How to maintain a fish tank

[Lamie]

I am wondering what are the basic ways to maintain a tank to slow algae. And Keep the snails from over breeding without gravel cleaning. I have also added lime chip to raise the GH for the platys. thanks for any advice

 

[Sgooosh]

I am wondering what are the basic ways to maintain a tank to slow algae. And Keep the snails from over breeding without gravel cleaning. I have also added lime chip to raise the GH for the platys. thanks for any advice

pretty sure there are locked threads on this.
basically more plants, clean water...
if you have a new tank, then the algae cycle is normal, it will balance out
if you have plants, you need to trim off dead leaves because that will feed snails
gravel cleaning is pretty much nessecary if there is live plants, but if you have sand or you have a mud tank then maybe just let the material rot
also try to not overfeed

lime chips should be good, try adding more, since its just a rock i dont think it should hurt too much

 

[Lamie]

pretty sure there are locked threads on this.
basically more plants, clean water...
if you have a new tank, then the algae cycle is normal, it will balance out
if you have plants, you need to trim off dead leaves because that will feed snails
gravel cleaning is pretty much nessecary if there is live plants, but if you have sand or you have a mud tank then maybe just let the material rot
also try to not overfeed

lime chips should be good, try adding more, since its just a rock i dont think it should hurt too much

In terms of gravel cleaning how much of the water change should be spent cleaning gravel?. I take out 3 buckets of water. I run out of places to clean as the plants are in there.
I hear what you are saying about the live plants but I was wondering if the plants take up waste? I recently removed a plant and gravel cleaned underneath and there was no waste where I thought there would be a lot, so I just wondered if I needed to clean the gravel at all after that? I still do it though where I can

 

[itiwhetu]

pretty sure there are locked threads on this.
basically more plants, clean water...
if you have a new tank, then the algae cycle is normal, it will balance out
if you have plants, you need to trim off dead leaves because that will feed snails
gravel cleaning is pretty much nessecary if there is live plants, but if you have sand or you have a mud tank then maybe just let the material rot
also try to not overfeed

lime chips should be good, try adding more, since its just a rock i dont think it should hurt too much

pretty sure there are locked threads on this.
basically more plants, clean water...
if you have a new tank, then the algae cycle is normal, it will balance out
if you have plants, you need to trim off dead leaves because that will feed snails
gravel cleaning is pretty much nessecary if there is live plants, but if you have sand or you have a mud tank then maybe just let the material rot
also try to not overfeed

lime chips should be good, try adding more, since its just a rock i dont think it should hurt too much

You know I must stay away from all these subjects. So, enjoy. I'm sure that other members will give you the answers you require.

 

[Lamie]

You know I must stay away from all these subjects. So, enjoy. I'm sure that other members will give you the answers you require.

I've been listening to waht you have been saying though

 

[Lamie]

The only things I haven't done are getting another light (I have looked into that) and increasing the light to 10 hours. I added another filter. I have the main filter pumping air from the surface which is creating bubbles which Im not sure is a good idea but the fish don't seem to mind.

 

[itiwhetu]

The only things I haven't done are getting another light (I have looked into that) and increasing the light to 10 hours. I added another filter. I have the main filter pumping air from the surface which is creating bubbles which Im not sure is a good idea but the fish don't seem to mind.

The bubbles increase the surface area of your tank, so it is a good idea. The larger the surface area the better the gas exchange.

 

[Lamie]

The bubbles increase the surface area of your tank, so it is a good idea. The larger the surface area the better the gas exchange.

Oh wow thanks