Recent content by armindilo

I didn't end up getting any goldfish on the recommendation of a bunch of previous responses to this post. You can read back through and see how I ended going about stocking the tank. I haven't updated it though I think. Currently I have: 7x Lemon Tetras 3x Corys 2x Guppies 3x Nerite Snails 5x...

Actually, it looks like I'm going to be away for 4 weeks after next week, so I won't have someone checking on the fish daily. I'm going to wait until I get back before I add anything else. I'm also reconsidering if I want Otos or if I want something else. I like that the Otos will clean up...

I cleaned the filter pads a few days ago in preparation, so they should be fine for a while, and I'm assuming whatever BB got washed off them has re-established itself. I'm going to monitor water parameters a bit more closely over the next while. The tank isn't heavily stocked right now (7 lemon...

So I did some more searching around the internet and as much as I loved the gravel I had, a sand substrate is a lot more flexible in terms of fish and plants, so I'm making the switch. I got some sand from the gravel pit down the road, cleaned it, and boiled it. I've got my current gravel in...

I just did a bit of research on Cories. My substrate is far too big and sharp for them to be happy.

Awww....just found out that I can only get Ottos locally. Anything else I gotta drive a couple of hours each way. What I have is crushed stone stuff from my driveway. I guess I'll try it and see how it goes.

So a bit of an update. Tank is well cycled now. I've added a few more rocks. I want to add some plants and a few more fish now. A few questions about that: Will the gravel I have be ok for some simple plants (Java Fern or Amazon Sword), or do I need something finer? I'd like to add some Otto...

This is the one. Also comes in single tubes, or small squeeze tubes. Home Hardware - 3 Pack 300ml Multi-purpose Clear Silicone II Sealant

Home Hardware brand (Home Builder?) says right on it that it is aquarium safe. I'm not sure how well it holds up as an adhesive; it is meant as a sealant.

You still have to pay for the energy to heat the water, either with a heater in your tank or by heating the room. You might save a very very small amount because you aren't losing heat in your plumbing as the water is flowing to your tank, but really that is probably pretty small compared to how...

Progress! Ammonia <0.25 ppm Nitrite 0.5 ppm Nitrate 0 ppm So it looks like the first half of the bacteria are getting well established. Any rough estimate on how far behind the nitrates will be?

Also Newofundland. Whereabouts are you Kyle? I'm in Gander area.

I haven't been really aggressive with water changes since getting the test kit. Ammonia hasn't seemed to climb up to 0.5 yet. How fast does it usually climb?

Ya, sucks big time. I've covered the hole now. Tested the water tonight ph 6.8-7.0 Ammonia 0.25 ppm Nitrite 0 ppm Nitrate 0 ppm Followed by a 50% water change.

Nope, haven't tested for nitrates. I haven't seen any nitrite, but I haven't checked every day. I've kept ammonia under 0.50.