geleen

I was going to try some oil in the bubble counter as the water keeps disappearing. Would olive oil work? Thanks for the input. John

Welcome to the forum. It is not recommended as the angel fish will out-compete the discus for food. Maybe check out the discus forum www.simplydiscus.com and do some reading there are lots of good tank mates. Bristle nose will do a good job cleaning the glass. J

Sounds to me that this may not be worth the effort; I would safe 25% but than there may unspecified charges, so who knows how much savings there might be. Thanks for all your input. John

I am planning to order a bunch of power compacts (enough for a couple of years) from the states If you want some in Edmonton let me know I can order more. Does any one know if there are any border costs when shipped UPS? Thanks John

Ok Thanks But wouldn't it be possible that a cycling tank goes very high in nitrates? and with the lights on causes the same problem? John

I was reading this in a seachem article written by Gregory Morin, Ph.D. ~~~~~~~Research Director~ "By cyano I assume you mean the blue-green "algae"? According to Baensch Atlas volume 2 pg 162, the blue-green algae aka cyanobacteria can flourish in the following conditions: strong sunlight, rotting substrate, excess feed, too few water changes, overfertilization or _high nitrate levels_" So this is what you mean Jason? Just to wrap my mind around it. I know, I know, it takes a while The tank likely has very high nitrates and a lot of light: causing BGA A large WC and blackout should then take care of it.

You can also reduce your pics http://www.imageresizer.com/ it is for free......a bit cryptic but works fine. John

My guess is nutrition, perhaps some feeding near the roots would help. When I fertilized mine- when it had one(1) shoot- it supplied a second within 2 weeks. John

Nice pics Looks like the clown knife is in love How big are the gouramies? John

"but is there any specific problem with using dirt?" You will find that it will compact and in a few years will have to be replaced, think 2-3 years. Usually works great, for a time.( BTW 3/4 inch is more than enough) However you will not know how it will work with the specifics in your tank; and without co2 you might be battling a lot of algae, for a long time, especially in the beginning. You have no control over the plant nourishment present in the soil, so once it is in there you are stuck. This is why it is not a good beginner substrate. (From past experience ) 2 " of pool sand is cheap and works well for most folks. Deeper is not really a requirement. If you can afford it, fluorite is a good media. Have fun and take it slow. John

I have a bristle nose that is about 3 years old. He has taken to laying on his back on the gravel, under a rock; and moves away very quickly when you approach him. I have not seen this before in the others that I have....any idea's? thanks john

Good to know, mine has send up it's second stalk. the first one is outside of the tank and plantlets are growing. I was wondering how they would get roots. I guess I would have to drop the water level in the tank and force the rooting part below the water? Here is a pic of the first stalk, it has split in 4 branches. there is limited light outside the tank and they are growing slowly.

Any tile place can cut it if you ask nicely.....some will only cut when you buy. Ceramic tiles are no problem. If you ever in west edmonton I have 3 or 4 pieces of slate around here somewhere. John

john

Aqua giant 15 gal or 10........ I can't remember...... for 18 dollars John

water changes

I'm not sure if these came from the real wild, They are the fish that were in with Kyles S/A order back in April. I'll keep an eye on the tank and see if any more croak after spawning. You must be doing a whole lot right to get them spawning I have read a report from a guy in England that found a ph of 4 with very low hardness to be necessary for a spawn to occur. He was playing with pairs (no luck ) and small groups (worked) but as far as I know no hatching. He also played with temp. and no light, for a period of time, but I don't recall all the details. John

Unless you are breeding it is not required. The 4 foot wide tank give fish a chance to get further away from others if need be. J

Sorry to be this direct! You are asking for a lot of trouble with this set up. With that many discus in a tall 50 gallon; you should look at a much larger tank in the at least 125 gallon range, and for now step up the WC to 80 % per day. No other way possible to get your fish healthy. 10 gallon per fish is about right. Also as mentioned no need to change the PH. The discus likely died from stress of shipping and or conditions in your tank ie. water and or tank mates. Your tank is tall so fish have no place to hide, a long tank is recommended. Keeping discus is a huge commitment in time...read WC. Sourcing them right is also important to minimize losses you have experienced. Have a look at www.simplydiscus for expert advise. John

Thanks John

I am looking for some zebra loaches (botia striata) has anyone seen some somewhere? John

Looks to me like a new career in the making.Very, no very very nice. John

:welcome: John

Just add prime for the whole volume of the tank, reverse the flow and eyeball the temperature....you will get very good at being a thermometer J

I am looking to purchase a "high end" acrylic aquarium in the approx. 15- 20 gallon size for my desk. Where would I go? Thanks John