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MaxM

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Everything posted by MaxM

  1. Hi All - perhaps someone has experienced the following. I am pretty diligent when it comes to monitoring water parameters and doing water changes (Including cleaning my sponge filters 3 days after vacuuming the tank). I keep my parameters within a healthy range and it rarely goes up above the first signs of concern. Two things, however, are always high. One is the water hardness, but I've learned to live with that being that in my country the water in general is hard and the fish here have adapted to the hardness. Believe it or not, even Discus are sold here and have adapted to the hardness of the water (21 dh). My problem is NO3. No matter what I do the NO3 is always between 50-100mg. 50% and even 75% water changes never bring it below 50mg. Does anybody no if that is normal in certain parts of the world? Being that it is not as dangerous as NO2 and also being that I do regular water changes should I worry about this at all?
  2. I am no expert, but I have some thoughts here. 1) Did you see the links below? Maybe they'll help. 2) If they don't help at all, then maybe consider the following: Have you checked the tap water that you add to the tank before adding? Do you treat it before adding it? Perhaps you need to add bacteria enhancers? Perhaps you need to add stress coat? 3) You have a beautiful tank. I really like it. However, I'm wondering if all the floating plants may be preventing oxygen from entering the water. I learned that what is necessary for oxygen to enter the water is movement at the surface of the tank. Maybe an air stone may help. 4) I didn't notice you mention what type of filter you have. What type do you have and how often do you clean it? Are you careful not to clean the filter pads with tap water, but rather with tank water? 5) I once say a video where the guy stated that he couldn't understand why his fish were dying even after treatment and multiple water changes. After a while he discovered that when he left the top off the fish stopped dying. Maybe try that? i hope some of the things above are helpful to you. GOOD LUCK! https://www.petco.com/shop/AjaxContentNavResultView?catalogId=10051&langId=-1&storeId=10151&contentPath=%2Fcontent%2Fpetco%2FPetcoStore%2Fen_US%2Fpet-services%2Fresource-center%2Fhealth-wellness%2FUnderstanding-Erratic-Swimming-in-Aquarium-Fish.html#:~:text=If your fish is flashing,a parasite known as Ich.&text=A fading in your fish's,of skin or gill flukes.
  3. @Joshua14 I am also raising corys. Unfortunately, I lost a lot of them. Started with approx 60 and now have about 12 left. This is my first time raising them. I'm wondering why you only fill the tank half way. Also, what did you feed them. I couldn't get my hands on live Baby Shrimp, so I had to rely on a powder version of baby shrimp.
  4. Ok. Here's a weird one for you. A while back I spent time on line trying to determine whether my Angelfish is male of female. Based on the info out there I determined that it is most definitely a male fish. Well, yesterday my "MALE" Angelfish decide to prove me wrong by laying several hundred eggs on one of the Anubias leaves. I was going to write asking advice about what to do because "SHE" is terrorizing any fish that comes near her eggs; especially my swordtails. However, I woke up this morning to discover that all the eggs were gone. I have a feeling that my Pleco decide to feast over night while she slept. Don't know for sure. With that said, here are my questions: 1) I only have one Angelfish and I've had her since she was the size of a quarter (she's roughly 3.5 inches now). Do Angelfish lay eggs periodically even if there are no males around or is this a case of immaculate conception? Perhaps this is a confused male fish after all?! 2) What is the best way to handle this issue in the future (assuming the possibility that somehow the eggs were fertile)? Do I cut the leaf off and move it to another tank? Do I relocate all the other fish and leave her to tend to her eggs? 3) Now that there are no more eggs, will she understand that there are no eggs left to protect and calm down from her hostility towards the other fish? Do I need to move her out for a while? I was planning next week to buy a Blue Gourami to add to the tank and introduce it in about a week or so. Should I wait? Looking forwards to your answers.
  5. @Axona I'm finding it interesting how many people got into the hobby because of Covid-19. With all the stress that it is putting on our lives it's interesting how much fish allows us to relax. I never knew. Also, I wonder if stores have gained or loss due to Covid. On the one hand, it is harder and more expensive for them to get the fish. On the other hand, it seems that a lot of people are getting the "I want fish" itch. Thanks for your comment. :)
  6. I am no expert, but it looks like it might be "Hole in the Head" disease. These links might help determine if that is your issue. Good luck! http://en.wikipedia.org//static/favicon/wikipedia.ico Head and lateral line erosion - Wikipedia EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG Gmail ACCOUNTS.GOOGLE.COM Gmail is email that's intuitive, efficient, and useful. 15 GB of storage, less spam, and mobile access.
  7. The other possibility is "Swim Bladder Disorder". See this: http://www.thesprucepets.com//static/5.61.0/icons/favicons/favicon.ico How to Treat a Swim Bladder Disorder in Aquarium Fish WWW.THESPRUCEPETS.COM Swim bladder disorder refers to issues affecting the swim bladder, rather than a single disease. Affected fish will inappropriately float or sink.
  8. @Hobbit I was under the impression that Honey Gouramis were yellow. That fish does not look yellow.
  9. If you do a google search for "Honey Gourami on side" a lot comes up. I did a lot of research for you and it appears that it is most likely, "dwarf gourami Iridovirus". This issue actually is a big problem in Australia. Unfortunately, my understanding is there is little you can do for it other than removing it from spreading the virus to the other fish. 😞 See the following links: http://www.tfhmagazine.com//Areas/TFH2NA/img/TFH_Favicon.png Viral Aquarium Fish Diseases | Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine WWW.TFHMAGAZINE.COM A longtime aquarist and current Curator of Fishes at the Toledo Zoo describes the illnesses that may afflict your fish beyond the commonly seen... (scroll down or search for "dwarf gourami Iridovirus") Problem in Australia: Detection of dwarf gourami iridovirus (Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus) in populations of ornamental fish prior to and after importation into Australia, with the first evidence of infection in domestically farmed Platy (Xiphophorus maculatus) - PubMed PUBMED.NCBI.NLM.NIH.GOV The movement of ornamental fish through international trade is a major factor for the transboundary spread of pathogens. In Australia, ornamental... HOPE THIS HELPS!
  10. My son discovered one of our Fry swimming funny. I realized when I saw it that it was sick and quarantined it. I added Methylene Blue and Acriflavine to treat it. Afterwards, I did some research to see what it is that it has. It appears to me that the fish (and possibly others in the tank) are suffering from "Whirling Fish Disease", a parasitical disease that I understand attacks the nervous system and causes deformity and often death. The main signs seem to be a deformed skeletal body and/or erratic swimming in whirling or jerking motions. Below are links to two videos showing this erratic swimming behavior. According to what I found on one sight it says, "There is no known cure for fish infected with the whirling disease parasite." However, on another site it has a list of treatments. Unfortunately, not all those products are available in my country. I'll have to contact my local aquarium store and ask them if they know what I can use. Whirling Disease (Myxobolus cerebralis) in Fish WWW.AQUARIUM-POND-ANSWERS.COM To end off, one of the sites I visited stated that it is highly contagious and I believe that one of my fish in my main tank is suffering from it too. MY QUESTIONS TO ALL OF YOU ARE: Have any of you ever experienced this? Were you able to save your fish? Is it transferred hereditary? It is possible that the danio in my main tank that is deformed was the parent of these fry (didn't see when the eggs were laid). One of the things it mentions to treat with is Sodium Chloride. Are we talking about regular table salt or do I need to order special? THIS IS HOW MY FISH IS SWIMMING (WARNING: This video has a disturbing end) HERE IS ANOTHER WAY FISH INFECTED WITH THIS DISEASE SWIM:
  11. I would like to get a book on Tropical fish that shows a variety of Freshwater fish with details about their natural habitat, habits, needs, acceptable tank mates, etc. Does anybody have any recommendations?
  12. Being that winter is coming in, I went out and bought two submersible heaters for my two tanks. I read all the instructions, turned the temperatures to around 74F/24C degrees (that is about the median temp that all my fish will feel comfortable in), placed it in the tanks and waited about 10 minutes before turning them on. Hears my question. In the instructions it warns to never place one's hands in the tank while the heater is connected. Is there a serious concern or are they just trying to legally protect themselves from lawsuits?
  13. @Wesley How do you waterproof the plywood? How thick does the plywood need to be?
  14. @StephenP2003 1) Did you worry that maybe the silicone might leak or worse the tank might collapse? 2) I assume that tank is very heavy. How will you be able to move it if you ever need to move?
  15. DIY Aquariums are potentially cheaper and allow for personalized measurements. I'm curious to know, however, 1) is it as easy to make as they show on line? 2) what are the pros and cons for making a DIY Aquarium?
  16. Similar experience here. Don't you love the good old days before the internet! 😉
  17. I must say that I am overwhelmed by some of the deeply personal stories some of you have shared. When I created this topic I had no idea that the Aquarium Hobby was so emotionally connecting for some of you. I'm quite moved. Thanks everybody for sharing! 😃
  18. mid-size. I'd say roughly 3in from head to tail.
  19. Yes, that's what they say. However, my fish are rude and every time I ask them, "Open wide" so that I can see how wide they can open their mouths, they flat out refuse and stop talking to me! 😉 There must be a size that clearly is out of range of being eaten. I was surprised to hear that they recommend not to put neon tetras with Angelfish. Clearly fish have to be significant in size to be safe. My Danios seem to grow much slower than expected. They're at least three months old and still no where near the size that can be added. I'm figuring that I have to wait until they are at least 6 to 8 months old. Any breeders out there can tell me at what age do you sell them?
  20. I have a bunch of Fry Danio and also fry Corydoras in a breeder tank. I would like to at some point add some of them into my community tank. However, among of fish in that tank are Angelfish and a 3+ inch female swordtail that I'm worried will eat them unless they are too large to swallow. Anybody have experience with fry? At what point can I safely introduce them into my community tank?
  21. I've noticed that a lot of people in the hobby have multiple tanks. I didn't realize that it was an addiction. 🙂
  22. forgive me for my ignorance, but what does MTS stand for?
  23. @Daniel You jogged my memory. I remember a book I had as a kid... "A Fish Out of Water"
  24. You didn't find a chimney sweeper in there, did you? 😉
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