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Dear Gabriel: I’m considering adding a “pleco hide,” behind the hardscape. I don’t want it to be visible, but perhaps I can find one that is small enough. Ancistrus like to stick their heads in them. It gives them a feeling of security. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gil: Thank you, for reminding me. I’ll get that sorted, today. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Steffan: Thank you, for the compliment. I try to make my scapes look natural and support loads of plants. FISH GRAMPAW should be posting some scapes, soon, that look anything but natural. But, the ornaments he makes are delightful. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Unfortunately, the leaves on the Hygrophila corymbosa (cherry leaf variant) tend to deteriorate. I thought angelfish were eating them, in my, other, 75-gallon tank. But, many of the leaves, on this species fall apart, in this tank. It looks like something took bites, out of the leaves. But, there are no fauna, in this tank, which could do so. It must be some sort of blight. Most of the other plant species are doing well, however. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar its crazy how that works sometimes, it does still look really good though.

Dear Gabriel: Unfortunately no, all the eggs turned white, though I did add methylene blue. I did a water change and added carbon, to the hang-on-back filter. I want to move my killifish, to this tank. Hopefully, they will have left eggs behind, in their, 5.5-gallon tank. I’ll also add a media bag of peat moss, to encourage them to breed, in this tank. Thank you, for your, continued interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: I tried a sub-adult ancistrus, in a 10-gallon. It made its way, into the Aqua-tech 5-15, hang-on-back, filter, which is what I have, on this set-up. As I have two, small ancistrus, in my, 29-gallon aquarium, I’ll try them, in this tank. I'll have to switch out the hang-on-back filter, for a model, which they cannot enter. Thank you, for the suggestion. I’ll try this, tomorrow. I appreciate your assistance, very much. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Sergio S.: I thought that guppies needed a heater. That is the main reason I switched to Endler’s. However, I have seen Eric, the Fishman keep guppies outside, even after the weather began to cool. I hope you have good success, moving to an unheated tank. Thank you, for your, continued interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar I live in a tropical country it never goes below 13° Celsius or 53.6F so I guess that's why mine don't die, but South American fish do tend to suffer at those temperatures.

Yes, I do believe it is best to keep guppies at a temperature of at least 72 °F.

Dear Gabriel: With livebearers, especially fancy guppies, inbred specimens have bent spines. It’s the same, with ancistrus. With Columbian tetra, they tend to have incomplete operculum (the bony flap, covering the gills) and dark blotches, on their flanks. I make every effort to insure siblings do not breed. However, in “line breeding,” offspring are sometimes mated, to adults. I’ve never tried this, but I’ve heard that breeders have good success, breeding fancy guppies, in this way. I moved my line of blue, male Endler’s, to Charles,’ 40-gallon, shrimp colony, where they appear right happy. I moved my, first, three, male Endler’s, from this line, to my, 75-gallon, CO2-injected tank. They also appear to be enjoying their, new home. In the process, I moved most of the plants, from this tank, to the 75-gallon. It is easier, to catch young, male Endler’s, without so much cover. Thank you, for your interest and inquiry. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: I removed the male Endler’s and added water wisteria (Hygrophila difformis) and Rotala indica. As they become sexually mature, I’ll add the male Endler’s I most recently select-bred. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Steffan: Charles tried keeping them, in an unheated tank, briefly. They seemed to do fine at 72°F. Do you know if they would be OK, at temperatures as low as 65°F? I’d really like to discontinue the heaters, in this tank. But, in the winter, I let my house get cooler. Please advise. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar Alas, I do not know their temperature range beyond usual advice from internet. I keep mine at tropical temps. 9 is a BIG number though and in 6 mos will dominate the tank.

I see. Thank you.

Dear Gil: I’m not sure why I was not able to breed platinum Medaka ricefish (Oryzias latipes), apart from a few, individual fry. It could be that they devour eggs and/or fry. Removing boisterous fish (including guppies and brilliant rasbora (Rasbora einthovenii)), from this tank, at the right time was most fortuitous. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Sergio S.: I’d like to move my hobby, to unheated tanks. However, I continue to acquire species, which require heaters. Ricefish don’t need heaters. But, pygmy corydoras and otocinclus do. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Oh yes, please. I’m very thankful, that I removed the fish which are likely to devour them, at just the right time. Thank you, for your, continued interest and lovely comment. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Unfortunately, angelfish devour plants. I’ve since removed most of the flora and added more hardscape. My, local, pet store offered $8.00/each, for adult, black angelfish. I’m hesitant to sell these, to them, as that would most likely mean their demise. Pet stores have a continuous, influx of disease and often sell fish, to incompetent individuals (who are either too lazy or ignorant, to provide proper care, for aquatic life). I don’t mind selling plants, to pet stores; but prefer to sell fish and shrimp only to experienced aquarists. I’d like to move on, to rainbowfish. But, for now, these angelfish appear right happy, in this set-up. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Ha, ha: I tend to go on, so I cut out all the unnecessary pauses. Now, the mated pair, of angelfish, have replaced these, two angelfish. One of them has a fat belly, so it’s obviously a female, full of eggs. Perhaps it will pair, with a male, in the 75-gallon tank, now that there are 17, black and blue angelfish, there. Thank you, for your, continued assistance. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Every time I have a contractor over, to do something, in my crawlspace, he tells me that my crawlspace is “love.” Plumbers and the like are used to crawlspaces, where you have to crawl around, on your belly. In the lower end, I can get around, by simply bending over. The upper end is shorter, but one can still move about, pretty easily. The crawlspace has the same footprint, as my house. I previously had a 55-gallon, quarantine tank, in there. But, I got tired of going down, to feed fish, daily. Currently, I’m culturing vinegar eels, in a 10-gallon tank, right next to this, 10-gallon, blackworm culture. The eels are in jars, with just enough tap water, around them, to submerge a heater. The heater is only necessary, during cold months. I do love to keep such fare going, for my pets. In actuality, only a small percentage, of the specimens wind up as fish food. The vast majority, live out their lives, in the cultures. I’m culturing Daphnia magma; vinegar eels; fruit flies; and, blackworms. I highly recommend culturing live foods. Fish do best if they get live and frozen foods, on a regular basis. Thank you, for your, continued help and encouragement. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar Wow thats sounds awesome, you should have someone dig a few more feet into your crawl space so you can have a basement that you can turn into a whole fish room :D

Ha, ha: I'm working on that, slowly. I sometimes remove dirt, to fill in spots, in my yard.

Dear Gabriel: Unfortunately, after moving the second batch of fish, out of the 75-gallon tank, the pair ate the eggs. I switched them out, with the two angelfish, in my, bedroom tank, where they are likely to have another go, at breeding. I moved 17 angelfish, into the 75-gallon tank. The South American bumblebee catfish seems to be stressed, by the sudden influx of tank mates. But, angelfish will not harm it, so it should soon calm down. Thank you, for your, continued interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar its crazy how quickly stuff changes in this hobby.

Dear Gabriel: Yes, there are many set-backs and disappointments. Yesterday, I removed all the hardscape, in Charles,’ 55-gallon tank, to catch 15 angelfish. I put everything back and took the fish home. Today, I noticed that a hillstream loach (family Balitoridae) had hitched a ride, on a piece of driftwood and wound up on a table. I’m grieved, that it expired, due to my negligence and will offer, to replace it, for Charles. Thank you, for your, continued correspondence. Sincerely, Brinegar

Wow, sorry to hear that.

I informed Charles and he is totally forgiving. I ordered two, tiger hillstream loach (Sewellia lineolata), to replace the lost one. They are supposed to arrive, at PetCo, in Louisville, next Tuesday. But, we've had a hit-and-miss experience, ordering fish, through PetCo. Sometimes, fish we order arrive and sometimes they don't. Our, local, pet store claims they can get them, but will charge about twice as much.

Dear Bo: I found this tank, on my street. Since setting it up, is has gone through many changes. I do have a pristine, replacement tank, ready to paint. I already added silicone gel, to the inside rim, just in case it was apt, to leak, there. I had intended, to use the tank I set up, in my bedroom, to replace this tank. However, that tank is too narrow, for the 29-gallon, glass canopies I have acquired. The aquarium seems to be a different brand. I cut Policarb (corregated plastic sheets), to fit the bedroom tank and it looks quite nice. But, to replace the 29-gallon, in my, spare room; I want to use the pristine, glass canopy, with the pristine, 29-gallon tank. Eventually, I hope to switch out the old tank. In the meantime, Otocinclus vittatus and Corydoras pygmaeus are right happy. I may add cherry shrimp, to the tank, shortly. Thank you, for your lovely comment. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Bo: I’ve kept blackworms going, for years. I want to increase the yield and quality of this, terrific, live food. I do believe I understand the process sufficiently, to make necessary adjustments. Thank you, for your, continued interest and encouragement. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Bo: This process, of breeding egg-scatterers differs from what you have done. I realize that you breed egg-scatterers, in bare-bottom tanks, with cups of moss. Alternately, you employ a breeding-trap, which allows eggs to fall, where the adults cannot reach them. Here, I am allowing neon-tetra, to scatter their eggs, where they will fall, between the gravel. In the same way, as with a breeding-trap, adults will be unable to reach the eggs. I hope to complete gravel-vacuums, of the gravel substrate, frequently. Eventually, such gravel-vacuums, should collect viable eggs, as Hyphessobrycon species breed, quite often. I don’t care, to have cups, in my tanks. I’m trying to make my set-ups look as natural as possible. I understand that your, main focus is breeding fish. I’m impressed, with what you are doing, as your stock are healthy and happy. My, main focus is the look of the aquaria I keep. Breeding is a secondary consideration, for me. Thank you, for your, continued interest and assistance. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear BennduR: Thank you, for your, interest and lovely comment. I had a look, at your, CZcams Channel. Do you have an aquarist hobby? If so, I'd love to see footage. I subscribed, to your Channel and hit the notification bell, just in case. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: At first, I thought I only had one ancistrus left. It turns out that there are two. I’m wondering if I should add cherry shrimp, to this set-up. Warm water speeds up their life-cycle, but they do fine. I added heaters, to my, 75-gallon, CO2-injected tank, in anticipation of adding true Siamese algae eaters. I don’t know of any other way, to keep blackbeard algae, in check. Manual removal is a big hassle. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar Those would be a good looking addition, and if they will eat the black beard algae then its a win/win.

Dear Gabriel: True Siamese algae eaters are the only species I know of, which eat much blackbeard algae. Hillstream loaches (Sewellia ineolata) are reported, to eat it. But, Charles has two, in a 55-gallon tank and blackbeard algae holds its own, there. My fear is that true Siamese algae eaters will consume many, more shrimplets, than the male, Endler’s livebearers, in the 75-gallon tank. That is one reason I’d like to spread my cherry shrimp, out. I think they would do very well, in the 29-gallon tank, where all the inhabitants are tiny and peaceful. Thank you, for your, continued correspondence. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Bo: I’m not sure why Java moss doesn’t tend to do well, in my set-ups. I have a handful that has turned mostly brown. I put it, in this tank, at your suggestion, in case it makes a come-back. Even if it doesn’t, it may make success more likely, with these, egg-scatterers, before it desiccates. Thank you, for your, continued interest and assistance. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Not at all; as you have a “teachable spirit,” you will have terrific success. I’ve been doing this, for four decades. Only after I began watching videos, on the hobby, around ten years ago, did I learn proper procedures. I didn’t even understand the nitrogen cycle, until then. Most of the books I read, as a kid were less than helpful. Joining the FishFam Community has made all the difference. Keep it up. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Yes, and this species is quite hardy. I’ve seen them in unheated tanks, where they appeared right happy. I’m hopeful that the process I discovered, to breed Columbian tetra works, with them. Thank you, for your support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gil: I’ve wanted, to breed this species, for some time. I hope my specimens are not too old, now that I sorted a tank, for them. If so, I may acquire younger stock. Thank you, for your, continued help and encouragement. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Sadie: Each time I acquire aquatic plants, I soak them, in alum solution (one tablespoon of alum per one gallon of water), for 48 hours, to rid them of pest snail and limpet eggs. This does not harm most, aquatic plant species. However, Bacopa caroliniana and Jungle Vallisneria (Vallisneria americana) will not usually tolerate a soak in alum solution, for this long. I do not add anything, to a tank containing fauna, to destroy pests. I only use manual removal, on pest snails, which get into my aquaria. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: The tank is facing an issue with blackbeard algae. I spent some time removing plants, covered in it, after I watched my video. I’m soaking same, in water, with H2O2, in hopes of saving the plants and killing off the algae. It is necessary, to scrape the hardscape, with a wire brush. I did that, before shooting the video. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Bo: In my experience, Daphnia magna are the easiest live food, to culture. Blackworms are quite fattening and require a lot of work, if you want them to reproduce quickly and grow large. Fruit flies are the most fun live food, to culture. Some may find it a messy chore, but I enjoy it, thoroughly. Thank you, for your, continued interest and lovely comment. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Bo: Yes, I am going to have to get rid of some specimens, to make room, for breeding black neon tetra. This should be no problem, as Charles has 13 tanks going. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Michael Futch: Thank you, for the compliment. Hardscape is a very important aspect, of an aquascape, unless it is so full of plants as to be unnecessary. I’d like to see what you come up with, so I subscribed, to your, CZcams Channel and hit the notification bell, in hopes you will share your aquarist hobby, on CZcams. I hope you have good success, with your hobby. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel:: I do intend, to replace this tank, as I found it, on my street and it is pretty scratched-up. I have a pristine, new, 29-gallon tank tank, in my crawlspace. I just have to paint the back, black and add sealant, to the inside of the rim, just in case. But, in the meantime, there's no reason not to make this old tank look as good as I can. Thank you, for your, continued support. Sincerely, Brinegar

Oh yes, please. Culturing fruit flies is loads of fun.

Dear Gabriel: Oh yes, please. I’ve wanted to breed killifishes for decades. I was under the impression that it was a lot of work, as eggs must be incubated, for many species. This particular species’ eggs do not require a “dry-out” period. I do believe they will breed, again. It took the original pair Charles acquired quite some time. Now that I have two males and I believe four females, I think the population will soon increase. Thank you, for your, continued interest and support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Wow that is awesome can’t wait to see the video with the babies in the future.

90%

I discovered this was working, when I noticed a Columbian tetra fry, in a daphnia culture. As I was using used aquarium water, for these cultures, I deduced that vacuuming the gravel substrate was a viable way, to collect egg-scatterer eggs (and perhaps fry). I hope you have good success, with this method.

Dear Bo: I tried, to keep angelfish, previously, without much success. I was very disappointed, when I purchased two, black angelfish, from a pet store, which offers no guarantee, on livestock. Both expired, shortly. Charles recently gave me eight, black and blue angelfish. The largest two bickered, constantly, in my, 75-gallon, community tank, though they did not appear to bother other species. I sold four of the angelfish (including one of the bullies) to my, local pet store. The remaining four continue to bicker, among themselves. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Bo: Yes, for me, peaceful, smaller species (preferably those, which do not require a heater) are best. These parrot cichlids actually did fine, without a heater, previously, with goldfish. They bite my hand, when I put it, in the tank. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gil: Dracaena sanderiana is not actually bamboo, or aquatic. It is the only plant, Charles has added, to his goldfish tank, which the goldfish did not devour. It may survive, for extended periods, submerged. However, it usually dies, eventually, if no part of the plant reaches the surface. The lucky bamboo, in this tank, was in a vase, until last week. The lucky bamboo, which has been submerged, in Charles,’ 55-gallon, goldfish tank, for a long time (and has survived) is covered in blackbeard algae. He added three, true Siamese algae eaters, to that tank, to sort the algae, after installing a heater. Thank you, for your, continued interest and support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Gabriel: Surprisingly, a couple of the parrot cichlids jumped, out of their, previous, 55-gallon tank, though the opening, in the glass canopy did not appear, to be large enough, for them, to fit through. These fish bite my hand, each time I reach, into the tank. It doesn’t hurt. It’s actually quite adorable. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

@@ejbrinegar haha ya sometimes my cichlids will do that, it catches me off guard every time.

Dear Paul: I had intended, to break this tank down, in favor of a new, 29-gallon tank, which I recently purchased. However, I’m glad I had it available, to house many, of the specimens, which Charles purchased. Last week, I began to re-introduce plants, into this tank. I’m pleased that they are doing well, thus far. Thank you, for your interest and lovely comment. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar

Dear Paul: Yes, Charles’ “fat 40” is a lovely set-up. I acquired a Madagascar rainbowfish (Bedotia geayi), to add, to this tank. It has successfully completed a few days of quarantine, in a 29-gallon tank, at my house. After 30 days, I’ll give it to Charles, if he wants it. Thank you, for your, continued support. All my best, Sincerely, Brinegar