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Alesha

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Posts posted by Alesha

    Guppy Breeding setup

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    On 11/14/2021 at 5:49 PM, PineSong said:

    Not to derail the thread, but if there is a journal or photos of this journey to 500 guppies, I'd love to see it--and what did you do once you got to 500? 

    Hi PineSong, 

    Sorry it's taken me a while to get to your question. I'm not able to be online here much these days.

    I didn't keep a journal with the guppies. I just fed them and tried to keep the water parameters good. I have very hard city water here, but the water was fairly stable once it cycled.

    I got the fish from a local breeder in our area. There fish are available online. It's Imperial Tropicals in Lakeland, FL. Their fish are really big and super healthy.

    These fish were in 1 10-gallon and 1-20 gallon tank. They had HOB filters, heaters and lights.  Most of the plants were fake.

    We eventually moved them 2 a 55-gallon, with sponge filters and HOB filter, light and heater. They didn't do well in this tank. It was dirted and had gravel and crushed coral, with live plants, and the snails went a little (a LOT) nuts. The parameters never settled and I ended up treating with Levamisole for wasting disease. The treatment killed my cycle and I've never gotten it back. We've given away most of the guppies that survived the treatment. Although, we still have a 5-gallon tank full of babies that are now grown and having their own babies of the original 14. We're planning a drop-off trip to a local fish store to finally get rid of all of them. It's just too overwhelming to keep them all when my tank won't hold a cycle.

    I've attached a pic of the 55-gallon, right after we moved them over. 

    I hope this helps,

    Alesha

    20200819_104125 (2).jpg

    • Like 6

    Maggie's 10 gallon betta project

    in Photos, Videos & Journals

    Posted

    Maggie,

    I'm so sorry that Cosmo isn't doing well. You have been so careful & determined to do what's best for him. Don't beat yourself up about the decoration. These things happen to everybody,  and we learn from them. 

    I'm hoping a smaller space, less stress, the salt & meds will have Cosmo feeling better soon. Please keep us updated. I know I've been absent for a while, but I do get email notifications on this thread & I'll be popping back in to see how things are going. 

    Hugs to you & Cosmo,

    Alesha

    • Like 3

    Art and Oddballs

    in Photos, Videos & Journals

    Posted

    On 7/21/2021 at 8:56 AM, H.K.Luterman said:

    Home again! It's so good to be back, it'll be nice to return to my normal routine. 

    I'm sad to report that Mister Mojo the betta did not make it, but with the age and condition he was in before I left, this didn't come as a surprise. His 5 gallon will sit empty for a bit, I'm not sure what I'll put in it next. I love bettas but the splendens variety seem so fragile. I might get an alien betta next, or just maybe some nano fish. I don't know.

    Everyone else is fine though! I gave everyone some midnight snacks when I got home. 

    So sorry about your betta, H.K. I'm glad that it wasn't a total shock to you...hopefully that eases the pain a bit. One of the reasons that I hesitate to get bigger fish is that I know it will be harder to lose them...especially if that have any sort of personality. I know that sounds a little...Idk...weird? Sad? Pessimistic? Whatever. That's just how my brain works. 🙄😏

    Welcome back home. Hoping you have a restful day today. 🙂

    • Like 2

    Maggie's 10 gallon betta project

    in Photos, Videos & Journals

    Posted

    On 7/19/2021 at 11:18 AM, Maggie said:

    Thanks Alicia! We haven't moved yet. 

    Ah...I see! Wow, that's a lot of "to do" things on your To Do List!!! I hope everything goes well and according to plan. 🙂

    The market down here in FL is insane too. There are huge orange groves that have been here since before I was born, that are being ripped out, roads being paved and houses going up, faster than I can even believe it. It's sad to me, because I prefer a rural community, and it is making our roads crazy busy! Traffic is baking up all the way to our road that we live on, from a major highway, at rush hour. And what used to take 7-8 minutes to get across town, now takes 20-25. I hate to see it. 😔

    I wish you the best with your move...and hope it's hugely profitable for you! I'm sure there's another fish out there that NEEDS to come live with you. 😉

    • Like 1
    • Thanks 1

    Don't Miss the Live Presentation on Breeding Bettas with Gianne Souza

    in Aquarium Co-Op Events

    Posted

    You guys, this presentation was SO awesome! I learned so many new things. Even though I don't have a Betta, the info on breeding labyrinth fish was good for this gourami owner too!

    I was so sad to miss the live. My 79-year-old mom needed help activating & learning her new cell phone. 🤣 And her timing did not gel with mine today, but I really don't mind. 😉 So I was extremely grateful that the playback was an option. 

    @Zenzo, kudos on your first successful meeting! I can't wait for the next one! 

    Alesha 

    • Like 3

    Orlando Fishy Sites?

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    If you don't mind the drive, check in to a visit at Imperial Tropicals in Lakeland. They are local fish breeders & sellers & are in the process of building a fish store on their premises. They are located just off I-4, in a bit of  classic Old Florida, down dirt roads into the woods. But the folks are super nice. And the fish are AMAZING. 

    Alesha

    CARE Forum Anniversary 2021 - Member Thank You Videos

    in Photos, Videos & Journals

    Posted · Edited by Alesha

    I didn't mention anyone specifically in the video (my bad!), but I'll tag a few here who have been especially helpful to me. And I apologize for the wobbling of the video...I'm quite the amateur and um...I talk with my hands. You'll see my right hand flapping about quite a bit. Sorry. 🙄😂😆

    @Daniel, @Bill Smith, @Brandy, @Streetwise, @H.K.Luterman, @MickS77, @TheDukeAnumber1, @Hobbit and of course @Cory, @Irene and @Lizzie Block for their expertise throughout the year.

    Alesha

     

     

     

     


     

    • Like 5
    • Thanks 4
    • Love 5

    Dwarf Crayfish vs. Dwarf Shrimp

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I'm pretty sure it's a "if it fits in the crayfish's mouth, it'll eat it" kind of thing. He's just feeling hungry and found a snack that couldn't run away fast enough. 😔

    I think in a tank that small, it would be hard for most things to get away from a crayfish. They really will eat most things. I think the snails are safe, since they have their own hide-out, and the fish should be ok, if they swim fast enough. But anything else is fair game. At least in the crayfish's mind.

    I'm sorry for your loss. Maybe you could try him in a larger tank, so that everybody else has plenty of places to hide?

    Alesha

    • Like 1

    Don't Miss the Live Presentation on Breeding Bettas with Gianne Souza

    in Aquarium Co-Op Events

    Posted

    I've never owned a Betta. And I've never really wanted to, but I think I'm ready to try something new. What would be a great first Betta? And no offense to my sweet guppies, but I'd really like something with a little bit of personality!

    I have very hard water here in central Florida. I don't use heaters, so my tanks stay 72-76* year-round, with the a/c running.

    Thank you,

    Alesha

    • Like 2

    Honey Gourami question for Hobbit

    in Fish Breeding

    Posted

    On 6/22/2021 at 1:22 AM, Hobbit said:

    Yep, I do have a power head. I can’t imagine the flow from sponge filters is much of an issue. 👍 It sounds like the fish movement is more the problem than the water flow. Is your tank covered? It might be that the humidity is too low and it weakens the bubbles.

    Ah, I see. Well, maybe he’s just more of an interior decorator than mine! 

    @Irene may have some insight here, too.

    That's interesting about the low humidity. You'd think it's in the water, how can it be low humidity? But with a closed top and a light burning for several hours a day, there is probably very low humidity in that space above the water. And we're in FL so the a/c runs at 76* and further removes humidity. I'll bet that's why the bubbles aren't lasting. So smart!!!

    And, btw, I have 4 males and 2 females. All 4 males are making nests today. 3 in the available corners (the 4th corner has a sponge filter) and one along the front middle. 🙄😏😆

    Thanks again for all your help! I am much obliged.

    Alesha

    • Like 2
    • Haha 1

    Honey Gourami question for Hobbit

    in Fish Breeding

    Posted

    On 6/21/2021 at 12:52 AM, Hobbit said:

    I'm very honored you mentioned me in the title, @Alesha! I think I may come across as the expert on honeys only because I don't know much about anything else. 😄

    I don't give mine any floating plants on purpose, but when I reduce the water flow, plant debris will accumulate in the corner. Water sprite that's come loose from the main plant, dead sword plant leaves, etc. My male honey tends to build his nest in the corner of the tank, behind the plant debris. So I don't think they need floating plants per se--just something to slow the water flow enough for their bubbles to stay put. The floating logs that @Ben_RF suggested sound great. I'm sure fake leaves or half a plastic cup like betta breeders use would work as well. Or if there's not much flow to your water, he may not need anything at all!

    As for why your male attacked and destroyed the red root floaters... I have no idea! Maybe he didn't like the color...? Perhaps he saw them as a potential enemy? They certainly have personality, so who knows what was going through his head. Maybe if they had been there before he built the nest, he would have left them alone. Just guessing here.

    When you mention reducing water flow, does that mean you have a powerhead? I only have two sponge filters, so there isn't much "flow" at all, although there is a bit, of course, and yes, any debris seems to migrate to the front 2 corners. 

    819353412_20210621_122022(2).jpg.ef2a787b0ea15f979814dce40053e758.jpg

    The bubble nest only stays put as long as nothing swims very vigorously around/through it. But sometimes, the male is the one doing the chasing away of all fish, snails, shrimp, etc. I've seen him go after shrimp who dare to land on the debris. It's the funniest thing ever to see them jumping backwards to avoid him! LoL!!!

    By and large the bubbles disappear pretty easily, though. He rebuilds it multiple times a day. And he wasn't really attacking the floaters as much as he was constantly rearranging them, as though they didn't quite suit his idea of the perfect nest. You're right - who knows what's going on his head!

    832293760_20210621_122521(2).jpg.32561721b5db8c7ec3affc27d87ff1e2.jpg

    Thanks so much for sharing your expertise! And being an expert in one area is so much more helpful than knowing just a smidge of 10 or 100 subjects, I think! So, I'm grateful that you share what you've learned. Thank you!

    Alesha

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1

    Honey Gourami question for Hobbit

    in Fish Breeding

    Posted

    On 6/20/2021 at 6:26 PM, laritheloud said:

    Good luck finding a plant that works for your little guy! I'd try the salvinia or the frogbit if you can't do water lettuce. I have water lettuce and water sprite and my beautiful golden male is in the quarantine tank right now. I can't wait to try this for my honeys. 🙂 They're currently my favorite fish, along with my sweetie-pie sunset thicklip gourami.

    Does your sunset thicklip get along with the honeys? 

    Honey Gourami question for Hobbit

    in Fish Breeding

    Posted

    On 6/20/2021 at 5:26 PM, Fish Folk said:

    (Looking forward to hearing from @Hobbit) We found water lettuce, duckweed, and floating Catappa leaf to be good nest-building materials for our dwarf Gourami. We had 50-100 babies... then one outgrew the rest, and ate them all. 🤨

    I looked into water lettuce, but it's against the law to have here in Florida! 😳 And duckweed quickly blocks my tank. I'll look into the Catappa leaf. Thank you for the info. 

    Alesha

    • Like 1
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