Recent content by Mike12345

Hi, I've attached two pictures (I hope) showing some oddeties on my java fern. One pic is whee the tips of some of the leave have gone dark green, a very different colour to the rest of the leaf. The second pic is where one leaf has gone blackened at the tip and curled over. When I look...

Thanks guys, I've bought one of those test kits for copper. I kinda hope it is the issue, then can put it to bed. I'll post when the kit arrives and I do the test.

Immersion heaters are the instant heat ones, they are probably fine. Most hot water in the UK is from a boiler unit, and the hot water sits in a water cistern, either in the loft or in an airing cupboard, typically made from copper on the inside. The only way to drain this is to empty around 1...

I water change about 50 litres a week. I considered buying water, but that might be really expensive. I hadn't considered rainwater though. I'd be worried about introducing polutents and bacteria, but I'll give it some research, thanks. Having spoken to someone in a Maidenhead aquatics store...

Sorry for the late reply. I use the API water conditioner. Removes chlorine, chloramine, and heavy metals. I've tried buying products for getting nitrate down, but they haven't had any effect yet. Also I've got plants in there, but the levels are so high they aren't putting a dent in it either.

I am worried that if its the nitrates (because they are really high right out of the tap), I could end up killing them again, even in 6 months. :( If it isn't the nitrate, I am not sure. The algae granules I put in should have been enough to feed them each day. And people say it takes a long...

Tank isn't cycled? What I have read is that a tank is cycled when there is enough bacteria in there to convert all the Ammonia into Nitrite, and then Nitrite into Nitrate. If this is happening and there is no ammonia and no nitrite, then it is cycled no? Also, that still didn't explain...

Hi, Looking for someone who knows more about this particular type of shrimp, or a lot about shrimp in general. I currently have 8 thriving amano shrimp, 6 Harlequins, 5 neon tetra, 2 rainbow tetra (I think), 2 ottos, 4 sword tails. Tank is 200L, planted. Last week I bout a bamboo shrimp...

I think the guys in the branch near me are quite knowledgeable. I'm in Basingstoke, the guys at pets at home said that quite a lot of customers complain about the water quality here regarding Nitrate. Different areas of the town have higher or lover though. They said theirs isn't too high, but...

Thank you for your reply. I didn't think of contacting the water company, that's a good idea. I'm going to go to the pets at home where I got them from today, and ask what level their tap water is, if they treat it with something to lower nitrate, and buy something to try to reduce it. A lot of...

Been cycling a new tank for about a week and a half. I put some plants in it after a week, and after 3 days I've put 5 harlequins and 4 swordtails in it. Its a 200 l tank, so enormous, and a few tiny fish. After a day, the nitrate level is 40 to 80. Thish shouldn't be possible from fish waste...