Maggie

On a YouTube video Cory shows how to "bag" the sponge under water and lift it out which keeps the mulm in the bag. You gently lift the sponge and work the bag under it with your other hand, then lift out.

I tried a cling-on background but it was too shiny, so I went with black posterboard.

I found a place that had replacement handles for these tops when I misplaced mine, but can't remember if it was on the Aqueon website or somewhere else. I think I just googled "replacement parts for Aqueon glass lid" and something must have popped up. Good luck in your search.

Gorgeous fish! Yes, my betta Cosmo underwent a dramatic color change after I got him. February 14, 2021 March 5, 2021 Couple days ago

I don't go fishing, so maybe this is common knowledge. They say it's less stressful than trucking them in. https://www.abc4.com/news/digital-exclusives/who-says-fish-cant-fly-aerial-stocking-places-fish-in-lakes-via-airplane-drop/

I've been packing up my fish supplies in preparation for selling my house and moving approx 450 miles north - house going on market in about 2 weeks and is expected to sell very quickly, so the move is probably around September 1. This box is being shipped. It's mostly spare items used with my other two (rehomed) tanks and fish, but a couple/3 new aquariums are hopefully on the horizon. Here's my plan for Cosmo. He will stay in his tank until the day before closing. I'll be in a hotel a couple days before then, and will set up the 5 gal minibow for him there, where we'll spend 2 nights and leave in the morning the day after closing. I was planning on transporting him in the minibow, but apparently it is better to transport him in a little "betta cup" type container in the beverage holder in the front seat, to avoid being sloshed around, so I'll do that. It's about a 9 hour trip including stops. Have to drill some holes in the top: Some plants, the heater, sponge filter, and of course his thermometer (and my digital thermometer!) will join him in the minibow, and the rest will go in a bucket with the hardscape and gravel, tank water and an airstone, as it will be in there at least 48 hours. He won't be fed the day before or morning of the move. I'll set up his tank immediately upon arrival so he can get settled back in quickly. I have heat packs for his cup ride north, spare air pump, battery, and towels. I feel like I'm missing something as I have never moved fish. What else needs to be done? I did his water change this morning and he's been ramped up all day. The only red on him now is that slight red at the base of his anal fin, and the only white is on his face, and a single white scale on his body.

My first thought was whoever wins this might do that.

Why do koi plakat bettas change color; do they all change color; and can their eventual color be predicted?

July 7, 2021, Jeopardy, double jeopardy round, three very bright players. Category "not to be confused" for $400: "Origami is the art of folding paper; gourami is one of these creatures". Nobody chimed in. ☹

I have the same product and mine does not smell like that at all.

Wow! 😮

Hi Steve, I think you could call a LFS or an "aquarium design, service, and installation" company and they might help you. Summertime is slow for fish stores, from what I've heard from Cory and others. I'd try that, and if they said no I'd try a moving company that advertises expertise in moving aquariums. Good luck!

I just recently donated 8 guppies to my LFS. It's a well-known store and I think they only pay well-established local breeders, but thankfully take donations. Anyway I went in one day and asked who to speak to about donating guppies, and the guy told me he had to set up a tank for them and to call the day before bringing them, which I did. So maybe just approach the fish manager or store manager at the big box, and explain your issue, show them photos, and hopefully they will take them. Unfortunately it doesn't sound like you have many options. Best of luck!

What IS it with bettas and inanimate objects? 😄 Cosmo does that when a ramshorn gets near his thermometer or catappa leaves. Yesterday I added some marimo moss balls that I took out of another tank before it was rehomed, and when one rolled a little after stopping on the bottom, he started to attack that too, until he figured out it is a plant! (Well, to him it's a plant). Now that this is my only aquarium, I really do wish he was nice enough to have fishy tankmates. Cory cats - I want cory cats.

Wow, they were really going at it in that video! I couldn't help but notice the cute cory cat with the heart-shaped spot on his tail just moseying on by minding his own business.

Today I helped break down my 45 and 20 tanks and move them to their new owner's vehicle. This is a fellow LFC member who has big plans for the fish and tanks, and that makes me very happy. He took my angels last month, and now they're thriving in a 125 and he said it appears they've paired off. We were able to get the tanks out to his car with the fish in them and I am so happy about that!! He is going to keep them in their respective tanks while he finishes setting up a 275 that he was already working on, and the rasboras will go in that tank - they'll be in fishy heaven on earth in a tank that size! All I have left is Cosmo - now I'm going to go cry. Some day I will have more again.

Good luck with whatever choice you make. I read that an hour in warm, flat beer makes them "drunk" (anesthetized) at which time you can use bleach or another method to kill them painlessly. This was based on reports that they did not loosen their grip immediately, the way they do with hot water.

Today I brought 8 young firecracker guppies to the LFS - donation only! Kevin said they were gorgeous! But it's all good, sorta, because I've decided now is the time to put my house on the market and rehome my fish and tanks. I already have a LFC member taking everything - fish, shrimp, plants, tanks, equipment, decor - except for Cosmo and his tank. My neighbor put his house on the market just a few days ago, and it is already pending sale well above asking price. I was going to wait until next spring but have decided to see if i can sell mine now. I have very mixed feelings about this whole thing. Devastation of having to get rid of these tanks I've put so much time and money(!!!) into, but relief that the fish I have fallen in love with will have a home, and I am free to move on a moment's notice when the house sells. I might be able to start over again in my new home if there's room, but will at least have my precious Cosmo. 💔💔

Aquarium Co-Op has done videos on betta community tankmates and I think cory cats are on their list!

My oldest danio male and female "fry" - half grown now and more like teenagers (~4 months). Top - female, bottom - male. Their color is stunning compared to when I bought their parents at about the same age! Adult male in pic for size comparison Danio kids all moved down to the bottom with the grownups now. Shrimp in pic for size comparison

My betta loves frozen blood worms, and if you thaw them out first they sink pretty quickly. He also likes Hikari micropellets which sink after soaking for a few seconds. I hope Cal recovers soon!

This heat wave is a BEAST in Maryland. My central AC broke and I'm using a portable unit which is not able to keep up with temps in the mid-90s for days on end. Inside the house it has been up to 88 degrees from mid-afternoon to late at night. I've unplugged the aquarium heaters and aimed fans at them with tops up, but they're still getting probably uncomfortably warm and there isn't much I can do. I am most worried about the danios, who definitely prefer 70-75 but are sweltering at near 80. None of us are sleeping very well the past several days.

Stopping by to say hello as he swims around his beloved thermometer. (I have a digital but he insists on keeping this one.)

This morning's blue sky is so beautiful, and there's a constant homogeneous buzz of cicadas in the air, from near to far. Zoom in to see them - those farther away look like white spots. It's not a "plague-level" pileup here, but they are everywhere, and are clumsy in flight so they fly into your face and body and weird out your dog when trying to walk or play outside. What a special treat to witness this rare event!