[kcoscia]

Water parameters:
ammonia - 0
nitrite - 0
nitrate - 10-20
pH - 7.4
kH - 2
GH - 10
temp. - 72

Right now youngins seem to be passing.
I noticed yesterday, probably due to the weather changes, that my tank was heating up to 78, so I unplugged the heater and believe 72 will remain constant.
Some shrimp are showing cloudy appearances.
My Fire Red female has had black areas on her body for a period of time.

I am going to start a melafix treatment.

Help, suggestions?

 

[bostoneric]

no need for a heater unless the tank temps get into the lower side of 60s. if you can try to find a heater that you can set between 68-70F.

you should add some floating plants to suck up your nitrates now and figure out whats causing you to have them.

 

[kcoscia]

Temp. is at 68 today so it's safe to keep it there?
I need the heater for the winter months, but now that it's summer I'll monitor and keep it unplugged.
I did a water change and started melafix. I'll monitor the nitrates and look for causes. Thanks!

 

[Nubster]

No heater in my Blue Diamond tank. Temps in the room they are in range from 50's into the high 70's depending on time of year/day. It's unheated so it was pretty darn cold all winter in there. No problems. Breeding slowed/stopped but once it warmed back up they were back in business. 68 is absolutely safe and probably actually within their prefered temp range.

 

[mar]

No heater for RCS. Juvenile RCS seem to adapt to tank parameters better than adults. Hopefully, the tank has accumulated algae on the glass, for the juveniles to eat. Add a sponge filter and decrease water changes to 10% every 2 weeks.