Recent content by Jim Fritz

Thanks. I have no living plants in the tank and what I have been doing is just fine for the fish. No use in adding a lot more work.

Thanks, but that sounds like way too much work. I think I'll just stick to what I have been doing in the past as the fish seem to get along just fine that way.

I just got a new water purification system that gives me "whole house" soft water, and a "RO" faucet in the kitchen for drinking and cooking. My question is: "Is Reverse Osmosis water OK for partial water changes or should I stay with the regular soft water, or continue to buy filtered water...

Perhaps I'll just try a quick vacuuming of the surface of the gravel to remove any debris that isn't down too far.

I purchased a large bag (enough to cover the whole bottom to and inch or so) of a very fine substrate that contained the bacteria necessary to start a tank. No rinsing I was told. This was early in 2018. I covered that with 3 colors of aquarium gravel. I have never vacuumed the bottom because...

Nitrate Level Too High I tend to over think everything. Maybe I should just try to keep it simple. But the weekly water change sounds like the way to go. Thanks a lot. :facepalm:

Nitrate Level Too High Thanks for the advise. That's exactly what I will do. And in the future I will keep a closer eye on things and change more water more often. There's a basic law of nature that says"No organism can exist is an environment of its own waste". That's why we must be...

Nitrate Level Too High There is no nitrate in the tap water. I checked. Only chlorine, for which I add Prime or Quick Start. The filter is cleaned weekly and the filter cartridge is replaced every three weeks. The fish are mostly small tetras and swordfish, and 2 Bala Sharks. They are the...

I have a 29 gal. freshwater tank with 18 small fish in it. I test the water every week and all is good except the nitrate level. Never any ammonia or nitrite. I do periodic water changes, (about 8 to 9 gallons) and add treated and heated water, but still end up with large nitrate levels. I...