Mandy

Thanks for the compliments! It is pretty simple... A layer of Flourite below Target play sand. 2x35watt flourescent lighting (actually just got the GE plant lights from Canadian Tire, the reviews aren't great for planted tanks but they're working for me). Rena XP1 canister filter. Dosing with Flourish fertilizers (including Excel) - all of them except Phosphorous and Nitrogen (will probably add those as needed). Not injecting co2, the Excel is working fine. Plants are: Amazon Swords, Jungle Vals (no the Excel isn't melting them at all), Cabomba (was growing like crazy but now being eaten by something), Java Ferns, Java Moss, some Guppy Grass that hitched a ride on the moss, and Water Wisteria planted horizontally in the front. Fish are: Harlequin Rasboras, Keyhole Cichlids, Sunset Thick-Lipped Gouramis, Bronze Cories, and Otos.

Just thought I would share... I'm really pleased with how it's turning out. The plants still have some growing to do. I'm only running 2wpg of lighting so I'm glad it looks as nice as it does!

You can just put a jar in the tank with some lettuce or algae tablets in it, the snails will crawl in there and you can pull them out a couple hours later.

Yup Pisces or Riverside Aquariums.

Thanks to all for the advice. I should have mentioned that firstly this is because I have some serious MTS and enjoy caring for aquatic life, and want to try my hand at breeding. I just want to choose something (or things) that would make some credit (to further fuel the MTS!) rather than me begging someone to take off my hands!

I hope there is someone with experience to help me out... I have 2 female and 1 male Sunset Thick-Lipped Gouramis in my community tank. On June 6 evening, the first spawning took place. On June 7 evening, the other female got in the action and spawned as well. Because they're in the community tank and I wasn't able to remove any fish, I never saw any fry. I am now purchasing a used 10gal tank to set up as a breeding tank. The plan (please let me know if I am wrong on any points) is: Bare bottom (no substrate) Some floating plants - probably Java Moss and Cabomba (since it is growing like crazy in my tank so I have lots) - should the Java Moss be attached to a rock/wood instead? Sponge Filter Heater I will properly cycle the tank before adding the fish. Now, can I add both females to the tank to allow them both to spawn or am I better off picking one and giving her a chance alone? I will put 1 or both females in the tank and allow to fatten up with eggs. Anyone know approx. how often a female will be ready to spawn, since they both did a few days ago? Then I will lower the water level about halfway and add the male, do I need to turn off the sponge filter at this time? When finished spawning, I will remove the female. How long do I leave the male with the nest before removing him? That's all I can think of for now... Thanks for any help!

They should be fine. Make sure you get African Dwarf Frogs and NOT African Clawed Frogs (they get huge and will eat your fish).

I am just curious to find out what the "experts" have found... If you were to breed something in a small tank (10 gal or so) that requires next to no human intervention, and can bring in a decent amount of cash (or LFS credit), what would it be? I am thinking of giving a try at Cherry Shrimp and/or Mystery Snails. Although, my Thick-Lipped Gouramis spawned last night in my community tank so I figure I have to give them a shot in a breeding tank. Any thoughts? What is easy, produce like crazy, and actually sell?

Most of your bacteria live in the filter. I would simply move the old filter from the 30 gallon to the new 130 gallon as well as the new filter, and move the fish right away. The bacteria should be able to keep up with the same bio-load even though it's more water to cycle, and the new filter should colonize fairly quickly with the old one in there to give it a jump-start. Just watch your levels closely and do as many water changes as necessary to keep it safe.

I've been using Excel for about 2 weeks now and my Vals are as healthy as ever and still producing shoots.

I don't pretend to understand any of it, but here are my results in case they help! Tap: pH 8.4+ (the highest my kit goes) GH 75ppm (approx. 4 dH) KH 300+ (again the highest my kit goes) (approx. 17dH) RO water: pH 6.3- (the lowest my kit goes) GH 0 KH 0 I use 100% RO water and add the product "RO Right" because my tap water (from our well) has 1-2ppm of Ammonia naturally, so I don't want to add that to my tank. The water in my tank: pH 6.8 GH 75ppm (approx. 4 dH) KH 80ppm (approx. 5 dH)

I have the same lights on my 35 gallon... I've only had it set up for about a month so it's hard to tell long-term, but the plants are growing nicely and sending off shoots. So the light is doing well for me.

I don't but I want to (and should) get some. I have eczema on my hands and arms so for my protection as well as the fish's (due to my medicated cream, moisturizers etc.) I really should use gloves.

Don't FW crabs need regular access to land?

Thanks so much! I might have to go try Ghost Resivour... I am not setting up the tank immediately so I have time to look around. I have no problem with drilling a piece to slate if needed to make it sink.