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Sandra the fish rookie

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Everything posted by Sandra the fish rookie

  1. Thanks for your comment @JettsPapa, I don't have anything larger outside. I am keeping it full right to the top, which helps. If I see its too unstable, I will move them into a tank inside. I don't have any over stocked tanks. so that should not be an issue. Thanks again for your response. its appreciated.
  2. Hello, I have LOTS of guppies, I LOVE guppies. I have them in one of my tanks, and I have a mini pond that is in my 3-season room. It is a converted screen porch that has 10-mil polyvinyl sliding panels that keep it warmer in winter. I keep them all closed, and the pond has an ACO heater set at 80. but this week it dropped to 49 and the tank was at 67.9. but warmed up throughout the day to the mid-70s (ranges between 76 and 78ish). I check it EVERY single morning to see if they are okay. They are pretty lively and happy so far. I have had rice fish, but I wanted to try guppies. but I am worried. should I add another heater? Should I move the heater that is in there to a different place in the pond? It's just under the waterfall. My plants have been in there for way over 2 years. and they live all the way through the winter without an issue. The pothos have been there since the beginning. The pond has been set up for over 2.5 years. The deck is wood and screened for bugs. but I plan to put vinyl plank flooring in the spring. The pond is around 10 gallons. There is a central pump filter, then a sponge filter, substrate, and plants inside as well (Java fern, Val, and Anubis). I am a bit nervous... should I take them out? Any other recommendations are happily welcomed.
  3. Hi Everyone, I am back! I had a rough year, unexpectedly lost one of my dogs and lost my "mojo". I had set up 2 20 Gallon tanks(20G high, 20G long) before he died, and left them for over a year... just plants. I have a seasoned QT tank on the go at all times, as I have 2 main display tanks (40G breeder, 20G high) full of healthy community fish. I decided it was time to fill the other tanks. the 20G long, I got Habrosus Corydoras (10) knowing they tank was cycled, and there was NO other life in it (bladder snails) I put them in there. and QT right from there. they did GREAT (I am obsessed with them actually). I LOVE Corydoras's and they are in ALL my tanks. I have never had ANY issues with QT, disease ect. Still have the originals for over 3 years, and they are breeding. So, I decide I was going to go to my LFS and get the following 1) lemon long fin pleco (that is SUPER SMALL), 10 Julii Cory's, 5 Guppies (I just got additional to add to my outdoor pond only) and 2 albino corys (to add to my existing ones in the 20G again REALLY SMALL). It's a 10G QT Tank, with 2 sponge filters, and an HOB filter full of sponge. I have had WAY more than that stocking in that tank before, and it handled it NO Problem. I was concerned about the size of the pleco and albino cory's because they were WAY smaller than I have purchased before but took a chance. Purchased Saturday, everyone was fine, derpy, eating blood worms, and looked fine. Pleco was eating his wood, and got to work on the walls, and surfaces of the tank. Sunday albino cory and 2 guppies dead. Tested my water, PH 7.3, Nitrates 15ppm, Nitrites 0, Ammonia 0, GH 250ish (I have very hard water here in NC), and KH 50ppm Temp 78 degrees. I don't usually start the QT meds till a week after they have adjusted, I feed them well, and watch them. Then week 2 meds are in! Sunday night, 1 Julii dead (water change), Monday another Julii dead (test water results are same as above), Tuesday another Julii dead (I do a water change and start meds because I don't know what is going on), today Wednesday another Julii dead. Now my water is a mess, it is having a bacterial bloom and now have a "trace"10 PPM Nitrate. I do a water change, add some Fritz zyme (because I had some on hand). I have NEVER had death like that EVER! I am not a "rookie" but have had fish now since 2019/2020. I struggled with guppies initially, but I have had no problems since purchasing them online and getting mutts. The Pleco is fine, the rest of the guppies are fine, the one small albino which appears to be okay, but the Julii we will have to see. It's the first time I have this breed of cory and not sure if they are just more sensitive? Right now, they are huddled together in the corner. I watched the video and talk about the accidental poisoning and took precautions. Not sure if this is the issue. I looked at the bodies, and I can't see anything. See pictures below:
  4. Hello~ I went to check on my tanks as usual and noticed ONE of my pearl danios is quite swollen and pine coning, Its still swimming really fast around the tank but is very swollen, and appears to have rapid breathing (chasing it around the tank did not help I am sure). I didn't notice anything wrong with any of them yesterday, but danio's are NON STOP. Anyway, I have been trying to catch it to put it in the QT tank, but there is just no way I can get it out of there without destroying the entire tank. Its heavily planted, with wood and about 20 other danios, plecos, corydora's rabbit snails and shrimp. Tank Temp is 77, PH 7.2, Nitrites 0, Nitrates around 40, ammonia 0, Kh 4, GH 250 and chlorine 0. I feed every 2 or 3 days, and a variety of foods, and fiber as well. but Danio's are PIGS and will stop at nothing to eat the pleco wafers, or veggies etc. even if they already ate. I am sure this is what caused it. I don't see any other of the fish in the tank sick, or with any abnormal behavior. its a 40G breeder, with a Tidal 75, Sponge filter, and air stone. 2 heaters with a temp controller and heaters are working, and I did not get any shocks when I entered the water with my hands. I think its to late to save it, but what do I need to do for the others in the tank? Do I need to medicate the entire tank? If so, what would you recommend? I tried to get a picture of it.. but now everyone is freaking out, because I was in there trying to catch it.. now every time I go near the tank.. they FREAK
  5. @Cory There are 5 baby snails in there since this morning that are still alive. I just did a water change, and will hope for the best I suppose. I was having an issue with keeping a lot of pest snails in my tanks because I don't feed everyday. So I supplemented with the live brine shrimp and added vita chem to the water as well. Guess it wasn't enough 😞
  6. @Cory should I move him to the QT tank? Its a 10G with 1 large mystery snail and 2 smaller ones, and pest snails. It has GREAT filtration, and has a tone of AQO plants that I am waiting to plant into 2 new tanks.
  7. @Cory He is swimming around now that I am changing the water. Its a better picture @Cory he was eating snails from my other tanks. I tried a few times with blood worms and he won't eat them. He has been eating brine shrimp about 6 months
  8. @Cory He was eating daily without any issues up till today. Even when he was a little skinny he was still eating. He ate a bunch yesterday. This tank has a sump drawer that actually smells like stagnant, or not as good as the water he is actually in. I did a water change 2 weeks ago of the drawer and the tank. I HATE this tank it is VERY hard to maintain, but get it done. I have a 10G QT tank. should I move him? I have had him almost 2 years. and he was a fat little nugget. I feel that ever since I started feeding him live brine shrimp he started to get sick. He was swimming around yesterday, but I did notice that even when I treated him the first 2 times, he still was not as fat as he was.. but he has had 2 FULL rounds of paracleanse.
  9. @CoryI am going to do a water change, and get him some fresh water, and make sure its really clean, and get ready to add whatever medications that are recommended. I have EVERY medication imaginable, so I believe I have what I need to at least TRY to save him.
  10. Its not looking good 😞 This is how I found him when I got home.
  11. This is best I can get.. He is hiding in his little tunnel. But he looks like he is struggling I have tried frozen blood worms before, and he won't eat them. I have family visiting from Canada, and went to the beach. I left some live snails for him to eat, and when I got home ( about 5 hours later) they were all still in the tank alive, so he didn't even eat them. Could he have gotten something from the live brine shrimp from the LFS? they are in salt water, and I rinse them with water before feeding. I put them in a bit of water, and add some declinator before feeding them to him to be on the safe side
  12. Hi All~ Okay, suddenly Gazoo ( my pea puffer) is sick again. I treated him twice with precleanse back a few WEEKS ago. He had 2 full rounds (10 gallon dose) for his 5 gallon tank. He is getting skinny again, and is not doing well. I need help from you guys as to what else he can get. Water Parameters: PH = 7.3, Nitrates = 15 (planted tank), Nitrite = 0, Water harness = 250, Kh = 4 and Chlorine =0. Temp 80 and NO ammonia. (lights just turned on) but is usually 79 when lights are out. He looks quiet skinni, and now is NOT eating. He usually eats live brine shrimp ( I get from a LFS and keep in a mini tank alive with an air stone) and baby snails. I have a lot of meds, and he is alone in the tank .. what can I give him?
  13. Here is the story 🙂 I purchased 12 red phantom tetras months ago, only 4 survived. They were SUPER small when I got them and I could never find any disease because the snails ate them before I had a chance to find or look at the bodies 😞. But not messing around they were in QT for almost 3 months, medicated twice with the Trio and left to grow out a bit. Now they are doing GREAT and in my 20G with my guppies, pleco and corydoras living their best life. I initially was concerned it might be because my water was too hard. So I decided to try 4 black phantoms and 6 neon tetras. The black phantoms were a nice size and looked really good in the store, so did the neons but the store owner told me that most have a hard time with neons.. so I decided let me give them a try. Well 4 weeks later, and finished the QT trio and they are doing GREAT! gaining weight, great color, super happy so far. Now its time to put them in the main tanks.. but which one? I was thinking to put the neons in the 20G guppy tank, to fill in the middle space in the tank the 4 red phantoms hang out in. I was thinking of putting the black phantoms in the 40G with the pearl danio's, panda corydoras, pygmy corydora, rabbit snails clown pleco (that I never see), yellow shrimp, and a long fin super red pleco. My worry was fin nipping.. but my red phantoms do very well with my guppies so far.. but am worried they might pick on my pleco. When I went to my LFS last weekend.. he had more black phantoms and they were HUGE.. I have never seen them that large before (and either has he). I got concerned that the 20G might be to small for them. Both tanks are heavily planted as well, with lots of hiding space, and swimming space. What do you all think?
  14. I have some red phantom tetra's with my guppies, corydora's, and pleco and I try to feed by level. I do the slow sinking pellets first. wait a bit, and then add sinking stuff for the bottom feeders. I haven't had issues yet.. but your right they are food ninja's
  15. No idea why but I can't find those soap/shower caddy's in any store anymore but ordered them from amazon. I currently use Poth-o-carry's that I got from Etsy but they don't work as well for peace lilly or bamboo. I think the caddy's will work better. I have Pothos ( A LOT of it) and red mangrove on my 20 and 40 gallon and just pothos on my smaller tanks.. they grow like CRAZY. Its a major conversation topic when people come over and see all these plants coming out of the back of my tanks! First they can't believe the plants inside are real, and trip out over the ones that are growing out of the back.. LOL. Some of the roots are almost to the substrate and even in it. The shrimp and fish like darting around in them. I even have one in a little 2.5 G I use for snails and plant clippings. I do find I have to top off my tanks more frequently.. anyone have a trick/hack for that?
  16. @Fish Folk I know the picture does no justice, but the block are painted my wall colors LOL. My husband is color blind.. but bottom of my walls are a dark grey/green and top is 2 shades lighter than that. Sometimes people see more green others more blue. Its super neutral. I am shot an inch.. 7 inches between.. LOL.. I can always add another half cement brick. I am thinking the betta community on the bottom its nice and cozy.. ha.. I was thinking about rainbow shiners! my house temp is 68. I have 1 unheated tank that stays around 68.8 with lights off, and goes up a little but not much.. the shrimp love it in there. Apisto's and Rams are beautiful fish.. its going to be tough. The hardest part is picking fish. I want to try to get fish I don't have already. I currently have red and black phantom tetras, pearl danio's, plecos, corydora's (salt/pepper, albino, panda and pygmy), neon tetras, yellow neo's (FYI not all in one tank LOL) that is just a list of what I have across 2 community and 1 shrimp (Gazoo my murder bean is alone in a 5G). I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. I am making a list!
  17. Hi Fishy Fam~! I was given a 20G high from my neighbor which has sat in my closet for months. I already have a 20G high and really had my heart set on a 20G long. LFS was having a sale, and I was able to get a 20G long. With plans to put them both into my office, I was going to use a black metal rack (the one that holds 1000 lbs. a shelf), but I was not a fan of the look, and my home office is right in the front of the house. I decided that I would make another rack like my first one but a bit "fancier". I used concrete blocks (painted to match my wall color), used deck stairs (see close up) and another piece of wood to make it look more finished and stained all the wood to match my desk. I am in my office about 14 hrs. a day and really appreciate my fish when I am stressed or irritated.. they "ZEN" me out! I am in my office about 14 hrs. a day and really appreciate my fish when I am stressed or irritated.. they "ZEN" me out! I have the 20G high on top, and the 20G long at the bottom. I think I mentioned before I REALLY wanted a betta community tank. A female short fin betta is what my choice will be. I also want a dark tank (not super dark) but similar to my shrimp tank (medium tea color with the use of Mopani wood). I have watched many YouTube videos surrounding Betta community tank set ups.. but will happily take any advise here as well! I am thinking of using the 20G long for the Betta (on the bottom) I got a nice glass lid, new light (that can be kept on a low light setting using a timer). The 20G high will also be a community tank but I would like to keep this one without a lid, and have floating plants. It looks to be a top fin tank (but not sure). I need to find some clip on lights due to not having a top on it. Any recommendations??? I purchased some new metal fish art to put on the wall and will move all the stuff that is there before I really "formally" sit up the tanks. I think it will give a really cool touch~ I plan to pain the backgrounds black (like all my other tanks). They will both be heavily planted like all my other tanks I would appreciate everyone's feedback (good and bad). I may be past "rookie" status, but still learn from more experienced hobbyist! One question will be how to gravel vacuum (which FYI I don't do often on my other tanks due to A LOT of plants)! I feel like the lower the tank the more difficult to get the suction going. Any recommendation's for fish/stocking is also welcomed!
  18. Hi Everyone 🙂 So.. Wednesday my friend texted me and stated that she is struggling with Ammonia (and a bacterial bloom) in her Parrot tank. She stated is started 2 weeks ago. She has been doing water changes and adding prime. I have the feeling that it being a new tank and the stocking that there is not enough BB to keep up to the fish demand. Even though she used media/plants/filter media from a previous tank (smaller) I don't think it was enough to support the larger size and fish volume. I started to ask the "usual" targeted questions: Parameters initial Ammonia, 0.25ppm (2 weeks ago), Wednesday 0.75ppm, Nitrites 0, Nitrates 10-15 ppm, PH (?), Temp 78 Stocking: 2 Parrots, 6 glow tetras, 2 German Rams, 2 mystery snails, and 2 SAE. Tank Size: 55 Planted (would not say heavily) Water change % = 30% every 2 weeks (regardless of water parameters, just to give them fresh water) 😞 Feeding fish daily Fish are acting normally, no gasping, slow movements, agitation etc.. I keep digging.. to find out.. that this tank was set up Feb 7th 2022. She moved EVERYTHING from the smaller 20G to the new 55G. Added the fish from the 20G. 2 weeks later added the second parrot fish, the 2 SAE first week of March 2022. Here is the advice I gave her last night at 9pm. add more prime to get through the night send her ACO (Cory's video) about Ammonia 🙂 Test the water this morning if Ammonia is still high (which is was) do a 50% water change STOP FEEDING THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!! pull some more filter media from her other 20G and add to the filter in the 55 Add some BB (fritz zyme) to get the BB to be able to handle the stock in the "newish" 55G Test the tap water and ensure there is no Ammonia or chloramine (just to check as a baseline). Below is what she sent me this morning. This was 2 hours after a 50% water change: Is there anything else I could advise her to do (besides join this forum, which I have told her to do 4 times already).
  19. @Colu Gazoo update: HE GAINED WEIGHT!! He is going GREAT! I can't thank you enough!~
  20. Thank you @Colu. Should I feed him during treatment in this case? I usually fast fish during medication. But not sure if in this case I should feed and just watch the water parameters.
  21. Hi Everyone~ Last night I went to feed Gazoo some snails, and noticed he looked a little thin (kind of pinched in. I had been feeding him around 3-5 snails every day at sometimes he got some frozen brine shrimp instead (to change it up). He has a great appetite, and acting normally, swimming around, active curious. I immediately checked his water: Temp 78.8; PH 7.3; Nitrites 0, Nitrates 15, Kh 4, Harness 280ish (I have VERY hard water); Ammonia 0 I took no chances, and gave him a dose of paracleanse (half dose for a 5 gallon tank). This morning, he is doing fine, swimming around coming to see me at the glass. I have not seen any abnormal poop from him and his fin's, and slime coat all look really good. His eyes are bright. Maybe I need to go back to the once a week fast and feed him EVERY day or twice a day? He is quite active.. Should I do another course of Paracleanse on day 3 (last night being day one) ? I tried to get a picture of him but is is always moving all over the place. But I do have an older picture to compare the weight difference.
  22. Hi Everyone~ I have 2 mini ponds (around 10 G) and 1 is cycling beautifully and the other.. not so much 😞 I did change the substrate 2 months ago, and have added both floating plants, aquarium plants and pothos. When I tested the water last week, the Nitrites were in the 10 ppm area on the ACO test strips. Nitrates 30 ppm. I did a water change, and added some BB. I tested the water again today and the Nitrates are 20 ppm but the Nitrites are better between 1-5 ppm... The strange thing.. NO ammonia.. NONE.. NADA.. Aquarium plants: Water wisteria and java moss Floating plants: Water Hyacinths (3 small plants) and Frogbit 3 pothos cuttings. Should I just leave it?
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