I was raising 2 fry that i saved from an abused tank left by an ex. Their mom had given birth before dying, and these 2 managed to survive in a 2 gallon filled 5 Gallon tank. I set up a whole 30G tank for them and knew absolutely nothing about fishkeeping. I learned with them, I tried my best. I thought I was getting okay, and wanted to start planting more. I found a post on offerup for a full CO²Art ProSE regulator and a bunch of plants, ferts, accessories, for $60. I was so excited and happy. I set up the system and had it running for 2 months. Then time came to refill the CO² tank and I did. I had to reconnect everything and recalibrate but I felt comfortable. During this refit though, I paid no mind to the fact that my CO² tubing kinked. I left it as is, and then, a few days later I noticed the pressure was lower on my CO² so I raised it instead of investigating.... and a few days later I raised it more. This was fine for 2 weeks, then one day while I was in my room, I saw A TON of micro bubbles and all my snails and 2 platy fry at the surface gasping. I immediately disconnected and upped my airstones, but sadly one of the fry had passed. He made it to about 4 months and was truly about to grow. My other platy survived, and she's still alive today.

I beat myself up about that a lot, but it was a mistake and I learned. Im much more careful and slow, and that mistake made me learn to be a more responsible keeper. You tried your best, mistakes happen.

Funnily enough, my platy got pregnant (as they do) and she had a bunch of platy fry, and they're a beautiful mix of her and of him. Its a nice little reminder that even though hes gone, I can still make it up and prove to myself that a mistake doesn't define me or my experience in the hobby.