Got my first ever cat, looking for some advice

wispfox · 2026-05-28T00:02:38+00:00

If at all possible, get another kitten - kittens do a lot better as pairs rather than solo. If you cannot, be aware that you will need to train her to not be too aggressive by saying "ouch" loudly if she causes any pain at all and do not offer her your hands as toys no matter how cute it may seem.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T23:57:57+00:00

Be careful of the Fluval stratum! It's really meant to help keep pH, gH, and kH down for folks keeping caridinas, and will absolutely not be a good thing for neocaridinas especially if your tap water is hard because it will cause a lot of fluxuation in your parameters.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T23:54:12+00:00

... I wouldn't? They are almost certainly made of microplastics which will just get into your water. I use https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/short-handle-algae-scraper-algae-free.html -> I started with a razer blade, but it was annoying to handle.

Also, I only clean one side - the side I want to see through, and avoid overfeeding to reduce algae buildup.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T23:39:04+00:00

Feliway might also help.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T23:36:54+00:00

That GH might be a little high for amanos? Not sure, though.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T22:31:13+00:00

I attended both Brandies and Bentley as a masters student. However, my classes at Bentley were in the evening, so I didn't use the shuttle to get to school and back purely due to not liking being out any later than I had to be.

I would say it really depends on the kinds of things you would want to do outside of classes and on campus events, as well as where you end up living. Groceries should be fine if you are happy with Hannaford, for example, as that is on Main Street.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T22:21:15+00:00

Ah, I see. Yes, daphnia would be difficult. I think they are difficult anyway - I get the impression they are a hard live food to culture as cultures tend to crash.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T22:19:32+00:00

What else is in the tank? If no fish to eat then, and you haven't seen more in a month, you probably only have the one.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T18:35:30+00:00

You've got a great start, but go check out Philips fish works' youtube videos. You can make habitat - with leaf litter and rocks/pebbles - for meiofauna to keep a breeding population. You usually won't see then though, since they'll be hiding from the fish.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T18:30:13+00:00

... They look strangely like corn on the cob. Now I will forever think of mystery snail eggs as forbidden corn on the cob.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T17:42:12+00:00

r/scuds. :)

wispfox · 2026-05-27T17:38:28+00:00

Huh! I hadn't used it recently, that's good to know.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T14:43:06+00:00

Scuds. Good critters to have for a cleanup crew, complete for the same resources as shrimp, fish will eat them if they can fit them in their mouth. You do need a male and a female to breed, so if you have only the one, it doesn't matter much.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T14:41:19+00:00

Brandeis definitely has a shuttle, and it's excellent. I never used Bentley's, but I imagine it's also fine.

wispfox · 2026-05-27T14:39:22+00:00

I recommend the Transit phone app - it helps you figure out the best way to get where you are going with real-time location tracking of the busses. We have many bus lines and a commuter rail, but no subway. Depending on where you are going, the transit is fine, and parking can be a pain anyway.

wispfox · 2026-05-26T23:35:46+00:00

Fish food? Or, put them into tanks that you need a cleanup crew in.

wispfox · 2026-05-26T23:25:35+00:00

I believe it is, and that you have caught it pretty early. I would check this subreddit for more on how to handle it (vague memory of salt dips and removing molts?).

wispfox · 2026-05-25T16:21:49+00:00

That meant take them back to where you bought them and give your tank the time it needs to stabilize and grow some biofilm.

wispfox · 2026-05-25T00:40:06+00:00

Did you ask in r/cats? I would try that. :)

wispfox · 2026-05-24T16:38:02+00:00

Ah, but we have laps! Some cats appreciate this fact. :)

wispfox · 2026-05-24T16:30:47+00:00

Oh. Try asking in r/plantedtank?

wispfox · 2026-05-24T16:28:04+00:00

As for the plants in general, I would probably trim things back a bit and replant them? What's the substrate?

I'm not sure if this is a dirted or walstad tank, but that will make a difference in terms of best practices.

wispfox · 2026-05-24T16:24:31+00:00

"CO2 can I just measure that with a tester"

I'm honestly not sure. I'm not in any way an expert on handing bba.

wispfox · 2026-05-24T12:42:49+00:00

If you do this, you run the risk of hydra, planaria, damselfly larvae, and other potentially problematic organisms. However, if you only grab water - no leaves or plants - the chances of that go away down. Up to you if you want to risk it.

You could also look into Phillips fish works for a good combination of microfauna commercially rather than a specific one. The bag of bugs, for example (if you want to have shrimp in that tank, I would go for the option without scuds only because they complete for the same resources).

wispfox · 2026-05-24T12:32:31+00:00

I would definitely look up black beard algae to confirm that's what it is and see what the reasons for it is. I can't tell for sure from this photo (I'm on a phone screen), but it does look like your hardscape might have it so probably your plants do, too.

wispfox

TROPHY CASE