Recent content by Byron

The pH is part of a "trio," involving the GH (general hardness) and KH (carbonate hardness, also termed Alkalinity). What is the GH and KH of the source (tap) water? Organics like wood, dried leaves, peat, etc may or may not affect the pH; it depends upon the level of the GH and KH as the...

There seem to9 be more than one type of this light, which one do you have? There is Sunlight, Tropical, Plant and Marine. As for the duration, 11 hours is a lot, but it is also the intensity that matters; these two are not complimentary, by which I mean too bright a light is still too bright...

This most likely has something to do with the light. There is a lot of algae on all the plants in the photo, and from the brightness I am assuming you do not have floating plants to shade the Java Fern. This is a low light plant. I don't see any nitrogen-related black spots on the plant in...

Species I assume is Danio choprae, and it is suited to the tank. A group of 10-12, as males are territorial and with a smaller group this can cause issues. However, I do not know about keeping this species with the peacock goby. I'm sure this has come up previously in one of your threads if...

The water authority is adding chemicals and salt to lower the GH. This was discussed with Steven and others earlier in this thread.

Aquatic plants in the aquarium need nutrients, but this may or may not mean specific fertilizers. The fish load, plant species and numbers, GH of the source water and the light intensity all factor in. Fish obviously do not need the plant fertilizer (if they are used), and they can be...

On the pH, the GH and KH re very high. You will not have any success lowering the pH unless you dilute the water to lower the GH/KH. Dilute means with pure water like RO. But I can guarantee the pH is going to stay where it is unless this is done. On the lighting...duration cannot make up...

All dried leaves including these (others like oak, mapel, beech are good) slowly decompose. As they do, they release tannins, and there are some bacterial benefits (nothing to do with nitrifying bacteria). Like all organics, they can lower the GH and pH, subject of course to the initial...

Please try to use the proper scientific name when asking about a species, it makes it much clear just what fish you are meaning. "Leopard danio" I must assume is the variety of Brachydanio rerio, commonly known as Zebra Danio. The "leopard" form is not a distinct species but a variety of B...

You do not give us the GH and KH and I am assuming from your various posts that they are relatively low. New Zealand's topography would tend to suggest soft rather than hard water, but without the numbers we have no validation. And what works for you, or works for me, or works for Colin, or...

This works for you because you have soft water with presumably low GH/KH so little or no buffering. At least that is what you have previously posted elsewhere. And more recently in another thread you talk about using rainwater. Unfortunately @Rocky998 has water with a very high KH.

The environment in the tank is very important, and this includes tankmates, and floating plants with some open water spaces between them. The majority of jumping out is usually during darkness. I have had all species in the genus Carnegiella for years, on and off, and the C. strigata were...

@Tacocat to your question concerning rainwater, others have answered. But there may be a misunderstanding on the pH issue. First, you do not ever attempt to raise or lower the pH on its own. Sometimes this may be successful, but most of the time it will fail. The reason is, the pH is...

Earlier you indicated you would start a new thread on the pH issue. I haven't come across it yet, so I will comment here. First thing to get straight is...you cannot adjust the pH without consideration of the GH and KH. The three parameters are linked. We do not have the GH and KH of the...

The difference in temperature makes this un-workable. The gudgeon has a range of 72-79F but the blue or common ram (all of the varieties) must have warmth in the 82-86F range.