Sandra the fish rookie

@MJV Aquatics I heard they were pricey... but they sure are pretty .. I do think that I want something similar in style, that is not on top of the actual lid. I will have to look at what I can find. The only thing that is a bit of a challenge, is this is not a kit. I have to purchase everything separately. But its fine, I have the stand, ordered a glass canopy/top, have the aquarium coop sponge filters, and air stones. I will get the substrate and plants last. I plan on using a sponge filter (even though I won't have fish initially), I have 2 extra medium size ones. I think I might be able to hid it behind the rock/plant scape.

What kind of background would you all pick? I personally like the black, because it shows the plants and wood really well.. The lights he has are Kessil. I have never heard of them.. but MAN they made that aquarium look magical! No idea how much the cost.

It was my Birthday on Thursday. My husband knew I was going through a lot with my tank. He recommended maybe I just need to go to the local mom/pop FS and just look around... He reminded me that I wanted to do another aquascape, and maybe they had an aquarium I liked and could get some stuff to "Play with". WELLLLLL... He ordered me a 30 gallon breeder and a stand 🙂 . I picked out some really nice dragon stone, and wood. I will wait to get substrate and plants (from Aquarium co op of course) closer to when I get it set up. I just want to scape it for now, and later (WAY later) add some fish. BUT... while I was there, I was taking time to look at people, what they were buying questions they were asking etc.. I noticed people coming in with huge jugs... I was wondering, what are they doing? This LFS sell a lot of live corals, salt water and fresh water fish. I went to the back of the store and saw 2 stations. 1 for saltwater, another reverse osmosis water. People were going to fill their jugs with water to do their water changes!!! I was like WHAT!! how cool is that! All of the fresh water fish in this store have reverse osmosis water in the tanks. My question is .. If someone purchases fish from a store like this, and they don't have reverse osmosis water if the fish would struggle with adapting? I have very hard water here.. Just was thinking about it when I was in there sitting on the floor playing with rocks..LOL (which drew quite a crowd I must say.. haha). Below is a picture of one of the tanks set up in the store that I just LOVED.. Nothing is for sale in it.. but its was just magical to look at. Does anyone know what the little grasses are? I love that look.. but have NO idea what they are...and the banana plants..GAH so awesome!

@Brandy I wonder if he was bullied by the other guppy.. What I may have interpreted as play might have been bullying.. HMM maybe that is why its only on one side? Maybe trauma induced? I did not think that Guppies could bully.. but there has been a lot of stress in that tank with all the illness. And I only had boys.. I have had 4 die in the last 2 weeks.. and had to euthanize 1 of them. I just feel bad that my inexperience has been the cause of this hot mess. As much as I am learning, I am saddened and frustrated at times too. I am a nurse (ER/OR), and am pretty tough. but this hobby has been the toughest thing to get the hang of.. and I won't lie.. I have cried.. but will keep on trying.. till I get it right.

@Jess and @CT_ Thank you BOTH... I live in North Carolina..the water here is VERY hard. My fish seem to be doing just fine. Today was the first time using this kit and not the strips.. and was shocked!! But they seem okay Oh I had a wonder shell in there.. should I put it back in? or not because my water is hard enough?

@Brandy I am always blown away by how much you guys all know.. I just turned of the lights 🙂 I didn't feed them today.. so he has not eaten today. And I just did a water change on the QT tank before putting him in there to lower the temp a bit. its now at 79 but I set the heater lower to keep it stable to what he is use to in his home tank which is 78 ish.. I followed Cory's suggestion and put 1 tablespoon in (its a 10 Gallon tank) OH WAIT... CRAP .. I need to add 9 more Tablespoons.. ugh... see.. I am so frazzled I can't even read! DUH... going to do that NOW!! Should I wait to see him behave normally before trying to feed him? or try tomorrow?

How long do I leave him in the QT? Do I need to add more salt or any other medications going forward? This tank is not what he is used to.. poor dude.. I did a water change on it before I put him in and tried to clean it a little bit.. I am in the process of cycling it..I added Fritz Zyme 7 to ensure his safety..

Hi @Brandy Thanks for the response. It did not look like fuzz to be honest.. it almost looked like injury.. it was just weird.. A friend of mine suggested Columaris.. which is why I researched it and looked at pictures.. and it just didn't look like that. And it did not look like ICH either.. and trying to get a good picture is easier said than done. Its only on 1 side at the junction of his back where his tail starts. He has nothing on his mouth, or anywhere else. But with all the stuff going on in there right now.. I am struggling to figure out what is going on ... But he as been at the surface since yesterday. not eating, and the other guppy seemed to keep trying to engage in play and keep by his side the entire time.. but he stayed at the top.. he just looked like he was just not feeling great. It was sudden I feel because he was eating and playing.. doing great.. and then boom.. at the top.. not interacting, not eating and his top fin is usually really high.. and its really flat.. almost lying along his side. He is in the QT tank and I have dropped the temp and the light strength as well. Cory recommended Aquarium salt (which I have thank goodness) so he is in there. Its not a nice tank and its a bit cloudy.. but it will have to do. And he will hopefully get the rest he needs and not be badgered by the other guppy to play.

@Cory I did a quick water change in the QT tank and have added the salt to the tank. The current temp is 80 degrees. is that an okay temp for him? or is it to warm? I lowered the heater temp, and will lower the lights.. it might be the lights that are making the water warmer.. He is used to 78 degrees water

my QT tank has no plants, my main.. tons.. I am doing a quick water change on the QT tank to get it ready..Temp wise.. unless warm is better for salt treatment?

@CoryMain tank os a 20 gallon tall PH 7.3, Ammonia 0ppm, Nitrate and Nitrite 0 ppm KH 7, GH 12 T 78.9 QT tank 10 gallons (is a bit warm to me) 82 degrees, PH 7.0 Ammonia 0 ppm, Nitrate and Nitrite 0 ppm KH 60 ish and GH 120 ppm (used the dip sticks for the QT tank),

@CoryI used that initially, and one of my corydora's did not respond well (the peppered one). I completed 1 full course of ParaCleanse and am on the 2 week break. Despite my efforts, all the guppies died and only 1 remains (tuxedo) and this one is the original one that I have had since Dec 22nd. I tired to get some better pictures (see below). I have a quarantine tank its not fully cycled, but have some old filters, and been feeding it bacteria. Its a bit cloudy, and has a sponge filter in it.. Should I put him in there or should I medicate the entire tank again? but with the Ich X and Maracyn only? He had this coming out of him yesterday. Not sure if it was poop or worms? I have 1 Mystery snail, Ramshorn, and 2 corydora's as my current load. Thank you so much for your help. (check your sales.. LOL I am a frequent flyer)

I just noticed this on my original guppy? What is it? and is it treatable? I know everyone is probably tired of my drama posts, but I am thankful for any help I can get

I think what is upsetting is that the one that is now sick, is the original one.. who was totally fine till I added the others that now has contaminated my tank. I was so stupid to add fish.. I didn't have a QT at the time (I do now!) and its not fully filtered, but I can have fish in it if I am in a pinch. I think that all the meds may have impacted my bacteria a bit. I did a water change, and added a bit to my HOB filter to help it out a bit. I am on the 2 week break, and am due to do the second treatment of ParaCleanse. I don't even know if its worth it... with the havoc that the meds have caused on my main tank.. only to have almost ALL the guppies die anyway. The Corydora's are doing really well... ugh.. I just don't know anymore

Hi ~ I decided to purchase the API GH & KH kit to ensure that my readings are accurate. I am a bit concerned by the following difference between this test kit and the Tetra Easy strips readings (which I struggle with sometimes) KH (7 drops) = 7 degrees or 125.3 ppm GH (12 drops) 12 degrees or 214.8 PPM (YIKES) *** Should I be worried about this? if so what do I do? I have a wonder shell in the aquarium, should I remove it? My PH is between 7.3 -7.4 ppm My Ammonia suddenly went up from yesterday to 0.25-0.30 ppm so I am going to do a water change to deal with that.

I just noticed this (see picture below). the end looks like a worm to me???? Am I right or wrong?

@Martin I don't really have a process. I was so rookie, I set up my tank, live plants, substrate, drift wood from my LFS aquarium that he sold me. Let it sit for some time. BUT, I did not have the right testing equipment (freshwater testing kit by API). about a week later I added 3 guppies, 1 Mystery snail. Well guess what? 2 guppies died back to back. 1 survived. Had my water tested at the LFS, who knew I had a BRAND NEW tank. Because I had no ammonia, said I was fine. a week later I got 2 cory cat's. They are doing great. My plants are growing, and per some that's a sign of being cycled. My concern is that I never get any indication of Nitrate... NONE.. always 0ppm. I had a random ammonia spike (0.20-0.25ppm) that was very short lived. but my Nitrate would just go from yellow to a slightly darker yellow.. never progressing past that. I am able to feed my fish daily with zero change in chemistry. I did add Fritz Zyme during water changes, and continue to do so, to keep the bacteria growth up. But as of now, I still have no nitrates.. not even a bit... I just don't understand what I am doing wrong. As for the guppies, I am just thinking they are not of the best quality. I think when these two go, I plan to move on to something different. but plan to add to the Cory cat fish numbers first.. I am only doing whatever members here suggest or recommend to try. I have watched A LOT of Cory's videos and live streams.. but other than that.. doing what I can... but have a feeling I am not doing the right thing.

of the 5 guppies I purchased 07 Feb 2021 I now have 1 left as the one I thought was doing well.. died.. suddenly.. I do my chemistry DAILY.. because I am waiting for this tank to cycle... I have my hospital tank set up.. with old filters and a sponge filter as well. I am adding benificial bacteria to help get it started. I keep seeing people who have cycled a tank in a week.. and here I am almost 3 months in.. and still have no Nitrate reading... it has been 0ppm since day 1!! PH 7.3, Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrates 0ppm, GH 120ppm KH 110ppm Water Temp 78.6 Now my original guppy is not acting right. he is on the top of the water, which has me worried. I was thinking of doing a water change, but not sure if that will help or not. He is eating, but I don't use that to guide me if they are okay.. because I have had fish eat and then die hours later so,,, Below is a picture of Brisco, my original guppy . Swimming at the surface is not a good sign is it? ugh 😞 Second picture is the one that died very suddenly yesterday (from the new batch I purchased)

I made one for my 20 Gallon tall with cinderblocks and wood. I stained it to match my office desk. I had left over paint used on my walls. I primed with white, and 2 coats of color (green/grey) and cut, sanded and stained the wood a walnut color. Cheap and easy. I have dogs.. that LOVE the fish.. so I needed something strong that could not be knocked over.. I also purchased the shelves that Cory recommended a while back. that hold 1000 pounds per shelf (Lowes on sale for 85$).. because one day I want 2 40 gallon breeders. I for just aquascape, and 1 fish and aquascape. BUT.. WHENEVER my tank cycles.... which at this point will be 2022.. LOL

@KyleKVK Thank you!

Hi All~ I just put in a wonder shell. Is it supposed to fizz? its slowing down, but initially it fizzed.. is that normal?

@Will Billy that's AWSOME!!! What a perfect idea!! and I have seen where on Amazon you can get heater suction cups too.. which is cool! Love this idea!

WOW.. so much good info here! As for the GH/KH I have been using the Tetra Easy strips and so the reading are in ppm but my GH is a steady 120 and mh KH is 110.. Here in NC, we have really hard water.. ask my hair.. LOL I love the TUMs idea.. how cool! How do you all keep all this fish food fresh? I am so afraid all the varieties will spoil.

@H.K.Luterman Thank you so much! I actually have a wonder shell I have not put in there yet.. I was afraid to with all the medication that was going on. I still have another round of paracleanse to do.. but should I put the wonder shell in there? When you have the Repash food.. your mean the gel right? so when/how do you add the Tums? and how often to do you give it to your snails.. I worry about them not getting enough.. so this is SUPER helpful.. They really seem to like the zucchini, I blanch it so it sinks to the bottom.

Hi All~ Once my parasite debacle is over in a few weeks. I want to start to feed my fish better quality foods. I currently have the flakes from TopFin that I am using because they came with my kit. I also have the Hakari Algea wafers, and Hakari sinking wafers (for the cory cats). I also give them a zucchini once in a while as well. I have guppies, cory cat fish, Mystery Snail and a Ramshorn snail What food experiences do you have? What do you like? Also, I saw a video once of someone that used a pepper mill for her flake food to feed her guppies? What are everyone's thought on that idea?