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Byron Amazonas
AC Members
You cannot see bacteria as you describe; they are microscopic. What you are describing is possibly just debris stirred up (my corys and loaches do this at feeding time).
Salt should be dissolved in water and then poured into the aquarium. [This isn't what you are seeing, but I just wanted to point this out, since you mention salt.]
Salt should be dissolved in water and then poured into the aquarium. [This isn't what you are seeing, but I just wanted to point this out, since you mention salt.]
I didn't know if it was bacteria clumps or something like that. Maybe I'll pick up one of those clumping drop things from the pet store so the junk can settle.
I think that my fish are likely through the ich which is nice. I'm thinking about getting a cory next to sift through the sand and help keep the tank cleaner.
I think that my fish are likely through the ich which is nice. I'm thinking about getting a cory next to sift through the sand and help keep the tank cleaner.
Byron Amazonas
AC Members
NO. Do not use water clarifiers. Most of them (maybe all) work by causing microscopic particulate matter to bind together forming larger particles that can more easily be removed by the filter media. Problem is, these chemicals do the same to fish gills. I speak from sad experience.
If this is suspended particulate matter, it will either settle out or be removed by the filter. You said you could see the grains, but there is also a whitish cloudiness in new tanks that is caused by bacterial bloom, and this too will dissipate as the biology is established.
Corys are shoaling fish so a group of no less than five or six is needed to avoid stress. And they do not "clean" the substrate. They need their own type of sinking foods. I have rarely seen a cory eat flake food that gets to the bottom, usually they just sift past it. And the detritus on the substrate is primarily fish waste and they won't eat that. The only critter for this cleaning is the snail, a few of the Malaysian Livebearing are ideal, or the pond or bladder snail. These eat everything organic, breaking it down faster so the bacteria can get to it sooner.
Byron.
Byron Amazonas
AC Members
Trumpet snails may refer to the Malaysian Livebearing Snail; you want the small snails, whether these (which are the best as they burrow throughout the substrate getting everywhere to keep it fresh and clean) or pond snails or bladder snails. Ramshorn snails are similar.
Hermit crabs I believe are marine (salt water), but regardless, you don't want to be mixing crabs with fish.
Hermit crabs I believe are marine (salt water), but regardless, you don't want to be mixing crabs with fish.
I know that I'm asking tons of questions and thanks for putting up with them.
What I want to ask is since I'm trying to set up a type of ecosystem what would be a good filter feeder, a wood shrimp or a fresh water clam or something else? I kinda like the clam since it can be decoration so they don't crowd the tank as much and it can pull suspended crud out of the water.
What I want to ask is since I'm trying to set up a type of ecosystem what would be a good filter feeder, a wood shrimp or a fresh water clam or something else? I kinda like the clam since it can be decoration so they don't crowd the tank as much and it can pull suspended crud out of the water.
