Recent content by FishOCD

Yes, I get mildew in mine but I just ignore it. It isn't too bad.

If the flourescent tank bulbs are more than a year old, replace them. Old bulbs still look bright but their spectrum changes and encourages algae. (But if all the algae is on the window side of the tank, it's definately the sunlight.)

The "sore neck" description caught my eye. Are you saying it looks like she is bent, sort of fish scoliosis? I have had recurrent problems over the years with fish tuberculosis in mollies, platies and zebra danios. The affected fish look "S" shaped. All these fish eventually die, sorry to say...

People are really polarized on this subject (and aquarium people argue about rocks in the bottom too). Bottom drain people (and all "serious" koi people swear by bottom drains) don't like rocks becasue they can clog the drain. I have rocks on 2' shallows, shelves and boggy areas -- and whatever...

Also I know there are people farther south (in Houston or Miami) who keep cichlids in ponds but I have often wondered why. My cichlids are colorful and gorgeous -- when viewed from the side in an aquarium. When I put them in buckets to transfer to a new tank, they look rather bland from the top...

You've done all you can do in this weather. The extra oxygen can't hurt BUT keep it close to the top as you do not want to drive the warmer water at the bottom to the top and have the frigid surface water go to the bottom. Also hammering ice can cause death by shock. This storm we're having is...

Thanks, TCTFish. She never seemed stressed and had been the bully of the tank even though she was the youngest and smallest -- only about 2.5" -- so she may not have had enough meat on her to survive her maternity fast. Water parameters are all normal: ammonia/nitrates/nitrites 0, pH 8, temp...

I adopted a tankful of cichlids when I bought a used tank 4 weeks ago. I discovered one of the hap obliquiden sp 44 red tails holding shortly thereafter. I decided Mother Nature knows best and left her in the tank. Although frighteningly emaciated she seemed perky... until this morning when I...

Is it possible to use two Eclipse2 hoods side by side on a 75g tank? (I like the clean look of the Eclipse hoods.) If someone has done this, how do I secure them since they won't be able to slip over the edge in the center? Is there a manufacturer who makes a plastic housing for the top of the...

After giving birth twice, my female red platy's tail fin became narrow (vs. more fan shaped). Then, despite eating well, her belly became impossibly concave and she died. That was many months ago. Now some of her offspring have developed the same problem. One has already died. (Other breeds of...

This white dryer lint like stuff will go away in about 6 weeks without treatment. Be patient. I had the same thing happen with driftwood, too. Someone on this site told me not to worry and he was roght. Hang in there. (Some of my fish even liked nibbling on it.)

Not to worry -- it will eventually go away, ScottS. Now mine has developed spots of green and brown algae but it makes the wood look interesting and more natural.

Thanks! I've done careful water changes but been skittish about cleaning too thoroughly for fear of killing the babies with the vacuum.

There are half inch long thread-like white worms inching on the sides of my fry tank. What are they and will they hurt the fry?

Sorry I've been slow to respond -- I've been traveling. My platinum gourami look like the golden one except as the name implies they are pure white (or were). They are also doing what I thought only pink kissing gourami do -- kiss. But there's nothing affectionate about it. I think it's more of...