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Betsy

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Everything posted by Betsy

  1. Betsy
    Hoorayyy!!! Congratulations @Aubrey, @Kirsten, and @H.K.Luterman!!!! 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳
  2. Betsy
    I would consider adjusting lighting and adding some crushed coral! I see some algae in the back, which makes me think you might be running slightly high on lighting. I'd reduce the lighting by an hour and see if it reduces your algae. And, I did some quick research on leaf curling...it seems like a calcium deficiency could be a cause! What's your pH/GH/KH? I think adding crushed coral in a bag near/in your filter wouldn't be out of line! I think your tank looks great!! Please keep us updated on what you decide to do and how it goes! Hopefully, someone with more experience than me chimes in! 😆👍
  3. Betsy
    I think some weirdness is normal! I really enjoy the variety of colors in your tank!! Three quick questions: What's your substrate? (It looks like Fluval Stratum?) What's your lighting scheme? (And, is your light dimmable or on a timer?) When did you plant? (If it's super recent, your plants could just be getting used to your water and light!)
  4. Betsy
    @Streetwise - I just love to tinker!! That brings me a lot of joy! 😂👍 @JamesB - I think that's solid advice! I trimmed the roots...I just want to make sure they get some light juice! But, at the first sign of melt, they're getting a haircut! 💇‍♀️
  5. Betsy
    I emailed the seller of the anubias that rotted...not asking for a refund, just asking for advice, and they ended up giving me store credit! Very excited about that!!! Now I have more buce money! 😜💸👍 I think I would purchase from that seller again...just probably not going to buy any anubias...haha! My order from the Co-Op came in today! I ordered some Crypts Wendtii Green and a red lily bulb, and went ahead and planted those in the tank. Hopefully, the melt on the crypts won't be as bad as I hear it can be. My substrate...for all the angst it has caused me...was a dream to plant into! The tank is finally starting to fill in and feel like a good aquarium! I also finally got the betta sticker!!! 🥳 All of my dreams really are coming true! 😂 10 short nose algae shrimp and a nerite are headed my way soon (this week, I hope! 🤞)!! I'm heavily considering moving one of my school nerites home. The poop load of two nerites is a little intense for a 5 gallon tank! I vacuum weekly and it's still astounding!! Oh yeah...and the DBF is baaaaack (but not as bad as before...yet).
  6. Betsy
    @Jungle Fan - thank you so much for all of this information!!! It makes me feel A LOT better that I am not the only one seeing this issue...that maybe it wasn't just my inexperience that caused these pretty plants to rot! I reached out to the seller for advice on Saturday (I didn't get these plants from the Co-Op), so I'm interested to know what they say. I'll definitely update if they mention anything interesting! I really like the var. Golden, too!! The chartreuse is so pretty and bright, and the Golden variant that I received from the Co-Op is thriving in my school tank. I think I'm most concerned that there's a possibility the virus/bacteria issue contagious and could spread and affect my other plants. Part of me thinks I should just switch over to Bucephalandra...it's living the good life and throwing up new leaves! So, maybe all is not lost! 🌱🥳🌱 I do think I'll be quarantining any future anubias purchases...just in case... Thank you so much for your help and knowledge and experience and time!!! 😆👍👍
  7. Betsy
    I like that all of the colors on the Co-Op test strips have a good range - I use the Tetra 6-in-1 strips, and I swear, I can't tell apart the different browns on the GH test! I always feel like mine looks like none of the options! 😂
  8. Betsy
    @Jungle Fan - this is great info!!! I was having a moment of panic...because the DBF was covering the second rotten anubias, I thought for sure that it could be playing a role in the anubias rot (although, in hindsight, it might have moved in after the anubias had already rotted)...so I went on a boiling spree! I boiled the driftwood in my first tank, and I never had a biofilm occur...so, that was the only solution I could think of in my moment of weakness, haha! I'll be sure to not panic boil any future driftwood! 😜 I'm actually scared to touch the coffeefolia that I have left! 😅 The rhizome on that one is still green, so that seems like a good sign. 🤞🤞🤞
  9. Betsy
    I have had similar issues with Scarlet Temple! I think it requires more light than the rest of my plants (it's a long story, but I've got pretty reduced lighting in my 5 gallon because I'm trying to remedy an algae issue...and pretty much all of my scarlet temple melted under the reduced lighting)...you could try increasing the lighting!
  10. Betsy

    Snail care

    Betsy replied to Kirk's topic in General Discussion

    I've got soft water, too. So far, I've used crushed coral in my HOB filter for my snails...and that seems to be successful! I've also seen people put the coral in a media bag near their sponge filter. I put 2 oz. in for my 5 gallon tank, and it worked great to raise the pH, GH, and KH...but not wildly. I like to bag it because I can easily edit how much is in my tank if it's not having the effect I want it to have on my water stats. I'm really interested in the wonder shells! I just ordered some from the Co-Op...if you try them before I do, I'm interested to know how they work for you!
  11. Betsy
    @m1ie - that's really interesting!! I'm not exactly sure what type of driftwood I have here - it was some unspecified driftwood on Amazon.com. The darker parts of the driftwood don't grow DBF...but the lighter parts are DBF champions!!! I wonder if its some variant of spiderwood! I'll have to read the description again and see. 🤔 I do have some shrimp and a nerite on the way - definitely not opposed to ordering fish online, haha! - so, I'm excited to see if they'll help this project along! Dumbo ears are VERY cute...and two harlequin rasboras in your Craigslist tank? That does sound like a boon!! I'd love to see pictures as you're working on it (tank journals are my favorite part of this forum!!). Thank you for all of your great advice and help! 😆👍
  12. Betsy
    @m1ie - I am thinking long-fin! Probably a half or full moon...I am definitely drawn to koi betta varieties! I may not be am not patient enough to wait for the DBF to go away...haha! It's been on the driftwood for two weeks. I decided to throw away that last little bit of the barteri round anubias and treat all my plants with hydrogen peroxide. And, I did boil the driftwood, too...it STANK...so, I feel like that was a good move. At least it gives me peace of mind, even if I totally ruined my BB cycle. Hopefully, the DBF will not come back 🤞 and if I ever get driftwood again, it will be boiled!! My 5 gallon was so easy to set up...I think I might be stressing this tank too hard! That being said, I think I've already learned more this go-round...so, maybe all of these mistakes are just an excellent learning experience!
  13. Betsy
    So...as y'all know, I lost the golden anubias to rot...I was looking at my tank and I saw that the DBF had crept up onto my Barteri Round (Golden Coin) anubias, so I reached in to try to clean it off and make sure all was well. WELL...that anubias is rotten, too! Luckily, part of the rhizome was still firm, so I cut off the soggy portion, rinsed, and placed it in a new location in the tank. And, then I started searching the forum...I read a few comments about anubias rot wiping out the entire tank of anubias. 😱 I only have one other anubias that could be affected (the coffeefolia...my favorite!)...but I can't decide if I want to pull out everything, treat all my plants with hydrogen peroxide, boil the driftwood (could my DBF be playing a role??), and do a big water change. Bah. Any advice is welcomed!
  14. Betsy
    So iridescent!!! Very pretty betta! I've never seen a unicorn before...I'm glad to know they exist!! 😜🦄
  15. Betsy
    This looks amazing!!! I love that whole corner! The wallpaper...the deep green chest...the shelf with the potted plants...it's what dreams are made of! 😍 Your hardscape looks awesome, too! I love the triangle composition that you've chosen! I am jealoussss of your water clarity! I've got to find a piece of furniture for my 20 gallon...that may be on the docket for this weekend! You've given me a lot of inspiration! Thank you for sharing!!!
  16. Betsy
    @OceanTruth - it's so sad! Water lettuce is so pretty, and I wanted it to work so bad!! I got some Salvinia from my LFS and it's not really filling that floating plant hole in my heart, haha! I've found that golden anubias is a little more sensitive than the other varieties...but I was surprised, too!! I also didn't get the golden anubias from Aquarium Co-Op, so that was probably the problem! 😜 Yeah...I'm officially a Buce Believer! 😆👍👍 Thank you for introducing me to the wonders of bucephalandra!!! 🌱
  17. Betsy
    @OceanTruth - they're already looking happier today...I was so worried my tank was going to end up being a rotting bucket of plant matter before I got a light on it! I did lose the golden anubias...and the water lettuce was a goner from the onset...but most everything else has been okay! I am OBSESSED with the buce - it easily has the most personality! Adding DBF to the list, for sure!! 😜👍 @Maggie - it's tough because I much prefer the look of the plakat to a longer-fin...but I want it to be slow and mellow enough to not be a total jerk to the other fish I want to have in the tank. I've also considered getting a female instead of a male! I thought I heard somewhere that the females can be slightly more laid back...maybe I dreamed it... Thanks @H.K.Luterman!!! I got it from Amazon.com! I am digging the island vibe...I just can't wait for it to settle in a little more! I think I'll be happier when the clarity of the water improves! Thanks @Eddie Dingle!!! Yeah...DBF is super gross looking and feeling! I should have boiled the driftwood...but I didn't have a pot that was big enough! As Alanis Morissette says....you live, you learn! 😂
  18. Betsy
    @ScottEsh - I think there used to be a website...but it runs on Adobe Flash...I also thought there was a .io website...they're out there!! I have become obsessed with Mini Bolbitis - such good texture on a small scale. PERFECT for a 5 gallon!! I would follow @Jungle Fan's advice and add some of the Mini Bolb!
  19. Betsy
    Alrighty!! The Fluval light has arrived after a harrowing adventure through the USPS (I even have a note from them that apologizes for the mishandling of my mail! It must have been quite a trip!). I set up the light according to a YouTube video I watched by @Bentley Pascoe...only modified slightly because I prefer the warmer look. That light is so fun to play with! I am sad to report that my tank has not fully recovered from the Flourite Dust Storm of 2021, I'm rocking some cloudy water and a sweet case of driftwood fungal(?) film, my plants aren't looking overly sassy because they've been in the dark for about a week and a half, and my light could use some risers....but I think there is lots of potential there! And, a need for MORE PLANTS! 😜 Here's a photo of my driftwood film prior to capping the red flourite substrate with black sand...I feel like it's a common enough malady that it needs an acronym! DFF for Driftwood Fungal Film or DBF for Driftwood Bio Film? What do y'all think? Here's my starting lighting scheme (suggestions and advice welcomed!): And, here are two photos post-light install! Definitely need more plants...that right corner is Berenstain BARE! 🤓🐻🤓 You can see some more of that slimy DFF in the front on this next one: I will continue to pull plants to rinse off the red dust...but it's looking A LOT better than it did before. It helps that I can SEE the plants now. 👀😂 I think the cycle is close to being done, so I'm looking forward to adding stock. I think I'll add shrimp and a nerite snail first...they can munch on that DFF...there's plenty of it, haha!
  20. Betsy
    She is the prettiest!!! 😍
  21. Betsy
    Bravo for these awesome mods!!! 🥳 My Fluval light came in today, and I definitely need risers (my tank is too short for the 36" and too long for the 24"!).
  22. Betsy
    I think it sounds cool!!! I can't help you with the high light plants, but I'm finally getting my algae issue under control with my anubias and java fern. I tried changing multiple variables, but in the end, reducing the lighting was the only thing that made a difference. I didn't treat my algae with any chemicals...I've just been physically removing and monitoring for additional growth. I have a built-in LED as well...I use one of those 24-hour mechanical timers. But, my light only has two settings...on and off! Haha! Yours sounds more complex. If you've got a built-in LED that can change from white to blue light...is it also dimmable? If your algae problem isn't a problem anymore...then, are you aiming for more plant growth? Or, what are you hoping to accomplish by changing your lighting scheme? (I'm feeling very nosy...sorry for all of the questions, haha!)
  23. Betsy
    Very pretty!!! I am a big fan of the dark substrate/dark background look...and, I love your hardscape choices. Driftwood that doesn't sink easily can be so frustrating sometimes, haha!!
  24. Betsy
    I have heard that blue lights can promote algae growth...so, I would vote for white! Those high light plants probably love the long light days! I also know from personal experience that too much light on anubias and java fern can promote algae growth! Are you experiencing any algae growth on those plants? And if so, have you considered getting a light timer? If your plants look great and your lighting scheme has been consistent for a month-ish, I wouldn't make any changes!
  25. Betsy
    @OceanTruth - I am pumped!!! I may or may not have been stalking the tracking for the light since Monday! 😂 I've been checking out forum threads and Bentley Pascoe videos to come up with my first lighting scheme! Can't wait to apply the knowledge! 🤓 Hopefully, it'll be worth the dough! 💸
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