LeeLee

Thank you.

I am putting up a 40 breeder and also trying to figure out if I need a pad. I have read yes and no. Also arguments about what kind of material to use and how to use it. The pad is to self level the frame to prevent failure and leaks. I also read on one site just to pad the frame and not the glass. The frame could sink into the foam and put pressure on the bottom glass. ???? Should I use insulation board as most websites say? In Europe they sell pads for aquariums.

Thank you

On impulse I bought new fish last night. I thought I had the med trio at home but wasn’t positive so I bought more. They did not have Paracleanse so I bought Fritz Expel-X. Fortunately I had Paracleanse at home so used my last dose. Does anyone know the difference in Paracleanse and Expel-X? I need to order the trio.

Three weeks ago I bought 4 more tetras because I felt so bad. One of my old tetra’s passed away (??No sign of anything wrong.) before the new school mates got out of quarantine. Now I need to get another to make 6. I hope the last original tetra stays with me to finally get the enjoyment of another school.

My Mystery Snail’s shell is looking so bad. I tried cuttlebone and it didn’t help at all. Still have a piece in the tank. I have city water which had no hardness. I add a small amount of crushed coral and my hardness jumped. I finally got most the coral out but it was still testing very hard so I tested the city water & it was the problem. It’s been a year now with hard city water but my poor snail looks worse every day. I ordered Mini Original Banquet Feeding Block with calcium and just received it today. Now I’m trying to figure out how the snail can get any before the fish finish it off. I’ve heard of the antacid but could only buy flavors & didn’t know which to buy. I use tums in my garden. Thanks for the wine making calcium carbonate tip. I will look for some.

I had 7 Black Skirted Tetras for several several years. One developed what I thought was fin rot. I put all the tetras in a 10 gallon hospital tank. I tried everything but the fin didn’t get better or worse. They stayed in the hospital for months. One morning 5 were dead and already decaying. The 2 remaining are perfectly healthy. I’m scared to add them back to the community even after 2 months. Now do I need to get more so there will be a school and less stressed. I feel bad if I don’t but I’m not sure if I want tetras for the rest of my life but hate to give them away since I’ve had them for a long time.

I got some Endlers 6 months ago. Simply because I’ve never had them. They are brightly colored and always playful. Playing in the bubbler water column. They are definitely not skittish because they were eating out of my hand the first week I had them. I think they would be good.

There is one in Wilmington also. I’ve never been but hope to soon.

Nickyjax, I’m in Myrtle Beach. Socastee really.

Hi. I’m kind of a newbie in S.C. where I am trying to isolate from the virus and I am isolated from quality fish stores. Only several big box where all the employees are new hires. I don’t know anyone that is into fish keeping so I think I will always be a newbie. I was born in Northern IN just south of Chicago. Moved to NC when was 20. Spent 40 years there before moving unwilling to S.C.. Yes, I am old. Have kept dogs, cats, birds, gerbils, guinea pigs, and a husband but never fish until about 4 years ago. I am a poverty stricken retiree (more so since fish keeping) but volunteer at an animal shelter. Before Covid I was spending at lot of time at Petco and Petsmart taking care of our Rescue’s cats. I always go to the aquarium section to see what has come in and what is floating in the tanks. I have often told them about sick fish in their tanks but the stores never staff enough for them to be cared for properly. Sorry for going on. I’m here to learn. Please be patient with my silly questions. Sorry I’m advance.

Hi Debra. I moved to SC from NC a couple years ago and so want to move back. I am also new. About 4 years but learning all the time. It’s very difficult when there are only big box stores and I don’t know any local fish keepers. The staff at theses chains are mostly newly hired (big turn over) with little fish keeping knowledge. I’m on the coast. When or if this pandemic ever ends I’m going to make a road trip maybe to the Raleigh/Durham area and find a good store. Are there any in your area or elsewhere that I could drive to & back in one day trip from Myrtle Beach?

I use vinegar and water on all my glass. I use Dr Bonner’s diluted soap to clean decor sometimes when scrubbing doesn’t work. Dr Bronner Is the only soap they sell at my local backpacking/camping store because if you bath in streams it doesn’t harm wildlife or the environment. It has natural oils in it so I think I would clean with diluted soap, rinse well, then the water/vinegar to make the glass spot free. I use all natural for household cleaning. I haven’t used soap to clean glass unless it’s extremely dirty & then I go back over it with vinegar/water or club soda. Club soda is also excellent for sparkling glass. I’m not sure an aquarium. I’ll have to try after looking at the ingredients again.