Hi everyone! So excited to join in the discussions. I have been on other fish forums, but this is my first time here!
Ok, so this is my history, and the reason I am here. I have had two FWT aquariums for a couple of years. One 5 gallon simple set up with twinbar platties, and at times lots of them. And my main tank, a 20 gallon planted aquarium. This one has a flourite / river gravel base with an assortment of rocks and various FWT plants. This tank was quite at home with the following community for over two years, three albino corys, two yo-yo loaches (introduced after a snail population became unbearable), five bloodfin tetras, and a small pleco (introduced after the algea, which was being kept in check by the snails, became out of control).
All was well till the entire area suffered an Ice storm which knocked out power to the entire southern part of the state. Needless to say, my emergency measures were good for only so long (back up battery bubbler, hot hands packs taped to the sides, etc) but we were forced to evacuate ourselves after 48 hours of no electricity and the house temperature dropping to 47F. Our electricity was out for about 4 days (which is better than some people who were out for a week or more!). But I came back to as expected two dead aquariums.
The small five gallon I cleaned and put in storage. The 20 gallon, I removed my friends, pruned out a bunch of dead plants, did a 3/4 water change, clean filter pack, etc. Then let the tank run with lights air cycling for about three weeks. Due to the local fish stores being picked clean, I waited a bit longer than I would have liked. So just kept it running with some water changes here or there.
But here is my question. I tested the water and all seems to be chemically the same as before the crash, pH 7.8 (I have well water and that is the pH of my tap). General hardness was 6 dGH, Ammonia ~0, Nitrite ~0, and Nitrate <10. So I introduced two Otto cats. One was dead within 24 hours, the other 48 hours. Fished them out and yesterday put in five glass shrimp and due to my DD wanting them, two clown loaches. So far the clown loaches hide under my rocks and I am concerned about their wellbeing. But all the water tests seem ok?
I did notice I have some white something covering the plastic air lines that are below the water line, also on any rubber parts on the filter and heater. Is it possible that I have some bacterial contamination? What is the white stuff? First time I have seen it.
Well, that is that, if anyone has any suggestions on the white stuff, I would appreciate it!
NHmom
Ok, so this is my history, and the reason I am here. I have had two FWT aquariums for a couple of years. One 5 gallon simple set up with twinbar platties, and at times lots of them. And my main tank, a 20 gallon planted aquarium. This one has a flourite / river gravel base with an assortment of rocks and various FWT plants. This tank was quite at home with the following community for over two years, three albino corys, two yo-yo loaches (introduced after a snail population became unbearable), five bloodfin tetras, and a small pleco (introduced after the algea, which was being kept in check by the snails, became out of control).
All was well till the entire area suffered an Ice storm which knocked out power to the entire southern part of the state. Needless to say, my emergency measures were good for only so long (back up battery bubbler, hot hands packs taped to the sides, etc) but we were forced to evacuate ourselves after 48 hours of no electricity and the house temperature dropping to 47F. Our electricity was out for about 4 days (which is better than some people who were out for a week or more!). But I came back to as expected two dead aquariums.
The small five gallon I cleaned and put in storage. The 20 gallon, I removed my friends, pruned out a bunch of dead plants, did a 3/4 water change, clean filter pack, etc. Then let the tank run with lights air cycling for about three weeks. Due to the local fish stores being picked clean, I waited a bit longer than I would have liked. So just kept it running with some water changes here or there.
But here is my question. I tested the water and all seems to be chemically the same as before the crash, pH 7.8 (I have well water and that is the pH of my tap). General hardness was 6 dGH, Ammonia ~0, Nitrite ~0, and Nitrate <10. So I introduced two Otto cats. One was dead within 24 hours, the other 48 hours. Fished them out and yesterday put in five glass shrimp and due to my DD wanting them, two clown loaches. So far the clown loaches hide under my rocks and I am concerned about their wellbeing. But all the water tests seem ok?
I did notice I have some white something covering the plastic air lines that are below the water line, also on any rubber parts on the filter and heater. Is it possible that I have some bacterial contamination? What is the white stuff? First time I have seen it.
Well, that is that, if anyone has any suggestions on the white stuff, I would appreciate it!
NHmom
to TFF.
Shrimp are great things. Clown loach need a group to feel secure, and when kept as less than 4, they tend to become rather shy and reclusive 
they will need re-homing or up-grading to a 75-100g (depending on foot print) eventually, though they are slow growers 
The same applies to the plec, though they tend to grow at an astonishing inch per month on the correct diet 
The tank has not crashed and the water stats look good 
).
