Recent content by mchisholm12

I use the API test water kit and immediately as I begin to shake the vile, it becomes bright red. Not yet dark red, but very very red, not mistakenly orange at all. I haven't thought of testing my tap water, I also put my tap water through the brita filter into a plastic tub before putting it in...

Hello friends, So I have lost a pair of neon blue dwarf gouramis recently in my 55 gallon heavily planted tank. I tested the water and my ph was a little lower than I would like, ammonia was perfect along with nitrites, so my bio filter is working great but I have a massive amount of nitrates...

Hello again, So my Amazon had a growth on it, i assumed it was doing its thang/version of reproducing and sprouted some leaves on it, but now I'm not sure what to do? I'll post a few pics of the stage they are in. Thanks!

Shoot, I'll just keep it in a dark place until I find a suitable container. I intend on layering rocks to look like steppes on the right side of my tank with some java moss growing throughout. That is ideal at least!

Here is how it is looking so far thanks to all your help!

So I purchased the Metricide and it comes with a bottle of activator? I guess I need to pour the activator into the metricide to "activate" it. But I am not using it for its intended purpose, so do I still "activate" it or not? Thanks!

And are there any test kits to test the water parameters and my carbon levels to keep things consistent?

As I'm looking online for the products you've been recommending, I am finding the metricide as a sterilizing and medical disinfectant, is this what you are referring to to use as liquid carbon (of course after I dilute it with distilled water)? When purchasing dry ferts, should I get both the...

I actually have API Leaf Zone on hand as well as Seachem Flourish. Would my current substrate work, or would you recommend something better? I have used root tabs before, I was told to do that once a month, but I do not have a regular regimen on the liquid fertilizers. Yet you seem to recommend...

Hello all, I currently have a semi-planted 30 gallon tank that isn't anything special, I have just been doing it for fun, but I just purchased a 55 gallon and would really like to create a gorgeous planted aquarium but do not know where to start. I purchased plenty of eco-complete substrate for...

I don't really need to the shrimp at this point do I? I'm going to run to the store the next chance I get and get some live plants. So exciting! Michael Chisholm

So I did the water change yesterday afternoon and I just now tested my water again (I waited a full day) and the ammonia is down to 0 ppm and the nitrite is not purple immediately upon putting the drops in, I have to shake it then it will go to purple (5 ppm) and the nitrate is around 40-80 ppm...

Hello All, I'm new to this forum and need some advice from all you experts. I am trying the fishless cycling for the first time and I think I am stuck. I bought a used 30 gallon fish tank with flourite substrate, a used aqueon 30 filter, and a used cascade 700 that all have been used in...