/aq/

File: MosquitoRasbora1.jpg (25KB, 375x300px) Image search: [Google]

25KB, 375x300px

Anyone else having success with breeding chili rasboras? I used to own the other dwarf boraras species nack in the day, but they never sold chilis. Impressed with their colouration.

My red top black zebra cichlid just died of bloat

rip

>>2175569
That is a beautiful fish.

>>2175569
no clue i keep them but i don't try to breed them

>>2175569
ok just did a quick search and this is what a came up with.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/21-fish/155836-breeding-chili-rasboras.html

File: projectdone.jpg (989KB, 2000x1500px) Image search: [Google]

989KB, 2000x1500px

>>2175674
I'm sorry for you loss

I divided my tank

>>2175701
Didn't do a very good job did you?

>>2175701
you could also get a glass or acrylic plate and cut/saw out a small part in the middle where you put a mesh/sponge in.

File: 2016-07-26 18.10.56.jpg (350KB, 1884x1058px) Image search: [Google]

350KB, 1884x1058px

Does anyone else here keep Gar in their pond during the summermonths?

>>2175761
What do you do when it's not summer?

>>2175804
eat them

>>2175807
They don't look very edible.

File: 20160726_184427.jpg (3MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 2560x1920px

I don't know what happened. I bought a 10 gallon kit with heater and filter. I don't know anything about them it was just for one betta. Its an aquael gold 50w. Well basically it just cracked while in the water with steam coming out. Why did it do this? It wasn't to warm its automatic

File: 2016-07-26 20.03.01.jpg (2MB, 3351x1885px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3351x1885px

>>2175804
I have them in an aquarium during the colder months
My fire eel is in the pond during summer too

>>2175835
your lack of aeration plants is sickening me.

>>2175835
How much did your pond cost? I'm an AZfag and have been thinking about building a pond for arowana.

>>2175846
building the pond itself isn't that expensive, but keeping it healthy costs a fuck ton of money and effort.

>>2175839
which plants would you suggest?

Also, Oxygen was never an issue, even in really hot weeks (the Gar use atmospheric oxygen anyways)
I have a pretty big "Söchting Oxydator" in it, which worked really good the past few years, at least I didn't notice any lack of oxygen (I test the water sometimes)

>>2175846
this
>>2175850

It cost me about 1000€, (excluding Plants and animals as well as the filter) if I remember right, but the most expensive part was the WPC "wood" around the pond, which cost 400€ alone, there is also some more stuff underneath the pond liner and under the WPC stuff

>>2175883
Potamogeton, preferably P. perfoliatus or P. lucens.

Myriophyllum scrabatum, Crassula recurva, and Elodea canadensis work too.

So I've been trying to cycle my first tank for about a month now. I've been adding ammonia and the ammonia levels are dropping on their own without water changes, but I've never seen nitrites the entire time I've been doing this. My nitrates were doing okay for a while after adding safestart, but they've been dropping off. I don't know wtf is going on.

>>2175903
is the tank covered? maybe ur ammonias are running away

>>2175906
o wait i mean nitrates

take care bro, nitrates are known to wander.

>>2175906
It's a Fluval Spec V. The lid has a long hole running lengthwise under the light.

>>2175903
If you have plants those may be consuming the ammonia.

it's also possible your test kit is bad or your test procedures are faulty.

it's also possible your tank is cycled and you just missed the nitrite spike for whatever reason. But that would imply something consuming nitrates, most likely plants or algae unless your tank has a particularly anoxic substrate or something.

>>2175890
thanks

>>2175932
I've been testing daily. Would they spike that quickly? I was under the impression that I'd see them go up gradually over the course of several days. I'm new to this. Also, the ceramic stuff in my filter is looking browner, which I assume is bacteria colonies? I do have a small patch of java moss in the tank on a piece of driftwood which has this whitish slimy looking fungus on it.

>>2175941
usually nitrite will persist for about a week or so, but if your test kit is bad or if the cycle is being softened by other conditions it might be unnoticeable.

yeah, the brown on the media should be nitrifying bacteria. Java moss and fungus may both be consuming nitrate.

>>2175944
How could I test my test kit? If the test kit isn't faulty, would you think it would be okay for me to get some fish with how long I've had the tank going and everything I've told you thus far? I really appreciate your help.

>>2175950
either buy a new test solution and compare the results or perhaps take it to a fish store and ask them to test it for you.

I would add fish from what you've said. If you're worried, just add one fish and then keep testing for ammonia and nitrite every day. If tests keep coming up negative you're good to go.

>>2175955
>take it to a fish store
some of your water I mean.

File: Ammonia_beccarii.jpg (3MB, 2735x2049px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 2735x2049px

>>2175955
>tfw ur ammonia slithers away.

File: myanus.jpg (11KB, 500x375px) Image search: [Google]

11KB, 500x375px

>>2175540
>in b4 200 replies about shrimp, betta, plants and nano tanks

Anyone else have a shit experience with Hornwort? I'm pretty sure I have a Hornwort needle substrate all around the area where I planted it. I'm so tempted to throw it all out.

>>2176033
yeah it does that. I only like using it if I'm cycling the tank of I have no substrate. I threw mine out.

>>2176033
Yeah. Mine was made worse by my goldfish biting pieces off and than spitting them out. Clogged up my filter a bunch of times.

>>2176033
Mine just completely took over. I've probably thrown away 4 or 5 times what I have in the tank in clippings.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4032x3024px

Long time lurker, first time posting on /aq/, please help!

My bettas stomach looks abnormally swollen. I've always fed him 2 pellets a day, skipping a day occasionally and blood worms when I do water changes. I fed him 2 pellets this morning and went to check on him this evening, and he looked like pic related. Should I be freaking out?

Is there something I can do? He's not supposed to look like that right?

File: image.jpg (2MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4032x3024px

>>2176111
Second photo.

>>2176111
get frozen peas, thaw and take the skin off. feed to the betta. done! he's likely just constipated.

File: idpls.jpg (253KB, 778x437px) Image search: [Google]

253KB, 778x437px

what fish is this?

>>2176141
...look at the fish in the OP.

>>2175831
How long did you wait between putting it in the water and plugging it in?

>>2176167
I can't remember, it had been in for two weeks though without problem.

>>2176175
sounds like a faulty heater. what brand is it?

you're lucky if your betta made it!

File: 20160726_203545.jpg (2MB, 3264x1836px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x1836px

Hey /an/ I've got a betta with what looks like a pimple. I can't tell whether or not if it is a parasite, or illness. Google results haven't been inconclusive

>>2176206
Do you have a better picture that shows the bump? Also did the bump appear quickly or has it been there awhile? Has it been growing?

File: 20160726_205843.jpg (2MB, 3264x1836px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x1836px

>>2176209
Small two days ago, thought he just bumped into something. Started about scale sized, now is roughly the size of 3or 4scales

>>2176206
my gut instinct is parasite.

Also, he's eating and swimming and bubble nesting like normal. No behavior or diet change. And his Cory cat tank mate is still spastic as shit

>>2176222
What do?

Do I need to get the tweezers out?

>>2176224
If he's behaving normal could just be a cyst. Or a minor parasite like a fluke. For parasites buy some prazi or other parasite Ned's. They're actually pretty cheap. For a cyst more water changes.

>>2176224
>cory cat tank mate

Whenever you solve your betta's problem, get that poor little guy a friend or two

I kind of semi-impulse bought a betta today. I was already intending to, just not RIGHT now.

Excuse the shitty cellphone photo. Turns out my old light is actually broken. I'll be getting substrate, plants, new light etc and transferring him to a proper aquarium in the morning.

>tl;dr Look at how pretty my fish is.
>His name is Geralt of Rivia.
>Good Guy Geralt for short.

File: 13669664_1079690552117679_4109877416795431606_n.jpg (104KB, 960x926px) Image search: [Google]

104KB, 960x926px

>>2176386
And I dropped my fucking image anway.

File: 13781951_1079741472112587_7418761666137986035_n.jpg (100KB, 960x960px) Image search: [Google]

100KB, 960x960px

>>2176387
Here's one where he looks less mouldy.

>>2176386
>>2176387
>>2176419
In what kind of tank do you got him? size-wise, filtration wise etc.

I hope you don't intent to keep him in a bowl. If you need info on a good tank setup, aq is sure willing to help.

>>2176181
Aquael, what could of killed the betta? The glass or the steam?

It seems like everyone here has a betta, I didn't realise how popular they was

>>2176430
>I'll be getting substrate, plants, new light etc and transferring him to a proper aquarium in the morning.

It'll be a 31.5gal, with a handful of ghost shrimp in there too. I've had tropical fish before - Used to keep German Rams.

>>2176439
Cool. Good to hear, he's getting a comfy home.

>>2176439
I wouldn't keep a betta with ghost shrimp mate

>>2176118
Thanks! Should I just put the whole pea (skin removed) in the tank or cut it in half? Worried about over feeding.

File: image.jpg (716KB, 2053x2433px) Image search: [Google]

716KB, 2053x2433px

>>2176419
I love the colors on his fins! This thread should've been a betta edition. I have 3. The red betta here >>2176111
And pic related is my half moon. Had him in quarantine bowl to treat fungus. Will post my black crown tail next.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4032x3024px

>>2176455
And my black crown tail. This was at the pet store. This picture displays his beauty better than the pics I have of him in his tank.

File: 34523453.jpg (12KB, 200x200px) Image search: [Google]

12KB, 200x200px

thunder is spooking my fishos, my violet goby does not look happy, looks like hes gasping

Whats up with animals and lightning/thunder noises?

File: first fish.jpg (299KB, 750x2000px) Image search: [Google]

299KB, 750x2000px

>>2176456
I love your bettas anon,I'm not him but I have two
myself. This one was 4 pounds (about 3 dollars I think?)

File: 20160723_172536.jpg (3MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 2560x1920px

>>2176470
And this is my second, 5 pounds he cost me.
I think they was both under priced

Couldn't get a better picture sorry

>>2176455
>>2176456
>>2176470
>>2176473
They're all gorgeous! I never realized how much I loved these guys until I started seeing them posted in these threads.

>4-5 pounds.
Damn! They're absurdly expensive here in Australia. I paid $25 for mine, and he was 'underpriced' for a half-moon. They're usually $35-40.

>>2176470
>>2176473
Beautiful fish! Be wary of that plastic blue plant though. I learned that lesson the hard way..

>>2176476
Holy shit, anon! Mine were prices at $5 for veil tail, $7 for half moon and $8 for crown tail.

At my job, the most expensive bettas we sale are "premium butterfly" for $25. But I see prettier veil tails than what they consider "premium butterfly".

>>2176476
Thank you!
And yeah half moons are quite expensive here as well, for some reason veil tails are always really cheap though.

>>2176484
>Be wary of that plastic blue plant though
He was just in that while I divided my tank, he has a ten gallon tank now with live plants.
I think it was fine though anyway, it was really soft. Made for bettas I believe.

how do I clean the filter without ruining the cycle?

just rinse it with tap water and put the thingies back in?

http://www.aqua-one-spare-parts.co.uk/proddetail/aqua-one-betta-duo-20l-aquarium

Is that 20 litres each? Or 10?

>>2176489
yeah, either tap water (that doesn't contain chlorine or is too hot/cold) or tank water

>>2176488
Ok. Good. I had a fake plant that wasn't plastic, but my black crow tail got caught in it by his gill. Happened to check on him and thought he was sleeping at first. Then I noticed he seemed to be "breathing" rapidly and realized he was stuck. Pried him loose and his gill was swollen the rest of the day, but he fully recovered. I'll see if I can find a pic of the plant. I threw it away after that.

>>2176492
dutch water doesn't have chlorine in it.

>>2176490
>http://www.aqua-one-spare-parts.co.uk/proddetail/aqua-one-betta-duo-20l-aquarium
At those measurements it's 22l total, so 11l per side.

File: image.jpg (21KB, 300x300px) Image search: [Google]

21KB, 300x300px

>>2176495
This is the artificial plant.

>>2176496
good. rule of thumb is, that some of the detritus should remain, like don't clean it till it's pristine and devoid of detritus.

>have a female betta and a male we want to breed.
>male is too young so we keep him in a ten gallon buy himself
>put the female in my 28 gallon
>she does fine with the other fish, even my honey gourami but keeps trying to kill my amanos, but that's normal.
>my male betta will bite his Julie cory tank mates but will ignore the shrimp.

Second betta I owned that attacks cories. I'm putting both of the betta in a 20 gallon on Saturday with a tank divider, thank fully I have a cycled filter to put on it.

>>2176497
Thats a shame, it looked nice

>>2176518
honestly cycling isnt even that big off a deal with bettas

I've been thinking of changing out all the gravel and plastic shit in my 10g for some sand/dirt, rock and live plants. Would it be as easy as just saving as much of the old water as I can and then just putting it back in with the old filter after placing the new stuff inside? I could save 6 out of the 10 gallons of old water. I know bacteria lives underneath the gravel too, so I could possibly put like half of the gravel in too and then take it out after a week or so.

>>2176570
Saving your water is useless. Just save enough to keep your filter running while you change evening out.

>>2175674
My bubble eye goldfish just died of the same thing

>>2175846
>Arowana
>in pond
Kek. Hope you enjoy fish jerky!

>>2176465
Because you have him in freshwater instead of brackish

>>2176437
never heard of that brand, could've been just a junk heater. when heaters malfunction it can heat up the water and boil your fish.

>>2176443
why? worst case the betta is going to eat the shrimps.

>>2176450
either is okay- just remove what's left after a while

>>2176465
wowee he sure is purple

>>2176489
do not use tapwater. when you do the water change, swish the filter in the bucket. tap water is going to kill the bacteria.

>>2176570
there's not much bacteria in the water but it can't hurt. you can put the gravel in a cup, media bag, or pantyhose so you can easily take it out when you're done cycling.

So I have high ph (8.2) and a lot of the plants I want to grow are around 7.5, is this a huge deal? I am getting a CO2 system in the upcoming weeks and read that will lower it, but for now would it be OK to put some plants in?

>>2176622
Changing PH in a fish tank is a big deal. Most fish can adapt to your PH. It's rapid change in PH that kills them.

Keep that in mind if you want to save the fish or the plants.

>>2176624
Thanks, I don't plan to shock the water with CO2 when I get the system set up, but would the plants be OK with a tad higher pH for a week or 2?

The fish I have in there are fine and haven't shown any sign of stress.

>>2176630
What plants are we talking? If you had some very sensitive ones like rotala wallichi or pogostemon helferii you might piss them off, but otherwise, I dont see it being a major problem.

>>2176630
most plants and fish aren't going to mind the higher pH at all.

>>2176637
Camboda, water wisteria, and some other more common plants. I don't think it would be a problem but just checking with /aq/

>>2176620
Its really popular here in England, they're sending me another one for free so thats good at least.

And thats what I meant, ive never had a betta that didn't attack shrimps.

>>2176600
It's gonna be six feet deep and in shade, the temp should be fine, if not I can do an indoor pond for them, I'm trying to get them to breed and they need a massive tank to do so. But doing a pond is easier.

>>2176437
>>2176437
Some heaters contain chemicals that are harmful for fish, which is only a problem when they break like yours. other then that they could of boiled your fish.

File: paludarium.jpg (126KB, 733x410px) Image search: [Google]

126KB, 733x410px

Does anybody here have a paludarium?
Does anybody here collect and use native plants in their aquariums?
What co2 diffuser is best bang for the buck?
Where is a good place to get 5lbs co2 tanks refilled?

Has anyone ever dealt with Cabomba? Looking to add some to my 20g tank, with CO2 and 3W/gal.

I heard it can be somewhat tricky and doesn't do well with pruning but what do you think?

I picked up a 10 gallon tank for $3 at my local thrift store. My goal when I first saw it was "I'm gonna buy this thing, go out to the local docks and catch my own pet fish" I drove home and googled how to adjust wild fish for home aquariums and there really weren't any guides on the subject.

My thinking is:
Catch the fish (One, maybe 2 at most)
Take buckets with me and scoop up the water
Fill my tank with said water and place fish into it
Let the filter slowly work its magic allowing the fish to adjust to more pure water

Sound like a good idea or am I really dumb?

>>2176938
depends on what area you're in. in most of the US there aren't any native species suitable for the size aquariums most people can keep.

>>2176945
I'm in the pacific north west. I don't plan on catching crazy huge arm-length fish I just want the little trash catches the size of finger, and only one or two at that.

>>2176952
cool, me too :)

there are laws protecting native fish so you might want to look into that. oregon is stricter than washington. don't even think about doing a saltwater tank in 10 gallons. mudminnows maybe. pretty much everything is going to get way too big.

>>2176938
Anything you catch won't fit in a 10 gallon. Plus, you'll probably have to have perfect parameters in order to have it survive for very long. Just taking some seawater back with you isn't going to do anything. Especially since your tank needs time to cycle (your filter, mostly). It's also harder to keep wild fish alive compared to one that was raised in captivity. You're better off just going to a local fish store and picking up one from them. Especially if you're a beginner. Just buy a cheap one and see how you do. Regardless, anything you buy or catch will die if you don't cycle the tank first. Do some research before anything else.

File: image.jpg (1MB, 3191x2231px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 3191x2231px

>>2176952
>>2176964
Do what I did if you want to catch the smaller species or small fish if you're planning on getting rid of later. I made a fish trap out of a two liter bottle (google it. It's very easy. Fishing line works better for a string though and much stronger and don't forget to put rocks in) and left it in the water for an hour and had a few fish. Mainly creek chubs in this spot. Use pieces of slim Jim to bait it and cereal or bread. They really love the spicy smell of the slim jims though. I am going to check mine again here soon. Hoping this massive soft shell turtle hasn't rekt my shit.

>>2176978
In a tank that small it will be harder to keep a fish alive. There are native fish that excel in adapting to captivity. One being the creek chub. I've started tanks without cycling and never lost a fish. you'll have to change small amounts of water daily or every other day and add fish slowly. Doing this I've had a death in 10 years. But regardless of what I said a cycled tank beforehand will be better.

>>2176601
That pic isn't mine but yeah mines in fresh

I want to turn it to a brackish for him but I got a pleco in there with him I don't want to hurt since hes a scaleless or so I've read

Might have to bite the bullet though, I hate to see him uncomfortable, sadly if he gets too big I don't think I can get a tank any bigger than 10 gallons so I might be in trouble either way

Does brackish water change the way cycles and water maintenance goes besides adding salt?

>>2176938
The water part is dumb. Use your sinks water, use a conditioner, let fish acclimate before putting into tank, and then change a little water everyday and make sure to use a conditioner like prime when you change water. Most US native fish are extremely hardy. Catfish and some other species I can't remember can withstand temperatures as high as 99 degrees with almost zero oxygen.

>>2177030
Those gobies are found in fresh, brackish, and salt water environments. Your small tank is going to be his death along with the shit factory pleco already taking 3x the bio load in the tank. The violet goby aka dragon goby get easily over a foot long.

File: giphy.gif (988KB, 500x269px) Image search: [Google]

988KB, 500x269px

>>2177037
Yea, if he gets any bigger I might not be able to keep him

If he does go Ill just go back to keeping crabs, used to have 3 fiddler crabs that would always do their mating dance on top of the rocks in my tank

>>2177042
Wh can't you get a bigger tank bro?

>>2177053
To be honest, my room is really tiny

The stand I use for my 10g tank is the perfect dimensions for the tank so I need to find a new stand I can fit in my room around the same height that could support a larger tank and I wouldn't be able to have both tanks in my room

If I were to upgrade what size would be appropriate for a violet goby? I was thinking something like a 29 gallon

current tank is 20x10x12 and a snug fit but if I got a new stand that was perfect I could expand to 30x18x16 at most

>>2175839
Your tripfagging sickens me.

>>2176465
Water is much denser than air, so therefor sound waves are much more powerful in water than in air.

Some distant thunder to us could be like a shotgun blast going off right next to your ear for your fish.

>>2176033
Think of hornwort as a natural, but annoying, filter. It sucks up ammonia like no other plant I know of, even duckweed. I used to use it in breeding and growout tanks instead of java moss. With enough hornwort, you almost don't need a cycled filter.

>>2176855
Had a paludarium, it was a pain in the ass to build and maintain, but it was always my favorite tank to look at.

Only native plants I've used were duckweed and anacharis.

I'm no help on CO2 equipment.

Talk to a local microbrewery, or just a local pub. They use CO2 tanks and should be able to direct you.

>>2177056
He will get 12 inches or more. So 55 gallon minimum. If you have a dresser and its long enough those are usually pretty sturdy to hold a 55 gallon. Or just use the floor or check for free ones on Craigslist like I did. Got an entire 55 gallon setup from there.

>>2177110
A paludarium is definitely one of my goals, even with the maintenance they just seem awesome.

I'm running co2 in a tank currently but I think I'm just going to DIY a reactor instead of upgrading the diffuser.

>>2177135
Welding supply stores and places that fill fire extinguishers will do it for you.

>>2177107
Does hornwort require floating on the surface, or can it survive fully submerged? If it requires air, will putting it directly in the path of an airstone do the trick?

>>2177135
>>2177140
Paintball stores might be able to help you as well.

>>2177144
both is fine. Hornwort grows like a weed anyway. Of course, due to more light exposure, it grows quicker, closer to the surface.

>>2176934
Its shit, bushy and prone to falling apart. Combine that with fish loving to eat it, you might be netting a lot of debris out

File: image.jpg (1MB, 2592x1936px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2592x1936px

Is this is the grey sand substrate I've used for the first 30g.

>>2176934
If you talk regular cabomba, I never had a real problem with it. Doesn't even need co2 and only medium light to grow like a weed. What many observe though, is that cabomba sometimes sheds his leaves, when in gets introduced into a new tank, but that's only temporary.

File: image.jpg (1MB, 2592x1936px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2592x1936px

>>2177194

The alternative is the mixed common gravel.

File: image.jpg (68KB, 620x465px) Image search: [Google]

68KB, 620x465px

http://cichlaholic.com/lists.html

http://angelfins.ca/index.php?
main_page=index&cPath=2

http://www.canadianaquatics.com/stock/stock.htm

Wood hardscape
http://www.bloomsandbranches.com/SearchResults.asp?searching=Y&sort=1&cat=1885&show=300&page=1

Canadian sites.

File: image.jpg (69KB, 820x489px) Image search: [Google]

69KB, 820x489px

Just found this amazing fish

BARILIUS ARDENS

>>2177205
cool fella. Looks like a schooling fish.

>>2176033
I hated it. It never got green and pretty, it only released a shit ton of needles and made my tank look messy. It's also now all over my new and old filters. I fucking. Hated. it.

>move into new house
>buy an energy monitor to see much electric I use in the house
>turn fish tank filter on for first time
> monitor says 0w per hour being used

Is this right?

>>2177412
Lol no,

>>2177196
Would I need to remove the leaves if they do fall off or would it be OK to let them decompose into the substrate?

>>2177443
it really depends on what your cleanup crew is. If you have some sort of snails, cories( orother small catfish) or shrimp, they could deal with it, no problem.

File: image.jpg (30KB, 480x384px) Image search: [Google]

30KB, 480x384px

I got a group of these about a month ago, a mix of males, females and unsexable juvies. Well, the juvies turned out all male and messed up the m:f ratio so I moved all the boys to a different tank.

The girls all look pregnant and some have been like this since I got them. Now that the lads aren't here to pester them surely they'd decide to give birth already? Nope? I just want babies already - is there anything I can do to get the girls to pop out?

>>2177458
Are you sure they are pregnant? If you said they looked pregame since you got them then maybe that's just how they look? I have green corys and the females are naturally bigger.

As for getting them pregnant and breeding them, you can probably find specific videos for your fish youtube or whatever. Probably involves more frequent water changes and special feeding.

File: AquStockImage.png (19KB, 550x130px) Image search: [Google]

19KB, 550x130px

Thinking about this for a 22 gallon planted.

>>2177535
that sounds like a really good setup, I like it!

>>2177492
Yeah they're definitely pregnant - they have gravid spots and are pretty square. I mean it's not like breeding livebearers is exactly difficult, females are pretty much always pregnant and should produce young at regular intervals.

I used to breed bumblebee platies, those were quite cool.

I want to put some cories in my planted tank and have it carpeted with hairgrass. Will cories be OK with this or will they rip up plants in search of food?

Basically looking for something to keep the substrate clean. I already have amanos in there but they seem to leave certain things alone.

>>2177598
I've never had a cory rip up plants so I wouldn't worry about it. keep in mind all cories do is eat food that's landed on the bottom.

>>2177617
What would clean the bottom with a carpet then? Just planted some stuff and notice a lot of debris being kicked up when I put the roots in.

>>2177647
shrimp and snails will eat dead plant material and leftover food. nothing is gonna eat fish shit. you can either do water changes while vacuuming the bottom or just leave it alone- when they take root the vacuum shouldn't bother the plants.

anyways cories are completely awesome, you should get some! they just aren't the greatest cleanup crew. one of my favorite fish.

I'm starting up a 40g breeder. It's currently cycling so I was hoping for some help figuring out quantities of fish or maybe fish suggestions. I wanted to have some harlequin rasboras and kuhli loaches for sure. Was considering corys in addition to the kuhlis. I'm buying from my lfs so if I should get a larger amount of the rasboras I would like to know in advance so they have enough in stock. Thanks!

File: 183ylm.gif (1MB, 260x462px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 260x462px

Behold: no more air stone for this tank!

>>1/2 red brick
>>2' plastic/rubber tube cut in half lengthwise and bent around brick to hide all corners
>>Secure with stainless steel wire
>>Wrap ends of wire together and snip at 1"
>>Fold wire back on itself and flare the end
>>Take small plastic/rubber tube and attach it to the wire end, pressing it over the fold and using the flare to catch the soft rubber insides of the tube
>>Use the small diameter tube to attach a circulation pump to the brick
>>Air pump&tube
>>Stick the air pump tube right into the bars on the circulation pump(my pump bars are tapered for a snug fit)

Very little vibration
Lots of air
QCCs?

>>2177665
loaches and corys are both very active fish- you'll have a lot of activity at the bottom. harlequins are very calm and stick to the middle.

you could do two small schools or one big school. zebra danios would add a lot of activity to the top of your tank. you might want to have a centerpiece fish- like a ram, gourami, or angelfish.

File: tmp_31063-KIMG0041-816318007.jpg (726KB, 2560x1440px) Image search: [Google]

726KB, 2560x1440px

Just set up my first tank. No fish yet, can you guys give me some chemical advice for the coming weeks to make sure my tank is good to go for fish AND plants? Thanks. So far it's chemical free except for the tap water treatment stuff and I picked out some sand substrate that said it was good for freshwater plants

>>2177747
depends on what type of plants you use. mine is heavily planted and I just use dirt and regular organic garden ferts lol

Id on this snail please?
Found it in my bettas tank

File: 20160728_215432.jpg (3MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

3MB, 2560x1920px

>>2177782
Forgot picture

>>2177785
just a pond snail.

>>2177785
Congratulations your tank experienced timetravel-tier evolution and the bacteria in your tank has evolved into a snail.

File: P_20160727_163410_HDR[1].jpg (325KB, 1280x720px) Image search: [Google]

325KB, 1280x720px

Im already regretting not buying toy cars and fake buildings to put in here

This would have made for the perfect overgrown cityscape

>>2177812
Would rust, probably want to lacquer coat shit like that, or remove the axles and screws and glue it back together.

>>2177684
So basically an overbuilt venturi?

>>2177815
ah yeah, i'd really only need the plastic tops to be buried partway into the gravel

too late for that without uprooting my plants though

>>2177796
Is it safe to keep with my betta?

>>2177799
You have lost me

>>2177812
I did something similar, I have an abandoned house in the tank which is placed on top off the live plants so they all come out the windows.
I also have a few gargoyles and a Buddha covered in real moss. Put 10 albino corys in as well. Have you thought of adding tank mates to your tank?

>>2177837
>Is it safe to keep with my betta?

for the betta? Sure. For the snail? Depends on how hungry the betta is

>>2177840
were you the one that had the house made out of Popsicle sticks? Because that was cool

And I was considering Kuhlis but 2 of my betta girls are nippy as fuck. I wouldnt want to inflict betta bites on scaleless fish. I have a cloud of platy fry that will be old enough to put in with them in a few months so maybe ill try that though im not optimistic about that either

File: ClassicWoodhouseOnRocksWithPlantsAquariumOrnament.jpg (73KB, 650x650px) Image search: [Google]

73KB, 650x650px

>>2177880
>were you the one that had the house made out of Popsicle sticks?
No i'm afraid not, mine is just two of these back to back

File: IMG_6258.jpg (1MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 3264x2448px

I'm worried about my platy
>pic related

I noticed today she's a little bloated, and the fins on the bottom of her stomach are slightly sticking out. Her fins are clenched and there's a dark spot on the right side of her stomach, which you can kinda see in the picture.

It's a 20 gallon tank, with other platies who all seem fine. I haven't made an significant changes to the tank in a while (besides normal water changes), except for adding a plant from Petsmart two days ago.

Is she dying? I don't have a quarantine tank, so what should I do? pls help

>>2177891
that's still pretty neat. Those decos in particular are like $17 each around where I live so I never get them but im always tempted

>>2177893
sorry my picture went sideways, i don't know why

>>2177837
No, when your beta is sleeping the snail is going to climb onto it and eat it alive.

I think most snails multiply pretty fast, though. So if you don't want a bunch of snails you should probably remove it.

>>2177893
could be bloat, could be she's about to drop her fry

you really should have a quarantine tank. You may have added something nasty to your tank from that plant if you didnt quarantine it

>>2177901
Is that something that happens when they're about to drop fry? That would be much nicer than her dying

I know, I wish I had a quarantine. I used to have one but I unfortunately had to get rid of it.

Ok so the cyst/tumour on my betta has gotten massive despite the treatment and he just floats at the top of his tank.

I'm really sad, this was my first ever fish and people act like its wrong to be upset over a dead fish

>>2177924
Those are the same people who will put a gold fish or betta in a vase and buy a new one after they believe they only live less than a month

Hey guys, aquarium noob here and I am just now noticing some strange critters in my tank. The intended inhabitants of the tank are 2 Apple snails, 1 nerite snail and 1 Betta fish.

I was cleaning the tank today and noticed that there was some form of water pest crawling on the apple snails. I've yet to determine what they are but I think they might be Cyclops. They are capable of both crawling on surfaces and swimming in free water and I mostly see them on the snails or near the surface of the water. I also noticed a single Nematode while trying to get a good look at the other tiny pests.

I guess my main question is if my Betta can subsist off of these pests and if you guys have any advice for how to feed the snails without the betta eating their food, apparently he likes algae pellets.

>>2177946
most little dudes who live in your water aren't parasitic. keep an eye on your snails and betta and feed a little less. I've never worried about feeding snails, but they'll eat algae, leftover fish food, and decaying vegetation. drop in a bit of cuttlebone if you want them to have healthy shells.

I have probably 200 snails I don't want- they're definitely not tricky to keep.

>>2177914
look up ''pregnant platy"

They look like fucking buses from the side and very.. beach ball like from the front. Yours is looking a bit different from the typical platy preg look though but the dark spot COULD be a Gravid spot from the fry. Cant really tell from the picture

>>2177951
Well the tank doesn't get much direct sunlight to keep the betta happy, and it looked like the snails had pretty much polished every surface in the tank which is why we decided to try and get the algae pellets for them. I discussed with my partner the idea of growing algae in another tank to transfer over, or perhaps getting more plantlife in the tank to provide shade for the betta if we wanted to move the tank into sunlight.

>>2177964
you can use a plastic sterilite container to grow rocks on algae, just leave it in the sun. leaving a tank in direct sunlight isn't good, especially for smaller tanks because of how hot it can get.

the apple snails are gonna be just fine, they'll eat anything. I think the nerites are a little more finicky- do you have another tank he can go in?

>>2177823
Not in any way as the 'anon device' relies upon an air pump. The blades simply turn all those large bubble from the tube into tons of tiny ones and add said tiny bubbles to the jet stream.

Yeah, I'm calling it the Anon Effect

>>2177967
The nerite is almost never in sight. I thought he was dead for a while. He crawls around on the inside of one of the structures and is pretty much never in the open. I might try to get some spinach or something in there for him.

So do you think the Beta will deal with the surge of pests if I feed him a lot more irregularly?

File: ss+(2016-07-28+at+07.19.04).jpg (225KB, 1104x830px) Image search: [Google]

225KB, 1104x830px

>turn on light for a few days
>algae spreads like wildfire
>turn it off
>algae dies and ammonia spikes

Kill me. I just want to use this $200 light I bought. I feel like I'm doing more damage by turning it on for a few days and then off for a few, than I would be doing by just leaving it on for a less amount of time each day. I'm so lazy though I don't want to scrape all that shit off every other day. Shit sticks like crazy on the glass. Truly, algae is suffering.

Does anyone sell fish online? It seems like aquabid and other sites could let you rake in a lot of cash if you know what you're doing.

>>2177972
the little critters won't breed if there's not enough food for them. I'm not sure if betta will eat them, I know fish fry will.

I've never heard of or seen a nerite eat anything but algae which is kind of weird. they don't need very much food at all though so should be fine.

>>2177977
shipping for fish is pretty expensive.

>>2177974
Get a snail you uncultured swine

>>2177699
Yeah, I have a lot of ground space so I figure there's enough room for the two species.
What would be considered a large vs small school in terms of quantity for schooling fish?

>>2178028
I meant more in terms of layers- top, middle, and bottom. the bottom will be very busy. harlequins are very calm and slow moving.

4 fish is a small school. 8-20 is usually considered a decent size school in my opinion. some fish school in the thousands in the wild.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>2178024
I had quite a few large turbo snails or whatever they were. Crab ate them. They did work for a while, though. Maybe I'll buy some more.

File: 1445430964029.jpg (157KB, 900x686px) Image search: [Google]

157KB, 900x686px

>>2177205
Found some at my LFS, was gunna get them for my Burmese river tank, but went with giant danios instead due to the Barilius being £10 each.

Also found a guy selling illegal crayfish, what size tank would you guys recommend for marbled crayfish in a species only tank? My friend has a 33gal for sale, but it's kinda big and I was hoping to get something smaller that would still be suitable.

>>2178044
>all that foam
you need to be running a skimmer.

>>2178046
I probably do need one.. but I think that's just from my wave maker. As the water level drops I have to push it down since it sucks in the water and makes those bubbles. But I'm guessing you're saying the bubbles wouldn't stay foamy like that if I had a skimmer? I've just been hesitant because I've heard HOB skimmers aren't that great.

>>2177900
Y-You're being facetious, right?

I thought a couple of snails in with a Betta were fine because he'd pick them off.

>>2178064
Yeah, it's just a meme, lad. Get a sumo loach if you're that worried about them

>>2178057
>I'm guessing you're saying the bubbles wouldn't stay foamy like that if I had a skimmer?
yes, exactly.
that much standing foam means you've got some serious organic pollution going on.
>I've just been hesitant because I've heard HOB skimmers aren't that great.
I've never tried one but I'm not aware of any particular reason they shouldn't work as well as in in-tank version. Just get a venturi-type, preferably with a needle-wheel.

I usually run in-tank skimmers in a sump just because it looks cleaner and the in-tank ones are dirt cheap. I think I paid $30 for my current one with pump. Chinese stuff on ebay.

File: 20160729_003726.jpg (1MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2560x1920px

Do your corys like to chill together like this? I love watching these guys chase their own reflections in the glass. Probably the most relaxing part of my day.

I've been googling, of course, but I generally trust you guys.

What kind of catfish/algae cleaning buddies would you suggest for a 2-foot, planted Betta tank?

File: corygang.jpg (153KB, 1080x1080px) Image search: [Google]

153KB, 1080x1080px

>>2178142
yeah, they like to chill and school together. Here's an older pic of my Habrosus (got 12 in total)

>>2178149
what gallons is 2-foot? 20?

It all boils down to your betta's temper. Generally Amano shrimp, various snails should be your first go-to.

Otocinclus catfish would be hard to introduce into an immature setup. Other catfish would be small-medium Cordydoras species, but those are rather bottom dwellers than algae eaters.

Plecos often produce more waste than they consume and most species need space.

But as I said, your betta could be fine with either or all of those species listed or he could start outright massacering them, so it's best to know it's personality.

>>2178150
Im honestly getting a little obsessed with corys, i have what i believe are 3 julii and 2 pandas. I want more fish corys but i dont want to crowd my tank.
I have a 56 gallon tall more than long, and in it are the 5 corys, a shubunkin gold fish, a comet goldfish, 3 24kt white cloud fish, a britstlenose pleco, a rainbow shark (wife wanted him, not sure how he will do once he gets larger) and 3 algea eating shrimp.
Do you think i have more room for more corys?

All of the fish seem to be peaceful but im still not sure about the rainbow shark, im certain hes going to turn into a little shit at some point.

>>2178154
To be quite honest, Bioload wise, you are already stretching it with just the 2 goldfish and the pleco, not to mention the rest.

Rainbow sharks have the high chance to turn psycho unless they have lots of space (100gal+) or enough other rainbow sharks so they can fight out their aggression amongst themselves and establish dominance/ a pecking order. More Rainbows would also imply more space needed.

Did you mean 3 or 24 White Cloud Mountain minnows? 3 would be quite small for a school.

If I were you' I'd try to redo the tank:

Find a new home for the goldfish and the rainbow shark,

go for a small grain porous substrate or sand (cories love that + less of a waste magnet/maintenance, compared to your gravel)

Try live or at least silk plants (less chance for fish cutting themselves on plastic plants, increased waste management/filtration from live plants)

Up the amount of cories to 25ish+ in total (or 15+ if you intend to get big cory species like splendens or sterbaii)

Up the white clouds, if you indeed only have 3 or introduce some other schoolers like different tetra species.

Cover the bottom (or parts) in leaf litter. Cories love to eat dead leaves and the biofilm attached to it. If you don't like the brown tinge, don't dump too much leaves at once and you water should retain a more clear coloration.

just rescued 14 platy fry from my community tank

I now have 50 fry of varying ages in a ten gallon. Why do I keep doing this?

>>2177974
if you're reading any ammonia you've got a problem.

either that filter isn't cycled or it isn't big enough. Or you've just got too damn much pollution. Getting a pile of live rock would help. So would getting a skimmer. So would feeding less. As would water changes using RO/DI water and a quality salt mix.

That white-spot and the blue devil can survive a hell of a lot of ammonia and nitrates, but the smaller crabs and the snails need 0 ammonia and nitrates under 10 or so if you expect them to survive.

though the big crab is pretty likely to kill everything in the tank before water quality becomes a problem. Those things are voracious predators, as you already know.

>>2178158
Thank you very much for this post, i will take it all into consideration.
I think i will get rid of the comet and the rainbow. I just really love the flowy fins of the shubunkin and his light blue coloring under his other colors.

I had 8 24kt cloud fish, slowly they have been dying since i moved them into this larger tank, im worried that it might be the rainbow shark killing them off. So now i only have the 3. I really hate that im losing them because they always did so well in my old 29 gallon. But after we got the new tank cycled my wife wanted new additions and the rainbow shark was what she wanted despite my protests. We split the new fish tank so it is half hers, welll i tried.
I just told her that i think we should get rid of the comet and the rainbow shark.

>>2178161
Yeah, my bet is that mr rainbow bullied or ate them. In a friend's tank, a rainbow even picked fights with gouramis that were his size.

If you need advice on liveplants when you plan to go that route, feel free to ask. There are many well suited for beginners, that grow big and are easy to maintain, like anubias, echinodorus, hygrophila, cabomba, javafern as well as some javamoss.

You by any chance got a shot of your shubunkin?

File: 20160729_020556.jpg (1MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2560x1920px

>>2178162
Thanks i will definitely be around more when i start changing things, sand being one of those, i really like the aesthetic of it.
Heres the shubunkin.

File: 20160729_020608.jpg (1MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2560x1920px

>>2178165
And a full tank shot from the side

File: 20160729_020552.jpg (1MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2560x1920px

>>2178165
This one is a bit better

>>2178167
cool shub. His pigmentation almost reminds me of a peacock cichlid.

File: 20160729_021833.jpg (1MB, 2560x1920px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 2560x1920px

>>2178167
This area is affectionately known as shrimp rock

>>2178168
Thank you, he was our first fish when we started and ive grown very fond of him

>>2178159
Because you know you love it.

>>2178142
>>2178150
so cute

I got unwanted corys as a present last year and they are cute but I don't like the albino ones

>>2178115
$30?! What the hell did you buy? All the skimmers I see are are at least $100. I'm too afraid to spend any less than that out of fear of bad build quality. But hell I mean they aren't that complicated of machines from what I can tell. Probably paying more for the brand name than the production cost.

>>2178160
I think my filter is fine. My water could probably be better. I usually have a 5 gallon bucket I put the salt mix into that has a air stone and heater in it. I let that mix for a few days before putting it in. I definitely need some more live rock. My LFS sells it for $7/lb, seems a bit pricey, not sure. I feel bad my crab doesn't have much to climb on. She's resorted to climbing on my canister intake and sometimes the heater. She usually wimps out though once she realizes the surface is there, haha.

>>2178154
you are overstocked.
you are mixing coldwater fish with tropical.
rainbow sharks will get aggressive in the future.
corydoras species need schools of at least 4 per species.
>>2178158
these are great suggestions.
the rainbow shark is going to kick your corys ass when it gets larger. it doesn't mix well with bottom dwellers except for loaches apparently.

just bought 12 sakura shrimp, 2 dwarf crayfish, 2 BN plecos, 6 swordtails and 5 pairs of ginga rubra/endler crosses. how the heck is the seller making money off this when it was $45 shipped from across the country in a heat wave?

>>2178420
They've penalized
Probably been breeding for long enough to start having high profit margins on the fish.

I have a 60 gallon marine tank and I have no clue what to put in it.

Any suggestions?

>>2178425
A jack Dempsey.

>>2178425
A chihuahua

File: 1409265790813.jpg (116KB, 680x649px) Image search: [Google]

116KB, 680x649px

>>2178428
>>2178447

>>2178458
Welcome to 4chan, enjoy your stay.

>>2178461
here's your (You)

>>2178425

Chalk bass

Order it if you have to.

>>2178463
Nice recent meme, newfriend. Do you use it often? Can you stop shitting up the thread now?

>>2178458
Look nigga if you don't know what you want, just get clown fish and be a basic bitch.

File: 1408298531583.gif (2MB, 480x292px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 480x292px

>>2178473
>>2178476

>>2178487
kys

>>2178497
ok

File: cheap skimmer.png (220KB, 501x497px) Image search: [Google]

220KB, 501x497px

>>2178363
>What the hell did you buy?
I bought pic related.

I took the lid off of it and extended the foam vent three inches up with some plastic pipe to get a dryer skim. I also stuck an airline valve on the air intake so I can control the mix better.

I have it running in my 60g with 40 sump and it does great work. Been quietly skimming shit out of my tank for over a year now.

Rock IS expensive, but if you want you can just stack the thing full of dead coral rock and then seed it with a little piece of good live rock. That takes much longer to work but it's way cheaper. Only problem is you need to keep great water quality while you're seeding your dead rock, otherwise the stuff on your live rock just dies.

File: P7220018.jpg (4MB, 4608x3456px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 4608x3456px

>>2178425
I have a 60g with an ocellaris, a coral beauty, a blue devil, a big yellow-tailed blue damsel of some sort, a three-spot domino, a 4-stripe damsel, a royal gramma, long tentacle anemone, chocolate chip star, three types of snail, and a handful of blue leg hermits.

Not my favorite fish or anything, but that's not a very big tank so I stuck to little stuff that's cheap. Overall it looks ok for just a fish tank, there's lots of movement and color.

>>2178359
>but I don't like the albino ones

Why? They have the best personalities

>>2177946
>>2177964
>>2177972
This poster again. So I've done some cleaning and discussing with my partner and decided that the Cyclops and Nematodes are alright so long as they are harmless to our other critters.

However, now we are interested in buying plants to help round out the ecosystem. What plants would you guys recommend for a small tank with 1 Betta, 2 Apple Snails and 1 Nerite snail with nematodes and Cyclops flopping around?

File: ss+(2016-07-29+at+05.29.56).jpg (733KB, 1889x897px) Image search: [Google]

733KB, 1889x897px

>>2178532
I'll probably end up investing in a skimmer. But I'd like to do some more research on them before picking one out. Seems like its an over-saturated market with too many brands to choose from.

The live rock route is definitely one I need to go regardless. I probably only have ~5lbs of rock right now in this 29g. I've had this big one and little ones for around a year now. I think they look pretty alive. I just started using my light again after probably a month or longer without it. Not sure if that would completely kill all the bacteria/algae in it or not.

It definitely has some nice reddish/green coloring to it. Those are the colors of my algae/bacteria in the tank. So I assume the live rock is doing its job.. I just need a lot more of it. Maybe once I get more the bacteria/algae will be less inclined to stick all over my glass. Honestly don't even know what it is at this point. It's all 2 dimensional so I figure it's bacteria. The rusty colored stuff seems to enjoy getting under my sand though.. I used to dig under there with a scraper and get it off but I'm starting to wonder if it's beneficial in anyway and is best to just leave it alone. Don't really enjoy disturbing the sand bed if I don't have to. But it's not exactly pretty to look at either.

File: image (2).jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>2178665
Here's a picture of the red stuff under the sand bed. It also gets allover the glass too.. but the green stuff only ever goes on the glass.

>>2178665
nah, your rock looks dead and the algae you describe don't sound like good ones at all.

the stuff in your picture is either diatoms or maybe the start of cyanobacteria. Either way not a great sign. Pretty common in new tanks though.

>>2178678
>your rock looks dead
that doesn't mean it is though. it could just look dead from the previous lack of light.

>>2178737
Those guys look really angry.

>>2178739
They're about to drop a mix tape

40g breeder anon here again
Got my quantities picked out, thoughts?
8-10 Harlequin Rasboras
4 corydoras
4 kuhli loaches
1 gourami
??? snails (already have a ton in my betta aquarium)

>>2178652
Tanksize? Take some beginner plants like anubias, echinodorus, hygrophila, cabomba, elodea, rotala rotundifolia, javafern and javamoss and maybe add some driftwood where you can bind the javafern, anubias and moss to.

>>2178904
Get either 10 cories or 10 kuhlis, they prefer a larger group.

>>2178904
Nice and vanilla. I like it besides the cold water loaches.

My brand new betta (this is day 3 since I bought him) seems to have ich. Itty bitty white spots and seems to rub himself on my java moss like he's itchy. His appetite is still healthy though. His only tank mate is a gold inca snail. How should I go about treating him?
Also, as a side note, he has a bit of trouble eating his pellets from the surface of the water, like his aim is always off and he misses. He lets them get soggy then when they circle around to the filter outlet he chases them down and snags them when they break the surface and go under for a second. Makes feeding time a little entertaining, but takes a lot longer to make sure he's eating all his food.

>>2179065
Buy a fungus medicine for fish. Jungle fungus clear is the most popular and cheapest, your snail might die though.

>>2179083
I still have the cup I bought the betta in. Could I quarantine the snail in there while treating my fish? And for how long do you think?

>>2179087
Most treatments are for multiple days, about 4 to 5. You could also raise your temp to 86 degrees but that method takes longer. But won't kill anyone, just stress them out a bit.

>Moved my two aquariums today
>Only managed to get some of the fish out and put them in a bucket
>left most fish in the aquarium and lowered the water level to the point it was carryable
>Did the same for my cherry shrimp tank as there was no way I was fishing them out there's hundreds
>Drove an hour with the tanks sloshing about clouding up the water
>Got to new house
>Threw dechlorinated water into both tanks no time for any acclimation
>Dumped in what fish I had in the bucket
>Am now in the process of heating both tanks up to 26c the lowest they hit was 20

No deaths yet but what would be a likely death estimate over the next few days?

biggest single fish i can keep in a 10 gallon tank?

>>2179281
gourami

>>2179233
dunno, I had a stressful move and I didn't lose anything.

Is anyone near Olympia? I'm trying to sell a shitload of fish, plants and aquarium stuff.

>>2179284
Olympia Washington?

>>2179285
Durrr no Olympia Maine. Yes Olympia Washington you retard.

>>2179285
yuppers!

>>2179065
salt and heat treat

Ich stops reproducing at 86 degrees and dies off at 89.5

If you raise your temps slowly, you can absolutely get up to 89 degrees and have the ich wear itself out. No idea about your snail

>>2179288
>he doesn't know about olympia Florida.
>>2179296
I'm on idaho, but it's eastern idaho, so not close. I have family and friends in Kennewick though so if be willing to meet you there. What exactly are you selling?

>newest betta looks to have dropsy

should I start digging now?

why does my betta just stay in his plants 24/7

>>2179374
Do you have any fish bigger then him? Other then that your lights are probably to fucking bright.

>>2179390
no he is by himself, the light is 6w. Is that to bright?

>>2179392
Depends on the size of the tank and how many plants you have.

>>2179374
they're comfy

Bettas like to lounge

get him a mirror if you want to see him move. Just only use it for short amounts of time

>>2179284
Tacoma here, you gonna be selling any bare tanks? Looking to do another dry-start in something bigger than my 5.5G.

File: 20160729_154929.jpg (177KB, 1519x854px) Image search: [Google]

177KB, 1519x854px

anyone want sum fish? i got like 100+

>>2179618
What are these little guys?

I've had some pretty basic planted tanks before, but know nothing about rooting plants to driftwood/rocks - But I've just found a local store that sells the most gorgeous chunks of Gold Vine for virtually nothing.

Any suggestions on what I should try to root to them? Preferably stuff that is soft and thrives in a warmer tank.

File: 20160731_072055.jpg (4MB, 5312x2988px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 5312x2988px

Hey guys is this enough sand?

>>2179693
For what?
It's too shallow to function as a deep sandbed or for burrowing and it's just deep enough to trap debris and raise your nitrates.

>>2179633
From the stripes on their tail, I believe they are pygmy cory fry, or some kind of dwarf cory?

I think I've made a terrible mistake, /an/.

I picked up a little 2" Clown Loach today to throw into my Betta tank to keep algae down. I'm already feeling awful for the little guy being stuck in there alone.

Should I take him back and get 3 Corydoras instead? Or will he be alright?


>He and the Betta have been swimming around interacting together with zero flaring or chasing, which is nice.

>>2179734

Clowns and loaches in general do nothing about algae. They rather sift through the bottom and munch on snails.

Clowns get very big and are very social fish. Anything below 100gallons and a group of 5 clown loaches, I would consider inappropriate.

Corydoras are a better choice for smaller tanks, but won't help with algae either.

If you have algae issues, rather check out amano shrimp and fight the cause, not the symptom, by adjusting lighting, nutrients in the water, fertilization etc..

So in short, give back the clown loach and read up on fish before you add them to your tank. Saves you a lot of money and trouble.

>>2179734
As for corydoras, if you decide on them, a group of 7-10 would be prefered, since they too are very social.

>redoing tank
>pour some tetra complete substrate into tank
>water is now mud

Very impressive.

>>2179759
did you wash the substrate first before you put it in? maybe next time put it in a bucket and change the water a couple times, then put it in the tank, might help get some of the fine particles out

Whats a good option to clean algae off the sides of a tank?

I currently scrape it off when I do water changes but can't get all the way down without ripping out some plants.

I know certain snails do a good job but am not liking the eggs everywhere or invasion.

>>2179768
Get nerite snails. Their eggs need brackish water to hatch.

>>2179768
Shrimp

>Want to get an LED lighting rig for a high tech planted tank
>So much misinformation everywhere

What rig would be ok on a 2ft 80L aquarium that isn't going to break the bank?

I want to carpet hairgrass.

>>2179787
What's breaking the bank?

>>2179787
Depends on what lumen/par you want. If you don't care about warranty and energy efficiency, buy some chinese leds otherwise, expect to spend 150-200$ for your tank size.

>>2179654
Marimo moss balls, split them open and tie them down with cotton string. Cotton string is biodegradable, so no harm to your fish. And best of all, you can use string that is dyed the same green as the moss.

>>2179768
Amano shrimp, one guy had a nasty algae problem, put in four amano shrimp, left for a couple days, came back, and all the fucking algae was gone.

I think he posted in the last thread, go check out the images for yourself.

WHY IS IT SO FUCKING HARD TO GET A CANNISTER FILTER RESTARTED AFTER CLEANING? ?????????

>>2179366
sorry, I don't have a car!

>>2179615
I have a 29 gallon. you might as well just hit up petco/smart during one of their $1/gallon sales tho.

>>2179768
I know you want a critter to put in there but try using a razor blade when you do algae.

File: 20160731_201344.jpg (1MB, 3264x1836px) Image search: [Google]

1MB, 3264x1836px

Has anyone used liquid carbon to hood effect in a nano before?

I'm going to move my FE co2 setup to another tank as this nano was just an experiment. But I'd like to keep the tank going if possible.

If you notice there's brown hair algae that actually signifies too much co2. And that was at 1b a second

>>2179906
Huh? I have a Marineland C-220 and all I have to do is lock the tubes back on and wait. The suction automatically refills it and then you just plug it back in.

Maybe your canister is just shit?

>>2179960
some of them don't have the auto priming feature. I have an eheim and you have to suck on the tube.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

Started a 3l jar reef today with 1 watt blue led spot plus window to the north.
Will it be okay if i add a 2 watt spot in white? No sps planned.
Are there very small options for a heater?

>>2179968
>Are there very small options for a heater?
A heat mat on a thermostat?

>>2179968
What is going in here?

>>2179943
Never did anything for me. I used it for 3 months straight then just stopped using it. The tank looks exactly the same and it's been 2 months.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 3264x2448px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 3264x2448px

>>2179970
Good idea but might be too expensive
Whole tank is about 30€ in its current state
I could move it to a southern window in
Winter
>>2179976
This is the future. A piece of live rock with a pump in a jar. Animals are pavona decussata a green mushroom coral, starfish and worms

File: 1469484754719.png (105KB, 250x252px) Image search: [Google]

105KB, 250x252px

>>2179967
>you have to suck on the tube

>>2179984
See if they have anything at your local plant nursery. The seedling mats tend to be pretty cheap.

>>2179984
seedling mats are $5-20 bucks and they're pretty awesome. tiny heaters tend to be a little pricey.

>>2179967
if you have one of those squeeze bulb gravel vacuums and the tubes of the filter are close enough in size, you can use it to jump start it. Works for my Hydor Professional

I'm planning on getting my first freshwater planted tank soon. I've had a turtle tank many years ago so have little experience but I've done quite a lot of research so far. I wanted to go with a medium - heavy planted 55g to 75g tank. Wanted to have a nice little community of fish and a decent ecosystem going with the plants and bottom feeders, etc. Should I go smaller for my first tank ? I've heard advice that bigger tanks can be a little easier to maintain since they can be more stable. Good idea to start with a larger one ?

>>2180019
either one of those is a great size! I would check them out in person and check out the dimension- see which one you like better and try to imagine the space it's going to be in.

mine is a planted 55 gallon and I really love the dimensions.

>>2180022
Thanks, I was planning on picking a used tank on craigslist then buying most of the extra stuff like lighting, filters, etc seperate. I actually pulled a love couch out of my bedroom to make room for this. Out of curiosity what type of planted tank do you have and how is your experience ? Do you use a co2 dispenser, dirt or substrate, etc ? Thanks. I was thinking of going lower tech and just using a combo of substrate and soil underneath it ? Maybe adding nutrients to water for the plants ?

File: 13619974_10208656342359257_882247160366248996_n.jpg (56KB, 960x720px) Image search: [Google]

56KB, 960x720px

my mom has been sending me pictures of my fish while im on vacation and this is probably the best one she sent so far

File: IMG_20160730_132133.jpg (4MB, 2992x4000px) Image search: [Google]

4MB, 2992x4000px

>>2180035
I did mine on a budget. Got a setup on CL and ended up upgrading most of it since the lights and filter sucked ass. Right now I'm using a $20 work light with 6500k T5 bulbs. No Co2. Just upgraded to a canister filter and it's amazing- I got the Eheim filter and it's whisper quiet. If it's in your bedroom definitely get a good filter.

I took some dirt from a pile I found, mixed it wither water and let it sit for a month. Topped it with pool filter sand and mixed in a litter organic garden fertilizer I had lying around. I had an algae bloom when it was new but no problems now and I haven't dosed ferts. I used the wrong dirt though, you can see in my pic (only one I had on my computer) how it got mixed up because it's like silt.

My tank is really messy but the plants I have do really well. I'd never be able to carpet, though.

>>2179879
I have 12 amano shrimp in the tank and they do a fantastic job but they don't touch the algae on the sides of tank.
>>2179777
But don't nerites leave the eggs everywhere regardless and make your tank look like garbage.

What about otos? I know they do a good job but are apparently very touchy.

>>2180042
Nice, looks like you did pretty good on a budget. I will definitely invest in a nice canister filter. My budget will probably be like 400-500ish so I'll see what I can do with that. Craigslist has a nice 55 gallon used turtle tank for 75 bucks. Planning on doing a semi carpeted bottom.

>>2180062
I have SAE, BN plecos and nerites. Only my nerites clean the glass. They're awesome.

>>2180064
It's really hard to carpet without CO2. You should be able to make a great setup with your budget, mine cost half that.

You might want to wait until the $1/gallon sales- that's usually the best deals for tanks unless you get one with a stand on CL.

If you're patient, you should follow this guide for substrate: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/library/52554-how-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html

>>2180078
do they do the sales at different times of year ? It says on the website only late march through early may...

>>2180096
Petco and Petsmart both do it a few times a year. Looks like Petco is doing it until the 6th and it's Aqueon which are much better than the Tetra ones they usually have.

>>2180100
Do you have link to petco sale ad ? I can't find it...

>>2180100
my bad i found it... thinking of doing this... so the 55 g would be like 55 + tax i guess

>>2180110
Yep! They have limited stock of the large tanks so I'd call ahead.

Well fuck 2 of my new platys just died and the third is on it's way out. Guess I'm doing a huge water change and hoping all goes well. If not I guess I'll have that cichlid tank I always wanted here in a few days.

I have high ph (around 8 or 8.2). All my plants and fish I have in there are doing fine but I want to add corys. It seems corys like water around 7.0 or a tad lower. Would I need to lower my ph or would they eventually adapt?

How would I go about lowering the pH if I needed to. My tap water is around 8 .

I am using the master test kit if that helps.

>>2180129
I have a pH of higher than 8 and my corys do fine.
Driftwood will gradually lower your pH but I wouldn't worry about it.

>>2180131
Then I have a planted tank with a carpet and some Cabomba. What types of Corys would work? As of now I just have a few guppies and pristella in the tank but they were just there to help cycle the tank.

Its a 20g as well.

just starting the hobby. Let me get this staight
>ammonia is bad and fish waste is also ammonia
>nitrite is bad but eats ammonia and becomes nitrate which is good
>a fish cycle is having to go through ammonia in the water then having it eaten by the good bacteria (nitrate) and then placing fish when you have the good bacteria
pls help

>tfw no Heterothelphusa species for sale in Europe
>tfw only crabs we get here are red-claws or fiddler crabs
>both brackish and terrestrial
Wake me up inside

>>2180134
Decaying organic matter (shit, bits of dead plant, dead fish) releases nitrogenous compounds, mostly ammonia. All nitrogenous compounds are toxic, ammonia/ammonium, nitrate and nitrite. Cycling a tank for a few weeks allows for nitrifying bacteria to build up. Nitrifying bacteria converts ammonia to nitrite and nitrite to nitrate. Nitrate is still toxic, but not as toxic as the others. Unless you have plants, nitrates will just stay in your water and will have to be removed/diluted by performing regular water changes.

>>2180133
Keep in mind that you should have at least 6 so you'll be close to fully stocked unless you can get one of the pygmy sp. Skunk and Panda corys stay fairly small as well. You can't really go wrong though, all corys are great!

File: image.jpg (2MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4032x3024px

>>2180141
How to get good bacteria and how long? I was told to add stability for a week and the I can add fish. I know having lots amounts of nitrite nitrate and ammonia when having fish means you need a water change. I just don't know when I will be ready

>>2180144
Get a test kit, they sell them at any aquarium shop. Wait until you do water tests and the ammonia reads 0 ppm. You can buy bottles of bacteria in some shops and I've had success with them, but it's usually hit and miss and can often increase ammonia when the bacteria die. There is no way to get bacteria, you merely have to wait.

File: image.jpg (2MB, 4032x3024px) Image search: [Google]

2MB, 4032x3024px

>>2180145

>>2180146
If your ammonia reads a steady 0, then you're fine for adding fish. How long have you been cycling the tank?

>>2180150
its been a day. I added some bio-magnet clarifier yesterday and stability and prime from seachem this morning.

>>2180158
Oh, if it's been a day, then you're most probably not ready. Organic matter hasn't had time to break down yet, so the water will appear to be of perfect quality, because it's essentially tap water at this point. Chemicals can sometimes mask ammonia too. You don't really need to waste money on chemicals, they rarely do anything, you just need to wait.

>>2180144
Check out the link for how to cycle in the OP.

>>2180166
ive been reading all week and its confusing to me
>>2180165
for how long and should i test in between? should i add 100% ammonia?

>>2180169
Test every week or so for now, once the ammonia starts to drop, test more frequently until it reaches 0.

>'should I add 100% ammonia?'
What?

File: 1442875295094.png (209KB, 400x303px) Image search: [Google]

209KB, 400x303px

>crayfish stops hiding after she finally released every single one of her offspring
>now goes out often and follows the younguns to protect them
>first thing to do is tear my sprouting bulb up
Plants were a mistake. When's my next brood coming in?

>>2180169
You can't rush nature. You're doing good by adding the stability to the water/filter.. but just because you sprinkle some bacteria in there doesn't mean colonies are going to instantly grow in there. If it's been a week you can probably throw a beta in there. Keep adding the stability. Prime is for water changes, I don't know if you do, but you shouldn't add it to the tank itself. Having an aquarium is really about patience. Generally you're supposed to wait a month before you add any fish. However some people like to add fish early in order to help cycle the tank. Ultimately it's your money and your tank. If you want to add a fish that could die, go for it. Part of any hobby is trial and error.

>>2177974
>turn on light for a few days
>few days

for the love of jesus, don't leave your ligth on for too long.

also, you can't blast a strong light straight into an aquarium and expect nothing to grow, i can spy those blue lights all the way from here mate, you're begging for algae.

>>2179943
That's actually diatoms, which are usually a problem when your co2 is low, nirate is high or short photo periods.

>>2179943
Is that micranthemum monte carlo I spy?

>>2180267
thanks senpai for the well needed advice.

>>2180540
Made a new thread