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PoggiPJ

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Posts posted by PoggiPJ

    What causes a BTA to split?

    in General Discussion

    I'm guessing that this is one of those areas where there are alot of possible answers, but nothing definitive. I have two RBTAs that are getting pretty large - roughly 10" in diameter. Do they split when they attain a certain size? Is it a water condition thing? Do I need to dim the lights and show them a movie?

    Do any LFS have fish without spots?

    in General Discussion

    What would you like to know?

    Just where and what time.

     

    What do I mean by "throwing good money after bad"... i think most members here can relate to 1, the freaking magnitude of $$$ that we invest over time into this hobby for equipment and livestock. and 2, despite all that money spent for vitamins, medications, pumps, backup systems, and backup to backup systems, and quarantining, and nurturing, something is BOUND to happen that negates all of that time, care, and expense. It seems like all I have to do is get at least halfway to wherever I'm going on vacation and somehow, someway, something goes wrong. OK that's enough whining.

     

    I will definitely try the VA stores. I keep hearing good things about "Fins & Feathers" and "Blue Ribbon Koi" livestock. I also heard of a Fins & Feathers in Germantown MD and was wondering if they were affiliated.

     

    Help me understand something - Even if a particular fish or group of fish are captive bred, once they are placed into a tank that shares the same plumbing system aren't they going to acquire the same parasites that are in that system?

    LFS problems with parasites

    in General Discussion

    Question: Is it safe to assume that some parasites (while possibly dormant) are always present even after 6-8 weeks of no fish in the tank?

     

    Never mind - I read the links provided by Jan and answered my own question. The answer is "No". The parasites are not always present, unless we add something - anything new that could possibly have even one of these parasites hitch-hiking.

    LFS problems with parasites

    in General Discussion

    Thank you all for the helpful advice.

     

    Let me explain again why I am not saying the name of the store. I visited the same LFS again today to pick up some dry goods. While there, my wife and I examined the fins and body of every fish in every tank specifically looking for some evidence of disease. We couldn't find one lousy white spot on any individual fish. I don't want to start a panic, and that's why I asked the question the way I did.

     

    I do know that I increased the salinity within a day of adding that powder blue tang, and based upon what I'm reading here, and what I found at the LFS, it's really looking like the finger is pointing in my direction. I probably stressed that poor pbt to the point that it became vulnerable to whatever parasites were present and waiting for a weakened host - and then it spread to the clowns.

     

    Question: Is it safe to assume that some parasites (while possibly dormant) are always present even after 6-8 weeks of no fish in the tank?

    LFS problems with parasites

    in General Discussion

    By the way, I've already received a few PMs about which store it is... Please forgive me but the reason I'm not mentioning the name is that I really cannot be certain that it was their problem. A rumor like that can cause alot of financial harm and quite possibly it may be unjustified. If I was positive, I would have no problem saying it. Anyway, in the interest of being responsible, that's why I'm approaching the problem by asking who has purchased fish from a LFS and NOT had a problem.

    LFS problems with parasites

    in General Discussion

    Hi Pete,

    QT is the best thing you can do as soon as you purchase a fish. If they don;t appear to be doing well then treat. I'm told that coppersafe is the best you can use with less ill affects to your fish in QT. Bear in mind that once you've introduced those fish into your main display you've also introduced whatever they're carrying.

     

    I just lost 18 fish to what I'm sure was velvet. Read the thread that I've posted and all the advice, feedback I've gotten.

    Good luck!

    Now that I've had them in my DT, I guess I need to wait another 6 weeks before adding any fish again - or should it be longer?

    LFS problems with parasites

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by PoggiPJ

    I have a bare bottom 10 gallon with a AquaClear HOB filter (w/cycled sponge filter from the Display Tank) and airstone, heater and some pvc tubes and elbows. Treating the remaining little clownfish now with Cupramine

    LFS problems with parasites

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by PoggiPJ

    Earlier this summer I purchased a Pearl Scale Butterfly from a local fish store in Montgomery County. It turned out it had a parasite and died. Spread to my other fish which also died. Yes, I NOW have a quarantine tank. I waited over six weeks to purchase again. This time two clowns and a powder blue, from the same LFS. Same results. I'm not sure how to handle this because I realize there are so many variables that it's hard to fix the blame on a specific LFS, and that's why I'm reluctant to mention a name right now.

     

    Let me ask it this way - has anyone purchased fish this Summer from a LFS in Montgomery County and NOT had any problems with parasites? If so, please share the name.

    Any tips on shutting down / draining a tank

    in General Discussion

    · Edited by PoggiPJ

    Thank you guys,

    I appreciate the feedback.

     

    epleeds, yeah, livestock is already transferred. Thought about pumping it outside, but thought about what the salt would do to the grass. I think I'm going to go with Quazi's idea of siphoning into the (nearby) toilet, into my empty salt buckets (Origami's point) and incorporate Mountaineer's idea about the scooper shovel. Then I'll use the wet vac for the last bits.

     

    Quazi, no, the sand is available if someone wants it. My 220 was full of Majanos so I don't want to chance transferring them to a new tank. Plenty of life in that sand, if someone with a FOWLR can use it.

     

    I love it when a plan comes together :-)

    Any tips on shutting down / draining a tank

    in General Discussion

    drain the water into a 33 gallon trash can on wheels and then pump it back into the new 180. then with the sand, a shop vac would work great.

     

    and yes, it will be smelly.

     

    Neat idea about saving the water, thanks - but the 220 is in the basement, and the 180 is upstairs and already filled. Won't the sand just jam up the filter on the shop vac?

    Local source for sand?

    in General Discussion

    I would use what you have. Pick out as many of the Majanos as you can, rinse it, and then put it in. It will save you a ton of money.

     

    I don't know Steve. All it takes is ONE of those little bas%$&!s and the next thing you know, there are thousands of them

    Local source for sand?

    in General Discussion

    Hi folks,

    I'm moving my fish into a new 180 in my study and I've been off the boards for a while. What is the current wisdom regarding sand/substrate to use in our tanks? It used to be Southdown/Yardright sand but I hear that they are no longer available. Is there a replacement available locally?

     

    I do have sand in my 220 but that tank is full of those little green Mojano anemones so I'd like to start with new substrate.

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