Recent content by Crow

http://www.wildlifemanagement.info/fish_pond_management.htm Try this list of articles from various extension agencies, etc. There's an article from Ohio State Extension's office titled "Muddy Water in Ponds: Causes, Prevention and Measurements" about half way down the page.

Harsh! :twisted: But I have to second you on the Walmart tip. Scott1980, I have to agree that it's lighting. But you don't necessarily need to buy the $50 specialty light fixture. You just need to get 30W of light above your tank with something shiny pointing it downward. A trip to the...

All I have is the big lump gravel. The plants seem to root in it just fine.

I'm considering using it myself. From what I've read, it sounds like the best thing to do is to use *unfertilized* potted plant soil (w/o chemical ferts added). Let it soak for a couple days, but stir it occasionally and pour off whatever floats to the surface. Once you get it into the tank...

LOL! That's my tap water, 20ppm nitrates. Don't be so shocked. You'd be suprised to find out what is used to fertilize the food you eat. It's either real or synthetic decaying organic matter. For my garden, it's aquarium water and old duck bedding :lol: For large scale farming, sometimes...

One thing aquarium salt does do is help ease the effects of high nitrite levels in the water.

Just tie it on with fishing line. Once it takes root, you can remove the line.

While your tank is cycling, do water changes every day or every other day, 10-25% of water volume to keep ammonia and nitrItes low. High ammonia and nitrItes will cause your fish much more stress than the actual act of doing the water changes. Since your fish get stressed after water changes...

That's some interesting driftwood! Has it been treated?

I've got 6 tiger barbs. Tigerlily is right on. Sometimes they just point their heads almost straight down and sit there for a while. And they're definately happier when there are a 1/2 doz of them or so. I started out with two as well, and had similar problems to what you describe.

Fishy poop will change color and consistency depending on what you feed them. If different stuff goes in one end, different stuff comes out the other end. Unless you see other signs of disease, changes in behaviour or appearance, I wouldn't worry about it at all. It's probably just the...

Yes, you definately have the makings of a biotope aquarium. Kuhli loaches would be great eel-like additions. They do dig in the substrate, but mine haven't upset even my newly planted jungle val. They'd help keep the sand "churned" as well, preventing dead spots. They like planted tanks, are...

Have you cycled your tank? Tested your ammonia and nitrite levels? Fish usually don't get that upset about a water change so I'm guessing it's a water quality issue. . .

The more the better, but it's more of an art than a science. A few plants will help, alot of plants will help alot. Regular water changes help alot. Basically, it was the 70ppm nitrate level that caused your algae bloom. Plants can help slow the build-up of nitrates, but the best thing to...

Never, ever go to that store again! Find a nice little lfs with nice helpful people that keep tanks that actually look alive instead of sterilized. I had similar problems when I got my aquarium b/c I followed the chain pet store directions. Fortunately I went to a local store to actually...