Recent content by bluerose

Before you add fish, you'll want to test your water to ensure that it's stable and cycled. A 40gal filter would be a very safe bet and would allow you to have a goldie or a few more fish as it will do a better job filtering. AquaClear filters are well-liked around here. Often you get what you...

I'd start with a liquid test kit like the API Master Freshwater kit, a very large water change, and halving your feeding routine at least. Do you vacuum your substrate/gravel when you do water changes? If so, do a light vac of about half your substrate (do the other half at the next water...

It's quite possible that your tank is not cycled. Do you have a test kit? What are your readings for ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, and pH?

Don't worry about the fog too much at this point - it is likely sediment stirred up by the water changes and will settle/be filtered out. Very important: Leave your filter alone and don't remove or change the cartridges. The bacteria are there and need to grow to process the ammonia your fish...

Regardless, we need more information to help you. :) What fish are in each tank? Are you using any chemicals, additives, etc? What are you using? What size water changes are you doing (percentage is a good calculation)? How do you do these? What is your feeding schedule? How long have the...

First we need some test results as well as what ratio of guppies you have, male to female. Always, always have more females than males - 3 females to 1 male is generally good. Otherwise you'll have very harassed females who will, as you'll see, be chased to death.

If you're careful with your fertilizer dosing, you should be ok, as the plants should be handling the copper. Perhaps cut back, though.

Cories like to be in groups and they get too big... so I'd say no on those. Frankly I'd do the rasboras and some shrimp or *maybe* some otos. I have 3 cardinal tetras and 7 shrimp in my 5gal planted, going to perhaps get another cardinal or two and some more shrimp. I'd suspect you have...

Make sure the tank has had enough time to grow some algae for the pleco - so you may be adding it last. Sometimes they're picky about eating wafers while they're settling in, and once they stop eating, it can be hard to get them started.

I wouldn't say this is starting from scratch; some bacterial colonies will be in the tank (in the substrate particularly) so this is a well-seeded tank, essentially. It shouldn't take more than a couple of weeks I would think but you still need to follow the usual testing/water change protocols.

I'd suggest getting an aquarium-only glass scrubber and using it only for that - let it air-dry thoroughly between uses.

You need a liquid reagent test kit, like the API Freshwater Master kit, and you need to test for ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate levels. Your ammonia levels are likely through the roof. Do a 50% PWC immediately; I'd probably do another one in 12-24h. Get the test kit and start testing daily...

They don't have to be. Well into the water is best so fluctuating water levels don't affect the intakes but as long as that's not an issue, you're fine. Remember that you need about an inch or more of substrate in the tank. :)

For one thing, strips are *generally* inaccurate - or much less accurate - than reagent kits. Regardless it's possible that the strip is reading the ammonia that has been bound by the chemicals, so while it's testing positive, it's not actively affecting your fish. I wonder, though... define...

I would pick only two tetra types and bump up to 5-6 cories; they're also schooling fish and need buddies. Tetras are easy on the bioload. I would however be concerned about swimming room.