I know nothing. I suck.

[exhumed07]

I love african. the aggression, the color, the activitie. just great fish to keep.

 

[Fishman1995]

Id only ever keep the Huge SA's

 

[lauraf]

And Laura, you've just got to look at what it was that died to realise it's really not your fault. Cardinals and a few species of cory are sensitive as it is and with all the mad inbreeding that happens on a mass scale with certain species such as cardinals they tend to just drop at the slightest sniff of anything wrong. Had it been something a bit tougher like your platies or angels then there'd be reason to worry - but it sounds like you've found the source of the problem and are on top of it. As everyone else has said, it's happened to all of us at some point, even seasoned pros like yourself!

Don't doubt yourself, because I think we can all agree you're one of the regulars many members of the forum really look up to

@Fishman, it's a very fine line - I wouldn't suggest overstocking to a beginner or someone who's still finding their feet in the hobby. Even a slightly overstocked tank takes so much more maintaining and time than one that's understocked, and when you're still unsure about certain things in the hobby a small problem like the one Laura's had can quickly turn into a full-on disaster. Luckily with Laura being the pro she is she nipped it in the bud.

Aw, thanks misterking. I've learned so much from being involved with this forum, and hope that I can give a little bit back, 'specially to newbies who want to learn from the mistakes we've all made. Like mine! Account for your fish!
Yeah, I guess it's not that awful. Missing the dead cories for a few days, because I was so worried about how my angels were working, is probably the worst thing. That's the only thing that I can think of that affected my nitrates. Fortunately no one else looks to be off at all.
Overstocking or mixing possibly problematic fish really requires being super observant (duh, hypocrite over here!), regular - no skipping! - water changes and other maintenance, plus being willing to rehome fish that aren't working with each other.
Sigh. I still feel like I suck a bit.

 

[Twiggles]

Aw, thanks misterking. I've learned so much from being involved with this forum, and hope that I can give a little bit back, 'specially to newbies who want to learn from the mistakes we've all made. Like mine! Account for your fish!
Yeah, I guess it's not that awful. Missing the dead cories for a few days, because I was so worried about how my angels were working, is probably the worst thing. That's the only thing that I can think of that affected my nitrates. Fortunately no one else looks to be off at all.
Overstocking or mixing possibly problematic fish really requires being super observant (duh, hypocrite over here!), regular - no skipping! - water changes and other maintenance, plus being willing to rehome fish that aren't working with each other.
Sigh. I still feel like I suck a bit.

I know how you feel, but you don't have to feel like you suck. Making mistakes is the best way to learn in this hobby, you never want to make them but they're going to happen. You just have to try and make sure you learn something from them I guess .. I think you get what I'm saying. I've learned a lot from these forums as well and continue to everyday really ... oh ya and to comment on the cichlid talk above, definitely my favorite group of fish, more particularity African cichlids. I have a top secret cichlid project in the works, It'll be a surprise