Low-Tech 10g Planted Build

[Aquarium1]

Another unfortunate death today . I feel like they aren't getting enough food. They're too shy! :/ They're almost always hiding but I have seen them take a few bites of food. Still I don't feel like it's enough. Hair algae is still on the rampage. Pulled out a few huge gobs after I got the fish out. I'll try to get some pics soon although, not much has changed.

 

[mommytron]

i'm sorry how often do you feed them? if it's once a day, maybe try feeding them a few times a day (less food each time obviously) instead to see if they get more food. what kind of food have you tried? maybe they just need a little change-up?

do you have any excel? could you spot shoot the algae or is it just everywhere? how long is your light on? maybe you could cut it back a couple hours?

 

[Aquarium1]

Mainly just flakes. I tried freeze dried bloodworms but they just won't come to the top. I could try frozen but I'd have to find the time to get it first lol. I'll try this weekend.

I don't have excel, not to mention I also have a val in there. And the algae is pretty much everywhere unfortunately. I've cut back on the light already, I usually don't have it on more than 7-8 hours.

 

[mommytron]

i would try 6 hours. sounds like you have a little bit of an unbalance. you still gonna try out CO2? sounds like it might be a good idea.

if you are using freeze-dried food, pre-soak it. you want it to expand in water before your fish swallows it so it doesn't expand in their bellies. sounds like you might just need to try a varied diet. you could try pellets. i use frozen bloodworms and brine shrimp in addition to flake food, and also try to do peas once in a while. i also pre-soak the flakes. they sink immediately that way, and, again, expand in the water instead of in their bellies.

 

[Aquarium1]

I shall do that! I decided not to do CO2 until I know for sure whether I'm going to that school or not.

The next time I get the chance, I'll try to get some frozen bloodworms from the lfs. Although idk if they'll eat them because my hand movements scare them lol. I'll try though! I can try peas tonight, I have doubts though. I'll see about the pellets; what kind do you use?

 

[mommytron]

i actually don't use pellets, but i am planning on buying these Tropical Aquarium Fish Staple Foods: Hikari Micro Pellets Food with my tiny embers in mind. i think they'd be perfect for your CPD's.

what do you mean they won't take the frozen blood worms cuz your hand movements scare them? how do you feed them?

edit: also, if you don't mind ditching your vals, you could dose excel to help with algae issues. just sayin

 

[Aquarium1]

well with frozen bloodworms I thought you had to use tweezers or whatever to get it closer to them. I usually just put some flakes in and they'll get almost whatever goes toward the bottom. However if I'm nearby they won't eat out in the open.

 

[mommytron]

i just dump them in, lol. i have these little cups that i fill with tank water, put the frozen cube of bloodworms in (or chunk of frozen brine shrimp, or flake food) let it soak for like 10 minutes, then dump in a little bit of it in each of my two tanks. you can try to dump and run

 

[Aquarium1]

Haha I shall try that! I can't get any this weekend, I'll be busy with orchestra and academic team. Maybe next weekend tho!

 

[Aquarium1]

Just ordered the food, wish me luck! haha. I'll try peas tonight lol.

 

[Aquarium1]

Just a thought, BUT, I'm wondering if I got a better filter, it might help my algae. The filter I have right now isn't so good and it's pretty slow. Maybe if I upgrade to, say, an Aquaclear, the improved circulation and better filtering (for lack of a better word) might help. Idk though, as I said, just a thought lol.

 

[mommytron]

can't hurt to try

 

[Marconis]

What kind of filter are you running?

 

[Aquarium1]

Just the (in)adequate Walmart Filter lol.

 

[Marconis]

Yeah, get an AquaClear or go for a canister.

 

[Aquarium1]

Yeah I will, once I get some moneyz lol.

 

[Aquarium1]

Update:
Got some of that micro food in the mail today. It's a lot finer grained than I thought lol. However, they seem to be eating it!!! I'm really happy .

 

[Jason7894561230]

Thats good so they are going to look like my neons when i feed they go soo fat the little buggers

 

[mommytron]

yay!! sooo glad they're eating it. I will be picking some up as well for my tiny embers ... did you get the hikari ones?

 

[Aquarium1]

yay!! sooo glad they're eating it. I will be picking some up as well for my tiny embers ... did you get the hikari ones?

yep! they're pretty rad!