Okay! I was wondering what I had missed all these years about Fir trees, lol! I have one in the edge of the mysterious corner in the yard! This year I am planting a few trees for the fish too!
The Nursery
- Thread starter TMaier
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Okay! I was wondering what I had missed all these years about Fir trees, lol! I have one in the edge of the mysterious corner in the yard! This year I am planting a few trees for the fish too!
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
I bit the bullet and ordered the Tahitian moon sand. I know Flip Aquatics stopped using it because of problems with shrimp. Something about how it is processed and chemical residue but I can't find the video again for the details. But it will be a slower change out. I will remove all of the black diamond while I'm siphoning water for the PWC a bit at a time. Probably take a month. But I will keep the new sand in old tank water from my main tank to age it a bit before adding sand back. I've emailed Flip Aquatics to try and get the details.
nirbhao
Aquarium Advice Addict
I loved Tahitian moon sand.
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
I found the video with the issues with black diamond sand. First minute and a half.
https://youtu.be/j3tmLi43qv4
https://youtu.be/j3tmLi43qv4
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
I put some of the black diamond sand in a tray. Sure looks oily to me. 
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
Same experience as well with BDS. Some one had suggested a drop of Dawn detergent during the rinsing process to remove the oily. Was not sure that I would proceed with that route so I ended up getting Percocet black sand (which is more like painted grit particles).
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
THANK YOU for the validation. So many people love the BDS and how pretty and inexpensive it is. But if you happen to get a bag where this happens it's really hard to find info that it is a possibility. I am still removing it. And still seeing casualties. I think I need to escalate the shift and get it out of there asap. Poor little Shrimps.
Wow. :'( So sorry you are having a bad experience like this. It IS good for future people to know of the issues. Won't ever suggest this substance to anyone for a tank, and will always mention these negative possibilities as food for though for future. This really sucks.
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yep. Removed more sand today and found lots of bodies. I am refilling the water now (4g) on a slow flow. I will remove the last 1/4 of the BDS tomorrow. I rinsed it really well before I used it and didn't notice an oil. But once it sits without to flow from the filter it does start to float to the surface.
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
I added moss and floating plants. It's a mess right now but the shrimp are grazing. 
It looks beautiful. I hope they recover soon.
nirbhao
Aquarium Advice Addict
Agreed.
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
Yesterday after removing BDS the shrimp perked up by the evening. Swimming in the front begging for dinner.
This afternoon I removed the last of it and a few gallons of water.
I added 1/4-1/2 inch of the Tahitian Moon. Rearranged plants to give order to the madness and topped it off.
Fingers crossed they make a come back.
Baby mystery snails all over the place too.
I think this is a pond snail? It's as big as my pinkie! I didn't know that got that big.
This afternoon I removed the last of it and a few gallons of water.
I added 1/4-1/2 inch of the Tahitian Moon. Rearranged plants to give order to the madness and topped it off.
Fingers crossed they make a come back.
Baby mystery snails all over the place too.
I think this is a pond snail? It's as big as my pinkie! I didn't know that got that big.
Fresh2o
Aquarium Advice Addict
Interesting observations with the BDS removal. The new sand looks nice.
Yes, that is a pond snail and they can get huge, relatively speaking (7 cm; 2.75")
Yes, that is a pond snail and they can get huge, relatively speaking (7 cm; 2.75")
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
Time will tell on the BDS. If they stop dropping dead and start thriving.
Can't wait for a pond SNAILZILLA!
Can't wait for a pond SNAILZILLA!
Cheers towards a perky community of shrimp revitalization. Hahahaha right now it is snailzilla!!!
Biggest one I have seen was around 1.5-1.75" in someone elses tank. Biggest one in mine has been just over .75" Land of the little ones. I thought of you night before when I saw a Planaria slithering across the glass in my shrimp and snail bowl.
Here's to a fresh start for the shrimpies!
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TMaier
Aquarium Advice Addict
Oh no! I hate planaria!
YEAH!!! wait and see, if I see one more this week as in 2, it will be sleepy med time.
nirbhao
Aquarium Advice Addict
I like the layout, and the sand looks very nice.
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