Recent content by CrystalClear

Hello everyone, hope everyone is doing well. In my 75 Gal tank I have been humming along quite well and the past week or so I have begun to see brown algae form on the glass and some of the rocks/gravel. It isn't terrible, yet. I have been doing regular 50% water changes weekly and haven't...

My C360 has the bio balls in the second stage. I cleaned the filter out last weekend and the bioballs were clean as a whistle. I wonder if they even do anything productive. Would it be worth it to change them out with another filter media?

I kept my rock stacks very low for that reason. I kept it pretty simple with two caves or bridges and a lot of crevices that the labido and albino love to swim through for me. I also have driftwood, so I didn't want to crowd the tank too much.

Just want to say thanks guys for recommending the Python system. I did a whole complete gravel cleaning and a PWC in less than a half hour. It really works well. It takes a little time to get used to getting the vales in the right position and getting the water going the right way, but it is an...

Check ebay for some deals in your area too on tanks. I got my 75 with stand for 125 bucks from someone moving and looking to get rid of it. Only had a scratch in the wood, but it is sealed fine and only 2 years old. There are deals to be had. A lot of people don't keep up with tanks and look to...

After doing some looking up online I think I am going with the python system. It may cost more, but may payoff in the long run a lot easier. Does anyone know if Petsmart sells it? My closes petco is pretty far, as is my preferable LFS and I want to get it before this weekend.

Watching them eat is actually the enjoyment I get out of the fish, especially with cichlids. I throw in only a couple pinches, after that they either don't see it fall or begin to swim away from it.

No algae in my tank what so ever. I feed twice a day, once in the morning and once towards afternoon when the light comes on. Light only comes on for about 5 1/2 hours. There is some small sun in the morning that indirectly hits the tank for an hour or so. Ammonia is at 0 Nitrite is .05...

I may indeed look into the python system. I knew I had to get a gravel vac, but didn't do too much research on one before. Thanks for the info.

75Gal. I have tested everyday and had barely any rise in ammonia and virtually no rise in algae. I asked at the LFS and they recommended that the water should be changed in small amounts to not "shock" the tank as much and to do a 50% water change only monthly or if levels of ammonia get too...

What is the best way to do a PWC on a tank with fish in it? I have only changed 5% of the water once and that was during my cycle, which is easy. I plan on doing about a 10% water change this weekend and would like to know how you guys recommend going about it. Is it better to get one of those...

This is the same stuff I picked out on the shelf. Good to see I made a good decision. I am thinking of getting some bloodworms as other sites have suggested it as well.

Yesterday I picked up 4 african cichlids (An Albino,Pink Peacock, and 2 blue peacock) for my new tank. In all the excitement at the good LFS I forgot all about asking the food they recommend. I went to a local FS, but they had no idea and I ended up picking up a can of african cichlid small...

I finally found a good LFS where they actually knew what they were talking about when I got my fish today and they said that crushed coral is the best idea to raise the PH. JP I may take you up on your offer. I would only need a piece or two. What size rocks do you have?

Very interesting about baking soda. I wonder how long it will keep the pH up though. It says it won't last a while, so I wonder if it is more of a short time fix. Is there any way to keep the pH up at a consistent level?