jvision

Based on my experience, I'd use the EI method. Dose 1/16 tsp of KNO3 and 1/32 tsp of KH2PO4 on the day of the WC, and every other day after that. Dose Traces (~2mL) on opposite days. A 10 gal w. gravel and decor will probably hold ~7-8 gal. I'd do 5 gal WC per week. BTW, Cabomba does better in cooler water. Unless you're keeping anything in there that thrives at higher temps (Betta, Cardinals), then try keeping the temp at 72-74F. HTH.

Nice looking, nonetheless!

I used to breed a dark blue variety. Kept several males for many years w/o losing any color. The females however did get pailer as they got older.

Yeah, I know... They're all still pretty small - under 3". This is just going to be home 'til I get those 60 gals set up in the basement - my 1st New Year project. But, you think this'll work for a couple of months. Tonnes of plants and hiding places.

It took my Bolivian Rams a week or so to figure out that this was the ONLY food they were going to get (well, I do supliment from time-to-time with white worms). Now they go after it w/ just as much gusto as anything!

Glad to see most who voted haven't! I had to vote yes, but it happened maybe 12 years ago! Otherwise, I've been doing great. I think that most companies make quality products, but you can't be 100%, 100% of the time!

Well, I just scooped 6 Kenyi and should be picking them up on the weekend. Also just figured out that the 'mystery fish' are P. elongatus "ornatus", which are currently in with another elongatus complex fish. So, I have a dilema.... I want to be responsible, and not create hybrids (looks like a pair for the "ornatus", maybe mostly males for the "Chewere" - they're still coloring up), but I also want a nice show tank. So, here's what I'm thinking. (see my sig for the fish species that I have) I have a 29 gal that is currently fishless. It will be planted w. a lot of cave-work, and am thinking it'll be home for the Kenyi and the M. cyaneorbdus (6 of each). My original plan was to set this tank up w. a couple of species that were yellow and blue. I think it'll look great! So, now I have the 35 gal to contend with. So far, I'm really liking the fish that I have in there; so I'm inclined to leave it as is. But, I'm totally open for suggestions!

Well, I'm not totally sure what to do. I just scooped Summit600's P. lambardoi (yes, now I do have some!!), and am trying to figure out what to do. I'm going to start a new thread regarding how to stock my tanks. Thanks a bunch, everyone for helping me figure out what these fish are!!

These are the fish Gina bought from BA's! As they age, the blue one is staying blue, and maybe getting a bit lighter/pearly. The drab one is getting more yellow. 'She' has gone from being almost as blue as the other, to this color, and getting more yellow in 'her' finnage. BTW, they're in a tank w. Ps. elongatus "Chewere" - should I be careful about hybridization?

I had a 50' garden hose, which was great when I lived in a house on a lot and a half. Now, I'm in a townhouse w. a postage-stamp yard - no hose necessary! So, I cut the hose in 1/2, bought a 50¢ adapter for the kitchen tap, and, presto! I just siphon the water outside, then fill it back from the sink. I use the gravel vac to fill one bucket which I use to water the houseplants - they love the water from my planted tank!

Yeah, like seajay says, the welding shops are the places to look. I even heard it mentioned somewhere that someone picked up tank, reg, and valves for $125!

I had my CO2 going into the venturi of the powerhead - set up almost exactly as you discribe, Tanker. I decided that I wanted finer bubbles - a mist, if you will - so I just cut one of the little pieces of the basket, stuck in one of those airline valves that can adjust flow rate (cranked down to almost closed), and attached my CO2 line there. With the valve amost closed, it only allows a small bubble into the powerhead intake, which then chops it up a lot! There's been some discussion on the APD that the mist is even more effective for plants than 100% dissolved CO2. I've got the powerheads hooked up to the light timer, otherwise, I'm sure the pH would drop way too much over night.

One trick in keeping cardinals w. larger fish, is to start off w. cardinals like yo have Magicide. Hopefully, they're pretty comfortable now, so they'll stay schooling when you add your other fish (I'd go w. angels, too). Start off w. 6 small ones, and thin them out as they get bigger. If a pair forms, I'd keep just the pair in the tank. As long as the tank is heavily planted, you shouldn't have any trouble with the bioload. The main thing when planting a tank is, happy plants = happy fish.

In my planted tank, I have a 5500K and 6500K for the back 2, and a 13000K for the front. Really brings out the colors - you should see cardinal tetras!!

I've heard many a bad report from ppl using the Red Sea test kits. I've used the Nutrafin ones w. pretty good success.

So, both sexes start off blue, but only the male P. elongatus "ornatus" retain the blue? Sounds a bit backward for mbuna to me, but really I'm still pretty new to this type of cichlid.

When you have algae, it means you've got a nutrient imballance. I do believe that hair algae is caused by a lack of N. Is this a planted tank? If so, make sure your CO2 is in check. Do a big WC, then add ferts. If it isn't planted, maybe do a filter cleaning and WC. Adding algae eating fish will treat the symptom, but won't address the cause. My 2¢

I usually don't messure the water - just fill the bottle up to w/in about 3" or so. Water temp is slightly warmer than room temp.

IME, all stem plants will grow roots at the nodes. You can either just trim the roots, or you can uproot them, chop 'em off at a desirable hight, and re-plant the tops.

The nice thing about this size heater in a small tank is that it won't be on much to keep the temp constant. OTOH, if it sticks, your fish will be cooked rather quickly

When I had a 35 gal, I did 1/8 tsp KNO3 + 1/16 tsp KH2PO4 on day of WC and every other day afterward. Dosed 15mL traces every day opposite macros. 50% WC, usually Sat morning before anyone got up.

My 55 planted tank is looking pretty bare - fishwise. Right now there's just a pair of Bolivian Rams and a pair of Panda Cory's, along w. an algae crew of 2 SAE, pair BN plecos, 3 Amano shrimp, 1 Oto. My neighbor stopped by on Sat, telling me a friend of his was selling off some juvie angels - I told him I'd take 6. Not really sure what color strain they are - hoping for silver, black or marbled, as I'm not too into some of the other color strains. I'm thinking of maybe one other group of fish... Marble Hatchets? Tetra of some sort? What are some thoughts?

Thanks, Garhan & Milan!

HOSStile, have you seen the pond Henry has, here in Edmonton at Nature's Corner (AKA DAD's Fishroom)? He just keeps the pump running all winter, and the fish are fine. If the water's moving fast enough, it won't freeze solid; and, that's all the fish really need. Although.... I have heard of some fish somehow surviving being stuck in solid ice - though not for too long.

My wife was looking over my shoulder when I first read the thread last night. We're talking about converting my 29 into SW, and the frogspawn really helped! She likes the way it looks. I'm looking forward to my 1st foray into SW tanks! :beer: