Recent content by Sidi

Salt can be an amazing tool to fight ich (as mentioned above) and a few other diseases. When a fish is sick and stressed, assuming they aren't susceptible to salt (such as a scaleless catfish or many soft water fish) it can really help. But everything I've read in modern advice says to avoid...

I'm not a fan of the marketing to consumers (and all of my undergraduate research was developing transgenic plants for agriculture). Although it's entirely unreasonable, it strikes a nerve for me. But they certainly aren't harmed in the way that dyed fish are. It may be a bit of a frivolous...

But, but, what about the neuticles??? Are those ok? Perhaps the most disturbing interview I've ever seen was with the inventor of those things. He couldn't stop touching and petting them on his dog...now that's messed up.

I'd say to go with wood, unless you have access to welding equipment and an experienced welder. It's much easier to be certain that glue and screws are secure, rather than a weld (assuming the design is strong enough). Plus, I like the look of wood much better. Search the DIY forum for stands...

Skyrmir is he gulping air? I've heard of plecos doing that before.

I think the only way to get too much oxygen in your tank would be to bubble pure oxygen into it...and I would be worried about fireballs in that case, not fish health. The other time you may see outgassing is with a lot of plants or algae and high enough lighting that they're producing more...

I've even lost a sculpin to jumping. Who would have thought that a bottom dwelling, fairly immobile, fish without a swim bladder (so they have to actively swim upwards to get off the bottom) would jump. But he did. I think the above reasons are probably the case for most. Maybe some jump out...

And as an added bit of info to make you feel better, one of the very first uses for cyanoacralate glues was for medical purposes. The kind used in medicine is formulated a little differently, currently, but it's nontoxic enough to use on human cuts (other than possible irritation).

It's a film on the water. It's nothing to worry about. It's not like saltwater tanks, where the film begins to interfere with the absorption of oxygen across the water surface. Regular water changes should keep things clean enough for that purpose. If it bothers, you use a paper towel and blot...

BTW I'm a real vegetarian, not one of those people who call themselves vegetarians and eat fish??!!?!! I'm an omnivore (and have gobbled up my fair share of piscine dinners), but I would agree that you can't call yourself a vegetarian and still eat fish/chicken/etc. That's just avoiding red...

I think I've had a tank going in my room for 4 years or so, always with a HOB filter, and it's never been a problem. Doesn't seem to bother my girlfriend either. The white noise can actually be very nice.

PFS is actually incredibly recommended. I've used the (not recommended) play sand with washing, and it works well with care. Africans sound like a great idea with that pH out of the tap. So don't be scared off. With scary scientific names you need to be able to take a step back. For...

I would second FnF. I have a school of giant danios with discus (the timid fish of all timid fish). With a school they just chase each other, and don't seen to cause a problem at all. I would be reluctant to do just one danio (or a very small group) though, since their main hobby is chasing...

For a while, perhaps. For instance, goldfish in small ponds/creeks/etc. around here survive water temps in the 30's or 40's through the winter. The surface may freeze over, but they'll survive if there's some oxygenation. They won't really eat in that period though. If you looked, there are...

Well, with tanks I think you're likely better off locally, if you've got a good shop and can't have a company like Glass Cages deliver locally. Used on Craigslist can also get you amazing deals, if you live in a city and are willing to wait. Shipping on a tank kills the savings, especially if...