Qattarra

More light , loads of light. Need a very fast camera to get sharper images as our intended subjects don't sit still . You could use the "action" setting to try a faster speed.

There's a product called "neutralizer" which I use watered down by 1/2. Just spray on and rinse off. It is sold as a floor stripper neutralizer and has all natural ingredients . You could use high potency vinegar and a no scratch scrubby but this way takes a bit of elbow grease.

Best advice for plants wont come from me lol. As for intakes , a piece of coarse sponge works very well , both as a prefilter and a baby saver. Just cut a cube larger than your intake, slice a cross cut into it but not all the way through. Push it up onto the intake tube just far enough to cover the cage. Now all the water sucked up must go through this first. Wring it out once in a while so the filter doesn't have to work harder. You should rinse it in tank water (in a bucket or bowl) but if you're not trying to save bacteria I don't think it'll hurt to rinse in the sink. I use tank water.

Wholly! I thought my tank was crowded lol

I think with more space the stress of a possible predator coming around the corner decreases as there is more space to escape to . More territory means a males is more attractive to a female. Just 2 ideas.

Being a not good plant keeper I can tell you , the java ferns, vals and anubias are still alive lol. The rest I really struggle with. Steer clear of red plants and cabomba unless you have a lot of light.

Add plants anytime . IME I haven't had any mini cycle events past 3-5 days.

Absolutely ! Please do , I might get inspired as the whole thing seems out of reach for me.

I see no pics.

Electric yellows and fronts lol. I think the next one in Calgary will be in the spring and I think that's when they'll have the fish rooms , I suggested they bring the stuff to our auction but who knows lol.

bacterial?

There was an entire fish room's worth of stuff donated to the club that was up for bids, so there was lots of stuff there. I was told there are two other fish rooms donated for their next auction so I think it'll be worth going to .

Another trick I was taught is to use a large net and put the aggressive fish in time out. Suspend the net up in the corner of the tank . Apparently this causes some humility,he feels he's no longer top dog and he behaves better once released a day or two later.

I just dip the siphon tube (larger plastic hard) , scoop up the water , hold it up so it starts draining, refill it quickly before it's empty and leave it under water. At this point it's going and it's super easy. This works perfectly no mater the diameter or length of the hose.

I use a gravel vac with an extra length of tubing I purchased because I drain my tanks right out to my flower beds most of the time , to the tub when I can't. I use a garden hose from the sink to refill . With one for out and another for in , I can work on multiple tanks at a time . I of course use Prime to treat the tank before I refill (thank you John). I simply run hot water through and gravity drain the hose after I'm done to prevent anything in the hose for storage between WCs.

:welcome: to AA, we certainly have some "pushers" here who will definitely feed your hunger through MTS. (multiple tank syndrome).

:welcome: to AA I'm a plant assassin unless they're out in your yard, then I'm a true green thumb lol. You'l find may on here who are simply brilliant with planted tanks . I'm sure you'll be able to help me out though with your acquired knowledge. Sue

That is so nice ! Makes me want one .

That is an awesome tank ! I'm sooooo jealous! lol Well done.

I think if you're planning to setup another tank a few months from now ,you'll definitely benefit from having the AC working away on this tank . It'll take 2 months + before you'll have enough bacteria build up for a new tank and not have this one suffer by it's moving but it'll be a first aid kit ready to go . You'll have the option to quickly set up a QT tank or a back up filter for a crash for another tank . It''l be the best way to handle a mini cycle or a fullout nitrite spike.

HUMMMM there is a difference , the cap on my jug must be bigger, on the 2L jug it says 1 capfull for every 400L (100 gal). Bottom line , use Prime if you want to refill straight from the tap, otherwise other products will work for removing chlorines and chloramines.

I have some tiny plecos in my african tank , the Matto Grossos. They are aprox 2 1/2 inches long . I haven't lost any yet.

I can't change the title in the blue bar with this method. I don't see any way to change the title without help from a moderator. If it is possible to do it your self I would like to know how to...... J Now that's strange as I tried it in one of my post before I added to this post. It worked for me .

I mostly keep cichlids, they need to dig and rearrange their decor. Another reason to have substrate is the good bacterias grow there too as well as on decorations.

Good point Rd. I should be more cautious with anything WC. Would you suggest treating all new fish with parasite clear?