[C.A.R.E. Tip - Easy Access]

I just added it to my home screen using chrome.  I didn't have a problem.

[How I'm Treating Fin Rot in my Betta]

1 hour ago, Cory said:

Also know that typically Equilibrium doesn't affect pH and you'll want to use something like crushed coral to buffer that up.

Thank you Cory.  I'm learning that now. 

[How I'm Treating Fin Rot in my Betta]

Hello Irene,

Last night after my post to you I watch your video on GH & KH and did the tests.  Sure enough PH crash.  So I added some Equilibrium. This morning the boy is much improved, breathing better and more active.  His fins look terrible.  Could the PH crash, which probably has been going on for a while, cause the deterioration of his fins?

Once I get the tank perimeters corrected and the boy feel back to his old self I will try again with the maracyn/Ich-x.  

Thank you again for all your help!😊

[How I'm Treating Fin Rot in my Betta]

6 hours ago, Irene said:

I'm sorry to hear that! Hmm, when I see hard breathing and lethargy, I often think of environmental factors (like chlorine in the water or pH crash) or internal organ failure from a long-term disease. Depending on how weak he is or how long he's been sick, it may not be possible to save him. I'm not a professional vet by any means, but if it were me, I would probably try doing a water change to clear up any possible environmental issues and redosing the medications since he's in the middle of treatment. If the meds didn't work, I would try aquarium salt next. Let us know what happens, Lynn. 

Thank you Irene for your response.  My little guy has improved some.😏

I did a 2.5 gal water change last night to reduce the meds.  I really didn't think he would make it through the night.  He was so exhausted an breathing pretty hard.  I was very surprised that he was still alive this morning.  He came to the front of the tank to be fed like he usually does and he ate.  But then returned to the bottom as it tired him quite a bit.  Breathing increased from the exertion but not as bad as the previous night.

With regard to the environmental factors, I have well water and use RO water and add Equilibrium for the PH so I know chlorine is not a factor unless it is sneaking in somewhere that I don't know about.   I just did a water test and the PH is 6.8, Ammonia is 0, Nitrites are 0 and and Nitrates are 5.0 ppm. 

As far as the meds...I treated the tank with maracyn about a month or two ago for green algae and it worked well and the little guy had no problems with that.  I'm thinking that maybe it was the Ick-X or the combination of the two that might have caused the problem.  I think I might give it a few days and do another water change and maybe just dose the maracyn and see what results I get.  Then try the Ick-X next if I don't see any fin improvement with the maracyn.  If neither one of those work move on to the salt assuming he has survived all this.

As you also mentioned he may have internal organ failure so it will end when it ends. 

He is a tough little guy.  I almost cried when he came over and asked to be fed.😪

Thanks again for your help. I'll keep you posted as the situations unfolds.

[How I'm Treating Fin Rot in my Betta]

On 7/13/2020 at 1:30 PM, Irene said:

No way, that's so cool! Haha, you'll have to share their traveling adventures here as well. 

Hi Irene,

I have a betta that has fin rot and I saw your Youtube video re dosing maracyn and Ich-x which I did yesterday.  He is in a 5 gal tank by himself and the water parameters are all in range and temp is 80.2.  He was doing alright this morning, swimming around the tank and breathing normal, but when I check on him this afternoon he is breathing hard and staying on the bottom of the tank.  My question is; do the fish sometimes get worse before they get better? Do you have any suggestions?

[Therapeutic fish keeping.]

1 hour ago, tfwvusa said:

I have PTSD and I just got the hobbies taken away from me due to repetitive motition injury which I now have to have surgery for that I used to cope with my anxiety so now I sit with 3 tanks one of which is my Betta that sits next to me and interacts with me all day. It's very therapeutic.

I have a 5 gal with my betta, Casper in it.  He comes to the front of the tank when I sit at my desk and stays there swimming back and forth watching what I do.

[Other Pets]

On 7/14/2020 at 2:57 PM, Duane Perry said:

I found this little guy in a tree and bottle fed him. He is allot larger now. We love him but he is biting my little girl and running up behind her and grabbing her lag and biting but not super hard. It's somewhat playful but to aggressive. Any tip on how to stop this type of behavior? 

If you are around when she starts to run at your daughter or playing too rough use a spray bottle with water in it and give her a spritz or two.  Hopefully, that will give her the message that the behavior is not acceptable.

[Detritus worms]

I didn't have the detritus worms I had the Rhabdocoela worms, the little white worms that crawl across the glass.  My betta is not at all interested in eating them.  Don't know where they came from, but I haven't seen them in a while, since I did a major water change.

[Therapeutic fish keeping.]

On 7/14/2020 at 7:00 PM, ForestJenn said:

Anything that keeps you in the moment is going to be beneficial I think.   I know it's helping me right now.  Not only does it give me something to focus on make plans around, but it provides the opportunity to just sit and be still sometimes.  I'm not recovering from any specific injury but do deal with bouts of depression.   I can see the aquariums being another tool in the toolbox.

One of the big reasons I'm getting back to keeping fish right now is my son.   With no school and no access to his friends, we needed a project.  We've spent weeks reading, watching videos, planning and talking.  I know his anxiety and stress levels have come down as well.  He's sleeping a bit better.  He's already got a healthy interest in the life sciences, but I can't help patting myself on the back for finding another opportunity to sneak in some education as well.

Great job Mom!.  It is so nice to hear a story like yours.  Keep up the great work!

[Will this have a use in the fishroom?]

On 7/14/2020 at 2:33 PM, Steph’s Fish and Plants said:

I feel like if anyone could find a use for something it would be Dean, I am very intrigued to say the least

I agree!  If any body can do it, Dean can do it!😊

[5 gallon revamp]

I have a similar 5 gal tank with the filter section in the back.  It is difficult to vacuum it out. 

IMO it would be better to get another 5 gal tank that didn't have the filter on the back and use the old one for something else or sell it.  If I get tired of mine that's what I would do.  You also run the risk of damaging the tank and have to buy a new one anyway.

[Hello from Land O Lakes, Florida]

My name is Lynn.  I have a 5 gallon aquarium and a betta.  I started my aquarium September of 2019 and thanks to watching many videos from Aquarium Co-op I have a great aquarium!  When I figure out how to get my photos from my cell phone to my computer I will post pictures.  I'm still learning to navigate the forum.  This is the first time I have ever been on one.

[Welcome to the C.A.R.E Forum - Look here first.]

Hello All, I'm from Land O Lakes, Florida.  Jon, great pictures of the parents and babies!🙂  I'm still learning how to navigate the forum and how to get pictures on here from my cell phone.