Recent content by laurelhed

Hello! I am currently cycling a planted 10 gallon freshwater tank with 2 Sunset Platies, 2 otos, 3 Julii Corys, and will be adding 6 Chili Rasboras. I live in Southern Calufornia where we have pretty hard water; pH 7.4 straight out of the tap. I currently have aquarium gravel as a substrate...

The 2 I've lost have had the "S" curve to their bodies that I understand is indicative of TB. Of the 3 remaining, the 2 females look kind of "lumpy", but no. "S" curve. Not sure if that's normal or not. Will try for a decent pic! Thank you!

Hi Mebbid! Not sure exactly what disease/s I'm dealing with, but I'm pretty sure chronic wasting in the platies and TB in the danios. Again, not all fish were affected. I raised the temp in the tank and added salt and the fish responded beautifully. I've since lowered the temp back down to 74...

Hi! I think this qualifies as a getting started question, so here goes. I have a 20 gallon planted freshwater tank that has been up and running for 2 1/2 years with 3 pink zebra danios, 2 otos, 2 female sunset platys and a few fry. The platys are the root of my problem. When I got livebearers...

I have a 20 gallon freshwater tank with live plants, a few of which are anchored to driftwood with sewing thread. Last night I cleaned he tank and ripped out some plants. This morning I found my rubbernose pleco Daizy caught in a loop of thread. I carefully cut her free, but the thread had cut...

so I'v e been slowly raising temperature, but had to turn lights back on because my tank is planted. Momma looks a lot better, but is missing scales on her sides, especially the right. However, the temp still hasn't reached 86, and not a single other fish is at all affected. Could she just...

I have a sunset platy with fuzzy white spots about the size of sea salt granules on her sides. She has clamped fins, is not eating, and is hiding in the back of the tank in the plants. She occasionally flashes, and has been behaving oddly and not looking her robust self for some time now...

I want to upgrade my 20 gal freshwater tank to a 40, but here's my question-do I have to completely cycle the new tank like a new tank, or can I move my fish over with the plants, used filter media, and most of the water from the old tank? Of course I would wait a week or so and check levels...

Progress Report Hi MABJ! Thanks for the ferts advice. So far, so good with all plants with no ferts and, I think, substandard lighting. my amazon sword looks a little pale, but all are putting out new growth. I have ordered some new plants, all low to medium light and easy care, so I'll...

Cool! So, Fertilizer + Shrimp =? This is a great idea to get an invert "thing" going! I am new to this stuff and have just gotten 7 Red Cherry Shrimp for our 20 gallon. It has a gravel substrate, some rocks and driftwood, and so far 2 anubias, 2 java ferns, 1 amazon sword, 1 moss ball, and...

Just to follow up, looks like it was a mini cycle. After a couple water changes ammonia was 0, nitrITE was 0 (!), but nitrATEs were 80ppm. So, I just did another water change and will keep testing daily. Thanks again for the advice! Also, do you think adding the platys and a few more shrimp...

Thanks for the help!

Thanks! I did a fishless cycle with ammonia at 4ppm and levels were perfect for 4 days before adding fish. However, the tank had already been going for 4 months with goldfish and a common pleco who were re-homed. I blew it by getting it cycled, then not adding ammonia to keep it cycled, and...

Oh, I also have 2 anubias, a java fern, an amazon sword, and some java moss. Thanks!

Thank you very much for your help! I hadn't considered a mini cycle, but I had added ammonia the night before adding fish. As for the pleco & wafers & stuff, I'm doing all of the above! Driftwood, 1/2 wafers, rock cave, still can't see where she's eating and she's not pooping! Anyway, just...