52 Weeks of Tank Works

Hey guys, I wanted to start this thread just about my 15 gallon aquarium. I really don't want to be posting a new thread every time I add something or remove something, so I decided that I would post a picture a week and just those little things that changed every few days.

So here is my first entry:




I know it's kind of over grown, I'm do for a water change on Monday, so the anacharis is kind of relaxing.

Also, my Amazon Sword is a little to big, so I cleaned it up and found that it had actually split into two plants, so now I have two due-to-be huge amazon swords..

I'm going to give them away on craigslist, if no one wants them I'm probably just gonna have to toss them.

I'm looking into getting something that is similar to the amazon sword only much much smaller, so I've seen these little plants they sell next to the Bettas at petco. They look like tiny amazon swords, but they are planted in pots, not in water. anyone have any experience with them

Thank you!

 

It looks good, I like the overgrown look

 

Nice

 

WEEK 2

HI! Super late this week. XD




So I have trimmed down the plants, and yes, that's new fish.




I accidentally bought some neon tetras (I also almost bought an ADF, but the pet store guy scared it when he was getting the neons and we couldn't find him any more.)

On the left top side is one of those super small "Betta Tanks" that make me mad, but I just happened to have one and found that they are actually really good for introducing new fish.




I usually have them separate from the tank so I can watch them not to introduce diseases, and it's such a hassle, so I figured out I can have it separated so the water doesn't mix, and still the in the same tank space.

Another reason for having them in the in-water separate tank is because I add just a little of my water to the water they were brought in from the pet store. That way they are not shocked at the sudden change, and I won't have to put any of their water into my tank.

I know that Neon Tetras are very sensitive and defiantly keeping that in mind. I'll post how they are doing next week.

 

WEEK 3

SO my neons are in and happy. Their colors are so potent.. lol




Picture is not too good, but I really like the taste they add to my tank. The other members of the tank don't even know they are there. As soon as possible I want to up their number to 7, from the 3 I have now because that's all Petco had.

They haven't quite learned the schedule of my feeding just yet, but they are getting the hang of it, and so I'm happy. They are schooling well, even though there is not too much of a school. XD Over all, some happy fish.




This is a display of all my meds that I have. It's ridiculous because when I just started, I was totally against meds. I was ONLY going to have water de-chlorinator and fish food.

EH..

Anyway, left to right:

API Aquarium salt, I have this tiny little jar in the picture that I am using up, as you can see the top sort of totally destroyed... lol
and I have this...




I got the huge one, Union Gospel Mission Store, for $0.99. Crazy! and it was not expired.

Next I have 3 different Betta foods that I'm not using at the moment. The 4th from the left is freeze dried blood worms which I am not a fan of using, especially because they are freeze dried.

5th from the left is Aquasafe Plus, Tetra water de-chlorinator. I've been using Bettasafe (7th) since I got this tank and they do not sell it in a bigger bottle, so I bought this one.

6th is water Tetra Water Clarifier. I had a murky water problem a while ago and even though I did water changes and everything, and lowered feeding amount, still my water would not clear up, so I bought 3 different products and only this one worked. I don't use it anymore because my water is clear, so I only have it because I used it and so I can;t return it.

8th is Leaf Zone API plant fertilizer. I bought this because my Amazon Swords sort of started to turn yellow and have white spots on them (again, this was like almost a year ago, I don't use it anymore.) I did some research and decided to buy plant fertilizer, which I did and the problem cleared up.

9th is kind of crooked, but it's Melafix API water treatment stuff. I bought it because I think my Guppies might have developed a fin rot problem from when my plastic plants spiked the ammonia, so I'm treating them at the moment, also it's recommended for adding new fish, and I am really happy with it at the moment. Have to get a bigger bottle. AND, biggest plus, because most fish stuff stinks, this actually smells really good! It's Tea Tree oil, I know.

10th is my ick treatment meds that I used a long time ago. It actually expires next month so I'm probably gonna have to throw that out. It worked pretty good, I mean, I don't have ick anymore? lol

11th and 12th are quick starter things. I have to buy more of the Seachem Ammonia Detoxifier because I used it for trying to get a hold of my ammonia, again, because of the decor. And the Jungle Start Zyme is also expiring, although I don't think I was too happy with that one when I was starting my tank.

and that's all my meds. XD big post this week, but I was shocked at how much stuff I have and had to share.

XD

 

Yup it's amazing how much stuff I've ended up for my aquariums, two full drawers of foods and meds and water additives in my kitchen! Your tank is looking really nice! What's your stocking so far?

 

Yup it's amazing how much stuff I've ended up for my aquariums, two full drawers of foods and meds and water additives in my kitchen! Your tank is looking really nice! What's your stocking so far?

My stock has changed a lot since I've started, but the current stock is on my profile page.

about 7-8 male guppies, 1 female that escaped the net when I was giving them away, 1 White Cloud, 2 Male Platies, and 3 Neon Tetras

still working on the stock so it will be changing.

 

WEEK 4

was sick this week so am posting late. nothing really interesting to share, first picture is the process of cleaning, and the last picture is when it's done.







I'm much better now, which I'm really glad about, so yay!

 

so sorry, really busy, hoping to maybe get a picture up this week, nothing has happened, so you're not missing out.

 

I like it
It looks like a 20 long

 

 

I like it
It looks like a 20 long

It might be, that's what I thought, but it only fits about 15 gallons of water all the way to the top, maybe the gravel takes up some of the "gallons"?

 

That might be right. We always forget about water displacement.

 

Update! Week 7
















for more info. XD

 

Everyone is heading back here, from now on this is where my stuff is going to be up to date.

As of WEEK 8 Rudy, my new red Betta fish is happy healthy and flaring at seemingly nothing.

One of my two ADFs had passed away from I have not Idea what, he was super shy and turned more pale each day until he just died.

Pictures will be a little later today, sorry about that.

 

Everyone is heading back here, from now on this is where my stuff is going to be up to date.

As of WEEK 8 Rudy, my new red Betta fish is happy healthy and flaring at seemingly nothing.

One of my two ADFs had passed away from I have not Idea what, he was super shy and turned more pale each day until he just died.

Pictures will be a little later today, sorry about that.

I'm so sorry your frog passed. glad Rudy is feeling better. I'm over on this thread now to get updates.

 

After doing a bit of research it turns out I had a male (Ben) and a female (Jayden) She did seem chunkier, but she turned pale really fast, and I wasn't sure if that was because she was a female, or because she was sick.

one thing I love about having fish is you are always learning some thing new.

EDIT: or frogs, fish or frogs

 

Pictures!




This first picture is Jayden before she started to go pale, but still hiding. Second picture is Ben looking for Rudy who was hiding there.




Here we have two pictures of Rudy showing off. I just cleaned the tank so the water is still settling in these pictures



Rudy "IN YOUR FACE!"




This is Everest's side of that tank. I love it, the lIttle house with a bush and then the garden court yard.(NOTE: I do not have Everest yet, this side is being kept by my community fish for now.)




And this last one is Rudy's home as of now.

 

Week 9










Jayden #2 peaking out at beautiful Rudy. He's been annoying and sneaking in food from the frogs. I had to isolate him and had to feed him peas for bloat (uh man, I hate bloated fish.). He's much better now.




I'm falling in love with this mesh stuff. My newest Betta has been having trouble with the flow, so I cut it down to size and stuck it in and now the flow is mainly down, so It doesn't bother Everest.

Just a questions for you guys, is this hair algae?




Oops, Rudy wanted a picture.







If it is, how do I get rid of it?

 

Can't tell you about the algea, but can tell you that Rudy is gorgeous. Still sorry about Jayden. I like that mesh too, where did you get it? I've seen some at my local craft store. Can you post more photos is Everest? I can't see him to well, just if you have the time.

 

And here are some pictures of Everest. I have donated the rest of my guppies and introduced another betta.













I know he's not totally white, but he's white enough for me and the purple makes him look sort of like a mountain. Cheesy?

Right now I'm watching him because he's been laying on his side today. not lethargic, not breathing hard, water parameters are good. BUT he hasn't been eating as much as Rudy. Bad thing? I don't really think so.

 

Can't tell you about the algea, but can tell you that Rudy is gorgeous. Still sorry about Jayden. I like that mesh too, where did you get it? I've seen some at my local craft store. Can you post more photos is Everest? I can't see him to well, just if you have the time.

Sorry, I din't post any pictures of Everest in that post, the one above this one has a whole bunch of pictures of him.

 

Looks like hair algae to me

 

What's his tail type? He looks like he has butterfly coloration. He looks like a volcano, but Everest works great(hey, volcanos are just hot mountains, I'm kidding hahah)! Especially in the third photo, he looks like a mountain. He could just the resting, his fins seem larger than Rudy's which could be why he's less energetic. He's beautiful, did you get him from the same place? Thanks for the photos!

 

yes I did, it's true, he could be resting but I've had him for a week and he normally doesn't rest on his side, like laying.

he's a double tail, and I'm pretty sure he's a butterfly. he is smaller then Rudy is, much smaller, but maybe his fins are heavy. hm. I don't know. I'm still concerned and gonna keep watching him.

 

If he's smaller, but his fins are the same size/larger than that could definitely be why. Does he have a lot of resting places? What are you feeding him? Have you tried brine shrimp?

 

his fins are not as big as Rudy's, but they are large, I wouldn't expect him to have any more trouble than any of my other bettas. his fin ratio is pretty much the norm.
he has a cave, two small moss balls he has right now resorted to laying on top of, and an amazon sword plant.

as well as that grassy thing in the picture, no idea what type of plant that is.

 

He might just be a lazy betta, I've caught Keshet just laying in plants chilling. He could also be stressed as this is all very new to him. I don't think you should be to worried, I bet he'll become a character in no time.

 

Terrible development, Everest now has slite pinecone scales and is floating face down. He's still trying to stay right side up, but he's breathing hard and mostly just hanging. I've taken him out of the tank and am going to do a 50% water change right now.
Flowingfins! what do I do! I can't go to the store to get meds and I don't want Rudy to get sick anything I should be doing to keep Rudy from getting it? Home Remedies?

MAN! And I dosed with API Melafix when I added Everest and Rudy in. I'm all out now. MAN! MAN! MAN!

 

Can you post a picture? I would isolate him into a tank with a heater and filter, turn the lights off, keep it in a quiet area and do a large water change for now.
Did you know melafix can irritate the labyrinth organ causing them to suffocate?

 

Terrible development, Everest now has slite pinecone scales and is floating face down. He's still trying to stay right side up, but he's breathing hard and mostly just hanging. I've taken him out of the tank and am going to do a 50% water change right now.
Flowingfins! what do I do! I can't go to the store to get meds and I don't want Rudy to get sick anything I should be doing to keep Rudy from getting it? Home Remedies?

MAN! And I dosed with API Melafix when I added Everest and Rudy in. I'm all out now. MAN! MAN! MAN!

Ok, so do you have him in a separate tank? Do you have Epsom salt and betta fix? If you don't have betta fix then you can use Melafix,(really try for bettaafix though, and lower the dose quite a bit) but I strongly suggest getting Epsom salt if you don't have any. This is what you need to do-
1. Have a heated tank
2. Dose 1tsp of Epsom salt per 5 gallon and bettaafix
3. Do daily waterchanges(25-50%)
4. After each water change redoes accordingly
5. Try fasting for 2-3 days and feeding a pea for the first few days.
I hope he gets better! Ugh, this is so sad. don't worry, it sounds like you caught it relatively early for dropsy. Hopefully he pulls through, c'mon Everest, your named after a mountain! You can do it!

 

Can you post a picture? I would isolate him into a tank with a heater and filter, turn the lights off, keep it in a quiet area and do a large water change for now.
Did you know melafix can irritate the labyrinth organ causing them to suffocate?

I knew you said that about Bettafix, but not Melafix. I had some left from my Guppies, and so I thought it would do the same thing.

I'll see what I can do.

Ok, so do you have him in a separate tank? Do you have Epsom salt and betta fix? If you don't have betta fix then you can use Melafix,(really try for bettaafix though, and lower the dose quite a bit) but I strongly suggest getting Epsom salt if you don't have any. This is what you need to do-
1. Have a heated tank
2. Dose 1tsp of Epsom salt per 5 gallon and bettaafix
3. Do daily waterchanges(25-50%)
4. After each water change redoes accordingly
5. Try fasting for 2-3 days and feeding a pea for the first few days.
I hope he gets better! Ugh, this is so sad. don't worry, it sounds like you caught it relatively early for dropsy. Hopefully he pulls through, c'mon Everest, your named after a mountain! You can do it!

I have normal aquarium salt, not Epsom and I'm out of melafix,

 

Bettafix is essentially watered down melafix.
Are you sure you don't have any epsom salts in the house? You can't buy them in fish stores, they are sold in pharmacies and places like that.
I agree with platylover on everything except the bettafix.

 

I knew you said that about Bettafix, but not Melafix. I had some left from my Guppies, and so I thought it would do the same thing.

I'll see what I can do.



I have normal aquarium salt, not Epsom and I'm out of melafix,

Ok, well the best I can tell you to do right now is daily waterchanges 50% in a spare heated and filtered tank. You can't used aquarium salt as it will do the opposite of what's needed right now.

 

ok, so he's in the Q tank. I watched him for a while after doing the 50% water change in the 20g. Turns out the pine cone is only on his left side, and I think maybe his swimming bladder is swollen, but that wouldn't cause pine cone would it?










I think I can make it to the LFS Friday, so If he makes it till then we can probably save him.

just a head up, if he dies before the 28th I'm returning him. UH, this is so frustrating.

Rudy's still recovering from bloat, I'm gonna feed him another pea tomorrow and see what happens. fasting for today. both of them.

 

He looks really weird, it looks like internal bleeding or something like that to me. The part where the tail meets the body also looks slightly deformed.
I'm beginning to think genetics are playing a part in his illness. I'm not sure what could be going on with him. Aquaphobia, thoughts?

 

I looked back at the previous set of pictures and I think I can see that bruise-like mark there on his left side. mg13 has that dark patch by his left pectoral fin been there since you got him?

If it is an injury, I wonder if it's on the surface and an opportunistic bacteria or parasite has taken hold in his skin. I would stop with the Bettafix/Melafix for the reasons mentioned by Flowingfins and start a different med. One that tackles a wide range of problems. I'll go back and look through the ones you already have on hand.
mg13, what much meds do you have on hand and what are the ingredients in each?

 

on the previous pictures, the ones where he wasn't yet pine coned, the patch is just shadow, but that is exactly where his pine cone is now happening.

the only meds I have right now are Herbal Ich treatment which says it treats :
Ich,
Velvet
Saprolegniasis
Trichodiniasis

the bottle doesn't have ingrediants, it says " contains: a proprietary blend of natural herbs in an aqueous solution."

he's still swimming right now, I haven't checked him up close yet, Rudy's not showing any symptoms, so that's good

 

he's now pineconed on both sides, although the left side is still more swollen then right.

I do not think it's injury, but the only symptoms are the pine cone. he's acting normal, and it's not more red or anything.

uh, this is awful.

 

Is he in quarantine right now? Not knowing what's going on, I'd be inclined to reduce his stress as much as possible by isolating him from even seeing your other fish and also by turning off the lights and keeping him away from noise and vibration as much as possible. I'm at a loss!