Recent content by redfraggle

Floor Support and Stand Progress Here's what I managed to get done this weekend (with the help of my awesome husband, of course). FLOOR SUPPORT The floor joists run parallel to the wall where the tank will be, so I added some support. I glued and screwed 2 sets of 3 PT 2x8s to span 3 joists...

I joined the forum in 2011 when I was very new to the hobby and setting up my current 20 gallon long. I've been away for a while, but thought it would be a good idea to get back into the forums to explore options and seek advice for the new tank I'm setting up. Here's what I'm planning so far...

So I dug up my notes about our water quality from when we had our softener installed earlier this year. Our water hardness was only 10 grains per gallon, which is 171 mg/L (ppm). According to the Morton Salt Water Softening FAQ, this means we have 79 mg/L of sodium added to the...

jsoong - Thanks so much for that excellent reply! What should I use instead of those test strips to get an accurate reading on my water? I am using sodium for my softener atm, but I think I will be switching to potassium. Potassium has other benefits, and the aquarium may be the straw that...

I have very strange water parameters out of the tap, thanks to my water softener (which uses salt): GH=0 KH=300ppm + (off the chart, really) pH=7.8 Do I need to tamper with these levels before I add water to the tank, or should I just add the water as is? Currently I add Prime and Flourish...

Okay, I will just get one male. Will he be stressed without a female in the tank?

Can I put 2 male dwarf gouramis in a planted 20 gallon long? They are so pretty, but I don't want them to kill each other. Tankmates would be 5 neon tetras, one male guppy, and 4 ghost shrimp. Thanks

Thanks! I looked up the bulbs you mentioned and I see that Coralife makes a 20W version of the u-shaped bulb for freshwater - so the lighting would be upgradeable if I decide I need it later down the line. :thumb:

I'm planning to start a low-tech 10g planted. I was considering buying a 10 gallon starter kit from my LPS and replacing the 2 included incandescent bulbs with 2 15W daylight compact fluorescent spiral bulbs. My main question is: Are these shape bulbs suitable for dispersing light well in...

After reading these forums for a few weeks, I finally thought I'd join. I wanted to thank everyone for all the advice they gave to others, which I've read and benefited from - you all have helped me get my tank straightened out and taught me that patience and and clean water is really the...