Drydock

So I had to cut out all of the overflow plumbing in my tank. We have moved and the tank is built into the wall between the living room and the vestibule. There is no room for my sump filter anymore. So the overflow box is cut out, patch applied to the bottom and water tested - no leaks! The problem now is that I can't get the lines from the old silicone off the glass. It's too thin to scrape with a razor, but you can feel a difference when it is wet and you run your finger across it. I tried a bit of paint thinner... didn't even put a dent in it. Do any of you out there have any experience with how to get rid of these or do I just have to 'suck it up'? Thanks, DryDock

Apparently GE Sillicone I is no longer available and has been replaced by a Dap product, but is not rated for 'continuous underwater use'. I'm going with this one: https://www.homehardware.ca/en/300ml-clear-multi-purpose-silicone-sealant/p/2031205 for the modifications on my 210...

Myrdin, I used a regulator that a welder would use. There was one fitting I needed to convert the threads but it was pretty painless. It wasn't $250... might have been $150...

Actually, in my sump, I find the pump side is the chamber that the water level moves up and down the most due to evaporation. I have my heaters in the chamber where the water enters as it is always at a safe level and I never have to worry about the level dropping and burning our a heater. Just my thoughts.

Dustin, I had to learn about my sump the trial and error way. If you want to come by look and ask questions some time, PM me and I'll give you the tour and answer what questions I can. Roger

Seems to me like he has a lot of fish that will compete for the same square footage. I think that they would tend to like the middle to bottom levels of the tank. I would rather see some other fish that would inhabit the top levels of the tank and provide some dither activity and some different activity in the tank.

I have a deep sand bed in my tank (2" at the front, 6" at the back) and all I have used is playsand. I started my swords and crypts with a root fertilizer (Jobe's from Walmart) I decided against using any peat or mulm layer because I didn't want the hassle. What I have found is that in time, the plants tended to collect organic material around the roots. From my experience, I wonder if it is really necessary in the long run. (I also use estimative index and pressurized CO2) I am very happy with the plant growth I have had. So what would I layer with it? Nothing. IMHO. Just add some root tabs or sticks, especially to start out with. I hear that you can go to a place that sells sandblasting medias and get some different colors. If you wanted to get some smaller round pebbles, see what you can get from Burnco in a 1/2" or smaller rainbow rock or something like that. Just stay away from your limestones and crushed rock. I don't know how fast a rock or substrate could change your hardness. Obviously if you pH is low (acidic) you will speed up that process, but I think that you can keep it under control with regular water changes. Maybe someone else can comment authoritatively on that. Hope that helps...

Go big or go home! Jeff, you are going to fit in real good here. :thumbs:

If all else fails, there is an NLS flake... NC has some.

Ya, does she know about the leak??? If you are already in hot water for that, might as well upgrade!

Ya, my concern would be getting rid of the toxic residue if you used a chemical to strip the paint. I have painted, stripped, repainted and am now re-stripping my 210. (don't ask) I have used the razor blade and I have never scratched the glass... Yes, it is possible, but as long as you are moderately careful, it is probably the simplest way to take the paint off. As far as the UGF, I have had them in the past and always ended up taking them out. IMHO, they are a pain and detrius will still collect under the tray where there is no way to clean it out. Stick with the gravel and regular vacuuming. Or... go for a sand bottom and leave it be. Sand compacts tighter than gravel, so the 'leftovers' stays at the top. If you have good water movement, it will all get collected into your filter. If you have some dead spots, it is pretty easy just to do a spot vacuum to clean things up. I had a 72 with gravel and an UGF... then changed it to sand bottom. Way cheaper and as I said above, the UGF didn't last more than a year before I turfed it. Just my 2 cents.

Are they turning white or developing a scale in them?

The top of my tank is over 5 feet off the floor. I have lots of old T-shirts and a step stool... I am usually in there up to my armpits if I am pruning plants.

nice try...

Ya, everything comes out of the roots with a few to several 'stems' coming from the same point. From your photo, I would agree that we are talking about the same plant. I have a larger specimen that is rooted in the sand that would look pretty similar to that. I haven't been able to get it to grow more than 4 or 5 stems that reach the surface. I would really like to try and get it to have a nice full look to it. For me, it seems to do better floating than rooted. I have tons of it that grows out of the egg crate around my overflow.

Wohoo!

Ok, so I bought this plant about 2 years ago when I was just getting back into the hobby. I think it was under a trade name 'Indian Lace' I can't find any information on it under that name, so I have been asking around. Jvision swears it is wisteria, and I am seldom to disagree with Jason in plants, but I'm not totally convinced. (Sorry Jay) From what I have read, wisteria will grow a full leaf if exposed to air but this one grows the same shape of leaf whether it is above or below the water. The stem does get much thicker for the above water specimens, but that is about the only difference I can tell. Let me know if you know what it is and if you know of any links about it. If you want, the I might even have a piece or two to give away to the helpful soul!

Please ignore the sword in front that needs some pruning... So I have had this plant for over a year and have yet to convince it to multiply. Originally, I thought it was going to the compost heap after everything I tried could not stop it from losing all of its leaves. It has finally come back and has shot off about 6 flower stalks in the past month or so. On one of the original flower stalks I noticed these... So here are my questions: 1. Has anyone else pollinated this or a similar species? 2. Is the last picture what would be called a water berry? What should I do with them? 3. I saw a bright red seed floating in the tank. I am assuming it is from this plant as I don't have any others that have flowered recently.Do I just bury it in the substrate? Anyone who has cultivated these plants before, your input is most valued.

Plus a $3 something enviro fee each time you fill up. I bought a regulator at a welding supply shop. Less than $100. Came with in a built in needle valve for the fine tuning. Only other thing I would add is a bubble counter... I think it was Alberta Welding Supply???

I have only had them for 2 weeks, but I'm starting to love my shrimp... they eat like crazy, and several of them just molted and are HUGE!

In Edmonton, OxyPro's prices have gone way up. I bought a 10 lb tank from them a year ago and the cost has gone from $15 to $19 to $22. They don't refill, they switch out your tank for a full one, so yes, it is true that they won't take someone else's tank. Henry sells the nice Aluminum tanks by the way... I have already sent a letter to the Alberta Government requesting some of that Carbon Capture money they are handing out. :smokey: Plants anyone?

You know, I was thinking about that last night. The tank is right full and the outtake for the filter is below the water surface. I had seen some shrimp poking around the current and cleaning off the crap, but I kind of thought they were avoiding the main flow, until I saw one smack dab in the middle, munching away... I'll have to be careful when I go to clean that.

Well, the rainbows are only in there temporarily until they are big enough to handle living in the 210... I'm not worried on the shrimplets right now, but once the rainbows are out, then I might see if I can increase the populations in there on my own.

OK, So I bought 6 cherry and 6 Amano at the NC sale on Saturday. They have a long ways to go, but they are making a noticeable difference in the algae in the tank. One question. How good are they at escaping and what do you usually do to keep them in the tank? I have a full canopy with just the cutouts for the filter and heater cord to go in. I ask b/c I can't count all of the shrimp and I'm getting a little paranoid that they are going on a trip to nowhere. Thanks,

Welcome.