[Hello]

Well you’ve certainly been busy. Welcome.

[The new fish room and studio build thread.]

One less thing on the to do list.

[40 Gallon Breeder]

Success!

[Streetwise Homestead Aquariums]

Have you thought about using a styrofoam board instead of the slate under the tank? It should level out the tank without putting stress on the tank.

[40 Gallon Breeder]

7 minutes ago, Daniel said:

I think we will have fix by tomorrow. It is frustrating when things don't work sometimes but it the price we pay for the new features that are constantly being added.

We are the beta testers who are making this the best fish forum ever.

I enjoy hanging with the fish nerds.

[40 Gallon Breeder]

14 minutes ago, AJE said:

It looks amazing 

Thanks! I tried to add a video (YouTube) link and the site wouldn’t accept it. 

[Advice please]

Based on the numbers you just posted you should be able to start putting your fish back in, but do it gradually adding everybody all at once may screw everything up again. 

[40 Gallon Breeder]

Panda Corys, Kribs, Von Rio Tetras, & Brilliant Rasboras. 

[1930s historically accurate planted aquarium]

1 minute ago, Tre said:

Fairmont Park philly?

Yup

[1930s historically accurate planted aquarium]

1930’s WPA poster

[Hi! New to the hobby.]

48 minutes ago, Suku said:

I'm using API's Stress Coat. My water parameters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites and about 10-20 ppm nitrates before a water change.

I assumed since I'm kinda overstocked (31 fishes + snails in 30 gallon) that I would have to do 50% water change once a week.

Your numbers are fine. 

[Fishless Cycling]

You can buy starter cultures of BB. Under gravel filter or not substrate holds a boatload of BB. I would also reduce the # of water changes to about once a week. 

[Shipping fish]

I’ve been getting my fish primarily from AquaBid since the COVID outbreak put a brake on everything and have had very good experiences with the sellers I’ve dealt with. I read the reviews of the seller before I bid to get a sense of whom I’m dealing with and their business practices. So if the vast majority of the reviews are positive I feel comfortable placing my bid. Even with the USPS delivery slowdown I haven’t had any real issues with the shipments.

[Hi! New to the hobby.]

Are you using any kind of water treatment when you do the water changes and what are your parameters before you change water? You may not need to do water changes as much or as often. Try cutting the water changes to 20% and do them say every other week and see how the fish react.

[If I cover my low tec tank will I need more light]

I have a Finnex Stingray 2 on my 120 (2’x2‘x4’) with a lid on it and have no issues growing plants. I’ve got swords, crypts, dwarf Sagittarius, java fern, Anubias and water sprite to give you an idea on what grows in that deep of a tank with that light on it. The light is on 10 hours a day. 

[What is everyone's favorite hang on back filters?]

Whatever HOB you choose pick one that has the pump in the tank not in the filter box. They’re dead quiet and don’t have issues restarting after a power loss. Most of my HOBs are the new versions of Penguins. 

[My first Forum/group/club/ experience. Hello!]

Welcome Mac!

[Discus eggs]

I have a pair of discus that have spawned for the third time in 6 weeks and they ate the eggs again. Eventually they’ll figure out those little round things they put on the filter intake aren’t for breakfast. 

[Parameter Repair Conundrum]

I second the not chasing numbers thought. Out of tap my water is acidic so the pH in my tanks will be in the low 6’s and soft. So I chose fish that come from areas with similar conditions which means most of my fish are South American. I also use crushed coral in my filters but its in there to add minerals to the water I don’t put enough in to raise the pH significantly. 

[What did you get done today?]

Tested all the tanks, took the dog for walk, took my wife food shopping, did 20% water changes on all the fish tanks, made lasagna, watching the Yankees beat the Blue Jays.

[Heaters?]

Whatever heater you go with get a controller. I have Ink Bird controllers on all my tanks.

[Water parameters help please]

Have you tested your water before you put into the tank? Are there plants in the tank? How big is the tank? The addition of one small fish (Oto) won’t change your water parameters.Finally you’re changing water too often. I wouldn’t be surprised if your cycle is screwed up because of the constant changes.

[Quarantine tank]

I keep the sponge filter & heater running and throw a little food in for the bb when I remember. 

[Temperature for Tropical Community Tank]

My 120 is a Discus community tank is 85F. All my smaller tanks house dwarf cichlids as the main fish and they’re @ 82F. I also use Inkbird controllers, so they allow me to program the heaters.

[Where to order fish from in the Midwest?]

I’ve been doing the AquaBid route since COVID shut everything down. I’ve gotten fish from sellers in Upstate NY, Iowa, Western PA, South Carolina, & Florida, plants and miscellaneous supplies from The CO OP in Washington. Considering the issues with the USPS everything except one shipment got here on time. The one that wasn’t on time showed up two days late. Thankfully that had no fish. I live in SE NC, not exactly the center of things.