Recent content by AquaDrew

Thanks, Spilzer. Yes, that is how the vortex works. One issue I am working on is that the flow of the pump changes and that can make the vortex too mild or too steep (the vortex gets very narrow and runs out the bottom of the bottle). The flow changes on the pump as the filter gets clogged. I...

The pic of the vortex reactor I linked to before wasn't mine - here is a pic of the one I built. It is visible in the tank but it doesn't bother me. The only DIY part was making the inlet to the bottle out of tubing and epoxy putty and drilling the hole for the CO2 line. Otherwise it is a...

I made one kind of like this: http://i17.tinypic.com/4q37zah.jpg using a powerhead/prefilter, some epoxy and silcone and a plastic juice bottle. I've only had it hooked up for a couple weeks but it seems pretty good so far.

Have you looked into making a DIY vortex generator? I made one for my 36 gal. and it seems pretty efficient. I don't have an accurate meter but very few CO2 bubbles escape to the surface.

Hi Spilzer, I also live in NYC without a car and am looking into a CO2 tank. Have you found a place to fill it? I was thinking I would find a place first, then find out what style of tank they would be willing to fill. Good luck, keep us posted on what you work out.

I blacked out the tank for a few days, which got rid of most of the algae. I've since put in some DIY CO2 with a makeshift powerhead reactor and also added 6 more cherry barbs and a turquoise gourami. The plants are growing and I'm seeing some bubbles streaming off one of them. My nitrates still...

Thanks guys Can you tell what type of algae this is from the pics? Do you have any recommendations on what will eat it? I will try the blackout and I'm looking into CO2.

Hi, I am setting up a new 36 gallon freshwater tank and am having some problems. I started it wtih some plants and and three cherry barbs. I have two 55 watt CF lights running. The tank recently finished cycling, with zero ammonia and Nitrites, but I am also seeing zero Nitrates! Is this because...

Hi, I'm going to be setting up a freshwater planted aquarium, probably a 29 gal or 36 gal bowfront. I want to keep as much of the gear as possible inside the tank (not anything in the stand) and it will need to fit into a space under some shelves so I won't have very easy access to the back and...