[First time outdoor pond]

If I decided to put rice fish in both, am I able to keep them in there all year round? Could I use a heater for the times it drops lower. Here in NC it does not drop much lower than the 30's but I don't want to bring them and out and in and out.. ect.. I would say they are both around 10 gallons. one is wider and the other is deeper. 

One is brown, and the other is really BLACK inside.. so I think the pearl rice fish will be cute. The garden that sells pond plants does not get their stock till April, but will head there to get some pond plants. 

[First time outdoor pond]

On 3/3/2022 at 10:31 AM, Patrick_G said:

Have you been ghost feeding to maintain the cycle?

The one on the screen porch, I have a lot of bio media, and little snails. Up to now, I have not really done much but add water.. so I am thinking that that is how the BB kept it cycled. As for the pot in the front, Its about 10 gallons but it is hard to see in the pictures and I didn't use a bucket to fill it it to check. I used old gravel media for that one and have been letting it sit.. I will check the water parameters and check the cycle process. 

[First time outdoor pond]

Hi All 🙂

Patio Pond:  My husband purchased this little pond kit for me over a year ago. I cycled it, tried various plants, scrapes etc.. I never put in fish in it because the water fountain was a little hard and I was afraid it would be harmful to fish. But it beat up plants pretty bad too.. I could not even have floating plants in it. 

I think I might have finally figured out how to slow it down a bit or at least make it less harsh. I also remembered I had an ACO plant rock. I purchased some wisteria cut the bottom of the basket and hope it will work out. This pond has be cycled for a year, and I maintain it like an aquarium. Its NOT heated, and is in the screen porch. I don't have a lot of substrate (about an inch deep) in there as not to take away from swimming space. I think its about 10 gallons or less. What kind of fish can I have in this? Can I even put fish in it??? I hesitated due to its size.

Pot Pond: This is a garden pot I have at the front door. I tested this out in the back yard all winter long to see how it would hold up. It has a deeper substrate, and ACO Nano sponge filter. For some reason there is always little bubbles at the top it has the ziss air stone.. which maybe its just too fine? I ordered some floating plants for it, and have some ACO moss, wisteria and octopus plant in it . Can I put fish in this? itty bitty ones? 

I was thinking either guppies (mutt guppies) or Rice fish (never had any of those). My LFS does not have Rice fish guess I could research where to get some??

Any and all feedback and recommendations are appreciated. Oh, and I live in Wilmington NC, so it will get VERY warm here.. 🙂 

[Brine Shrimp FAIL. What am I doing wrong?]

UPDATE!! SUCCESS!!!!!!!!! YAY: I used a bit of everyone's advise.. Here is what worked for me

1) added baking soda

2) still used a heater, but it was a pre set at 78 degrees'

3) Kept a light on

4) took off the stone, cut the tub at an angle, and adjusted the speed of the bubbles so they were still moving but way less and more gentle. 

NOW............. even a teaspoon gave me a TON of BBS! I put them in a jar, with salt water in the fridge. However, my murder bean..(AKA Gazoo) prefers he larger ones I get from the LFS. Which I have a little 2.5 gallon I keep them in and hey last at least 2 weeks or more, and I feed them as well (seriously.. LOL). All I keep in there is an air stone. I think some people call them "sea monkeys" but Gazoo calls them dinner and he LOVES THEM.. chases them everywhere.. 

If I add some BBS in there will they get any larger? 

 

[Plants above water to reduce nitrates]

Pothos in EVERY tank! Not only good for filtration. it just looks pretty 🙂

I use cheap intake sponges to keep them together, and then use flexible plant wire (same as Dean used to keep Cory's mangrove plants in place. so, I can take them out if needed to trim the roots or clean the glass behind them. 

[Brine Shrimp FAIL. What am I doing wrong?]

On 2/27/2022 at 12:34 PM, Brandon p said:

well. Can I ask which brand you are using to hatch. Can you post a pic

The eggs are Aquarium Co-op, the Salt is Fritz A+ Aquarium Salt. I received my BBS on 10 FEB 2022. See BBS Hatchery below 🙂 

[Brine Shrimp FAIL. What am I doing wrong?]

Thanks Guys 🙂

Here is what I did (take 4)

1) used the aquarium salt (my husband used all the regular salt to brine chicken UGH) so I used what I had till I get to the store

2) back to the little heater, that keeps it at 76-78

3) have the light ON 

4) added baking soda (pinch)

5) removed the air stone and just have the tube with very light bubbling

NOW... when do I expect to see something happen? And what will they look like? 

[Brine Shrimp FAIL. What am I doing wrong?]

@Fonske Yes, I am using the Ziss Hatchery. Yes, it my first time every trying to hatch my own baby brine. 

Light? No.. only when I try to collect them. Guess I need to keep a light on them all the time?. Eggs are from ACO that I keep in the fridge.

@Struggle You use Marine salt. Is that different than aquarium salt? I purchased the salt from ACO as well. You mentioned "soak time" what do you mean? you soak them with no air?

Maybe I will go back to the little heater (that I thought was not warm enough, it kept the water at 76-78 maybe it was enough and 81 is too hot. I keep my house cool so I was worried it would be too cold..

1 have the ACO spoon and use 1 teaspoon of eggs for 2 liters of water, and 2 tablespoons of salt.  

So, this time around, I will use a smaller heater, no air stone, keep the light on the hatcher all the time

[Brine Shrimp FAIL. What am I doing wrong?]

I keep my house at 68-70 degrees'. thought it was too cold.

I fill the Ziss with 2 liters of salt water. I put 2 tablespoons of salt. maybe I am not using enough salt? or the wrong type of salt?

@FlumpweeselDo you use Aquarium Salt? 

[Brine Shrimp FAIL. What am I doing wrong?]

Hi all~

I have had 3 failed attempts at making baby brine using the Ziss brine shrimp thing. My initial issues were as follows:

I could NOT find a heater to fit it and the one that I could find was preset and not warm enough. I have an old heater and that seems to be working for now. Thought that would help. But nope (if someone knows of a brand that is a perfect fit. Please let me know)

I researched a suitable temp and ranges are 79-82. I set it at 81. Still nope.

Using aquarium salt per the specified guidelines on the ACO site, and still no hatching

using a ACO air stone, and its right to the bottom and moving them really well... still no hatch. 

I am keeping my eggs in the fridge sealed don't think that is the issue.

What am I missing? My water is hard, PH 7.3/7.4 out of the tap. not sure if that has anything to do with it?

Any advice would be VERY appreciated. 

 

[Live Brine Shrimp from LFS or Purchase a hatchery??]

The ones that I received from the LFS were a decent size and lively little buggers.. they moved around everywhere.. what was the most bizarre thing, was my armanos ate them too!! I FREAKED! I was so surprised.  

I think I am going to just do it! I will get the hatchery, and that way I will never run out of food for Gazoo and he will have more choices than just little snails (which I still want to keep in all my tanks as good cleaners). 

I am sure there is a how too video somewhere on how to do this stuff?

OH one more thing.. Do I need to rinse them off? Is the salt water an issue?

On 2/3/2022 at 5:24 PM, The Canuck ScottyK said:

Canada,

@The Canuck ScottyK Where in Canada are you? I am from Quebec and relocated to NC 14 yrs ago. You must be in BC? I graduated from UBC 🙂. Its a small world

[Live Brine Shrimp from LFS or Purchase a hatchery??]

@Guppysnail how long can they stay alive in the hatchery? My other fish will eat them frozen. Gazoo... nope.. if it ain't swimming.. he doesn't want it.. #DIVA 🙂 

How do I know the Yolk is absorbed? how long will they live in the hatchery? do I have to throw out or freeze after how many days

[Live Brine Shrimp from LFS or Purchase a hatchery??]

There is a new LFS that opened near me (YAY). I go in there and nerd out with the owners.. LOL. We were talking about puffers (how much we love them ect), and I mentioned that I never tried live brine shrimp with him (AKA Gazoo the diva puppy fish). He said he feed his with live baby brine and put some in a bag for me to try and see if he would eat it (he only likes LIVE snails) he will eat blood worms if desperate.. LOL. 

WELL.. HE LOVED THEM! as did ALL the other fish.. here is my question

I keep hearing that these are not very nutritious but not sure if that is true or not. also, I feed my fish once a day every SECOND day (unless I have fry). I had them on my counter in my ACO clear box with an air stone. They did fine for a few days.. but did not feel confident to keep them around too long. 

I don't know if I should just purchase them from the LFS to feed from time to time? Should I invest in a brine shrimp hatchery for them? Do I have to use ALL of the ones that are live/hatched? do they have a "use by" certain time guideline? 

I just want to know a little more before I "commit" to purchasing a hatchery. 

[What is this on the wood?]

I "Think" its Malaysian drift wood that I purchased from a LFS (NC). I boiled it for HOURS before it went into my tank. It is really weird, and does not grow anywhere else. I have not had any fish death as a result (my pleco's eat from this wood all the time). It has a strange texture too. It feels crispy.. LOL. 

 

[What is this on the wood?]

On 1/23/2022 at 11:28 AM, Ambush0908 said:

 fast does it grow and what do you do to get off before it grows back

 I just used a toothbrush to get it off.. and it comes back in about a week or 2. It doesn't seem to bother any of the fish, and the plecos don't eat it. I am going to leave it to see how large it gets. It's the only piece of wood that does this. its super strange. 

[Another one bites the dust *Heater Failure # 3]

@xXInkedPhoenixX I keep species that "could" be okay in cooler temps, but I do have rabbit snails that prefer warmer water. I keep my house between 68-70 (70 only if its a cold as it is now in NC 30 degrees which is NOT normal). I don't like being hot so keep the house cooler. But I agree with you that it can be stressful, but the temperature controller is a total game changer. I am a nurse, so I have extra of EVERYTHING (human, canine and aquatic) and have learned a lot from the Nerm family to be a prepared as you can for anything. I am "pretty" low tech-ish, but each tank has a HOB, and sponge and air stones for backup. Some think its a "bit much" but if anything goes, something is providing air and filtering. I have only had 1 HOB die but it was part of a kit, and not great anyway so it was a good excuse to get a Seachem Tidal 🙂  

[What is this on the wood?]

Anyone know what this is? Its kina crunchy, and brittle. Its only on this piece of wood in the tank and comes back after removal. What is it??

Thanks Nerms!

[Another one bites the dust *Heater Failure # 3]

Nothing gets you flying out of bed like a heater alarm (and a puking dog/cat). I had a heater failure a few months back in the 20G then after that, 1 of the 2 heaters failed in the 40 G (these happened AFTER I got the temperature controller BTW). Yesterday the alarm went off with a E5 Continuous Heating Time Alarm. I checked the tank and the heaters were off.. temp was 78. Tested everything, and everything was functioning normally. Watched it throughout the day, and had no issues (at least from what I could see). Then at 2 am, alarm goes off again, with the same E5 Alarm. I had replaced 1 of the failed heaters a few weeks back with a 150 watt old heater I had as a backup till my new ones came in from Amazon. So, at 230, I took both heaters out, put the 2 brand new ones in, and watched that everything worked okay before going to bed a 330am. 

My issue is that I could not understand the Alarm because the heaters were off.. so I am wondering if its because the 150 W is stronger and was heating more than the other smaller 100 W? Could there be an issue with the controller? It seems to alarm appropriately. My continuous heating time is 3 hrs which has been working up to now. 

Thoughts? Is it REALLY possible that every heater is garbage and just does not last NO MATTER what? It really does not matter the type I get, or the reviews, they DIE! BUT... I will say this.. NONE of my livestock has suffered!!! that is because of the controller. They are worth EVERY penny! and I have them on EVERY tank but the 5 gallon, which I am second guessing that now too.. to add the single probe one (the ITC 308 green model). All I need is another Gazoo incident (see trip to the sump drawer post). If I lost him because of a bad heater I would never forgive myself. 

@Cory If I had a recommendation for a heater it would be that the cords are TOO short. If you have to put a heater on each end of a tank, and your controller or outlet is not right in the middle, the heater cord is quite short. Its just a thought that I wanted to mention before I forget (again). It might just be me and the set up I have, but throwing it out there 🙂. 

[Aquatic Species with the Best Personality?]

Wow.. this is a tough one! Okay.. here we go.. Panda's are my favorite of my cory gang.. zip around, playing with on another, and the babies play with the pygmy which are my # 2 choice. The pearl danio's are a total trip. They will go through intermittent zoomies, then huddle together.. and start all over again. I have even caught them mirroring the panda cory's swimming patterns.. hilarious. 

BUT.. my pea puffer Gazoo just can't be beat! I love his personality. up front and center all the time, curious and just down right CUTE! 

[Pest snail population decreasing??]

I know.. weird topic.. but I have a small 2.5 gallon that I use just for my pest snail overflow (AKA Gazoo the pea puffer lunch box). For some reason they are just not populating/breeding in there??? I have a sponge filter, heater and live plants in there.. I do water changes but for some reason they just don't do great in there.. 

What could be the issue? 

[The 2022 Wish list Fish Betta]

On 12/27/2021 at 2:04 PM, laritheloud said:

I'm actually getting a plakat, too, and he's going to be here next week -- Tuesday, I think.

How EXCITING!!! May I ask where you purchased her from? 

[The 2022 Wish list Fish Betta]

@lefty o and @GameCzar Will it be too deep is my concern? I know they go to the surface. If I get a Plakat (or any short fin type) I think they will be ok. 

I am WAY to scare to start a sorority.. but potentially adding some other fish with it is an option. I have EVERYTHING I need to get started.. I am a fish equipment hoarder.. (seriously) .. Just need to find another place to put a tank..LOL

[The 2022 Wish list Fish Betta]

Hi Everyone! 

Hope everyone is having a GREAT holiday season so far! 

When I started this hobby, I wanted a Betta. What I ended up with was a community tank (ehem.. "tanks") 🙂. Although always adding to my community tanks, I still REALLY want to have a Betta! I would prefer a short fin variety.  

My neighbor gave me a 20G (high) because they upgraded their tank. Could I potentially set this tank up as a Betta tank? Would it be too deep? Too  large?

I am sure there are some "Betta" folks here.. so I would love to hear your input. I don't even mind to purchase another tank and use the 20G for something else LOL

[Gazoo the pea puffer ** that little $%#@!]

@DaveO sorry for the delayed response. Yes its a Fishtastic 5G. I purchased it for 39$ (on sale) from my LFS. The entire filtration system (and my heater) fits into the sliding draw under the tank. It works like a overflow/drain sump system. The Tank volume is 5 Gallons and the Sump has a 1.5 gallon capacity. It came with those Aqueon Power filter pads but those were "bye bye" I added AQO sponge and filter floss. The tank is a true 5 G so there is no volume lost because of filter stuff in the back! Which is why I loved this design so much! (* Hint Hint to some fish nerds.. brilliant idea HERE.. design idea potential LOL)! 

Its a cool little tank and perfect for my single Pea Puffer demon LOL. I think the ONLY thing is the small hole to access the top with. Its workable, but if you have big hands... forget it. My light did die, and I had to figure something out..

I got a glass picture frame, used the glass only for a top, and purchased a small light to put on top of it. TADA! I attached an updated picture below. I purchased a floating Christmas ball for his tank.. and he loves it!

I think my LFS might have some left in stock, but I think that they may have discontinued it.. which is too bad.. it was good for fresh and salt water set ups.. 

[Gazoo the pea puffer ** that little $%#@!]

@Guppysnail He is! That is also why he is alone! He would terrorize EVERYTHING in the tank with him! He is my favorite fish and he always makes me laugh.. pea puffers as just so cute! His curiosity got the best of him this time though.. haha!

I got him a floating Christmas ball to put in his tank.. that should keep him entertained for a bit! LOL!