Crystal

Lol. Nice description. That kind of sounds like the first I played with silicone trying to make a background - luckily I did it outside. Newspaper is wonderful as protection barrier. I now squeeze a blob of silicone to the tip, and use a toothpick to pick it up and spread it.

Mine often closed up for a day or two. Make sure their foot can reach an object (ie. aren't stranded) You are correct. If you want to be certain he isn't dead - smell him. Honestly, take him out of the water and smell. If you have a weak stomach, have a bucket ready, a dead apple/mystery snail is by far the worst thing I have ever smelt... If he is full, he doesn't have anywhere to go, then he is probably sleeping.

Thanks. Judging by the lack of success stories on the web, I think I am in for a ride. But I have several plants I refuse to give up so I will try for a long time. I did some research and then combined all the techniques which had success (though most successes seemed to be temporary). I added a heavy dose of Flourish Excel, 2x dose of barley straw extract, 40ml of hydrogen peroxide, removed as much by hand as possible, and I am halfway through a 48 hr blackout which I started Sunday evening (I will feed the fish late tonight and then I get an extra 9 hours of blackout from nighttime). I have co2 ready to go, but have to wait until the blackout is over to install it. For a one celled organism, it sure seems tenacious... Wish me luck.

Some stores trade in, some won't, some will only trade to certain people. It is best to call beforehand to be sure they have room. When you trade in, you get next to nothing usually, but if you are like some people with aquatic rabbits it adds up. Or you could sell them in the buy and sell section on this forum and probably get more.

Someone on a planted tank forum identified it as blanket weed. Apparently barley straw extract has enzymes (or something) that quickly kill it, and I just happen to have bought some last fall for my pond. We will see how effective it is.

My photoperiod was 7 hrs, but I lowered it to 6 hrs due to hair algae (which has disappeared), the lotus is actually a pond lily, and was put there to shade some of the lighting and reduce algae (The leaves don't seem to block any light, but the hair algae is now gone). I will get an iron kit when I am in Edmonton next sunday and check, but since my amazon sword isn't complaining I don't think my iron is out. The splendens would be a good idea, but the algae grows way faster than they, or any fish, could eat it (I have doubts that a full grown pacu could eat it as fast as it grows...). And I doubt the red jewels would leave splendens, or other peaceful fish, in peace. Does anyone have an Id for this? I'd love to do some research on it and see if there is something specific that can take it out.

I have never seen this algae in fish tanks before. It appeared about 3 weeks ago and has spread like wildfire, it must have come in on some plants from a LFS - the plants were dipped to boot. The algae located higher up in the current grows very long and just fragments when you grab it, and the same algae lower down is shorter and holds on tenaciously. Some strips were about 2 feet long. I have 2 HO T5's, which are on 6 hours a day. Fish are a pair red jewels and a pair of bristlenose plecos (who thoughtfully take care of any algae but this one). Ammonia/nitrite read 0, nitrate is undetectable. I use a Rena xp3 with a sponge over the intake. The tank is fairly heavily planted - picture is about 2 months old, it has filled in much more now http://i445.photobucket.com/albums/qq176/c_scherer123/aquarium/90gtankjan262010.jpg . This last week I have bought, and started dosing, Flourish Excel in hopes of encouraging the other plants to keep the algae in check. No visible difference yet. I read about using a toothbrush to remove the algae, but it is next to useless for this algae. I have removed as much as I can by hand, and dipped several plants, but many (or their roots) are too large to remove to dip. I figure if I can get an ID on it, I can fight it better.

All of my goldfish (common feederfish) grew past 10" within 3 years... They were about 15" when I gave them away (they now live in someone's dugout), and still growing. I had a 300g pond for them. You could consider an indoor pond (if the family won't murder you). I found 5+ gallons per inch of goldfish to be best, as they are deep-bodied fish (there is a bit of difference between 1" of tetra and 1" of goldfish).

I have had a 20g saltwater tank for about a year now, I did have a 90g reef, but it was WAY too much work and I turned it into a heavily planted tank (which is work, but less than the marine). It has 2 clowns and numerous zoos, zoas, and a couple of LPS. I once had a aquaclear on my tank, took it off, and things went much smoother in terms of algae problems. I would never again add a canister or hob filter to my tank, unless empty with a bit of high quality carbon and cleaned weekly, in my opinion they are only for flow on marine tanks - the sponges tend to trap debris which decomposes and produces nitrates and phosphate which equals algae outbreak. I just use powerheads and a skimmer. Most small skimmers aren't worth their low price tag - I love my Tunze 9002 though. If you have room for a sump, do it, I find the in sump skimmers work so much better. I find RO/DI water is necessary to prevent algae outbreaks as well (also our pipes are old and have traces of heavy metals in them which irritate my corals). You should see the 10" bristleworm I have in there... I hope my Mom doesn't... I will admit though, the constant testing and dosing of calcium, magnesium, and Kalk takes time and all the kits and supplements take up a lot of room. I spend about 15 min a day on my 20g, and 1-2 extra hours every week for testing and cleaning. My 90g took almost 8 hours a week, :shock: which is why I let it go. Speaking of which, I have to go test my water again...

The Edmonton Auction is coming up soon, I can't wait. Bit sad that I missed the Calgary one though. Details: (http://www.fish-club.org/index.php) When: Sunday March 28th, 2010 Times: Deliveries: 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM Viewing: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Auction: 11:00 AM - FINISH Location: High Park Community Hall 11032 154 Street NW Edmonton Who plans on coming? Who is planning on bringing what? I always seem to come back from the fish auctions with more than I planned to, anyone else have that problem?

Don't feel too bad, I think we have all been in your situation and lost fish because of it, but we all got back on the horse :poo:. I recently gave a friend a 10g with 8 red wag platies and she was nearly in tears when one injured itself and has some fungus in the wound, the fish recovered and she was very relieved. On the opposite note, most of my fish until recently were little tetras and other short lived fish. I find it sometimes distresses me that after so many deaths (usually to old age) that it doesn't really affect me , at least with the tetras and danios. I suspect I will be more upset when one of my more personable, longer lived fish dies. Their deaths cause us sadness, but think how dull life would be without them.

I agree, which is why I said for life. She won't upgrade, and likely will never think of trading them in - or she will like them too much to trade them in. I have never had severums before, any insights from anyone with personal experience with them? A longer lived fish is more what she is after. I don't suppose half a dozen giant danios would live unmolested with a breeding pair?

Interesting link, as it reminds me of the kribs. I think their stocking is bit off though - I think a breeding pair of convicts in a 30g would likely kill anything in the same tank. They also seem to have too plecos per tank for my way of thinking. I think a pair of severums might be a bit much for a 55g tank, they get about as long as the tank is wide... Hmmm... Maybe 18 Giant danios with a pair of Krib? Lots of driftwood, caves, and easy low light plants? Any other ideas?

My grandma has inherited a 55g tank from a friend (with no fish). She has never kept fish before and needs very easy, peaceful fish (unfortunately, she is too far away for me to help easily). As her vision is going the fish need to be at least 3-4" big, preferably bigger. And this is where my knowledge slips away, I know of many fish under 3" which are great community tank residents, but it does not help me here (I also do not know much about most cichlids and their habits). So which fish get over 3" and are peaceful, preferably colorful, and can live in a 55g for life? No angelfish though. She doesn't have much money, so she won't pay much for fish (probably not over $4 per fish) - which unfortunately rules out most rainbowfish. I am breeding Albino Bristlenose and can give her one or two, which takes care of bottom feeders. All I can really think of are congo tetras and giant danios... Maybe silver dollars, but I do not have any experience with them. Perhaps a dozen giant danios with a center piece fish? Any ideas? I seem to have run out...

I find UPS is the most likely ding me for customs fees and such (around 15% COD when the package arrives; though I have seen it much higher).

I think it is addicting, ever since my first guppy fry 12 years ago, most of my fish are chosen because they will breed in the home aquarium. It is basically the only reason I keep more than one aquarium. I love to see fry. All of my fish are paired up so I usually have fry around.

Don't feel bad, it took me three searches to find and I even knew it was out there somewhere. It is a ways back to boot.

Here is a previous post about this topic. I find the Whispers noisy, I have ordered a Rena (they are supposed to be 30db) http://albertaaquatica.com/index.php?showtopic=22894&hl=quiet&st=0

I have always found Dropsy very hard to cure... The only thing I tried that actually worked (for me anyways) was when I used Epsom salts in place of aquarium salts (at 1/2 dose) and used some fresh salt water (part of a new batch that was meant for my marine tank); while feeding medicated foods. They were store bought anti-biotic food and I soaked other food in garlic extract. I also had a couple drops of coppersafe in the water to fend off any ich (they were just bought from the store and in quarantine). It worked, the platies and guppies got better, but the neon tetras who were also in quarantine didn't make it. I suspect they didn't like the salinity, but they are touchy at the best of times when just brought home. Not sure if it helps... I wish you the best of luck and hope your fish make it!

My parents took me to Mexico this Christmas! We went to Puerto Vallarta, it sure doesn't feel like Christmas with no snow. I took lots of pictures, but am just posting a few or else I would be posting all of them! We stayed at the Golden Crown Paradise Resort There was a night-time show on a pirate ship - we went on it, it was quite good. Picture of lights from a cruise ship reflecting off the water (taken when returning from the Pirate show) A cruise ship coming in - the small dingy in front is actually a large tugboat. I never realized just how MASSIVE those ships are until they got close. (The door on the side is actually 4x the height of a person) A sunset when a storm was rolling in (very unusual as it rarely rains in their dry season) Spectacular sunset with a cruise ship leaving. These kinds of sunsets happened most nights.

I have some plant experience, but could probably still be considered a newbie to the plant field. I have grown various mosses, stems, and such, but never anything like a big swordplant (and the web isn't offering much insight). I am considering buying an amazon sword from an AA member, but I want to make sure I can properly care for it first. I would be putting it in a 90g tank with a 6 bulb fixture; overkill I know, but only 4 are on during the day, as I only use 2 for dusk/dawn because I like the effect. No Co2. I have liquid ferts and root tabs if needed. From what I understand this specific plant currently was a width of 12", the leaves are about 8" long (without the stalks) and 4" broad. Its roots are almost a foot long. Questions: How deep does the substrate need to be for this young giant? I only have 2-3" of sand, would it be better to pot it? I have 8" wide pots (meant for waterlilies). I have a pair of Bristlenose plecos, they currently don't touch any of my current plants, but I have never tried swords before (they are well fed on zucchini). Also plan to add a pair of L333's (neither species should get over 8"). Will the swordplants be ok as the plecos forage for algae? Any extra info on this lovely plants is very welcome.

I use vinegar eels and microworms. I found them far less work/hassle than brine shrimp (unless they were frozen). Jvision (Jason) has both last time I checked.

I am looking for a smaller size black gravel (like the head of a pin - the ones with the plastic on the end). The stuff from petsmart is too large, too much gets trapped between the pieces (like food, debris, small fry...). I have another tank with black sand, I love the look, but it is way too hard to vaccuum as the sand is much lighter than gravel or aragonite and gets sucked up. Where would I find a small black gravel (about 60lbs) in or around Edmonton?

Rayfong is correct, they are Asolene Spixi. I only know because it was me who traded with you.

Sorry for your loss. I used to have a pair, but sold them. I find them to be like neon tetras. Touchy, but if the temp is stable and the tank is well established (3-4 months+) they do fine.