I think there might be somthing wrong with my aro.

[skillzdatkillz]

Almond tree leaves?

Well I throw a couple of pieces of krill in the tank and walk away and when I come back they are gone and not in the sump so I assume hes eating. He last ate...friday. And Im not home rite now so I cant do anything until sunday afternoon.

 

[dr_sudz]

It is a really good habit to get into watching your fish eat. This really is the one and only way to truely confirm that they are eating. Could have the other inhabitants eating his food and still not eating. Just a word to the wise.

 

[skillzdatkillz]

Well thats the only time I really didnt see him eat...I had to pee. But all the other times before he eats. And there really isnt anything that would eat his food, theres an ornate that hides all the time and 2 bala sharks that are oblivious to everything.

On a side note Im planning on getting some Dats, thin bar, would almond tree leaves harm them or my ornate?

 

[meiling]

as far as I know, almond leaves don't bother any species. It naturally replaces what the fish, not just aros, normally may require chemicals, this seems healthier to go natural. Everyone has to try them and we'll get some feedback, I know when I used them b4 it was amazing.

 

[skillzdatkillz]

If I bougt like 25 leaves would that be enough? Do they need to be replaced? How long do they last?

 

[zennzzo]

If I bougt like 25 leaves would that be enough? Do they need to be replaced? How long do they last?

This is the question I have also. It is dependent on the quality of the leaves themselves, and of course your water change frequency, tank size, etc.
This is the more natural way of achieving "Black Water Extract" kinda effects.

 

[skillzdatkillz]

I was thinkin...My tap water is in the 7.6 range, and If i added the leaves it would drop significantly, to somthing like 6.5 from what ive read. Then if I did a water change my tap water would mix with the leave water and wouldnt that cause stress from the ph change being so quick? HOw do I avoid that?

 

[meiling]

I was thinkin...My tap water is in the 7.6 range, and If i added the leaves it would drop significantly, to somthing like 6.5 from what ive read. Then if I did a water change my tap water would mix with the leave water and wouldnt that cause stress from the ph change being so quick? HOw do I avoid that?

If you toss (3 leaves for a 55) in the tank dry, they take time to break down and have the full effect. I aslo think it's natural not chemical so it is less stressful. I also have bins of water for the next water change that I add a leaf to, stresscoat and a touch of cycle. Let that sit for a couple days before adding it to the tank, then the water is consistent.

FYI rookie mistake, my first batch of leaves I made tea and dumped it full strength into the aquarium and my old aro never had a problem adapting. I even had electric elephant nose who are extremely fragile just thrive. I don't think it'll be a problem at all.

 

[skillzdatkillz]

Well I was away for the weekend and I put a little goldfish in the tank for the bicher if he got hungry, any way I came home and the back of my aros fins were shredded...dont really know who did it, and the gold fish was in my sump have no idea how he made it past the drip plate and the bio balls and into the sump. Any one have an ideas on who did it? Theres an ornate and 2 bala sharks with him. I think his fins get sucked into the overflow when he camps himself up there and that did it but i dont know. Any ideas?

 

[meiling]

hah! I love it! Your aro mishaps and antics are worthy of being in my house!!! I always thought I was the only one with goofy issues in my tank..............
Maybe it was the goldfish