Smokey

Welcomt to AlbertaAquatica. Smokey

Welcome to AlbertaAquatica. Smokey

Welcome aboard Jerry. Good to see you here in sunny Alberta....... :smokey: Smokey

>>Yes, I know....and no reptiles, either<< Ehh, what about the law students?? :smokey:

Sounds like a consumer ALERT WARNING !!!

Shelly, perhaps it is time for an addition to your house. A large three bay heated garage. Bay 1 - your car. Bay 2 - Locked and secured; a dedicated fish room. Bay 3 - your hubby and his buddies OR...just a doghouse for the hubby/kids.......... :smokey: Smokey p.s.... how did the foam work out ??

Stu; the best way to remove the surface oils [aka protiens] is to actually remove the surface water during a w/c. Not knowing what method you use to remove the water from the tank; a bucket, a hose and gravity, or actually pumping ther water out. Suggestions, When you are doing the w/c's: 1- Bucket method: allow the top inch of tank water to fill the bucket. This will allow the "protiens" to flow into the bucket. In essents you will be skimming the top layer of water along with the oil's. 2- Hose and gravity method: once you have the "flow" started you can remove the oils from the top of the water by allowing the hose to suck the top inch of water; removing the oils with the water. You with have to hold the hose to create a proper suction level. Practice. 3- Pumping method: since you have invested in a power head...GREAT. The power head will allow you to pump the water out. Just invert the power head so the pickup intake is just below the waters surface and "SUCK" the water/protiens out of the tank. Practice and holding the powerhead at just the right distance from the surface of the water will make short work of the nasty oils. HTH Smokey

Reguarding "SUBMERSIBLE HEATERS"; The only 'WEEK' point is the electrical chord! The electrical chord could become damaged/protective covering may crack, over time. Thus, the warning. CSA/UL are the governing agencies that give approvial to any "APPLIANCE" sold in North America. They are the ones who demanded the warning. The actual heaters, whether Ebo Jager, Tronic, etc. are very well constructed. I have been using the Ebo Jagers since 1993 and have had one of the "old style" develop moisture inside, after 5 years of use/abuse. Upon disassembling the heater I discovered a crack in the insulating cover on the electrical chord. True, some of the very early E/J did have a problem with internal condensatiion. A N. A. importer said it we due to the humidity, in the air, when the heaters were manufactured/assembled. Some said the inner seal/outer seal may dry out and develop moisture by-pass. I have 10 of the new EBO-JAGERS [ The Original JAGER; Now, made by EHEIM ( as it says on the packaging)] and have hade no problems with them. At the "shop" I run 22 - TRONIC 50 watt heaters. All are fully submersed, and very badly abused. In 3 years only one has failed. It just stopped working. Haven't been able to disassemble it to determine why. HTH Smokey

I believe it is time to Legitimize Alberta Aquatica. If a professional is willing to help achieve this end, I feel we should strongly consider the matter. Smokey I vote "YES".

Goat River is the name of the area where the rock came from. The "rust" colouring could be sedimentory deposits when the rock was formed ... Granite is the safest rock to use. It is [usually] inert. Black Italian slate [ the very old slate formations] is safe, also. What you have to watch for is the rock affecting the pH of the water. Smokey

To set up a dedicated tank for Oscars is an incrediable accomplishment. aka long term. To see such a species so powerful and graceful is a site to behold. A large pleco can survive/ co-exsist. if the tank is large enough.!!

oscarfan>> If the oscar is young [ (he's still only around 4")] .. is this total length? or standard length [ does not include cauldial fin]. Is the oscar on solid food [live feeders/fish] yet? Do you realize the full potiential of an oscar? AT this time, assuming the oscar is only 5 to 7 months old, add some other oscars or deceide what you want to have grow out. Oscars are hunter conivours. Teach them to be such. Work with the oscar..hands on, Put your hand into the tank. Hand feed "him". Swim with him... metaphorically speaking. Oscars are incrediable fish. Life span eight to ten years is not unusual. Hide your wallet and disconnect the phone! [ they are very intelligant and know where your credit card is and how to speed dial the local the pizza place .]... I am not kidd'n. They have and incrediable sences of ownership. they own you!! If you are fortunate enough to end up with a male and feamale ... BIG TANK... they will spawn. Then the fun begins. Oscars are a short term fish. Meaning -- most owners fail to accomodate their size/needs. and sell them Smokey

:welcome: , Rhonda. Smokey

Great pics, Val. Thanks for sharing. Keep us updated, when they get into their new home. Smokey

Welcome aboard, Summit600. Yeah, definitly a very "tough" choice! Suggestion - Buy your wife a 230g. for Valintines Day.and a gift cert. for fish of her choice; she will love you :smokey: Smokey

Thank you for your post, Val. Smokey

the DIY section . Post your tips there. Smokey

THE SEARCH FUNCTION .... YES ! I am 100% in favor of this feature being incorperated. AlbetaAquatica has grow substanctually. Members post's, and their wealth of information, is very difficult [ impossible] to locate. REVIEWS ... yes, something needs to be done. Better organization/method [?]. Vender reviews are very powerful. A good [or bad] review/personal expierence sends a very powerful message to those reading the review. Although the reveiw may be personal, it does send a message. As for one store being "BETTER" than another ... Bob's Fish Store ... 9.4 out of 10 what if someone gave it a Bob's Fish Store ... 4.9 out of 10 Wouldn't the rating have to be computer generated [?]. someway. A store's address could be helpful. [ Some may find it a bit embarrassing to walk into a PetsMart and ask for directions to Bob's Fish Store.]. lol......

Sounds like you are doing a good job. I have repaired so many tanks. the secret = go slow/be careful. e.g. Remove all old silicone. COMPLETELY ! Completely clean all surfaces. Use a great silicone to "glue" everything back together. Smokey

Well, Garhan comes to mind ! Many moderators have a understanding of how well/difficult it is to achieve a planted tank. Smokey

Definately a beautiful powerful species. Treat him well. ok. What size is he now? Smokey

NOPE, you are totaly wrong. ck. Not a safe project!

ve6djj/Dave. great updates! Your "pup"; seems to be lacking interset... or.. Is he the foreman? - [just checking up on the progress of your work.]. _ or _ quote>> Now I will not be the center of attention, anymore ! [?] << aka..please scratch my ear. <<. Smokey

Congradulations, Kyle. Excellant site. Wonderful photo's. Thank you for sharing your expierences with the members here at A.A.. Best of luck Smokey

Wondering what happened to you. :welcome: back. Great to hear everything is going well. Keep us updated. Post any suggestion/expierences or ideas that may help others. who may also want to do a fish-less cylce. Smokey