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  1. laurelhed

    Substrate for New Tank

    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...
  2. laurelhed

    Swapping Tanks

    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!
  3. laurelhed

    Swapping Tanks

    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...
  4. laurelhed

    Swapping Tanks

    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...
  5. laurelhed

    Injured pleco

    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...
  6. laurelhed

    Temperature vs. Ich. Questions...

    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...
  7. laurelhed

    Temperature vs. Ich. Questions...

    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...
  8. laurelhed

    Upgrading & cycling?

    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...
  9. laurelhed

    Invert chat, <3 spineless critters.

    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...
  10. laurelhed

    Invert chat, <3 spineless critters.

    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...
  11. laurelhed

    NitrITE spike in cycled tank

    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...
  12. laurelhed

    NitrITE spike in cycled tank

    Thanks for the help!
  13. laurelhed

    NitrITE spike in cycled tank

    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...
  14. laurelhed

    NitrITE spike in cycled tank

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

    NitrITE spike in cycled tank

    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...
  16. laurelhed

    NitrITE spike in cycled tank

    Help! My 20 gallon tank has been fully cycled for about 2 weeks. A week ago I added 6 Pink Zebra Danios, 2 Red Cherry Shrimp, and a Rubber-Lip Plecostomous. After 3 days I tested levels and ammonia was registering a teeny bit, as was nitrite (not even enough color to actually be on the chart...
  17. laurelhed

    REALLY cloudy water during cycling

    All Right!!! Tank is fully cycled! Hooray! Now, can I add fish with this bacterial bloom going on?
  18. laurelhed

    REALLY cloudy water during cycling

    Yes, milky white. I guess it's just a bacterial bloom. I read the article from the link Mumma of Two sent, and it explained it very well. I'll just sit tight and wait for it to settle down. Thank you all!
  19. laurelhed

    REALLY cloudy water during cycling

    I'm cycling my 20 gallon tank which has been up and running for a while, but I am finally cycling it properly (no fish). I added ammonia up to 4ppm, nitrIte was 5.0ppm, nitrAte at .5ppm. Today it is cloudy as heck and getting cloudier! Ammonia was down to 1ppm, so I dosed back up to 4ppm like...
  20. laurelhed

    Stocking Advice for a 20 gal

    We have an almost cycled 20gal and are looking at what fish to add. I would like to plant the tank, and have a large-ish driftwood, and a couple of decorations. We know we want a rubber lip pleco, which could reach 7", and needs a rock. My daughter likes pink zebra danios, so I thought a...
  21. laurelhed

    20 gallon makeover

    Thanks! One more round of antibiotics for Daizy, which is perfect timing. Glad to hear my tank is on track. I went through a patch of cloudy water about a month ago. I've read that is a normal part of cycling. Will it happen again? Again, thanks for all the advice.
  22. laurelhed

    My Plecosamus

    Sooo cute! Plecos are my favorite fish! Mine is named Daizy and she is about 3 1/2 inches now. She likes to stick herself to the underside of the lid of the sparkly pink treasure chest in her domain. Precious. I'd post pics, but they always come out blurry. And alia258, Oscar is going to...
  23. laurelhed

    20 gallon makeover

    Cool! Thank you everybody for the great advice! My pleco is currently in the hospital tank being treated with maracyn & maracyn 2 (jlk's suggestion, and working well!). I plan to keep her there and continue cycling with no fish. I don't want to cause any more harm to any more beautifuls...
  24. laurelhed

    Rubber lip pleco & common together?

    I currently have a 3" common pleco and no other fish. My daughter wants a rubber lip pleco (so do I), but I have heard that they can be quite aggressive, especially with other plecos. My common has her own driftwood. I understand rubber lips need a rock. Would having these separate "domains"...
  25. laurelhed

    Creating a self-sustaining goldfish aquarium - is it possible?

    I'm certainly no fish expert, but as I have recently had a harrowing crash course in goldfish, I can tell you that they will eat ANY plants you put in with them to the ground. And the ammonia output alone of goldfish is a serious consideration. I was filtering 250gph for a 20 gallon tank with...
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