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First let me say that I use pool filter and in some cases play sand instead of gravel AND I never disturb the substrate. (however I do have a couple of Cory catfish rummaging in the sand and a plethora of Malaysian Trumpet Snails that burrow in there). With sand, uneaten food and fish/plant...

Since you're new to the hobby, you may find value in the Newer Hobbyist's Primer. Also, here's an article written by Greg Sage of Select Aquatics of Erie Co on keeping and Culturing Blackworms. :)

@Byron and I must have been typing at nearly the same time as I did not see his post until I posted.

Not to split hairs, but I believe that nitrosomonas bacteria will double in about 7 hours. It has been proven by Dr. Tim Hovanec that it is nitrospira that convert nitrites into nitrate. @Byron's article 'Bacteria in the Freshwater Aquarium' documents this. There's a great video interview with...

Not likely since the whole purpose of treating municipal water with chlorine/chloramine is to kill bacteria that may be harmful.

As one example, consider for a moment Charles Clapsaddle of Goliad Farms in South Texas. He's a breeder in greenhouses with 55g and 300g vats. The water is filtered ONLY by plants (lots and large) and he doesn't do water changes, just well water top offs. His vats have several inches of mulm...

Many hobbyists have become convinced that beneficial bacteria only lives in the filter and of course only lives in commercial bio-media, be it ceramic, plastic, or rock - nonsense dosed with marketing genius. Now a filter is a generally a good place for bacteria since food and oxygen is...

I've studied Estimative Index (EI) - I'm just not a fan of high tech as it may be great for 'the planted tank', but I feel low tech is more natural for fishkeeping. Each to his/her own. :)

My point was two fold: 1) Anything in the water gets into fish through osmosis; 2) Generally most things are diluted enough as to not cause serious harm. Although we can't really measure if these additives reduce life spans. We simply can't know as some aquarium fish likely live longer than...

I've always agreed with you that anything in the water gets into the fish through osmosis. But the 'reason' they can say that their product is 'safe for fish' (and why any lawsuit would probably fail) is simply that the level of dilution is so great as to not present a threat to livestock. The...

Whew .... What he said. :)

You're basically correct - it's not rocket science. Once you understand some basics, it's fairly simple, just as it is for taking care of any pets. But as simple as it is, it requires due diligence to ensure a high water quality and proper feeding. And your right as well, that some species...

Without any specific references it's merely a generalized rant like parroted myths that become hobby pseudo truths, or LFS employees giving poor advice to sell more fish and/or products. Of course 'experienced' is a subjective term. Some that have been in the hobby a few months or a year may...

I'm not sure that I can offer much here ... be it diatoms, algae, tannins, or detritus, cleaning the sand is typically not an option since it's likely stuck to the sand and decor. I'm not a fan of stirring the substrate as it upsets the beneficial biology developing there and as mentioned, it...

If you're hearing voices (chanting "FEED ME"), then I'm pretty sure it's just YOU. :)

Each to his/her own. Perhaps I should have pointed out that very fine sponges plug easily and more quickly than coarser sponge material. It also deserves mention that many large entire fishrooms are managed with air driven sponge filters... perhaps these are not the greatest at mechanical...

Long ago I bought into the marketing hype for bio-medias be they pumice, ceramics, plastics or whatever. However, in time I came to realize that these were all just cash cows for manufacturers that offer no more surface area than bio-sponge material. Newer hobbyists are all but brain washed by a...

I haven't used nitrate removal sponges, but as I described in My Nitrate Fight, I have found great value in API's Nitra-Zorb. Nitra-Zorb is a resin they sell in pouches intended to be placed in filters that adsorbs ammonia and nitrates. The resin can be recharged many times with ordinary salt...

Perhaps you could site some specific examples or links to threads that caused you to feel this way and write this post. Frankly, I've been frequenting this forum for some time now and don't recall seeing what you describe...but my focus has typically been in 'tropical discussion' so I don't...

@Bruce Leyland-Jones, I think that you're pretty much preaching to the choir in the sense that 99.9% of the participants on this forum are not among those you describe. Most of us here with experience go out of our way to educate newer hobbyists in the best ways to manage aquariums and...

Regardless of geographical region, Grindal worms are cultured at room temperature of around 72F. (She may live in Alaska but I'll bet she's not in an unheated hut on the frozen tundra!)

I haven't heard of culturing Grindal worms from eggs as cultures are usually sold with worms and bedding. Unlike white worms that do best at 50-60F, Grindal worms are cultured at room temperature. The refrigerator is way too cold for grindal worms or their 'eggs'.

As Byron points out, snails are very beneficial in a natural aquarium as they are, or can be, a valuable part of the clean-up crew. See Mulm and Algae, and Snails - Oh My! and Are you Overfeeding your Fish?. As pointed out the snail population is largely relative to the available food...

Like nearly all tropical fish, as Byron points out, with good nutrition and high quality water, Cory's can live 15-20 years. However, sadly, most fish in the hobby don't make it that long. Inferior food, overfeeding, poor water quality... all take their toll to shorten life spans. :-(

Shame on you. However, as much or more knowledge is gained from failure than success. The oversight on the filter inlet tube was pretty bad - but it seems you've beaten yourself up enough not to do something like that again. As to the conditioner in a bucket...now I have untreated well water so...

Low tech is great! I'm not a big fan of high tech (high light, CO2, high ferts) which I feel is more for aquatic gardening than fishkeeping as I feel that the combination of bright light, CO2, and high ferts is somewhat harsh on most fish. (even in the tropics, light is often diffused by the...

Well if the larvae are not eaten, they will evolve into a mosquito in a day or two.

Sure can...I don't have guppies, but my Swordtail fry gobble them up!

WELCOME to the fishkeeping hobby! :hi: I created a collection of articles that you may find very useful: Newer Hobbyist's Primer. And following this, you might take the deep dive into Filtration and Water Quality.

I'd try fast growing floating plants.

Check out Partial Water Changes - Fast and Easy. Edit: KUDOS to George Farmer for recommending larger partial water changes! However, a good substrate, fast growing plants, and a well managed filter along with routine partial water changes makes all the difference!

The under gravel filter is a great Bio filter. But like all filters it requires routine maintenance and has some shortcomings. Because it's gravel, uneaten food, along with plant and fish waste is drawn down under. This is exasperated by too much air flow or powerheads that pull too much water...

You might also find value in Filtration and Water Quality.

Fresh, clean water is always a benefit, especially for fry as along with quality, frequent feeding, it encourages better growth. Well a 'new' tank setup would yield the same result as the tap water for a time and it may not be cycled yet. Be on the lookout for an ammonia spike. In general...

And maybe others 'get out' too much!

Some folks just don't get out enough! :rofl:

Thank-you, you pick up a thing or two doing something 50+ years.....but then again, the more I've learned, the more I realize that there's still more to learn! :)

I think we might agree that the cases of zero nitrates in the average aquarium is very rare... and often proclaimed incorrectly. Sometimes by the fellow that claims he never does water changes. I mentioned it only because zero nitrates would be highly unlikely in a newer hobbyists aquarium...

No, Mike V.

First let me 'say' that I've been in the hobby many years and I've never seen a tank with zero nitrates so you might want to reevaluate your test results. --- As the saying goes (and referenced above in other posts) "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"... and in this case, it's...