Hello all, this is my first post I have two main areas that I have questions about at the moment:
SUBSTRATE:
1. Is substrate better than gravel for plants?
2. If it is, or if substrate is still an option even if gravel is better, what filtration options are there for substrate tanks? I presume under-gravel types wont work? What other considerations are there? Can you still use a siphon when you're cleaning the tank, or does all the substrate get sucked up (i read somewhere it depends on the substrate)?
I've had fish for about two years but I'm starting now to research it properly as I'd like to give them a proper planted home when we move house ourselves! They currently only have one live plant as they ate the rest -_-
I want to give them lots of interesting things to poke around in, and have a proper aquascape, hence the questions about substrate, as I prefer the look of it in sculpted aquariums.
BRIAN THE FISH:
3. I have a fish I've often wondered about as he looks for all intents and purposes like a fantail, but he only has one tailfin :/ Is he a different breed, or has he got a little shubunkin history in him or something? The tailfin itself is lovely although it does flop a bit at the top. His other fins match my other faintails - two side fins, two belly fins and two fins under the main tailfin (i.e. under the bum). He's the same shape as a fantail too as far as I can tell.
He's called Brian, although I don't really know if he's a boy or a girl >.< if you can answer that too, feel free! Here's his pics, sorry for the quality. First pic is a better one and shows his nice dorsal fin and the shape of his tailfin, and the second pic although rubbish does show his shape better:
4. Unfortunately, Mr. Brian is also having swim bladder problems at the moment - for the last 3 or so days he's alternated between being fine and then struggling to stay off the bottom of the tank. Is there anything I can do? He's not being fed and although I'm obviously not an expert the fact that he keeps getting better and then worse makes me think it's not constipation, am I wrong? I have some all-round fish meds and a bit of aquarium salt that I could give.
Thank you for your help, sorry for the long post!
Erika.
SUBSTRATE:
1. Is substrate better than gravel for plants?
2. If it is, or if substrate is still an option even if gravel is better, what filtration options are there for substrate tanks? I presume under-gravel types wont work? What other considerations are there? Can you still use a siphon when you're cleaning the tank, or does all the substrate get sucked up (i read somewhere it depends on the substrate)?
I've had fish for about two years but I'm starting now to research it properly as I'd like to give them a proper planted home when we move house ourselves! They currently only have one live plant as they ate the rest -_-
I want to give them lots of interesting things to poke around in, and have a proper aquascape, hence the questions about substrate, as I prefer the look of it in sculpted aquariums.
BRIAN THE FISH:
3. I have a fish I've often wondered about as he looks for all intents and purposes like a fantail, but he only has one tailfin :/ Is he a different breed, or has he got a little shubunkin history in him or something? The tailfin itself is lovely although it does flop a bit at the top. His other fins match my other faintails - two side fins, two belly fins and two fins under the main tailfin (i.e. under the bum). He's the same shape as a fantail too as far as I can tell.
He's called Brian, although I don't really know if he's a boy or a girl >.< if you can answer that too, feel free! Here's his pics, sorry for the quality. First pic is a better one and shows his nice dorsal fin and the shape of his tailfin, and the second pic although rubbish does show his shape better:
4. Unfortunately, Mr. Brian is also having swim bladder problems at the moment - for the last 3 or so days he's alternated between being fine and then struggling to stay off the bottom of the tank. Is there anything I can do? He's not being fed and although I'm obviously not an expert the fact that he keeps getting better and then worse makes me think it's not constipation, am I wrong? I have some all-round fish meds and a bit of aquarium salt that I could give.
Thank you for your help, sorry for the long post!
Erika.
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