Newly Adopted & Ill Eupterus

[andywoolloo]

well i do not know if this goes in here but i ve had also experienced when my post is long it freaks out. It types it all but you can no longer see what you're typing.

It kinda freaks out and just goes but you can't see it and it almost jumps back as you type. but it comes out alright.

[GoldenFeather]

well i do not know if this goes in here but i ve had also experienced when my post is long it freaks out. It types it all but you can no longer see what you're typing.

It kinda freaks out and just goes but you can't see it and it almost jumps back as you type. but it comes out alright.

Thanks Andywoolloo

[andywoolloo]

Jools... What is the word count limit in the husbandry notes section on the "My Cats" registration?

oh you're talking in there, i was talking in a normal post, sorry.

[Jools]

This is the message I get:

Data too long for column 'my_notes' at row 1 [1406]

Hi GF,

Well, let's not derail your topic, email or pm me what you were trying to add and I will investigate offline from this discussion about your fish.

Cheers,

Jools

[GoldenFeather]

Reusing the bio bag if you can is good. I do believe in recycling. Maybe give the carbon a light rinse to rid it of carbon dust. Once its running fairly clear, dump it in.

It's really important to keep your sponge free of sludge. Having sludge in your filter as opposed to algea is a good thing. Means your keeping the light out of the filter. Having sludge in your filter as oppose to no sludge is a bad thing. When you clean the filter, doesn't have to be "spic-n-span" but get the sludge out.

Take some of the old water put it in a bucket. Take the sponge and give it a series of good squeezes and swish it around. this will release the gunk/sludge. Take the sponge and give it some good whacks on the inside bucket wall. Then another series of squeezes. The aim is to clear the pores of the sponge of all gunk. Water can pass through and good bacteria can multiply.

When you move Nui to the big tank, take the old 'rinsed' sponge and plop it into the new filter for a day or so. Also add a few pints of the old tank water. Presto! instant culture.

Whats a googol?

Hi all... Okay, I'm playing catch-up here and hope to finish before I need to take off to the other side of the island and I still need to do a water change +++.

I cleaned the sludge from the sponge as you directed... thank you it really needed it. Hadn't cleaned it since the day we rescued them. And then I did it all so way wrong. Poor Nui & Li'i

Re: recycling bio-fiber media. I put in a new bio-bag with fresh carbon last week. I'll recycle from now on. I would use the same method to clean the bag as the sponge? Do I leave the plastic cartridge in while I do it? It seems to grab the fibers I don't want to tear it.

Question: I still have the other bag that I took out last week in the refrigerator sealed up in plastic. Though, it did sit out at room temp for a day in the same ziplock it's in now. And prior to that I did run it under the tap for about 5 seconds to see if the stuff would just fall off it. It didn't so I just put it in the bag.

Can / should I reuse it or should I toss it?

Thank you Naturalart...

[GoldenFeather]

When you say NO3, you mean NO2 (nitrate), and NO4 is NO3 (nitrate), right?

Under ideal circumstances, NO3 should be as low as possible, but it is the final step of the "destruction of ammonia" that you can reasonably achieve in an aquarium, so it will rise. Have you tested the nitrate levels of your tap-water?

<snip>

But worse is that you have ammonia in the water - that is definitely not good, and it still indicates that you haven't got the beneficial bacteria that break down the ammonia into nitrite and then nitrate. These are essential for the fish health.

<snip>--
Mats

Good Morning,

Yes, I had the number (sci-name) incorrect. Last nights numbers were:

pH - 6.8; NH3/NH3 (Am) - 1.0+; NO2 (nitrite) - 0; NO3 (nitrate) - 70+

This morning before water change:

pH - 6.4; NH3/NH4 (Am) - 2.0+; NO2 (nitrite) - 0

Chlorine - 0

I'll do another change this morning. I can see clearly your lesson on the AM/Nitrite/Nitrate process now. I'm also clear on the protein. I've obviously fed them far too much for their current circumstance. Very hard not to do but I will.

BTW: I tested Chlorine, pH and Nitrates (NO3) in my water all are Zero but the Chlorine which came out a pale yellow. It is a Sera kit.

I have to go to the other side today to pick up some supplies for work as well as the new tank. I found I haven't enough Stress Coat to set up the new tank. I'll also pick up single sided razor blades to clean the glass. So much for my Sunday goal.

Question: I had considered setting the tank up with these Ammonia Clear tablets as it's one of the uses in its description. Clearing Ammonia, but also Chlorine and Chloramine. Would this be bad if I found myself out of Stress Coat?

I'll close for now... Thank you all very very much, GF

[GoldenFeather]

hows the water readings? Ammonia , NItrate?

you need to keep testing and keep doing partial water changes to keep the A and or NI at or below 0.25ppm during the cycle. Or, mini cycle, or whatever that tank is doing.

Make sure the water going back in is as close to same temp as water in tank, make sure to remember to add your dechlor. I put my heaters horizontally under the 50% water line so I don't have to unplug then and plug them back in cause I'd forget to either unplug or plug back in.

Does it have a heater yet?

Good morning Andywoolloo,

What a fun name to type. You see the test results in my last post to Mats. I'll do a water change, next on my list this morning before leaving to the store. Which will take me 8 hrs.

I'm glad I've gotten the Nitrites down to Zero finally. But the Ammonia and pH isn't at all stable or positive. I'll make sure the water in the change is the same temp as that inside. Or, if it is a little it warmer, I'll go very slowly. When I added warmer water when it was coldest, they both swam over to be under it. It was only a bit warmer than their water... tho' must've felt good. And I'll condition it first. Haven't had time or containers enough (yet) to do a natural dechlor process.

Thanks for the idea with the horizontal heater. The one I got is too long for the height of the tank. I'll try it and maybe get an uninterrupted sleep tonight.

Okay... gotta bounce, GF

[GoldenFeather]

No, a googolplex is 10 to the power of a googol, and even with copy'n'paste, I'm not gooing to write out the number of zeros in that! ;)

Confirmed by Wikipedia:

A googolplex is ten raised to the power of one googol: it is a large number. In the documentary Cosmos, astronomer and broadcast personality Carl Sagan estimated that writing a googolplex in base-10 numerals (i.e., 1 followed by a googol of zeroes) would be physically impossible, since doing so would require more space than the known universe provides.

--
Mats

Wow, definitely didn't know that... Definitely,
...a Googolplex of thanks for you all...

[GoldenFeather]

This is the message I get:

Data too long for column 'my_notes' at row 1 [1406]

Hi GF,

Well, let's not derail your topic, email or pm me what you were trying to add and I will investigate offline from this discussion about your fish.

Cheers,

Jools

Okay, Thanks Jools. I'll try again this evening, I'll try registering the tanks first. I was thinking there was a protocol there I hadn't triggered or something? ?? If I still get the same message, I'll contact you via the requested sources.

GoodDay, GF

[MatsP]

Just be aware that even if you feed the fish absolutely NOTHING there will be some ammonia, because a living creature of any kind will break down and rebuild proteins normally. But feeding less will reduce the rate at which it rises.

You will see nitrite in a few days as well. I'm a little bit surprised your nitrate is so high. I'd be tempted to make bigger water changes - perhaps 2 x half the tank (effectively, a 75% reduction in the polutants in the water) - that should bring the ammonia and nitrate down quite rapidly, and make it all better for the fish.

--
Mats

[naturalart]

"I would use the same method to clean the bag as the sponge?"

Yes. And yes, remove the plastic cartridge. Throw the stuff in the refrigerator out, unless you want to clean and reuse the bag. You don't need any of it. Not having cleaned the sponge since you got it was one of your major problems. Glad that's resolved. Clean your sponge about ever other waterchange depending on how quickly it gets dirty.

MatsP, thanks for the googolplex definition. Thats a lot of zero's.

Googolplex luck GF

[GoldenFeather]

Hello again,

Want to get this post in as well this morning... The new/used 55g came with two AquaTech PHead's a 20-40 I'm pretty sure tho' it could be smaller; and, & a 30-60 I'm sure. I think all the main parts are with them. Some of the media came with it as well, but all is very well used and I don't trust them. I don't feel 100% positive they're clean or been free of chemicals since they were sitting uncovered, outside on the guy's patio (pesticides??? maybe?). So I plan to toss them unless advised otherwise.

Plus, I found an article that said the ATech filter media was not reusable due to the fact that the fiber is connected to a plastic grid with the carbon in-between. I confirmed that these don't come apart, unless you were to tear and re-glue after replacing the carbon. The same article said that the Tetra Whisper 20 bio-bags and their cartridges fit the 30-60 perfectly. I have a two year supply... Tetra directs a change each month and each box came with a cartridge frame and sponge.

I'd like to confirm this information. Can I use the Whisper media in the Aqua Tech 30-60? Are there any cautionary tips in regards their placement?

Along with the media are two nylon mesh bags, one w/Carbon the other Zeolite I think. I don't know what else looks like that... they're large pellet looking things. And they're sewn in, with no way to replace them. Since there's no positive feedback re: use of the Zeolite, I won't. But I would like to confirm the process for clearing / recharging Carbon. I'd read that it's possible if baked for one hour at 500°. Is this true? Can I clean the old Carbon and should I? Or is it better to always use new Carbon?

I'd also read about Charcol being used in the filters. Is this something I should do? I'd also like to get some feedback on the bio-balls? If positive, do you just fill the blank space within the wells with them?

Regarding the smaller AT Filter, it's completely different. It only came with a sponge sitting at the bottom of the well within a 3-sided frame with grid areas for water flow. This sponge is very dense compared to the Whisper sponges which may not be bad? It looks right but I'm questioning the placement. There's no other obvious media that goes with this one. I'm wondering if I could place this sponge higher in the well, more towards the top than the bottom so that it can more easily filter vs gather sinking debris only. My ignorant guess is that this sponge is more for developing beneficial bacteria? Should I get another sponge for higher up? Maybe use one of the Whisper bio-bags with Carbon inside and tie it securely with a medium that won't deteriorate or break down in any way? –– Perhaps place it in-between two sponges? An upper sponge being less dense to function as the front facing perpendicular sponge does in the AT 40-60 or my Whisper?

The "1 of 2" sponges that came w/ the AT 40-60 is more like something I've seen in large air-filters. Largely porous, stringy/hairy looking and very very hard/sharp. It's obviously been cut by hand which isn't a bad thing but makes me think it more likely to have from some other source besides an aquarium supply. Am I wrong to not want to use it? If you agree that the Whisper media could be used in the AT 40-60, I could also use the two new sponges in the boxes?

Going shopping now, I'm going try to find sponge and will pick it up. Perhaps I can find a good media source... I've seen it said that some hardware stores carry these types of things that can be hand-cut to fit aquarium filters?

Okay, well I think that's it on these filters for the 55g. I'm trusting the work and well as the guy I bought them from said they do...

Really gotta bounce now... bye

[GoldenFeather]

Just be aware that even if you feed the fish absolutely NOTHING there will be some ammonia, because a living creature of any kind will break down and rebuild proteins normally. But feeding less will reduce the rate at which it rises.

You will see nitrite in a few days as well. I'm a little bit surprised your nitrate is so high. I'd be tempted to make bigger water changes - perhaps 2 x half the tank (effectively, a 75% reduction in the polutants in the water) - that should bring the ammonia and nitrate down quite rapidly, and make it all better for the fish.

--
Mats

by naturalart » Mon Dec 20, 2010 9:49 am

"I would use the same method to clean the bag as the sponge?"

Yes. And yes, remove the plastic cartridge. Throw the stuff in the refrigerator out, unless you want to clean and reuse the bag. You don't need any of it. Not having cleaned the sponge since you got it was one of your major problems. Glad that's resolved. Clean your sponge about ever other waterchange depending on how quickly it gets dirty.

MatsP, thanks for the googolplex definition. Thats a lot of zero's.

Googolplex luck GF

Mats & Natural, You deserve the Googolplex of Thanks & everything good in life...

Aha. Okay... I'll switch to larger changes for a bit. 2x day beginning this morning. It's next on my list.

I'm excited to see what happens now that I'm cleaning the sponge.

& we'll gladly/humbly take that googolplex of luck, indeed in need...

Have Great Days ...
GF

[andywoolloo]

.

Thanks for the idea with the horizontal heater. The one I got is too long for the height of the tank. I'll try it and maybe get an uninterrupted sleep tonight

it is a fully submersible heater though, right? Some are not fully submersible, but unknown how many of those they sell anymore.

ALso when you say the filter on the grid is non rinseable. Here:

Plus, I found an article that said the ATech filter media was not reusable due to the fact that the fiber is connected to a plastic grid with the carbon in-between. I confirmed that these don't come apart, unless you were to tear and re-glue after replacing the carbon. The same article said that the Tetra Whisper 20 bio-bags and their cartridges fit the 30-60 perfectly. I have a two year supply... Tetra directs a change each month and each box came with a cartridge frame and sponge.

I had filter media like the first one mentioned, I took it over a bucket or a garbage can, got a pair of scissors and trimmed away the filter media along the edges, dumped the charcoal in the garbage, (I do not use charcoal in any of my tanks unless I am trying to remove something, like medicine) rinse the grid and the media part in a bucket of dechlorinated water and re add the media to the grid, along with a bit of new fresh media, rubber band it on and put back in the filter.

You want the bit of old media , which has the good bacteria on it, is why you rinse it in dechlorainated (such as you add some Prime or whatever declor you use to the water bucket first) so the old media with the new media so the old can seed the new. For new media I use this, cut to fit:

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... catid=4231

And cut it to fit for each filter, I do the same with the Tetra media you mentioned, first before I use it at all, I cut a slit in it and remove the carbon to the trash, or you can save it in a baggie I guess. When that media is toast, cause it doesn't rinse well, I add a snip of it to a new piece of cut media from the blue bonded media. That stuff you rinse and rinse and rinse
and re use and it takes for ever to fall apart, which means you can have good bacteria for longer!!

[GoldenFeather]

Hello Everyone...

My Love got stuck at work so we're running late so I've got a little time. I've been wanting to ask this since day 1.

How did Nui and Li'i survive 5 months without water change, food or TLC? I mean it's logical yes that they ate algae. But what about body waste? Is it because there was so very much algae that it cycled / transformed or something? They did have their tank topped with the tap but not often at all. And less the ancient guppy sized pellets, which they wouldn't eat when I first got them.

I've tried to comprehend it and thought I had. But the more I learn the more difficult it is....

BTW, I've acquired the phone number of the Lover to the Man who owned them... For me this is great news as I'll be able to get some history on them and learn about their tank mates and owner. I'm really looking forward to speaking with him. And asking why he didn't take them with him when he left.

To close, I did my morning water change... 45%. I also tested some:

pH - 6.9; NH3/NH4 - 0.50++; and NO2 - 0

I didn't do the Nitrates just because of the time... but I've saved some water to later on.

Because the numbers didn't improve much I wanted to do a second consecutive change and changed my mind recalling incorrectly what Mats had said this morning. Now rereading it:

You will see nitrite in a few days as well. I'm a little bit surprised your nitrate is so high. I'd be tempted to make bigger water changes - perhaps 2 x half the tank (effectively, a Thank75% reduction in the polutants in the water) - that should bring the ammonia and nitrate down quite rapidly, and make it all better for the fish.

I see that's what he told me to do. Hello! Quite thick right? I had just read it.

Thank You to all of you who continue to support our efforts here. Nui and Li'i appreciate it the most I'm sure. I saved them from the abandonment, but you've saved them from me. At least they were surviving the first... Mahalo Nui (much thanks)

GF

PS: google.com was derived from "googol" for obvious reasons...

[MatsP]

I don't use any charcoal/acivated carbon in any of my tanks - haven't done for a long time, and I don't plan to. It's a waste of money. I also don't use Zeolite or anything like it. Water changes are a much better way to get rid of unwanted "stuff" in the water.

I have no idea what Aquatech filters look like or how they work, so I can't really comment much on that, and I can't really find anything meaningful on the web either - I found that you can buy one of these filters from Walmart for $29... And that it's a "hang over back" filter - something that is really rare in Europe - it's either external "canister" filters, or internal power filters.

Heater: What heater brand/model is it? Most heaters are, as Andi says, fully submersible, and can be fitted at an angle if the heater can't be fitted vertically in the tank. Some don't want to be horizontal - see the instructions for the heater as to what you are supposed to do and not. [My heaters for my stored water aren't meant to be horizontal, but I've ignored that bit of advice, as they would not be fully submersed if I fit them according to instructions - and that is a bigger problem].

--
mats

[GoldenFeather]

.

it is a fully submersible heater though, right? Some are not fully submersible, but unknown how many of those they sell anymore.

Yes, it's a submersible heater (Fluval Tronic 100w)

<snip>

I had filter media like the first one mentioned, I took it over a bucket or a garbage can, got a pair of scissors and trimmed away the filter media along the edges, dumped the charcoal in the garbage, (I do not use charcoal in any of my tanks unless I am trying to remove something, like medicine) rinse the grid and the media part in a bucket of dechlorinated water and re add the media to the grid, along with a bit of new fresh media, rubber band it on and put back in the filter.

Just so I'm clear, do you use four rubber bands so that that Carbon or whatever you put inside doesn't fall out? I ask because it's a square thing open on all sides once the "fiber" is cut away from the plastic grid.

You want the bit of old media , which has the good bacteria on it, is why you rinse it in dechlorainated (such as you add some Prime or whatever declor you use to the water bucket first) so the old media with the new media so the old can seed the new. For new media I use this, cut to fit:

http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... catid=4231

I'll keep this (above URL ref) for future reference along with the "how to's" you've so kindly provided. Because there's no new media for the Aqua Tech's and I happen to have choke Tetra media to use that will work well with the "30-60" – I'd like to use it. Unless there is reason not to. It will help me save some financial resource to put elsewhere. My needs list continues to grow.

I add a snip of it to a new piece of cut media from the blue bonded media. That stuff you rinse and rinse and rinse and re use and it takes for ever to fall apart, which means you can have good bacteria for longer!!

I like this idea... double up on the fiber? Should I do this with all filters? Makes me think the water will be cleaner... just an ignorant perception. Plus more bacteria... sounds good tome.

Thanks a Googol Too Andywoolloo

[andywoolloo]

Just so I'm clear, do you use four rubber bands so that that Carbon or whatever you put inside doesn't fall out? I ask because it's a square thing open on all sides once the "fiber" is cut away from the plastic grid.

I do not put anything inside there, it's a HOB filter right? (Hang On the Back) Aqua tech, I am thinking you have something like this:



so when you cut it along the top, carefully snipping it away from the plastic it's attached to, then dump the charcoal that's inside into the garbage and shake it out, bang on the garbage can, then when you have most of it out keep carefully cutting along the whole edge, then get all the charcoal bits off and then get some dehlorinated water in a fish bucket, and rinse the media and the plastic backing, squeexe out the media, I am thinking it might be very gross and falling apart but it has good bacteria on it so you re going to attempt to rubber band it to the plastic backing and put it back in , along with another piece of cut media. just for a few days or a week till it seeds the new bit of media, then you can toss the old bit.

If that filter is that old you will need a flexible filter brush, like this



to clean the filter intake tubes etc.

like this idea... double up on the fiber? Should I do this with all filters? Makes me think the water will be cleaner... just an ignorant perception. Plus more bacteria... sounds good tome

i do this to seed the new bit of media from the old, you want to kep the good bacteria, you can add more as long as it doesn't inhibit the flow of water from the filter to the tank. you know it's impeding and you have too much if it isn't flowing right and is backing up or coming out in other places not just the waterfall. but this could also be because the filter needs cleaning with the flexible brush in the intake tube and impeller , just ne sure and do that with used tank water, or a bucket of clean tap water that has had dechlor added. I squish some dechlorinated water in the housing unit and smush my hand around in there and rinse out to ckean that. unplugged of course and in the bathroom, unless its small enough to do over a bucket on a towell in the fishroom. you can figure outhow to disassemble it , intake tube and impeller and clean those and put back together.

you are basically trying to save as much good bacteria as you can and the tap water will kill it is why you use the declorinated water.

does this make sense? I am so glad you are helping the fish.

what are they eating for you?

[GoldenFeather]

Hi Everyone..

I apologize for the delay... I am up against a Christmas deadline w/a commission. I don't think I'll tk another as my stress ov'r the pssb of being unable to deliver is rather unpleasant. STRESS!!!

Still I've continued with my water changes, I did a large double of about 70% last night when I returned. Saw a marked improvement in Nui & Li'i's world. Tho' he's having to adjust to less food. Today, I only did one change but it was a 35%-40% as I had to get under the objects and vac the gravel. OMGosh.. it builds up so fast! They've responded so well to the big change. Especially Nui. Li'i didn't seem as affected by the previous conditions. I am worried and think I may have initiated a pH spike that's begun to show tho'.

__________

Here are the numbers I've been getting... sorry for letting them pile up like this.


12/20 Monday
ph - 6.6; Am - .50++; NO2 - 0; NO3 - x

PM B4 water change:
ph - 6.4; Am - .50; NO2 - 0; NO3 - x

PM after 70% water change:
ph - 7.2; Am - .25; NO2 - 0; NO3 - 20+

AM 12/21 Tuesday

ph - 7.0; Am - .50 -; NO2 - 0; NO3 - x

PM (after 30% water change)
ph - 7.2+; Am - .50; NO2 - 0; NO3 - x
__________

I will test Nitrates today. I'm worried about pH... why is it beginning to climb the other direction now? I had put in a sm abalone shell (2.5") the night before I'd done the large water change which is when it first showed above 7.0 I had boiled twice for a period of at least 5 hours total before putting it inside. I took it out thinking that was the cause, but then last night after the water change it went up again? Is this a cause for worry. pH 7.0 is a big jump from 6.4 right?

__________

Regarding filters, I've wondered about the canister and immersed filters. I know nothing yet about them including cost. Any recommendations?

Mats you asked about the heater I have. It's a Fluval/Hagen (Tronic) 100 watt and is submiersible.

Regarding beneficial bacteria...how long does it remain alive? Does it die if it is rinsed under the tap water vs tank water? And I assume it dies if the fiber or sponge dries?

Thanks again for all of your time.
GF

Technical website question: How do you tab to create an indentation or space between numbers for example to create a list of data....? I had wanted to create a matrix sort of to exhibit the various tests I'd done (using space bar) but when previewed it all gathered back together Thanks

[GoldenFeather]

Hi Everyone..

Still I've continued with my water changes, I did a large double of about 70% last night when I returned.

I had been planning on sending this post last evening but fell asleep. The lg 70% change was Monday night after returning from the otherside.

Happy Wednesday, GF

[MatsP]

What is the pH of your tap-water? Doing large water changes should bring your tank pH to the same level as your tap-water... If it's above that, then we have something to think about and what's in your tank.

--
Mats

[GoldenFeather]

Today 12.22.10 Wed. - morning log of Nui & Li'i's water numbers.

Hi Everyone,

This morning's tests are before I've done a water change. And, last nights numbers were before I did the water change. I just realized I hadn't done them afterwards. I did have the water set aside to do it, but spaced the objective and tossed it for a clean start today. Shucks. So perhaps the number differences have been a little bit more gradual than they look – when compared.

AM - b4 w/change:

pH - 6.4; AM - .50+; NO2 - 0; NO3 - 40/80 (in between)

See how badly I think it's bad the NO3 is jumping I realize that I need to do it daily and possible both am/pm. That and the pH. Both are erratic...

Thank you in advance for any advisement, opinions...or criticism. Would that I had put in the shell have done this and now that its been out for over 24 hours have sent it back down to the 6 numbers? 6.8 is good right? But to be jumping around isn't, right? I had read something about the pH system being logarithmic. However I don't have the formula set in my brain yet[./i]

Before I close, would it help if I were to log the diet I'm feeding them as well? I so know that my greatest objective remains the 55g. My second – trying to keep the water they're in stable or at least as clean of bad stuff as possible. Is it possible to have a 10g tank stable w/ a Nui in it? (serious question)

I'm just unable to take the time to set up. We've a plan to make it our Christmas day activity. it has ended up the fish have become our Christmas this year... the new 55 and the miscellaneous many's our gifts to each other. And the cats too!

Good Days To All,
gottajet
GF

PS: Jools, just in case the address I used had a block on personal messages, I've sent a small donation to the webmaster address @planetcatfish; listed on the Paypal site. For some reason it didn't want to take an even number. Thinking I was doing something wrong decided the other route. Hope that's alright? Thank you...

[GoldenFeather]

What is the pH of your tap-water? Doing large water changes should bring your tank pH to the same level as your tap-water... If it's above that, then we have something to think about and what's in your tank.

--
Mats

Morning Mats, My tap pH = 7.0...

[GoldenFeather]

What is the pH of your tap-water? Doing large water changes should bring your tank pH to the same level as your tap-water... If it's above that, then we have something to think about and what's in your tank.

--
Mats

Morning Mats, My tap pH = 7.0...

Okay... I had put in a 2.5" abalone shell the day before. Well, a day and a night before. When I saw the number I thought it might be because of the shell, even though I had boiled it for hours and hours - changing out the water for fresh now and then to get rid of whatever was coming off it. Even if I couldn't see it.

I took it out when I saw the number. But it went up again.. without the shell in it. Now its down again, before this am water change @ 6.8.

Thank you very much for your expert analysis...

Nui & Li'i think you guys are Superheros!

[andywoolloo]

Regarding filters, I've wondered about the canister and immersed filters. I know nothing yet about them including cost. Any recommendations?

On my 40gal breeder i run a Rena XP3 canister filter and a Tetra Whisper EX70

On my 50 gal breeder 2 Rena XP3s and a Koralia powerhead

75 gal Rena XP4 koralia powerhead

75 gal Rena XP4 and Rena XP3

I love the Renas and have all Whisper Tetras HOB s on all my smaller tanks.

I think what kind of filtration you need really depends on your fish in tank and what they like or need.

Regarding beneficial bacteria...how long does it remain alive? Does it die if it is rinsed under the tap water vs tank water? And I assume it dies if the fiber or sponge dries?

It can be transported short distances and live, like if you borrow some from a friend. Transported in some of the tank water. Or maybe can live longer transports if in the tank water and with a battery operated air stone.

I always rinse my media in a fresh bucket of dechlorinated water when I rinse the media in the filters. I always rinse the housing units, inside the HOBs with some used tank water and my hand or a brush. The same reason you use dechlorinator when adding fresh water to your tank is the same for rinsing media and cleaning filters.

Wait that doesn't sound right. Ok so you declorinate the water before or as you're adding it to the fisk tank to make it safe for them. So it's the same for the media, filter cleaning. The dechlorinated water is safe for the good bacteria.

I am probably not saying it right. The only thing I don't worry about using dechlorinated or used tank water for is the impeller, and tubing on the canister filters. and I think there is enough good bacteria in the actual HOB housing unit, if rinsed in dechloriated water that it's ok to clean the intake under tap water with a filter brush.

The good bacteria in the fish tank grows everywhere.In the filter housing unit or on it, In all of the filter and media, on the substrate, decorations, plants, anythign it can in the tank.

Is why if you have someone with a tank you trust you can use their stuff to jump start your cycle in your tank.

[MatsP]

Can't really advice on what's going on in your pH variation. However, small changes of 0.5 - 1 pH unit is acceptable. And the drop in liquid pH tests are not the most precise - it's more of a "guide" than a precision instrument. So a small part of your pH changes may well be that the test doesn't give exactly the same value each time. [Have you tried taking a sample of water, and testing it 3-5 times in a row, and see if you get the same value?]

--
Mats

[GoldenFeather]

Can't really advice on what's going on in your pH variation. However, small changes of 0.5 - 1 pH unit is acceptable. And the drop in liquid pH tests are not the most precise - it's more of a "guide" than a precision instrument. So a small part of your pH changes may well be that the test doesn't give exactly the same value each time. [Have you tried taking a sample of water, and testing it 3-5 times in a row, and see if you get the same value?]

--
Mats

Mats... thanks much. I'll do a multiple test on the pH to see if its consistent today sometime. I'm interested in seeing what it looks like after the water change. GF

[GoldenFeather]

Regarding filters, I've wondered about the canister and immersed filters. I know nothing yet about them including cost. Any recommendations?

<snip>

I love the Renas and have all Whisper Tetras HOB s on all my smaller tanks.

Wow... plenty tanks yeah? I just can't even imagine how you can take care so many??? But that's just my rookie view.

I think what kind of filtration you need really depends on your fish in tank and what they like or need.

I'm thinking the best way to figure that out is to study the species in the archives here...

I am probably not saying it right. The only thing I don't worry about using dechlorinated or used tank water for is the impeller, and tubing on the canister filters. and I think there is enough good bacteria in the actual HOB housing unit, if rinsed in dechloriated water that it's ok to clean the intake under tap water with a filter brush.

I'm clear on this now and I think you explained it well actually... Very thorough, thank you...

The good bacteria in the fish tank grows everywhere.In the filter housing unit or on it, In all of the filter and media, on the substrate, decorations, plants, anything it can in the tank.

Good to know its at least got a good amount of things to grow on, since we need it so badly.

...if you have someone with a tank you trust you can use their stuff to jump start your cycle in your tank.

I don't know... will think about it and ask around, I likely do. What about Koi ponds? ??? Don't worry I'm in "don't-do-anything-" mode before running it by PlanetCatfish... at this point.

Really going now, Have a Nice Day Everyone, A Blessed Solstice
and Enjoyable Christmas Cheer! I envy those of you with Snow....
GF

[MatsP]

If the koi are healthy and there is a filter on the koi pond [most people do filter their pond] then getting a chunk of filter media from the pond will be an excellent way to start off your filter.

--
Mats

[GoldenFeather]

If the koi are healthy and there is a filter on the koi pond [most people do filter their pond] then getting a chunk of filter media from the pond will be an excellent way to start off your filter.

--
Mats

Hi!

That's really good news. I'll ask my friend. If not, lots of people here have Koi ponds. Someone should have a filter. I should ask, are there any tell-tale signs to look for that would alert me to the Koi being unhealthy? I think I recall (yrs ago) seeing some Koi in a pond that were kinda flakey. It looked like something was sloughing off of a couple of them.

Thanks Mats...

By the way, I was looking at your tanks and fish!!! OMG... they're so INCREdible! I bet everyone here is set up incredibly. How impressive. I especially like your scaping in "Tank I". The "chinaman hat" sorta looking rock in the center is lovely. Nui and Li'i would both (separately) LOVE something like that I think. I notice sand... is sand better for them

Also, I've fallen in complete l love with a fish named Centromochlus perugiae. Is it compatible with Nui? Just thinking about his future friendships.

Thank you for sharing all your art form so well... I look forward to checking out everyones. Especially Jools, Naturalart ahd Andywoolloo.

GF