Recent content by Egmel

Agreed, we're getting the tank builders to drill it for us. That's a useful tip, I'd been wondering what was the best way to connect them and that seems to make sense. Ah, yes sorry, I borrowed the picture from elsewhere, the 2 ehiems will be running with their usual complement of mechanical...

Wow, sorry I was away for so long, work called, seems you've been having a productive discussion without me. I actually agree with both of you in parts and value what you both have to say. Ainsy, I'm afraid he's right about the closed system bit, water is non-compressible using the pressures...

It is going to use a cannister filter, it's just where the plumbing enters the tank that will be different. I had intended to set it up with the height of the inflow and outflow of the filter in the same place as my more economical (standard) plumbing! We were going to have the drain above the...

OK, we're helping my future Brother-in-Law design, build and install his tropical tank (as a birthday prezzie). He's got a brilliant space beside his chimney over a DIY built in cupboard. It's not that deep (front to back) so the plan is to put all the equipment underneath and go in through...

Can't guarantee it'll make them less likely to hide but they would probably appreciate being in a larger group. Saying that, a 20l tank is quite small for that many fish so probably best to stick with what you've got for now. It depends on the fish, I would expect the guppies and tetras to...

First off, that tank is looking lovely. Ok, so this may have been an error in your readings or you did have nitrites which got converted to nitrates and then used by your plants. Are you using the liquid or the strip test kit? If you're pre-treating your water with dechlorinator then this is...

Possibly best to stick with the fake ones then if you're happy with them. Sounds good, the reason you're keeping the feeding down is to reduce the waste, most fish don't need to be fed everyday (try explaining that to my betta though, he makes it very apparent when he thinks it's feeding time!)...

Excellent, seems like you've found a good shop then - cycling refers to the nitrogen cycle: I was told this was understandable last time I explained it so I'll copy and paste it here... fish does wee = ammonia (bad), special bacteria in filter convert ammonia to nitrite (also bad), more...

I can indeed, I've been thinking I ought to clean my smaller external for a while and this would be the perfect excuse. I tend to offer used filter wool, it's not pretty but it does the job. Ideally you want to put it in before you get the fish, you can test it with ammonia if you've got a...

Hi Kerri, I should be able to help you with mature media but I can't seem to send you a PM to arrange details. Message me with what you need and when and we'll see what can be arranged. Cheers Helen

Thanks guys for getting this sorted so efficiently. I was fully expecting another mature-media donation request, got here and couldn't see my messages, got a bit confused, then popped into this section and saw the heading. Now I understand and once I've posted this I should get my inbox back...

I've never really agreed with the no links to competing forums rule but I think that's a choice for the site owner to make and since we're playing with his ball we play by his rules. UKaps is a forum with a focus on aquatic plants, more often than not, if a query comes up that seriously outside...

If the pet shop had any marketing sense they would apologise profusely for the mistake and offer either to take it back or donate her some of the basic equipment/food required to keep it if that's what she decides to do.

I have some blue and ivory, currently about 1/2 cm. I also have spixi but those do nibble on plants. PM me if you want any and I'll pop them in the post. Might need to wait a bit though until the weather isn't quite so cold!

I too have recently had more shrimp from Shazz, as usual they were great quality and happy little critters now jetting around my tank :) BTW Shazz, miss wiggle and I are on a mission to get all the buy/sell/swap posts to show their location in the title/subtitle. Any chance you could edit...