Kirsten Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 Me, I got my first rush of brown algae under control with frequent, regular water changes, a small sponge filter (I was just using a submersible water pump up to a hydroponic basil tank before) and lights on a timer. Wasn't fully under control until I brought in ramshorn snails to get in the tough-to-reach areas and plant leaves that my nerites weren't nimble enough to negotiate. A number of plants died from getting covered in brown and green algae, but I replaced them, kept going with water changes, started using Simple Green to give my plants a head start, and things are looking a lot better. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 17 minutes ago, BenA said: I bought a large bottle of Aquadip but I would say that any will do. Just make sure to follow the instructions. I use it for a month and it made a big difference. Is that the same as co-op's Easy Carbon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapere_Ceta Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 21 minutes ago, Jennifer V said: Oh that's good to know! She was pretty young but just floating at the top of the tank one night. I suppose I'll see how the other one does so I know if it was just her or another issue. Hm, snails can float for a lot of reasons, as normal behavior or indicating something wrong or a change that occurred. A bad smell would definitely indicate death, but bladder snails tend to be pretty small, so it would be hard to gauge. For normal behavior: eating at the surface, purposely trapping air in the shell to travel across the aquarium (like miniature hot air balloons haha), and potentially for some other reasons. For the other: a sudden change in water parameters causing stress, poor water quality, too much fertilization (if you happen to be dosing way too much copper), or potentially death. That’s typically after multiple days of not moving and continuous floating, though that might not always mean that the snail is dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 13, 2021 Author Share Posted January 13, 2021 1 hour ago, Sapere_Ceta said: Hm, snails can float for a lot of reasons, as normal behavior or indicating something wrong or a change that occurred. A bad smell would definitely indicate death, but bladder snails tend to be pretty small, so it would be hard to gauge. For normal behavior: eating at the surface, purposely trapping air in the shell to travel across the aquarium (like miniature hot air balloons haha), and potentially for some other reasons. For the other: a sudden change in water parameters causing stress, poor water quality, too much fertilization (if you happen to be dosing way too much copper), or potentially death. That’s typically after multiple days of not moving and continuous floating, though that might not always mean that the snail is dead. Oh no! I may have gotten rid of a perfectly fine snail! I didn't know floating could be part of normal behavior. I should've asked here first. I feel terrible! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SawdustGnome Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 The less I do to my tanks the happier and healthier they seem to be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sapere_Ceta Posted January 13, 2021 Share Posted January 13, 2021 5 minutes ago, Jennifer V said: Oh no! I may have gotten rid of a perfectly fine snail! I didn't know floating could be part of normal behavior. I should've asked here first. I feel terrible! It happens. An animal floating is usually associated with being dead, as it is often used as the representation of it (like the floating dead goldfish in the cartoons). So to see an animal floating for other reasons is a bit unexpected, and that’s perfectly okay. The aquarium hobby involves a lot of experiences, both good and bad, that we learn from. If it’s any comfort, bladder snails are hermaphroditic. So even if you just have one snail, down the road, there will probably be more that show up. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BenA Posted January 14, 2021 Share Posted January 14, 2021 9 hours ago, Jennifer V said: Is that the same as co-op's Easy Carbon? I am new here and don't know the range and haven't got an access to my laptop but I would think that they are the same as the name suggests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 4 hours ago, BenA said: I am new here and don't know the range and haven't got an access to my laptop but I would think that they are the same as the name suggests. Ok perfect! I'll get that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted January 14, 2021 Author Share Posted January 14, 2021 11 hours ago, SawdustGnome said: The less I do to my tanks the happier and healthier they seem to be. I need to learn to just relax and watch. I'm like a helicopter mom already and I don't even have anything in the tank besides plants and a new snail! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris45 Posted May 24, 2021 Share Posted May 24, 2021 On 1/14/2021 at 8:27 AM, Kirsten said: I wasn't expecting to fall in love with mystery snails, but omg they're so much fun and I want them to flourish. They were the first critters I named in my living room tank. I've just acquired two of these as well. What did you name them? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon p Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 1. When you are planning you tank add a little more gravel or sand do you can add plants later. 2. I would not put any fish over $8/ea in that new tank. Neons things like people are wowed (just make sure you put the same water perimeter fish in the tank to begin as the fish you want to put it in after the first year do everything you want to the tank to get the tank right in the first year. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spewing_nonsense_ Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 On 1/8/2021 at 3:52 PM, Aubrey said: Download and read this book. Some of it is outdated, but most of it still holds true. If it worked 80+ years ago, it should work for you now. Chapter 22 has some nerm advice. I just started reading the first chapter and I love how blunt the author was about that statement😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongo_like_fish Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 Research but don't obsess, plan but be flexible, and last but not least have patience and have fun. 😀 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streetwise Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 Try at least one organic soil tank! Read Diana Walstad! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennifer V Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 On 11/5/2021 at 3:03 PM, Streetwise said: Try at least one organic soil tank! Read Diana Walstad! I'm so intrigued by this idea! It feels like it might be above my pay grade, but I'd love to try. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kittkat1981 Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 My advice? Ask question. Ask questions ask question. And don't take one answer for the gospel. Use all of the info avaliable to you to make a sound choice. And BE PATIENT 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott the fishman Posted November 6, 2021 Share Posted November 6, 2021 On 1/8/2021 at 5:56 AM, MickS77 said: Don't chase numbers; ph, gh, kh, TDS, etc. As long as your water is safe and habitable your aquatic inhabitants will adapt just fine. On 1/8/2021 at 5:47 AM, Daniel said: Worry less and enjoy more. On 1/8/2021 at 5:56 AM, MickS77 said: Don't chase numbers; ph, gh, kh, TDS, etc. As long as your water is safe and habitable your aquatic inhabitants will adapt just fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon p Posted November 7, 2021 Share Posted November 7, 2021 On 1/14/2021 at 6:33 AM, Jennifer V said: I need to learn to just relax and watch. I'm like a helicopter mom already and I don't even have anything in the tank besides plants and a new snail! Bingo! On 11/5/2021 at 5:03 PM, Streetwise said: Try at least one organic soil tank! Read Diana Walstad! I would say do this a some point but not in your first two tank you set up 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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