Aquarium Forum http://www.aquariumforum.com en Wed, 22 May 2013 19:00:35 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aquariumforum.com/images/aqua/misc/rss.jpg Aquarium Forum http://www.aquariumforum.com 5 Crews under $30 - Shipped Free - Feed your Need http://www.aquariumforum.com/f89/5-crews-under-30-shipped-free-44361.html Wed, 22 May 2013 17:45:34 GMT Clean up Crew Offers are sure to please both your tank and your wallet!! Click the Pics below for details! Image: https://www.reefs2go.com/media/img/reefs2go//macro_algae/caribpack_mini_19_95.jpg Image: https://www.reefs2go.com/media/img/reefs2go//macro_algae/ref_food_pack_19.jpg Image: https://www.reefs2go.com/media/img/reefs2go//inv/crew/rescuecrew_30_bucks.jpg Image: http://static.zoovy.com/img/reefs2go/-/inv/crew/samplercrew_30_bucks Image: http://static.zoovy.com/img/reefs2go/-/inv/crew/snails_50crew_30bucks ]]>
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]]> Reefs2go.com Reefs2go.com http://www.aquariumforum.com/f89/5-crews-under-30-shipped-free-44361.html 40 gallon tank heater recommendation? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/40-gallon-tank-heater-recommendation-44353.html Wed, 22 May 2013 17:20:38 GMT I have never really bothered with heaters on my aquariums as I live in Florida and warm enough is not usually a problem. I had a heater on one of my first aquariums, but one hot afternoon it overheated the water and killed all the fish and I haven't bothered with one since.
But, back then the only heaters had this little dial on them where they heated to the level you set it at regardless of temperature in the tank. What are the options now? I would love to be able to set it at 82 and have it stay there. Does that sort of thing exist?

The temperature in my house doesn't stay the same as I only run the AC when I'm home, so the house gets into the high 80's during the day. Thus why those dial type heaters didn't work for me back in the day.. lol ]]> Freshwater Tank Builds Jenniferinfl http://www.aquariumforum.com/f45/40-gallon-tank-heater-recommendation-44353.html New Member http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/new-member-44345.html Wed, 22 May 2013 16:43:55 GMT not really sure what to put as an introduction, but i guess I'll start by talking about my tank. I have a 40 gal tank with a pleco, pangasius catfish, an earth eater cichlid and a black ghost knife fish. Half of my tank is filled with actual beach sand which my cichlid absolutely loves ]]> Member Introductions AydinZed http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/new-member-44345.html Issue with AC 70/Calcium Buildup-How do I fix it? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/issue-ac-70-calcium-buildup-how-44337.html Wed, 22 May 2013 16:27:26 GMT Hi all,

I have a 20 gallon tank with an Aquaclear 70 attached (planning to upgrade eventually, so I bought a 70 instead of a 50). I've had it for about 1.5 years and am having an issue with the motor not turning on once I plug it in. I've read a lot about needing to tap the impeller blade to get it to start, and I pulled the whole thing apart today for a cleaning (I pull it apart and clean it every 3 months, as suggested by the instructions in comes with). The entire motor is caked with calcium build-up. I tried scrubbing and chipping away at it to get it off, but I can't ever seem to make any headway, so it keeps getting worse. I only use water to clean it because I'm afraid to use anything else and haven't gotten any decent suggestions that have worked that are safe for the fish. (I saw an API aquarium cleaner in Petsmart last week-anyone know if it works?)

The magnet is not powerful enough to get through the calcium buildup, and I noticed how weak it was today when I put the motor back together. I was going to order a new motor, but I've heard Aquaclears have gone downhill recently and don't want this to just happen again.

My questions are...

1) Is there any effective way to remove calcium buildup?
2) Why am I having such an issue with calcium buildup-what can I do to fix it?
3) Will an intake sponge be helpful?
4) Should I just order a new motor?

Thank you for the help! ]]> General Freshwater Forum RoxMad http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/issue-ac-70-calcium-buildup-how-44337.html 55Gallon Cichlid update http://www.aquariumforum.com/f42/55gallon-cichlid-update-44329.html Wed, 22 May 2013 15:38:06 GMT So with only one mistake that I returned for another cichlid, I now have 8 cichlids as follows. 1 bumblebee, 1 auratus, 1 Kenyi, 1 jewel, 1 yellow lab, 1 Jacob peacock, 1 acei, 1 mutt, & 1 pictus cat... No more fish for approximately 4 months I wanna let them grow up a Lil more. I am currently looking for some stackable caves so I can maximize my tank space ....hopefully I'll be ordering cichlid stones soon..... ]]> African Cichlids cichlid420 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f42/55gallon-cichlid-update-44329.html Ph Drop Normal? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/ph-drop-normal-44321.html Wed, 22 May 2013 14:59:21 GMT To start off I want to say that I was using the test strips before and have since upgraded to a master water kit.

I tested my pH out of the tap to check if the pH was the same as in the tank, and it always was right at 6.4 out of the tap and in the tank. I read somewhere that you have to let the water from the tap sit out overnight to get an accurate reading on the pH level. I let it sit out over night and voila! it was 7.4. Now, here's my question... why is my tank 6.4 when the tap water is 7.4? Is there something that I should do to correct this, like use tufa rock or some other buffer to keep the tank water at 7.4?

I would also like to add that for the first 5-6 days of my fishless cycle, the pH levels were around 7.4 and total alkalinity (kH was at 120). After 5-6 days, the levels dropped significantly. Since the drop during the cycle the pH is staying at 6.4 and total alkalinity has been around 40 (which reads as low on my test strips). My master water test doesn't test for kH, I'm not sure why. Is this something to worry about that the kH and pH are so low? ]]> General Freshwater Forum DeJay126 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/ph-drop-normal-44321.html Light/hood question http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/light-hood-question-44313.html Wed, 22 May 2013 14:33:46 GMT So I have one of the hoods that has the front part you can lift up for access to the tank, behind that is a acrylic/hard plastic piece that is siliconed into the hood where you put the light fixture, then the back part. My question is...would it be bad if I took the plastic piece out and left that part just open for the light to sit on? I feel that the light will get to the tank and plants better this way since the plastic piece is very old and stained and will not come clean anymore (even with vinegar). I know this leaves the chance for water to evaporate to the light, but will that really cause it to short or anything like that? *c/p* So I have one of the hoods that has the front part you can lift up for access to the tank, behind that is a acrylic/hard plastic piece that is siliconed into the hood where you put the light fixture, then the back part.

My question is...would it be bad if I took the plastic piece out and left that part just open for the light to sit on? I feel that the light will get to the tank and plants better this way since the plastic piece is very old and stained and will not come clean anymore (even with vinegar).

I know this leaves the chance for water to evaporate to the light, but will that really cause it to short or anything like that?

*c/p* ]]> General Freshwater Forum jamnigh http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/light-hood-question-44313.html Black Algae? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/black-algae-44306.html Wed, 22 May 2013 13:36:29 GMT http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7696/imag0295ks.jpg The below is a pic my son took of his favorite fighter fish but you can see the blackness on the leaves of the plant behind. http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8314/imag0294xc.jpg We have 4no siamese algae eaters who are said to eat this stuff but its not working. They do keep the smaller leaves on the ludwigia clear but not all of them. Then again I suspose this isn't solving the problem in the first place. I've read it can be either poor flow or low co2 that can cause this stuff. The flow in this corner of the tank is low when comparted to other areas but the plants still sway a bit so it can be that bad. On CO2 I have an air stone running 24/7 which obviously doesn't help but injected CO2 is not an option for me. I might uproot the ludwigia and move them to the right side of the tank swapping over with the swords and in the process trim off all the affected leaves. Any advise on dealing with this stuff?]]> Several of my plants have developed what I believe to be black algae, or at least thats what it looks like to me. The worst case is on the Ludwigia Repens at the back of the tank. 3no smaller plants have also some on their leaves but not as bad as the ludwigia. All plants effected are in the same area in the tank. See below photos.

I apologise for the poor image quality.

http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/7696/imag0295ks.jpg

The below is a pic my son took of his favorite fighter fish but you can see the blackness on the leaves of the plant behind.

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/8314/imag0294xc.jpg

We have 4no siamese algae eaters who are said to eat this stuff but its not working. They do keep the smaller leaves on the ludwigia clear but not all of them. Then again I suspose this isn't solving the problem in the first place. I've read it can be either poor flow or low co2 that can cause this stuff. The flow in this corner of the tank is low when comparted to other areas but the plants still sway a bit so it can be that bad. On CO2 I have an air stone running 24/7 which obviously doesn't help but injected CO2 is not an option for me.

I might uproot the ludwigia and move them to the right side of the tank swapping over with the swords and in the process trim off all the affected leaves.

Any advise on dealing with this stuff? ]]> Freshwater Plants, Freshwater Planted Tanks Glen M http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/black-algae-44306.html just saying hello http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/just-saying-hello-44274.html Wed, 22 May 2013 10:13:15 GMT just wanted to say hello to all the members here.It is my first time on the forum. I have 2 tanks, the first is a 29gal. commumity tank with guppies,mollies neon tetras 1 angel fish and cory catfish. my 2nd tank is a 10 gal. just for a betta. Nice to meet you all just wanted to say hello to all the members here.It is my first time on the forum. I have 2 tanks, the first is a 29gal. commumity tank with guppies,mollies neon tetras 1 angel fish and cory catfish. my 2nd tank is a 10 gal. just for a betta. Nice to meet you all ]]> Member Introductions smoothmf http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/just-saying-hello-44274.html water setup for freshwater tropical http://www.aquariumforum.com/f66/water-setup-freshwater-tropical-44266.html Wed, 22 May 2013 06:23:38 GMT no fish in it as of yet looking to put bristlenose catfish maybe a Siamese fighter and some neons my ph tap water is 6.6 and kh turned yellow in 2 drops also is there any logs or rocks that raise ph and what do plants do for a tank ? no fish in it as of yet looking to put bristlenose catfish maybe a Siamese fighter and some neons my ph tap water is 6.6 and kh turned yellow in 2 drops also is there any logs or rocks that raise ph and what do plants do for a tank ? ]]> New To The Freshwater Aquarium Hobby rydertfish http://www.aquariumforum.com/f66/water-setup-freshwater-tropical-44266.html Theory in question. http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/theory-question-44250.html Wed, 22 May 2013 03:12:35 GMT I've been thinking about this for a while. So far, I'm the only one that I've heard of who's suggested this, so I'm not sure just how crazy or "out there" the idea is. Just follow along with me.

When you feed your fish, they breakdown the food, and turn it into waste. They also leave behind food, that gets the same fate as the waste. All the wastes excreted from the fish, uneaten food, and decaying plants, stay inside the tank. If nothing eliminates those wastes, they would quickly build up, and eventually harm your fish. Obviously, filters, live plants, protein skimmers, UV sterilizers, etc., can combat this buildup, but my question is this:

After being either left behind or pooped out, the biologic material gets decomposed by fungi and bacteria, and turned into ammonia. From here, through the nitrite bacteria, nitrite, nitrate bacteria, nitrate, blah blah blah. Usually, the nitrate is broken down by a sophisticated system, reduced by anaerobic denitrifying bacteria, and turned to free nitrogen. But what if it isn't? Can this whole cycle create its own resistance by catching the nitrogen in the tank? If the free nitrogen/nitrates before being broken down gets somehow trapped inside the water, would it actually slow down the cycle, or what it just keep building up and building up? The reason I ask is because if this is true, then having live plants to break down the nitrates into food for themselves, should, (based on an equal and opposite chemical reaction), actually speed up the nitrogen cycle? It's an exiting thought for me, maybe because of my obsession with the chemical side of aquatic habitats. Don't just write this off and say something to the affect of "it doesn't matter," or, "there's no such thing as chemical resistance; it's only a theory." This is something serious that can really help us (aquarium lovers) in the future.

I'm really looking forward to you all's opinions on this matter. Again, don't just write this off, it can be monumental what could come from a finding like this! ]]> Freshwater Plants, Freshwater Planted Tanks MattSidedish http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/theory-question-44250.html Hello 15 gal community http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/hello-15-gal-community-44242.html Wed, 22 May 2013 02:37:53 GMT Can some of you expert aquarium members help me create a community in a 15 gallon (24x12x12) petco people told me I can put a male betta some platys or White Cloud Mountain minnows and some cory catfish in the tank with some live plants. I don't know if this is a good community and I don't know how many of the fish. Have been told for example 1 betta 5-7 of the White Cloud Mountain minnows and 3-5 of the Cory catfish. Please help. My tank is currently cycling and after 4-5 days I've been told to add minnows and Cory cats then later add plants and lastly add the betta. Thanks in advance. ]]> Member Introductions NN40 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/hello-15-gal-community-44242.html Frantic Corydoras http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/frantic-corydoras-44234.html Wed, 22 May 2013 02:25:19 GMT 00002 - YouTube I've been doing this (aquarium hobby obsession) for about 7 years now, and have 6 tanks at the moment, the largest at 75 gallons, but I've never seen this kind of behavior from corys. Any advice will help. Thanks. *c/p**c/p**c/p**c/p**c/p*]]> Last week, I, somewhat irresponsibly, added a single albino corydoras catfish to my tropical community aquarium, consisting of:

1 longfin rosie barb
1 mickey mouse platy
1 zebrafish
1 black molly
1 cory catfish

The single cory seemed lonely, as I almost expected him to, so I returned the molly (as it was becoming aggressive anyways), and added two more corys. I always knew they did better in groups, I just wanted to try out one so I didn't overstock my 10 gallon tank. They have been in there for about 10 hours now, and they are simply frantic. When I had one cory, it would swim against the glass up and down and side to side. When I added the other two, it's at least doubled in severity. The other fish are fine, but I'm just worried. The gravel is only about a week old, but I've added a little extra food at feeding time so they'll have some left along the bottom when they go looking. The problem is, they haven't. Any advice? Should I just wait? Should I add more food so they can find it easier? Should I go back to a regular feeding schedule?

Here's a video of the calmer side of their behavior. they toned down a little when I ripped out the camera. Sorry for the lighting, as the timer for the lights turned off, as it was so late. I stayed up hoping they would calm down.

00002 - YouTube

I've been doing this (aquarium hobby obsession) for about 7 years now, and have 6 tanks at the moment, the largest at 75 gallons, but I've never seen this kind of behavior from corys. Any advice will help. Thanks.

*c/p**c/p**c/p**c/p**c/p* ]]> General Freshwater Forum MattSidedish http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/frantic-corydoras-44234.html Coral banded shrimp compatibility? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f31/coral-banded-shrimp-compatibility-44226.html Wed, 22 May 2013 00:44:49 GMT I was thinking of adding a CBS to my 10 gallon with my chromi, Oc clown, and my yellow watchman. I was worried that a CBS would attack and kill my watchman because he is very small and timid and they look very aggressive I also worry about them and my blue leg hermit crabs and margarita snails. If it won't attack would it bond with the watchman possibly or is that just pistol shrimp? ]]> Saltwater Invert Discussion Jmoquarium http://www.aquariumforum.com/f31/coral-banded-shrimp-compatibility-44226.html Help!!!! http://www.aquariumforum.com/f5/help-44218.html Tue, 21 May 2013 23:30:10 GMT Our tank is still cycling, its been about a month. The levels of everything were fine the last few days. I got home from work, tested my water and here are my values : pH: 6.0 Ammonia: 0.25 Nitrite: 0 Nitrate: 0 We have been loosing fish the last few days. We have a 20 gal Marineland tank overstocked (yes, i know, i know) we have 2 Marineland 150 biowheel penguin filters going, a bunch of live plants Fish: 3 emerald green cory cats, 1 zebra daino, 1 red eye tetra (all from a previous tank and are doing great) Down to 6 guppies left, a dozen have died, 2 neon tetras, 4 head and tail light tetras, 1 lyretail guppy We did a 50% water change last week with RO water. The pH is so high!!! What do we do!!!! Our tank is still cycling, its been about a month. The levels of everything were fine the last few days. I got home from work, tested my water and here are my values :

pH: 6.0
Ammonia: 0.25
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: 0

We have been loosing fish the last few days. We have a 20 gal Marineland tank overstocked (yes, i know, i know) we have 2 Marineland 150 biowheel penguin filters going, a bunch of live plants

Fish: 3 emerald green cory cats, 1 zebra daino, 1 red eye tetra (all from a previous tank and are doing great)

Down to 6 guppies left, a dozen have died, 2 neon tetras, 4 head and tail light tetras, 1 lyretail guppy

We did a 50% water change last week with RO water. The pH is so high!!! What do we do!!!! ]]> Freshwater Fish Diseases, Algae Problems, and Tank Emergencies http://www.aquariumforum.com/f5/help-44218.html