Aquarium Comments – Cycling
May 24, 2010
Yes, I know, MTS (Multiple Tank Syndrome) has an incredible effect. Anyways, I greatly appreciate you putting information on cycling in your site, most people overlook this essential process.
However, I would like to politely point out that there are many ways to successfully cycle an aquarium without the use of live fish. Here on Fishlore (fishlore.com) we find this rather ineffective, as well as stressful to the fish.
I’m not saying that you didn’t do the right thing. I have to, again, express my gratitude of you placing this entire process on your site, so all other new fishkeepers can read and understand.
For more information on the Nitrogen Cycle and how to cycle an aquarium without using fish, I would recommend this excellent page: http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
In addition, any questions you may have can be answered if you join the forum.
Thank you for hosting this great website, again, and showing off your gorgeous aquarium and fish. Its not every day you see angelfish breeding as much as yours, so I can be sure that you are taking good care of them!
Brian (Elodea on FL)
Thanks for the links Brian. Cycling our aquaria was quite an ordeal. Though, in general, we think our skill as a freshwater aquarist is above average, we still have two factors to try to correct. Algae (hair algae in one aquarium and blue-green and brown algae in the other two) proliferates and the plants are not thriving. Perhaps fishlore.com will provide us with some assistance.
Black, pinchers on head, looks like 20 legs,attracted to lantern
May 24, 2010
I found this bug along a river in western Pennsylvania
Glenn
Connellsville, Pennsylvania
Hellgrammite
Dear Glenn,
You have such a descriptive title. This is a Hellgrammite, the larval form of the Dobsonfly.
Large Brown Spider
May 24, 2010
Dear Bugman,
I found this spider on the side of our house yesterday and it’s still hanging out this morning. He’s about 1.5 to 2 inches in size, including legs. I don’t really see a web but he appears to be hanging a bit today. He’s tan to brown in color with a dark rectangle across the belly. Thanks!
Nature Lover in Ohio
Chardon, OH
Male Nursery Web Spider
Dear Nature Lover,
We believe, based on the large pedipalps, that this is a male Nursery Web Spider, Pisaurina mira. You can compare your specimen to individuals posted to BugGuide. We eagerly welcome a second opinion on this identification.
Bright yellow spider
May 23, 2010
I found this spider on top of my trash can. Never seen one like this before, very bright yellow. Can you identify? For some reason he intrigued me a lot.
Thank you for your time!!
Seattle, WA
Crab Spider
This is a Crab Spider. They are frequently found on blossoms waiting for prey, and the coloration acts as camouflage on brightly colored flowers.
Bug that flies
May 23, 2010
These bugs fly, but i see wings all over the house, window sill and all. Seems as the bug dies the wings disconnect or something. They are very small bodies. I think they are coming from
the baseboards. The house is carpets, and the baseboards are lined with carpets so i guess the bugs crawl out from under. My dad said it happends once a year but i even saw one on my beadspread adn the other had no wings it is was moving like a booger with feet.
I have seen piles of something maybe wood, but its stacked in little
piles and I vacuum and they always reappear. sux. Are they termites or somthign else? My dad says they aren’t but i don’t thinki he knows. Im in a really old building. I have a $25 battery spray bottle of termite killer, help please
Adam
Fort lauderdale FL
Termite
Dear Adam,
This is a Termite Alate, the winged reproductive form. Based on your letter, it sounds like you have a well established colony or colonies in your home. The presence of the winged Alates each year is evidence that new colonies may be forming in your home. We doubt that your battery spray bottle will eradicate the colony.
Weird red/white beetle?
May 23, 2010
Dear Bugman,
I encountered these three interesting bugs (the red white beetle, the bug with the green legs, and the yellow caterpillar) during a visit to the smokey mountains last week. Any idea what those are?
MB
Smoky Mountains National Park
Green Legged Grasshopper
Dear MB,
The red and white “beetle” you are curious about is actually an Oak Treehopper, Platycotis vittata, a species well represented on our website. The photo that has us excited is the green legged insect, which we first believed might be a Carolina Oak Grasshopper, Dendrotettix zimmermanni, based on a single image posted to BugGuide that created quite a dialog regarding its proper identity. We did additional research, and we are now relatively confident that your grasshopper is a Green Legged Grasshopper, Melanoplus viridipes, a species well represented on BugGuide.
Metallic Green Insect
May 24, 2010
Curious to know what this handsome bug is–his most outstanding feature is his vivid green color.
Evelyn Wolfer
Joshua, Texas (South Fort Worth)
Sweat Bee
Dear Evelyn,
There are several genera of Sweat Bees in the family Halictidae that have green metallic coloration, and we really haven’t the necessary skills to differentiate the genera much less the species. BugGuide breaks down the categories quite nicely should you choose to pursue additional research.
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