Recent content by quicksandsecrets

I appreciate all the help - once I get this rolling, I will provide an update.

thanks for the input - am I correct to toss the filter media & bio-wheel as a precaution? the tank never really cycled anyway

thanks for the help - any thoughts on cleaning the filter mechanism / gravel / plastic plants? shoulda been more sepecific.....Los Angeles. I heard Ace Hardware carries it - called two local stores and they don't. I am trying to track down a roommate of a friend who has an established tank...

I have been having trouble finding pure ammonia here in LA, still looking.

What is the best / surest way to clean out a 2nd hand tank? I purchased a used 29g tank a couple months ago but only rinsed it out with hot water. I bought a new heater, filter, airpump & gravel, tried a fish-in cycle, and proceeded to fail miserably. I lost all 5 barbs. None of them had...

thanks for the reply - I know there is no way of knowing IF there is some toxic element in the tank, or WHAT it may be, but would it possibly take weeks to show up? my first round of barbs seemed fine for a few weeks before I saw any signs of stress. any way other than waiting for every last...

Quick update on the past 10 days. I am still a bit confused, but I am encouraged by something that happened last night. I was getting discouraged by losing barbs one by one, with signs of distress, but NO ammonia, nitrite or nitrate readings. I even checked my water with three other test...

are you happy w/ the Hex tank? I have read mixed reviews, some people love it, others not so much. is there enough room in the hood cut-outs to fit a heater cord? any troubles?

If I find a new home for the last barb and go the fish-less route, should I completely empty the tank of the water I have now and start fresh or just add ammonia as is?

never got a nitrite reading above zero, but I was only testing for ammonia for first 3 weeks - didn't know any better early on. I guess there is a possibility that nitrites rose and then fell all in that first few weeks, but I doubt it since I don't have any nitrates yet...... appreciate the...

I agree tank can't be cycled based on my #'s, just can't figure out why. LFS won't take fish back after this long, may be able to re-home.

29G tank, started with 3 small tiger barbs (1.5" each) a little over 5 weeks ago. I have several fake plants, no live ones. I did have a hollow fake log, but removed that this weekend,out of concern that the air bubbles being trapped inside the log were part of the problem. I made a bunch of...

yup, the nitrate test is light blue, not a hint of grey, none of the drops turned purple when they hit the water in the test vial. I took water samples to two different LFS today, and they both confirmed my results. ammonia, nitrite & nitrates all zero. not quite sure what to make of all this.

I appreciate everyone's feedback, and it all seems to make sense - but today I am completely befuddled. I have used two different test kits to confirm zero ammonia. I have no nitrites, and no nitrates. I have banged the living crap outta that 2nd bottle in the nitrate test, shook it for an...

I have been finding great bargains on 10g tanks, complete with quality filter/heater sam,e price as 5g........ not sure i have the space, but I am tempted. If I go that big, any suggestions on other species that would share a tank with a male betta?