http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum Forums for fishkeepers covering aquariums, tropical fish, coldwater fish, ponds and reefkeeping. en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:31:00 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59313&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:20:53 GMT Hi! I have a Tetratec EX2400 external filter which I have had for a couple of months now. Ever since I bought it air bubbles have been coming out of... Hi!

I have a Tetratec EX2400 external filter which I have had for a couple of months now. Ever since I bought it air bubbles have been coming out of the spray bar every 15 minutes or so. I have contacted Tetratec and they replaced the filter for me but even the new one has the same problem. Can any help me please.

Thank you ]]> Marine aquarium equipment max20069 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59313 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59312&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:51:15 GMT Hey,

I've just set up my tank ready for a betta. It's an open topped tank though, and i've read that bettas are pretty good jumpers. I've got no real way of covering the top...so what do you recommend is the distance i should keep between the waterline and the top of the tank? To prevent any suicide attempts.

Thanks,

Sam ]]> General Fishkeeping samiam1292 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59312 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59311&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Nov 2009 01:05:58 GMT Hi everyone, I have a tank which has now been running for about 3 months now. Since i introduced the fish (along with new roots and some Indian... Hi everyone,
I have a tank which has now been running for about 3 months now. Since i introduced the fish (along with new roots and some Indian almond leaves) I have a large number of small 'bugs' on my tank glass.

They don't seem to be harming the fish but are also not being eaten. I remove some with my weekly water changes but they come back in a couple of days in the same large numbers. I also increased my temp to 79 degrees but they have remained on the glass.

I would include a picture but unfortunately they are too small to capture correctly. They are between 0.5-2mm in length, see-through and opal in shape. They suck on the glass and move very slowly indeed. They arent causing any problems but aesthetically i would like to get rid of them before they take over my entire tank.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Does anyone know of a good disease/parasite identifying database I could use online?

Thankyou everyone


Tanks Specs-
12Gal Tank
External Fluval 105 with peat and ceramic rings
Temp 79 Degrees
pH 7.0
Nitrate/Nitrite/Ammonia =0
10 Cardinal Tetras
4 Pygmy Corydoras
Sand, almond leaves, roots ]]> Tropical fish health sonicninja http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59311 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59310&goto=newpost Sat, 21 Nov 2009 00:03:54 GMT Hi,

I've just set up my second tank, a 30L wave tank. Plan is for it to be home to a betta.

I set it up today; Tetra Complete Substrate on the bottom, with a fine layer of gravel on top. Planted all of my plants, and now i'm wondering when i should start adding my EasyCarbo and Profito?

I think i read on another thread that i should only start adding the easycarbo and profito when i can notice that my plants need it. But surely it's better to make it available to the plants before they have deficiencies?

Thanks for any advice,

Sam ]]> General Fishkeeping samiam1292 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59310 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59309&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:56:42 GMT Hi folks,
I'm not sure if this is posted in the correct section, apologies if so. I recently purchased a Hydor Koralia 3 circulation pump and have found it to be a bit strong for my tank. I originally paid for the K2 model but the supplier had run out of these and sent me an upgrade free of charge. I was grateful and kept the pump but most of my fish are now in hiding, regardless of where I postion it. Its too strong and they hate it. Is there anyone with a K2 model who would be looking for an upgrade in exchange? This K3 is a little over a month running and it works silently. As long as the exchange is in fairly good condition and runs quiet I would be happy to swap. I'm getting tired looking at my plants growing horizontally and the fish bobbing around and ducking for cover!! I have a planted 55 gal tank mostly with small tetra species who don't seem to mind a bit of current but not to this extent.

Thanks,

Steve ]]> Tropical aquarium equipment sonicfish73 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59309 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59308&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:39:01 GMT Hi guys, Bought an Aqua-One Horizon 54 on sunday, been set up since and started the cycle Monday. Been raising ammonia levels too around 5ppm, i... Hi guys,

Bought an Aqua-One Horizon 54 on sunday, been set up since and started the cycle Monday.

Been raising ammonia levels too around 5ppm, i added Interpet Filter start from day 2 (Tuesday) and im continuing 2ml of Filter start every 2 days.

Just wanted too know if im doing this right because i tested my water a lil bit earlier tonight and my nitrite has dropped 2ppm over night and my nitrate is upto 1.5ppm approx. - i thought this fishless cycling was slow but its happening so fast i almost feel like something has gone wrong!

If some of you fishkeeping experts can help shed some light on this id be very happy :D ]]> Maturing/Cycling an Aquarium paulw333 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59308 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59307&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:32:46 GMT Hi, many of you will know that I've had 2 baby panda moors in quarantine for 3 weeks now, and tonight I moved them into the main tank! Very exciting and nerve-racking!! :D

They were a bit freaked at first with all the open space! Prof Z has been the bravest and has been exploring, albeit a bit cautiously, for most of the night. He's the larger of the 2 and has been following my 2 larger fish around. My fantail has been following him around too, and I think this is freaking him out too!
Zorro has been very shy and spent most of the evening hiding in the plants. She's exploring a little and nibbling the plants but only at the back of the tank. Hopefully she'll get more confident as the days go on.

I left the light off in the tank tonight and will put it on the lowest setting tomorrow. It's so cute to watch the baby fish following the big fish around and vice-versa! Such a size difference! I am really relieved how the big fish have reacted to the babies - they've been really calm around them for the most part and just seem curious. Phew! Now I'm just worried about feeding time in the morning!

Will post pics tomorrow! I'm really pleased that the move went so well as the fish are happy and I'm happy! :D ]]> Goldfish Miss Pennyapple http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59307 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59306&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:30:47 GMT i have been letting my trank cycle for about a week now and i have seen mul;tiple bits of life within the tank. the issue is my ammonia is at about... i have been letting my trank cycle for about a week now and i have seen mul;tiple bits of life within the tank.

the issue is my ammonia is at about 1.2 and doesnt seem to be declining to fast - the nitris and nitrates seems to be rising very slowly both at below 5

shall i continue to let it cycle???

i have snome asterina starfish, a bristle worm and a few copepods ]]> Water Chemistry Dave Dudeson http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59306 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59305&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 23:02:45 GMT This might sound a little silly but I read somewhere that a good thing to keep your fish entertained is to put a ping pong ball in the tank and let... This might sound a little silly but I read somewhere that a good thing to keep your fish entertained is to put a ping pong ball in the tank and let them bump it around. Does this seem like a good idea?

My only concerns are the cleanliness of it (I'd buy a new one) and the chemicals that go into making it could be bad for this fish? Also are they waterproof? (I think they are!)

Thanks, ]]> General Fishkeeping tummelv http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59305 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59304&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:32:26 GMT Hiya,

I've got 4 very greedy mudskippers (atlantic) but don't seem to be able to find much information on how much they should be fed.

It seems very difficult to feed them until they stop eatting, especially with live food. They eat everything including dried food, frozen food and anything that moves - woodlice seem to be their favourite.

At the moment they range in size from around 6cm to about 10 cm long.

As they live at school they normally get fed Mon to Fri, but then have a weekend without food.

Has anyone got any ideas what would be a sensible amount?

Cheers,

Chris ]]> Brackish fish clemin http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59304 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59303&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:27:34 GMT hi my name is tom i bought 2 blood parrots the other week and all they have done today is circle each other and lock jaws. can anyone help ive heard... hi my name is tom
i bought 2 blood parrots the other week and all they have done today is circle each other and lock jaws.
can anyone help ive heard of some cichids locking jaws before breeding but i have no idea with parrots.
thanks
tom
Edit/Delete Message ]]> Cichlids tomk2u http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59303 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59302&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:22:04 GMT Hi, Everyone!

This is going to be a real beginner's question about tank maintenance but I'd appreciate your help in answering.

I've been inspired by George Farmer's, terrific looking, White Cloud Mountain Minnow biotope, in the December 2009 issue of PFK magazine, so I'm going to have a go at it as my first "proper" aquarium.

I have a 30"x12"x12" tank (84 litres) with a 500 litres/hour internal filter - and a big pile of rocks.

I'm sorry this question is going to be so basic but having read that, once the aquarium has been set up, you should try to disturb your fishes home as little as possible I am unsure as to how to go about vacuuming the floor of the tank (sand & pea gravel under and around the larger rocks and stones, as per the article) without moving or removing the rocks to get underneath them. As you can see from George's article, there are quite a few involved...

Originally, I was thinking of an under-gravel filter with a power head, to create the recommended water-flow scenario, but a bit of surfing has advised me that rocks on top of an under-gravel filter will prevent it from working properly as their weight creates stagnant areas.

So, what are your tips on how to vacuum such a tank, where the vacuum's head will not reach in-between the rocks and where there are large areas, under rocks, where waste might collect and which cannot be reached without, presumably, removing and rebuilding the decor each time?

Would a "powerful external filter", which George refers to in the article, remove the need for vacuuming, altogether?

I have not yet started construction so would really appreciate any advice or tips you can pass along, at this stage.

Slainte,

Stephen. ]]> Coldwater equipment squidlydidly http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59302 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59301&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:21:53 GMT hi, jst lookin for a bit of info rele if anyone can help. i bought a pair of kribs last weekend and the female doesnt seem too interested in the male... hi,
jst lookin for a bit of info rele if anyone can help.
i bought a pair of kribs last weekend and the female doesnt seem too interested in the male and actually seems to chase it away when it comes into its line of vision :s
will they become friendly and pair up or stay as they are?
cheers ]]> Cichlids jack01 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59301 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59300&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:14:51 GMT hi my name is tom i bought 2 blood parrots the other week and all they have done today is circle each other and lock jaws. can anyone help ive heard... hi my name is tom
i bought 2 blood parrots the other week and all they have done today is circle each other and lock jaws.
can anyone help ive heard of some cichids locking jaws before breeding but i have no idea with parrots.
thanks
tom ]]> General Fishkeeping tomk2u http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59300 http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59299&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 22:00:32 GMT hello everyone,i setup a tank 1 year ago.i used expanded ceramic spheres in my filter.the manufacturer says "to maintain optimum conditions,replace every year". are they just trying to make more money? thanks bill ]]> Tropical aquarium equipment billford http://www.practicalfishkeeping.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=59299