Recent content by carlosk

Thanks for the info... I appreciate it. I have just 5 fish at the min and I'm well aware of the aggression that will take part in a cichlid tank. Although I have no experience of having to handle such issues, it's all a learning curve and a steep one at that. I plan to add 5 more after Xmas as...

Sorry folks..... One more for good luck

Hi all, I've been using this site for info and help for the past couple of months. I'm completely new to the aquarium world and I'm loving it so far. I've persevered and completed a fishless cycle and I'm glad I have. Still double checking my water parameters as I'm going along and everything...

I carried out my fishless cycle using 4 - 5 ppm ammonia. Since the cycle completed, I have been dosing just 1ppm like the article on here suggested.

Hi all... sorry for pretty much abandoning my own post... things have been hectic here for me Anyway, sorry about the lack of info on the fish that I would like.... well all i really know so far is that I don't want cichlids... I'm really looking for a community tank that will look well to the...

Hi all.... So, I seem to have completed my fishless cycle. I'm going to keep an eye on the parameters and changes over the next couple of days after I spike with ammonia, but I'm sure I'm completed. Just double checking and being careful about it all... Ok, so my next headache... is a good one...

I can imagine.... I was enthusiastic about the cycling at the beginning, but it wasn't long before it started wearing me down... I was adamant that I'd stick to the task though and I'm glad I didn't resort to any drastic measures. Patience is definitely key. A "What to Stock" thread will be...

Today's update.... After dosing up to about 4.9 ppm ammonia before bed last night and after a total water change, i came home to these readings: pH = 7.5 Temp = 29 deg C Ammonia = 0 ppm Nitrite = 0 ppm Nitrate = 10 ppm So another couple of days testing I'm guessing just to be sure.... but...

Ok, update time.... 20 mins has passed. I've completed a test. Here are the results: pH = 7.5 Temp = 30 deg C Ammonia = 0 ppm Nitrite = 0.3 ppm Nitrate = 5 ppm So I've just spiked the ammonia again to try bring it back up to 4 ppm. Hopefully my Nitrite and Nitrate levels will be readable...

Hey all... thanks again.... here's the latest update. I've just done a complete water change... without disrupting the sand or driftwood in the tank. I re-added the fresh "treated" water (by this I obviously mean that I used the additive to clear chlorine and chloramines). I'm waiting 20mins...

I think my nitrites may be greater than 5ppm... they're not reading on my scale. So I think I'll be doing a BIG water change this evening. It's time consuming but I want to make sure it all goes well.... Thanks for all the help and the advice... I really appreciate it :dance::thanks:

I'm using the Nutrafin Mini Master Test Kit. So all liquid and test tube based. No strips ever used

Ok, So here's the scenario..... I'm currently in the middle of my 1st ever aquarium setup. I have researched as much as I can and read through as many posts and forum discussions as I could (especially on topics relevant to me) but yet I'm at a bit of a crossroads and need to decide on my...

I have to say that this site has been excellent and I've read so much on here. Lots of info, tips and tricks are being picked up and I can't wait to get going with it all. My goal is to have a natural looking tank (no pink gravel and the likes) with real plants etc.... I can understand what you...

Oh I have it all to do. It's constantly on my mind... I still have to decide on the layout of the tank. I have sand to clean and add. I also have gravel that I might use a very small quantity of to enhance the overall display. I have a couple of decent pieces of bog wood and some stones too. At...