Recent content by baljnm

Ok, i just measured my GH and KH. Can this be right? I got a KH of 15 (very hard water indeed), but the GH is very low at around 2 or 3. Is it possible to have soft water with a lot of carbonate and bicarbonate in it that makes the KH that much higher? As i said before, my pH never changes, but...

Thanks for the excellent replies. Im not sure of the general or carbonate hardness, i need to get a test kit for that. My barbs in my 55 gal never minded the hardness of the water. The pH from tap is right around 8 and never goes any lower. I do know that the Fluval Peat helps soften the water...

ive already got the whole set up laid out. My water here is rather hard, so i have on order a Fluval 204 MSF that will have carbon in the bottom basket, fluval peat granules in the middle (for softening the water, lowering the pH and making it more like black water), and the bio media in the top...

I am still in complete amazement of this website. I belong to an automitive forum, but it is nothing like this. Incredible. That said, i have never seen so many types of fish, now that i see sites like www.liveaquaria.com. I thought the only types of fish for freshwater aquariums were what...

could someone tell me what an otos is? i gather the pleco is a plecostamus (algae eater), but what do the otos look like and what is their full name? anyone have any pics of them?

Budget? I am spending $26 for 12 cartridges. Four cartridges (2 cartridges per filter, 2 filters) every 3 or 4 days means i am spending $26 every week and a half. I am looking to get something way more effective and efficient. I guess budget isnt a concearn. What is best? Where do i find it? How...

Thank you for the quick replies. The filter cartridges consist of a mesh webbing that contains the carbon. Whisper calls the cartridges Bio-Bags. There is a sponge that contains the beneficial bacteria that sits behind the cartridge (in the waterflow) and that is fine. They seem to be just...

Hello everyone, i am new to this board, but not to my aquarium. I have had my 55 gal set up for over a year now. I have 2 Tetra 30-60 power filters (2 filter cartridges each), live plants, a pair of CO2 diffuser systems, a small air pump for aeration. In the tank live 4 (rather large now, they...