Ichthyosporidium

If you go with what I've always thought for the minimum volume for goldfish is as follows: 2 Gal. (7.56L) of water per inch of fish (base of tail to tip of the snout). 10" average for adult size. Account for substrate, ornaments, equipment, plants, etc. an average to me is best seen as a liberal 20% of the total volume so add that on to the total. so the formula in this case is: 10 X 11 X 2 = 220 Gal. (831.6L) 220 X 1.2 =264 Gal. (997.92L) total Either a big aquarium or a nice do it yourself project for spring...a pond.

While it is possible to stunt a fishe's or any animal's growth under extreme stress, you cannot change the genetic predisposition of a fish or animal by limiting the habitat. You only change the rate of growth. This I will stress, is a generality, as there are instances under extreme conditions where growth has been affected by habitat. The more physical output plus the food consumed equals rate of growth. The less a fish or any animal for that fact moves, the less they consume and the less they develop (growth), that is a fact that was drilled into me when I was taking my B.Sc. in biology. However, that being said, there are variances within individual specimens of the same species that allow for one individual to either excel or be redundant within a certain environment (survival of the fittest). I agree given the criteria on this thread that certain species of fish that I listed may not be the best choice. That is where research and individual choice become important. Sorry, I missed the part in the original postin about keeping them for life.

I buy peat plates. They can be used in filters, as substrate, or even just floating on the surface or in a sump. I like them because they are clean to use. You can use peat moss that is loose but make sure it does not use any wetting agents. I have used loose peat and just stuff it into either a media bag or a nylon sock/pantyhose.

Media is what is in your filter. The 'black sponge you are describing is just that. Most likely a carbon impregnated sponge or fiber pad. Yes it would be ok to rinse in some tank water that you have removed from the tank. It is what I do for any sponges or pre-filter material (ceramic tubes, lava rock, sponges, coconut fiber, poly wool, etc.) One thing, What type of filter are you running as this would help determine the type of maintenance recomended.

All I have ever done is run some peat moss in my filter and I usually Aquascape For Central/South American biotopes with mopani wood and plants. With that, all my fish from that region have always thrived. As for maintenance, all I ever do is 20% water change every week or two or longer, depending on stocking density with only adding a water conditioner.

Interesting thread here. I'm curious to see how your firing method with a tiger torch turns out if you choose to do that method.

Just my input, the Leporinus, bala sharks and clown loaches will all get big (12" for the leporunus and 16" for the bala shark and clown loach). Clown loaches also do best in groups as well. True that they do get to a fair size but tank size governs the RATE OF GROWTH so it would be a while (most likely years) before they would have to be switched out. Yes, the clowns would be better if there are three or more....Sorry for the oversight.

Here Are A few more: Labyrinth fish: Paradise fish (Macropodus opercularis) Some might frown on this one but I think with the general size of the tank mates they would be with, they might make a pretty addition. Blue Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Opaline Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Gold Gourami (Trichogaster trichopterus) Sunset Gourami (Colisa labiosus) Nice if you can find them. Freshwater loaches: Kuhli loach (Pangio kuhlii) Still thinking..... Catfish: Upsidedown feather-fin catfish (Synodontis eupterus) one of my favorites. Striped Rafael (Platydoras costatus) Provide a burrowing spot for this fish such as 1/8" gravel or sand.

Rainbow fish: Boesemani Rainbow (Melanotaeniidae boesemani) Red Rainbow (Glossolepis incisus) Banded Rainbow (Melanotaenia trifasciata) Botias: Clown loach (Chromobotia macracanthus) Always popular with neat markings and personality you can't help but love. Zebra loach (Botia striata) not very common Characins: Headstanders: Anostomus (Anostomus ternetzi) NOTE: This particular species of fish is a great community fish and is so cool with it's peculiar head standing habit. Leporinus (Leporinus fasciatus) Best kept in groups of three or more. Tetras: Diamond tetra (Moenkhausia pittieri) Buenos Aries tetra (Hyphessobrycon anisitsi) Cyprinids: Bala shark (Balantiocheilus melanopterus) Loricariidae: Farowella Catfish (Farlowella acus (SP)) Cool looking and a superb algae eater. There are more so I'll add as I think of them.

Two tricks to using products like nox-ich is as follows: A. remove carbon out of your filter system(s) - Carbon will rapidly remove products out of the water so it is best to remove it prior to the first doseage. B. DOSE for FIVE CONSECUTIVE DAYS. - Although the product kills the adult parasites within three days, as the recomended doseage dictates on the bottle, The cysts that are most certainly in the gravel bed will require additional doseages. It takes about five days for the product to penetrate the shell of the cysts. Five days has always worked for me and the less exposure to malachite green, the better.

KNO3 (potassium nitrate) + S(ulfur) + C(arbon) = Black powder. That is why it is illegal at least in this part of the world and thank goodness. However, bird poo is a good substitute for KNO3, just not in the aquarium!!! I believe you need a comercial applicator's liscence for fertilizers and not just a buisness liscence for lets say a landscaping company.

I would recomend that you prep the surface that will get new silicone with vinegar. I found that it creates better adhesion and is a more tank safe product for priming the surfaces. EDIT: Use pickling vinegar as it is twice as strong as white vinegar.

In nature, a new body of water will naturally take about 7 years to become habitable for fish.....There, now do you feel better? :hey: