[Pea Puffer]

Thanks . I will check it out .

[What did you get done today?]

On 11/3/2021 at 5:31 PM, Patrick_G said:

That’s a neat looking setup. Do you have any other pics? 

 

On 11/3/2021 at 6:38 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

So they can have minds of their own - like cichlids each puffer will have their own ideas. You will see stories where they do really well with tank mates and others where they’ve murdered every inhabitant of a tank. Keep this in mind. Have backup tanks and plans for it this goes wrong. 

So t

 

On 11/3/2021 at 8:14 PM, Atitagain said:

Pea puffers are known to be fin nippers to long finned fish, guppies? They will either eat all the snails or I have heard of them getting full then killing off all other snails in the tank. Get 1 or 3 not 2 if there’s aggression issues need to be able to spread it out, even if just by a little. 
good luck mate 

 

On 11/4/2021 at 8:36 AM, BrycePilaf said:

Hi everyone,

I bought a used 55 gallon freshwater tank a couple of months ago. It came with 2 medium to large angelfish as well as a community of tetras, albino corys, and 2 bristlenose plecos. It also came with a lot of Anubias species, crypts, an Aponogeton, and some driftwood. I'm new-ish to aquariums (had one in high school) and new to aquarium plants.

Aside from some MAJOR crypt melt that I had after I got the tank (they were out of the water for a few hours and really wilted), I haven't had many problems with the plants. They've been putting out new leaves regularly. I have been using Aquarium Co-op root tabs. I think the crypt melt caused a spike in ammonia and later on, nitrates--my nitrates were around 80 ppm a couple weeks ago, and my pH has been as low as 6.4 (my tap water, and another aquarium, are around pH 7.5). The crypts and Anubias had been doing fine but I have been having issues with getting newly planted Val and Pogostemon (from Aquarium Co-op) to grow or not lose leaves. I thought maybe the low pH and high nitrates might be affecting the new plants, so I'd been doing 30% water changes every 2-3 days to bring down the nitrate levels and raise the pH. 

However, after a few days away last week I came home to see that many of the leaves on the crypts and Anubias were starting to turn brown/black, starting from the tips and edges. The crypts were just given root tabs so they *should* be good. I occasionally dose with a bottle of SeaChem Flourish that I got from the previous owner. I had bought some Easy Green but haven't used it yet because of the high nitrates in the tank. My light is a generic looking Aqueon light that came from the previous owner; it's been used to grow these plants for a long time.

Could the high nitrate level caused the browning of the leaves? My nitrate levels have been 20-40 ppm for the past week now. I'm not sure if the browning leaves are the delayed result of the 80 ppm levels from 2 weeks ago, or if something else might be causing it. 

I'm a little concerned because the Anubias in particular have never showed problems until now. I don't want to have my plants die on me. Any suggestions?

Thanks!

 

On 11/4/2021 at 9:57 AM, BrycePilaf said:

Thanks for your reply. The Anubius runners are not under gravel, and some of them (I'm guessing it's A. nana petite) are on one of the pieces of driftwood. It's really densely growing on the driftwood, I've never been able to actually see the runners, so I suppose it's possible the runners aren't being exposed to light. However, it was that way when I got it and only now am I seeing any leaf browning.

I have been suspecting high nitrate levels as the possible cause of the leaf browning based on some google research I've done, and based on the high nitrate levels I've had. However, I have also thought that maybe the frequent water changes could be part of the culprit. My rationale for the frequent water changes has been to reduce nitrates and increase the pH. I'd bought 2 Pogostemon stellatis octopus plants about a month ago and put 1 in my 55 gallon and 1 in my 20 gallon tank. The plant in the 20 gallon tank (with a pH of 7.5 even with driftwood and nitrates never over 40 ppm) has been growing great--the 1 in my 55 gallon (with pH as low as 6.4 and nitrates as high as 80 ppm) has new green shoots but the lower leaves have been melting. So, I thought maybe the lower pH might be causing the new plant not to thrive. 

Maybe I'll hold off on further water changes for a bit and add some of the Flourish or Easy Green and see if that helps.

 

On 11/4/2021 at 10:17 AM, Jennifer V said:

Pea puffers are shoaling fish, so they do best in larger numbers so getting three would be better than just one, however as the others mentioned, they can be very feisty little guys and may not get along with anything else in the tank. Mine immediately murder anything that comes near the tank. They even picked the nerite I had in there to death before I could tell what was happening and they were just tiny juveniles at the time. They're such fun, rewarding fish, but definitely require a lot of patience and dedication to make sure they live their best life. 

 

On 11/4/2021 at 10:49 AM, Patrick_G said:

I’d check the most recent few threads on Pea Puffers. @Odd Duck had some greats recommendations on keeping Peas in a community setting. 

 

On 11/3/2021 at 7:24 PM, Patrick_G said:

Really cool, I like that you have the pond set into the raised garden. Great idea. 

It's just some clear poly . 2 layers 3.5 mil thick . It's clipped onto a pvc frame I built . The frame separates into 2 ft sections . When I am not using it I can break it down into something the size of a tent or a small canopy . Feel free to borrow the idea if you like . No patents pending.  LOL.

[Pea Puffer]

 I will do that . Looks like they have h as d some luck with breeding them . Not looking to do that but I did go ahead and purchase 3 today with a few backup plans.  In case they are too nippy. Definitely gonna need all the info I can get moving forward with these 3 . Thanks .

[Pea Puffer]

Thank you . I think I am going to get a few today if the local store still has them . I will make sure to remove my nerite snails for sure . If they become too much for everything else I have a tank I can dedicate to them . Time for a new species and I really like these fish . 

[Plant leaves turning brown from tips and edges]

You can get a buffer or crushed coral to increase PH . Also too much CO2 will lower the . I have killed off all my plants keeping my water too clean they are part of the cleaning crew. I would think the Anubius would be the last to go . Just the little I know . You probably already know . Hang in there and good luck . 

[Plant leaves turning brown from tips and edges]

Is your Anubius planted under gravel ? I am not an expert but I think the runner at the base of the Anubius has to be exposed to light . They are very hardy and very slow growing so it takes a long time to see a change in them . I am pretty sure that nitrates won't harm anything but fish . Nitrates are plant food minus all the other minerals you get in easy green . The only experience I have is with the Anubius none of the others.  So I would say if it is buried pull it up and attach it to driftwood or rocks.  Be careful driftwood can lower PH . Too many water changes can harm plants by removing minerals and nitrates.  Things the plants need . Hope this was helpful . Remember it could take a long time to see change in Anubius they are slow growing but hardy plants. 

[Pea Puffer]

Those are some cool looking fish . I have pretty much an endless supply of snails between 3 other tanks and an outdoor pond that I grow some plants in and let guppies snails and cherry shrimp breed in . So I should be good on snails . Really awesome looking little fish . Thanks for the response. 

[Pea Puffer]

Thanks . That's what I have read everywhere.  I do have some other tanks than th one I was planning on putting in . Just incase it got too aggressive in my main tank . Definitely wanna get one but I dont want to damage my other fish because of it . Still undecided.  Thanks again for the response. 

[What did you get done today?]

Only a few before I built the greenhouse . I will try to get some more and post the the next couple days .

[What did you get done today?]

It's been an ongoing thing but finally done . PVC and poly greenhouse around the 300 gallon outdoor pond . I am anxious to see how much it helps maintain the ecosystem through the winter. 

[Starting a new Planted Aquarium]

I dont use CO2 . I dont spend alot of time on mine due to work . Java Fern , Anubius , and Dwarf Aquarium Lillies all do great and dont require alot of care . Also if you like floating plants Penny wort and Hornwort will do great and will grow enough that you will have to cut them back . The floating plants do a great job of keeping nitrates down . I rarely ever do water changes just add fresh water as it evaporates.  My CO2 is added by the fish and sponge filter . I try to run as natural and low maintenance as possible while maintaining a good  environment for the fish . Hope this was helpful . It's what works for me .

[Pea Puffer]

Does anyone have experience putting Pea Puffers with Albino Cory Cats ? I have a planted 40 gallon ad want to add at least 1 Pea Puffer . Other fish in the tank include Guppies and Kuhli Loaches . The tank also has lots of small snails which should make a good natural food source for the Puffers . Was thinking of getting up to 3 Puffers.  Any suggestions or advice appreciated . 

[Mouth fungus . I think?]

5 hours ago, Colu said:

It difficult to tell off the picture if it has cotton wool like appearance than I would treat with API  fungus cure

Hard to get a good picture . Maybe I caught it early . I went ahead and added Maracyn.  All I have other than salt , ich x and paracleanse . I hope it works . Thanks for the response . I guess I will see in a few days .

[Mouth fungus . I think?]

Can I treat mouth fungus with Maracyn? Just noticed today . She is lethargic and lay on bottom.  I already put 1 tablespoon per three gallons of marine salt . This has worked for me in the past but haven't had this same problem. Should I add some Maracyn or wait it out ?

[my 20 long hopefully jungle]

23 minutes ago, quirkylemon103 said:

ok do remove them or just let the tank decide(predators, food, etc) how many snails there are going to be

I love the aquarium by the way . I have been thinking about getting a 20 long . I keep mostly Guppies,  shrimp  , snails and plants.  I have a few Cories and am about to add some striped kuhli loaches. 

[my 20 long hopefully jungle]

14 minutes ago, quirkylemon103 said:

ok do remove them or just let the tank decide(predators, food, etc) how many snails there are going to be

 I leave them . I like having snails and have never been over populated.  The more you feed the more eggs they will lay . I think my goldfish eat them . I never see more than about 10 at a time in my planted 40 gallon and would welcome more . I think snails are great in a planted tank and easy to pull out the ones you dont want . I have what I call pond snails. I bring them in from my outdoor pond . 

[my 20 long hopefully jungle]

They look like my snails eggs.  My pond snails have clusters of eggs encapsulated in a jelly like substance.  I think most fish have individual eggs.  Nerite snails also spread individual eggs.  Depends on type of snails but I would guess they are snail eggs .

[Help - The leaves are growing but in brown color.]

If they are Dwarf Aquarium Lilies they should look brownish.  These are mine planted about 2 weeks ago . They are back center of the pictures surrounded by Java Fern . I think you are alright.  

[Winter Storm in Texas]

12 minutes ago, DShelton said:

Yeah I hope so. This is the first time that I have put tubs out like this before. I have a 12v powered solar fountain, and that combined with a fan, if needed for evaporative cooling will make it viable for our sweltering summers.

I suspect the dirt as insulation made a huge difference in yours as deep as the 300G tubs are. That thermal gradient is probably what saved your fish during the winter storm and helps them survive in direct sun.

I think those 100 gallons are the same depth.  I was looking at some recently  25 inches deep I think . Once I get all the landscaping done I was thinking of adding a couple with some plants snails and guppies.  Just trying to create a nice place to sit and relax. I think  you will probably do well with those 100 gallons. 

[Winter Storm in Texas]

4 minutes ago, DShelton said:

Right on. Is it in direct sun? Mine will be covered most of the day and get maybe 2 hours of direct sun.

Mine was in direct sun last summer . Was just getting it set up last year . Some shade will probably go a long way towards keeping water temps lower .

[Winter Storm in Texas]

3 minutes ago, Dancing Matt said:

If it is an extended freeze, making sure the water is oxygenated is something to consider. Many ponds keep a pond de-icer floating so there will be oxygen exchange

Thanks . I am considering building some temporary greenhouse panels I can put up during Winter to keep water temps up and take down in Spring.  I think I might want more aeration anyway.  I might try some type of aerator I can run year round . I have also considered a floating deicer . This was the first winter and it did fine until will got hit by the recent storm . Unusual for texas .

[Winter Storm in Texas]

33 minutes ago, DShelton said:

How about during the heat of the summer? I am in S. DFW, have the same 100G tub and am a bit concerned about the water temps during the heat of the summer.

 

 

Mine is a 300 gallon.  Everything thing did great during the Summer . All of my fish are bought from feeder fish tanks . Goldfish , Rosey Reds , Guppies  . The water gets up to about 90 during the day in the summer and would cool down at night . The fish remained very active and I feed them at night .

[Winter Storm in Texas]

Attn ! Anyone wondering if Goldfish can survive in pond over winter . I wasn't fully prepared for the winter storm we just experienced in Dallas TX.  My pond froze 2 inches thick . I dont have any good pictures from it but this is the pond now . All of my Goldfish also Rosey Red minnows and found some ghost shrimp alive I wasn't even aware were still in there . The pond stayed frozen for 4 days during the recent storm and the filter stopped running . Everything survived except a few guppies.  Next year I will be better prepared but anyone thinking of starting an outdoor pond Goldfish and especially Rosey Reds have no problem with cold. Hope this was helpful.