HELP! My tank is doing weird things

MatsP · Post by **MatsP** » 20 Jun 2005, 11:07

marleygirl wrote:Hey everyone......
Just a quick question, i was wondering if I should take the plants that I just bought out of the pots or leave them in...I think the fish will be ok....Yeah!!!!!!!

Thanks again for all of your help and suggestions I so appreciate it.

Plants can be planted in the substrate (gravel or sand, or whatever it is) or they can be kept in pots. There's really no difference to the plants or the fish, but of course there's esthetic values to either choice, and that is a question of personal preference.

Obviously, there's some practical considerations too. If you have fish that dig a lot (some cichlids for instance), it's better to have plants in sturdy ceramic pots surrounded by rocks, and let the fish dig in the grave to it's hearts content.

--
Mats

Deb · Post by **Deb** » 20 Jun 2005, 13:36

Good news about your fish, Marley! I hope they continue to improve.

Just to add to what Mats said ... In the US, aquarium plants often come potted in a material known as "Rock Wool."
This is a coarse, spongy medium that is supersaturated with fertilizer. Most plant people say to remove the wool carefully from the base of the plant, because the extra nutrients will most likely cause an algae outbreak. I always remove it, and I bet a lot of people here do, too. Regardless, the wool is unsightly, and no matter how deep you try to bury it, it always works its way back to the top, and chunks of it float around, getting into the intake and disintegrating in the water.

Just remove it. The way you do it, is to get a shallow Rubbermaid tub, add dechlorinated water (or some aquarium water) and gently tease the wool out from amongst the roots. I use a toothpick for the tight areas. Do it slowly and gently. Let the water help you. Usually only plants with crowns (Swordplants, Crypts) will come planted in these little black pots with the rock wool. They can stand up to a little gentle material removal. Just don't get impatient and rush the process!

When you plant, don't cover the crown. Let the substrate come to just below where the crown and leaves meet.

Deborah

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 21 Jun 2005, 13:26

Glad to hear your fish are doing better. You've gotten some excellent advice here!

troi · Post by **troi** » 21 Jun 2005, 18:26

MatsP wrote:Paul,

I wasn't aware of this side effect of amquel (I've never used it).
Mats

The real, serious side effect of using Amquell repeatedly that many people are not aware of is drastic pH drop. It can come on suddenly and there are you fish, lethargic, unresponsive, sloughing off slime coat to beat the band. The softer the water the quicker this happens. It can kill the fish.

Amquell Plus does not have this side effect. There is now a powdered Amquell with Buffer available from the company that makes Amquell. This reduces the pH effect of Amquell.

I don't believe either Prime or AmmoLock, commonly sold in the US, have this effect.

troi

marleygirl · Post by **marleygirl** » 21 Jun 2005, 23:19

Hi everyone......Just an update

The fish are still alive and looking great. They seem to be happy now. there is a bacteria bloom going on but it isn't too bad. the levels in the tank are straightening out now and I removed the two apple snails so I am down to 5 balas, 4 iridescents, 2 pictus cats, 1 rainbow shark, and thats all folks...LOL! Is that better now, less fish and creatures, real live plants now and they are all still alive and I am sooo happy. The ph is 7.0 the nitrite is 0 and nitrate is 0 and the ammonia still reads high on the test but it isnt 8.0 and I don't believe that test right now since I am using ammolock and I believe it is reading it wrong.....Anyways there is the update, thanks for all the input and I will keep you posted. Marleygirl

bronzefry · Post by **bronzefry** » 22 Jun 2005, 13:36

The weather is going to go all "New England" on us over the next few weeks, Marleygirl. We have to get ready for all this weird stuff. In the 90's F.for a few days, with a 20 degree drop, then back up again. I know I've learned a lot about these little closed systems and just how sensitive they are. It's crazy. Wheeeeeee!!!

Dave Rinaldo · Post by **Dave Rinaldo** » 22 Jun 2005, 14:24

Hi,

Are you aware of the potential sizes of your fish? (Iridescent Shark) can reach 4 feet and the Balantiocheilus melanopterus(Bala Shark)more than 12 inches.