Non-parasitic nematodes are normal tank fauna. Parasitic nematodes will not be seen free-swimming in the tank.

Remember that the LFS is getting in new stocks routinely, and QT in shops is unheard-of ancient history. If they have central systems, fish that were clean last week my not be so this week. The large majority of my critters come from the same shop and have for decades, but they still get an extended...

Either nematodes (long and thin, if in the water column they swim in sine curves) or planaria (shorter and flatter, have a definite head end visible, stay flat). Normal tank inhabitants unless in large numbers, which would indicate excessive organics in the substrate. Get a QT tank. Even if not up a...

Lead toxicity is slow, not acute. Sorry Rick! Most tap water is alkaline, either by native KH or by short-acting (generally phosphate-based) buffers added by the utility to protect copper pipes from erosion and pin-hole leaks. Protecting older piping from mobilizing lead from old solder is a fringe ...

Change of plans, I will not be able to make it today after all. Apologies...

I am stiill curious about what 'detoxify' means re:metal ions. No conditioner can or does "remove" heavy metal ions - conditioners are not RO membranes, nor are they nuclear reactors. They may complex metal ions by chelating them or alternate chemistries, but that is not eternal - what hap...

I might actually make it this month.

Anyone need any Melanotaenia praecox? There are surplus adult males and some juveniles available.

So long as it is short term and not indefinite growth, and so long as you don't use enough to affect the water chemistry you should be fine. They do make good grow-out pots.

I've done a lot with pots in the past, now do only a few things such as the aquatic banana plant when I want heavy surface cover from the floating laves, or the dwarf lilies if I should be crazy enough to run that much light again. Those plants want a rich susbstrate, deep enough and sheltered by an...

Great dart frog food though...