Recent content by sterfri99

I'm not trying to come across as a prick, but I'll add to what the others have said. This is a bad combination of fish. Bettas (siamese fighting fish) rarely do well in freshwater communities. It's been done (I've done it), but it's completely dependant on the betta's personality. Some will be...

True. The "rule" was meant to prevent stupid people who've never had fish before from overstocking. I'm comfortable increasing the number of fish, just don't want to overdo it. Tank was empty for a while and I just got it back up and running not too long ago, so I don't want to go too fast too...

Thanks guys! Hoping to get my own issues fixed and then contribute what I can to newer people. How long have you been keeping fish?

The rule of thumb I always gave people when I worked at petsmart was approximately 1 inch of fish per tank. 10x rasbora @ 2 inches= 20 5x corys @ 2-3 inches= 10-15 5x otos @ 1.5 inches = 7.5 guppy= 2 platy= 2 dwarf gourami= 3 (rough estimates based on maximum size, not current size) I'd be...

NO3 readings are between 0 and 20 ppm (no nitrites or ammonia). I use tapwater that I condition with seachem prime for my water changes. I just have really hard water in my area, hence why I'm looking for solutions to that. Just start buying jugs of filtered/purified water? I'll pick up a...

Roots are in the substrate relatively close to flourish tabs. I'll take the suggestion and find something to tie them to. The bacopa is about a week or two old, and seems to be doing okay. Had decent success with it in the past, and so far it's the only plant that's remained green and looks...

That is correct. It's not the most efficient O2 delivery system, but I've always wanted a bubbly clam and having a fish tank allowed me that opportunity.

Hmm, so cut back to dosing 1x a week with the flourish? If I was dosing too much, wouldn't I see an algae bloom? The three rasboras school with each other just fine, but I'm planning on picking up a few more once I get my water issue figured out. I was unaware that guppies and platys are...

It seems my reply was deleted after adding a link to the post I made on this site. No offense intended, but I don't believe my water change schedule to be a concern. I used to work at a LFS and I follow my own advice. 10% weekly, 20% monthly with a water conditioner added every time. It's a...

Good afternoon, lovely people. I'm having some trouble keeping my plants looking healthy and I'd like some help. First, the tank: 20 gallon long, freshwater community (dwarf gourami, 3x harlequin rasboras, cory cat, otocinclus, guppy, and a platy). 30 gallon Top Fin power filter (replaced...

It's a 20 gallon long, I do 10% weekly and 20% monthly. I have 0 nitrates, nitrites, chlorine, or ammonia (planted tank keeps nitrates nice and low). pH is ~7. The problem I'm seeing is my water hardness is ~300 GH ppm and the alkalinity is also very high (200-300 KH ppm) per my test strips. I...

Good afternoon, people of this forum. Truthfully, I'm joining this forum because I'm having some trouble with my tank (I'll make a thread about this in the relevant area), but first I'll introduce myself. I'm a young adult from New York, working as an EMT. I've been fishkeeping for some years...