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Thanks all for the replies. No more deaths since the water change, but it hasn't been long enough to really say we're out of the woods. RE: the algae, this one tank gets quite a bit of sunlight (I am not able to move it right now) so there is a fair bit of black-green algae.

For the last two years my seven tiger barbs have been living with one very passive yellow lab cichlid and a few yo yo loaches. The tank has been very stable: no water quality problems, no illnesses. Now I have lost four barbs in the last 10 days or so. They are not injured and do not look...

I just noticed that there is water in the airline between my pump and my check valve. I have never seen this before. It's hasn't impaired function yet ... The check valve is this kind: http://www.petdiscounters.com/product.php?productid=1093254&cat=315&page=1 the kind with floss in it. The...

Did anyone try this water-bridge idea? My boyfriend did and it works ... for a little while. The water stays in the "bridge" tube but, after a short time (up to 30 minutes, I think), drains out into the tanks. The entrances to the PVC elbows are not above the water line. I tried to...

He's gone. Thanks everyone who looked.

Friday morning I put a small (2.5 inches) yellow lab ciclid in a one gallon hospital tank to treat for bloat. Friday evening (approx. 24 hours ago) I gave one dose of Clout. Fish did not react or seem stressed at all, and was fine two hours ago. I just found him spinning nose down in the...

The "profiles" page on Cichlid Forum shows at least one male yellow lab with dark bars. http://cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=713 I assume these fish are purebred although I don't really know.

Recently someone asked why I put aquarium salt in my new freshwater tank, and I could not answer to their satisfaction. I know salt can help fish deal with disease, stress and high ammonia levels. But why is that? What exactly does it do for them? (just FYI my new fish are cichlids and came...

With certain of the Africans you'll get distinct spots on the anal fin in males. It's not surefire (some females get them, and some males don't) but often it's helpful.

Thank you, all. I will test my tap water tonight. However, I know that my water has chloramines: since the dechlor is supposed to take care of them, TomK2's post makes sense. One qustion, before I invest in a true fishless cycle: Given there is already ammonia in my water, could I still use...

My 29 gallon tank is running but empty and I did not seed it from another tank. Has been running less than one week (specs below). I just did my first water test, and according to my Freshwater Master kit the levels are: Ammonia: 1 ppm or slightly less (apple green) Nitrite: 0 or a hair above...

Thanks, that's helpful!

Thanks for this, really helpful!

Took an exacto knife to it just now -- it made a dent in a few places, but mostly there was no effect. Is it possible there's fog inside the glass?

Thanks for the advice. Given the above, could I just add pure ammonia from the store? I don't know whether the bacteria can just arrive out of nowhere (?) or whether I need to start with something organic like fish food.

Nope, tank is empty. Residue was there when I got the tank from its previous owner. It *looks* a little like algae or mineral deposits, except (1) clear and (2) doesn't come off in the "usual" ways I know about.

I have been reading what I can find (here and elsewhere) on the fishless cycle, but can't find the answer to this question: Can you do a fishless cycle without drawing bacteria from an existing tank? I do not have a good source for gravel/filter squeezings/etc. I could get live plants but...

My [second-hand, still dry] tank has patches of residue on the inside walls. It's clear/cloudy, and I've never seen clear algae. Water beads on it as if on a greasy smear, but it is slightly rough to the touch. Soap, vinegar and scrubbing have no effect. Any idea what it is or, better, how...

Just an FYI for anybody in the northern Virginia area: I have been watching the price drop on this advert for a 55 gallon (with cichlid occupants) for about a month. http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/for/80521089.html. His new line "Please Save the Fish" struck me as a little ominous and I...

Thanks for your help!

My LFSs run heavily to African cichlids -- it's difficult to find a good selection of anything else. (I'm in Northern VA and have tried Super Petz, Centreville Aquarium and Totally Fish.) Can anyone recommend a good online source of gourami? I'm leaning toward dwarf gourami but could do...

Thanks for the help!

Got it (and it works -- hooray!) Thanks for your help, I had it all backward. Now, to clean it ...

I've been away from the fish world a few years. I recently bought a used tank and TopFin 40 set up (see my previous post if you have advice on used tanks). I cannot figure out if this filter is complete: 1. The impeller doesn't "snap" into the piece I think it should. 2. I've never used...