Recent content by back2Fish

Interesting, it has been about 4 or 5 years since my last tank, and this would have been unheard of then, but I suppose it does make sense as long as you are not letting the media dry out. Thanks for tip.

It is amazing what those little fry can survive sometimes. A simmilar thing happened to me a few years back when I was breeding guppies, the fry came in the middle of the night when I was sleeping, woke the next day and realized what had happened, thought I had lost them all and somehow 5 of...

I thought about that, and you are right, with the amount of over filtration and the low stock those filters probably really don't have much in them. My thought was to fill my filter with the media from the office tank and then try the fishless cycle for 2 reasons. First I don't think the media...

Hello, well I am getting back in to fish after a 4ish year break, and was just wondering how much has changed with the care of plants. It has been roughly 7 years since I have kept a tank with live plants. Previously everyone was using top soil for substrate, is that still the standard, or has...

Well when it comes to cleaning out your filter you must be careful not to disrupt the beneficial bacteria too much. So lets take your questions one at a time: How often to clean it out? You should only clean your filters out when the water flow is obstructed. If you are getting good water...

That is exactly what I was thinking.

Well I am a little too new to the forum to officially vote, but I must say I agree with you Mark. I think to expect new fish keepers to know exactly what is best for fish is asking a lot, even if you are not new to aquariums you might be new to a specific type of fish and it is impossible to...

That sounds like it will be a nice tank. I must say in the past I have always cycled filters using a few hardy fish, however, I realize that many things have changed in the 4 odd years it has been since I have keept fish. I have been reading up on this new fishless cycling, well new to me...

Hello, well it seems as though you are doing everything correct, however, I must say 87 F does seem a little high to me for ick, normally I would only suggest going to 85 F tops, but I won't quibble over 2 degrees as long as your fish are not showing signs of additional stress. The only thing I...

Cotton patches is generally signs of a true fungal infection. If that is what is going on, neithor Maracyn 1 nor Maracyn 2 will help with that. You need to treat with a fungal medicine. If you want to stick with Mardel products, which as you are already treating with Maracyn 1 would suggest...

If your filter cartridge has carbon in it, you could potentially cut open the filter cartridge and remove the carbon, that way you are not loosing the benefical bacteria on the foam. Also, a snail is a great way to help keep algae under control, they are not expensive and if you do not over...

I am not really sure this time round what I want to keep. In the past I have kept discus, chilids, oscars, gouramis, various live bearers, bettas, and tried my hand at reef tanks, but that didn't go to well for me. I think I am going to start off relatively small, as there is still no...

Well I made an attempt to vote in your poll, but it would appear that I am too new a member to be allowed to vote, so please add one vote for Rasputin. Edit: Well it seems I must have put my 2 cents in on enough topics that I have earned the right to vote. So my vote for Rasputin has been cast.

I had this problem with plant substrate many moons ago when I first started keeping live plants. It sounds as though your substrate had a build up of air, an air pocket as previously said, that finally broke through the surface. This gas that is released is potentially toxic, so you will want...

I vote for Rasputin, I had a little betta a few years back that looks just like your little guy and his name was Rasputin, so that is my vote.