PintoHawk

Just a question: Epsom salts? I have never heard of that for fish before... is that safe/common?

What kind of fish are you interested in? Fresh water or salt water? Do you currently have a tank set up? Welcome!

Going out on a limb here because I am still new to this whole fish thing, at least, new to doing it "properly". I have never owned an aquarium larger than 29 gallons, so I am not sure if the same rules apply, but I have been told that if you use previously cycled tank media (like the filter media, plants, gravel, water, etc) in your new tank during the cycling, it will cycle faster because you have added bacteria with adding all that stuff. That's about all I know. I don't know if bigger tanks cycle slower? It sounds to me like you are doing everything right, or at least on the right track. Your tests are good, at least that's a good start, and using the used stuff in the new tank to get the cycle going was a good move, too. Somebody more experienced will answer your question alot better than I can, soon. Good luck! (good for you with the Plecos!)

My Wal-Mart has a 48-hour return policy. I had 2 fish die after about 60 hours, I was mad. They said no, no return, no refund, no exchange, no gift card, nothing. I haven't heard anything good about their fish anyways so I won't buy from there again.

Holy CRAP, that's a seriously lucky score for you! Good luck! I look forward to seeing pictures of the project as you work on it.

Thanks Boom, that's an awesome tip! I will do that with the enormous load of rocks I have [i was dreading taking all day to boil a few at a time]. LOL I wonder if a person could do the same with driftwood?

The story: I have livebearers, and I am trying to set up excellent breeding environments, lots of plants & hiding places for the fry, as well as fry-safe filters, so I don't have to bother the fish very much, and they can be happier, healthier fish. Yes, I realize that leaving the fry with the parents will ask the parents to eat the fry, I have 2x 20 gallon tanks set up for breeding and rearing, as well as a 10 gallon, and I am trying my best to make them all fry-safe to ensure the survival of babies, but if some get eaten then I guess that was nature's choice, and I am ok with that because let's face it, I just cannot at this time afford a house FULL of fish, so I will make do with what I have. (I am looking at an additional 30 gallon for fry-rearing, but trying to figure out where I will put it first, haha.) Anyways, my filters seem to be greatly weakened by the fry-savers I have applied... I have the following equipment: 20 gallon tank, with Aqua-Tech 20-40 filter, came with the starter kit 20 gallon tank with Aqua-Tech 10-20 filter, bought seperately 10 gallon tank with Aqua-Tech 5-15 filter, bought seperately - all tanks are NOT filled to the top, about 2 inches of room left The problem: First, I took off the little grate thingy on the end of each filter tube, I covered the end with a small piece of panty-hose, and I used an elastic band to secure it on. I soaked the panty-hose really well to ensure the water was getting through without a problem. It worked great for about a day, then the end got all clogged. I rinsed it off and re-applied and put it back in the tank, worked great for about 4 hours and was all clogged again. Rinsed, re-applied. Worked for like 20 minutes, doesn't seem as clogged as before, but no suction, crappy filtration, it's just NOT pulling water. I did this with all 3 tanks. I scooped the water with a net to try and get anything that was clogging the panty-hose OUT and I don't see anything and I hardly got anything at all. Today I got frustrated with the panty-hose cleaning routine and I replaced all three with a piece of sponge. First, I drilled little holes in the end of the filter tubing, then I shoved a piece of sponge over the end to cover all the holes, then I secured with an elastic band. For about five minutes it looked awesome, it pulled water very nicely, then it slowed down again. ARRG. The sponge is not very thick around the filter tub tip, and it is "loose" VS "dense". I made sure the sponge was soaked really well so it should be pulling only water, not any big air bubbles. What the heck is going on? I checked all my electricity outlets and cords and everything and it seems to be getting plenty of juice as far as I can tell. Everything is plugged in nice and tight and secure. I am confused. Do I have crappy filters? What is going on?

Thanks guys. Some good suggestions. I wonder if I even have any vinegar in the house right now... heheh WEM = West Edmonton Mall, I assume? (as in, where the dolphins are... *sighwithlove*)

Thanks, Degrassi.

Does anyone happen to know if I can use bricks in my aquarium? To be more specific, PIECES of brick. Will I have to coat it with epoxy or something first, or will it be safe to just place in the tank? I was thinking I should boil the pieces first to try and get them their cleanest and possibly leach out all the color there might be. Good idea? I saw mention of using bricks to build caves and decorations on another website, but I wanted to run it by the pros here first.

I was quoted $20 for custom cut glass, and they said it would be impossible to cut out holes for filter & heater, so I opted for the Lexan because it is so workable ($25, but worth it because of the ability to jigsaw & sand & manipulate overall). I don't care if it is transparent or not, actually, if I had a standard black canopy I wouldn't be able to see through it either, LOL. I am going for functionability here, not necessarily style. I love it, I am very happy with it. The divider I have in that tank helps hold the middle up, brace it, so although I have a little droop happening in the center, it's no big deal at all. I don't mind a little droop, if it gets bad I will add a center brace of some kind. This whole setup is way better by far than the tupperware lid I was using (temp) before.

LOL I keep hearing this but I keep it anyways, I think it's cute and it's fun to watch it grow. I only have 4 pieces. You plant-pros are shaking your heads right now... :P I will come back in a few months and apologize to Werner for this comment, I bet, when my duck weed is taking over every tank I have, LOL

Possibly some stupid questions, but I am a total beginner when it comes to plants.... - do you put the fertilizers directly in the tank WITH fish? This won't hurt the fish? (I have livebearers) - what about floating plants? Hornwort? Duck Weed? will they require fertilizers? I hear they spread like a bad cold...I want to provide lots of cover for my fry but not struggle with over-planted tanks. - what plants would you recommend for fry cover aside from Hornwort, Duck Weed, Java Moss? Thanks!

Oh, that's crappy. I will be adding plants to that tank eventually. The dining room where the tank IS, has good flourescent lighting, so maybe that'll make up for it some? Also, lots of natural light if I lift the blinds on the big window. I will probably end up getting an actual canopy, unless we decide to tackle this project again later and redo everything.

Oooh, it's very nice. Yes, needs a few plants, I think.

It has only 2 prongs... why? Is this bad for the tank/electrical shock?

Ohhhh how amazing!

Byte - wow, thank you for that info, I had no idea. You know, I might end up putting a little stabilizer in the center, a rafter across the middle, type of idea. That could work, too.

I would also love to see pictures!

You cut your own glass? That would be an excellent ability to have, heheh. I wish. Oh, and it is 6mm thick.

It COULD droop, I suppose, but the light box will be long (20" or so) so won't put weight right in the middle, it shouldn't be a problem. Also, my divider is holding the center up anyways, LOL

Ooops! Sorry! They should be working now.

http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/ka.../fish/top_1.jpg http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/ka.../fish/top_2.jpg http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u302/ka.../fish/top_3.jpg We gave up on doing the wooden canopy, it became way too complicated and pricy. I was super disappointed until I discovered this Lexan stuff, it's like a plexi-glass, but really strong, better than using real glass. I was able to cut out the holes for the filter & heater with a jigsaw, and sand the edges & corners so I won't get cut/scratched. Pretty groovy, IMO. It fits like a glove. Only thing I don't like is how it gets SO foggy because the water is heated. I was thinking I might cut a couple tiny vents in the top, on each side, to let the condensation escape a little bit. We are still building the light box for the top, which will be ready by tomorrow night I think. Need to make it stable enough to sit on top and not be bothered too much by my curious furry creatures. Not too bad eh? The 29x12-inch piece of Lexan costs me $25 but I think it was worth it. That wooden attempt was making me crazy. Oh, and you can see my male/female divider really well in these pictures, too. I used cross-stitch canvas (60cents/sheet at Wal-Mart) and aquarium-safe silicone to attach it front and back and bottom. It's a little crooked but I am happy with it.

I have read that these two color strains are the same, I have read they are different. I have asked at different LFS and been told both answers. What is the deal? What are your opinions? I was thinking this makes sense: - white with minimal blacks spots = Dalmatian - overall darker, mottled, patchy = Marble Thanks.

Yes, a very good idea, Jason, thank you. Would styrofoam be safe in the tank? Or do I need a special type?