Recent content by eslingerl10

I was looking to start a new planted tank sometime in the near future, but I'm overwhelmed with all the information out there online. Good luck with your new tank!

That makes sense. I'm currently getting my bachelor's in chemistry so I should have known better to understand the buffering capacity of the metal ions. Thank you guys!

I've read plenty of articles on forums that say bettas need to be kept in a pH range in the high 6 and low 7, but my tap water is almost 8. I don't want to keep my fish in that high of a pH, but if it's not necessary, then I'll just forget the whole thing haha

I have one male betta kept in a 3 gallon tank, filtered. I do 50% water changes every week because the tank is cycled, and the temperature is constant at 76 degrees fahrenheight. The pH currently is about 7.8, but I need the pH to be 7 or a little bit lower. My question is how can I safely use...

  I've heard of using aquarium water to water plants. Sounds like a fantastic idea actually... I saw that Idea in an ad for a jar with plants on top. You keep a fish in the jar which helps the plants grow as they respire and poop. Obviously I would not condone any fish be in a container that...

I have a 3 gallon tank with one male betta in it and I recently realized that there is a lot of fish waste at the bottom of the tank - on and in the gravel. I read on here and in other places not to vacuum the gravel often but I was wondering if I could get expert opinion on this due to the size...

  I'm glad to hear that! Good luck!!! 

Poor shark!  We used to keep a couple of sharks in a community tank a few years ago and they always had problems chasing other fish... Maybe do a little research on behavior between sharks and catfish to see if they get along? To me, this sounds like the shark may feel submissive to the other...

  I like that middle section idea!! A great way to lower the unattractive appearance of heaters and HOB filters.. I actually found plenty of DIY filters just searching around that seem to work fantastically as a mechanical and biological filter. This could be made by just putting a pump inside...

Those are gorgeous!! I have a blue crowntail in my tank.. I just love the way crowntails look with their long majestic tail fins, but pretty boys you have!

These are all very good ideas that I'll try!! Thank you!! And I'm currently in college, so I don't have the "deep pockets" for a pH monitor.. That actually gives me very scary flashbacks to chem lab  ....... I'll just go with the tests that I bought; my betta is still alive in the tank after 3...

  Glad I'm not the only one! Besides the fact, assuming that my pH is between 8-8.2, how would I go about lowering it without purchasing pH lowers (which I heard aren't very effective anyway). I've done a lot of research in the chem lab with buffers to know that trying to lower the pH takes a...

  The picture is exactly what it looks like in real life. It looks like more of a peach/pink than any of the colors on the card. I'm leaning towards 7.8 because of how bright the color is, but besides that I have no clue.

Hello! I've been using the API freshwater liquid master test kit on my tank to monitor the cycle, but I've been having a little bit trouble observing the pH value. I feel like the color is supposed to be one of the ones listed on the card, but I can't pin-point it. Hopefully someone can help me...