Recent content by AJ356

Squeezing the old sponges into the tank water is better than getting rid of the old sponge altogether. But i believe from my testing over the years that sponge squeezing is not quite as effective as some might think, but its definitely better then nothing and has helped speed up my cycles, and...

If you have very mature filter media, it's worth it's weight in gold. Be careful in making any decision to replace old filter media with new, even if you are trying to do it skillfully. Mature media is more than just an ammonia and nitrite eliminator.

Also, be aware that even in one month, there might be very little build up of beneficial bacteria on the new sponges. This is because, if the old sponges are very mature and housing enough beneficial bacteria to process all the ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate, there will be no need for...

Sorry if this has already been covered above, but just so you know, one thing to always bear in mind is that on any given mature sponge, there is not necessarily the same amount of beneficial bacteria on each sponge or part of the sponge. This might not apply to you, as you are using all your...

You've done a good job of trying to balance the sellers questionable tactics with his good points.

website says this At Dan's Fish, we don't flip fish. Upon arrival at our store, each fish is quarantined for as long as it takes them to destress from their journey, rebuild their immune systems, Each Fish is quarantined, doesn't say one fish from each bag is euthanized. Unless it's on a...

When you say an entire bag, how many fish do we think is in a bag then?

So we have a seller that has some kind of mad scientist killing a fish from each bag, telling people it's okay to keep soft water Fish in hard water and having a brain fart idea of people buying fish and don't know what they getting.

Yes, Dan is blowing smoke. Smoke equals money for him. He blowing so much smoke that I can see it from over here in the UK.

I'm in the minority I think. I believe we need to do better for fish than keep them in this small a tank, unless it's for fry or an emergency hospital tank. I think 8 gallon for a single betta would be my limit/comfort zone.

We are not cycling a tank, only the filter media A planted cycle is different, as is having live plants available, that can change things, but not what I am talking about.

Yes, the tank is instantly as cycled as the old tank, if you are using the mature filter media straight from one tank to another. The filter media is the only thing that matters. The existing substrate, plants and decor won't do a thing to cycle a different tank, it's ALL about the mature...

Definitely don't have it bare bottom. That's not how fish should be living, including fry. Bogwood that has been in the water/subject to light is good, the fry will nibble on it, same for the substrate.

The thing about this "fish will adjust to different parameters". I am sure they do to a degree. But Byron went to great lengths educating about how we can't cheat evolution in terms of a fish's biolgocial/chemical needs (if evolution is the right word). Mostly, if not entirely, there must be...

Maybe this?