Sandra the fish rookie

@Colu Okay. Now that the salt is in and the rest seem to be fine. Should I just leave the salt in there for 2 weeks, and observe? or should I do the trio of meds? I am afraid to over medicate and kill everyone. When I used the trio in the main tank my pepper corydora didn't handle it well at all. I really appreciate your responses and experience.

I purchased a drip acclimator, because I want to get some shrimp. I keep reading how sensitive they are, which is the reason I am so afraid to get them? Do any of you have Shrimp? do you follow this process as well? Do you QT shrimp? do they carry the same kind of diseases that tropical fish do?

Although new to the hobby, I have notifications for my top youtube favorites, which includes but is NOT limited to: KGT Tropicals, Aquarium co op (and a member as well) as well as more Aquarium Co Op, Prime Time Aquatics, Fish For Thought, Girl Talks Fish, The Small Scape, Goliad Farms, The king of DYI, Keeping Fish Simple, Flip Aquatics, Quebec Cichildes (because I am Canadian, and Quebec is where I am from), George Farmer, Oliver Knot... and a few others.. you get the point. Oh, and my family knows not to call me during Shark week! NEVER! Don't disturb me! LOL Here is how my husband participates and keeps it all straight (and I quote), is that the yellow, blue and brown M&M's guy? Is that the couple from Chiago? Is that the couple with all the Betta fish you want? Not sure if this classifies me as a Nerm, or a person that when I become interested in something new, I want to know all I can to become confident, and master any new hobby or interest I have. I am on the forum A LOT. Sometimes just reading comments, or other peoples questions or issues. Its helpful!

I have been reading, watching multiple theories on this. I did it once, but most of the time I float my bag in the tank 45 mins, and put them in. The opinions are VERY strong with this one. I don't even know at this point what is right or wrong to do anymore. The fish I actually did acclimate died anyways so its hard to determine the underlying cause. 1) Acclimate from a LFS 2) Acclimate fish/shrimp from online purchase 3) Drip acclimation or 1/4 cup every 15 minute method? I would REALLY appreciate some experienced feed back. I am really doing my best to do the right thing. Education and knowledge is the only way I am going to get over this hump. All in the hopes of having more than 3 fish in my aquarium.

@Colu He didn't make it 😞 The others are fine this morning. I am going to boil all the plastic stuff to ensure its super clean before I put it back in. Here is another question. Should I wait till these are out of QT before asking the LFS to order me some more peppered corydora's?

@Colu I took them out to be on the safe side. I left the rocks for now. I added a HOB filter with my sponge filter, because when i removed the plants, all this white stuff flew EVERYWHERE.. no idea what it was..I did a large water change, and got out as much as I could. It might be food?? I added an additional filter to assist to clean all that stuff out. The others are not in distress, and the sick one.. well.. he lies on his side, but will move occasionally. but I don't have much faith he will make it.. he was breathing quiet rapidly. I honestly am thinking I am fish hobby plagued. Even with QT they die.. It took me forever to find these peppered corydora's..

@Colu I added the salt, and put him back .. it doesn't look good.. 😞 I have a sponge filter and an additional air stone. I also took all the plastic plants out .. just in case. Is it normal that the salt doen't dissolve? I put it in some warm water to get it to dissolve a bit.. Last time I had fish in salt.. it died within 2 hours.. ugh..

@Colu Okay.. should I take all that plastic stuff out.. and put him back in with the others?

See picture below:

I have 4 Corydora's in QT. I have been doing water changes every 3 days. Keeping a close eye on them. I went in to check them and do a water change, and one was not doing well. I got him out, put him into a glass pyrex dish (its all I had in a pinch) with an air stone while I cleaned the QT tank. PH 7.4, Ammona 0.20, Nitrate, 0ppm nitrites 0ppm and Temp 78.6 He is still breathing, and is right side up which he was upside down before. Is there anything else I can do?

@Brandy I DO!! I put one in there.. initially they didn't care.. so I turned off the lights.. and just sneaked in on them and they are eating and moving it around.. LOL. Should I leave it in there? Or take it out at some point?

So far, they seem to be okay. The pepper corydora's are quiet (just like my first one was when I got him) but they are swimming around but are calm. The albino's are exactly like the one I have .. spazo's.. zipping round, all over the place.. take a few second power nap, and begin to eat what the filter is growing.. yum Now as for feeding.. When should I even attemp to feed them? should I fast them? @Brandy DUH.. Distilled water.. I can run to the store and get some.. I am an idiot.. sorry.. I should have known.. Can you tell I have no idea what I am doing? I am have a tall glass of wine LOL.. Working in the ER was less stressful than this.. haha

@Brandy I don't have RO water here. I would have to travel 30 min to the store and he is closed. I did however just add another air stone to help. They seem okay right now, my tank got warm again, I have a thermometer is supposed to be the right size for that tank and its adjustable, but I think because I have a glass top its making it too warm. I took the plastic piece off the back to allow more air to flow and help with the temp. I will check the temp again in 30 min. Thank you so much for the reassurance. I would be mortified if they died. Should I tell the LFS owner about his chemistry? or will I sound like a jerk.. I mean after all .. I am a rookie..

I just brought home some new corydora cat fish, and placed them in the QT tank. I decided to check the LFS's water to see what his parameters were. I know that he uses RO water, and also noted a dead fish in the tank (that was alive on Monday) when I picked them up today. See the pictures below. These are no where close to my parameters and I am FREAKING OUT... Are they going to all die? I also did his GH which I got 13 drops before it changed color, and the KH well.. it was NEVER BLUE, and took 4 drops to go yellow (stayed completely CLEAR till it turned light yellow). Is there anything can do? Is it too late? Here are my parameters: PH 7.4 Ammonia, 0ppm Nitrites, 0ppm Nitrates, 0ppm

Update** Went to the LFS, picked them up, and they are floating to temp acclimate. However, there was a dead corydora in the tank. not sure the cause. Regardless, the ones I have are quite active, and look pretty good. but will be on QT anyway. Fingers crossed that these guys make it. I am not sure I can take anymore fish loss. My tank has had 3 fish and 2 snails for so long.

@Kirsten OH NOOOO.. I am so sorry 😞. I have no idea why I felt they needed a light.. that room gets a lot of natural light.. LOL.. again wanting them to be happy but your right.. there is nothing but green plastic in there.. haha I hope that your tanks and fish do okay ..

I have a digital thermometer on the side.. and I use an infra red one as well to check tank temps as well. well because I am a maniac.. LOL

@SkarahW No I don't plan to breed them. I am just doing QT prior to adding them to my existing tank which has 1 Guppy, 2 Corydorya's 1 Mystery snail, and a Ramshon snail. I have already been through medicating that entire tank.. and am being on the safe side. This tank is strictly a ugly QT tank that I don't keep set up. I only use it for this purpose. My LFS has had these corydora's for 2 weeks. Although they assure me they are healthy, I am not taking any chances.. I have had enough heart ache of fish death in my short time in this hobby (I have had my main tank almost 4 months)

Hi ~ I have been on the look out to increase my corydora population in my main tank. Well, my LFS got some peppered corydora's and albinos as well which will be perfect for my existing little dude's in my main tank. I am getting 2 of each type with give me a total of 6 corydora in the tank (3 of each species). I asked them to hold them for me. I will be picking them up today. I set up my QT tank on Monday afternoon. I have a sponge filter from my main tank (advice I got from all of you!) and have 1 boring rock.. and a plastic plant that kept falling over.. I also had some plastic wall plants, that I used for a home project, that I cut into carpets for additional security. I can either sterilize or ditch them (I have a giant box of this stuff). This is my first time.. and will admit, that I a bit nervous. Am I missing anything? Please let me know. The last time I sued this tank, was for a sick fish that died (see Guppy work saga in old post). Any additional feed back would be appreciated. I did the chemistry this morning: PH 7.4 Ammonia 0ppm Nitrites: 0ppm Nitrates: 0ppm Temp was 75 but I have boosted it up to 78ish..

@ChrisI am hoping as the weather improves, I will be able to order some crypts .. I love them too! I love all aquatic plants.. that is the issue .. want them ALL

I am not sure if its just me.. but scaping this itty bitty tank has harder than I expected. Stuff is either too big, or not the right look. I managed to get some wood that would fit. The opening is quite narrow on this tank, so getting in there is a bit of a challenge. I moved some rocks around, got a banana plant (its itty bitty) but its all I could find. There are still a lot of shipping delays so plants are not that easy to find. I added an air stone, and found this cute rock that has a hole in it.. IDK if its for the future fish, or because I liked it.. I think my only regret, is the SAND!!! Man.. every time I touch it.. its everywhere.. what are some of your tips for keeping that stuff clean..

I have mentioned here before, that I got this neat little 5 gallon tank that is coming along nicely. I added more plants/rocks over the weekend, and am looking for wood small enough as well. I was "hoping" I could put a single pea puffer in it? I know there are a few of you that have pea puffers. I would like to know your thoughts? Is this tank a good home for one? I am waiting on a few other things to add to it, but I don't want to take away any swimming space either. Ps. too the picture after I was playing with the plants/rocks.. its a bit cloudy, sorry

I officially shredded them and found no sign of anything living in them. I purchased mine months ago and NOT from aquarium co op (PetSmart in Dec 2020). But better to be safe than sorry. Thank you @Cory for your diligence and additional information. Its much appreciated.

Hi All~~ Happy Friday! So, I am not sure if I am the only one who's FB page blew up today with the "DO YOU HAVE THESE" asking if I have Marimo moss balls in my tank. Of course I do!. But I have had them a few months, and have never seen anything in or on them. But apparently they are a "bad" thing. Not sure if this is something we need to be aware of or look out for? I live in NC, and I don't throw anything into the water ways or toilet (including dead fish). But thought it might be a good conversation for the fish keeping hobbyist to at least know about and be aware of. Has anyone else hear of this where they are?

@Frank Yes, the mini sump is below the tank in the drawer. I am trying to figure out how to reduce that noise from the overflow/filter inlet..