Well, we got back from the cottage this afternoon - we were gone from Thursday night until this evening.

We were worried about leaving the newly cycled 36g because it had a major ammonia spike (.50ppm) on Tuesday. I did a 60% WC and by Thursday it was only at .05-.10ppm. So, I did a 30% WC before leaving and dosed some AmQuel Plus to help lock away any ammonia that spiked while we were gone. We didn't feed at all before we left Thursday, so they were fasted for 3.5 days as well.

Got home and found 1 Cory and 1 female Dwarf Fire Gourami didn't make it, but the other 5 Corys, 7 Harlequin Rasboras, and the Male Dwarf Fire Gourami and last female were fine. The ammonia read 0ppm, so I'm not quite sure what killed them. (I was terrified all weekend I'd come home to a completely dead tank, so I'm happy that most everyone survived!) There were no losses in the 20g tank.

Sunday is tank maintenance day, so both tanks got their gravel vacuums, water changes, and doses of water conditioner/stress coat, beneficial bacteria and liquid plant ferts. They also got fed finally - hungry fish!

We are going to replace the Cory tomorrow, and also get one more so their shoal will be at 7. If the ammonia stays in check, next week or the week after we will get the last 2 Harlequin Rasboras. About 1 to 2 months from now, we will be adding 4-5 Khuli Loaches and then the tank will be complete. (We will have 2 Dwarf Fire Gourami, 9 Harleys, 7 Corys and 4-5 Khulis.)

*Don't worry, we have an AC 70 (rated for up to 70g tanks) on the tank that has a sponge, carbon and biomax and soon to be filter floss - just for extra bacterial space - as well as an Aqueon 30 (rated for up to 45g tanks) that has a filter pad with carbon combo' and Nitrazorb, so we have waaaay over the filtration, plus and air stone for extra 02, plus it is heavily planted with lots of fast growing stem plants and the tanks get weekly vacuums and water changes and they are fed lightly - just for anyone thinking it's over stock. (It'll be at 85-89% stocking when done - according to Aqua Advisor.)* Waiting for the 'over stocking' responses to beginnnnn.... now! Lol. Seriously though, tank is heavily planted and has lots of drift wood and rock. We get people coming over saying, "Um... nice big tank, but... where are the fish?" You really only ever see the Harleys, and catch glimpses of the Gouramis and Corys.

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981

Great news, sorry about the loss though. Wonder why that happened?? I don't think .5 ammo for a short period would kill a Cory.. Was his gills red when you left?? Oh well plenty more fish in the sea so to speak.....

Glad things worked out for you!

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55 Gal Planted Community Tank
50 Gal Sand Planted Bronze Cory Tank
20 Gal Planted RCS Tank
20 Gal PlantTank "Beaslbob"
20 Gal Planted RCS Tank
20 Gal Platy Breeding Tank
15 Gal Electric Blue Crayfish Breeding Tank
15 Gal Platy Breeding Tank
(3) 15 Gal Planted RCS Tanks
10 Gal Planted Golden Mystery Snail Breeding Tank
10 Gal Planted RCS Tank
10 Gal Swordtail Tank
10 Gal Endler Tank
5 Gal RCS Display Tank
4 15 Gal RCS Tanks (Waiting to stock)
2 20 Gal Longs (Waiting to stock)

Thanks guys!

Nah, gills weren't red when I left. Not sure what it was.... who knows.... maybe they were 'weaker' fish and the 3 days of no food just put them over the edge?

We replaced the Cory tonight and also got another, so there are 7 of them now. Every one looks fine. Just going to re-plant a bit of Hornwort that came loose, then lights out and I'll drop in a few pellets for the Corys.

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20g Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981
36g Bow Front Heavily Planted http://www.aquariumforum.com/gallery...00&ppuser=8981