Aquarium Forum http://www.aquariumforum.com en Fri, 03 Sep 2010 09:19:00 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.aquariumforum.com/images/aqua/misc/rss.jpg Aquarium Forum http://www.aquariumforum.com 30 years of research and development http://www.aquariumforum.com/f5/30-years-research-development-7610.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 08:00:52 GMT I have been posting this all over the world, I am an Australian manufacturer that has I believe made the best Aquarium products ever produced, I have very good reason to believe this, the following post will explain why.


*Re: SUNSHINE COASTERS PLEASE READ!
*Re: WARNING SOUTH BRISBANE RESIDENTS, TEST YOUR TAP WATER!
This is a copy of what I posted on an earlier thread, this is the reason i specifically manufacture what i do.
There seems to be a need for a club on the Sunshine coast, judging by this thread, if there isn't already one still existing, I have heard it has had some problems, I am not sure.

Hello Again,
I will explain, why I have come to the conclusions I have made with respect to the problems specific to Hydrated Lime in Town water, please take the time to read the following story.
It was 1989, I had been self employed for 2 years, I had worked in the industry for eleven years before that. Myself and my wife manufactured a range of Aquarium products and also wholesaled Livebearers and Goldfish (all locally sourced). Livebearers losses were, after about 4 days, 30% sometimes 50%, this was sending us broke, I couldn't work out what was wrong.

The solution seemed to me at the time to be, was that there was untestable levels of Ammonia, which continually caused fungal infections. What I did to solve this was to move all the stock fish into an outside pond (5000 ltrs) in traps, where I thought there would be a greater level of stability, I still changed large amounts of town water. At the time we had an enormous amount of rain for about 3 weeks, so I stopped doing water changes from the tap.
Strangely the fish losses stopped, which made me think that there was something that the rain water didn't have that the town water did.
So I contacted the Water Board and asked some questions (you could get a human being in those days). I found that the process of treatment was firstly, pumping water into water large holding tanks, they then added Aluminium Sulphate to clear the water. This acidified the water so Lime was then added to bring the pH up, a combination of Chlorine and Ammonia (Chloramine) were then added. The latter 2 chemicals are combined to keep Chlorine in solution to the end user, this is commonly the case in large cities and has been for many years and is the standard recomendations by the WHO for developed countries. (When testing for Ammonia, firstly the Chlorine must be removed with a cheap De-Chlorinator.)
Knowing that rain water is soft I then concluded that Hydrated Lime was the problem, I also noticed that during hardness testing of tap water, on rainy days the hardness would go up. This should have been the opposite, rain generally softens water sources. I was then advised by a chemist that I could soften tap water chemically with Sodium Hexametaphosphate (Calgon). This action worked reducing my losses to nearly nil, also because they just didn't seem to need it , I reduced my water changes from 30% per week to 25% per month. I then integrated this chemical into my products.
I did then gain some marketing edge as a result but the bigger American manufacturers out marketed me and advice about the detriment of phosphates in water ways was adopted by aquarists and I got complaints about phosphate tests occurring when using my products. I still believe this is a good practice to remove lime, but because town water is nearly sterile and there is a tendency to do large frequent water changes , and even with Lime removal, it can be hard for a tank biology to keep up. As a result I stopped using phosphates, and thought who's cares just make a profit.
I have also considered selling out and breeding Livebearers and going into semi retirement. But before I did that I thought it was time to make, I believe profound discoveries, public.
After 30 years I have been involved in manufacturing and know extensive amounts about other peoples products and my own. I have worked for Aristopet , Complete Pet and Vet, Masterpet, and Kongs, one I worked for taking my products to them, the others I manufactured for or taught how to make Aquarium and pet products.
I can explain to whoever wants to know whatever they want to know, if I know.

Regards Graham ]]> Freshwater Fish Diseases and Tank Emergencies Graham CLJ http://www.aquariumforum.com/f5/30-years-research-development-7610.html Hello from Costa rica! http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/hello-costa-rica-7609.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:42:43 GMT I am from Mass. but i sold my tanks and moved to costa rica. I had a 240gal. agressive and a 180gal reef mixed. I was starting a nano when i left! That was almost 8 yr ago and i am thinking of getting back into it here. but it will be on the catch and tank system do to the lack of supplys here and most likely only fish and live rock. No big lights *frown* but i now have 2 kids and low budget and even lower access to quality pumps ect. The good news is live rock is free and fish plentifull!:fish-in-a-bag: I will also be using ocean water that i believe will be tricky? If anyone out there has exper. with catch and tank or using ocean water pros and cons it would be helpfull? I am from Mass. but i sold my tanks and moved to costa rica. I had a 240gal. agressive and a 180gal reef mixed. I was starting a nano when i left! That was almost 8 yr ago and i am thinking of getting back into it here. but it will be on the catch and tank system do to the lack of supplys here and most likely only fish and live rock. No big lights *frown* but i now have 2 kids and low budget and even lower access to quality pumps ect. The good news is live rock is free and fish plentifull!:fish-in-a-bag: I will also be using ocean water that i believe will be tricky? If anyone out there has exper. with catch and tank or using ocean water pros and cons it would be helpfull? ]]> shanedillon http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/hello-costa-rica-7609.html noooob! http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/noooob-7608.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:28:56 GMT Hi everyone, I am brand new to the hobby and looking to set up my first tank! I have been mainly a frog keeper esp. dart frogs and just was really attracted by the idea of a planted freshwater aquarium. I'm here to learn as much as possible! ]]> kevinpilon1 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/noooob-7608.html New-used tank with closed loop set up?!? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/new-used-tank-closed-loop-set-7607.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 05:14:53 GMT I just got this tank today from a guy who just wanted to get rid of it. he has had it dry for a little bit and i plan on cleaning it all up and using it for fresh water fish. its about 125 gal, and it is set up for a sump and closed loop cause it once was a salt water tank.

Can I reuse any of these supplies after a through cleaning and what not. the tank has a built in overflow and three holes set up for closed loop in the base running down The center line parallel to the back. all built into a nice base. the aquarium it self is acrylic. I like the look of it and just want some support on what i should do as this is my first for a lot of the stuff.

My plan is to eventually move my fish from my 55 gal with 2 70 HOB's into this tank. this is a good time to renew for me because my favorite fish, a silver tip catfish shark died recently and he was 3 years old and 9 inches long. I feel its a good time to move up in size before I get another and have to stress him out.

Also about lighting i have Florescent hardware sans bulbs and wondered if the long aquarium bulbs fit.

thanks for all the help

Warren.

PS will take picture of the whole thing as I go along. please give me pointer ]]> General Freshwater Forum wgoff194 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/new-used-tank-closed-loop-set-7607.html Redtail shark not eating good? http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/redtail-shark-not-eating-good-7606.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:12:28 GMT I got a decent sized redtail shark 3-4 days ago and he seems to not be eating alot. He is about 4-5 inches. All the other fish go crazy over the food. The shark will just maybe eat 1 or 2 pieces then be done. Should I be worried. Im feeding them pretty decent flake food. Let me know guys. Thanks. I got a decent sized redtail shark 3-4 days ago and he seems to not be eating alot. He is about 4-5 inches. All the other fish go crazy over the food. The shark will just maybe eat 1 or 2 pieces then be done. Should I be worried. Im feeding them pretty decent flake food. Let me know guys. Thanks. ]]> General Freshwater Forum wildbills 72 gallon http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/redtail-shark-not-eating-good-7606.html Gladi says hello! http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/gladi-says-hello-7605.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:04:42 GMT SO I've been on this site for a couple days and just now decided to put my introduction in (I wanted to make sure i was going to stick around for a while)

I've been a huge betta fan since i was about 10, so I've had bettas for 12 years but only started getting into other fish about four years ago.

I dabbled a little with a ten gallon , but alas i was an idiot and overstocked the first time leading to unnecessary destruction. Hmmm... so i did more research, realized my error and tried again with worse luck. I was doing good and decided to add 2 more guppies so went to walmart. I brought more then guppies home, i got disease as a bonus and again, had to start all over... *frown again more research and leaned what to lok for in good qualities and shops to buy and jumped back into it. This time, to my amazement, i was doing fine! well, that was until i went to school and my roomie had to take care of my fish... I gave up and decided that bettas were the only fish i could keep alive and stuck to them.

However my fascination wouldn't go away and now i'm at it again, since my betta population is down to two right now. (that's one girl and one boy... my highest population being fifteen) i'll be getting a 55 here soon in exchange for my 55 as but since mine is just the tank and stand and hers in the whole setup, we'll be trading (her brother has a bearded dragon that needs an upgraded tank and she'll be going to a college dorm soon) i was excited with the idea of a whole setup only being a $100.

I also have Pet rats and a few snails that seem to be doing fine. Gary and George are the snails and then Paprika, Momo and Lucky are the rats.... they drive me nuts... i have a male plakat betta and a female veil tail betta.... oh yeah and there's Freddy the farm spider that i'm too scared to kill, otherwise i'm the only humanoid that lives in my apartment.

I hope to also set up a shrimp tank as well as a snail tank (i've really fallen in love with mystery snails as the amuse the crap outta me! *r2 ), though i'm still looking at how i want to do it.

Other then bettas, most of my fish knowledge comes from my family and so i look forward to what i can learn here. ]]> beautygladi http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/gladi-says-hello-7605.html Light change http://www.aquariumforum.com/f20/light-change-7604.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:55:16 GMT I have a 14 gal bio cube and I wanted to try and put an anemone in it because I'm fascinated by them but I've been told my lighting is not good enough.

What's your guys opinions? And is it even possible to change the lighting on it? ]]> Reef And Saltwater Lighting, Filtration, Reactors, Refugiums, Skimmers, Pumps, And All Other Devices Coltonetherton http://www.aquariumforum.com/f20/light-change-7604.html White ghd Styler http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/white-ghd-styler-7603.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 03:29:23 GMT "The Limited Edition White ghd IV Styler is now available as fraction of the ghd dark or pure campaign.Launched alongside the gloss black ghd dark styler,the white ghd pure styler is absolutely stunning,whatever colour your soul is! Taking its design cue from the white ipod, the white ghd is an instant design positionic.The glossy white accomplish with white ceramic plates is a head turner
Of procedure,the white ghd is not only a pretty face, as with all ghd iv stylers it is packed full of useful features:
-Safety cut-off. Your GHD IV Styler will automatically shut itself off after 30 minutes, minimising the risk of damage if you forget to switch them off in the morning...
-Dual-voltage. Use your hair straighteners in Europe, Australia or even the USA. Or perhaps just in your bedroom.
-Shiver protection. If you accidentally leave your ghd IV Styler in a cold place, the micromodeor will not start heating up the plates until the temperature of the unit is high enough to avoid damage being caused by condensation that may have formed inside your GHD IV Styler.
-The GHD IV Salon Styler comes complete with a DVD demonstration of the ghd Styler functions and instructes you how to straighten, curl and style your hair the step your hairdresser does!
What's more in addition to the incredible white ghd pure styler, you also get the following included in the Limited edition high gloss white GHD IV Styler package:
-A beautiful heat resistant black case adorned with a white pattern.
-Presented in a limited edition white box with a stunning black flock design.
-Official ghd styling DVD for all the latest tricks of the work

ghd IV Styler Product Dimensions:
Ceramic Plates: Width 25mm 1 Inch Length 100mm 4 Inches
Iron: Width 40mm 1.75 Inches at widest point Length : 250mm 10 Inches." ]]> sharey41m http://www.aquariumforum.com/f13/white-ghd-styler-7603.html Ideas Please!! http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/ideas-please-7602.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:15:37 GMT So, Petsmart had a sale on a 56 gal with stand, and I couldn't pass up. Haven't picked up the tank yet. But I also hadn't planned on getting a big tank anytime soon (yes 56 is big for me, I have a 20 gal freshwater and a 3 gal nano reef) so I haven't planned on any fish for it!

I don't even know if I should do saltwater or freshwater. I just want some really cool fish. No tetras, danios, goldfish, etc (had all them before). Like a species tank with something really interesting, like a couple bigger fish and maybe a few smaller ones too. It is a tall tank not a long. Don't want any angelfish, piranhas, guppies, mollies, umm can't think of what else I don't want lol. But any suggestions will be awesome and taken to heart for sure!! I have plenty of time to plan. Thanks!!! ]]> General Freshwater Forum Tabbykat9698 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f2/ideas-please-7602.html Hello, and an aquarium set-up http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/hello-aquarium-set-up-7601.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:00:19 GMT I'm new to this forum, so firstly, Hello!

Second, I was doing some research and I really wanted to grow lotus flowers.

Lotus' require some specific conditions including:

A clay substrate, topped with a weighted substrate, like gravel, maybe sand.
80 degree temperature habitat,
a fair amount of light
and to be fertilized every so often.

Now, I'm in West Virginia, and I don't really have the option of growing lotus outside now. And it's too cold in my house to have them inside. I was thinking that I could have an aquarium that features lotus'. With that said, I imagine the Dissolved oxygen will be different, but I'm not sure how that will change with the leaf cover, the warm temperatures and the organic clay substrate.

Next thing, is I would prefer to keep to freshwater fish native to the Thailand area in there, so that it would seem a little more, natural... would, probably also keep a lot of questions from having to be answered later down the road.


What are your thoughts on this? Any advice? Any expert opinions? :fish9:

Thanks a bunch! :) ]]> Freshwater Plants, Freshwater Planted Tanks metalmorph http://www.aquariumforum.com/f15/hello-aquarium-set-up-7601.html Great Website for new people http://www.aquariumforum.com/f66/great-website-new-people-7600.html Fri, 03 Sep 2010 01:24:19 GMT Information on Setting Up Your New Aquarium - The First Tank Guide - Fish Tanks, Fish Bowls, Aquariums, Aquarium Filters, Aquarium Heaters, Choosing Fish, Aquarium Information *banana dance]]> this website tells you just about everything you need to know

Information on Setting Up Your New Aquarium - The First Tank Guide - Fish Tanks, Fish Bowls, Aquariums, Aquarium Filters, Aquarium Heaters, Choosing Fish, Aquarium Information *banana dance ]]> New To The Freshwater Aquarium Hobby JOMA http://www.aquariumforum.com/f66/great-website-new-people-7600.html Solution: For Diy Background How To Make It Perfect! http://www.aquariumforum.com/f34/solution-diy-background-how-make-perfect-7599.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:35:40 GMT
WANT TO GE YOUR BACKGROUND PERFECT ON YOUR TANK BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT STILL POSSIBLY NOT BRIGHT ENOUGH?

Things you will need:

1) Clear thick rolled Tape...

2) A Sock

3) Laminated background...

4) A Small Bowl of water...

5) A 1 dollar Squeegee...


DIRECTIONS:

First your going to want to do is (if your tank is accessible from the back) take your bowl of water and wet your sock..

Second your going to want to genially squeeze access water from your sock
and wipe your hole back of your tank.

Next your going to want to begin to align your background starting from the top of the tank then tape one side after getting it on flat (HINT: Its Easier when you take your heater and filter of the back of the tank so u can apply it on even).

Step four, your going to pull your background tight on the top side of the tank you did not tape then begin to use your squeegee to smear the air from the top down by using several motions of stroking the background(MAINLY STROKING DOWN WOULD WORK) NOTE: u may want to excessively look at the inside of the tank to see what has to be done from there.

Step five! After getting all the air out you want to tape the center don't pull the center.

Step 6, Pull the bottom out with a little bit of force then tap it

NOW YOU AR DONE :D ENJOY YOUR BACKGROUND!

NOTE: you may have to squeegee it again for a few spots not unless u like your plants on your background to look a bit more live with dead spots. ]]> Freshwater Do It Yourself FISHEDS OF FURY http://www.aquariumforum.com/f34/solution-diy-background-how-make-perfect-7599.html <![CDATA[Fish's Paradise ?]]> http://www.aquariumforum.com/f30/fishs-paradise-7598.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 22:43:13 GMT Fish's Paradise
I've been going to fish's Paradise for like 2 years now and recently iv been getting a bad vibe off of them except for the original works that have been there for at least 3 years

the recent hiring of some new workers have put me off from them

I'm not saying any names but the names i will say have been awesome from the start

Scott
Glen
Joe
Anthony
and Larry who has retired
also Logan
but the rest of them are some what of a turn off from what i have seen thus far from the past 3 months

Any input on this will be appreciated
Please no rude or ignorant answers
as i want to make this a friendly post not a vicious rant or protest against any one
*c/p* ]]> Gold Coast Aquarium Society of South Florida - GCAS dony2020 http://www.aquariumforum.com/f30/fishs-paradise-7598.html Skimmer problem http://www.aquariumforum.com/f37/skimmer-problem-7597.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 21:07:39 GMT For the last 6 months or so I have not been crazy about the production of my skimmer. It just was not hardly putting out enough skimate. The problem was that it was just not producing enough bubbles.
The skimmer is a 5' venturi model built by "Urchin Searchin Ent."
I can't complain to the manufacturer because I own the company.
(No I don't sell skimmers anymore)
The skimmer uses two water pumps and two air pumps. It uses air pumps because of the five foot height it can't pull in air with just the venturi valve.
I am kind of busy so every once in a while I would tinker with a different part to try to fix it. I removed the home made venturi valve and found a large amphipod stuck in it. Removing that helped, but the thing still had very poor action. A few weeks later I opened the venturi again to find another large amphipod. Again I thought I found the problem, but not really.
Some time went by and I re built the both air pumps. They put out what seemed like a lot of air but I could not tell if it was really enough, I tested the preasure which was fine.
That helped very slightly. The thing was really working like a wimp. This skimmer is old, how old? I don't remember, thats how old.
But it is probably older than many members here.
A few days ago I removed the venturi valve and tweeked the design. That actually made it worse.
I had some time today and was looking closely at the collection cup and heard a slight HHHHHHHHIIIIIIISSSSSSS.
Aha. Of course a ten cent tubing coupling had a hair line crack in it.
Stupid, stupid, stupid. I am very mad at myself and should have checked that thing first. Now I am sure I am getting senile. And I would be the first to tell someone, check the easy things first.
The thing is working so well now that the hermit crabs are dancing.
I think they will be on "Dancing with the Starfish" next season

]]> Saltwater Do It Yourself Paul B http://www.aquariumforum.com/f37/skimmer-problem-7597.html DIY Large Hood 55g Walkthrough http://www.aquariumforum.com/f34/diy-large-hood-55g-walkthrough-7596.html Thu, 02 Sep 2010 20:22:56 GMT *I can either make a canopy or a regular hood with two legs. But I decided to go with the hood with two legs because I did not want to spend money on plywood. Also, the hood with legs is much smaller and more convenient to move around. I am going to start a journal entry of my progress for those of you who dont know how to wire sockets or make your own hoods.. I will teach you how. It is EXTREMELY simple. The only hard part I had was the frame because I am very limited on tools and I dont know how to use most of them around the house, therefore I cut everything with a handsaw. Those of you that have the necessary equipment can do this job in half less the time I am. Anyhow this is just the introduction. Once my camera is ready, I will beginning to take pictures of my progress with explanations of what I am doing. So far this is the cost of my peices. Wood - free 8 light sockets $24 2 small bottles of black and white paint - $8 Extension cord $6 5ft of wires of both black and white $4 Feel free to ask questions and I will try to help along the way. * I can either make a canopy or a regular hood with two legs. But I decided to go with the hood with two legs because I did not want to spend money on plywood. Also, the hood with legs is much smaller and more convenient to move around.

I am going to start a journal entry of my progress for those of you who dont know how to wire sockets or make your own hoods.. I will teach you how. It is EXTREMELY simple. The only hard part I had was the frame because I am very limited on tools and I dont know how to use most of them around the house, therefore I cut everything with a handsaw. Those of you that have the necessary equipment can do this job in half less the time I am.

Anyhow this is just the introduction. Once my camera is ready, I will beginning to take pictures of my progress with explanations of what I am doing.

So far this is the cost of my peices.
Wood - free
8 light sockets $24
2 small bottles of black and white paint - $8
Extension cord $6
5ft of wires of both black and white $4

Feel free to ask questions and I will try to help along the way.
 ]]> Freshwater Do It Yourself NursePlaty http://www.aquariumforum.com/f34/diy-large-hood-55g-walkthrough-7596.html