Recent content by guitarfish

Because it's usually fresh fish.

Excuse me? Some of the most knowledgable, experienced aquarists around recommend starting the cycle process with grocery store shrimp. MUCH BETTER idea than using live fish, for example. DEAD, FROZEN grocery store shrimp. If there's any parasites living on those, then they are from Mars.

I filled my 28g 6 days ago and threw in some grocery store shrimp to get the cycle rolling. I have another tank, a small 3 gallon that has been running for a couple years, it uses a small 4x4" square filter pad. Since this is an established tank, I pulled the filter media out and put it in the...

I setup a new tank 6 days ago, and tossed in some nice rocks from the woods where I live. The rocks are a kindof maroon in color, nice looking. Three or four days later I checked the pH, it was at 8.0! The tap water is 6.3, and the rock was the only thing in the tank. As a test, I took one...

I appreciate the feedback everyone, thank you. I was under the assumption that since rocks occur naturally in rivers and streams as part of the natural habitat, that it would be something to emulate in a tank. Since it's a new tank, it's just beginning the cycle process, there won't be any...

Can you elaborate a little? What kind of properties? Toxins? Minerals?

I didn't actually add any baking soda yet, is the thing.

My tapwater pH is 6.3. I filled a new tank a few days ago, figuring I'd add some baking soda to raise the pH when I got a chance. In the meantime, I added a couple large rocks from my area (I live in the mountains), and a put a bed of small round river stones in the tank. I checked the pH...