stocking query.]

Welcome.  Beautiful tanks!

[Continue Use or Discontinue: Moisture in Silicone]

Glad it's nothing big!

[Will this stand hold a 55 gallon aquarium with everything in it]

I would watch this video to get an idea if you think a DIY project is appropriate for you.  You can use the information in this video to adjust to your needs.

 

 

 

[Will this stand hold a 55 gallon aquarium with everything in it]

8 foot is a standard size of a 2x4.  You have to cut it to the size you need.  Roughly figuring, you can build a stand with 6  2x4’s 8 foot long which you will cut to the needed lengths.  One 2x4 8 foot long cut in half gives you 48” which is the length of the 55g tank. Couple 48” boards and a couple 13” boards gives you the top frame.  You want a similar bottom shelf for stability and some legs.  That’s a rough layout.  Adjust each board length depending on how you assemble, etc.  

[Will this stand hold a 55 gallon aquarium with everything in it]

Here is a video of Cory building a cinder block stand.

Fish stand

 

I don’t have any plans but expanding on the 20g example, you would cut the 2x4’s to cover the 48” by 13” size of the 55g tank.   Rough estimates would be around 6 2x4’s 8 foot long depending on how you assemble it.  I used bolts on the legs which made it simpler to build but still support the load.

[Will this stand hold a 55 gallon aquarium with everything in it]

Yes, that project was for a 20g but it can scale up for a 55g easily.  I have used similar builds for my 55 g tanks.  Even using the cinder blocks and 2x4 builds like Cory does in his fish rooms work fine too.

 

[Will this stand hold a 55 gallon aquarium with everything in it]

I have built a few stands but none following plans.  The post above from Pepere is a good thread or here is one using the simple 2x4 method.

First time build

 

[Will this stand hold a 55 gallon aquarium with everything in it]

A simple 2x4 stand isn't that expensive if you want a plain but functional stand.  Certainly under $75 - $100 to DIY.

[Takeover Plants; Minus the Takeover]

Guppy grass is the only thing that has taken off in mass for me and that took a looong time before it decided to go wild.  I was down to 1-2 little pieces from a couple bunches.  It has taken off now.