Recent content by nitrochicken

I don't have and KH tests, but I know my water supply is considered quite hard with the water company reporting it to be around 12°dH. I have no idea if this is a good or a bad level to have? It appears all is not lost with my tank, strangely after sitting dormant for 4 days it has suddenly...

Wow, it sounds like you've put some serious time into the hobby over the years! Is it just a hobby, or do you do this for work too? I'm going to continue with the fishless cycle, even if that does mean starting again(which is looking like the case as ammonia is still not coming down). Hopefully...

I've plumbed cold water and a drainage point into the cupboard under the tank where I have a 3 stage HMA filter. Was hoping to semi automate water changes at some point in future and ideally this eliminates the need to use dechlorinator. I'm not sure if you can/how I would pass warmed water...

Hi 10 Tanks, I can definitely see the appeal of your approach, especially now things haven't gone to plan! What I like about the fishless method is being able to add all your fish in one go, and not having to do huge water changes. I'm interested how you change so much water without the...

Hi TwoTankAmin, I did follow the Dr tims guide but it took a lot longer than they suggested, especially for the nitrite to come down. Its taken a similar amount of time as previous tanks I've cycled without adding any bacteria so I assumed the bacteria was no good. My reason for not initially...

Hi, After approximately a 10 year break from fish keeping, a few weeks ago I bought 230L Aquaone tank and external canister type filter I'd been fishless cycling the tank empty for approx 5 weeks and finally got to the stage where the nitrite was going to 0ppm within 24 hours. I added Dr Tims...

Not sure its Hygrophila stricta, doesn't look right. It has sent roots down from approx 1 up the stem so maybe it is aquatic. Bolbitis heteroclita looks right, seems its hard to grow like you say. I may keep a small piece to see what happens. I've been and bought a couple of plants to replace...

dracaena deremensis seems to mostly have yellow on the edges of the leaves which mine doesn't. Also, the leaves look more waxy on the pictures I've seen. I'm gonna get rid now anyway as I never liked it much! Without identifying the 2nd plant, can you say if it looks like an aquarium plant or...

Look like you arae def right about mondo grass, I googled it and it looks just the same. I'll remove it. Can't believe aquatics shops sell these plants and are just ripping people off :< I'm not sure about the last one though, I've googled Dracaena and it's the same thing as lucky bamboo. I...

Can anyone id 3 of my plants. I want to make sure they are true aquatic plants but I cant seem to find what they are from looking at pictures online. 1. A bit like vallis but leaves are narrow and more rigid and darker coloured: 2. Thin woody stems and leaves that look similar to those of a...

Took a trip to Prestwood this morning and bought some Habrosus Corys and a few bits and bobs for my snake too. I was quite impressed with the place really, looks a but tatty as you go in but they have a pretty large selection in both the aquatic and reptile sections. I'm pretty sure they had all...

I called both stores and Prestwood petzone have approx 10 in stock. I'm not sure what pigmys they are but I'm going to have a look tomorrow and hopefully get some. I'd not heard of Prestwood petzone before and they are not actually that far from me as I live in SW Birmingham anyway. What are...

Does anyone know where I can get some pigmy cories in the Birmingham area? I've tried a few places including maidenhead aquatics stores in Earlswood and Stratford, they can order them in but I was hoping to get them this weekend. Thanks

Thanks waterdrop, I did think it'd be ok but wasn't sure. Plenty of ugly brown algae in my tank now after fishless cycle so hopefully my shrimps will get to work on that when I move some of them over tomorrow. I already have 7(+2 baby) galaxy rasbora to put in and I'm hoping to get a few pigmy...

My fishless cycle has been complete for a few days now and I'm going to be getting fish tomorrow. I know I need to do a 90% water change before getting fish but I'm worried about my newly established filter media. When I drain the water the sponge will be above the water level. Is it ok to leave...