Some....news?

[Byron]

30 inches long. I heard they can be fin nippy, but will that calm down if I keep enough?

This species, Hyphessobrycon eques (Red Minor Tetra, Serpae Tetra, who knows how many other common names), has very specific requirements, which incidentally mirror exactly those of the Tiger Barb. First, they need a group of 10-12 (or more), and this means a 29g minimum tank. Just for this species. Substrate fish like cories can usually work, but no other upper level species unless the tank is considerably larger than this.

The reason for this number and the tank is that it usually keeps them relatively peaceful. Smaller groups will cause fin nipping among them...the white edge to their fins is due to fin nipping. With 10-12 or more, this is usually not too much of a problem, but individual fish within a species may not follow the norm and there is no guarantee.

In larger tanks, other fish species can be considered with these. But, never any slow or sedate fish, and never any with long or flowing fins; such fish are like waving a red flag in front of a bull.

It is unfortunate that two of the most commonly seen fish, and two of the most attractive, have such terrible behaviourial issues, making them unsuited to many tanks, especially beginners' and smaller than 30g.

 

[HoldenOn]

Byron, do you think I should do a water change tomorrow? The nitrites are going down slowly in my water, but I saw in another thread that you said my fish could be permanently damaged internally. I'm worried about my Corydoras. I read just under .25 after feeding today with no water change.

 

[Byron]

Byron, do you think I should do a water change tomorrow? The nitrites are going down slowly in my water, but I saw in another thread that you said my fish could be permanently damaged internally. I'm worried about my Corydoras. I read just under .25 after feeding today with no water change.

Any stressful situation will affect fish, that much is certain; but exactly to what extent in every case is something we cannot be absolute about. But it seems prudent to avoid stressful situations as much as possible, if for no other reason than prevention is always safer and more reliable than attempted cures.

Water changes cannot hurt. Provided the parameters (GH, pH and temperature) are all reasonably the same between tank water and tap water, a W/C using a good conditioner will always be positive.

 

[HoldenOn]

Any stressful situation will affect fish, that much is certain; but exactly to what extent in every case is something we cannot be absolute about. But it seems prudent to avoid stressful situations as much as possible, if for no other reason than prevention is always safer and more reliable than attempted cures.

Water changes cannot hurt. Provided the parameters (GH, pH and temperature) are all reasonably the same between tank water and tap water, a W/C using a good conditioner will always be positive.

I ended up doing a 60%. Dosed with prime and then did my weekly fertilizer, stress coat and stress zyme.

 

[HoldenOn]

Any stressful situation will affect fish, that much is certain; but exactly to what extent in every case is something we cannot be absolute about. But it seems prudent to avoid stressful situations as much as possible, if for no other reason than prevention is always safer and more reliable than attempted cures.

Water changes cannot hurt. Provided the parameters (GH, pH and temperature) are all reasonably the same between tank water and tap water, a W/C using a good conditioner will always be positive.

Thanks

 

[Byron]

I ended up doing a 60%. Dosed with prime and then did my weekly fertilizer, stress coat and stress zyme.

No point in using StressCoat or StressZyme. Prime is a complete water conditioner and should never be used with any other "conditioner." But there are also problems with these other two products.

The more chemicals we add to the tank water the more it affects the fish. Fish "drink" by taking in water via osmosis through every cell, 24/7. Substances dissolved in the water that have ions small enough to penetrate the cell membranes will enter the fish with the water. This in and of itself is dangerous. But there is yet more.

StressCoat contains aloe vera, and studies have shown this substance will harm fish gills long-term.

StressZyme makes claims about bacteria that are questionable, but regardless there is no reason such a product is necessary anyway.

 

[HoldenOn]

No point in using StressCoat or StressZyme. Prime is a complete water conditioner and should never be used with any other "conditioner." But there are also problems with these other two products.

The more chemicals we add to the tank water the more it affects the fish. Fish "drink" by taking in water via osmosis through every cell, 24/7. Substances dissolved in the water that have ions small enough to penetrate the cell membranes will enter the fish with the water. This in and of itself is dangerous. But there is yet more.

StressCoat contains aloe vera, and studies have shown this substance will harm fish gills long-term.

StressZyme makes claims about bacteria that are questionable, but regardless there is no reason such a product is necessary anyway.

Woah, I thought these were good. I'll stop using StressCoat. I'll finish this bottle of StressZyme off and then hold off from buying it. Thanks for the info

 

[HoldenOn]

How do you plant anarchis?

 

[mbsqw1d]

How do you plant anarchis?

@PheonixKingZ

 

[PheonixKingZ]

How do you plant anarchis?

Anacharis can be grown planted in substrate or floating. I find they grow best planted.

Get a pair of aquascaping tweezers (or use your hands) and gently push the end of the plant into the substrate. Do you have gravel or sand?

 

[HoldenOn]

Anacharis can be grown planted in substrate or floating. I find they grow best planted.

Get a pair of aquascaping tweezers (or use your hands) and gently push the end of the plant into the substrate. Do you have gravel or sand?

gravel. do they get long?

 

[PheonixKingZ]

gravel. do they get long?

Ok. Yes, they can get very long. Once they reach the top water level, cut the stem in half and replant the trimming. I’ve planted a whole tank with just 3 original stems.

 

[HoldenOn]

Ok. Yes, they can get very long. Once they reach the top water level, cut the stem in half and replant the trimming. I’ve planted a whole tank with just 3 original stems.

Nice. I want something that isn't swords that will get tall. Are they hard to grow? And do they need ferts or root tabs?

 

[mbsqw1d]

Nice. I want something that isn't swords that will get tall. Are they hard to grow? And do they need ferts or root tabs?

Anacharis doesn't require anything but water really! Its known as a weed in the hobby for the very reason that it pretty much grows anywhere. Its fantastic for the aquarium in terms of oxygenating the water, providing some cover for fish, and it also outputs allelochemicals that inhibit some algae growth.
If you do feed it ferts, you will see improved growth.
Personally, I don't like the look of it and I'd go for something like vallisneria as a tall background plant, but, just my personal opinion!

 

[PheonixKingZ]

Nice. I want something that isn't swords that will get tall. Are they hard to grow? And do they need ferts or root tabs?

No, not hard at all. Some people think they are hard are to grow, because when they add them to their tank, they melt. This only (usually) happens for two reasons, 1( If a liquid fertilizer is added that contains gluteraldehyde, and 2( If the plant was originally reared in cold water, and is introduced to warm water.

The most common liquid fertilizer that contains gluteraldehyde, is Excell.

Root tabs are the best. (I personally don’t use them. They grow like crazy in my tank, and I don’t use any fertilizers/root tabs. If you added fertilizers/root tabs, they would go insane)

It’s a great background plant, and really helps fill in the tank.