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Roma 240 slow burn...

Well, the two big takeaways for me were that they need hard water (I used cichlid salt to raise GH) and LOTS of space. I had a huge school of mixed species in a 150 gallon. I once kept a school of turquoise in a 55 and they were OK, but after keeping them in a 150 I realized how much happier they are with the extra space and big numbers.
 
WhistlingBadger said:
Well, the two big takeaways for me were that they need hard water (I used cichlid salt to raise GH) and LOTS of space. I had a huge school of mixed species in a 150 gallon. I once kept a school of turquoise in a 55 and they were OK, but after keeping them in a 150 I realized how much happier they are with the extra space and big numbers.
Click to expand...
Check and check 👍🏻 our water out the tap is very hard and my husband wouldn't let me go bigger than 240l...which is ample for now. He said there was no space for anything bigger....if I could only get him to part with his amp and Tannoys (that are not even wired in let alone used!) I could take up the whole wall with a huge 5 foot! He may make me start paying the water bill though 😬
 
Wills said:
Did you buy them under any specific name? That darker blue colour on the front half is usually from one specific location... I can't remember the name though.
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Aytinjo....had to watch Aquarium Co-ops fish room tour with Gary Lange to find out 😅 but there we go
 
I was under the impression that the female rainbowfish was dull and boring in colour but excuse me....
20230429_185837.jpg

WHAT A STUNNER 🤩

Now, I knew the males flared and displayed their colours at each other but the females seem to do this too? And they're definitely female because the males chase them and herd them into the plants to breed.

First thing in the morning and just as the sun starts going down is the best time of day to come and sit infront of the tank, everybody comes to show off to each other.
20230429_185314.jpg

Here's how we're looking. The plants are recovering well and the new ones I added have new growth which is good to see.

Black background as arrived, I've just popped it behind to the right for now until I can install it properly but even there it makes a huge difference to that side of the tank, looking forward to having it up!

Oh, and I've added 3 more coconuts for the kribs...just for fun 😊
 
Background is on!
20230429_194033.jpg
 
Something has been going on in here which I made another thread about, fish are flashing and covered in excess slime. I've been doing massive water changes every other day or so and today I've removed the coconuts and added salt.

I've got no idea what's going on, just that the fish are super irritated 🙁 they've coloured up a fair bit since the salt has gone in so I'm hoping it's helping somewhat...in fact I've just caught one of the males flaring which I've not seen for a few days. We'll see what happens
 
Still trying to think about what has caused the irritation in the tank. I should have quarantined the new fish, lesson learnt. I was over confident with my local Maidenhead, I've never had issues from them ever and I always watch the fish in store and look out for any potential illness etc...I got cocky.

Aside from the coconuts (which have now been removed) rhe only thing different is I've switched from Prime to API....

Fish are still slimy and I'm noticing less flashing but it's clear they're not happy by the subdued behaviour
 
It's all been sad and upsetting over the last couple of weeks not knowing what was going on and then to suddenly have the possibility of TB in the tank. Here in the UK we are scuppered by the severe lack of veterinary care for fish. We're unable to buy antibiotics over the counter (which is a good thing) but it does make the hobby a frustrating one when faced with a problem like this...not that TB can be cured as such but the lack of testing facilities makes things difficult to move forward. So I shall treat the situation as if it is TB, better to be safe than sorry.

I've done my first water change in a little while, I gave up with the melting crypts and just let them do their thing until I get all the salt out the tank. I used my brand new long-john gloves that thankfully came this morning. Not going to lie, have definite mixed feelings....no, that is a lie.. I DETEST THEM 🤬 They are awkward and big and they don't stay on my hands. They go all the way up to my armpits and kept me dry which I appreciate but I cannot grip anything let alone pick through the plants in the delicate manner required to maintain one's aquatic garden. I tried putting rubber bands around the wrist to keep them in place but they didn't work, I could have doubled them but then they would have been too tight and I'd be losing all sensation to the fingers...I suppose I'll get used to them with enough practice... OR I MIGHT KILL THEM :hatchetchase:

I haven't decided yet 🤔

A thing I've noticed though...I switched to API...the last water change I did, I used Prime and it was like everything was back to normal....today's water change I used API and sure enough, erratic swimming from a couple of Praecox and a Cherry is glass surfing 🤯 what is going on?? I've tested the water, no ammonia or nitrite, nitrate is barely visible which is obvious due to the crazy water changes. I've checked my dosing measurements, @Essjay was kind enough to help me out with that...I've checked my water providers website to clarify that we're not chloraminated, just chlorine, so I'm dosing the tank correctly but there's something not right!
 
CaptainBarnicles said:
It's all been sad and upsetting over the last couple of weeks not knowing what was going on and then to suddenly have the possibility of TB in the tank. Here in the UK we are scuppered by the severe lack of veterinary care for fish. We're unable to buy antibiotics over the counter (which is a good thing) but it does make the hobby a frustrating one when faced with a problem like this...not that TB can be cured as such but the lack of testing facilities makes things difficult to move forward. So I shall treat the situation as if it is TB, better to be safe than sorry.

I've done my first water change in a little while, I gave up with the melting crypts and just let them do their thing until I get all the salt out the tank. I used my brand new long-john gloves that thankfully came this morning. Not going to lie, have definite mixed feelings....no, that is a lie.. I DETEST THEM 🤬 They are awkward and big and they don't stay on my hands. They go all the way up to my armpits and kept me dry which I appreciate but I cannot grip anything let alone pick through the plants in the delicate manner required to maintain one's aquatic garden. I tried putting rubber bands around the wrist to keep them in place but they didn't work, I could have doubled them but then they would have been too tight and I'd be losing all sensation to the fingers...I suppose I'll get used to them with enough practice... OR I MIGHT KILL THEM :hatchetchase:

I haven't decided yet 🤔

A thing I've noticed though...I switched to API...the last water change I did, I used Prime and it was like everything was back to normal....today's water change I used API and sure enough, erratic swimming from a couple of Praecox and a Cherry is glass surfing 🤯 what is going on?? I've tested the water, no ammonia or nitrite, nitrate is barely visible which is obvious due to the crazy water changes. I've checked my dosing measurements, @Essjay was kind enough to help me out with that...I've checked my water providers website to clarify that we're not chloraminated, just chlorine, so I'm dosing the tank correctly but there's something not right!
Click to expand...
That is super interesting with your API experience! I don't know about either product to comment on what might be going on - we are lucky to have a couple of members that are basically chemists though who will!

With the gloves, if they are going to be quite a common use maybe try and find some more premium options? Or could you put a second pair of more fitted gloves over the long sleeve ones? Maybe looking for PPE specialist stuff might give better options for things like chemical engineering?

Wills
 
The API thing doesn't make sense. The fish are not happy. If I didn't have salt in the tank I may have been tempted to do another water change with Prime...I'm doing small daily changes to get the salt out, it's been 2 weeks...so I'll use Prime tomorrow and see what happens.

I'll have to do some better research on PPE, I could use these ones I bought if I can keep them on my hands. The fingers are the right size but I think maybe the length in the arm is too long....I'll try rolling them them up a bit tomorrow. If I can't get on with them then they'll have to go
 
I find it interesting, the API vs Prime thing.

Are you using API Tap Water Conditioner, or Stress Coat or Aqua Essential? The safety data sheets say what these three contain but Seachem won't say what's in Prime.
 
Essjay said:
I find it interesting, the API vs Prime thing.

Are you using API Tap Water Conditioner, or Stress Coat or Aqua Essential? The safety data sheets say what these three contain but Seachem won't say what's in Prime.
Click to expand...
I'm using API Tap Water Conditioner...its a strange one!
 
And on the advice of our dear cat-eating, grumpy old :werewolf: ..because Rainbows need at least 50% plant matter in their diet, and because apparently they love it so much..I've bought some..😭Duckweed😭

Goodbye cruel world :flushem:
 
I'm using API Tap Water Conditioner...its a strange one!
Click to expand...
Yes it is. That is the most basic of all the branded dechlorinators out there, containing just thiosufate and EDTA, while Prime appears to be a chemical cocktail :unsure:
 
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