Recent content by SSGWJ

So I did a 95% WC last night and then re-dosed to 3PPM. Todays readings are NH3 0, NO2 0, NO3 30, PH 7.8, Temp 80. I guess I'll re-dose tonight, and then do another big WC tomorrow night to hopefully pull the NO3 down to around 5-10 (My tap water is 5 PPM).

Thanks rookie... appreciate your advice and suggestions. The Goyders really are beautiful fish. My problem is local availability. I'm actually really leaning toward the praecox. My LFS could order them but it would be more expensive then say, ordering from a place like Liveaquaria. I'm just a...

Day 27 - NH3 0, NO2 0, PH 7.8, Temp 80 (2nd day of NO2 at 0 after re-dosing NH3). I think I'm going to try a 100% water change tonight and then do another 50% or so if needed on Thursday night. Question about PH -- As my PH crashed when NO2 really started to fall (few days ago), I did a 35% or...

Day 26 NH3 0, NO2 0, N03 300, PH 7.5, Temp 80. Looks like I'm cycled! I'm planning on adding fish this Friday... should I continue to dose to 4PPM until Wednesday and then do all the big WC's on Thursday to get rid of the nitrates? Or should I step the ammonia down lower than 4PPM. Thanks, Scott

I was saying if it doesn't work, then I won't try it again. Given the different real life experiences both good and bad... ill give it a shot. I'd actually rather have the praecox but can't find them in the st. Louis area.

Appreciate the input. I've seen many people who say 30-36 inch is too small, while others have reported long term success in 29 gallon tanks, 40 breeders and other 30-36 inch configurations. As someone who is enthusiastic about these fish... I see no harm in trying a 29 for a grow out tank. If...

Thanks all... think ill just bypass the kribs for another day. Current plan is to get 1 bolivian ram, a small school of emerald green or sterbai corys (4 or 5) and a school of rainbows. Wanted to get 6-7 praecox, but can't find them locally. Will probably get a small school of boesemani (4 or 5...

I set my tank upright in the basement and masked off the top with cardboard and the sides with newspaper. Painters tape or masking tape work well and leave no residue. I also used a shop light on the back end so I was able to easily see how good my spray coverage was. Without the light, you'll...

By adding .5ml tank water and 4.5ml tap (0 NO2) water to test tube and then multiplying the test result by 10. Using API Master Test Kit. I started doing this awhile back to gain more visibility. Last night, the result was in between .25 and .50 (closer to 0.50) x 10 = 4PPM NO2. Testing a full...

Day 25 NH3 0, N02 4 N03 160+ PH 6.80 Temp 80 Nitrites continue to come down, unfortunately my PH also sank from 7.6 to 6.8 overnight. I immediately did a 35% WC (all I have time for), and will test tomorrow to see if more WC is needed. Seems like this PH drop is coinciding with the steep drop...

I'd definitely recommend spray paint over any stick on background. I tried the static cling, and also the backgrounds that required adhesive... couldn't get ieither to look right. Bought a can of Rust-Oleum Satin Black spray paint, 5 or 6 coats and it looked amazing.

Updated Results: Day 19 NH3 0 N02 20 N03 35 PH 7.90 Temp 82 Day 20 NH3 0 N02 20 N03 40 PH 7.90 Temp 82 Day 21 NH3 0 N02 20 N03 40 PH 7.90 Temp 82 Day 22 NH3 0 N02 40 N03 80 PH 7.80 Temp 80 Day 23 NH3 0 N02 20 N03 No Test PH 7.70 Temp 80 Day 24 NH3 0 N02 10 N03 No Test PH 7.60 Temp 80...

I used Black TMS in my 29 gallon aquarium. I used 25 pounds and it averages about 1.5" deep, which I think looks great. I may add another 5 pounds at some point, but to me 1.5" is plenty.

Day 18 - NH3 0, N02 10, N03 35, PH 7.8, Temp 84. Nitrites aren't falling but Nitrates are finally rising. I'm hoping this will all be done in the next week or so.

So yesterday I did a PWC... about 90-95%. Re-dosed the Ammonia to 2PPM last night. Results today -- Day 17 - NH3 0, N02 5.0, N03 20, PH 8.1, Temp 84. To test N02 I added .5 ml tank water and 4.5 ml tap. Result was 0.5 x 10 = 5.0PPM. If it starts to rise significantly again, I'll do another...