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As previously mentioned, I wouldn’t use rain water. While it may be better for the plants, it isn’t better for the fish. Rain water and distilled water have no minerals or very little minerals and your fish will do better with them.

I would recommend buying the API test kit so you can test yourself. Being able to monitor your water parameters will help you significantly. Did you cycle tour tank prior to adding fish? If not, that’s where you’ll need to start.

Will do! Thanks so much!

I purchased the SunSun on Amazon last night :)

I currently just have a crap Tetra HOB, which isn’t doing me any favours I’m sure. I’m using a mix of ceramic rings and foam. I’m pretty well set on upgrading my filtration to a canister after doing some more reading! Thanks for that info on the polishing though, that’s super helpful and I...

I haven’t been running floss in my filter either, just because it requires so much maintenance. Can you explain your method?

Thank you! Would a bacterial bloom present as visible particles in the water?

Well, it’s both. There are tannins from the wood for sure. But there are visible particles in the water too. I don’t have carbon in my filter, no.

Hey folks! I have a 46 gallon community cichlid tank that’s well established and has been up and running for a year. Everything is great and fish are healthy! That said, my water is always always always cloudy. I do regular 20-30% water changes weekly. I maintain the filter (HOB and sponge)...

I had been cleaning the prefilter sponge regularly with water changes in the sink, but for whatever reason it got really clogged up this week! I guess I know to stay on top of it now. Thanks for the tips!

I got it! The prefilter sponge was clogged. I just rinsed this when I did a PWC on Sunday, but it was the culprit as everything runs fine now. I think it may be too dense of a sponge if it gets clogged so quickly. So I’ll revisit that and figure it out. Thanks for the help everyone!

I think I do have something that should work. So I’ll test this tomorrow. I didn’t think of removing the media because it’s always been there so why would it suddenly change? Just due to media getting filled with various bacteria?

Yup, I cleaned it out. There wasn’t much, but the build up that was there I removed. I guess I should start considering buying a replacement in the event that it does stop working.

Hi there, I run a pretty standard HOB filter on my 47 gallon tank. Yesterday I noticed the flow coming out of the filter was greatly reduced from normal. Thinking that perhaps it got adjusted somehow, I went to increase it. Well that didn’t work. The flow, at its seemingly highest setting, is...

Here is my 47 gallon bow front. Everyone is pretty much hiding behind the log. Currently stocked with various cichlid species, a catfish, and a BN pleco (very small, visible one the front left if you look close enough. Water is slightly brown due to tannins from the wood.

It’s actually quite clear. I took that photo at a funky angle on the left side of the tank to capture the fish, and it made the photos not super great.

Hi all! After a few weeks of cycling our 47 gallon tank, it was finally ready for fish as of last week. Last night we picked up these two cichlids - a yellow lab and a jewel. Photos are hard to get, but they seem to be well so far. They’ve eaten a bit and are exploring all areas of the tank...

Although I’m not home until Sunday, we’ve got what seems to be a cycled tank! My partner has done a great job tending to the tank while I’ve been away from home. Earlier this week he was getting readings of 0 nitrites with ammonia being consumed quickly and nitrates between 10-20ppm when tested...

I’m new as well, but if I had to guess there’s too many fish in your tank. The two goldfish alone would require a larger tank than the 20gal. I am curious if the smell is simply due to the waste the fish are producing. The goldfish are notoriously messy fish. Curious what more experiences...

I should say I don’t have any trouble with my tank now. But it was a learning process getting it stable!

We’ve been learning together and it’s very much a two person operation. Trusting this in his hands!

Well, that sure is reassuring! Thanks for all of your guidance. I’ve really appreciated it! I’ll be away from home next week and my partner will be taking over. Hoping when I return home on the 16th, we’ll be ready (or nearly there) for fish!

I can confirm 10 gallons or less is quite difficult. I wish I’d have known this when I entered the hobby last year. The 10 gallon I have has been a steep learning curve! Onto a 50 gallon now, hoping it’s an easier go this time around.

Just wanted to pop by and say that I think your tank looks great! Can’t wait to see updates after its cycled and you’ve added fish!

Curious about this as well! As I continue to prepare my tank for fish, I’m still unsure what I want to add for rocks/decor. Hoping some folks can chime in and provide some tips here.