u/kmsilent

That's a thermostat actually

Piggybacking on the most informative comment- this is Utricularia Gibba. Some people do consider it bad because they like their microfauna. Personally, I don't really care. However, it does seem it might be able to eat baby shrimp - so I remove it.

You can just do whatever than use no-planaria.

That being said, is there some reason you're worried about them? They're common but also harmless to almost everything- except shrimp.

I've never really seen them in any numbers in any of my fish tanks.

Yikes...that sucks.

That being said is it possible that this is a weather issue? I've ordered off etsy from like 5 different suppliers and never had an issue.

Anyways, I prefer Etsy for the selection. The only advantage of a store is being able to see the plants. I'm actually not really understanding how being disabled would effect one's ability to buy in a store but I guess I'd generally assume it's just easier to research and buy online.

I typically only buy from places when I know that where they are, where I am, and where the places in between are of a mild temperature.

My recommendation - buy some vallisneria. Grows fast and breaks sight lines.

Frozen bloodworms..pretty much available everywhere in the US, cheap and easy.

I freeze em into big ice cubes so they float and wave around. Peas love em.

I do think they aren't the best food for certain fish- but I suspect that peas are basically carnivores so they can handle em better. So far no problems in 2 years.

I think at a certain age they just stop caring about food that small.

Certainly take any advice you hear and try it out.

But I have 3 generations of puffs so far and they just seem to stop caring at a certain point..despite all having been raised eating live brine shrimp.

This is why it's pretty much always worth it to buy from a retailer with a good QT procedure. At least, if you're adding fish directly.

The existing fish in my tank are valuable in many ways. I will now easily pay double for new fish, it's completely worth it when you weigh the cost of literally killing all your other fish.

I wish my local amazing LFS with good quarantine was still around. I supported them for 15 years but they still went under, everyone just wants the lowest price now, not realizing what it could cost them.

Now I order from dansfish and similar great online retailers. Unfortunately that means I can only buy fish when the weather is good due to shipping.

...I've heard dhg does loves co2 :/

They really aren't dangerous at all, so long as they're rated and filled properly. Luckily, every place that does that has a license.

As far as the consumer goes, they're quite safe.

Also, for what its worth- I have a few co2 setups. IMO they're not necessary if you want a nice tank- because if you want, you can just buy a ton of very pretty non-co2 requiring plants. This is probably only $50-120, whereas a co2 setup is more. Also, with co2 you have to do more trimming because they grow so fast. Sounds great to a newbie, bad to those with experience.

There are two good reasons to have it though- 1) you want some hard to grow plants that require it, 2) you have some extra money and wanna have fun or grow plants super fast. These systems are getting cheaper all the time now and really $200 ain't much in terms of hobby expenses.

PH doesn't really matter much, as long as it's within reason. 7 will be fine.

80f is fine, but be aware, if you don't have AC and your house gets hot during heat waves you might be going well above 80. That's why I prefer (among other reasons ) to go closer to 76.

This is the best attitude

Don't feel bad about this- I have it going insane like 90% of the time but it also goes very mild under certain conditions I don't yet understand. And I've been doing this for like 15 years. Congrats on your other plants too, that's harder to grow. You probably have a slightly unique mineral profile to your water.

Imo we are in the infancy of this hobby. We don't know much and are mostly guessing.

Just throwing my 2c in- I prefer this stuff over the slime out:

https://preview.redd.it/pitwt3aq8rrh1.jpeg?width=1071&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=cf7e17a48c5784701abfa140ee26860e20dbb2c8

If I recall correctly it's actually a bit more concentrated. Or at least, it was.

I wouldn't even bother with a filter.

Are you experienced in fishkeeping? If so, it can be done, you just need to be sure you've got plenty of plants and the right light. And you need to stock very slowly.

I have many jarrariums (check out the subreddit)- include a couple vases that are about 2g. I use adjustable angle bulbs to light them from afar using a narrow beam. You also don't need full spectrum...but it will look and grow better under one.

Main problem is heat for the betta. Personally, I'd go with adult neocaridina and maybe a cold water fish like white clouds.

Are you in an earthquake prone area? If not you may be totally fine with this setup...

These become garage tanks for me.

If they last many years they might move into the house.

A good option for the evening is just to put a single, focus-able light with your favorite tint on. The main one grows plants during the day but when you're home, you get the tone you want. You can use a smart bulb in an office desk fixture ($20 total) or buy a bulb like this- https://www.amazon.com/UPETTOOLS-Aquarium-Spectrum-Lights-Adjustable/dp/B0C9LJTCDG

Rocks in the bottom bubble. Will with water and fish to second bubble. Third level is a lamp. Top level, flowers.

I'd ensure it doesn't get too much light. Especially when it comes to low light plants- I've thrown them in a bucket near a window that gets about 6 hours of sun and it actually burned almost all the leaves.

Basically it depends on what they're acclimated to and capable of handling... But ever since roasting $20 worth of plants, I put them in a bucket AWAY from a window. All plants can handle a few days of low light.

Does she have a license?

Seems really strange. A new pet is kind of stressful. Giving an animal with no instructions is kind of irresponsible. I understand not trusting random Internet people, but then again if I post about my cat in a cat subreddit I'm guessing they know more than average (and certainly more than...nothing).

Anyways good on you for trying to do the right thing.

Giant duckweed is very easy to deal with, FYI. Easy to remove if you need to.

I'm about 90% sure this is true. Had a tank with a big lily in it years ago and it had a variable water level- I'll have to examine my photos but I think it was root only. Will respond once I go through those photos.

Perhaps some other herbicide?