flash_oesc

On the python, and my current vac, it's a wide opening to a narrow tube - you just use one size tubing?

So with all the python and diy pythons, I understand the water pressure of the tap starts the siphon, and keeps it draining. For those draining to outside or toilet...etc - are you just using siphon + gravity, or are you using a pump? The venturi valves and pico pumps don't seem to be options in the far North

I thought I would pick the brains of the masses to see how you do you partial water changes. As I've gone from one 20G to 5 tanks...my bucket method got old. My current method - Drain -gravel vac water into buckets, (if wife is helping, she plugs vac while I dump them, if solo...I stop and start every two 12L buckets) then I dump the buckets down the toilet. Fill - I have a "Y" toggle valve in my shower, I use a sharkbite connector, and hook up 50' of pex pipe. I have a ball valve at the end. I run the water, use digital thermometer to match temp. Close valve, head to tank, and open valve to fill. I add prime as I fill the tank. My fill method is quick and easy, my drain method needs work. How do you do it?

I don't know about Eco-complete, so I can't speak to that. If you go with sand, be cautious about what you stack in the tank. Mbuna are known to dig in sand, they can dig out under a pile of rocks and cause them to fall. I have regualar aquarium gravel, haven't had an issue with it, since the pieces are pretty big, only a few fish move it, and not much of it. I've bever buffered my tank with anything and I've had no deaths, and lots of babies. I use cichlid stones for hiding spots.

Realistically, if you get them small, they likely won't have any aggression at all. That being said, when you add new stock, rearrange all the landscape, and that wrecks everyone's territory, and creates an even playing field for all. If they are adults, then a few in a big tank may chase, but if you break up sight lines, they should be ok.

I also plan to fail at pleco breeding...for what it's worth.

I was so stoked about my GBRs. Paired off bred, layed eggs... Guarded and protected for 2 days...then had a feast. No courting behavior since

I should mention, I got my new ones on Sunday, September 22.

I felt I should give an update. So the store got back to me the same day. They admitted to having an issue with the Sterbai that they found out about after I bought mine. They said it was bacterial, and they were treating with kanaplex - which stopped the fish deaths. They offered to replace all 6 cories (even though two were still living). I had my choice of waiting for the sterbai to clear QT or grabbing something else. I had a short window with a friend in Edmonton, so I elected for something else. I was going to grab 6 Julii, but they sold most of them. I ended up with 3 Julii and 3 Venezuala's. All 8 school and frolic together, it's great. The angels are both eating, and the apistos seem to be doing just fine. I finished off my second dose of liquid fungus cure (which apparently wasn't treating the cause, just a symptom). Did a WC, added carbon and ran it a couple days. Did another WC tonight and dosed Kanaplex. I'm going to dose the three times, every two days in case my original sterbai were infected. Losing 4 of 6 says the odds weren't good. So. So far, so good on the replacements!

How deep is the tank you're using the Finnex on? What type of plants are you growing?

My labs are more dominant then my demasoni. I got all my stock from fairdeal to start.

According to the internet, my tank is a fluke. I started with a 55G with 6 labs and 12 demasoni. That's going back quite awhile. I have had 0 deaths, and constant breeding. They are in a 75G filled with cichlid stones. I've sold over 60+ fish (babies first, then adults). I still have a crap ton of each, and consistently have holding mothers. I find that hiding spaces make all the difference.

Sept 18 - dead cory

I am going to forward this along to the store...see what they say. I treated the tank for fungus, I used API liquid fungus cure (turned my tank a wicked green). Anyways. Today, I notice that another Cory has the same growth as the first one, right beside his eye. It's like a mirror image. Treated the tank again, same meds. If history repeats itself, I'll be down 4 of the 6 cories. The angelfish I mentioned earlier is at least eating a little bit. Timeline: Sept 1 - Bought fish and added to QT tank (with established filter from disease free tank) Sept 2 - First cory with fungus near eye. Sept 2 - Added almond leaves Sept 3 - Dead cory Sept 4 - Dead cory (no sign of illness) Sept 5 - Third cory has a degenerating tail. Sept 7 - Dose 1 of API liquid fungus cure Sept 9 - Dose 2 Sept 11 - 25% PWC and add carbon Sept 17 -Cory with fungus near eye Sept 17 -Treated with API liquid fungus cure Sept 17 -Forwarded thread to store.

Poor cory didn't make it through the night. Still going to treat for fungus just in case...that's 3/6 dead. Angel still not eating.

Welcome! I hear you about the local stores...this site is a great resource.

This poor guy doesn't really school with the others. I'm going to add some anti-fungus meds in the morning...grrr

Well, my thoughts have been confirmed, it would appear the half-black angel isn't eating. I thought he maybe just waited for me to leave...but I don't think that's the case. Got a good pic of the cory with the tail issue, I'll upload in a minute. I'll forward this thread along to the store owner...I spent over $300 there on Sunday, we'll see what they say.

I hadn't. I find the stores I've dealt with try and blame the customer for one reason or another. I had another thread about fish from my local store where we argued about whether a tank is cycled or not... I may forward this along to store, but I don't see any resolution coming from them. If I wasn't 5 hours away from the store, I would have taken advantage of the guarantee (if they even have one? not sure...), but driving 5 hours for a couple dead fish isn't worth it - even though I'm mighty angry -lol

Interesting! I've heard of people using it to clean bleach after cleaning a tank, and also just using it to clean...but I've never heard of medicating fish with it.

I just did salt and heat on my other QT tank to get rid of ICH with great success. I wasn't sure about salt with cories...they won't have any adverse reaction to it? I'm pretty sure I'm never buying fish from a pet store again. ever. (that's a lie...but it felt good to say).

I have some almond leaves in as well.

So the tank is a QT tank (pristine, new water with established filters), feeding NLS Thera A. That poor Cory didn't last the night. I've now lost another one with no visible sign of why. I now have a third one acting weird for a day or so, then today white fuzz appeared on his tail. Is this Methyl Blue you speak of going to harm any other fish? Is there a less harsh treatment?

I just got my first group of cories...and I'm hooked. This is going to get expensive They are frickin cute!

Very well. Thank you!