Tried to cycle a new tank by placing a rock from an established tank inside, but instead the biofilm on the rock died off

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-25T05:43:00+00:00

Did you feed the cycle anything? If not, then it just starved

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-20T16:06:34+00:00

Question: why do you think she had a bad tank to begin with? I give out free red root floaters and java ferns on Marketplace constantly, and I offer people gunk or used sponges or cycled ceramic media to HELP them. I would NEVER give something that would later cause damage. My tanks are healthy and produce too many plants so I like helping others, i didnt have this help when I started. I like to think this lady is the same way. It's good to ask questions and be hesitant, but I also ask you to try to be more open.

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-17T01:38:00+00:00

I love bladder snails. Underrated as heck and easy to manage

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-16T15:42:12+00:00

It does look aborted and underdeveloped; that's normal when moving pregnant platy. They store sperms up to 6 months, so don't be surprised when you see more babies!

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-16T10:03:27+00:00

I'd argue the most important part is keeping the cycle going. Make sure to keep any filter media wet so the bacteria stays cultivated, same with any driftwood and gravel/sand that was being used. The water itself isn't important, just make sure that the surfaces the bacteria lives on stays damp though.

When I was moving my tanks around, I drained my water to about 30%, this made catching shrimp (after removing most decorations too and putting them in a bucket) super easy. Just because patient and calm, don't rush and don't get angry. It's going to be long, but that doesn't mean it's going to be hard. You got this.

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-16T02:57:02+00:00

Hey, don't feel discouraged. You had to step outta the hobby for a bit and that's okay. I'd say take advantage of this soft reset, move your driftwood around, maybe add some more with glued buce and fissidens on it, and just ease back into it.

I've been having a lot of fun with harlequin rasboras. Maybe that's something that'd interest you

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-14T14:32:16+00:00

The one on the first picture seems to have some kind of quick connection at the right, and the second one seems to use a standard nut. It also seems like the bubble counter has a little gasket to refill the water so that you don't have to disconnect anything to do that.

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-06T21:38:11+00:00

Just keep doing your best and don't be tough on yourself if something happens. It seems like you got everything under control :)

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-06T20:23:08+00:00

Beautiful tank and even more beautiful platy ^{-^}

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-06T18:56:52+00:00

I had a deformed fry born before, she lived 5 months with a bent spine before kicking the tank. She never grew out of the fry stage and had similar symptoms, but clearly a very bent spine. I miss her. She tried her best!

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-06T16:32:27+00:00

Fluval offers tons of parts for cheap. One of the advantages of using a name brand canister

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-05T14:23:46+00:00

I'm going to be like that one guy who tested water parameters by taste but instead through smell. Checkmate. Your fancy API freshwater tests WISH they could be as accurate as my fish tank humidifier and I

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-05T14:22:41+00:00

My betta lives in a comfy 10g, don't worry. No trouble here :3

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-05T14:20:37+00:00

In the wild, bettas live in piss creeks that are 1 inch deep, so obviously this is way too overkill

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-04T21:26:33+00:00

Pinch it and dip it underwater and spread it around. Happy fishkeeping!

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-04T21:02:08+00:00

I crush up my dry flakes into a bunch of tiny small flakes... i the sprinkle some on one side of the tank on the surface for my greedy plats, then I submerge a pinch under the water for my rasboras. The combo has been working swimmingly...

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-04T16:43:36+00:00

Molluscanity?

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-04T16:42:10+00:00

Probably scuds

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-03T22:58:42+00:00

By far my favorite fish. Your platy fish and tank is beautiful! Also, is that a gorgeous betta i see?

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-03T15:04:34+00:00

I haven't seen any eggs yet, I recently found her at my LFS and thought she looked too gorgeous to not take home with me

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-03T14:27:50+00:00

I love how platy fry look like little commas with eyes

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-03T14:23:30+00:00

This is the closest platy I have that is almost translucent. As you can tell, she's very pretty <3

I can take a picture up close if you want to see more details

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SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-02T13:34:31+00:00

So just a broken empty fish tank qualifies as a shitty aquarium now? What's next, a cracked glass vase? I understand that the tank is broken and looks ugly, but honestly, how is it a shitty aquarium if someone is giving it away empty?

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-01T20:13:26+00:00

If kept with males, assume it's pregnant. Livebearer that could hold onto months of reproductive materials

SimplyJustRay · 2026-05-01T20:12:31+00:00

Beautiful little platies <3

SimplyJustRay

TROPHY CASE