Ben Ellison

So status update. I went to check on him yesterday before the water change and all signs of this miscolored scales have vanished. I still went ahead with the water change but I'm really unsure what the deal was and how it cleared so quickly. Is it possible he shed a couple scales?

The only plants I have in that tank is some Amazon swords. If he does require some meds I will have to move him because he is in a 75 gallon and who can afford to med that size tank lol. I have a 20 gallon I can but him as a hospital tank if need be. I'm gonna do a 30g water change tonight. Then another in a couple days. And see how it goes unless he gets any worse in the meantime. I have meds on hand luckily and will pick up salt after work to have ready.

I just checked my tank parameters and I have let the tank go a little to long with out a water change it seems. Ph is low around 6.5 (normally around 7.6) due to buffers being depleted (low kh) and now my nitrates are a good bit higher than I'd like. Gonna do a large water change but what drew my attention to the issue is the scales on my green severum. Will these heal on their own or medical attention required?

Hmm interesting. I will keep an eye on it. I'm using it about 6 tanks but all are pretty heavily planted so they might been keeping the nitrates cobbled up. The tank in question now isn't planted much yet so we will see

Ok thanks. I'm gonna order some test strips from the co-op to have a second source to test my results against so that I can refute the lfs results.

I recently moved a tank I had that wasn't really planted due to being gravel substrate to a larger sump experiment tank with eco complete like I run in my other tanks. I moved over some hornwort and some Anubis that was in the tank as well as some decorations and the livestock. The media was thoroughly cleaned with treated water to remove any waste I could reasonably get before placing it in the new sump. I then let it run and a couple days later the hornwort started dropping needles like crazy. So I tested the water and as I assumed everything was basically perfect since it was basically a brand new tank with cycled media added. Ph was 7.6 nitrate,amonia,nitrite where all undetectable. So I started to believe maybe the hornwort was starving. So I added 3 squirts of easy green. The tanks capacity is 75 gallon plus 20 gallons sump. Directions said 1 squirt per 10 so I assumed I was well u under 20 and just went on with my day. The following 4 days later I had a fish die that was under warranty so I returned it with a sample and the results come back and everything is perfect but nitrates which are around 100. I'm at a loss how this could of happened unless the hornwort needles could of raised it that much. It was a lot of needles that made it to the sump I tried to remove all that I could but they where everywhere. I'm gonna start water changes to bring the levels down just was wondering if anyone had any other idea what could of raised it so much?

That's a good idea. The tank I'm using this on is an experiment I'm doing into a planted sump tank. I wonder how long the return could run on a ups along with lights.

I will definitely consider other light ideas. The wifi plug definitely seems to solve the first problem.

I just recently added a fluval 3.0 48" I got from the co-op. And I'm quite happy with it. I am adding a second when I get paid and then plan to add the CO2 I have to that tank. In the past I have used a standard timer to control both the lights and the CO2 to avoid any complications and keep it simple. Now with the lights having the option of running on a timer set through the app I'm not 100% sure how I should control the CO2. In the past I have seen the timer get off on it's times I assume from power outages and such. And I'm a bit concerned about that. I also am considering a smart wifi plug that the coop sells if that would make my life easier. Does anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I will also be using 2 48" fluval 3.0 when I start the CO2 will this be enough to run CO2?

I keep tiger barbs and a rainbow shark with no issues in a 40 breeder heavily planted.

The tank is heavily planted but lightly stocked and nitrates stay around 5. Yesterday when I checked pH it had dropped to 6.5. My tap water typically runs more like 7.6. so the only thing I can think of causing the lowered pH is decaying plant matter. But other than the ph there isn't a need for water changes nearly as frequently as I need to do them to keep the pH up

Do you all combat old tank with water changes only or with things like cuddle fish bone or other additives? I have tanks that are heavily planted and seem to need lots of water changes to combat low pH. Nitrates are all super low so I'm only doing the changes to keep water hardness up. Just curious what you guys all are doing.

I use black spray paint on all my tanks.

I run both flourite and eco complete. Perfer eco complete.

What makes you believe it's not cycling? With those plants they could be consuming the results of ur cycle

How's the cycling going? I have good luck with aquahuna fishies

I'm attempting my first carpeting plant. I elected to go with dwarf chain sword since it was the only one not listed with slow growth and or high light. I am doing my first go at co2 buy in was about 225 bucks and I've noticed my plants especially my octopus growing like crazy. The chain sword seems to be still getting use to its new home.

I had mine hatch around 24-36 first time 2 days ago!

Are you cleaning your media? Can you get access to a dirty filter from a seasoned tank?

Looks more like staghorn than bba to me.

I got the Ziss bbs hatch from the coop. Does anyone know of a USB heater to pair with the USB air pump to make it only 1 plug in? I have been browsing the amazon for a device but coming up blank.

I'm pretty certain it's scarlet temple as well

I think it's definitely doable. I would have a secondary tank to move fish to if it goes sideways though.

Congratulations 🥳🥳👏

I was considering orange cherries since I already have a few hundred red lol. A single male betta had def crossed my mind as well. I'm leaning towards it . The snails I was afraid since it's rimless and lid less they might go on a adventure. But I'm planning on having at least a snail.