Fergy

How often do you have to replace these UV bulbs? I was under the impression UV lights stopped outputting UV after X hours of use.

Great, thanks for the info guys. I priced out some sheets over the phone at Rona and HD, but I'll probably have to go down there in person. The stuff they were looking at at HD was 2X the price I was quoted at Rona, so something's not quite right. It was just under 70$ for a 4'x4'x6mm at Rona.

Rona also told me over the phone they didn't think they could cut it for me in-store, when I end up going down there I'll check again. But, with limited tools (very old wood saws, basically) I don't think I could cut it myself.. And I've read you shouldn't score and break plexi over 1/8", any truth to that?

For the weldon, jvision you said you used #16? That's the strongest without requiring mixing it looks like, and since it's not in contact with the water I shouldn't have to worry about leaching?

Thanks for the tips! I'm not TOO concerned about the appearance, I pretty much just need something to add more water volume while preventing escapes. Bugger sure can climb.

And as for where to purchase it.. I assume that any Rona/Home Depot type stores will carry it, along with the Weld-On? Anyone know if they will cut a sheet to your measurements for you as well?

Do you mean you just covered the seam on the outside? Or you put another strip on the inside?

And how about for size, would 1/4" be overkill since it's not holding water, or would that be a better to have a thicker sheet for the heat?

I know this isn't 100% "fish" related, but it is aquarium related, and there's fish in there... so here's what I'm wondering about.

I'm planning on building an above tank basking area for my turtle. I want to do the four walls all acrylic/plexiglass or some other similar material. The base that will actually be basked on will be egg crate.

My main question is the heat lamp with the plexi/whatever. Has anyone done anything like this? I know plexi will sag with lamps directly on top, but these will be vertical walls and not taking the full light from the lamp. Do you think there will still be sagging? I'm pretty sure the egg crate will take the heat fine, I've seen it used successfully for this purpose in others setups.

Another question about the plexi for anyone with experience would be how to create the box. Is there an adhesive that will weld the pieces together? Is drilling it and using 'L' brackets a better way? What about bracing, will it be strong enough without any?

If anyone has any experience with this material, or any recommendations I would really appreciate it!

Just my .02$

I've had Corys in generic LFS gravel for quite a while, and their barbels have never looked damaged at all. If the edges don't feel rough/sharp in your fingers it's probably ok.

Those are farlowella catfish. They came in friday, so they must not have the tag up yet. The adonis is in there, it's still quite small.

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for the info.

Yep I think that's exactly right. I found pics on this site

http://www.jjphoto.dk/fish_archive/mall23.htm

Anyone else see this fish? It's in their planted tank, in that larger set of 3, the top one in the rack with the feeder goldfish at the bottom.

It was all plant prices listed, plus (I think, can't remember 100% now) an Adonis Pleco. This fish looked like no pleco I've seen, and upon googling Adonis plecos it's definitely not one of those.

It was suctioned onto the glass, had a long pointed nose, and a very long whip-like tail - looked almost like a lizard.

Sorry if this seems like a silly question to some, even after keeping fish for almost 2 years now I see I can still get pretty easily stumped. :P

Guess I'm just asking if anyone saw it and knows what it is, or knows what I'm talking about.

EDIT: Darn, just did some more searching and I'm pretty sure it was a type of whiptail catfish/pleco. Cool fish, never seen one before.

Could be that the humidity where the feeder is is getting inside and 'mushing' up your food. Just a thought.

Green Water is caused by excess ammonia. Have you rinsed out your biomedia in the fitler? If so, NEVER do that. Rinse the mechanical media and replace the chemical media, but NEVER rinse the biomedia in tapwater.

ya so since i did the full water change which i know is hard on the fish i have had a few deaths im getting pissed off and frustrated if there is someone that could mabye come take a look at my tank and tell me what they think or give me a hand i might even pay some if thats what it takes

There's people here trying to help you and your fish, but you need to answer their questions before they can really recommend anything.

I know it can be frustrating but without more info there's nothing anyone here can do.

If the tanks aren't planted you could always try a 'black out' for a few days (I'm not sure the actual recommended time, someone else might be able to help with that).

You basically just cover the tank with sheets/towels/whatever so no light can get in, and don't turn on your aquarium lights. It should take care of your green water.

Cool article, looks heavy though.

So aquarium/sea/kosher salt WILL make a tank brackish in the right amounts? But it's better to use marine?

Sorry, just want to clarify for sure

That is correct. If you were doing Fish Only, you could probably get away with using kosher/sea salt for SW as well. AFIK, it's the inverst that require all of the extra minerals in marine salt.

BTW, by marine salt I mean artificial sea salt - stuff that has been engineered specifically for SW aquariums.

Ah, cool good to know. More knowledge for my SW tank in the distant future.

Thanks.

So aquarium/sea/kosher salt WILL make a tank brackish in the right amounts? But it's better to use marine?

Sorry, just want to clarify for sure

Salt is more of a remedy for certain pathogens and injuries in FW tanks. Mollies do come from brackish areas in nature, but the Balloon Mollies are so far removed from the wild that they probably thrive in totally fresh water.

Also, too much salt can harm plants. Hardy plants like Java fern, Anubias and Valisneria can live in up to brackish water.

If you want to add salt, find out how much you need and just add it - at least that's what I do. I usually try to add it where the most flow is, so the salt dissolves faster.

Isn't there a difference between the salt you add for treatment, and the salt to make the tank brackish though?

I thought I had read somewhere that you must use SW salt, just in far less quantities, to make a tank brackish as opposed to just aquarium salt.

Please correct me if I'm wrong, I could be way out to lunch here.

Can't say for certain about Calgary obviously, but Edmontons location the sale is on until Dec 31.

Picked up a python... Unsure how I ever did water changes without one.

Ok, buying new isn't a problem. Just thought if anyone has some quick tricks.

Was also worried that some materials may be unsafe, sounds like that's not an issue though if you're just getting them from the dollar store.

Thanks a lot

Any tips on 'rejuvenating' suction cups after they've lost their suction?

All 4 for my turtle dock have recently stopped working well, if at all.

If it's easier to just buy new, where could I find some in Edmonton? And do I have to worry about certain types 'leeching' if I use them in/under water?

Great, thanks for the tips.

Yeah the common red claw crabs you see definitely need access to land, from what I've read. LFS have told me otherwise, so I wouldn't doubt they've told other people the same. A few months ago I searched high and low for a fully aquatic FW crab and couldn't come up with anything.

Will stick with my electric blue in my small community tank for now. So mild mannered he runs from any fish he sees.

Do vals require co2 and ferts and all that? I'm very low tech when it comes to plants, if they're picky they won't make it.

Any favorite place to get fake plants? Most I see at LFS are pretty pricey for a not too impressive product.

I was just curious what you all use to break line of sight in a tank.

I'm looking at my 33 gal, same foot print as a 25, so it's a little tall for standard methods I think.

I have a terracotta pot, plants, rocks, and all work well on the bottom, but there's nothing in the middle/top.

Anyone have pictures or suggestions on wallet pleasing solutions to this?

I had a feeder goldfish grow to over 8 inches, including tail, in a 25 gallon. He's since been moved to my girlfriends fathers pond, but the tank size definitely didn't limit his growth.

Anyone reading this thread have any ramshorn snails they'd like to get rid of? :P