Recent content by hal.lc

If you don't mind the particles then I wouldn't bother putting a lot of effort towards getting crystal clear water. It's entirely up to you because your the one who is going to be enjoying the tank. I personally don't bother with it because it doesn't bother me. Changing your filter floss more...

You will most likely need more filtration, although frequent water changes does help. You could also try adding filter floss to one of your filters, or even have one filter used solely for polishing your water. This would mean removing any bio or chemical filtration media from that filter and...

The water does not need to be crystal clear. It is common to find small particles floating in the water column. Although if you want crystal clear water it can be obtained. It is just a matter of how much effort you want to put into maintaining water clarity.

Yes, that will work. Although you don't need that last bend in the PVC(main tank end). The opening of the PVC in the tank will act as a surface skimmer aswell as determine where the water line is.

Well, your overflow is not shaped correctly, but yes. An overflow that drains into your sump and a pump that pumps water back into the main tank from the sump will work.

PVC should be fairly easy to find. Just check the nearest large hardware store. Edit: A PVC hang on tank overflow is definitely the least attractive option. But it works well, and if you painted it black it may be less obtrusive. Just be sure to do so with aquarium safe paint.

Very true. Although I was considering more that he would only need enough space to fit one piece of PVC, and that would only need to reach down below the water line by maybe an inch.

It is possible to use PVC to create a simple hang on tank overflow. It. Would take up a lot less space than a regular overflow box.

Yes, technically it could work, but it is very unlikely. Basically you would need both pumps to be pumping water at the exact same rate. This would be near impossible to accomplish. What you need is to replace the pump in the tank with a hang on tank weir or overflow box.

Apologies, I miss understood your meaning.

Flying fox are actually also a diferent fish entirely from the SAEs and CAEs. I have not had experience with them and therefore cannot comment on their aggressiveness. I've never had any trouble with SAEs being aggressive, although there area always exceptions.

Here's a profile. Take a look, they are pretty interesting looking fish and can add a little variety to any SA tank.

I think we all need to be a little easier on Tom. Yes, he has made some fairly dire mistakes in setting up his tank. But chastising him isn't going to rectify the situation or encourage him to become a more knowledgeable aquarist. Instead we should be offering guidance, and solutions. First off...

The difference is that both your apistos and the rams are cichlids. Cichlids tend to be very aggressive and territorial, especially when breeding. A bristlenose pleco will mostly keep to itself. I would suggest adding a shoal of tetras or hatchets instead.

If she would be ok with small fish with big personality you could do a pair of rams or apistos. Then you could also include a small shoal of hatchets and a small shoal of tetras to fill the middle and top portions of the tank.