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After reading, and reading...and more reading, I'd like to know the AA "ePinions" on AFFORDABLE water test kits. :P

You'll need a few test kits from what I've researched so far. Admittedly, I'm a plant newbie, but this is what I've picked up so far: NO3 PO4 pH kH GH You need kH and pH to determine CO2. GH is nice to know, but kH is more important. High PO4 seems to encourage algae, NO3 is needed by the...

Chile, How'd ya install the bio-wheels on an AC? DIY brackets or something? Very curious! :scatter:

I picked this up from the general forum: This seems like an interesting idea to keep the substrate clean, although it may impede nutrient absorption into the substrate. Anybody experiment with this "technology" in a planted tank? Thoughts?

Danka Danka! :D

Aluminum does oxidize in air and water. However, the rate of corrosion is so slow that it's likely you'll move out, graduate, live your life, reincarnate as a fish in the bar tank, and still see little effect on the aluminum. You will however discover that vodka doesn't taste so good as a...

What compound could I use to safely raise the NO3 values? Thanks.

The only thing I originally tried with the photo period was to turn on the full 260 W for 4 hr., in the middle of the period. I suppose I was trying to simulate mid-day tropical sun. I stopped, though, because of my lack of CO2 @ 4.7 wpg and concern of an algae explosion (I had an inkling...

OK... After reading many posts about algae and CO2, etc., I decided to get offa my rump, get some more test kits, and test my water. I'm starting to see green hairy algae on the leaves of my swords. Here's what I came up with from the testing I performed: NO3 = 5 - 10 ppm PO4 = at least...

This treatment works :thumb: . It's also not bad for stress level on the fish. I've also used "Quick Cure" before with success, but you have to be very, VERY careful with scaleless fish and silverfish (i.e. Tetras)...I used 1/2 doses over more time, always. It does stain the silicone blue...

Sorry to hear about your Rainbows, JP. I had a similar issue with an Australian Rainbow. The white stuff just kept eating at his mouth. I quarantined, did the Mela/Pima/Salt thing, but did not touch it. I tried several antibiotics...nothing. I ended up euthanizing as well. :( I agree...

Cool trick. Think I'll try too! 8)

I usually feed my CL's a variety: Sinking carnivore pellets (Hikari) daily, Algae wafers about 2x per week, live blood worms when available (sometimes frozen, but warmed up). Also some brine shrimp pellets and tubifex once in a great while. I have to admit, I wasn't keeping up as much on the...

Uh oh...lol, my only pleco...clown. Figures. :wink:

How do these guys do in a planted tank...would it be a pleco salad bar or do they stick to glass, driftwood, rocks? TIA

As usual, my clown loaches were entertaining me by "formation" flying in the downflow of my HOB. I noticed the right wingman in their wedge formation break off and go to the planted side of my tank. HE STARTED NIBBLING THE LEAVES OF MY SWORDS!!! :? (especially the new tender leafs of the...

Thanks for the info! I've used Dry-Tabs for my aquariums in the past for NO2, NO3, NH3. I didn't enjoy crunching up the tablets in the test tubes very much, getting some on my fingers by accident...wondering what exactly was in the powder. I think I'll borrow :P a pH meter and some buffer...

I keep reading about testing water chemistry to optimize conditions for plants. It seems that some of the tests should be relatively precise. What test kits are recommended? Thanks.

Thank goodness for palm pilots and conversion programs! :wink:

I started with 10 Clown Loaches (tiny guys/gals) and ended up with 7 after about 2 weeks. That was 3 yrs. ago and they're all doing well (3-4"). Clowns can be challenging to get established. *I do smaller weekly water changes (~10%). *I give 'em plenty of cover...caves of stacked <edit>...

Whoops...just saw I can't spell the word Do...hmmm. :oops: Very cool link Chille...exactly what I needed! :D So are SAE's OK with Anacharis...kinda needle like, but kinda leafy too...hmmm again. I also have Amazon Sword, Ludwigia Ovalis, Crypt - red lookin' leaves. See any issues...

Like the CAE's I see at Walmart? :wink:

Doe SAE's make good tankmates for a fish+planted tank? I've read several times in here that they are good for algae control, but I don't want them to get munched by my other fishes. My tank is a planted community tank with Clown Loaches, Gourami, Rainbowfish, and a couple of Dojo's. Thanks.

Any chance your fishes include Clown Loaches? Mine have done a nice job of munching on the snails I've had in my tank in the past.

Thanks for the info guys! I'll check out the books. 8)