Search results

That is called a "Bacterial Bloom". It is normal and should clear soon. SirWired

IIRC, it is not actually the Nitrates themselves that are a big problem for fish. It is the Dissovled Organic Compounds in the water that are usually produced along with the Nitrates that cannot be removed by any method save Activated Carbon and... drum roll please... water changes. SirWired

There is one, and only one, shortcut to a cycled tank. It is called "BioSpira". It runs about $15-20 US. It is a refrigerated live bacterial culture. There is litterally nothing else on the market that can speed that up. Not "Cycle", not ANYTHING else. If a store doesn't have it, don't let...

What size airstone should I use? I have a couple of standard cheap-o 1", but I can get a larger size if necessary. SirWired

Hmmm... Good question. I have a Hydro-Sponge III, and I am not using an airstone. I would think that the only thing and airstone would do would be to slow down the air, and therefore, water, flow (while making the bubbles look better.) Why don't you drain your tank to just above the top of...

Oohhh... we are on a roll here... instead of feeding fish really bad food (which could take months to show effects), you could examine the effects of different "color enhancing" foods, and compare them with plain. SirWired

I think you will have to come up with another project idea... 1) Most aquarium fish live at least a couple of years if properly cared for. This is just a science project. Unless you want to take on the upkeep of these guys probably until you leave for college (and then maybe some after that)...

You need to add Ammonia to keep those ammonia-munching bacteria alive. They are a seprarate colony from the NitrIte-eating bugs. SirWired

It is a bacterial bloom. It usually means you are nearing the end of your cycle, if there is nothing else in the tank. What does your test kit say your Ammonia, NitrItes and NitrAtes are? SirWired

Yep, I just got it setup yesterday, and I am fishless cycling away... I did decide to get the air equipment, mostly because I like the idea of having backup filtration in the form of a sponge filter. My experiences setting up: 1) I am having issues with the siphon on the Python leaking. Even...

Doh! Of course I need 5ppm, NOT just .5... that will teach me to get my decimal points confused. (Better I learn now than when I have fish in the tank) Thanks, SirWired

I finally got my tank setup and filled today. I got it all cranked up, added Prime (1 capful for a 38g tank), and it has been doing its thing for a few hours now. I broke out the test kit to get initial readings and got: pH 7.8 Ammoina .5 mg/L NO2 0 NO3 0 I was going to do a fishless cycle...

BTW, when using heat to treat for ich, you MUST use an accurate thermometer to avoid "cooking" fish. Also, many folks medicate ich with a treatment consisting of Malachite Green and Formalin. It is quite effective. All treatments MUST be continued for several days after ich is no longer...

The issue with small freezers is that they are made for energy efficiency in a well-insulated, very cold, compartment that is only rarely opened. Their heat reduction capacity (as in BTU's/hr) is actually quite small. To get an idea of how small this is, put your hand in front of the air...

Most geodes are limestone on the outside (bad), and quartz on the inside (inert). Other than the limestone, I could also see the possibility of the dyes commonly used to color the agate causing problems. SirWired

Well, this isn't a real urgent topic since the tank isn't even here yet, and it will take a month-ish to cycle, but I am already trying to figure out stocking. Here is what I am looking at so far for my 38g (36"x12"x19"): (Note the quantities of each are off the top of my head, as my notes are...

Actually the combo that I have ordered (it should be here by the end of the week: see my other thread on equipment and stocking) includes a solid pine stand and canopy. Yeah, I wouldn't touch some cheap-o laminate thing for that much money. You can see the stand in the All-Glass catalog...

Today the wife and I are visiting fish stores to make a final decision on tank size. It will be either a 38, or a 46-Bow. (I saw a good price on that 46-bow at PetSmart.) Here is my BigAl's "wishlist", in no particular order. Their website seems to have a great selection and decent prices...

Dictates from my Dearly Beloved on tank placement have determined that my tank will be 36x12xsomething-or-other. (I wanted a 48x12xsomething, but she didn't want it to be the centerpiece of the dining room wall.) I think a 38 seems like a good compromise between surface area and water depth...

Are the tanks sold in a LFS any better than the tanks at PetSmart/WalMart/Petco? Or are there ratings of tanks somewhere that I can be looking at? As a complete novice, I have a hard time telling the difference between brands of tanks, especially since I can't put them side-by-side. Are there...

Okay, I'm sold on large PWC's. BTW, I talked to my brother, and he had a 29 gal. (He also had a larger hexagonal tank, but I'm going to stick with a rectangular for max. surface area.) I reckon I'll pick the stuff up him this weekend, and then post here with what I got so I can find out...

Thanks all for the advice so far.... A question about this last paragraph... Does that mean I add enough dechlor for 55gal (if I go with the larger tank) even if I am only swapping out some fraction of the water? SirWired

Hello all, I am interested in setting up an aquarium, and have been getting started doing my research. My first attempt at research beyond web surfing was "Aquariums for Dummies". Ouch. I don't know anything about fish and I could tell it was a useless book. Back to the store that went. I...