Sierra

Does anyone here know where to get this type of cory? Are they even found in stores around here?? Mko was wanting some for his new tank it's the first time I have seen/heard about them.

They are stunning, congrats!

Hey search "lunch time surprise" it's a recent thread. You'll probably be able to get the info you need on the corys.

Great pictures!!

Beautiful fish.

You mean HE is ready to spawn. Good nest I'd throw in a willing female if you're looking for babies.</p>

Girls can build nests but it's very uncommon.

I get those spots on my bubble nests...99% sure they are from the almond leaves and tannins. Always present with never present without kinda thing for me.

I you want nutrients at the roots, just add some root tabs or fert spikes - adding soil while filled w water is just asking for a HUGE mess.

I have to agree with jason. I recently set up a dirt bowl...on the 3rd time I finally got it to "work". The soil makes the worst mess of anything I've worked with. It will be interesting to see how the plants do (it's more of an experiment for myself).

Take your soil or clay (you don't want much organic stuff in the soil. Just dirt) and wet it and roll it into little balls. Make a bunch and freeze them.

Push the balls into the substrate nice and deep. Repeat when nutrients run out.

That is very interesting...have you ever tried it yourself?? ..To me it would seem that they just melt and then eventually make a huge mess.

a nice school of these badboys (Odessa barbs):

http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.u...86ebfb2564.jpg

and maybe a school of these guys along the bottom:

http://naturaqua.fr/PhotoPois_1/Cory...areus_F_02.jpg

"corydoras duplicareus" beautiful cory anyone know where i can get them around here? or IF I can even get them?

What do you guys think? let me know

At first I was disappointed...aww not barbs THEN the picture wow those are some of the nicest I have seen.

Those cories seem familiar, I want to say I've seen them at Big Al's before but their headspots have never been that bright (pet store conditions...?).I'm not sure on this, but I think I'm going to go looking myself. Will let you know if I find anything out.

Great choices!

It would be better if you could identify the specific worm. However if you're really paranoid you could try a general dewormer (wouldn't recommend)

I wouldn't worry too much it could be many other things.

I would recommend: isolate them and be careful for cross contamination

Keep a close eye on them and pay attention for visible worms.

Other really good signs: are they loosing/not gaining any weight? do they have a good healthy appetite?

Look at them from the top down for a better judgement on weight. Hope this helps.

I always liked those "rock cliff" tanks. Maybe like a ravine in the middle and sand in front (am I making any sense?). Maybe they're done too much hmm.

Can't wait to see what you come up with, love your other tank.

All the ones that I have kept have been long lived 4+ years OR killed by an event/accident. Yay for none killed by disease or sickness...(minus the one that came with the dreaded callamanus worms). They are extremely hearty in my opinion or maybe I've just been lucky...

Hmm...some culprits

jumping

forgetting to treat the water once

osmotic shock (new lesson this year)

babies chewed up by the filter

vase breaking

one came with an internal parasite

culled...

Acrylic no...if you want glass that's a whole other story. You will need a bit of patience for sure.

You could build your own, if you have a heat gun. There is a thread online about it I followed and did some. The acrylic pipe is cheap. Search on here and there is a thread where we were talking about it before.

I have read that their eggs aren't too sticky, but don't have experience myself. When they hatch it would be good if you can confirm! I'm cycling/waiting for plants to fill in, in my new tank for these guys and can't wait to get some.

Yeah lee valley comes with mounting + reflector, but the power cord is separate for 2 bucks. You could easily build yourself a simple, slick looking wooden or plastic canopy if you really wanted, I have too many projects on the go myself.

I just set mine on top of the tank, making sure the light bulb itself is not resting on anything. I have one set on a piece of glass alone and the other set where the old hood light used to go.

I would go to lee valley as it sounds like theirs come with a reflector and the garden centers do not. Also dont forget to get a power cord and a coupler cord (for hooking 2 together). They sell separate for like 2 bucks. Check out their website it's all on there under gardening.

Cords:

2 lights together: 1 coupler, 1 power

1 light: 1 power

I'm from there. I've been travelling back for the summers and I usually haul all my fish back and forth. (not big fish though... just lots) The drive isn't near as far as yours though.

I've only ever added dechlorinator and had no problems with the water.

You seem to have a good plan. As Crystal said dont be too generous with the water level.

All I have to add is don't let the truck get too cold as it is winter and it'll be freezing out. (even with the heaters)

I head out there quite often so if you ever need something from this way (Edmonton) I would be happy to help. Good luck!

Oh it is only protection for the bottom? I thought maybe it had to do with keeping the sand separate...which I read some threads on and didn't understand all that much. Thanks.

Looks great! What are you putting in this tank when it's done?

Could you explain what you used the yoga mat for?

Aww if that is really your cat I want it. So cute and I'm not a cat fan.

The light is really bright, it hurts the eyes and I always shut it off and use a different one when replanting/fiddling in the tank....maybe I'm a wuss.

Have not taken off the reflector and looked at it...when I get home I will report back.

I was just so impressed with the price.. I mean a replacement bulb is 6.95! It doesn't get any better.

I drove all the way to the North side bah, lee valley sells them also. (if you're over that way)

So far I'm pretty impressed.

If you haven't seen this:

Planted tank forum. It's a "post your DIY Stand thread" with a lot of pictures. I would start from the most recent and work your way back. It gave me a lot of ideas and was helpful because you can see how many were built.

http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/diy/83541-post-pics-your-diy-stands.html

Can anyone tell me the name of the red plant in the center and the "orange" plant behind it. I love the orange color on that one.

I guess I figured they're only snails...I never even checked. Good to know as I have a few in my tank. They were on "sale" last week for 2.99...they called to me

i would do some shrimp(red,green,yellow,orange,or pearl blue) are least sensitive.

and one or two mystery snails,or 3 ottos

I second this.

Actually...replace mystery snails with horned nerite snails

I really can't understand why you would want more light... I have a 20G and even when i had only one T8 bulb I was trimming like mad. I didn't try a carpet with that bulb...

I briefly had 2 compact fluorescents (dif hood) and found algae grew too easy for the CO2 and ferts I put in.

Now I have one T5 (still trimming away madly)... and it grows everything I've tried nicely.. Setting up a "carpet plant" this weekend and I expect it to do well. Have always changed min 50% water a week that helps.

I would definitely look into CO2 and a good fert dosing schedule before adding more light in your case.

-my experience hope it helps

i have 2 mason jars setup with air stones,after 24hours they hatch,you feed them to the fish within 18hours,then flush the rest down the drain and start again.

have 2 jars running on different schedules

after the brine shrimp absorb their yolk they have little to no nutrition.

unless you feed them spirulina or something.

edit -spelling mistake

I have read and re-read the same thing...after a certain time (short!) they don't offer near enough nutritional value "growing power" for all the hassle. Maybe daphnia would be better? I can't say as I don't know much about the second.