Recent content by Andiford

I've learned a lot tonight lol. I don't plan to rehome the fish as I love the wee things. I'll just adapt the tank to suit them and go with softer water fish next time I'm restocking the tank. Fish keeping is definitely a steep learning curve. I learn something new every week! Thanks again ?

Thanks Essjay. I'll look to harden the water to keep my live bearers happy. Probably adding crushed coral or the rift lake cichlids salts. I'm actually surprised so many live bearers are sold in aquariums in my region of Scotland, given the softness of our water. Hey ho, I'll stay on top of...

Ahh..... ?. I plan to keep the PH boosted to just above 8, so hopefully the fish will be happy. Maybe next time I'll research soft water fish before setting up ?. Thanks

Thanks Nik_n. Is it reasonable to use 3 bottles of bacteria during a cycle period? I've been considering going to my local aquarium and asking for some of the established filter media. To help things along. If all I need is patience, I'm happy to do what's required. I just want to fish to...

Thanks for the advice. My PH at one tjme dropped to 4.5 and I was concerned the cycle had stalled. We have very soft water here and I used eggshells to increase the KH but they weren't effective, even after one week. So I used the Tetra easy balance as a KH buffer. I haven't touched the filter...

Hi guys I've posted previously with cycle questions and now I'm wondering if my juwel filter is possibly the cause of a cycle dragging out. Current parameters... Ammonia 0.25 Nitrite 0 Nitrate 0 PH 7.8 (I've been buffering KH weekly with Terra Easy Balance as ph was dropping every few days...

Thanks for your advice. Nitrites finally appeared last night. Ammonia 1ppm Nitrites 0.25 Nitrates about 7ppm I did a 10% water change and I'll check this morning. Could it be that the cycle is just slow because of the size of the tank and only 6 platies just now? Thanks again ??

Hi guys I'm looking for some advice. I used ATM freshwater Colony to our 30 gallon tank 12 days ago. A few hours after dosing I added 6 platies. Fish are all looking healthy and active and happy. I'm doing daily water checks and I'm finally seeing Nitrates appear after one day of very minimal...

*Update* the wee fish has died. It was definitely shock took her as I've seen it in previous fish over the years.

Colin T, thank you for this advice. I thi k the fish is showing shock symptoms. Her colour is still ok but this morning she is lying on the bottom beside the filter. She is upright and fins are moving. I've added 2 air stones to pump as much oxygen in as possible. I don't have aquarium salt...

Ah, I should have said! Temp is 22.5C PH 7.6 Ammonia zero Water has been dechlorinated Thanks again for any advice or suggestions.

Hi there, I'm new to the forum. I've newly set up a 30 gallon tank and today introduced 6 platys. Acclimatized them slowly and then put them into the tank. All are lively and acting in the way I'd expect for new fish but one immediately went to the bottom of the tank, hid, and stayed on the...