Some Mysterious Products ;)

[Leaky]

I got given these three pots of stuff from a friend who recently bought a tank from i think it was pets at home but had already got everything they needed, one is a "complete food for all tropical fish" which fair enough, i understand is fish food

the other two im not too sure about ...

one is called "Easy Balance" and it says it reduces frequent water changes by stabilizing pH and KH ... What does this really do to the tank itself or when should it be applied ?

the other is called "Aquasafe" and it says it makes tap water safe for fish by immediately turning tap water into fish safe aquarium water.

would this be my dechlorinator ? it says nothing about the process of dechlorination or anything to do with it, just says it makes it safe...

are any of them worth/ safe to use ?


Cheers, Chris..

Heres a pic !!

 

[fatheadminnow]

I got given these three pots of stuff from a friend who recently bought a tank from i think it was pets at home but had already got everything they needed, one is a "complete food for all tropical fish" which fair enough, i understand is fish food

the other two im not too sure about ...

one is called "Easy Balance" and it says it reduces frequent water changes by stabilizing pH and KH ... What does this really do to the tank itself or when should it be applied ?

the other is called "Aquasafe" and it says it makes tap water safe for fish by immediately turning tap water into fish safe aquarium water.

would this be my dechlorinator ? it says nothing about the process of dechlorination or anything to do with it, just says it makes it safe...

are any of them worth/ safe to use ?


Cheers, Chris..

Heres a pic !!

Yes, the Aquasafe is a water conditioner.

-FHM

 

[Leaky]

Okay thankyou

thats one less thing ive got to buy now !!!

im selling my car sound system so i will have about 300 quid to play around with in the tank !!

this 130L tank need a little repair but nothing major i dont think, i pick it up tomorrow !

Thanks for the quick response !

 

[fatheadminnow]

Good luck with the tank!

Someone else will be on here soon I am sure who can advise you on what to do with the Easy Balance product.

What kind of fish are you planning on keeping?

As different types of fish like different levels of pH.

EDIT: I am sure you know about the process of cycling a tank and all, so... this product says it reduces the ammount of water changes, well, the reason why we do water changes is to get the NitrAtes down, and to replenish trace minerals and what not.

So, water changes should be done at least once a week, about 10-20%, depending on your NitrAte level at the end of the week.

-FHM

 

[Leaky]

Good luck with the tank!

Someone else will be on here soon I am sure who can advise you on what to do with the Easy Balance product.

What kind of fish are you planning on keeping?

As different types of fish like different levels of pH.

EDIT: I am sure you know about the process of cycling a tank and all, so... this product says it reduces the ammount of water changes, well, the reason why we do water changes is to get the NitrAtes down, and to replenish trace minerals and what not.

So, water changes should be done at least once a week, about 10-20%, depending on your NitrAte level at the end of the week.

-FHM

Yeh ive been doing lots of research on cycling fish tanks, reading how other peoples tanks have reacted of a simililar size to my own, when i get some money together im buying a fiter and heater for it then start the cycling process, then as its doing it, test the ph of the water and then base the results on what fish i am going to get, i really dont know what sort of fish im going to get, i definately want a large school of neon tetras as they are well nice fish, i want some lemon yellow cichlid fish but idk how they would react or if ive got the right ph etc, anyway, bed time for me ... talk to you all in the morning !!!

thanks again !!!

 

[orange shark]

i wouldnt bother using easy balance...waste of time, doesnt work

 

[fatheadminnow]

Good luck with the tank!

Someone else will be on here soon I am sure who can advise you on what to do with the Easy Balance product.

What kind of fish are you planning on keeping?

As different types of fish like different levels of pH.

EDIT: I am sure you know about the process of cycling a tank and all, so... this product says it reduces the ammount of water changes, well, the reason why we do water changes is to get the NitrAtes down, and to replenish trace minerals and what not.

So, water changes should be done at least once a week, about 10-20%, depending on your NitrAte level at the end of the week.

-FHM

Yeh ive been doing lots of research on cycling fish tanks, reading how other peoples tanks have reacted of a simililar size to my own, when i get some money together im buying a fiter and heater for it then start the cycling process, then as its doing it, test the ph of the water and then base the results on what fish i am going to get, i really dont know what sort of fish im going to get, i definately want a large school of neon tetras as they are well nice fish, i want some lemon yellow cichlid fish but idk how they would react or if ive got the right ph etc, anyway, bed time for me ... talk to you all in the morning !!!

thanks again !!!

Sounds good.

A couple things to know.

Neon Tetras need an established tank to live in, and an established tank is a tank that has been running for 6+ months after the cycling process has been completed.

African Cichlids on the other hand, form Lake Malawi, will prefer a tank size of 55+ US gallons.

-FHM

 

[waterdrop]

Aquasafe: Conditioner just like FHM says, removes chlorine or chloramine from the tap water.

EasyBalance: chemical to manipulate pH and KH - you don't want to use this -- once you get your good liquid-based test kit you should post your tap water measurements up here and from that and from what happens during your fishless cycle it will be determined whether you need to do any worrying about pH or KH. Even if you did, chemicals like this are not the perferred way to go about it.

TetraMin: Personally I think this is a great fish food. Balanced and works with a wide range of fish. That very yellow and brown bottle is the one I like.

~~waterdrop~~

 

[Leaky]

Cheers for all the help guys !!

when i sell my stuff, get the tank and filter and heater i havent really looked properly if there is a section but i will make a diary how my tank set up goes !!

ive already planned which filter and which heater im going to use, i now just need the tank which i get at about 7pm tonight (english time) i will put a couple of pics up of exactly what its like when i get it and what i need to do to it, i need to find a cabinet to stick it on though which will be my first investment when i sell my car stuff, i know pretty much exactly which one i want and should be strong enough to support it, im getting an anti slip mat to go underneath it to smooth out the counter surface and will be ready with a spirit level to sand off bits at the bottom to make it level (if its not already)

i pretty much know what im doing and what i need to get, ive just got to find the cash now

being a student this can sometimes be quite hard !!

would you recomend getting filters etc off the internet or buying from the local fish shop, i imagine they are maybe more pricey in the shop itself ?

cheers for the help guys !!!

 

[fatheadminnow]

Filters will most likely be a little cheaper, but if you are willing to spend the extra 10 bucks, get the filter now, so that way you can start cycling sooner. Instead of waiting a week for the filter to be delivered.

-FHM

 

[Leaky]

Good point

i cant afford the filter atm anyway, not till i get paid on monday, but i need a cabinet to put the tank on not got one yet

im going for the Tetratec EX 700 filter, heard thats quite a good one and is silent (most important!!!!)

with the external filter, do i need an air pump as well ? if so, what sort do i need ?

cheers, chris !!

 

[fatheadminnow]

You do not need an aerator IF:

When setting up the filter in the tank, aim the spray bar (the return form the filter to the tank) so that it agitates the surface, makes ripples on the surface.

Aerators are for adding oxygen to the water, and for adding another look to your tank and for your own pleasure.

The way oxygen gets into the water is from water surface agitation, NOT THE BUBBLES THAT COME FROM THE AERATOR AS THEY TRAVERSE THROUGH THE WATER.

So, if your filter provides any kind of ripples (surface agitation) on the surface of the water, you will be fine for a healthy oxygen exchange in your tank.

-FHM

 

[Leaky]

Thanks so much ! thats what i really needed to know,

what would you recomend as the quietest air pump anyway as i want to put an air stone in and i bought a supposedly silent pump but its rediculously loud !!!!


any help guys ? cheers !!!

 

[fatheadminnow]

I have two Aqua Culture air pumps, and they make barely any noise.

I can't even here them from my bed, the tank is like 10 feet away form me.

-FHM

 

[hollanda88]

I have two Aqua Culture air pumps, and they make barely any noise.

I can't even here them from my bed, the tank is like 10 feet away form me.

-FHM

My air pupm is silent but the bubbles popping at the surface is loud lol,

BTT how come everyone says that bubbles form the air pump don't aerate the water as these bubbles will simply be containing the same gasses as its just atmospheric air thats pumped in and the bubbles will be increasing the surface area of the water if you get what i mean. the only reason you ripple the surface is to get a larger surface area aswell as moving the water that has been oxygenated away from the surface to be replaced with water that has not been oxygenated?

cheers, andrew