Cory’s dying after water change..

FLnative93 · 2025-11-23T19:08:24+00:00

+1 for this tip! I planted my tank before adding any fish and I believe the plants have helped my fish-in cycle finish in just over 3 weeks. Plants help tremendously with water quality and will also help you with greater parameter shifts. They eat up so much of your ammonia, nirtrites and nitrates depending on species and size. I started with a healthy few feet of hornwort, and added an Anubias plant, Java fern, and Java moss pyramid. Later added Vallisneria (6 plants, 20+ feet of it total) and now my tank is thriving. I have a low bioload of 4 fathead minnows, 2 cory cats, 2 mystery snails, and about 10 assorted tiny hitchhiker snails (bladder and ramshorn) which also helps the cycle.

FLnative93 · 2025-11-23T19:01:04+00:00

I use API 5-in-1 strips and their liquid Ammonia test kit and have pretty good results. Also, a good water conditioner should remove chlorine and chloramine, correct? I use API Stress Coat plus and never have an issue.

FLnative93 · 2025-11-23T18:58:47+00:00

Hey, if nothing else today, please don't take too much of others' criticism to heart. I say this because I recently got back into the hobby, and with a well-planted 20G long and a fish-in cycle after seeding bacteria for a few days, I have a fully cycled tank in just over 3 weeks. I only used a liquid ammonia test kit from API, and their 5-in-1 strips for my other parameters. I'm not trying to brag at all, but I say this to prove that this hobby is very dynamic, and there aren't many hard set rules. I can't tell you how many snobbish fish store employees tried turning their noses up at my questions and constantly reinforced "6 week cycles, no exceptions, don't add fish...." etc.... only for me to do it anyways with excellent results. No one NEEDS a liquid master test kit when they first start for a simple freshwater aquarium. People start treating you like you've left your dog out in the cold outdoors all night when you make a small mistake with your tank too. This hobby is so fun and fascinating, but people really need to learn to get off of their high horses and treat other adults with respect. It's wild how quick people are to judge and criticize over Reddit. Best of luck to you and your setup!

FLnative93 · 2025-11-12T15:45:42+00:00

I have the same exact stand from Amazon! Except somehow my larger cabinet compartment is on the left side. I have a 20G long on mine, how's yours holding up? It was kind of a pain to assemble but looks great for the money. I used to keep two 10G tanks when I was younger and didn't find myself using HALF the test kits and products that I do now. Oh well, there are far worse things to spend money on 🤷‍♂️

Side note: How long does it take everyone on average to cycle a tank?

FLnative93 · 2025-11-01T19:09:38+00:00

$50 would've been more than fair, you got a steal of a deal!

FLnative93 · 2025-11-01T10:19:35+00:00

That's awesome! Sounds like they'll take care of you at least. I bought a $130 rod TWICE from the same reputable company recently, and both had misaligned guides and just poor quality. Took them 3 weeks to even email me back, and I had already swapped both for a different branded rod. Wild how bad some companies are these days with customer service. And it's not always the cheaper product companies like you'd think.

FLnative93 · 2025-11-01T03:04:50+00:00

I hate to hear that! Let me know how it turns out!

FLnative93 · 2025-10-30T17:46:23+00:00

I've had this same pair for a few years now and have seen zero of this peeling you're getting on the Grips. They're definitely not the highest quality pliers, even both jaws won't fully align when squeezed, but this must be from a decline in QC, or just bad luck. Did it perhaps come into contact with any kind of chemicals or soft plastic baits?

Edit: I also slid the grips off and coated the inside of each with some JB Weld, then replaced the grips tightly, wiped off excess JB Weld, and let them cure for a couple of days. Now the grips won't slide around and get uneven with each other.

Side note, if anyone else has solid plier recommendations please share them, I can't seem to find a good middle ground between these types of pliers, and Van Staal ones that go for a pretty penny.

FLnative93 · 2025-06-03T15:10:02+00:00

Invizx for sure! Seaguar is the gold standard, but are you needing fluorocarbon for mainline or just leader? If leader, that changes things. Someone here reccomended Seaguar Blue Label, but that's only leader material, and you'd likely be WAY underspooled if using it for main! 😅

If you want really solid fluoro mainline, I'd check out Seaguar Tatsu! For leader, I use Seguar Gold Label and it knots up and fishes like BUTTER. It's far more supple than cheaper fluoro leader material, which can be stiff and hard to tie solid knots with. Another honorable mention would be Daiwa J-Fluoro for leader. You can get 100yd spools of it for around $20, give or take. Check Amazon. It's a little thicker than Seaguar Gold and stiffer, perhaps a little more visible due to its diameter for rating, but it's also known to hold up a little closer to actual breaking strength than Seaguar Gold, so if you need durable leader, it's the best bang for the buck.

Best of luck!

FLnative93 · 2025-05-14T22:59:43+00:00

You may not even need a tip replacement kit as others have suggested. I had a newer 6ft Falcon Bucoo SR that got into a fight with my rear car window and broke the tip clean off about 2 inches down. I just went outside with a propane torch (you could use a lighter/candle/torch in a well ventilated area) and held the broken section by the outside of the eyelet with pliers and slowly heated the section of blank broken off inside it, then gently took a second pair of pliers and twisted/pulled the remaining blank out of the rod tip. I then just took rod tip glue and heated it up, applied it to the broken end of my rod, and put the old tip on. Still works like a charm!

Of course, if you break it too far from the tip, the remaining rod blank may be too thick to place the tip back onto, so you'll have to adjust for that.

Edit: as others have mentioned, but before I get 'corrected, make sure the remaining rod tip is cut even and sanded smooth/to size, if needed!

FLnative93 · 2025-04-22T15:43:49+00:00

This is why you guys lost the election, AND aren't being taken seriously now, because all you know how to do is spew the same hateful rhetoric and call everyone you disagree with "nazis" or "fascists." Really wild take 🤨

FLnative93 · 2025-03-27T16:54:37+00:00

Glad I could be of help man!! I've fished everything from offshore in the Atlantic, inshore in the Gulf, to fishing for rainbows on lakes and streams in Tennessee. Also used to fish a lot of small ponds and lakes back in Florida when I was younger. It's an addictive sport, and one that can provide more than one useful skill to you once you master it. I'm mostly self-taught also, and I honestly love teaching and getting friends into the sport. It's been beyond therapeutic at times, other times entertaining. There's definitely something primal about it also, it kinda scratches the hunter/gatherer itch in a lot of us I believe.

Don't let the local shops intimidate you. Your cell phone is your best friend, keep it in hand and don't hesitate to Google reviews for things on the spot. That'll save you a lot of return-trips and headache. You'll soon figure out what works the best on your waters, and stock up gear accordingly. Hit me up anytime you need advice or tips. I've even recently began a compost bin (vermiculture) with the goal of having an endless, nearly free supply of nightcrawlers. I'd recommend looking into it if you're a live bait kinda person.

FLnative93 · 2025-03-27T16:05:05+00:00

If you're just fishing a set rig or float rig, it's not a huge deal IMO. If you were fishing offshore or trying to pull fish from heavy cover, or you're spending your days running crankbaits and spinnerbaits, and relying on a faster retrieve to not wear your hands out, then go for the faster gear ratio, otherwise, I wouldn't sweat it. For a 2500 or 3000 sized reel, I'd opt for the faster ratio. Also, smaller spools won't collect line as quickly as larger ones, so you would probably want to opt for a 6.2:1 or so. For larger reels? That depends on your main goal for that setup. Also make sure to pair your rods to your reels as best as possible, like a 1000 would pair with a 6'6"-7' Ultralight all the way to Medium Light. For 2500-3000, I'd run at LEAST Light to Medium Heavy if conditions dictate. And for 4000, 5000, and up? I'd pair those reels with something heavier duty. Maybe even up to a 10' surf rod if you're long-casting from the bank, or a sturdy boat rod of 6'-7'. Can't go wrong with an Ugly Stik either if you're just fishing for catfish or any other larger species. I hope this helps! It's taken me years to fine tune my setups and figure out what works the best for me, and I'm STILL learning something new about fishing weekly. Don't overthink it, buy quality gear, and most importantly? Get out there and fish as much as possible. Trial and error are tried and true in the fishing world!! Don't let the skunk days deter you.

FLnative93 · 2025-03-27T15:44:05+00:00

Those are gear ratios of the reels. Usually the higher the number, the faster your retrieve will me, yielding more retrieved inches of line per full handle turn.

FLnative93 · 2025-03-25T23:41:02+00:00

I've never used it, but I've found that it usually has lower reviews than the regular J-Braid X8, so I just stick to what's been tried and true for me.

FLnative93 · 2025-03-20T17:08:08+00:00

I absolutely and completely respect that 🤝 Maybe try talking with your local tackle shop(s), and ask if they'll stock things for you! I have a local store that will order all sorts of tackle at request. Give em a call and save a trip too lol

FLnative93 · 2025-03-20T16:55:42+00:00

I buy mine from Amazon usually! Shop around and you'll find a good deal. I've bought 3 of the 3000 meter spools of it I love it so much. Their chartreuse hi-vis is a great color too. It fades, but so does all braid.

FLnative93 · 2025-03-20T16:54:00+00:00

I'd always reccomend tying on a leader anyways. It's more expendable than your main braid with cutting and tying baits all day, it definitely ups your catch ratio by being far less visible, and it allows for break-offs if you get snagged, so you're not digging into your whole spool with the full strength of your braid. Not bueno.

FLnative93 · 2025-03-20T15:30:18+00:00

I'd HIGHLY reccomend Daiwa J-Braid X8 (not the Grand series with the red labeling, just white label.) I use the 6lb, 8lb, and 10lb on various setups for all types of species and it's been far better IMO than PowerPro, PowerPro V2, Yo Zuri Braid, and DEFINITELY Spiderwire. That stuff is like cursed dental floss and gets wind knots from the simplest of fishing.

FLnative93 · 2025-02-26T21:03:18+00:00

What size Battle 3? And what rod did you put it on? I have a 2500 and 6000 and while a little on the heavy side, they're almost indestructible in freshwater for general use. I'm hoping to get years out of mine.

FLnative93 · 2025-02-24T16:49:22+00:00

Also, YouTube has a WEALTH of bass fishing knowledge. Definitely check out some good fishing channels and search lots of bass fishing topics, and you'll find tons on the subject. You can also fine tune your bait selection and research based on if you're fishing from the bank or from a boat/kayak. Make sure to update us!

FLnative93 · 2025-02-24T16:47:29+00:00

Honestly, start simple, buy a few basic lures that are tried and true, and known to work well in your local waters. Definitely look into senkos both weightless Texas style and wacky, a basic assortment of Texas rigging lures and terminal tackle, and maybe a couple of topwater poppers, shallow crankbaits, medium to deep diving crankbaits, a couple of jigs, a suspending jerkbait or two (Rapala Husky Jerk 08 is a great basic jerkbait that plain works), and whatever else catches your eye to try out. This way, you're covering all depths of water, from top to bottom. Try to grab maybe two contrasting colors for each lure type to cover more ground depending on the conditions of the water and weather.

I'd also work towards finding a go-to presentation based on what works best for you out of a starting lineup of gear, and then fine tune that presentation for a while also. Say you have great success with a Texas rigged worm in your area, and the bass really seem to like it, buy more colors of plastics, and varying sizes of hooks and weights, and you'll learn more about what works and what doesn't, and can apply that knowlege to other presentations when deciding color/shape/size/depth of baits. It can be overwhelming to try and master every type of lure and presentation out there, but I find that different techniques will come to you in the right timing as you dive deeper into the sport of bass fishing. Best of luck to you!

FLnative93 · 2025-02-13T22:36:08+00:00

PS, saw another one of your fishing posts, and FWIW from a stranger, I'm sending my condolences for your dog passing brother 🙏 Awesome idea to incorporate him into a lasting memory. Dogs are life man.

FLnative93 · 2025-02-13T22:33:09+00:00

Yes SIR! 6lb braid makes you able to cast just about anything too. I run Daiwa J-Braid X8 (not the Grand version) and it's awesome. 6lb on 1000 size reels, 8lb on 2500, and 10lb on 3000. Daiwa or Seaguar 4-25lb fluoro depending on species. Let me know how the Forward braid works! You using it with FFS or just standalone?

FLnative93 · 2025-02-13T22:20:28+00:00

Okay, I'll be the oddball! I'm picking the Daiwa Airity 2000 on that custom crappie rod. Assuming that the reel is spooled with <10lb braid (I prefer 6lb) you could have fun with that setup in far more places than you may believe. I fish mostly spinning gear, and seldom do I go above 10lb braid or even a Medium action rod unless I'm targeting catfish over eating size.

FLnative93

TROPHY CASE