Schuyler

I'm thinking about setting up a Dean style fry grow out system in a 20 long The problem I'm running into is that all the trays I can find are 12" long so they won't fit Has anyone done this in a 20 long? If so, where did you get your trays?

The female Aphyosemion Ocellatum has a small growth on her lower jaw. I thought it was just her coloration but it has started to grow. It looks like it's still pretty early on so hopefully it's a fast recovery. I'm going to do a large water change and then treat with maracyn

I have heard that those can help to trigger corys to spawn. If you pair that with a big water change (especially if a front is coming in and the pressure is changing). I haven't tried this myself but it seems reasonable

Welcome Bill! Just replace girlfriend with kids and your story is basically the same as mine. Get pulled in bit knowing what I'm doing, failing, looking up how to keep fish alive, finding out what's possible, and getting hooked. Your tanks look great! I really like the sunset look of the background on the second tank (but sure if that's intentional or not)

It looked like there was the start of some possible spawning behavior. She wasn't chasing him away like normal. Maybe the white worms and mildly tannin water are working?

A year in and there's still a pair going strong. They're spawning days are behind them but as far as I can tell they are healthy She was being shy:

What are you doing to adjust the pH? How long have you had the tank and the fish?

Honestly, that part doesn't sound too different from the US. It's probably something like 70% here. The big chain stores really seem to push glofish and bettas (and glo-bettas). Thanks for the in depth response! Interesting, in the US most of our BBS eggs come from San Francisco or Salt lake. I wonder who else produces them. Depending on where you are you may be able to collect daphnia. Keep up the good fight! I think when people see what's possible it may help change their minds.

That's an interesting idea. Like tempering chocolate. Maybe I've missed it but do you keep any microworms or vinegar eels? I also read in Amazonas Magazine that some people will use a small tank to culture microfauna. They'll put a leaf in there until biofilms develop and then they move it in with the fry for a few days. I haven't had tiny fry since reading that so I haven't personally tried it but it sounds interesting.

I've kept mine in a ~15 planter outside for about 9 months now. They exploded in population during spring and summer but they've slowed down in the last few months. My wife told me that the cat must have killed something in the garage. Turned out it was the microworm culture that had gone bad.

The shrimp picture isn't loading for me. In the US, stores often sell clear little shrimp that they call "ghost shrimp" as feeder fish for about 25-50 cents. There are a few species that get lumped together under that name. Maybe that's what these are? It may be a good idea to mix it up a bit more. Maybe some frozen foods like blood worms or you could hatch out brine shrimp.

Welcome! What kind of fish do you have?

Welcome to the forums! What do you plan on putting in your 100 gallon community?

Welcome to the forums! From what you've seen in Aquarium Co-op videos, are there any differences between what the hobby is like in India vs the US?

I heard somewhere that nitrates are less toxic in high pH water. Have you heard this? Can you explain why at a chem/biology 101 level of understanding?

I'm bound by oath to recommend killifish whenever I see a stocking recommendation like this. If you want an interesting breeding project you could go with a Nothobranchius species. They live about 10-16 months depending on species and care. I've kept a pair in a 2.5 and small groups in a 5 with lots of cover. Here's a pair of my Nothobranchius Eggersi: For something that live longer and may be easier to source you could go with Aphyosemion Australe or Striatum. Both are pretty docile and love plants. You can probably get away with a small group but a pair is definitely fine in there and if you keep them fed fry will probably pop up. @Slick_Nick has some pictures of Striatum in his journal here (that's not a Striatum in the thumbnail): Fundulopanchax Gardneri are also very pretty. I have limited experience with them but I do have some closely related fish in a 5 gallon Biotope and they don't seem to beat each other up (at least nothing serious like can happen with Nothobranchius). I think @Fish Folk has some Gardneri. Also clown killis are a good fit and they are shrimp safe. General rule for all of these: tight lid. I had 1/2 gap in a lid. They did fine for a few months and then suddenly something stressed them out and three jumped out and I found them dried out being the shelf. The species I mentioned are the more common ones your LFS should be able to find. If you're adventurous you can look on Aquabid or Dan's fish and you'll find plenty of other cool ones. The best option will probably be too just ask around. If you are in an area with a fish club, ask them and they'll probably hook you up with the local "killifish guy". Odds are they will be willing to share just for the opportunity to tell you about their fish (I got cornered at the club barbecue).

All the tanks got a water change today. The guppies don't seem to be thriving like they should. They may get moved over to the empty range that just has the Chromaphyosemion Volcanum mop in it right now. That tank doesn't have active substrate to pull minerals out of my already soft water. The LFS rescaped one of their display tanks only to find that the scarlet badis in there has been breeding. So now they have female scarlet badis (badises? What's the plural?) in stock. It's a rare chance to get a pair and breed them. Supposedly they are easy to breed if you can actually find a female.

I did my first real water change and removed the charcoal today. It was a bit tricky to figure out the correct level to fill up to. Initially it was too high and that made the pump push more water through and create a current the fish had to swim against. They all huddle up after the water change: There is some visible be growth on some of the anubias. One of the ferns broke of but it's still completely green. My guess is that it was rubbing against the lid when I open and close for feeding. Hopefully the other does fine. If not I may pick up some bolbitus. The palm is breaking down much faster than I expected. The tank used to have a really nice botanical smell. Like some kind of herbal tea. Now it didn't smell bad but it has the oddly distinct earthy smell of raw potatoes. Still no tropical spring tails at the LFS, hopefully soon...

It's been over a month since the last water change and things seem to be doing fine still. The pygmy corys are coming out a lot more. I wonder if the swarms of Guppy fry make them feel safe. It could also be that they are happier because I've started feeding them Sera bottom feeder wafers

I second this! I had a small 1/4" gap in the lid, they got stressed out by a water change, and I lost three of my biggest males. It was there for a while but they just suddenly decided they were out. Live foods and low/indirect light will make there colors really pop. In killifish groups I've seen people joke that they will breed as long as you have two things: water and food

Haha we'll see... So far I've only really had success with annuals. The tricky thing about non annuals is that their incubating time is only like two weeks. You may be more lucky finding some from closer sources.

The one thing with goldfish is that they'll eat most plants you put in there so your best bet is something tough like anubias or something where only the roots are in the tank

I'm going to second @Fish Folk's Killifish suggestion. Your LFS can probably get you some Aphyosemion Australe or Fundulopanchax Gardneri. Both with add a ton of color and plenty of activity. I have Fundulopanchax Gresensi and they love darting around and swimming between plants: A well planted 10 gallon will also be enough space for them to breed and for fry to survive. I've heard that Panda corys can be touchy but I personally haven't kept them.

Tupperware to a 60 gallon with friends, that's quite the transition! Welcome aboard! Colorado is a beautiful place. I lived in Parker and Canon City for a while Have you considered growing plants out of your aquarium. Like pothos, peace lily, or spider plants? It would help remove nitrogen from your tank

Here's another plug for joining your local club. At an auction last year someone brought in a Chromaphyosemion Volcanum. A few weeks ago I asked if anyone had any more (expecting to buy some off of them). It turned out there was someone in the same town as me who keeps them. He gave me a mop with eggs for free and I got the chance to see his fish room setup with lots of rare/uncommon killifish. There are at least two eggs in there. It will be at least two weeks before any fry hatch.