redracer77

So it appears that most plecos I want, probably won't breed in an aquarium, Does anyone have a blue phantom? I have read a liitle on the net but seems to be some differing info(like everything). Are they able to be sexed? What should I be looking for? I am aware the chance of breeding is slim.

Hey thanks for the ideas, I have looked at scarlets before but everything I have found say they get to 45cm which may be getting a little big if I had two, I have a 4 foot 300litre tank. Is snowflake/snowball L102? Is there any L142 Available? Have any ever come here?

Yeah, I also have some metronidazole which has worked in the past might try that as well.

Thanks Ryan, Sorry about the quality. I have started treating him with furan last night, doesn't appear to be gasping as much but hard to tell, one side of his face still black and is almost perfectly down the middle, its quite weird, doesn't appear to be swollen. i will update progress

Hi, my male eunotus is not well he has one side of his face almost black with the other side looking fine, also noticed lsat night that he is gasping slightly and didn't eat either. I have had him for about a year and had no issues, water seems good and have done a 20% change on sunday, I do have pics but can't put them up - can email to someone. Any help is greatly appreciated don't want to lose him. Thanks

I am hoping people here can help, I am wanting to get a pair of fancy plecs but not sure of what to get or what I can get, I like snowballs or something similar, I have also seen a magnum in chch and quite liked that also. looking for something med sized 30cm approx and that I can get a pair. Any suggestions of whats available and that has potential to breed. Thanks

Thanks for the replies, its basically what I thought just wanted to hear form some others. Tank is 4 foot 300L, I will keep the dominant male because he has much better colours.

I have 2 male blue acaras about 9cm and approx 1year old, one is picking on the other all the time, this has only started abot 8weeks ago. I removed the one being picked on to let it recover and the dominent one didn't bother any other fish in the tank, when I re introduced them it was straight back one picking on the other. My question is will adding a smaller younger female help or make things worse? Or should I remove the on being picked on permanently? Will a smaller younger female be acccepted by the dominent male ifthe other is gone? Thanks

I have just tested the tap water and its approx 2ppm so there is definitely some there, althought the tank was above 10ppm. I tested my other smaller tank which is also planted and has a indian fern in it and that is approx 5ppm with only a small amount of algae. I also tested the nitrate and that doesn't register with API test kit. I change about 20-25% water each week, I will try to find more info on the food I'm using ( mainly JBL). How many Indian fern would I need to absorb the phosphate I have? I also use JBL clay balls under the plants, but these say they won't release phosphate. Do they? Thanks for they replies.

The tank is planted, but still getting algae. I have used phoszorb but it's quite pricey and I think it's just aluminium oxide. As far as something else wrong the tank doens't have the problem when the phoshate has been removed. thanks

Yes, I have had algae blooms before and now getting more algae growth. From what I understand phosphate is in most foods, so I have already changed foods to have less going in, but also in the fish waste, due to it being in the food.

Thanks Bilbo, I'm not sure if that solution is for me, although I like the idea of not adding chemicals, I was after a simply solution, but will keep it in mind when I make a sump to incorporate it then.

Hi, I have phosphate levels that keep creeping up, i have been using JBL phosex and this works well but is quite expensive. Its in a 300 litre tank with a canister and internal filter. Has anyone tried using aluminium oxide (thats used as an abrasive) to absorb it? its available in different grades and a lot cheaper, or should I be looking for the source of the problem? Thanks

Thanks for the suggestions, not that keen on the keyholes. anyone know where I can get either heckeliis of juripari? looking to get something within the next couple of months. Also I'm in Nelson so maybe somewhere that can ship.

Just wondering if anyone can help with ideas for tankmates for my 2 blue acaras about 8-9cms? Theyare in a 4 foot tank with chocolate stripe cat, synodontis, bristlenose, ghost knife, silver tips. I want to get something about the same size as the acaras or slightly bigger but won't bully them, was thinking thread fin acara or Geophagus Jurupari if I could get some.