What's A Cory?

[okimavich]

Well, I have six albino cory's sitting in a bucket waiting for me to finish their tank. Ghaz, I owe you money from the auction for them . . .

:huh: So. uh. ummm. yeah. What do they eat? I think they're in shock right now in the bucket, but I guess I should try to feed them something. Algae wafer? Blood worms? hmm. A little help here. Thanks.

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

They'll eat anything that kits the bottom. Flakes, pellets etc.
If you want to breed them, try live blackworms. They go NUTS
over them.

Sorry I had to leave the meeting early - I had to meet someone
at Tysons and they showed up earlier than expected.

 

[okimavich]

Thanks, Ghazanfar.

I've got another question. How are the cory's with shrimp? I've got a little of a algae problem and have heard that some species of shrimp will do a good job with algae. But I'm wondering if the cory's will decide that they're dinner . . .

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Shrimp & cories - no problem. Some of the larger loaches may make a snack
of the shrimp but no problem with cories whatsoever.

How's it coming along? Lets see some pictures! Have fun rinsing out
the flourite?

BTW - the GWAPA meeting is this Sat at Francines - cheap plants at
the mini auction!

 

[okimavich]

Great. Now I just have find out what happened to two of my shrimp. I put four in and two dissapear. <_<

As for the flourite, I'm used to getting milk from rinsing crushed coral. This time I got chocolate milk. Mmm. I think cleaning up afterwards was worse than the actual rinsing. Little pieces everywhere!

I'm having some problems with the plants, though. They just won't stay down in the gravel while others just won't go in. The R. Indica has been doing ok, the Baby's Tears just won't stop tangling up and forget about the hygro staying down. I sneeze in the next room and another stalk pops out. Also, I accidently got amazon swords instead of crypts. Noob mistake. I read crypt and picked swords. But they're now yellowing and curling up. I still have Java Moss in a bag (yes that would make it several weeks now in a bag) that I haven't been able to attach. The only good news is that hair grass I put in there seems to be doing well, except I think I planted them too sparse. They're looking like the top of my head now <_<

Oh, BTW, has anyone used normal slow-release plant food in a planted tank? That Seachem stuff is EXPENSIVE :blink: !

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Use tweezers to plant your stem plants. Plant each stem individually so that when
one pops out - the others stay in. One trick I use is to grab the stem base with
my tweezers, jab it into the gravel about 2" away from where I want it - then
drag it into place. It keeps stems in place nicely.

Amano shrimp will walk out on you. Be careful with Excel - don't OD. Keep in mind
that your water column ISNT the same amount as the tank is listed for.

Swords are usually grown emersed and will shed off their old leaves. Just
remove them using a scissor - don't let them rot in there. Keep an eye out
for new growth.

 

[okimavich]

I've been using tweezers. Only problem is that with some of the plants, I end up snapping the stalk with the tweezers half of the time. How far apart should I plant these guys? They seem to tangle-up towards the tops.

I've got Japanica shrimp. Don't know amano's.

I will have to see if I can make the GWAPA meeting this weekend . . .

 

[Ghazanfar Ghori]

Cardina japonica - Amano shrimp. Sorry, I was using the common name.

How far apart? It depends on the plant. No real science - you'll get the hang of it.

 

[okimavich]

Ah. Got it. I don't think they walked out on me. The tank is pretty well covered except where I have a filter hanging. I found three last night before going to bed, so hopefully I can find the fourth before he ends up in a tank of hungry peacocks.

 

[Thinkfaster]

you can also use some lead weights temporarily until the stem plants get deep enough roots. i put a piece of rotala across the bottom and used a lead weight about 1/3 in from each side. in 2 weeks i had 4 shoots growing to the surface. i took off the weights with tweezers and voila!