Recent content by cindywindy

Lake Victorian cichlids are extremely rare and are dangerously close to extinction. Many species are quickly fading from the hobby due to a vastly diminishing population as a result of ecological issues and deterioration of the natural habitat of many of these fish in Africa. How sad, that an...

Simply beautiful fish, Brian ! An extraordinary specimen, but of course that could be said for all you keep. :)

Free-floating algae is similar to every other kind of algae in the way that it is proportionally-related to the nutrient content in the water. The free-floating type of algae is what is making your water similar to pea-soup in color. There are lots of algicides on the market, none of which I...

Soaking it in a bathtub or boiling it has always worked just fine for me, depending on the size of the driftwood in question.

Liz, The convention will be held in Texas next year so it won't be as far for you to travel !

I LOVE Nogales ! The last time I was there, my family and I were eating outside at this little sidewalk cafe and these children (literally) kept coming to our table to ask us if we wanted to buy some of their handmade toys. I couldn't believe how creative some of them were ! On one hand, it...

Liz, it will be great to meet you so whenever you decide to come down I'd be happy to treat you and your husband to dinner ! Mexican, of course, if you like it ... the "real" stuff, LOL. :D Adam : How come you're not flying ? Rates are about as cheap as I've seen them lately ! Brian ...

Scott, Can you tell me about your routine water maintenance schedule - volume/frequency of water changes including substrate vacuuming ? This will help me help you.

Oh Alli rub it in why don't you ! Grrrr.... Dangit, I was hoping you'd be there so I could finally meet you ! :)

Anyone going to Denver for the convention ? I'll be there and I seriously can't wait ! :)

Just my $.02, I have used crushed coral in a mesh baggie (found in the paint-straining department at Home Depot for about $2.00) and placed it in my African tank without the use of any chemical additives and have been very satisfied with the results. The rise in the pH/KH that you will...

fhqwhgads, I don't use anything other than Ebo-Jagers on my tanks, they are some of the best heaters that money can buy, and the most consistent temperaturewise with very few incidences of malfunction. I also would recommend a 250w for your size tank. There are 2 places that I highly...

While it is important to cure the brown algae, what is more important IMO is to find out what caused it in the first place and correct those factors contributing to the condition. Brown algae are diatoms that are caused from excess nutrients in the water, too little lighting, and overuse of...

Are you sure you are not referring to nitrItes instead of nitrAtes ? I may be coming into this late, but I feel as if I am missing something. What did you use for a source of ammonia ? What do you mean by letting the tank cycle by itself ?

fhqwhgads, A. elipsifers are very beautiful and incredible eels ! In terms of eels, they are not that difficult to keep, altho as Madasafish mentioned, they have specific water parameters to be met in order to keep them healthy, such as very high pH and KH. I also would not keep these eels...