New fish mom

[Haircrazie016]

Hi Everyone! This is going to be long and I’m sorry in advance! 
 

I am excited to be here, I’ve been learning so much from Corys videos on YouTube. But tbh I’m a little overwhelmed. Don’t get mad at me here...but I originally bought my fish tank because it was on clearance at my local garden center and thought it would be perfect for propagating some of my house plants. I wasn’t really to worried about the fish part because I thought simple you stick the fish in the water and feed it and his poops will give me healthy baby plants. 🤦🏽‍♀️ Well I have since learned that being a good fish mom is not that simple at all, and I want to be the best I can. 
 

originally I bought a Betta, a nerite snail and four cherry shrimp for my 3 gallon tank. I put some plants and moss balls inside and set it up according to the instructions. The way this tank works it relies solely on plant filtration, there is a little air pump in the tank that pushes water into a lid that is a Reservoir for the plant baskets and some additional sponges I put in there. I added an under gravel betta bowl heater but my water still stays at 22• c which I think is ok for my betta but wasn’t ideal for the snail... which brings me to my snail died, I don’t know why really I had been giving the snail and shrimp algae wafers And shrimp pellets but I never saw them eat them...  the snail was always turning on its back and I read they can’t turn themselves over so I would flip him every morning but eventually it turned color and I realized it was dead. At that point I had a little spike in my nitrites. I was using an api test strip, now I also have the tetra test strips and the master api liquid test but they still all give me different readings. 🤦🏽‍♀️ I got the water back to normal but I ended up needing to change the plants out on top of the tank meaning he basically had no filter for a week so I was doing a lot of water changes with bottled water because I wanted to be safe. Then I noticed one of Valentino’s (my betta) fins seemed to be looking a little fuzzy and darker then it had been when I got him. I bought some betta fix and put that in yesterday. Today his water is good, no ammonia no nitrite and just a little bit of nitrate my ph is always a little high around 7.8 and my GH is really high as well always being the darkest possible on all my tests. I don’t know if that’s an issue or not? I also realized I only had one shrimp left, not because of Valentino he was actually really cool with the shrimp Although he did try to eat their food..but my pump sucked up two of them, one survived being spit out in the water reservoir but died the next day and the other was dead when I found it. 😔 So realizing this wasn’t a good house for my last little shrimp I went to the aquarium center near me and bought a fish tank which I am currently “cycling”. I want to do this the right way this time and not kill anymore water babies! That said I’m a little concerned! I’ve had it running now for two weeks, I used prime to de chlorinate and stability to jumpstart the bacteria, I planted java fern, hogwarts, Amazon sword, dwarf hair grass, some clover, anubius and a crypt and moss balls. The crypt got a little smooshed in transport and isn’t looking great, the java moss also had a lot of black on it which I assumed was from transport smooshing.. everything else looked decent. But since planting everything has had some die off... I did fertilize the tank with seachems root tabs I used six of them, and api c02 boost. I got some diatoms over the past few days and today I noticed a little bit of spot algae, also my ammonia level is 0 but my nitrites are really high and my nitrates are a little low so I believe this means I’m in the second stage of the cycle. My worry is I have some white spots on the glass i don’t know what they are, I also have at least a dozen tiny snail babies in there that I didn’t ask for and I’m ok with them but I don’t want a million snails and would rather deal with them now before adding fish. What do you guys think? Can anyone tell what kind of snails they are? Also there was a worm like an inch long it’s white and super skinny and it swims around when I disturb the water, it looks super gross and I haven’t been able to catch it does anyone know what it is and what I need to do about it before adding fish? As for this tank the plan is to put some cherry shrimp and some nano fish, I was thinking all male guppies or endlers. Something small and cute and shrimp safe.. anyway I know this was a lot to read and I have a lot going on but I really appreciate any insight and advice you guys can give me! 
 

-Ty

[ADMWNDSR83]

I don't know much on the betta front, so I can't help much with that, but I am a big fan of your tank setup!  Have you considered putting a sponge filter or nano HOB on to give a bit more filtration help, even when the plants are MIA?

[Tonik]

Hello and welcome!  I am a pretty new fishkeeper myself, so I can't give a huge amount of advice.  But... I think you made a great decision to get a bigger tank for that lovely betta and the new tank looks very nice.  I too have gotten a lot of hitchhiker snails on plants, and while they have helped with an algae problem I had, there are a LOT of them.  People have suggested assassin snails which will get rid of the little snails, and others have said that they will naturally limit themselves if there isn't enough food in the tank.  My shrimp tank has a lot of snails because I haven't found that happy medium yet and I am not ready to assassinate them.

I think you will find a lot of help here, and much nicer help that in some of the FB groups, IMO! 🙂

[BlackLabelCarling]

First off, I've been right where you are and it's obvious you're trying to do right by your tank inhabitants! I am not certain but you are most likely seeing pond snail babies on your glass. I personally embrace the snails since I have plenty of stowaways that have ended up in my tanks. If they ever become too much you can put a slice of cucumber in the tank with the lights off and a couple hours later they will be munching away and you can take the cucumber out. 

I'm not sure I see any issues with your beautiful betta's fins, if it were my fish I would just keep up with your regular water changes and observe him. If you can get your tank closer to 25 C it will definitely benefit Valentino. I have noticed for my bettas (all 18 of them, not including fry lol) when the temperature is too low they are not as active, their colors dull a little and the stress of being consistently cold can open them up to different illnesses. 

You might be trying to do everything right all at once, maybe just pump the breaks a bit and just see how things settle out by just doing the basic tank maintenance. In my experience it has been when I stop trying to futz with things that may not even be broken and just go back to the basics, my tanks do the thing I was trying to force them to do whether it is growing plants or having the parameters level out or spawning Time, patience and water changes....

There is so much content out there it can be overwhelming so I've had to learn to practice pause, its annoying but it works. Not sure if any of that helps, but thanks for posting your gorgeous betta and sharing your troubles! I bet every person in this forum has had a similar experience, even Cory! 

[BlackLabelCarling]

11 minutes ago, Tonik said:

Hello and welcome!  I am a pretty new fishkeeper myself, so I can't give a huge amount of advice.  But... I think you made a great decision to get a bigger tank for that lovely betta and the new tank looks very nice.  I too have gotten a lot of hitchhiker snails on plants, and while they have helped with an algae problem I had, there are a LOT of them.  People have suggested assassin snails which will get rid of the little snails, and others have said that they will naturally limit themselves if there isn't enough food in the tank.  My shrimp tank has a lot of snails because I haven't found that happy medium yet and I am not ready to assassinate them.

I think you will find a lot of help here, and much nicer help that in some of the FB groups, IMO! 🙂

I'm pretty sure I have emotional trauma from those betta Facebook groups! This is a way better environment! 

[Ben Ellison]

I believe  your betta might of had a slight fin rot that has healed it self since the water is right. Bad water parameters  stress the fish and can allow bacteria to set up.

I find black spots on most all Java feen I purchase. Doesn't seem to be of concern. Their slow growth means it will be around a while.

Shrimp really  have to have a sponge pre-filter or just a sponge in general.  Nitrates are super deadly to shrimp and snails. 

Lastly no one here is under the illusion that the hobby puts new people on the right path. Miss information is rampant and unfortunately leads to loads of people throwing their hands up in defeat.  Your totally  on the right track and we all have been there.

[Tonik]

21 hours ago, BlackLabelCarling said:

You might be trying to do everything right all at once, maybe just pump the breaks a bit and just see how things settle out by just doing the basic tank maintenance. In my experience it has been when I stop trying to futz with things that may not even be broken and just go back to the basics, my tanks do the thing I was trying to force them to do whether it is growing plants or having the parameters level out or spawning Time, patience and water changes....

There is so much content out there it can be overwhelming so I've had to learn to practice pause, its annoying but it works. Not sure if any of that helps, but thanks for posting your gorgeous betta and sharing your troubles! I bet every person in this forum has had a similar experience, even Cory! 

Definitely agree on the slowing down part! And it's soooooo hard to do!!!! 

[Haircrazie016]

Hi guys! Thanks so much for your replies. 
 

I did buy a sponge filter for Valentino but then I didn’t put it in because I changed the plants out and everything seemed to be going well again. But I have it not just in case I end up needing to take out the plants again. I also wasn’t planning on moving him to the bigger tank, the plan is to move the last little cherry shrimp and get her some friends, the larger tank is a a shrimp tank with a shrimp safe filter. Valentino seems pretty happy in his house as long as I have the water right. His fun is looking a lot better today, I’ll attach another pic from this morning! 
 

But yesssss I totally agree with you, I am driving myself crazy trying to do everything right and I definitely need to stop worrying and take a deep breath! Valentino’s water is good again he’s looking happy, the shrimp tank is nearly cycled! The master kit and api test strip said my nitrites are 0 and my nitrates are 10ppm but my tetra test still registered some nitrite soo I’m going to give it a couple more days And retest.  That said I’m not sure what to do about these little worms! Are they dangerous?? They look like they would be and the last thing I want to do is go through all of this and then kill some more fish. 😅 Any ideas how to get rid of them? They go through my net if I’m not quick and are hard for me to see from the top of the tank....

[Haircrazie016]

Ok I can’t figure out how to attach a video of the worm so I took some screenshots... let me know what you guys think!?

 

Edited October 2, 2020 by Haircrazie016
Pics had my personal information in screen shot I cropped that out

[endless_summer]

Welcome to the hobby!

If they're swimming like an 'S' and they're pretty thin then I think they're detritus worms. I found a discussion about them in this forum:

I'll occasionally see one here or there every few weeks in my well seasoned tanks being chased down by a guppy. From what I've read they're the result of excess poop and debris and they break that stuff down. If you see a swarm of them as Mark describes then it may be a sign of poor water conditions.

I'm a little more than two years into the hobby so I'd cross-check this online diagnosis with the characteristics seen in your worms.

Edited October 2, 2020 by R41NB0WF1SH
Added a source and some context

[Haircrazie016]

5 minutes ago, R41NB0WF1SH said:

Welcome to the hobby!

If they're swimming like an 'S' and they're pretty thin then I think they're detritus worms.

 

They do swim in an S but they also swirl all up like little ballerina knots lol but I read your thread and I think that’s what they are and happy to see they aren’t a parasite! Thank you!!

[endless_summer]

You're welcome! 💯 And yeah I'll see them knot up in response to stimuli like being nipped at.

P.S. I love your new community tank and they way you aquascaped it!

Edited October 2, 2020 by R41NB0WF1SH
added comment on knotting up

[Haircrazie016]

3 minutes ago, R41NB0WF1SH said:

You're welcome! 💯

P.S. I love your new community tank and they way you aquascaped it!

Thanks! I still feel like it’s missing a little something especially in the back right you can’t see it but there is a crypt back there on it’s last leg, I might just end up pulling that out and putting something a little taller back there, I wanted to get one of those fluffy plants but the girl at the aquarium center said they shed a lot and didn’t recommend them so maybe I’ll just do more swords..anyway I’ll figure it out and I’ll definitely post more pics once I do! 😊

[Haircrazie016]

On 10/1/2020 at 3:26 PM, Ben Ellison said:

I believe  your betta might of had a slight fin rot that has healed it self since the water is right. Bad water parameters  stress the fish and can allow bacteria to set up.

I find black spots on most all Java feen I purchase. Doesn't seem to be of concern. Their slow growth means it will be around a while.

Shrimp really  have to have a sponge pre-filter or just a sponge in general.  Nitrates are super deadly to shrimp and snails. 

Lastly no one here is under the illusion that the hobby puts new people on the right path. Miss information is rampant and unfortunately leads to loads of people throwing their hands up in defeat.  Your totally  on the right track and we all have been there.

Thanks for this, I definitely misunderstood the goal of the nitrogen cycle. I thought I wanted my tank to have between 10-30 ppm of nitrates at all times to show that things were working properly. But the goal it seems is 0-0-0... The only thing I could think is to do more water changes, but with such small tanks I feel like I’m already doing it a lot and I know they say your tank can be too clean... I don’t want to mess with it too much... or maybe I do?? 😩

[ADMWNDSR83]

If you have plants, you don't want nitrates always at 0, because they need food too, unless I'm mistaken.  I think I read someone say in one of the threads that 10-20 was a good level to keep plants nourished.  Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong on that. 

[Haircrazie016]

1 minute ago, ADMWNDSR83 said:

If you have plants, you don't want nitrates always at 0, because they need food too, unless I'm mistaken.  I think I read someone say in one of the threads that 10-20 was a good level to keep plants nourished.  Please, someone correct me if I'm wrong on that. 

Thanks, it was a planted tank video I got my original information from, but I’ll definitely look more into it just in case! 

[Ben Ellison]

You are def correct on the 20ish nitrates. Nitrates aren't nearly as toxic as Ammonia or Nitrite. You have to have extreme amounts for it to really effect your fish.  Ammonia and Nitrite even at 1ppm are very toxic to fish.