Recent content by Phreaker

@AbbeysDad I am not suggesting we let our tanks get to 3 figure nitrate ppm, I am also not the one looking for a precise number. Many others seem to have the precise number of ' always below 20ppm'. My entire point is to not have this precise number, it over complicates an already over...

We seem to be going on a tangent here. Clinical trials have huge population sizes in order to evaluate whether the drug works, and for how long, while also making sure the side effects are known and which individuals should or should not use it. These studies are not creating fish medicine, they...

Yes, experts do tell us nitrates weaken the immune system, cause hematological changes, negatively impact reproduction. The issue is that, the concentrations of nitrate that do cause such significant changes are A LOT higher than the 20 or 40 or whatever ppm. I do not count random websites on...

All of these studies also used juveniles for the experiments. Adult fish would have even higher tolerance, while fry is much less tolerant of nitrates.

It mentions blindness at 200mg/l nitrate, with no link to the study I would have to assume it is No3-N with would actually be over 800 ppm based on the fact that I have not seen such a low value having such a large impact in any of the studies I reviewed. ( I have checked much more than the 3...

That is just a google search link? Is there something I am missing?

I am well aware of the general consensus here, it is that I have yet to see any reason for why this number (or similar values) in particular are ones we should aim for.

I am by no means saying we should therefore let our tanks get that high, but having someone with 40 ppm nitrate being told it requires urgent fixing is wrong in my opinion.

So I have seen the general advice here to always be 'keep nitrates under 20ppm'. Why? What is this number based on? Out test kits show nitrates as just NO3- ions, the studies below use nitrate nitrogen, to convert their numbers to ours multiply by 4.43...

I have no personal experience with Kribensis. But I don't see any immediate issues that would arise from your proposed stocking.

You should do some more research on the Kribensis, maybe find some personal experiences from other forum users. I would have to say it is entirely up to you on the Kribensis. I would get at least 5 loaches. (I would also skip the frogs like others have said.)

If you want Kuhli loaches, you should get more than 3. If your kribensis pair breeds, they will become very territorial, especially to other bottom dwellers. Something to keep in mind.

Not familiar with test strips, not sure why the GH requires 3 readings. What is the general hardness value that you got from the test strip? Your pH looks around 7 to me. Honestly, you should be fine with most fish species. if your water is hard probably try to avoid the more sensitive fish...

I would disagree about guppies needing that high hardness. Guppies are actually native to relatively soft waters in southeastern Brazil.

Honey gouramis