North Dakota fish keeper

What does it mean when the tips split and turn a little brown? I give it monthly Easy Green Root Tabs and weekly dose of Easy Green liquid fertilizer. I apologize for the orientation of the photo, I am not real techy.

Can anyone identify what type of algae this is, how can I prevent it, and how to get rid of it?

What is the best nitrate level that will keep my fish healthy but keep my plants well fed? What is a good "goal" when dosing liquid fertilizer?

Can any of you identify what type of Angelfish this is? I know it is a female,, because she is laying eggs. I got her in December and she was a little bigger than a quarter at that time, and was listed as "Assorted Angelfish". Is she a Zebra Angelfish? Silver Angelfish? Other? Thanks for your help!

A few of the "frizzly" tips of my Java Fern Windelov have turned brown. Is it okay to trim those off without killing the plant?

I would not recommend treating him with salt in a planted tank. But if he is not feeling well or starting to not act normally, would be worth moving him to a "hospital tank" to get him feeling better! A quarantine/hospital tank is a must for every fish keeper. Good Luck! Keep us posted on your little fella.

I have one bristlenose pleco in my 29 gallon and he does a fabulous job cleaning up the algae. I can clearly see the difference he makes as I have a 10 gallon that is too small for a BN, and the 29 never has an algae problem. Give your BN a chance and I am sure you will be happy with their cleaning abilities!

I would point you to go to the Aquarium Co Op online store and search Fritz aquarium salt. There is an article there that talks about using aquarium salt as a treatment for a variety of fungal or bacterial diseases etc. If you follow the directions given it is a safe and effective treatment, even if you are not 100% sure what it could be. Adding almond leaves/bark will release tannins into the water, if you like that look, that are known to have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. That could be a preventative option once your fish gets better. Your fish is stunning by the way. I hope he feels better soon!

Not necessarily native to China, but I think some sparse plantings of microsword would look lovely in your tank. Love all the rock - definitely a key look for that Biotope. Please post a pic when it is completed, and good work so far!

Thanks Ken for your post! Funny that your angels were busy too!

I have an angelfish (she is my profile photo) that layed eggs today. She does not have a mate, so I know they are not fertile. One good thing - I did not know if my angel was male or female. Now I know. 🙂 Anyway,she layed them on an Anubias Barteri leaf. She is being very protective of them now, and I am afraid that she might injure the other fish in the tank (she is normally quite docile). Because of this, I would like to remove them. But they are stuck tight! I really do not want to trim the leaf off as she picked the biggest most beautiful leaf to lay them on, and I don't want to cut it off. Is there another way to remove the eggs without actually having to cut the leaf off? Or will she eventually give up and not care about them anymore? Could another fish eat them? I have a bristle nose that I was wondering might do the job for me. Please let me know what you think. P.S. I was honestly surprised.....I did not know an angel would still lay eggs without a mate.

How long does it take for a female mystery snail to lay a clutch of eggs? Like the actual egg laying process? I have a female that I think is ready to do so......she is crawling on the underside of the lid, and she never does that. Was wondering if/when she starts to lay eggs, how long does it take to complete her clutch?

I have heard yay and nay. Many say no because the plants consume all the waste in the substrate. Others say yes, you still need to vacuum as part of your regular maintenance. What do you say?

I am new to aquatic plants. A piece of my Java Fern Windelov broke off during tank maintenance today. Can I float it and will roots grow from he little black "pods" that are on the underside of the leaf? Or should I do something else? THANKS

I love Aquarium CO-OP's sponge filters. For a ten gallon you could go with their "small" size. I have a ten gallon and I have it in the center/back behind some driftwood and plants. You could also try a "nano" size if you felt that would fit better in your set up. The amount of sponge surface area is nearly identical. Your tank is beautiful!