Chopperman

+1 FX5

That is a great link thanks Werner.

I probably have 3 full bags of the geo system substrate in my arsenal of past impulse buys. It looks to be around 4-5 mm. The tank is well established and has been currently running for 5 years. It only has around an inch of gravel in it due to the fact I had a couple fronts and a few dolphins in it that quickly outgrew the tank and keeping the nitrates down became a problem, weekly 25% water changes and consistent vacuuming just to keep parameters/algae growth stable. To think all that detritus that had been vacuumed would have been good for a planted tank, current habitants are in need of finding a new home. The switchover is not going to be rushed and wont be done until I have gained basic knowledge and have the right equipment to start. I see everyones pictures of there plants and I'm green with envy. I appreciate everyones input on this subject and willingness to help.

Thanks for the info I will ditch the A/C I've got a fluval 303 in my big box of leftovers in my basement. I think I'll pick up a few bags of flourite.

Im looking at changing my 50 gallon 48x12x20 (not drilled) into a planted tank in the near future it has a rena xp3 and an A/C 50 for filtration. I will have a 2 bulb t5ho fixture, but my question is about substrate. Substrate is IMHO the one thing you need to get right right off the hop because of the difficulty to change down the road. What is the recommended substrate to use? Ive been thinking of Seachem black flourite maybe 2-3 inches. Should laterite be mixed in or placed in layers? or do i need laterite at all? Just so you know in previous attempts Ive killed umpteen anubias and many vals the only thing my tanks have ever grown is algae, So i'm thinking there may be hope for me yet. Thank You for any help or suggestions. Adam

Have you checked out melevsreef.com theres some good sump designs there and a wealth of info. Adam

Aww man, Im going to to call off christmas so I can make the sale.

Ya, I think I will keep the lights off for a week or so, they didnt show up until I picked up a new fixture for the tank. I guess I'll continue scrubbing and water changes in a couple days. Apparently SW is pretty finicky to start, but I cant wait until I can stock the tank. Thanks for the reply Adam

My tank has been cycling with no livestock and around 40 lbs of LR for about a month now. I noticed a brownish algae starting to accumulate on my LR the other day and today saw it spread to the glass and sand, so I started researching it. It sounds like it is most likely Diatoms, I used tap water to fill the tank a month ago then Primed it and aged water treated with Prime for top ups. I am going to pick up a silicate test to test my supply water. I also did a 75% change on the tank today after I vacuumed the gravel and cleaned some of the glass to hopefully suck out some of the algae so a minimal amount of silicates are dispersed from the dead or leftover algae. Im just curious if anyone has any suggestions if Im addressing this nuissance the right way, or if theres any suggestions before this stuff suffocates my tank before I even stock it. Adam

Darn, Ill be in BC and you cant beat 30 bucks for a bucket of salt and all the carbon and the koralia pumps are sure to be gone

Welcome to Alberta Aquatica. So many people with very good info and alot of knowledge of the hobby. Have a good one Adam

Its in a bucket right now seems to be OK but I'll be waiting for a Rena to go on sale, I have one running on a different tank and it just seems better and easier too.

I did some maintenance on my fluval 303 the other day. Media, Clean the impeller and such. When I put it back together and primed it all seemed well no visible leaks or anything, like so many times before. Well this time 24hrs later I noticed damp areas on the hardwood that the stand and aquarium sit on and low and behold the bucket the filter sits in is full. So now I have warped hardwood that Im hoping may dry out somewhat flat. So a quick note to people that may have one of these, Make sure the connections are tight and the O-ring is seated. Or maybe just dont put an aquarium on hardwood. Adam

Im not 100% sure but my sister lives in BC on an acreage and uses her well water for changes and she doesnt even need to age her water or Prime it. No Chlorine and is very hard. excellent for cichlids.

Thats a great idea. It would look pretty cool too. The Irony of having a fire extinguiser bolted on the side of a giant tank of water.

Are these products you can purchase at HD or Rona or should I go to specialized paint and stain shop? It will be a saltwater tank and its seen better days, just needs some TLC before the tank gets started. Thank you for the info. Adam

Does anyone have any suggestions about the best finishes for an oak stand. I have one that the top needs to be sanded then refinished, but Im not sure if I should restain it and Lacquer or should I use a natural oil like a weather sealer without a glossy finish? If anyone has done this or has any info about it that would be great. Thanks Adam

Ya thats what I thought too. I need a bigger tank to keep these ones. Im downsizing from 5 Tanks to hopefully 2 maybe I should just find a 100 gallon to go with my 72 gallon. Thanks for the input though I really appreciate it. Adam

Has anyone experienced any problems having clown loaches and red tailed botias? Im thinking of combining 5 - 4 inch clowns with 2 - 5 inch botias they would inhabitate my 50 gallon. Thanks

thanks for the replies I will definately check them out. Adam

Hello, I'am going to soon try Saltwater. Is there any good reading material about getting a tank ready. I have been keeping freshwater for 6 years now. I would like to learn about saltwater fishkeeping/equipment needed before I start. If anyone has any information or good sites/books that may help me start, that would be great. Thanks Adam

those are beautiful projects. You are a true craftsman.

I have recently noticed that in the mornings when I turn on the aquarium lights I see small white snails. they disappear once the lights have been on a while. They are only about 1mm - 2mm. I havent added any new plants or new anything for that matter. the only thing changed was buying a new food for bottom feeders. could it be that these H20 stable wafers have snails in them, and when immersed in water and not fully devoured, the snails come out. Now I have red tailed botias in one tank but have never seen them eat, when my other tank i see the clowns eat all the time and have fed them these wafers. In the loach tank I never see snails. But in with the botias I always see wee little snails. could it be that my botias are just picky and dont like snails? I've had the botias for over a year now so they must be eating something. Just curious, because im wondering if i should stop putting these wafers in the tank with the botias before it gets overun with snails. as a side note I put these wafers in my 5 gallon, and again I see snails. I havent put the wafers in any of the other tanks I have and they aint got snails.

Well I did get an xp3 today. Theyre on sale so why not, I say. But now Ive got my fluval running again, so I have an xp3 also, maybe i'll put the xp3 and the fluval on the 60 gal to seed the xp3 and someone could sell me a 90 or 120g for cheap. :smokey:

well i as you may have or havent noticed my fluval 303 cannister cracked. I am having trouble finding the part I need. So I might have to bite the bullet and purchase a new cannister filter. Now Im looking for something for 70-120 gallon tank. its for a 60 gallon. I have thought of a rena xp3 and havent heard anything bad about them but does anyone have any experience or advice about a fluval 304 or even a cascade? I know the newer filters arent as stout as the 303 and my gorrilla hands arent too gentle. but im hoping i can retrofit some parts such as valves, hoses and such. If i cant find the part needed by early next week then I will have too buy a new one. the a/c 50 just doesnt cut it. Thanks