Caper

Both look awesome...going for 2...great way to go! Caper

Thanks all Joe: The only plant identified at store was java fern (if right) and couldn't tell me the others. All plants are $10 (Canadian) and I'm not ready to dish out money on what ifs. Have been reading about plants. As usual varying things, example java fern cannot be planted in gravel/yes it can be planted in gravel/should never be planted in gravel :-? Anyway, we'll see I haven't given up on plants totally:wink: GrahamC: I did what you suggested. Tap water 0 ammonia; tank water between .25 and .5. I wish I had someone else to check with me just to get another opinion because I find it hard to tell when it's between numbers. :facepalm: I do believe it's down somewhat from the .5; nitrites still 0. I had to google to see what a Seachem Alert was :oops: I did see something like that when I was getting my nitrite kit but didn't really pay attention since I already have the test kit, thanks tho Hamstar99: I don't want to get a nitrate test kit unless absolutely necessary (tight budget). But, let's just say the tank is cycled, what else would be keeping the ammonia up? Down a bit today; anxious to see what tomorrow's reading will be! to all! Caper My test kit for ammonia is the API. Thanks sooooooooo much for information on the expiry date. Both solutions were bottled 2011 to could until Sept. 2014.

Thanks Hamstar99! The only additive I'm adding is "Tetra Aqua - Aqua Safe" because of the chlorine. I use an aqua vac that connects directly to my tap. Once I remove the water, I add the Aqua Safe (add it in the flow from the filter to help it disperse). Then adjust water so not to hot/cold and add water! I've checked everywhere on the ammonia test kit box and contents looking for an expiry date, but couldn't find one! One fish is down on the bottom of tank again, I'm guessing from the stress of the ammonia???? Later this afternoon I will test again (approximately 24 hrs since last tested). Because I wasn't able to get nitrite test kit until yesterday, it could be possible that the cycle has completed and that is why I'm not getting any readings for it? But I still don't understand the high ammonia????? :-? Take care, Caper

Update! Ammonia - slightly less than .5 = water change Nitrites - 0 Mimum feeding today after not feeding since Sunday 4 platties were added March 16th April 3rd first traces of ammonia started I just got the nitrite kit today. Shouldn't I be seeing even a trace amount of nitrites by now??? First time any sign of stress: one fish was on the bottom of the tank when I left for work this morning, was still in same spot when I got home. When I was putting in the vacuum, sure he enough he was up and about Thanks, Caper

Caryl, sorry to hear about your Aunt Have you found someone to take the kitty? Poor kitty probably missing your Aunt as well! Take care, Caper

:rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf: :rotf:

Thanks GrahamC I still didn't get the nitrite kit, hoping to get it tomorrow if they have any in. Had to do another water change today since ammonia was .5 again :sick: I hope it will soon start going down! Take care, Caper

Hello Have fun, Caper

Thanks Li@m! I was just curious to see if anyone knew why the fin was long. Now I know Take care, Caper

Hi and welcome! Ask lots...that's how we learn! Does 980 stand for 980 litres??? Take care, Caper

Ira...you have not changed a bit :thup: :rotf: :rotf:

I wouldn't be putting any more fishies till tank cycled. I don't have a nitrite or nitrate kit. When I first started 7 years ago, I couldn't get nitrate kits here so the tanks did cycle without being tested for nitrate! I've gotten many opinions on the nitrate testing and have been told numerous times that as long as I keep up with regular water changes I don't need it :dunno: I will be getting the nitrite kit for sure! Cycle: ammonia - nitrites - nitrate, right? So, I can have 0 reading for ammonia and still have a reading for nitrites until the tank is cycled? Thanks GrahamC Caper

Joe: The labels at the pet store do not indicate if the fish are tank bred or wild strain. Caper

Hi! Ammonia: Monday - .5 = water change Tuesday - not checked Wednesday (today) - .5 = water change Still just have the 4 platties waiting for the ammonia to go! Checked back at the pet store regarding plants. Other than java fern, they didn't know what the other plants were. They said they used to come in with tags on them but they don't anymore :dunno: I know nothing about plants. Are there different "kinds" of java fern? I will google. But the reason I'm asking is because in different tanks there were some pointed out as java fern and they looked completely different. Thanks, Caper

Thanks Ira :thup: Oh my gosh...I just googled them and in one of the pics, the dorsal fin looks exactly like my cory! I would have purchased him/her as a peppered cory and when bought it just had a dorsal fin like the others. I didn't think the long fin was a problem as he/she always appears healthy and no reason to think otherwise. Caper

Thanks Caryl I will check out the labels Joe. The only fish I bought at this store were barbs or red eye tetras; I recall seeing such things as temperament; temperature; pH; anything else I don't remember since I haven't bought fish in ages. Thanks, Caper

Thanks Caryl! I guess that is one of the things I do remember fishy behaviour can be as unpredictable as human behaviour... :slfg: But what about the idea of 2 males or 2 females versus 1 male and 1 female, is it recommended? The more I read about them I may not want them in this tank anyway since I am leaning towards having guppies. Although, my other 29 gallon presently is home to 6 red eye tetras and 2 tiger barbs. I wonder about trying them in that tank??? I know from reading and past experience it is better to have a school of barbs. But I have not had luck with replacing the ones that went to fishy heaven. When I tried to replace them, the new ones were always small and didn't survive. The 8 get along fine and even the pet store was shocked . For quite sometime now, they are only getting small barbs in and I don't want to put them in with 2 adults I have for fear that is why they are not surviving! Caper

Hi all! Hope this works, haven't been on here in a few years so I hope I can get these pics to post (if so, excuse quality, still not good at taking pics :oops: ). I have 4 peppered corys in a 10 gallon tank. I'm hoping that you will see how the dorsal fin of this one is really long. He was hiding of course so I couldn't get a better picture. It has been like this for years now and other than the long fin, no problems. I was wondering if anyone has seen this before? Thanks

Thanks Squirt! I will go back to store tomorrow to see if they got any test kits in yet. Take care, Caper

Joe wrote: How would I even know? I've been reading up on the kribs :cofn: (ok, I don't drink tea or coffee...but the reading part is right...hehe). Just as I recall...not black and white :-? true fishy form! Opinions/suggestions please: - overall consensus good to put in a community tank - varying opinions on what fish are suitable tankmates :-? (e.g. yes with guppies/no with guppies); one thing I haven't forgotten is combinations that work in one tank for whatever reason may not work in another. I think this is partly due to the fact that fish can't read on what there behavior is SUPPOSED to be - at minimum best kept as a pair male/female - some have success when keeping 2 males more so than 2 females - always need caves Thanks, Caper

Thanks all! Saturday - ammonia .25 - did water change Sunday - not home Today - ammonia .50 - did water change Checked pet store for nitrite & nitrate kits Saturday, were sold out; they did have pH kits that test higher than mine. cycle = ammonia - nitrites - nitrates I've been reading up on this stuff again :cofn: :-? . I know I'll probably get different opinions but here goes: - at this point would it be a waste for me to get a nitrite kit? - what about nitrate kit? (I'm thinking yes after reading GrahamC's help re: nitrates) - because there pH test kits test higher, would you recommend getting one? Thanks, Caper

Thanks Yes, when I go back Caryl I'll see if I can get find out what plants they do have. Because when I asked the young man, he said they just come with the fish and we put them in the tank :dunno: I sure hope someone there will know what they have and I'll take it from there. Joe, I did fast google on the kribs...but I thought they would be less suitable than the dwarf cockatoos??? Off to play with grandson...have a great Easter folks! Thanks for the help...catch ya later Caper

Oh my gosh...another post lost! Anyway...thanks Squirt! I will go back another day to see what I can find out. Knowing that I don't have to have all that stuff, I may just give it a try! Caper

Thanks Ira! Although they didn't have any in today, I know they have had them. I never thought to ask if they'll be getting them again but will check. I did ask if the plants in the tanks were for sale. But the young guy who waited on me, didn't have much information on them. I may ask another day. I thought I might get brave and just start with one plant to see how it goes. But with that said, do you always require a CO2 set up, not that I actually know what that is but I do see it in posts. Then the other issue, do you always need special lighting to have life plants??? Caper

thief