Recent content by FishDin

Maybe water lettuce, but even they don't like agitation. You can try corralling the floaters away from the surface agitation, though there's not much room in a 15 gal. Are you trying to block the light? If not, and your only trying to soak up nutrients, you could root house plants in the...

As mentioned, you first need to understand how to cycle a tank. Cycling can take several weeks, so patience is important when starting an aquarium. Also important is to test your water to know what you have. You will want to buy a freshwater test kit that allows you to test for Ammonia...

If it were me, I would simply disconnect the hoses and slide it out whenever I needed to access it. Same as you will do for regular maintenance. There's no need to find the dead fish. I agree, it's doubtful to be in the filter.

It probably depends on the filter in question. My canisters were primed the day I set them up many years ago and I have never primed them since. They fill when I open the valve after reassembly. I then start them. I currently use Oase and Fluval canisters. The Sicce Whale manual says that...

Is it leaking as you are opening it or closing it or later after it starts running again? You said "when I open it it leaks SOOOOO badly". I take that to mean that it leaks as you are opening it. Are you removing the lid before you remove the hoses? You need to remove the hoses via the quick...

Cycling in acidic conditions does take longer. Also, it's worth checking KH because if the KH is depleted (nitrogen cycle consumes KH) the cycle will stall. Check the KH of the tap and the tank. Water changes can recharge the KH IF there is enough KH in the tap water. Are you planning to...

The July 2007 issue of Cichlid News has a cover story about them (Vol. 16, No. 3). You'd need to purchase a copy to view it. Cichlid News Magazine

You may want to list water parameters and test results. Also, do you fertilize? Lighting intensity and schedule too. I have had similar problems. The only way I could get Ludwigia repens to survive was by floating it. It died quickly each time I planted it. When floating, it took over the...

You can stock heavy enough to result in increased nitrates or you can fertilize. Or a combination of the 2.

That's tough. Maybe try a different supplier and always quarantine for several weeks when introducing fish to an existing tank. You may want to go slow. Add one type of fish and let them settle for a few weeks to be sure all is well. Meanwhile a second type is in quarantine. After several...

Teach701, are there any fish you have had success with? That may give some clues to which fish would be best for you to try. I seem to remember that we have similar water, but I may be misremembering. My tap water is pH 7.5, GH 3ish and KH between -0- and 1. With KH at near zero my pH...

Yes, that might be best. Mix it into your fresh water when doing a water change. It may not fully dissolve and can make the tank a little cloudy, but it will clear up soon as it fully dissolves. I would premix it and agitate / stir to try to disolve as much as possible before putting in the...

You are keeping a hard water species in very soft water. The GH is about 1 (17.85ppm). It's best to choose fish that will do well in the water you have. People that use RO water must reminerlise it for use in aquariums. Fish need those minerals to survive. There are a few ways to do this...

None of the above

Pool filter sand is quite clean compared to other sand sources, and requires minimal cleaning. I like HTH because I like the color compared to some other brands. It looks more natural to me.