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I think I should get paid for the tank I keep, or at least have it declared a "national resource of significant scientific interest" :). Why? Because I grow every kind of algae known to aquarists in this tank of mine in some quantity. All is good, however. We are only talking a few...

I decided to start a routine of controlling algae by limiting phosphates. I got me an accurate nitrate kit, some pharmaceutical grade KNO3 and KCl (for accuracy) and started dosing daily with SC flourish trace element mix. To control an outbreak of staghorn algae when I first started, I dosed...

All right, at first it was fun to watch. Now it is becoming an unsightly mess. All of the stem plants are growing roots in the water column outside the substrate. Is this something I have to learn to admire, or is there something that needs to be done I'm not doing? The ludwigia repens is doing...

I gather an N-P-K ratio of 10-1-20 or 10-1-10 is desired in a planted aquarium. Most Terrestrial Plant Fertilizers have way too much phosphate. But how about the ones that don’t like these two by Schultz (see links below). Would they be safe to use in a planted tank? Thanks...

Has anyone observed territorial behaviour in the Neon Tetra in a planted tank or otherwise? Thanks

I have never seen anything like it in my life! My tank has gone into athletic hyperactivity. After changing the substrate to Fluorite and adding a DIY hood delivering close to 3.7 watts/gallon I did not get much of a response. I then added a DIY CO2 source diffused through an airs one and...

On the weekend I purchased a very interesting plant from the LFS. The leaves are brown-red and have the shape of the arrowhead plant shown here The plant was sold as a group of low-lying leaves/stems/small roots attached/tied to a piece of wood. The piece of wood was totally covered, I...

Well, a few weeks back I changed my substrate to Fluorite and setup a DIY light system over the tank that can supply 1x23 to 4x23 Watts of Daylight (5000k or 6500k) to my 25 gallon. At the time, the tank was stocked as follows: 1 adult + 2 juvenile platys 4 neon tetras 1 ghost shrimp 2 asian...

Second time I've tried this now with no luck. - 1 well rinsed 2L Pepsi bottle - 1 cup sugar - 2 cups of warm-hot water to dissolve the sugar - 4 cups of cold water : result is 6 cups luke warm sugar water - 1 tsp baker's yeast (stored in the fridge) - half a dozen shakes I have a check valve...

I picked up two bags of fluorite for my 25G. The instructions on the bag say rinse before use to wash off the dust. Well I rinsed for over an hour in a 22L bucket and the water is still brown. It seems that warm/hot water get dirtier than cold(er) water. Am I simply washing off the fines, or...

What kind of plant spacing to use in a new planted tank? I would imagine this is dependant on the species and the final size of the individual plant. But unfortunately, I can't even guess what the final sizes might be. Are there any guidelines for common plants? Do rosette and stem plantings...

Does anyone have experience with SeaChem Acid Buffer and Alkaline Buffer? I know this goes against the established wisdom in this hobby, but I maintain my swimming pool water chemistry using chemical additives (ph, kH, gH, and sanitizer). Why is it difficult to achieve a stable chemistry in a...

I need at least 50 watts for my WIP planted tank, preferably 75 watts. What kind of ballast / lighting should I look into if I want to minimise my cost but still keep healthy plants? Thanks

What water chemistry parameters would you ideally want in a planted tank? pH, kH and gH? My kH is very low, about 3 dKh causing pH swings. I want to minimise raising the pH. What is the minimum kH needed to maintain a reasonably stable pH? Thanks

I'm planning and budgeting a 100L planted tank My LFS does not carry undergravel heaters. He says "they are not being produced any more." Any reasons? Substrate: Thinking of mixing 1mm quartz sand with SeaChem Fluorite to reduce cost of substrate (50:50 or 2:1 ratio). Problems, thoughts? Will...

Hi, I'm no guru in this hobby albeit my understanding of the basics. My interest in the FW tank was stimulated mostly by the desire to keep small schooling colorful species like the neon or cardinal tetras. Most of the species I'm interested in seem to be soft water species. Unfortunately, my...