Recent content by Maehlice

I'm sorry for the delay.  I had to disappear for a while.  At least for now, I'm back again.  I'll try to give warning should I disappear again.   It's exactly as you said -- "it's the upper level of the water".   Regardless of the size of the contraption, it starts off with a high flow and then...

This is the sad situation I have.  I have "heavily planted" the main tank with artificial plants, but I'm certain they know the difference.   I've heard mixed reports on what types of plants can survive around those aquatic lawnmowers.  One thing is for certain, though:  A head of romaine...

  I suspect the same, but when testing into the contraption (it really is just that ) vs the 5 gallon bucket the initial reaction of the siphon is wildly different.  Both the bucket and the contraption's lowest point are the floor and started from nearly empty.  The only difference at that point...

  Do not boil rocks.   If there are any pockets of air or water in the rocks, you run the risk of violently exploding them -- possibly sending shards into your body and anybody nearby.   Instead, pouring boiling water over them or immersing them slowly and momentarily into boiling water is a...

The filter pumps have to be the biggest drain.  My wife noticed an increase in our bill almost immediately after my upgrade to a 125 gallon tank.   This month, I turned off the filter pumps and instead switched over to the Mag Drive 500 pump I had been using mostly for circulation from the sump...

For those of you still interested enough to have read this far, this is what I hope to be one of two final updates.   Yes, two ... which indicates it still isn't working.     To recap, I broke down and bought 6" PVC!    No matter what i tried, It didn't work using any combination of elbows and...

To my utter surprise and dismay, using a considerably larger 6" PVC column with the original design resulted in MUCH LOWER FLOW of about 80 GPH !?!?     I even tried using three 45" elbows to angle the water flow up towards the surface.  No change.   I'm convinced now a column of water is not...

  OMG I LOVE your shrimp!  You must have hundreds in your tank by the looks of that photo!     Oh yes.  And java moss.  +1 for tying it down.

I think the best tankmates for Clown Loaches are more Clown Loaches.   EDIT:  What is compatible?  Just about everything, it seems.  What is best?  ^^^ that.   From Tropical Fish and Aquariums Compatibility Match:   Search Results: The Clown Loach should be kept in groups of pairs or more and is...

  I had completely disregarded friction.  The opposing flows coupled with friction makes a lot more sense to me now.     Do you mean something like this (see attachment below -- figure 1 at left)?   (fig.1)        (fig.2)   I had tried that already, also.  It resulted in a negligible increase --...

I'm trying to redesign the overflow system on my aquarium and am failing miserably.  I need some help.     DIY PVC overflows don't work (well, at least not at any decent flow rate), so I built an HOB overflow box, which has so far been working great:  I pump water in, it overflows out, and the...

It's a sad truth that most people don't understand or believe fish have senses like every other living being.  Just look at the cruelty called "fishing" and "farming" of Pacific Cod and Atlantic Salmon or of the many atrocious practices Japan has against whales, dolphins and sharks.   I bet that...

I heard the same thing and so bought cuttlebone for my nerite snails last year.  To this day, the same cuttlebone is still there having never dissolved and having never seen a snail near it.   My tank is basic and slightly hard, though, so it's possible they just don't need it, because they get...

(This topic can also be found in the Tropical Discussion forum.  After doing research last night, it appears pumps are more frequently found in saltwater/marine aquariums, so I'm re-posting here.)   In your opinion and experience, what is the best water pump on the market?   Since this is an...

In your opinion and experience, what is the best water pump on the market?   Since this is an almost entirely subjective question, please explain your answer. Price Energy efficiency Reliability Noise Size Features Other   I currently have a Supreme Classic Mag Drive Model 5 (500 GPH).  It's a...