<![CDATA[Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Freshwater & Brackish - Getting Started]]> http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/ en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:50:01 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg <![CDATA[Aquarium Advice - Aquarium Forum Community - Freshwater & Brackish - Getting Started]]> http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/ Surficants in my vinegar or no? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/surficants-in-my-vinegar-or-no-123500-new-post.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:39:38 GMT Post removed, because I made a stupid mistake. Post removed, because I made a stupid mistake. ]]> jaiden http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/surficants-in-my-vinegar-or-no-123500.html PWC http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/pwc-123488-new-post.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:36:42 GMT This may sound like a crazy question but I figured better to be safe than sorry. I'm about to do a pwc and was wondering if I need to put the water conditioner in each bucket before I pour it into the aquarium or will the fish be ok if I wait till I've poured all of the buckets in then put in the water conditioner? ]]> Solarris http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/pwc-123488.html 100 Gal Tall Hex Tank http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/100-gal-tall-hex-tank-123457-new-post.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:35:51 GMT Hi -
Posted over in the New to Site Room and only received one response, so I thought I would dive right in to this Forum and ask for help.....
I just recently acquired a 100 gallon tall (36") hex tank - came with a nice stand, no cover, a fairly new Eheim Professional II FIlter, a TetraTec Deep Water Pump and a light fixture - all came to me for free, I did not choose any of the equipment. I have researched it all and seems like I got a good deal.
I have done tanks up to 55 gallons before and currently have a 40 f/w community tank which is doing very well. But this tank seems daunting and TALL....any suggestions for a successful set up would be appreciated. Any pics out there of one already scaped and populated would be great - not too many on the web that I can find. Anything else you all can relay to me that you deem helpful would be great too. I am leaning towards another community tank, but not sure which species would do well in so deep a tank; also want to go with a sand strata - any thoughts? Thanks in advance for your comments.....
Cheers,
Clarisse ]]> Clarisse http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/100-gal-tall-hex-tank-123457.html New 54g planning http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/new-54g-planning-123456-new-post.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:20:57 GMT I have a 54g corner tank that was salt, but I ran out of time and money to maintain it and it has been dormant for over a year. It's not really big enough to do salt properly and I can't afford the reef tank I really eventually want to have.

I had a crazy idea last night to clean it up and switch it to fresh water, but I only have around 10 days before company comes over for thanksgiving. I was hoping to have the tank up and running by then, so I don't really have time for a proper fishless cycle.

I am hoping that 54 gallons is big enough that a (single?) hearty fish wouldn't get too stressed while the tank cycles. Can I get away with it? Maybe I can dose with ammonia to kick things off and add a fish after a week or so. I know it's not the best plan and I know I will get advice to the contrary, but can I pull it off in this size tank?

plan: 54g corner tank, eheim canister filter with broken pump, being run with a power head. Eventually I'd want a planted tank with colorful active fish.

Suggestions for a first fish? I prefer more small ones than a few big ones. I'm used to salt, so I'm kind of picky and want something flashy eventually, but the FIRST fish is less important than the overall mix. I like inverts too.

Suggestions for substrate? I'm thinking Eco-Complete Plant substrate. I think this means I can't vacuum it though(?), but I prefer a natural look and would prefer to add plants at some point. It is possible I could be talked out of this.

Suggestions for an add-on filter, or is the eheim ecco 2235 big enough by itself?

I'm sure I'll have a bunch more questions before the day is over. ]]> jaiden http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/new-54g-planning-123456.html Giant danios and zebra danios http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/giant-danios-and-zebra-danios-123447-new-post.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:57:02 GMT Can keep giant danios and zebra danios in the same tank? I love both so would the size difference in the giant ones be a problem? Because i want to add some zebra danios into a tank with some giant danios. Can keep giant danios and zebra danios in the same tank? I love both so would the size difference in the giant ones be a problem? Because i want to add some zebra danios into a tank with some giant danios. ]]> Asbestos http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/giant-danios-and-zebra-danios-123447.html Ammonia from ACE with 10% ammonium hydroxide http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/ammonia-from-ace-with-10-ammonium-hydroxide-123436-new-post.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:33:06 GMT The bottle says 10% ammonium hydroxide....... Is this ok or not for starting cycle?

I shook the bottle and it didn't foam up so it seems clean there. ]]> Wenty http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/ammonia-from-ace-with-10-ammonium-hydroxide-123436.html 120g heater question http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/120g-heater-question-123433-new-post.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 00:25:30 GMT So since I'm plotting the start of a 120g tank, I have a heater question. I've read that for the big tanks you want 2 heaters. So here's the question:


Would 2 300w heaters be right?

I'm looking at Marineland Stealth Pro heaters:
Heaters: Marineland Stealth Pro-Heaters ]]> DragonFish71 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/120g-heater-question-123433.html Old tank plus New tank for cycle? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/old-tank-plus-new-tank-for-cycle-123409-new-post.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:30:26 GMT Hey just purchased a 130litre ar620t tank, i previously only had a 28litre tank with an undergravel filter. Both are tropical tanks. i didnt previously cycle my 28litre tank, being a newb and not knowing, however i havent lost any fish as yet and ive had the tank for at least 2 months now,... Hey

just purchased a 130litre ar620t tank, i previously only had a 28litre tank with an undergravel filter. Both are tropical tanks.

i didnt previously cycle my 28litre tank, being a newb and not knowing, however i havent lost any fish as yet and ive had the tank for at least 2 months now, ph has always been fine.

I want to do it the right way this time though, am i able to speed up the cycle on the 130litre tank using the water or decorations from my 28l tank ? Will having that other tank benefit to the bacteria needed to cycle the tank?

sorry for any bad questions heh , thanks in advance for the help though.

cheers matt ]]> oniau http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/old-tank-plus-new-tank-for-cycle-123409.html 20g tall - help with species pick! http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/20g-tall-help-with-species-pick-123391-new-post.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 00:58:12 GMT Hi all,

My 20g high tropical tank is just finishing cycling and I'm getting excited about putting it together. I currently have 3 goldfish that are going to be switched out to another tank, but I want some advice about species, habitat, and timing of introductions for my tank since it's my first.

Here is the list of species and numbers that I am thinking of:
- 5 kuhli loaches
- 1 dwarf gourami
- 6 cardinal tetras
- 3 oto
- 5 cardinal rasboras

What order should they be added?

How do I know when it's OK to add the next species?

I'm planning to add a Java fern. Should plants be added after fish or before, or no difference? ]]> sarahsunshine http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/20g-tall-help-with-species-pick-123391.html Umm Not Sure What To Do?? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/umm-not-sure-what-to-do-123384-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:23:12 GMT Ok so i'm kinda new to keeping fish.
I had an aquarium before and all my fish did really great( i didn't even do much to it i just put water in, a filter and fish) but that was when i lived in the country and we had well water. Now i'm in the city and have tap water.
anyway i decided to get a Betta (since their pretty easy)i set the aquarium up and put in the the betta water conditioner. the lady at the store said that was all that i needed. But i've also got some live plants ( not real sure what they are though) and again the lady at the store told me that they'd do fine.
well so far i've lost two betta's and have no idea why?
Now I'm on my third and scare that i'll lose him too!
I changed part of the water a day before i put him in and so far hes doing fine.
But i would like some advise as how to maintain the tank and what to do??
i've attached some pics of my tank
I'd also like to know how to care for the plant and how to tell if they are healthy? i'm just not sure what to do? (i never knew fish were so hard:(
Attached Images
File Type: jpg fish tank 001.jpg (64.5 KB)
File Type: jpg fish tank 002.jpg (66.2 KB)
]]> AquaKitty http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/umm-not-sure-what-to-do-123384.html Overstocked ? http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/overstocked-123369-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 16:09:18 GMT Hi and thanks for the forum. Planning just a 20 gallon has proven to be not a very easy thing to do. Any and all input from you will sure be very helpful, thanks. How about this selection, the Cardinals are my main focus? I have to admit that this is scary, am I seriously not risking bio... Hi and thanks for the forum.

Planning just a 20 gallon has proven to be not a very easy thing to do. Any and all input from you will sure be very helpful, thanks.

How about this selection, the Cardinals are my main focus? I have to admit that this is scary, am I seriously not risking bio overload?

18 Cardinals (is it too much?)
08 Cory Pygmy (I think it's the minimum)
06 Endler males (no fry and happy to have friends)
01 Ghost Shrimp (unique and ok alone, I think)
03 Otos (if I have to give these guys up, I will, no algae problem)

I've included 3 pics to show my plant load. There's a bunch of Anacharis in the rear-left, 7 individual plants, Java Moss on the small rock and driftwood and Duckweed that's maintained to cover about 70% of the surface they multiply like crazy.

I'm using an AquaClear20 HOB system with all 3 filter bags and a fourth ammonia remover bag. At every water change I remove the solid particles, if any, in the bottom of the AC20 by using the old water in the bucket to fill and pour out. I also rinse each bag by dipping them into the old water in the bucket once.

I currently change 10 gallons of water every 5-7 days. Not sure about the percentage but it's more than 50% considering the plants, rock, driftwood, sunken ship, heater, fish and 30lbs of Flourite Black. I can't shorten the interval if I need to but would rather adjust the quantity of water or fish to fit that water schedule, please let me know.







]]> selvan777 http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/overstocked-123369.html Shy Rams http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/shy-rams-123354-new-post.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 02:40:10 GMT My 2 golden rams are terribly shy. They almost never come out to be seen and rush back very quickly. They must be eating my shrimp because I never see them eat anything else. If I bought a couple more, would they be more inclined to come out and say hello? They are in a tank with a couple... My 2 golden rams are terribly shy. They almost never come out to be seen and rush back very quickly. They must be eating my shrimp because I never see them eat anything else.

If I bought a couple more, would they be more inclined to come out and say hello? They are in a tank with a couple gouramis and some danios.

Speaking of the danios, two jumped out of the tank last night and died. Didn't realise they were jumpers. ]]> EasternCanuck http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/shy-rams-123354.html Cloudy water on second day of new cycle http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/cloudy-water-on-second-day-of-new-cycle-123336-new-post.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 16:10:36 GMT New tank is cloudy second day on new cycle is this normal ??? :confused:

My test readings:
PH 8.3
Ammonia- 0
Nitrate- 0
Nitrite- 0
Temperature is- 82 F

It's all a big 0. :p ]]> Wenty http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/cloudy-water-on-second-day-of-new-cycle-123336.html Hazy water after second day cycle http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/hazy-water-after-second-day-cycle-123334-new-post.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 15:20:17 GMT wrong thread....sorry! wrong thread....sorry! ]]> Wenty http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/hazy-water-after-second-day-cycle-123334.html Sand substrate http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/sand-substrate-123330-new-post.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:31:12 GMT I set up a tank yesterday its my second tank, and i got a sand substrate, so my question is whats the best way to go about stirring the sand natural? as in Malaysian trumpet snails. Or will regular apple snails work? because i have no idea where to find Malaysian trumpet snails the pet stores... I set up a tank yesterday its my second tank, and i got a sand substrate, so my question is whats the best way to go about stirring the sand natural? as in Malaysian trumpet snails. Or will regular apple snails work? because i have no idea where to find Malaysian trumpet snails the pet stores around here don't have any. or would like a heard of ghost shrimp work :D. ]]> Asbestos http://www.aquariumadvice.com/forums/f15/sand-substrate-123330.html