Recent content by hardcyder

Full tank pics here

8:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m I have a 36 gallon bowfront, it originally came with 1*20 watt fixture- Algae probs gallore. I removed the hood and fixture, made a glass top and light hood that fits 4x20watt bulbs. I wanted to be on the lower end for a planted tank (2.2 watts/gal.) so I wouldnt...

I have had zebra mussles in my shrimp, snail tank. The ghost shrimp devestated them. I dont know how such a little shrimp can have the power to open the shells but they can. I think I may have a couple of live ones left since I moved the ghost shrimp to another tank..the algae and cherrie shimp...

30" 130W Dual Strip Compact Fluorescent Light Fixture (2 power cords) no, thanks! Qty: x $65.90 Subtotal: $65.90 UPS Worldwide ExpressSM $137.66 NOTICE: These fees do not necessarily represent UPS published rates, and may include, handling charges levied by this company. Even though...

That blue "plant" on the left is plastic isnt it? Looks cool nontheless.

A lot of the silk plants I see in the dollar or craft stores, have wires imbedded in the stems to allow them to be bent and hold position. That is the part I'd be worried about. I have found some good looking plasic ones with no wires and used them in the past. If it was just the dyes you are...

WOW.. best thread I have read in a long while. Mainly 'cause most of you agree with me:) that if water parameters are kept good (testing, filter capacity AND water changes), if the fish in the tank are compatible and you balance out the levels (eg. bottom dwellers, mid and surface) and if it...

I read an interesting article on crypt melt. I dont have the link, sorry, but it said that crypts come from bodys of water that are subjected to heavy rainy seasons. The crypts evolved to sence when it is about to begin (temperature, water flow, light) and they disolve thier leaves so that the...

If you have another small tank around, start a snail only tank. I have a snail and shrimp tank, but feel the glass shrimp eat a lot of the young snails and eggs. That way you can raise a lot more to keep the loaches happy. Afraid with loaches you wont be able to build up much of a colony of...

I only do water changes once a week, and an automatic sysyem is more expence than I need. However, for small batches such as this, the tank on the toilet will give lots of changes and achive faster results than my weekly changes. I don't expect my java moss to survive in the darkness though, so...

Thanks greenmagi. Yes, the idea is biofiltration as well as astetics. They just look so darned good. :) I was shocked and disappointed in my results. So over-confident that my result would have been favorable. I suspect that there may have been a fair bit of uncured pieces in my sample. Even...

1st days result... gh=40ppm, kh=20ppm, ph=right off the scale,,,,, guess my theory sucks. :oops: I was so sure that because my community tank reads 7.4 that the results would show very little change..WRONG.. :cry: I think that even though my test bombed missarably from the results I wanted, it...

I was thinking that the parameters of the distilled water would be the control. What type of natural rock would you suggest? Limestone, slate or lacerock?It would have to be a rock that I can 100% identify.

The sample rocks have been cured for 6 months to a year. The samples are taken from all of my tanks and so have some algae (the good type, I dont mind regular green algae in fact I encourage some of it) and also a fair bit of Java moss growing on it, which also looks great. The samples contain...