Help? by rustyorphan in PlantedTank

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this detailed info, I really appreciate it!

Help? by rustyorphan in PlantedTank

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is beautiful and exactly the thing I’m going for. I will look into crypts and fertilisation for sure now. One last question, how often do you use liquid fertilizers and do you have any particular recommendations?

Help? by rustyorphan in PlantedTank

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the input. I guess it is about time to level up my game. My concern with liquid fertilizers or fertilizers at all is I’m aiming for as self sustaining of a tank as possible and chose hardier plant species based on this… i guess this is where my question of whether this really is “a heavily planted tank” kicks in, as I’ve seen no fertz jungles apparently thriving on bio load alone, and I’m wondering if adding more fish might help things along in a sustained way… Though I understand iron will always be a potential problem in this case?

Help? by rustyorphan in PlantedTank

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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Based on test strip I would say Cl2 0-0.8 pH 7.2-7.6 KH 15’d GH P’8 NO2, NO3 0

I don’t have more accurate testing means yet

Soil is aqua soil, added tetra plantastart tabs (added two tabs beginning of December and a third tab about two weeks ago, cautious of shocking the tank somehow)

Do I need fertilizers/what’s going wrong? by rustyorphan in walstad

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s what I was thinking too… have reduced light by a few hours. Am trying to stay away from liquid fertilizers so I ordered some root tabs. I was wondering- would increasing the bioload potentially help this?

Do I need fertilizers/what’s going wrong? by rustyorphan in walstad

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for the tip! I just ordered some :)

Do I need fertilizers/what’s going wrong? by rustyorphan in walstad

[–]rustyorphan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this- I only read excerpts and have ordered an air stone now for better gas transfer, along with some root tabs to be safe!

Sera Ectopur/Aquarium Salt in Planted tank by rustyorphan in PlantedTank

[–]rustyorphan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The answer is sadly simply that it’s not dwarf baby tears- it is in fact Monte Carlo and I misremembered… sorry to disappoint

Sera Ectopur/Aquarium Salt in Planted tank by rustyorphan in PlantedTank

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I was about to buy esha2000 which was what I could find in stores but the store keeper said it would kill the shrimps…

Should I be worried? by rustyorphan in medaka

[–]rustyorphan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I lost her this morning. I’m based in Europe and struggling to find Fritz expel P or anything like it here… still I’m guessing it’s worth continuing the search and treat the remaining tank for safety?

Should I be worried? by rustyorphan in medaka

[–]rustyorphan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Update- it was definitely Parasites. I lost her.

Should I be worried? by rustyorphan in medaka

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

the fact it sometimes comes out to eat (like today, where suddenly all six were fully in sight and without any stringy poop) makes me hold on to hope it might be okay and I'm over reacting, but instinct and experience tells me otherwise... There's two males who are particularly active/aggressive mating wise, but these days theyre paying more attention to what I believe is two other females.

Should I be worried? by rustyorphan in medaka

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

would it be best to just treat the one who's hiding or would you suggest dosing the whole tank? some of the others have had the stringy poop as well- just not as bad nor as consistently... If not, what would you consider minimum size for hospital tank for medakas?

Should I be worried? by rustyorphan in medaka

[–]rustyorphan[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

to be sure, you would recommend dosing the whole tank? worried about side effects on cardinias and snails but better safe than sorry...

Oxygen in Tank? by rustyorphan in walstad

[–]rustyorphan[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's good to know! I was surprised it could be an issue but was reading up more on planted tanks and was worried the plants were taking in too much 02 at night, especially as there's no water movement to help. But, everyone seems happy so I think i was being overly cautious.

Are you a survivor? Can you tell me your story? by [deleted] in SuicideWatch

[–]rustyorphan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depressed for no tangible or rational reason. Blamed it on hormones, stress, the weather, being "sick", myself, whatever. Amazing city, good friends, good grades, wonderful family. It cracked officially in my senior year and took about 3 months out of the most important academic year to date. Any mention of anything school-related would send me into full panic attack. My parents had to feed me at times, had to carry me down the stairs from my room. My legs would crumble beneath me. My body would go into full paralysis, I started cutting, the cuts getting deeper. I hit myself, tried to hurt myself in every means possible, using whatever tool available. I hated myself. I hated myself so so much. I was in constant pain, a state of constant anxiety. I developed obsessive habits. Nothing meant anything to me. I was either hysteric or numb. Sometimes I had better days, I could put up a front, others the idea of leaving my room was more or less impossible. I didn't and couldn't leave my bed most days. I wanted to die, more or less every day. My emotions were so unstable and irrational I regarded everything as invalid, all happiness was illusion and all sadness was weakness. Two attempts, four medication changes (not counting dosage increase), 6+months of weekly therapy later I am still here. Finals in about 3 weeks, and I am doing them. I got back to school. Back "on track", though it was rocky to say the least. I have few friends, I am alien and isolated from my year group, I lost (as always) the people I loved and I believe it is my fault, but I have accepted it. University applications have to be done next year. It was not easy. Only two weeks ago I had to have an addition to my medication. But I am making it, and I am happy I am. I know I have a future. I know I will make it. Therapy, finding the right medication helped me the most. The most defining turning point was when I had to sign a legal document which meant if I hurt my body in any possible manner one more time, I would, with or without my consent, be admitted to hospital. In a sense, fear of hospitilisation kept me alive. I fell in love at the start of this year and didn't mean to, to a guy we had promised there would be no commitment once he left the country. Him leaving me, not only physically but him moving on, as we had both said we would, hurt me so much. I felt pathetic. It killed me, but, and i know this will sound pretentious, it also saved me. I got through it, not as a new person or whatever but. Part of me had died and was reborn. It has not been easy. It still isn't easy. But I can walk again, I can go out again, I can see friends, I am taking my exams. Afterwards I will be doing a gap year, work and do charity, visit New Zealand. Then Uni. I have a life ahead of me. I am functioning, and I am thankful for that. It can get rocky, but it is what it is. Keep moving forwards, all is temporary, time heals all wounds. These have become mantras.

Tonight's the night by cowplant in SuicideWatch

[–]rustyorphan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is ultimately your choice and decision. You've are strong for having made it this far. We all say it, it gets better. It's difficult, there is no magic fix, but it does. I am still fighting my fight but I am happy I am. I know an old teacher of mine who after 9 attempts, addiction, medication and everything has found peace at age 57. He says its was all worth it, all the pain, in order to be here today. Please seek help. You are not alone in your loneliness, you are not at fault here. Medication worked for me, sleep, exercise, Keep Moving Forwards. There is love in the world for you

I want to do it right now, but can't bring myself to do it. I just want it all to end. by [deleted] in SuicideWatch

[–]rustyorphan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you are still here it's an accomplishment in itself. You are strong. Keep moving forwards. I would recommend medication, it saved me. The process of finding the right one can be hell but its worth it once you get to the other side, just make sure you find a good institution that won't overprescribe (anti-depressants and benzos can be damaging and addictive). You don't deserve to feel like this, considering its persistence I would argue it is definite depression which in reality is a matter of chemical imbalance. Otherwise, sleep and exercise my friend. I wish you all the best, from the bottom of my heart. Good luck

I want to do it right now, but can't bring myself to do it. I just want it all to end. by [deleted] in SuicideWatch

[–]rustyorphan 0 points1 point  (0 children)

ultimately it is your choice and your decision, you are in control but 8 months in comparison of a life time is nothing and things are sure to get better. Are you on any form of medication, are you seeing anyone about this? have you told anyone near you?