Did First Water Test In A While....

[RustedKnight]

I would be tempted to up the filtration, i used a U2 on my 60l and it only just did 60 litres with med stocking. Looking at you stocking without the cichlids, it should be ok with the U2. It might be something to look at in the future. Theres not a great deal of media capacity in the U2.

Thank you for the advice.

I'll be expanding within 6 months time, hopefully up to a 350 litre or similar. Will be needing new heater and filter for that anyway.

 

[Athena]

Just going back to the frozen bloodworm query... as Biffster says, it's best to defrost the cube in a tiny bit of the tank water in a cup, then you can either sieve the defrosted bloodworms into a net and add into the tank that way, or you can grab a few pinches of them with soft-edged tweezers (I have a pair especially for doing this) and add to the tank like that.

This way, you don't get all that horrid bloodied water in your tank that pushes up the stats and makes the tank stink.

With live foods, I'm so overly cautious that I even sterilise mine in a solution of Myxazin first.

Athena

 

[RustedKnight]

Just going back to the frozen bloodworm query... as Biffster says, it's best to defrost the cube in a tiny bit of the tank water in a cup, then you can either sieve the defrosted bloodworms into a net and add into the tank that way, or you can grab a few pinches of them with soft-edged tweezers (I have a pair especially for doing this) and add to the tank like that.

This way, you don't get all that horrid bloodied water in your tank that pushes up the stats and makes the tank stink.

With live foods, I'm so overly cautious that I even sterilise mine in a solution of Myxazin first.

Athena

soft edged tweezers? what are they compared to normal tweezers?

Ok, will try the defrost method for a while, but i think my sieve is too large, may have to be smart about this somehow ... cut up a pair of the missus' tights maybe? haha.

 

[the biffster]

Just going back to the frozen bloodworm query... as Biffster says, it's best to defrost the cube in a tiny bit of the tank water in a cup, then you can either sieve the defrosted bloodworms into a net and add into the tank that way, or you can grab a few pinches of them with soft-edged tweezers (I have a pair especially for doing this) and add to the tank like that.

This way, you don't get all that horrid bloodied water in your tank that pushes up the stats and makes the tank stink.

With live foods, I'm so overly cautious that I even sterilise mine in a solution of Myxazin first.

Athena

soft edged tweezers? what are they compared to normal tweezers?

Ok, will try the defrost method for a while, but i think my sieve is too large, may have to be smart about this somehow ... cut up a pair of the missus' tights maybe? haha.

i used to use a brine shrimp net
or a brand new dishcloth rinsed
under the tap

 

[RustedKnight]

Just going back to the frozen bloodworm query... as Biffster says, it's best to defrost the cube in a tiny bit of the tank water in a cup, then you can either sieve the defrosted bloodworms into a net and add into the tank that way, or you can grab a few pinches of them with soft-edged tweezers (I have a pair especially for doing this) and add to the tank like that.

This way, you don't get all that horrid bloodied water in your tank that pushes up the stats and makes the tank stink.

With live foods, I'm so overly cautious that I even sterilise mine in a solution of Myxazin first.

Athena

soft edged tweezers? what are they compared to normal tweezers?

Ok, will try the defrost method for a while, but i think my sieve is too large, may have to be smart about this somehow ... cut up a pair of the missus' tights maybe? haha.

i used to use a brine shrimp net
or a brand new dishcloth rinsed
under the tap

Got neither of those..

Ok, cut up tights wound onto on old net it is then!! (she's going to kill me)

 

[mbsqw1d]

one of those small turkey baster / syringe type gadgets come in handy for feeding frozen/live food i have found! (got mine with my TPN+)
Defrost food in tank water, then rinse with tank water, add back to some tank water and then 'suck and squirt'!

 

[Harlequins]

I second turkey baster

Btw - keep an eye on your corys once the cichlids are in the tank,they will easily hurt or even kill the corys,i wouldn't keep cichlids & corys in the same tank...

 

[RustedKnight]

well all my research says apisto's in general, and bolivian rams are completely peaceful, and will go great with cory's..

I'll be keeping an eye on everybody though, a very close eye.

*needs a turkey baster*

 

[mbsqw1d]

I second turkey baster

Btw - keep an eye on your corys once the cichlids are in the tank,they will easily hurt or even kill the corys,i wouldn't keep cichlids & corys in the same tank...

yep ive already mentioned this! to my own mistake i now have a bolivian ram with 5 corys. after a feed when the corys are cleaning up scraps, the ram will hang around the group of scavaging corys waiting for scraps to appear, as he is also an earth eater. after a while tho, he gets impatient and nips the poor corys im gutted with my current community tank, too many issues with fish not getting along

 

[RustedKnight]

I second turkey baster

Btw - keep an eye on your corys once the cichlids are in the tank,they will easily hurt or even kill the corys,i wouldn't keep cichlids & corys in the same tank...

yep ive already mentioned this! to my own mistake i now have a bolivian ram with 5 corys. after a feed when the corys are cleaning up scraps, the ram will hang around the group of scavaging corys waiting for scraps to appear, as he is also an earth eater. after a while tho, he gets impatient and nips the poor corys im gutted with my current community tank, too many issues with fish not getting along

Atleast it's only a nip

But as I said. i'll be keeping a very close eye on them.