Melody

I think that tempting a girl with this stuff should be against the rules . The Medusas alone are enough to have me packing my bags. Ever see L134 come through those parts? The OTHER Starlight BN? I have the L132 (I think), but I like the whiteseam version.

Thanks for sharing the details of your 'experiment' - I find that kind of thing very interesting. A suggestion for your mix if you want to add greens, is softened, peeled, quartered peas. The Livebearers, Cory's and Bettas will all go nuts for them and they should freeze well into your mix. Packed with vitamins and very good for the digestive process. The Betta will benefit from the latter most as they're reputed to be prone to constipation. A little goes a long way so its not as labour-intensive as it sounds. I'd love to hear an update after you've fed it for awhile!

That's the stuff Rhonda - Home Depot, sometimes flourists shops, etc. If Chinese New Year is big there, you'll find it everywhere then. Now don't laugh at my ugly tank - I can't have plants in it between the Cichlid and the plant-eating snails in there, and the waterline has to be low for the snails to lay their eggs. This 20G tank is beside patio doors and the curtain top is about 6" below the ceiling, to give you some scale - they grow fast. The front one is grown in a spiral - you can do that with some artful turning towards a window, and it keeps the height in check. It doesn't need direct light, requires very little water and no soil. Its native habitat is Asia and I think Africa. Mine lost almost all of its leaves before it was rooted, so I'll be chopping little bits off the bottom until it is all leaves above the tanks. I've never used it for Green Water so I won't say that it will address the issue like Willow does, but it does work well for nutrient uptake. The story: 'Lucky Bamboo' {Dracaena Sanderiana} is considered to be a lucky house-warming gift and is popular for other occasions, due to its association with Feng Shui. Apparently it is an ultimate representative of the wood and water element. Tie red ribbon to the stalks and it is believed to increase the flow of positive energy (chi). 4 stalks should always be avoided (... can't remember the details, but I think it sounds like the Chinese word for death?). Three stalks symbolize happiness, 5 = wealth and 6 = happiness. I don't know what a house full will bring me .

I didn't say a passing fad - more a trend I suppose.... I thought the example demonstrated my train of thought, sorry about that!

No wonder you know your stuff - lots of experience there. Brain-picking potential, so noted. The respective geographic bias could be attributed to availability and a bit of 'fad' I suppose. You'll see a lot of BC'ers that are heavily into designer snails and are now getting into rare Livebearers, for example (dunno who is reponsible for that ), yet a year ago I couldn't find anyone to discuss that stuff with locally to save my soul. The enthusiasm is contagious I guess. Regardless, they're certainly worth keeping and I enjoy mine - such intelligence in their eyes... almost human-like. They do become more of a pet - loads of personality. I'm enjoying hearing everyone's reasons/reasoning - thanks for replying.

I know why Cichlids are appealing, I've just never seen the heavy preference within a community like I see here, other than Cichlid communities of course. They're always popular, but there's usually a broader mix in a general community. I noticed it right away and it intrigued me... curious little thing (sounds better than nosey, doncha think? ). I figured you might have a rocking local club or you rope 'em on Saturdays or something...lol. I'm kidding about the cowboy stereotype. I have two brothers who live there, as did my Grandmother for years. I like to scoot over there on occasion - feels more like home to me than BC actually, since I didn't grow up here anyway. I've enjoyed several stampedes - love the atmosphere. The local water makes sense to me - breeders often work with what they have so I can understand their perfecting the art over the years. Certainly the quality is evident in Canada's Cichlid Capital anyway. So how far back does it go? Were you people (historically speaking) into Cichlids while the rest of Canada was still thinking they were marine fish?

I can't help but notice that you Albertan hobbyists are heavily into Cichlids, or at least it appears so from the posts. What's up with that? Seahorses I could see , but what's with the not-so-wild West and Cichlids? Just curious .

I have to keep all of mine low so the snails can lay. Sometimes I get tired of it and turn them all down for the evening. Anything below 3 inches in the tanks with the larger HOB's is a bit much. I grew up in the country so I like the sound, but it needs crickets ;-).

You can get the vortex at pool supply stores for much cheaper I'm told

Truth be told, I probably have seen the Birch and thought they were Willows - anything 'weepish' I designate a Willow . Eventually I'll track a bunch down, so if anybody has room to keep them in a bucket and distribute them I'd be happy to send them over for the cost of shipping. I'll have to dress up in coveralls and claim I work for the city while I 'landscape' in local parks... ssshhhh....

Really? They're planted everywhere here and in other cities I've lived in - they line streets with them, plant them in parks, etc., even in New Brunswick. I'll have to grab some branches and send them over...lol. Probably any fast-growing tree would have the same effect I would think. I keep Lucky Bamboo in several of my tanks and they do a nice job with excess nutrients as well. I like the method because it addresses the main causes.

You can usually find Diatom filters used - try Buysell.com. Do you have a Willow tree nearby? I have heard miraculous stories from fish-keepers that I highly respect who have used Willow branches for green water with great success. This link will take you to a post (I hope...lol) about it by a BC hobbyist who has stunning tanks and really knows his stuff. Everyone that I know who has tried it has been amazed. Good luck with it!

I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't keep clowns, but I know that many loaches are sensitive to disolved organics, if that's applicable. I hope things have improved for you .

The things you learn from experienced hobbyists... Interesting read on both counts!

Agreed - their activity level is more of an irritant to fish than nipping when there is a large enough group of them, but if there's no sensitive fish in the tank I'm sure they'll be fine in a group of 10. Tetras seem to be able to hold their own anyway, in my experience. I'd leave the 10G up & running for a week or so to keep an eye on things, but i think you're safe. Good luck .

Ah what I wouldn't give for a fishroom - I'm excited about building a fish wall...lol. I've considered marrying for a big fish room, but then I'd have to share tank space . But anyways, congrat's! P.S. - If I could talk you into shipping a bunch of those Pleco's, we'd have things to discuss .

That's comforting, thanks. Now that you mention it, I have no idea if it is designed for a microwave or TV. I suppose the weight capabilities might depend on the answer to that.

Is the idea to put it on wheels so you can empty it and move the tank easily, but the concern is if the wheels could take the weight while sitting there? That's what I'm gathering. An engineer I am not, in fact I'm mechanically challenged entirely...lol...but it sure would be nice if it was possible. I keep eyeing a microwave stand on wheels as a possible 20G spot, but even that makes me nervous. I've never been much for 'there's only one way to find out' scenarios... big chicken .

This post looks a little familiar from another board , but I'll add a reply for the benefit of anyone else wondering. It means that they have complied with regulations regarding animal feed additives. They can't add anything that is classed as harmful to animals or humans and I think there are environmental considerations as well. The notation on the label is required, and probably applies to the fishmeal used. Fishmeal is classed as an animal waste product, which falls under the regulated ingredients. It is designed to protect animals, and is an encouraging sign of progress. I would be more worried if the ingredients listed colorants but didn't include the notation.