Recent content by jcmcn5

Two times I've planted Dwarfs Parrot Feather and both times, within 2-3 weeks the plant's just wither and die. I've read this is a relatively easy plant to grow, but I can't seem to get it to take. I have a 60 gallon breeder, stocked with community tank fish (tetras mostly). Combination...

Thanks, Colin. It's not so much that I need a new filter, it's just that the one I have is more than 10 years old, and the manufacturer has discontinued it. I guess when Mars bought Rena they decided to get out of the filter OEM business. In any event, parts are still available, and I have a...

Got it. I do see Eheim's as well. Many thanks

Thanks, Aiken. Running both the old and new was what I was thinking as well. Just needed to hear someone else confirm that's an option. If you don't mind my asking -- do you have a preference for a certain cannister model? I'm in the US, so I see a lot of Fluval, Marineland and Aqueon. Any...

I currently have an old Filstar / Rena XP1 canister filter for my 40 gallon breeder. The filters has worked extremely well over the years -- I've had to replace the rotor impeller assemble once, but other than that it's worked very well. But it's 10 years old and they don't manufacture it any...

Wow, what a cost difference. A glass 60 gallon breeder goes for $200. Just priced an acrylic at a few online option I saw and a 60 is between $600 and as high as $1200. That kinda makes the decision a lot easier

The Aqueon 60 gallon breeder is 16" high, versus 21" for a 75 gallon, so it's actually a 5" differential. I realize 5" isn't' that big of a deal, but for the space I'm filling, it's a meaningful amount. My 40 is 17" high. An additional 4" to what I have now feels like a lot when I look at the...

I'm in the US. I'm looking at the Aqueon 60 gallon breeder. It makes the most sense for the location. A 75 would be a beast in my office, dominating the look, while I think the 60 gallon would be a perfect fit. I've wanted to go bigger for some time now, would like a larger population of...

Currently have a 40 gallon breeder, have had for 7-8 years and am going to upgrade to a 75 gallon. Would appreciate any input on where to buy, what to look for, etc. I have a stand, have the space. Just don't know anything about makes, manufacturers, etc. A 48" long, 18" deep and 20" high are...

I would appreciate hearing more about total dissolved solids. I confess it's a term I'm not familiar with (perhaps further highlighting my ignorance). How would I go about comparing the water from my LFS with my own?

I took no offense from any of the comments. I asked for the input, and they were kind enough to give me both sides of the argument. They also made it clear what the trade-offs are, and that ultimately, it's my call. I may very well do as you suggest and just repopulate with a QT but getting...

No, it's not worth the risk to me. I'm never going to get emotional about fish -- they're not dogs. But I was very fond of the tank I'd built over the past 5 years of tinkering. I wouldn't say I was a muddle-through kind of hobbyist. I've been at it for more than 10 years, but got more...

Colin, Aiken, and Andy may recognize me from a separate thread where I bemoan the loss of 75% of my tank (and counting) to what I can only attribute to the recent addition of 5 store bought fish. I'm at a loss here. I get the need to quarantine new fish, but practically, it's kind of a...

OK, last post on my sorry tale -- appreciate the indulgence. This is a pic of the few survivors of this episode. 5 black emperor tetras. If you zoom in, you can see what looks like some kind of white spot disease. Is that what you see? And it's a little odd to see them all hanging out at...

Thanks for the reply. How would I go about finding out about these local breeders? I live in New Jersey -- it's actually harder than one would think to find folks like that as they don't exactly advertise. People like me are pretty much funneled into a very limited selection of fish stores...