Becky

Opinions? Becky

Well I'm gathering up all the stuff I need for my low tech tank, and found Schultz Aquatic Plant Soil at the local garden shop. Crappy tire sells it too. It was $6.49 for a 5 kg bag. its light brown and looks like fine gravel. It reads: "Excallent for all water gardens, Neutral pH, safe for fish, derived from 100% natural minerals" and "100% natural mineral that has been kiln fired to create ceramic granules. It will not cloud water, float, or clog filters and pumps. Derived from 100% kiln fired Fuller's Earth." Should I just go for it? Or will this be a disaster? Beck I guess I sould learn to use the search feature! I read a few posts and it looks like Schultz is OK to use. But feel free to chime in. Beck

Well I'm not that knowledgeable about drilled tanks and was wondering if anyone would care to share their knowlege with me. My main interest right now are planted tanks. Anyone? Thanks, Becky

I have an empty 20 gallon and want to start a low-tech planted tank. I've been reading some articles and everyone had a different opinion! I need to buy the following and wanted some reccomendations...or if you know of any good links, please post those too. Lights (I want to just buy a regular lid and screw in some lights. Is this possible?) filter heater substrate fertilizer plants Am I missing anything? Thanks! Becky

Thanks everyone, I will try the suggestions and report back in a while when there is something to report! Becky

Thanks, Tanker. I will PM you the next time I'm planning to go to the city. And Mighty Prawn, I will try the more frequent water changes. I guess there is nothing I can to lower the pH unless we get RO water?

Well the tank has been set up with fish in it for two years. When I cycled it, I used second hand gravel and water from my 10 gallon, and a dirty sponge fiter, plus a few guppies. Ammonia is always 0 ( took a couple weeks to get to 0 when I first set the tank up). I don't use any type of water treatment because we use well water...no chlorine. I would like to add a bit of salt but don't think the Pleco would care for it. Maybe I'll move him to the 10 gal. I guess I should invest in some Endler's like Grapeape suggests. I actually thought of this before when I read a great article in TFH last year. Now, where's the best place to get some. Can I order off the 'net?

Well I have a 29 gal. tank. There's a betta thats 2 1/2 years old, and a 2 year old common pleco in there. Guppies live for about 2 months tops. I have 2 left from 10 or so I bought over the last 3 months. They never give birth. If I happen to purchase a hugely pg female, she'll deliver and Mr. Betta eats the fry. After that she'll not get pg. again. At least her belly looks skinny until she dies. And the male guppies never seem very interested in the females. I feed NLS. I do water changes every week (50%). Water perameters are 0 nitrates, 0 nitrites. Hardness is nearly off the chart. We use well water. Guppies look great for about a week, then they get skinny and sometimes kinda humpbacked and die within 3 weeks. Its frustrating. I buy from a little LFS in Lacombe. And I've tried fish from both the big chains in Red Deer too. What's my problem? Thanks in advance! Becky

Thanks for the help. My hubby thinks all I need to do is add some HCl (hydrochloric acid). He's an engineer type so he's not a lot of help! At first he suggested adding vinegar, but figured it would take too much.

Currently I have a 29 gallon with a pleco, a betta, and 7 guppies. The tank water is as follows: nitrate 0 nitrite 0 total hardness is a shade between 75-150 total Alkilinity is over 300!! pH is a little less than 8.4 temp 75-76 F Should I be concerned with the alkalinity? We have well water. My betta is 2 years old, the pleco is 1. Guppies don't seem to thrive. Whadaya think? B

Thanks for the help, I may have to switch to the bucket method to get untreated water. Any that Python was so handy. Oh well I can still use it to drain the tank I suppose. B

how will my fish like this? Do I have to do something special for them? Sorry, my mind is a little weird, I just drank a bottle of wine in celebrtation of my 30th bday. Well the bday was on Monday, but I like to celebrate, ok? Thanks, Becky

Yup, blunt enough! Hopefully I can get through to her. Some people get really defensive when you comment on their aquariums. Like you're attacking their character or something. Sheesh. B

Now I know nothing about Oscars, but I'm pretty sure one shouldn't be kept in a 10 gallon. She bought it cause it looked "cute"., and Gee it ate all her gupppies. :bang1: Its about 5" long now. Can you please give me the specifics on why this is a bad idea. I'm too lazy to do my own research. Thanks, Becky

Welcome! I'm pretty new at fish keeping too, and have found a wealth of information on this site. enjoy! Becky

That fixed it for me too, thanks B

Every time I log on, the dates are screwy. Like earlier today all the new posts were Sept. 2, now this evening it looks like I have nothing newer than Aug 29. Whats up with that? B

Could it be hydra? Hydra- This is a fresh water creature that consists of a hollow tube like body that has between 4-10 tentacles surrounding a mouth at one end. There are several species, varying in color from white to green and brown. These pests can be introduced into an aquarium by live foods or on plants. In the wild they are found on the undersides of stones or floating leaves. They normally eat small aquatic crustaceans and worms, but the fishkeeper is alarmed due to their ability to paralyze and trap baby fish. It can be eliminated by using a copper treatment,or a 0.3 percent salt solution. Removing the fish and raising the water's temp to 108 degrees F. for a few hours is also effective. Their is also modern anti-parasite treatments available. Becky

I know that some of you have been fishkeepers for a great many years. What has changed since you started? Or, does anyone have any old books or magazines that have anything interesting? Please share.... Becky

Ok, I fianlly got to Red Deer today and picked up a 5 in 1 test kit. Here is what it says: (Last water change was 10 days ago, I did 70%, 29 Gal tank, 1 betta, 3 young guppies, 1 5" pleco) pH 8.4 alkalinity >300 (what are the units? ppm?) hardness 200-250 nitrate 0 nitrite 20 temp. 77 F current? I do have an airstone in the corner. Any suggestions? are these acceptable levels? Just FYI, I also tested the tap water and it read as follows: pH 7.6 alkalinity >300 hardness 200-250 nitrate 0 nitrite 0 What kind of fish would thrive in my water? Do I need a softener? Thanks for your help... Becky

I will get a test kit and report back. Thanks for the reply Becky

So far, I have lost 5 or so fish (just the livebearers) in the last two months. Their spines get humpbacked, and fins start looking clamped and they eventually die. They eat normally until the end. I don't have a water test kit so don't ask what the #s are (but please reccomend a brand to buy), I do 50% water changes weekly, we have well water. The betta and pleco are happy and healthy. Tank has been up and running for 5 months. They have been on NLS for the past month and I was hoping that better nutrition would do the trick. Perhaps I just have some bad stock? The fish were purchased at the Lacombe LFS. Any ideas? Thanks in advance. Beck

Anyone have one? I wanna try making one in a half whisky barrel and put it on my deck. I will need to find a liner or something, and will get a few native (or not?) aquatic plants, some gravel and a goldfish or two. Any advice or tips you want to pass along? I don't plan on using a filter, just partial water changes every week. Becky PS:my neighbour puts goldfish in a big tank they use to water their cows for the summer. She doesn't ever feed them, the goldfish live off the bits of grain/hay/grass that the cows leave behind. Then she winters them in the house. One of the fish is 8 years old and doing fine.

ok, here is my suggestion: if AA was able to accept Paypal or something similar, members could buy raffle tickets. Like one ticket for a buck or something. Then the mods could either get a donated prize or buy a prize from the previous months raffle money. Members could buy as many tickets as they wish. Also I would suggest that for every sale in the Buy-Sell-Trade forum, sellers could donate 2% or something to AA (on the honor system), this money could be used for the raffle prize or whatever. Does it cost anything to keep AA on the net? Monies donated could also be used for that purpose. Whaddya think? Becky

Nice to see you here Pat! I also have a 29g with live bearers for my kids to enjoy. None of the fry have ever survived to adulthood because Mr. Betta loves live food, and helps control the population. Becky