Recent content by Liz xty

Gunky filter sponges have been cleaned in the water from the filter reservoir (external fluval 406). Yummy! Well that's what my house plants think! Great plant food! Don't waste it!

Of course! Bazaar to think that washing up liquid is worse than bleach, but I understand what you mean eaglesaquarium! Thanks

5 silver dollars. Bobette in the middle is the only female, she was about 10cm round here (now about 12cm). Bob (bought at the same time presumably her brother) is till a bit smaller than her and the other 3 boys (Scar, Split tail and No. 5) have caught up to Bob's size now. I've chosen this...

Am I wrong in being very concerned for the possible toxicity of bleach going back into the tank? Even a trace would surely be bad news for the fish? Hydrogen peroxide is used as an antiseptic agent for wound care and can even be used as a mouthwash / gargle in humans, so I would think that is...

Wow, what brilliant photography by all and lovely models too! Decisions, decisions!

My personal bug bear is seeing the mechanics of the aquarium and go to great lengths to try and hide them in my tank. All these have done such a good job of it, we'll done to all! I'm envious! I'm a fish fan, so for me, even the best planted aquascape isn't an aquarium without seeing the...

Thanks folks, I'll look into that! By reducing the flow rate do you reduce the efficiency of the filter and / or oxygenation of the water surface?

I didn't realise that! Do I now need to buy something else ;-) The spray bar gives a gentler more diffuse flow now - still a reasonable movement, but I think it seems better - the little tetras would sometimes get in the flow - swimming up river and didn't seem to realise that they could get out...

I used to do bucket changes so added a small amount to every bucket that went back in! TEDIOUS I then found on here about the python style watsits and DIYed my own. So I now put the dechlor (enough for the whole tank) in a large jug and hold that beneath my inflowing fish water so it fills and...

After deciding the flow from the standard outlet of the fluval 406 (external filter) was too intense, I investigated here, other options. I bought a spray bar fitting and have just set it up. I took the gamble that the one for the 305 / 405 would fit, as I could get this cheaper off the auction...

The useful part of the "media" is the bacterias which survive off ammonia and nitrite created from fish poo. So they need ammonia or poo and warmth to survive - hence adding ammonia for the fish less cycle when setting up. Might be worth looking at the threads on fish less cycling - helped me...

Hee hee, looks like it's you Ralph ;-) I do very much like it, a nice natural scape!

Yes looks like an algae growth and can be wiped off before gravel cleaning and water change. Mine is often worst near the gravel. But also, my algae eaters tend to work upwards on the glass and leave the bottom inch or so- to the height of the length of the fish from tail to mouth!