vic

I get my 20# filled at the local Coca Cola distributor. About $25 to fill and no waiting. Usually full before I get it paid for. Vic

The user name and passwords are stored as cookies I am told. I use a utility called CCleaner that removes cookies, temporary INTERNET files, etc. Ergo, I have to type in the password and user name each time I use CC. This is the same on all of the boards I access. To me, it is a small price to pay for the security and cleaning up the shrapnel from the INTERNET. Vic

When do they get their Colours????????????????????????????????

No. Petsmart and Petland. Both on the south side of the city. Vic

Yep - 20# aluminum certified. Edmonton, not Calgary, store.

Go see these folks, they will deal. I bough my 20#, totally refurbished and certified for $60 (I think). Don't use e-mail, they all go to Calgary and the Calgary prices are quite a bit higher than Edmonton. Vic Edmonton Office: The Recharge Centre 5152 - 75 Street Edmonton, AB Canada T6E 6W2

I have purchased from aquariumplants.com with great success. They ship Canadian orders from the operation in Manitoba. Really speeds up the process by avoiding the international transshipping. Vic

I would suggest that you check with Rex Grigg here: http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/ Or alternatively find the Clippard site and see what they have to say regarding maintenance of solenoids. I would appreciate your sharing any maintenance requirements that you discover. Vic

http://www.onlineconversion.com/ Vic

A corner box filter will likely work, if such a thing still exists!

I checked a number of hardware stores in Red Deer with no luck. Then I got the yellow page directory out and chased down a water bed store. They had the venturi and the reducer for the sink faucet for less than $10. Vic

No S*** Sherlock: We had to euthanize out 14 year old Siamese spay female about 6 weeks ago. The food she innocently ate caused chronic renal failure. Some pissed to say the very least. Boycott sounds about perfect to me. Thanks Neil for the headsup. No effect on me as I am feedin fresh vegies, frozen blood worms and NLS. Vic

Normal. If it concerns you, put one of the plastic check valves in the line close to where the line goes in the tank or to an external diffuser. If you have a bubble counter it likely has an integral bubble counter that will protect your regulator. HMMMMMMMMMMMM, would be a good idea to make sure that you have a check valve in the system. If not use a brass check valve placed as noted above. Vic

Sorry, I can't find the freaking site again, so you get my short form instructions! Start with distilled water, no impurities. I made mine in a well washed 710 ml coke bottle, sealing top. Add to about 2/3's full with the distilled water. Then gradually add bicarbonate of soda, test the KH after each addition. Try to get the test results as close to 4KH as possible. If you go by the 4KH point you have enough room in the coke bottle to gradually add water to get back down to 4KH. This reference solution you put in your drop checker to the line on the bowl of the drop checker. Then add sufficient reagent to get a clear blue indication, zero CO2. You do not need to be precise in terms of drops as the reagent is neutral and will not effect the accuracy of the CO2 level measurement. Put the lid on, carefully - no leaks, invert the drop checker and stick to the inside of the tank about 4 inches below the surface and in a place where there is water circulation. This should last several weeks. Be sure to seal up your reference solution as evaporation will cause a variance in the KH of the reference solution. I have attached a link to the Red Sea web site. Their drop checker is second from the bottom. I am not espousing that this is the premium drop checker. I am simply saying that this is the one that I use and it works well with the determined KH reference solution and their reagent. Vic http://www.redseafish.com/co2_pro.asp If you are using the test strips, I would strongly recommend that you invest in a non strip test kit. The strips are notoriously inaccurate.

Don't remember exactly however, I will find it this afternoon and either post the directions or a link. Vic

Thanks for the comment. I would appreciate your elaborating on a "trickle tower' if you have the time. Photos or illustrations would be appreciated as well. Vic

Bubbles per second (BPS) is simply a reference observation. 3 BPS in my bubble counter is not likely to be the same as 3 BPS in your bubble counter. The variable is the size of the bubbles dispensed by the CO2 orifice. Start at 2 BPS in your set up and monitor the results. You should, as has been said, get a drop checker to monitor the CO2 level in your tank. There is a thread on this board on how to make a 4KH solution to use in the drop checker rather than tank water. As it is a known KH the measurement process will be much more accurate that the tank water. 4KH is used as that is the point at which the CO2 level will be at 30PPM.

Thanks for the replies. Brad, I will go out to Parkland Nurseries today and see what they have to say. The possibility of some nasties from the growing process does certainly concern me relative to the potential contamination of an aquarium. Vic

Is the following snake oil? Vic Aquarium Additives & Supplements Remember, we only sell and recommend products that we would use ourselves at the nursery or at the hatchery! AAG Staff 4 & 8 oz bundles 30 Pound Bale Authentic Scottish Barley Straw The Natural Solution to Algae Control Now you can promote a healthier ecosystem for your aquarium or pond by using authentic Scottish Barley Straw, a technique which has been employed since the Middle Ages to naturally promote an ALGAE FREE environment. 100% safe for ALL wildlife, including the most delicate shrimp, fish, and plants because it is 100% natural and biodegradable. In the aquarium, install a small portion (about a handful) of barley in your canister or hanging filter, or sump. We recommend using a micron filter bag (see below). Our small 4oz size should last a normal home aquarists, a long time. In your pond, install it in your waterfall spillway, skimmer basket, or just throw it in anywhere! Most smaller ponds will require the 4 or 8 ounce size barley straw. (4 & 8 oz barley come already packaged in a mesh bag, the 30lb bale comes with 3 mesh bags) Algae growth in ponds or aquariums can pose several problems. It can clog pumps, block filters, cause odor problems, and is generally considered to be aesthetically unacceptable. The proliferation of algae appears to be closely associated with the high levels of certain nutrients, especially phosphorous and nitrates in the water. High nutrient levels are often found in ponds and lakes associated with parks, golf courses, housing complexes and industrial sites. Conventional control of algae can be either mechanical or chemical. Both methods can be expensive and inefficient. Depending on the pesticide or herbacide used, chemical control may limit irrigation use or harm non-target aquatic plants and other aquatic life and fish. In some instances the algae problem may increase over time if competitive plants and algae-feeding fish are not present. In addition to using beneficial alage eating fish and snails, barley straw has been suggested for use in ponds and aquariums for algae control. The barley, as it decomposes, slowly releases hydrogen peroxide and humic acid into the water at levels that are toxic to algae. The algae are suppressed best when the straw is decomposing in a well-oxygenated environment. Too much straw can deoxygenate the water. It is best if the straw is applied loosely so that water can move freely through it. A cage or netting can contain the loose barley. The barley works best when it is at or near the water's. It is better to use multiple "barley stations." No negative side effects have been reported; in fact, increased invertebrate populations and improvement of gill development in fish from ponds where barley straw was applied have been observed. Here are some other important features: These are made from High Grade Scottish Barley (the same kind high quality Scotch is made from)(NO. Not the kind of straw you might find in a cattle-feed store!) They are fully biodegradable. They can provide natural food for your fish. Each bundle comes with it's own sturdy mesh bag. 30# bales will come with three (24x36) mesh bags. This method can be started any time of year, new or old. No chemicals used ever in the processing of this barley! 4oz Barley Straw Bundle-Bale treats up to 500 gallons of water for 4 months-YOUR COST ONLY 9.99 8oz Barley Straw Bundle-treats up to 1000 gallons of water for 4 months-YOUR COST ONLY 17.99 30 POUND Barley Straw Bale (bale size is compressed into 24" x 18" x 10") treats up to 1/4 (quarter) acre or 10,000 sq ft of water for 4 months-YOUR COST ONLY 96.99 Filter Bags Reusable, fine mesh filter bag with a drawstring for easy, and secure bag closure. Use micron bags to hold barley, carbon, ammonia or phosphate remover, or any other filter media or resin. - Bag sizes are: 4" x 12" or 8" x 12" 4" x 12" $2.49 each 8" x 12" $2.99 each

No harm, no foul. The bubble counter can be left empty with no problems. Vic

Pisces are phasing out of the bulk D/E. Too risky for the staff. They will continue to stock the Vortex D/E in prepackaged amounts. Note: The Vortex Diatom Filters work best with the Vortex brand of D/E. Vic

Brewers yeast or a cannibalistic champagne yeast will produce longer than an active baking type of yeast as these yeast strains have a much higher tolerance to ethyl alcohol. It is the alcohol content that eventually terminates the fermentation as a result of the yeast being killed off by the alcohol. As noted above, these yeast may be purchased at a wine or beer making store. I have also seen Brewers yeast in grocery stores, this would clearly be a lower cost than the wine and beer stores. It is also a good idea to "start" the yeast before dumping it into the fermenter. Simply put about 4 oz's of water at between 100 and 110" F in a warm glass, add 1/2 teaspoon of granulated sugar and mix well. Float the yeast on the surface. In a few minutes the yeast will sink to the bottom. Stir gently and wait until it builds a head. Stir gently again and put in the fermenter. This will likely speed up the production of CO2 and you will also know if your yeast is active BEFORE it gets into your fermenter. Vic

I get mine filled at the local Coca Cola distributor. $28 for 20# tank. Walk in, walk out maybe 15 minutes. You might also contact the Recharge Centre - http://www.rechargecentre.com/ They have operations in both Calgary and Edmonton. Vic

I have purchased sand and rock products from Burnco Rock Products, Red Deer store. A 5 gallon pail of washed sand (don't believe everything you are told) for about $7. Self serve and bring your own bucket. They also have an awesome assortment of rock, shale, slate, river rock and stone, etc. Almost as good as a trip to Home Depot but not big enough to warrant taking a lunch! Also tile stores can be a great source for shale etc. Vic

Would a product like Easy-Off (very caustic) not compromise the silicone bond/seal in the glass joins? I would opt for the razor blade I think. I have used black, blue, gray, etc. counter top from the rummage bin at places like Totem, Home Depot, etc. These places also have a remnant bin of pieces that have been left over form various jobs and usually priced a couple bucks. No contamination risk at all. Vic