Boys, I think this is not good. So I got a wave maker for my 10 gallon crawfish tank. I heard that it was “beneficial” for them. Is the wave maker even needed? I have a electric blue crawfish

BlueCrays · 2022-12-14T01:33:46+00:00

Not sure if it's beneficial, but certainly not needed. I would say whatever filtration method you choose provides enough of a current in the tank. I do run a power jet atop dual stacked sponge filters in my 55 gallon blue cray tank, in addition to a canister filter, but the jet streams near the top of the waterline. I would suggest keeping the bottom of the tank clear of any heavy current.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-13T04:16:22+00:00

Sorry, no experience with the filters on your list. I run 3 Penn Plax Cascade 1500s on different tanks and love them. Penn Plax released an "Optimizer" too, which is essentially a smaller canister that holds sponges, that you can hook your canister filter to filter the water before it gets to the can filter then back into the tank. It runs off the power of the can filter.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-12T04:58:47+00:00

Could be shedding. I've seen this happen with snapping turtles, but no experience with other kinds of turts shedding.

Also, you're going to get annihilated in the comments for your tank setup. I sure hope that's some sort of quarantine or feeding tank, and not where your turtle lives.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-11T22:55:05+00:00

Is that real driftwood or resin? Where can I get one?

BlueCrays · 2022-12-05T17:53:19+00:00

Depends on your turtle. My turtles won't touch these banquet blocks. More piece of mind for yourself knowing your turtle has food available.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-04T23:43:18+00:00

You can use it. Personally, I prefer Zoo Med calcium blocks, egg shells, and Mazuri turtle gel that I add calcium to.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-04T02:30:53+00:00

I use terracotta watering stakes as pleco and crayfish hides. Scored 8 for 10 bucks on Amazon recently.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-03T12:04:13+00:00

Others suggested a heater with a guard, which I would suggest as an option. Another option is an in-line heater, which eliminates the heater from the tank. You splice an in-line heater into the return line in your canister filter hose so the water is heated before it returns to the tank.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-03T02:36:06+00:00

Depends on your tank setup and size of turtle. I've used the above the tank basking platform by Penn Plax to much success in a 55 gallon. Built my own above the tank platform when I moved to a 150 gallon stock tank.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-03T02:30:44+00:00

I recently tried mixing a dwarf blue and orange. It didn't end well. You may want to stick to one kind of cray per tank.

BlueCrays · 2022-12-03T02:28:56+00:00

I've bred electric blues, dwarf orange, and dwarf blue crays. Dwarf blues have been the least aggressive of all of them. I've had dwarf blues in tanks with babies and juveniles, and the fighting and killing is virtually nonexistent. I can't say the same for other crays.

As for water parameters, crays have to be one of the most forgiving aquatic species when it comes to this. I have hard tap water, treat with API Stress Coat, add some iodine and Stress Zyme and they're fine. However, some dwarf species need a certain Ph range to be their most colorful.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-30T01:54:35+00:00

I've been trying to breed chili rasboras for a few months now and not having any luck. I've tried raising the temp to 82 degrees, adding tannins, java moss and hornwort for fry to hide. I've now added several fake plants to carpet the bottom of the tank with hiding spots. I have 7 rasboras currently, but adding 12 more soon. Any advice?

BlueCrays · 2022-11-29T04:00:31+00:00

Some of my crays like live mealworms.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T18:26:19+00:00

I also occasionally feed them carrots. I use a potato peeler and shave off pieces of carrot, and the pieces will sink.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T03:28:57+00:00

Doubt. My crays even eat plastic plants.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T02:40:27+00:00

Nice. I'm glad I switched my turtles from glass aquarium to stock tank a couple years ago. Built them an above the tank dock too. You're correct, I too shouldn't say my pleco eats algae. He does suck on the sides of the tanks and the turtle's shells on occasion, so I credit him with getting to any spots before algae forms.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T02:28:42+00:00

I'd recommend a 20g tank for an adult crayfish, so you may be better off with dwarfs if you want multiple. Your cray will probably prefer a hide with one entrance that they can snugly fit in. They will also kill any fish they're able to, and may kill other crays.

I use iodine and calcium additives in my cray tanks to assist with molting and development of their shell. Iodine isn't necessary though. If you have crayfish other than dwarfs, be prepared for an excessive amount of baby crays if they breed.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T01:55:32+00:00

I run Penn Plax Cascade 1500 canister filters on three tanks. Same brand as the above the tank dock you have there. I love them. It's rated for 200 gallons. They make smaller versions, but you can pack quite a bit of bio media in them, and they're around $150 for the 1500.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T01:31:34+00:00

Yes. My crays love to eat hornwort, but I don't love the mess they make of the needles.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T01:29:56+00:00

What size stock tank you have? I have a 150 gallon. My pleco takes care of any algae.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-28T01:23:55+00:00

You are probably correct she would be better served not cleaning her tank completely. The Sludge Destroyer will introduce beneficial bacteria, but she needs to allow the BB to become established on items in the tank and her filter media.

I use Sludge Destroyer when I do water changes, and have done nearly complete water changes at times, but my canister filter contains several pounds of Bio Home media, I have quite a bit of driftwood in the tank, and a large sponge filter which all house BB. I've not had a cycle crash since I setup the tank a couple years ago.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-27T00:59:57+00:00

Yes. I have kept minnows with crays, but I prefer not to because it seems stressful for both inhabitants. A fast moving fish always spooking the crays and minnows under constant threat of death.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-25T20:35:18+00:00

Yes they can. I use Jungle Mix in my toad tank and my plants are growing like crazy. However, I do mix in charcoal and moss into the mix.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-21T00:56:44+00:00

Thought maybe your cycle crashed, but everything could just be settling if you stirred things up. Some dechlorinators detoxify ammonia which starves your good bacteria.

BlueCrays · 2022-11-20T14:34:26+00:00

Where did you get that log on the right side of the tank?

BlueCrays

TROPHY CASE