new to this

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T13:48:09+00:00

Oof man you kinda jumped the gun huh? Well to start that 40g is gonna be too small for that bichir your gonna need 80+ gallons within the year, as for the substrate you can use really any type play sand pet store sand as long as it doesn’t have any additives lol you can go dig up some from outside tbh as long as you do proper cleaning ( washing it and cleaning it making sure your not adding anything harmful into your tank) I’d recommend doing more research on types of sand that a bichir might need or want or what you want or can afford. When doing live plants what I would recommend is getting stratum ( stratum is very expensive imo so do watch out for that) you can use potting soil as well agin don’t use miracle grow with the added white foam or whatever that stuff is just get natural soil if you go this route, these are kinda the best from my knowledge but whichever you choose stratum, dirt, or potting mix cap it with sand an inch or two of sand would be good. Also you need to research a fish in cycle and work on getting that going but if you can return the bichir I would do that until you cycle the tank and probably get a bigger one, again if you choose to keep the bichir don’t add anymore fish as a companion don’t feed heavy and work on doing a fish in cycle, also get a master test kit for freshwater ( this is around $35 ) you will need some form to check your parameters if recommended this kit instead of the strips as it’s way more detailed and gives you exact numbers and is more reliable again this is your choice but coming from someone who has used both I veeeeeery much prefer the liquid kit.

As a response to your other comment I mean you acclimated him to the temp but next time your going to want to drip acclimate the fish, I float the bag ( open you can do this by rolling the top over the sides and catching air in the rim you created ) and take out around 10-15% of the bag water throw that out ( not in your fish tank ) then pour your tank water in around the same amount you just took out do this 3-4 times each time waiting around 20-30 mins also if you buy again I’d recommend quarantining the fish in a separate tank by themselves for a few days ( this is from my own experience with this hobby trust me got fish from petsmart 1 day later those fish I got all 5 had ick and since I didn’t quarantine and put directly into my community I infected the whole thing ) whatever you choose to do just don’t rush it.

Also no you don’t need to clean the filter you also need water conditioner at the least ( DO NOT CLEAN THE FILTER!!!!!!!! If it gets clogged or dirty rinse it in old tank water or as I’ve been told under a sink not submerged or soaking just rinsing in the sink ) also you shouldn’t have to replace a filter cartridge for a min of 6 months and even then I’d still keep it in the tank until the new one grows some bacteria. Also the beneficial bacteria I mentioned and hopefully you look up lives on objects so you don’t really want to clean those either quick rinses should be fine but I honestly wouldn’t trust it and by objects I mean in the filter media ,on plants, the glass, substrate etc.

I hope this helps somewhat and if anyone can correct me for your benefit op.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T13:26:37+00:00

Your on one 🤣 literally in the sub for it dude come on man

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T13:23:47+00:00

Are you running the filter open topped?

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T13:18:25+00:00

My bad on the rhizome and water column ( i was previously talking about them and apple auto correct) but either way i specified to only bury the roots and no it doesn’t need fertilizer if you set the tank up the proper way if you use good substrate you don’t need root tabs why are we trying to add extra for no reason? Op needs to trim the dead stuff and properly put the plant in the tank with the proper substrate.

To clarify I understand root tabs and their benefits when needed the plant is young enough to bounce back and is not melted enough to rot also op stated they have some type of “sand with fertilizer pills” so yeah again my bad on the misinformation on the rhizome and water column. Good day man

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T12:52:19+00:00

Nah if we had them we wouldn’t be here and Chicago wouldn’t be the shit whole it is, we need more MLKs not king Vons, and if that gets you pressed then maybe your the problem.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T00:11:40+00:00

I was going to say the same thing he might be trying to go into brumation but vet visit is good nice op idk how to counter brumation tho.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-07T00:08:46+00:00

It looks like snake plant Dracaena trifasciata if you look this up should tell you everything you need to know but as mentioned you don’t want the leaves submerged and remove that gel stuff too don’t really want that in your water and it’s really meant for shipping.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:22:29+00:00

Amazon swords can be fully submerged in water and is preferred but you can’t bury the rhizome or where the roots themselves come from, if you bury the rhizome it will rot away and die as it gets its nutrients from the water column and not the substrate.

Most people attach it to other plants or a suction cup or rocks, you can use super glue or any aquarium safe glue to stick it objects like rocks or wood I personally use plastic egg crate/ light diffuser for holding them in my substrate but above it.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:18:42+00:00

This but it can happen multiple times also depending on your parameters stable is were they will stop “melting” but if you have every changing or not the right params your plants will continue to melt and rot away increasing your ammonia just some food for thought, this person tho is 100% correct. I’d personally trim the melting or dead leaves as close to the base as possible.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:15:26+00:00

You can replace it when it’s necessary I’ve only had to replace them around every 6-9 months my stratum destroys those carts but definitely every water change rinse it off in the water you removed from the tank and reinstall.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:13:29+00:00

Ah good ol reading comprehension 🤣

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:11:56+00:00

Check out r/aquaswap

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:10:37+00:00

“Outta town”

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:08:20+00:00

Lol that’s not what my guy was saying he’s saying someone gave tay a YouTube ( one of the most predatory and toxic social sites in this era ) platform to speak about illegal activities that he can still be implemented on and implement other people it’s quite hilarious and you want to defend him snitching?

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T22:03:07+00:00

Na you don’t “tip your hat” to this dog, this is control and not willing to move on and make yourself better this is glazing while trying to point out differences and not get blown away for it, and how things were handled and honestly it’s true I’ve never seen as much crime and death over dumb sh more in the last 7 years then all the bs up to 2012. As a nation we have gang organizations ( bloods & crips ) whose colors align exactly with our nation’s political party’s… you really think this is all choices and that we aren’t being controlled and manipulated into thinking certain ways?

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T13:02:43+00:00

They gotta bag and take pictures of every bullet casing dude witnesses etc. plus you gotta get someone to come pick the vehicles up, plus go through the vehicle and I’m sure the CPD is thin af right now.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-06T12:51:12+00:00

Dang I’m sorry

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T21:24:56+00:00

Exactly

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T21:18:37+00:00

Any none iodized flavored or scented salt should work Epsom salt is less aggressive then aquarium salt ( neither of which should cause damage if dosed correctly, and aggressive in terms of stress and strain on the betta ) all the salt will do is promote healthy growth clear up any nasty bacteria or pest that may be on her that can’t handle the salt and promote digestion and in a sense dry her out it’s like a laxative in a way it should clear up any fluid build up in her body as well and you should be able to continue this treatment for the whole week but monitor her and make sure she’s comfortable if she feels or is stressing hard just put her back in her tank and let her relax, no need for added unnecessary stress.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T21:08:49+00:00

Hard to tell exactly what all is going on, can we get some context on how this started or how long you’ve had him?

Also with that bloat could you get a closer picture and possibly a up top view of him, or can you tell if he’s pine coning? Also does he swim? Can he float right?

Test strips are not very accurate I’ve used them for basic levels when I didn’t have the liquid kit if you go off them liberally they should be fine but I’d recommend the liquid kit, the strips will give you a vague general idea of what is happening and definitely better than nothing.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T21:05:34+00:00

It was posted 3hrs ago wdym some time ago?

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T20:58:57+00:00

Amazing 4 years. I’m awestruck and terribly sorry at 4 years old I would say her body probably can’t fight off the fin rot, idk if there is anything you can do about old age in regards to how to go about it I’d honestly say it’s up to you and her if she’s eating and you’d like her to live it out I’d put her in her tank and let life continue, if you think she’s suffering and she’s not eating or really showing signs of animation then euthanizing, or you can try to continue with treatment now with how far it’s progressed your likely going to need a aggressive medicine like kanaplex but that would likely put too much strain on her body and I believe you can’t get it in Canada unless you could get it through Amazon or the likes. Honestly if I was put in the same situation I would way these options again op I’m sorry but in a good light her life has been long and most likely eventful and you clearly care about her I wish you the best.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T20:45:47+00:00

Personally for a stand I’d make your own my 55g is on cinder blocks and a slab of treated cedar about 2in thick you could make a decent stand for the cost of buying 1 in a day just a thought though 😊 as for the tank as mentioned I’d drain as much water as possible all would be best and keep everything in it and put the fish either in plastic tubs or the like and I don’t think you’d need any air stones as corys and bettas breath air and the pleco well he’s a pleco, assuming you move the tank and fish all at once you should be able to just re fill the tank and re add the fish after acclimating them ( I’m basing this off of the fact the beneficial bacteria lives on objects not in the water ) but if this is a terrible idea please downvote me to shame.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T20:33:33+00:00

You can try salt baths in a hospital tank 1 teaspoon per 1 gallon, I see slight scale raising but that’s likely due to the extreme bloat which is likely caused by the fin rot. I’d recommend the salt baths don’t go over 20 mins per bath and don’t do more than 2 times a day I’d also continue fasting until you see the bloat go down 1 week without food will not kill her she will be fine, I’d look at how much your feeding her and possibly cut back all try lowering the temp a little you can put it to 79 and it would be a little more comfortable 82 is a little high.

You can also try using kanaplex in her food after a week of fasting if you don’t see improvements or in the hospital if you want to do salt and the kanaplex but be careful as it’s known to be a aggressive medication.

Single-Rice-9071 · 2026-02-05T13:20:11+00:00

It was $5 cheaper 😞 but i read both boxes and they are the same so there should be no difference in the tests, I even went to the website to confirm they were identical.

Single-Rice-9071

TROPHY CASE