[RML] A Question

Larry Stein (lstein at ids2.idsonline.com)
Fri, 31 Jan 1997 23:23:06 -0500

I have a few questions about keeping rainbow. I hope all of the members of
this group don't mind being my teachers.

Question 1 -- My tank has been set up for about 3 months now (90 gallons)
and for about a week now I have noticed a few fish missing, the smaller
ones are gone... nowhere to be found, I even vacuumed and did a large water
change looking for at least remains and found nothing. Is this normal? I
know they didn't jump out of the tank I have a tightly fit glass top and I
have not found anything behind the tank, I also have strainers on the ends
of my syphons, and cleaned the power heads nothing they just vanished.

Question 2 -- I have a nice pair of Turquoise Rainbows and the female
looks to be covered with a light dusting of "powder" she seems to be eating
normally and loves to hang out in the power head current. I have no
detected this same powdery residue on any other fish although the male does
seem to have a slight whitish coloring. If they are sick I would like to
treat them ASAP.

Question 3 -- Has a definitive book on Rainbows been written and if yes
what is it called?

Question 4 -- What would be the best chemistry reading be for a community
tank like mine? A heavily planted tank with many species cohabiting,
current chemistry reading are - PH 7.5, water hardness about 190ppm

Thanks in advance for any help with these items. I am sure my question
list will continue to grow with time, and now that I have found a group of
people who know the answers and are not just trying to sell me some product.

Larry Stein
Hobbyist