Saltinthedesert

Woke up today and there’s a large fuzzy spot on one of my Chili’s. Anyone able to tell me what this is? It’s in my shrimp tank so most meds are out, right?

Was feeding my King Tigers tonight and decided to watch them for a bit. Then I noticed something I hadn’t before. Haven’t adjusted/photoshopped or otherwise edited this photo of my l333 other than to trace the lettering in the second picture. What in the world. 🧐 Am I crazy?

Full recovery. Doing well and eating again. Salt bath for a few days shrunk him down considerably but his color is back and the white markings are now fully gone. Thanks y’all.

Update. He survived a week in the salt bath. Put him in a breeder box to help transition back into the 75. He ate some zucchini, so I put him back in the tank. 24 hours later, his back and dorsal fin have a white marking he didn’t have previously. Is this infection or just healing process from whatever he had before?

I would consider what I’m seeing now a marked improvement!

Eyes have definitely gone down. Belly is still pretty round but not inflated like yesterday.

Alright. Moved him to a salt bath. Here’s hoping.

Again, “normal” is the pic above on the colored gravel. Not sure why the forum flipped the image but it is what it is.

These are a bit better.

I recently merged 2x 29g tanks into one 75g and just before I transferred my breeding pair of BN plecos, I noticed the male was SUPER bloated in his belly. The pics are before and after, but I don’t have a great one of him inflated. I tried giving him a shelled pea (a common remedy for constipation) but he’s not interested thus far. I’ve read dozens of blog and forum posts about salt being helpful but also dangerous for scale-less species. Many suggest halving the dose but few say what a safe dose is. If I was going to treat him in a 5 gallon hospital tank, how much salt, how often, and how long? Thanks.

Got it. Yes, the filter that will be used in the 75 (a Magnum Canister) is currently in (and admittedly overkill for) the 30.

About a week away from combining two of my 29g tanks into one 75g tank. Species are friendly and temperature/pH compatible. I’m wondering what tips/tricks you have for this sort of transition. The only equipment I needed to buy for the 75g was a light and I have that. I already have a filter, new substrate, and heater that are rated for the 75 but they are being used so is there a way to move over things without buying stuff I’d only need for the week or two to swap? I’ve heard that putting the old filter in the new tank can speed up the cycle process but I don’t want the old tank without it too long. Basically I’m trying to make the merger happen as smoothly and as quickly as possible without any unnecessary delays, but taking the time to do it right. Is it worth putting a small amount of water that comes out during gravel vac in the new tank to seed it? Input and questions welcome.

Super helpful everyone. How many “salad bar slices” of zucchini would you put in everyday for 50 fry?

Had my chocolate/standard bristlenose and Albino bristlenose meet each other a few weeks ago and disappear almost immeadiately. Shortly thereafter noticed about 50 baby plecos (in both colors) all over the tank. The tank is cycled and about 9 months old. Water changes every 2 weeks. Everything was uneventful until a few days ago when I noticed a dozen or so dead baby pleco bodies on the bottom each day. Water parameters are solid, pH hasn’t moved from 6.8, temp has been consistent around 75°, no ammonia, metals, or nitrite. Nitrate around 8. I’m wondering if there wasn’t enough biofilm and organic matter for them to continue growing. There’s maybe 4-5 left. Sad to lose so many. The rest of the tank is chugging along (yellow shrimp and endlers/guppies). Question 1: how much would you increase food in the tank for 50 baby plecos? Question 2: theories on the mass deaths?

Trying my first big-boy tank (75g planted) and have run out of budget so I’m hoping to grab a few half or partial bags from folks who have put substrate in their tank and kept the leftovers. Happy to come to you in the Seattle area and willing to pay a bit for the materials too. Thanks!

Yeah the steep face is what’s giving me pause.

I knows it’s early but if any of you pros out there want to weigh in I’m all ears. It’s just under 3”. Looking to rehome the fish and would like to be as descriptive as possible. Thanks!

......and he’s dead.

Ive lost a few cherry and tangerines this week. This tangerine tiger was looking pretty dead this morning (white and opaque) until I noticed he’s still moving a bit. Can anyone see anything visually why they are dying? I’ve lost a few this week but never caught it in action. Weekly water changes tank is 7 months old. Water levels: GH: 10 Nitrate: 0 Nitrite: 0 Ammonia: 0 KH: 20 pH: 6.9 TDS: 218 Temp: 74° Tankmates: chili Rasboras, Norman’s Lampeyes, 1x BN pleco.

I have this internal whisper filter (40i I believe) with lots of Endlers and yellow shrimp having babies. How do I modify the bottom to make it safe for the tiniest of critters? I’ve heard “put some foam on it” but where? What kind of foam? Specifics are helpful. I don’t want to restrict the flow and burn the motor. Thanks.

Also, no ammonia spikes, KH, GH, PH, and TDS have been consistent. Only the Bloody’s died. Other reds are fine.

I’ve had a cherry shrimp tank going since Covid started. Added some Bloody Mary’s 6 weeks ago and they have done great. It’s fairly planted and I have chili rasboras and a pleco in there. I had the tank around 77° to encourage breeding but haven’t seen results so a few days ago I turned the heater down and it slowly dropped down to 75° over 2 days. Both of my highly colored females have died in the last 24 hours. I’m a little baffled. Has anyone heard of such a subtle temperature change being lethal?