WTM

I was wondering if anyone could tell me if there is a minimum depth of gravel that should be used in a fish tank (note I'm not using any UGF but a power filter instead). I've had some problems with Corys recently and I'm wondering if my gravel is too thin?? My turtle tank is bare bottom (due to fear of impaction), but am using gravel in both the frog and fish tanks.

Indeed... I read somewhere that some Cory's don't mind down to 6, and some don't mind down to 6.5, while for the Platy I was told 7.0 - 7.5. Hence why I was concerned with the PH dropping. Update time: Cyclops seems to be doing well, although he doesn't move much the food I do drop in is gone by morning. I assume he's not moving much as there is no one to move to or around with? The cory by itself in the main tank is looking a little stressed however... In terms of the eye socket, what am I looking for to determine when it's time to put him back in the main tank?

I thought Platties liked their water slightly alkaline? Anyway it only got as low as 6.4 (I think) and that's about when I found this site....

We've got four of the little beasties... what specifically do you want to know?? There is a good book you can get through pet stores (can't remember it's name right now, but will check when I get home) and it's pretty helpful. As for converting the tank, the main thing is you need to make it escape proof, both for the frogs and their prey. Also they're an arboreal (sp?) so the tank needs to be high (45cm was a recommended height).

Well for the original Cory this is now academic, found him dead this morning. He was missing his barbels from the day we got him, but recently it looked like a bit of his lip (?) was missing. He always looked a little sorry for himself, but was doing okay for about 1 1/2 months before this happened - poor fella. The remaining sick Cory looks to be doing well, how long should I keep him in QT, given he's in there due to injury and the other fish (that was ill) was in there?? Thanks all for the advice, much appreciated...

3 tanks....... ....but only one has fish. :lol: (other two have frogs and a turt) Oh that's right, actuallyhave 4 tanks going at the mo', one as a QT tank for two unwell Cory's

The fighter is looking fine, as is the Platy. However I am worried about the single Cory by itself in the main tank (looks unhappy about being by itself), on the other hand don't want to risk exposing it to anything by transferring it??? Should I transfer it when the QT tank settles? I've got the QT tank covered so only the front is exposed and I completely cover it at about 8pm... I'm feeding twice daily, either shrimp pellet or some frozen bloodworm (the first Cory to fall sick has a bit of damage around the mouth, so I thought this would be easier to eat?). This is really my first attempt at caring for sick fish, so the more advice I can get the better.

The tank they live in normally? Since late June The quarantine tank? Since Saturday, but it's filter was in the normal tank before hand.

Okay where to start... We currently have three Bronze Cory's in a 10 gal with a Fighter and a single Platy. Over the later part of last week I noticed one of the Cory's looking somewhat sorry for themselves (sitting still, very thin, etc). Now I have been slowly building up the equipment for a proper hospital tank, so I rushed out Saturday morning to get the last of the equipment required (ie the actual tank). When we got home we noticed that a second Cory had lost an eye during the three hours we were out, and was being harassed by the Platy non-stop. Both Cory fish have now been moved into the hospital tank (filter had been running in the main tank), and have been treated with Melafix. Am I doing the right thing, and more importantly have I missed anything? I don't hold too much hope for the first fish, but I'd like to at least try. I think our newly renamed "Cyclops" will make it though. Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated? Thanks guys.

I thought it was normally the males that made the females life difficult??? We've only got the single male, I'd like to get him two or so female friends, especially for when he (and they) go out into a pond. But as you know it's pretty much lucky dip in terms of what you get male/female. How long have you been keeping turtles?

I actually just tested straight tap water - doh :lol: I've tested the tank for most of the week since the water change on Sunday. After the water change the PH rose back up to only 6.6 and the Nitrate fell to about 5.0ppm Since then the PH has fallen slightly while the Nitrate slightly raised, with no sudden changes during the night or day, it was just a slow steady change. :-? Anyway, I've done a 2 gal change tonight, and I intend to another change on Sun, with the intention to continue at that rate until the Nitrate is back down to as close to 0 as is possible. After which I will go back to weekly changes, but will increase to 3 gal. Unless anyone thinks I should do otherwise? Thanks W.

...and then the fun really starts :lol: I'd leave the ones in the drain though... they may be just a little bit too risky. Mush better to just "harvest" some from a $10 plastic tub filled with some water at the end of your garden/section/porch....

Surprised you don't with that many... You must either have a lot of tanks, or ponds. What are the snake necks like as adults (I assume your bigger two are) anyway (only seen them as adults at Napier Aquarium)?

You said it...... it's the same with most companion animals, they find a few idiots releasing them (or some that have been released), and next thing the media and politicians are all calling for them to be banned. :evil: : That said you don't see people calling for dogs and cats to be banned, no matter how many are dumped... :roll: (not that I think should be...)

How sad he'll be by himself.... (My Scooter know's that feeling must get him a friend or two one day). So what have decided to do about the issue of the filter?

How sad he'll be by himself.... (My Scooter know's that feeling must get him a friend or two one day). So what have decided to do about the issue of the filter?

I think the key is that she's not stressed by it so far then leave him in. If he starts to get "aggresive" though, it's definitely time to get him out. The real question is whether you want to try and breed them? If not take him out, if you do want to breed them leave him in, and count me in for at least one or two Snake Neck hatchlings.... :lol: (seriously - they are soooo cute). 21 RES, do you breed them?

Oh that's horrible... you do forget how small those feet are (my mesh guard is too open for hatchlings). I'd love to get a snake neck myself, and perhaps some more Red ears, so have had a bit of look into this.. One hint I was told for small ones, is get some very fine but strong netting (net curtains?) and use a strong elastic band to fix it over the opening in the tube.... The key is that mesh of the net is fine enough feet, limbs, etc can't get stuck in it. That way you could continue to use the external filter..

That's sad to hear.... I'd also suggest putting a prefilter on the uptake, either that or a a mesh to stop this happening again. As a sidenote my Eheim came with the optional uptake tube that has a nice mesh guard for the uptake pipe. Well worth the extra cost imho. W

Okay, did a 30% change yesterday, and PH climbed back to 6.6 when tested later in the evening. Interestingly I tested the turtle tank, and the ph for that was about 7.2 even before a waterchange. Would seem to suggest it's not lack of buffering causing the issue.. Perhaps it is too many plants? Thoughts people?

I have thought of increasing it to to 30%, but was worried that might be too big a change? The Nitrites and Ammonia are nicely behaving themselves at 0ppm, but what is a "normal" or "okay" level for Nitrates to rise to over the week between water changes? W

Thanks for the friendly welcome, I have noticed there is a few people from the Wellington area, quite a change from the Turt forum I also frequent (mostly Americans). By the way does anyone have a suggestion for a tank maker in Wellington? Scooter (and also the frogs perhaps) is going to need to upgrade soon (though I have been thinking of making an outdoor enclosure).

Thanks for the advice guys... I had considered the snail poo issue (there was a stupidly large number of them suddenly appear (spent 2-3 hours in one go removing them the other week). Tomorrow is water change day, so will test before, after and then each night and morning to see what happens over the week.. (noting any water changes). In regards to water changes, I do a 20% change weekly... Also I will start testing Scooter's (turt) tank to see what's happening there... might help exclude some issues (has no plants in the tank) WTM

Sorry, the "hi" was typed quite quickly last night.. As mentioned in another post I have a small 40lt fish tank (fluval 1 filter, 100w Jebo heater, 18" light fitting) which contains: 1 Siamese Fighter, 1 Platy, and 3 Bronze Cory. It has 4 different plants (however can only name the java fern). In addition we have a 150lt Turtle tank (2028 Eheim, 150w heater, 36" uvb light fitting, heat lamp for basking). This contains a single 4.5" Red Ear Slider (Scooter). A small plastic tank (temporary home) containing 4 Whistling Frogs, they have an 80lt glass tank to go into, but we've still got to get the lid sorted. Am currently thinking of getting a more suitable tank made for them, and instead use the 80lt for some more fish (or perhaps another Turt). Thanks all for the friendly welcome.