happeboy

maybe this would have been better in two threads but I want to save digital paper..... Hydor maybe other to make inline heaters are they any good... my heaters work fine but as I say I like gadgets and finding ways to waist money. and more seriously UV sterilizers. How well do they work? Something like the Pentair Aquatics Lifegard UV Sterilizer - 8 Watt for my 90g chichid tank. I've heard that they may not be to effective because of the limited exposure the water has to the UV. Is that true? is it more a gimic? I know if water conditions are right I shouldn't need it but I'm still getting a hang of this. And Im parinoid :boxed:

Im not impressed with my digital coralife ~$15 one, Im not sure the temp is right at all.... but then maybe im just use to crappy glass ones. Either my heaters suck or the thermometer??

I know they should be fine but they get very aggressive without food, I was gone for 36 hour and came back to bit up fish. they have me trained. I guess Ill take your advice. Fingers crossed

this just happened to me too... was really hoping it wasn't something stupid like lead.

I need to go up to Edmonton over the weekend, and have nobody to feed my fish, so I need to find a good fish feeder that can handle NLS pellets. What would you recommend, and where to get it? Big Als in Edmonton has a good one for like $45 but I don't remember who its made by (its in a cardboard dispenser thing). I was hoping to find something in that kinda price range. Or if someone in Calgary could lend me one for the weekend that would be awesome :thumbs: that way I wont run out and buy the first thing I see and get a peace of junk. thanks

they are ~3-4 inches, they are young though just reaching that size. They seem better today but still going at it a bit. The biggest has carved out the bottom right side/corner for himself.

I know they are can aggressive but in the last couple days it really started... they were transfered a week ago to a larger tank could this be why? or Mating? Its getting so I think I may need separate them... I'm prity sure that there is more then just one male 3 have really nice colour and 3 are more just gray. thoughts??

I think the egg sack is gone I got some BBS. I thought she may have been holding 2-3 weeks ago but kinda dismissed it cause she is only young ~4mo. All the fry are swimming around fine so fingers crossed. thanks for the info.

I didn't notice that I had a mommy and I had to move my fish. When I bagged the mom she spat out her fry and never took them back in. The fry are about 5-7mm is this old enough to be alone as I put the fry in a separate tank so they would not get sucked up by the filter or eaten? I suppose it really doesn't matter cause they cant go back with their mom.

I just move to calgary and relied on the help of strainergers to get my tank in... but it wasn't that big or hard... I may be able to help (no beer needed cause I have my own and I'll bring you one cause I know how it is to move)... PM if you need help

My Indian Flasher barbs (Puntius denisonii) are a little to fast for their own good apparently. One got spooked today, and hit the glass and died... I've never seen that before, and hope I don't ever again. Has anyone else had this happen?

API Liquid Fungus Cure has the instructions to use for 96 hours (4 days), but I was doing a half dose as to not kill my plecos. So I am wondering if I could or should use it longer to really make sure it has done the job. Or would this be as bad for the plecos and other fish as doing a full strength dose?

I really dont want to suggest buying coralife as I have some (T-5 and Compact Florescent) and think the quality on the CF is horrible the fans suck and are noisy after only a couple months. But the T-5s are nice and compact and dont get very hot. they are not that bright I added a 48" double to my tank just to get a little more blue. But Im also not sure that 1 t-8 would be brighter then 2 t-5s. I have heard troubles with All-glass lamps crapping out quickly, this may have just been one poor batch though and it was CF. If you really want to spend as little as possible then I guess you have your choices, other wise I would look into some other brands (current usa and J&L Aquatics have some really nice stuff). I would go for the t-5's as they stays cooler and are way smaller and kinda pretty. But also I guess in the future you'll need to replace 2 bulbs not just 1.

The least expensive place I found for cylinders was AquariumPlants.com 5 lbs is $62 CAD, 10lbs is $85 CAD. Its cheaper to buy empty and get it filled here, Oxypro is like $15 for a 10LBS. Fire Extinguisher places are ok but around $20 for 10lbs. AP also has Milwaukee Co2 MA957 Regulator Set is like $95. Their "The Best" is good but more money ($169) and the needle valve is annoying to set but the regulator and solenoid are way better plus 3 year warranty, so I bought it. With shipping you can save like $80. I know I sound like an ad but I looked for a long time and talked to a lot of people. Just don't buy cheap b/c by all reports it will die quickly then its not so cheap once you have to replace it. Also low quality regulators can cause tank dumps or uneven flow that can kill all the fish.

thanks for all the info and advice

Just want to add a little. Rex and others on ThePlantedTank.net do have a lot of info but go overboard with what they think you need. Often they see a tank with less then 4 watts per gallon as wast of time. They take everything to the max possible. But it is possible to have a very nice tank without going to the extremes they do. Just take what they say with a grain of salt. Talk to others too. Here in Edmonton see Henry at Natures Corner Store he is awesome wont sell you extras you don't need or push you.

I'm looking into books for Malawi and general Africans, and I'm interested in suggestions. I looked at some old posts and saw Malawi cichlids in their natural habitat 3rd was good but what else. I'm looking for info from quite general info, breading, health, etc. I guess also I'm looking for more from the perspective of fish keeping (if this makes a difference) I guess I know I will never try to totally replicate nature. If there is one good but more general book I would prefer that to hypercomplex and specific, I read enough dry textbooks for University :chair: thanks

I guess I'm asking about what books or sites are good to get info about breeding and the setups needed or other tips. Specificaly I'm thinking of they species I have now: Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli) - Yellow tail, Labidochromis caeruleus - Electric Yellow, Copadichromis borley - Red Fin Kanango, Pundamilia nyererei. Or what ever else I may get in the future as I seem to be ever expanding my setups. I have some time as most are immature but I want to get ready. thanks

they dont seem to be gasping and they are swimming well, even with the injury. No other residents seem affected, no air pump but well planted and good surface moment. the fist and 3rd pic are of the same fish just a different crop. The affected area is behind the front fin, I'll look into gill disease though. any other thoughts?

I have been having bad luck with my rainbows today I saw this on one of my turquoise. It looks like a cut/gash the other 2 seem to have a smaller cut or crease there too. the only thing sharp in the tank is a plant weight thing but I didnt think it was that sharp. What can I do to heal him up? Please help. I don't to loose anymore fish.

I dont know if this is normal or what but Im getting a lot of water in the line siphon down to the bubble counter. It happens mainly at night when the CO2 is off. is this normal? or do I need to include a loop or something to stop this?

do you know where the thread is I've looked for it a bit but cant find it. Thanks

I have a happy home for like 10 with my other fry I'm growing out... PM'ed

yes I think i will set it with my lights... i think this may be best.... comments

I'm not sure if this should be in here or equipment I'm setting up my CO2 system soon and am interested in tips of how not to kill all my fish while doing so.... I've heard to may horror stories about this. its on a 90g tank with 3 watts/gallon. Lots of fish, and moderate plants right now. any info/tips will be appreciated! :thumbs: