ChakaRaka

Sweet! We'll see you all there then...

I would really be interested in going, and would also like to check out fishclubgirl's plants and fish. Probably would have sooner if I was in the same town. But, does anyone know if you have to be an Aquarium Club of Edmonton member to attend? Or is that just to sell? ChakaRaka.

Sweet, I thought so...thanks for the help. Maybe if they grow a bit I can narrow that down for sure. Appreciate it. ChakaRaka.

Then you lost me...the only plants in pots are the Anubias. The others bunched with foam were unravelled and planted either in a smaller bunch or independantly. The only ones (besides the Anubias) that are still in a bunch are the Java Ferns and that is because I am soaking the roots/driftwood that I will be attaching them to in a few days. Good eye, but I think you are just seeing the lead weights that I left on a few until they root themselves securely into the substrate. ChakaRaka.

Well here are the pics: 6 Gallon - Before: (Filter for 3rd tank hanging from thread. Was initially hoping to bio it up while cycling this tank.) 6 Gallon - During (Bare): 6 Gallon - After: 10 Gallon - Before: 10 Gallon - During (Bare): 10 Gallon - After: I still have driftwood to add (which the Java Fern will be attached to). And hopefully the plants all thrive and I can post some even better updated pics when the plants are fuller and the driftwood is in place. Hope this looks as good as I hope it will. Now I've got a 2-1/2 gallon pail full of fake plants and decorations....maybe for the 3rd tank. ChakaRaka.

Thanks for the tips. Now I have a problem, I was picking out plants so fast I am still trying to remember if the 4th plant type I got was a Cryptocoryne or Hygrophila. The Anubis is for sure Anubia Nana, the Vallisneria is still of unidentified species and so is the Java Fern. I will post before and after pics and maybe someone can identify them more specifically. Mental note, write down what I am getting next time. Although in my defense only 1 plant was labeled and for those of you familiar with Nature's Corner, I was just so trusting in the source I really was not asking too many questions. My only real criteria was that they be good for low light and a beginner. ChakaRaka.

Hi Everyone, I have been patiently cycling my tanks for the last month and today I decided I had had enough of the fake plants, and that it was time for both driftwood and some living inhabitants (before the fish). There was a sale at a very reputable LFS, so I took some before pictures, got in the car and resigned myself to buying some new plants. I ended up getting 2x 4 different plants to get our two tanks (10g & 6g) started, then go from there if additionally filling out is required. We ended up with some variety of potted Anubias (2), some type of bunch Cryptocoryne (2), some sort of bunch Vallisneria (2) and some strain of bunch Java Fern (2) which I plan to attach to a piece of driftwood in each tank. Now seeing as I am still cycling, my temperature was a little high, so I dropped it down. Lighting is what it is (2 CFL 15w 50/50's in the 10g and 12" Small Full Spectrum flourescent tube in the 6g). Now I know my lighting will limit things and that can be pursued as necessary in the future. What I really need to know is any other critical advice. Planting tips, trimming and other maintenance. Now I am not new to plants, just aquatic ones, so I know the fundamentals. I just need to know the unique secrets to aquatic success. I am using regular colored gravel as a substrate and did purchase some Seachem Flourish in to assist until I have fish making natural ferts (or if I required it despite the real bio ferts). Could anyone offer some pointers so I don't do anything wrong here? The plants are clean and from the best local source (so I am not worried about nasties or snails etc). Right now they are in a bucket of tank water while I remove my fake stuff, plan out layout and wait for the tanks to cool a bit. I will replenish with cooler water when I get them all organized so temp should work itself out. Any other pointers? Thanks for your assistance, ChakaRaka.

To JLake, not sure whether you are agreeing or not but Sherwood Park is on the same water system as Edmonton. So you should more or less get the same readings. Strayner, I have no idea what you are saying about false negatives. Prime or no Prime, the Ammonia that's shows on the test is the Ammonia that is there, Prime frees some up from the Chloramine (so it shows higher than plain tap-water) but that is because it IS higher than plain tap-water. The water pre-treatments basically just oust the Chlorine and leave behind the Ammonia when added to Chloramine Treated tap-water. Another note, let's make sure we are not comparing Apples to Oldsmobiles here too. If you are using a stick-on "water testing unit" or using the quick read 85-in-1 test strips, then your results and readings are almost irrelevant. To ensure we are comparing Apples to Apples (or at least Apples to Oranges) the only readings that are worth discussing are those that come from a liquid test such as those found in a Master Test Kit. And that would still leave much room for variables...slight deviation in sample water test volume, as well as the fact that we are using a mass produced, 1/50 of a cent orifice to measure "x" amount of drops, different brand's variance, and even changes from batch to batch of testing liquids. So comparing each others numbers excessively is only really useful as a baseline, what I think is more important is our own consistency when doing these test and logging the results so we have a relevant reference to fall back on. This is still a hobby, albeit a rather scientifically driven one, still it is important not to take this too seriously and remember to slow down and enjoy the ride... ChakaRaka.

Hi Strayner, Short answer is you are getting that level of ammonia reading because you live in Edmonton. Long answer: Epcor uses Chloramine (NOT Chlorine) in the water here. Chloramine, put simply, is chlorine bound with ammonia chemically. When you use your water treatment (dechlorinator) such as Prime, Aqua Safe etc, you are not removing the Chloramine; that only works if there is only Chlorine in the water. Instead with Chloramine, when you treat, you are releasing the Chlorine component of the Chloramine, thus leaving behind the ammonia. Now ammonia can off-gas or dissipate with enough time, but if you are anything like me you don't have weeks (or however long it takes) to age this ammonia out of your water. So when you "treat" your water for water changes, you are going to be adding water and Ammonia to your tank. Additionally, do not discount your test-kit so quickly, I did some tests last weekend (with a good Master Test Kit) and my tap-water was showing approximately 0.2ppm Ammonia. Then I treated the water with my dechlorination product and it then showed approximately 0.5ppm Ammonia. So really, it sounds like your equipment is showing just what mine is. All the more reason to build up a killer team of Nitrifying bacteria when cycling your tank and likely another great argument for "real" plants. Hope that reassures your curiosities or confusion. ChakaRaka.

Hi Everyone, Seeing as you all seem pretty well versed in shoal/schooling fish, I have a semi-related question to ask. I know that you have to keep most of this type of fish in the half-dozen minimum quantities, but can that half-dozen be made up of different types? For example, I have a smaller tank and can not support much more than the minimum required number of 6, but for that 6 could you have say, 2 Green Tetras, 2 Cardinal Tetras and 2 Lemon Tetras? Or do all 6 have to be of the same species? This question has been on my mind frequently as I try to pick my new pets but still have some color and variety in my tiny newbie tank. Thanks for your time. ChakaRaka.

That's nothing, I was in a Pet Store in Sherwood Park (that will remain anonymous) and my girlfriend and I were looking at their FW fish selection. We are new to this and are currently cycling 2 of our 3 tanks and just taking our time to research ALOT and make some good decisions especially in regards to tank inhabitants. So we visit every store within about 1/2 hour radius to see what is available and whose stock looks good. Well this was one of those typical "Fish Section" jack-asses who makes it seem that he is paid commission only. So he won't leave us be, he's following us around like we are gonna pocket an Oscar or something. Half of his blue high intensity lights were uncovered so we were just trying to get through the section quick before we developed retinal cancer, but he wants to interrogate me directly in the glare of the death-lights. Fish-Jerk: So what are you looking for? Me: Well we just set up 2 tanks and have them cycling right now while we research and decide what fish we would like to add to the community. Fish-Jerk: (With blank look of incomprehension) What size is your tank? Me: Oh, it's just a 10 gallon, so I have to pick carefully because I don't want it overstocked or end up with a fish that grows way bigger than I am expecting. So I am mostly focusing on small tropical community suitable fish. Fish-Jerk: (Again with blank look of incomprehension) Well you've got 10 gallons so you can have 10 fish easy... Me: Um, yeah... (already looking for ways to escape an argument with the ignoramus) Well, we just put the water in about a week ago, so we still have a fair amount of time to decide what we want to do. Fish-Jerk: Oh a week, did you use a water conditioner? Me: Yes, I used Tetra AquaSafe and have it all up to temperature. Fish-Jerk: Oh well you are ready then, do you want to pick out some fish. Me: Um, no thank-you...we are...err, still deciding. It was about then that the g/f and I left that store with no plans of returning ever! ChakaRaka.

Hi Strayner, Then comes the next question. If you can't find information, how much fun do you think finding parts and media for this filter would be? Unless you plan to just DIY the media and replace if an impeller or something simple craps out... There are some huge deals out there if you look enough. I got my brand new AC 150/30 for $20 and change at a PJ's Pets and can almost buy media at 7-Eleven they are so common. ChakaRaka.