Recent content by zorcher

I have had a healthy aquarium set up for about a year. Over the past week I have had 2 dwarf gouramis, a swordtail, and a platy all die. I see no evidence of disease and my water parameters are still good and unchanged. What am I missing, and what should I do??? 38 gallon tank 0 ammonia, 0...

I have a 38 gallon aquarium that has been set up for 1 year. It is stocked with 5 minor tetras, 1 swordtail, 3 cory cats, 1 blue ram, and 1 silver dollar. I also had 1 dwarf gourami. I had had the dwarf gourami for approximately six months when he died overnight. I did not notice any signs...

Please forgive the novice question, but I am slightly confused by the term "planted tank." Does a planted tank mean you have one real plant, or is this term reserved for tanks which are mostly centered around the plants rather than the fish? I have a freshwater community tank with 5 live...

I have a 38 gallon planted tank with 1 angel fish, 3 cory cats, 5 red minor tetras, 2 platys, 1 dwarf gourami, 1 molly and 1 swordtail. When I test the water, the ammonia and nitrites are always at zero, but the nitrates are always at 20 ppm. In three days I did a 40 percent water change...

I have an API master test kit for my freshwater tank. Regarding the Nitrate test, no matter how hard I shake the bottles, and no matter how much or often I change my water, the test always shows approx. 20 ppm. I am starting to think my test is bogus. Is there a better Nitrate test out there?

Okay, so of all my fish only the clown loaches came down with the ich, and only the loaches died. I think they simply couldn't take the shock of the salts and ich guard (or whatever it was called). I guess the lesson is that with loaches, definitely use less than the recommended amount of...

Thanks to all your suggestions. I'm still learning and all input is appreciated. I only have one angel, and he is approx. 4 to 5 inches.

I have a 38g freshwater planted. My goal was to have an angelfish and a school of something. I bought 8 cardinal tetras today, and within 3 hours four were gone. Apparently cardinals are not going to work with my angel. Does anyone have any suggestions for a good looking schooling fish that...

Ammonia and Nitrite numbers are at zero, nitrate is at about 20. pH is 8.0, but it has always been there. I did not cut salt and medication in half, and I now realize that was probably my downfall. The cats should make it, but I lost one clown loach.

Okay, so I'm new to this aquarium stuff, and have a few questions about ich. I have a 38 gallon tropical community tank, consisting of 2 cory cats, 3 clown loaches, 1 silver dollar, and 1 angel fish. A few days ago I noticed the clown loaches started to get white spots, and after looking at...

I am new to the hobby and am in the process of stocking my first freshwater tropical tank. I have seen numerous recommendations which suggest reading up beforehand and taking a fish guide to the store. Does anyone have recommendations as to quality fish guides or fish books?

I am brand new to the hobby and am learning as I go. I have a 38 gallon freshwater tank, and have just started fishless cycling. My question is regarding pH. The water out of the faucet at my location is in the neighborhood of 8.0 pH. While most of what I read says to avoid chemical water...