Supermassive

"I generally use about 6 to 1 slower uptake rate ratio for non CO2 tanks but the fish loading can change this ratio. Basically the non CO2 tank grows 6-10x slower than a CO2 enriched tank." I was going to go off that for my uptake and dosing. I don't remember him saying specifically how much less to dose for non CO2.

@Mmiller2001 I'm going to have read that several times to really understand it but my brain is already processing after the first read. It seems like CO2 injection is your best friend. It makes it much more of a formula.

@JoeQ I'm trying to learn more but I feel like my learning has slowed a lot since the beginning. I think I've got most of the general beginner info from YouTube and now I don't really now where to get more information other than asking on the forum. I actually did read a book about aquascaping too, which really is incredible for me lol. What are some of your favorite sources for learning about aquatic plants?

@Mmiller2001 Thank you very much. I think it might be worth it to get one of the Week Aquas based on the prices I'm seeing. For some reason the 30" finnex I need is really expensive on amazon.ca and I would have to pay a lot of shipping and import fees to get one from amazon in the US. Ill look into some more. Thanks for the suggestions. The tank I'm getting the light for doesn't have a light right now. I'm not trying to pick a light that will help my plants I'm just trying to pick one that looks good in a reasonable budget. The tank is in the kitchen so everybody is going to see it so I'm considering buying a nicer light for it. Still looking into it though.

@Mmiller2001 Can high end lighting be used with a rimmed tank and a lid without hanging it? And if your just doing low light with no CO2 would it be a waste to get a quality LED?

Would the fluval 3.0 make the list or is it the brands like ADA, Chihiros, and Twinstar?

So incredible it made me laugh. Is it the lighting that makes it look so good or having super clear water, or are both very important? It looks incredibly vibrant compared to my tanks.

@Colu I found a store in Canada that sells API E.M. Erythromycin and API General Cure. Are those proper medications? Would they be good to have on hand if I cant get other meds?

@Mmiller2001 No CO2

@Mmiller2001 If I do mix my own phosphorous solution what ppm would you recommend for a target in my tank?

I change about 40% water every week and I think he has a decent diet.

@Colu It was a cyst. It ruptured yesterday. The wound looks good today. I can barely see it. Is that fairly common for an injury or could it indicate poor water quality or some other issue?

When my previous betta died I thought it was my fault. The more I've learned the more I think he was just old when I got him. I suspect your betta was also older when you got him and there's not really anything you could have done to prevent this. I'm not an expert though. The only advice I can give is to stick with shortfin bettas. From what I've read and heard they tend to be healthier. And if you must get a longfin betta I would pick one that is on the smaller side so you know its not that old.

I feed him frozen bloodworms. I haven't looked much into cultivating live foods. I only have a couple tanks with fish so idk if it would be worth it for me currently. Yeah it really does hurt. I'm really sorry your betta is struggling. 😢 My previous betta, my first fish, passed around August this year. I only had him for around 4 months. I really tried to do everything right but couldn't save him. I took it pretty hard.

I should have done that originally but I didn't think about it. Amateur move. I will remember this. Thank you.

The top of this post is from soon after I originally got him around September. The bottom is a new issue that just came up. Hes been doing very well in the tank since the end of November up until this thing now. I feed him a mix of 3 different betta pellets. Two different Northfin betta pellets and some Aqueon betta formula pellets that were recommended to me by someone on the forum. I mix them together in a small container and feed him 6-8 pellets twice a day. They're all 1mm. I also feed frozen brine shrimp and blood worms once a week or so. Its a 10G tank. AC20 filter turned all the way down.

@Colu If I squeeze a dirty cycled sponge into the sponge filter will it cause a big ammonia spike?

Ah okay I didn't know that. That is interesting. Are all orthophosphates treated the same by plants or do they absorb PO4 the best? I still don't get why you only account for PO4 and not P2O5. Maybe they cant predict what compound it will form so they just leave it as P.

@Colu I think another problem is coming up with my betta. Yesterday I saw him sorta thrash again. He only did it once that I noticed. I watched him closely the rest of the day and didn't see him do it again so I figured it was just random. But this morning I woke up and noticed a small white spot on his left ventral fin about 1-2mm so now I'm concerned there actually is an issue. I also noticed there is like a white string hanging off the spot. Can you tell what this might be or does it need more time?

I get that. What I meant was if you mix tap water and RO or distilled water should that be stored in a cool dark place

Should this also be done if you premix water

I have a scale but it only goes to tenths I believe. I could make a mixture but it would have to a bit more concentrated to get a precise measurement or I could make a large volume like 1 liter but I think it would be easier with a smaller container and a smaller more concentrated dose. I've never done this before so is there anything I need to know? Do you just mix it with distilled water and it will last forever? I'll keep using the flourish until I run out and then ill look into some dry options.

Its saying less than 1/64. Its about 55 milligrams K2HPO4 for 1ppm PO4 in my tank.

@Mmiller2001 @JoeQ If I was going to dry dose KH2PO4 how would I do that in a 10 gallon tank since I need such a tiny amount? Add some to distilled water and use that as a sort of liquid fert? Or is there a better liquid phosphorous I could use instead of flourish?

Ah okay I see that now. Thank you