mrsailboats

Thanks guys, I actually had never even heard of aquarium central or Nature's Corner. Having a discount on multiple purchases is definately what I was looking for. As for this is there a membership or anything required to attend/purchase at the spring auction? Where abouts is that held?

Getting ready to have a fresh start on a planted 40. Been looking at different options (since I'm on a budget) of getting plants from online/LFS or trims from other members. I'd like to have at least 75% of my plants at once for the startup but I'm running into some issues. Online looks like it seems to be a hastle, most places ship from the U.S and I don't really want to deal with that. LFS would be about 150-200 dollars (at least if I am comparing from something like Big Al's which has an average price of maybe $20 per plant?) and that is waaay over what I really want to spend. And trimmings from other members would be great but I'm not sure if anyone would have enough for a startup and I probably wouldn't have much choice on the variety. Also I've always had troubles keeping the trimmings down(not floating), but maybe more experienced members have some insight on that. For members who have recently started new tanks how did you begin? If you have average prices maybe on how much you spent and from where and could pm me that, that would be appreciated. I welcome all questions and am looking for a discussion on the best methods for the Edmonton region. Thank you.

I think I might just do the slow removal process. Stick my arm in there once a week and just pick out and replace what I can.

My aquaclear 110 died at christmas so I'm currently running a emperor biowheel 280. My goals for the tank are to get it nice and lush and green. Maintenance is fine I'm more than willing to put in time, what limits me is a budget. If I was say to remove the marble I would have to remove basically all my substrate. I don't have anywhere other than a bucket or two to store my fish if I was to do that. That would be a pretty big change I don't know how well that would work out. I might have to live with the marble in there I'm thinking and hope its not the issue.

Thanks everyone for the comments. My setup when I first encounted the algae was an old 45W Hood light not sure on the specs of it as I got it used and it was fairly beaten up. I only had a couple plants in there that would manage WITHOUT co2 so basically all I did was dose a plant grow liquid bought from the LFS. I have a 50 GAL with 3-6 gal water changed per week. Substrate is the little rocks mixed in with similar size of marble. Recently I've made the switch to 1 39W T5HO(Switched 1-2 weeks ago, 1 more coming), added a few plants (leaves becoming overrun with hair algae), and started dosing with excel as well as a different plant grow solution from LFS. I was on track to doing a DIY co2 setup but I figured if I couldn't get this problem figured out I should wait before I take on more of a challenge and really start growing plants. Ferts I definately need to research and yeah no co2 yet just the excel. I do 1 capful of excel every 1-2 days and the plant grow solution about once a week. After typing this out I realize I've got a lot of research to do

heh, yeah doesn't seem to be alot of info on tihs out there. The marble probably only effects certain setups I imagine. Mine is also in little pieces for the substrate so it may have a little more effects.

Hey everyone, After having some algae problems for the last little while and to what I think keeping my tank in good shape, I keep getting a stringy sort of hair algae. I have looked it up in many different places and never found a solution that seemed to fit my situation. I came across this today. The picture attached looks sort of similar to what I can get when its bad. And I was thinking I was given a substrate that mixed in with LFS rocks, has some marble added as well. I'm going to be double checking this tonight but does anyone think this could be my problem? Below it says to remove any marble in the tank as that could be a possible source of excess mg. I've wanted to solve this problem before diving deep into a heavily planted tank so I don't have anything that tests any sort of mg or read anything about proper levels of this. It is a very lighty planted tank and before I go into other solutions just want to see if anyone had heard of this. D.3. RODOPHYTAS SP. 3.T his algae is related to an imbalance between Ca: Mg where there is too much Mg. If you have marble in you tank, you should remove it. Use the Kno3 generic protocol plus . In future, reduce the Mg you are adding

Just measured its a 16.5*36 and 20 deep. So I get about 50 gallons. Do you think I would need 1 or 2 of the lights from all season garden center? I am going to check them out within the next week. Possibly tomorrow.

Wow a kit is looking pretty good right now. A little pricey but convenient. As soon as I can I'll be browsing the classifieds Anyone know if about 16.5" x 36" is a strange dimension for a top? Seems to be a little harder to find rather than a 12x36.

Yeah thanks for the advice. Can't quite get in to the classifieds yet. I was also worried that from buying a light fixture setup it might not have the same specs as when bought new? I guess if i only had to replace a new bulb that would be okay. As for the co2 yeah I'm a little low on the funds so for now the DIY will probably have to work. What is all needed for the pressurized setup other than the tank?

Hey everyone been browsing for awhile so this is my into as well I have had a couple plants in my 45 gal freshwater for awhile nothing that needed a co2 or significant lighting. I'm making the switch to probably a DIY co2 and now looking for some lighting options. Before I spend the $200 plus that is what i saw at Big Al's today just looking for some advice. I think i should need in the 90 watt range if it is still planned out that way but really just looking for some recommendations that are cost effective that I can purchase. I currently have a black hood with a light that sits on top a plexi glass piece in the middle. So I am also looking for a new lid I assume and i guess that would be a glass top or something now adays. Any help would be great. Thanks.