Recent content by saturnal

Bio-Spira definitely works, although I don't use it exactly as directed. I use it to kick-start the fishless cycle. I don't add it and then add my fish at the same time. I still think that exposes the fish to significant levels of nitrite for the first few days. But it definitely works. Here's...

The filter had not been running for 2 weeks, but the canister still had water in it I think. When I went to pick it up, it was next to the sink, like it had just been emptied.

Yeah I'd be interested in finding that thread. But I'm happy to say my tank is just about cycled in 3 days time. After 2 days: - Ammonia = 1ppm - Nitrite = 4-5ppm - Nitrate = 30-40ppm After 3 days: - Ammonia = 0ppm - Nitrite = 0.5ppm - Nitrate = 80+ppm Again, I bought the filter...

Ok, so maybe I'm not paranoid. I just performed the water tests again now that it's been 24 hours into the cycle and they are: ammonia = 2ppm nitrite = 0.5ppm nitrate = 20ppm So I assume if the nitrite never spikes and the ammonia keeps going down while the nitrate keeps going up, the tank is...

Look on craigslist.org, seriously. A lot of people give their tanks and stands away for free if you're willing to come pick them up. I bought a 30-gallon tank, stand, heater, light, and hood from someone for about $70 U.S.

First off, I should say that this isn't a poll to see who likes Bio Spira and who doesn't. I just want to get your thoughts about my situation because, I don't have a good enough explanation for what's happening with my cycle. So I'm cycling a 30-gallon freshwater tank. Here's exactly what I've...

Thanks for that input. It's frustrating deciding on a new malawi tank setup, because everyone's opinion is different. I've read that slightly overstocking the tank will decrease the risk of agression, and then I read how it will increase it. Kinda hard to find a happy medium. I did mention the...

I'm setting up a 30-gallon long tank for some of the smaller Malawi species. I'd like to overstock it to distribute the aggression. I have a Fluval 404 which does 340 gallons/hour for filtration. I'm wondering if this is enough filtration if I want to overstock it with approximately 14 fish. I'm...

Yeah mg/L is the same as ppm. I have the same test kit I think, and I checked that out when I got it.

I'm wondering if this can also happen in the opposite way. For instance, can a bad test kit always read some level of ammonia even if there is none in the water?

That's funny, I actually sent him a message earlier because I found another thread where he had a similar issue. I realized yesterday that I hadn't added nearly enough water conditioner to my water, so I did a huge water change and put in the right amount. The ammonia got down to about .75ppm...

Hello again all, I also have another beginner question, but it's seperate from my cycling issue in my other post. Once the tank is cycled, I'd like to add 2 neon blue dwarf gouramis and perhaps some neon tetras. I've been looking into their compatability, but I haven't really found anything...

Hello all, I'm setting up my first aquarium, and I just wanted to get some veteran thoughts on my progress so far. This is an Eclipse Hex 5.5 gallon tank. I filled it with gravel, a few deocrations, heater, and dechlorinated water about 2 weeks ago. I let it run for about 5 days and just let it...