FishChannel Forums / Freshwater Forums / Everything but Livestock

buying off craigslist

Rabid Puffer — Sat, 12 May 2012 16:03:32 GMT

Is it generally a good idea to buy tanks and equipment off craigslist? I don't want to buy a tank or something off there and find out that they sold it because it leaks and have a huge mess on my hands. Does anyone have any experience buying aquarium equipment off craigslist?

Water will Start Being Flouridated

caliswift — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 16:19:09 GMT

My local water district will begin adding flouride to the water in late summer/fall. Anyone have experience with aquariums and switching to flouridated water? Is there any chemistry changes I should be worried about?

Petco

bmalit — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 17:57:57 GMT

I was trying to return fish at Petco that died on me (I suspect their livestock is not healthy). First, I went to the register and waited there for 5 minutes. Then the dude told me to go to the Aquatic section. Then I waited there for another five minutes. They told me I had to go back to the register to hand a lady (who was apparently a "fish specialist") the reciept. After waiting for ANOTHER five minutes the lady took my reciept and toll me I had to go back to the Aquatic section to get my water tested. After waiting for ten minutes for them to look for their testing kits and get my water, they told me it was fine, and I had to go back in line for yet ANOTHER five minutes just to return my fish and get a refund. All in all, I waited half and hour just to return my fish and get a refund.

And sorry to any Petco associate who's reading this, but your service is not the best at all!

LED Lighting - All the Rave?

AngelFan — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 10:19:13 GMT

Well what do you think, is it worth it? I have trouble with it for two reasons: 1) how do I know if an LED light is the right power for my tank with no formal "wattage" listed, and 2) if you lose one LED, you have to replace the whole unit, correct?

Aquarium Gloves

alkemist — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:54:35 GMT

Tried searching but no luck. Anyone know what gloves/materials are safe to use for cleaning freshwater aquariums? I've tried a few in the past, coral life, disposable and never had much luck with them.

Siphons

SKeith — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 08:01:05 GMT

I like the idea of attaching a siphon to the faucet and cleaning that way. I'm looking at a couple online, but I'm confused about the way they work.

I'm currently looking at:

http://www.petsolutions.com/Aqueon-Water-Changer+I15906089+C40003037.aspx

Does it drain the water first and then you can switch the lever and fill the tank back up, are they all like that? I am not super close to the sink (~20 feet), is there a pump or something else that can help start the siphoning action?

Can any recommend one that is easy to get siphoning with the distance I'm looking at?

Cleaning a used tank

CDM — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 05:58:13 GMT

Hello All.

I'm new here and starting to keep an aquarium again after about 20 years. I have a 10 gal tank that I bought new. A neighbor has given me a 55 gal tank that has sat empty for 5 years. It had a severe leak and I have taken it a part and cleaned off all of the silicone. He obviously did not clean it after he took it down. There are water rings stained on the glass and I have tried all that I know to get rid of them. Comet and a green scouring pad, scraping with a razor blade, baking soda, vinegar, even a brillo pad, each with little or no success. I am not opposed to chemicals but I am willing to use a little elbow grease. Does anybody have any Ideas?

Mices vs. Brine Shrimp

tdeardeuff — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 17:33:36 GMT

What is the difference between mices and brine shrimp? I tried to google the answer but I didn't seem to get anywhere so I was hoping one of you know. Thanks for the help!

Diatom filter.

ninkasi27 — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 06:42:18 GMT

I was recently given a diatom filter by someone who has been out of fish keeping for at least 20 years. I have never used one. What are the benefits, if any compared to more "modern" filtration systems. Is it worth getting all of the parts/media to get this thing going?

Whisper Air pump for 20 Gal.

DTH — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 10:36:04 GMT

I just bought an air pump in the instructions it states
to set it above the tank with a drawing show it. On
the next page when It talks about using two lines it
show a drawing of the pump at the base of the tank.
I plan on using one hose can I put the pump at base
lavel?

What is the best way to clean platic plants?

Jpb13846 — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:30:04 GMT

Just wondering if there is a better and/or easier way to clean the alge on plastic plants. I usually take them out of the tank and rinse them in a bucket of warm water to remove the lose debris then refill the bucket with hot water and let them soak while I do my water change. Then I have a brush I use just for and only for scrubbing them down under running warm water. I have NEVER used soap or bleach. But sometimes that @$%$%*&*^% alge just won't come off and have thought about it. I've heard some say that they just run them through the dish washer with no soap and then put them back in the tank with no problems. Dare I try it?

t5 ho

jim b — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:06:37 GMT

HI just read a past post about t5 ho deeper than 24"do not work well

My tank is 30" minus about 3" of base any comments.

I have( 20) 36" t5HO spread across the top about 4" above the water line

will be freshwater

Thanks Jim northeast md.

Ground fault circuit interuptor

Golddenim — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:54:21 GMT

I have an electrical device, I believe a ground fault circuit interuptor, that appears to have gone bad. The item is used on my 95 gallon aquarium. The set up is as follows: The filter, heater, two light fixtures with timers(one with a fan), and a root therm cable heater are all plugged into a power strip/surge protector, which in turn is plugged into this other item with a circuit breaker. The GFCI is plugged into a wall outlet that is directly behind the aquarium, and approximately 4 feet off the ground. The circuit breaker had been kicking out on the GFCI with increasing frequency, including twice in a 24 hour period. Nothing else plugged into the wall outlet was affected. About 2 weeks ago, I unplugged the power strip from the GFCI and plugged it directly into the wall outlet. So far, there have been no issues. If a piece of equipment was going bad, I would think it would kick out the circuit breaker on the power strip or even the wall outlet, which makes me think it is the GFCI that has malfunctioned. Is this something that needs to be replaced for safety reasons, or will the breaker in the power strip provide the necessary protection?

Tower Build: UGF's, Internal Canister Filters, Etc.

math-only aquarium — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:06:05 GMT

Hello All,

It's been a while since I posted last, so I just wanted to get back on the board while hopefully giving some useful information to other people who like DIY projects. You see, I recently set up three new aquariums and decided to shocase some of the steps I went through. This is not a tutorial on how to set up a fish tank, but it does show people how to make some items for themselves (if they want to).

In the following link I discuss how to make DIY undergravel filters, DIY internal canister filters, and DIY backgrounds. As to why I am using the link instead of directly posting it, I did not want to eat up a lot of space on the board with the pictures. I hope the link isn't a problem for anyone.

http://sites.google.com/site/moashowmanyfish/tower-build

Please take a look at this material and tell me what ya think.

Sincerely,

MOA

UG filters

brianp — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 05:58:03 GMT

So I was reading a fairly old article in a certain fish mag(2005) about the pros and cons of the undergravel filter. I know they have lost favor in alot of hobbyists eyes and some may think that they are just for beginers. I found the article interesting in that I found some useful information about UG filters that I never knew that could help overcome some of those shortcomings such as Anerobic areas and using chemical media. fact is that I found it interesting to know that you can add chemical media such as carbon or zeolite to a filter bag and clear away some of the substrate and place it on top of the UG plate. or the tip about stringing small tubing down the lift tubes to siphon the guhnk that tends to collect under the plates. I would like to hear what everyone thinks about UG's and if anyone still uses these and has any tips to pass along. UG's have the advantage of supporting a huge amount of nitrifying bacteria plus they are inexpensive and easy to use. might be interesting to come up with improvements and inovations to make them better.

Bri

Floors and a 2nd tank

Lyn — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:07:32 GMT

I am new to this forum and enjoy reading and learning from here. I have a "problem" and that is I want another 75 gallon tank in my living room. I already have a 75 low-tec planted community tank.What I have in mind is ,the second tank would be right across the room,on walls, facing each other.The walls are only 11 feet apart.The currant tank and future 75 sit across the floor joists.They would likely be on the same joists at each end. is this to much? I have read about tanks scattered about the house,but not tanks near each other.The tank I have now is on the outside wall,and my next tank would be on a support wall. Please help,for I have MTS! LOL1 THANK YOU!

DIY canister filters. Anyone else make one of their own?

archerfishkeeper — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:46:19 GMT

So i have built a canister filter with a air tight cookie container and stacked yogurt cups allowing the mech chem and bio to pass through before going to the tank and a power head driving the water through. also i have made someone a sump for their pond out of a Tupperware container with drip filtering trays (surprisingly not difficult) has anyone here make anything safe for their aquarium out of nothing or just random stuff laying around the house? looking for some extra idea's on something to do next and wanting to see how creative people are in the fish hobby (not saying none of us are as we all are creative decorating the tank etc) so post some of the neat things that you built and made for your aquariums pictures too are good i'll try and get some of my DIY tank stuff. built the canister spent 10$ to buy appropriate hosing. and around 60$ on the sump had to buy the pvc piping and plastic shelf for the drip trays and inserts. both work great. and hey even if it didn't work out post an idea on here and ask for some feedback on changes that can help make it work for you. It should all be worth it in the end and lets make this thread fun!

Can you "over filter" a tank?

ctemt — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 05:38:41 GMT

I just purchased my smallest tank, a 30 gallon. It is now fully cycled and I have a black and a dalmation molly. When I set it up the only filter I gad available was a Emprorer 400. Is this too much for this size tank? Thanks everyone.

Undergravel filters

brianp — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 13:34:20 GMT

I am curios about how many folks still use under gravel filters and how folks deal with drawbacks such as dead zones and aquarium decorations etc.

Bri

recommendation needed: 72 inch T5 HO

diru97 — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 10:02:40 GMT

Hi Everyone,

I need some help here. I am looking a a T5 HO fixure for my sister's 180 gal aquarium. She has a planted tank, glosso, UG, Dwarf Baby Tears so the light would need to be high output. She's been using Metal Halides but wants to diminish the use of equipment and electric bill as well (chiller x lights). Can anyone help make some recommendations?

Thank You,

Treating Driftwood

Buxguy83 — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 08:09:30 GMT

I was wondering if anyone knows how to properly treat driftwood to go into your aquarium. I have heard that you should soak it in water for 30-60 days to leech the tannins and make sure it will stay submerged. So I really have two questions:

1. Is there anything else I should do to treat the driftwood?

2. While soaking the driftwood would it make sense to use dechlorinated water to do so, or does that not matter?

Old food

LilMissBetta — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 13:36:09 GMT

What do you do with your old fish food that's no good anymore? Do you just throw it away, or is there something you can do with it. Would it be a good fertilizer for plants?

Sky LED lighting

Sick-Lids — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:17:45 GMT

Another product I am interested in from 'Tru-Aqua' is this Sky LED... Anyone have one, tried one, Has a buddy that has a sisters boyfriends niece that used one... Once? Some feed back would be appreciated...

Product reviews?

LilMissBetta — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:54:30 GMT

Has anyone used the product reviews on Fishchannel? There really aren't that many reviews that people of done. I'd like to see what people think of some of the products.

fluval c2 power filter

bettacrazy — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:55:34 GMT

does anybody have experience with this filter?

Some pictures of my vacation

Findingjohn — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:29:25 GMT

I will be posting some pictures of my trip to upper MI.

This picture I thought you all might like to see. This guy drove off the boat dock to far. He was showing off for his kid. We had to get a Ford truck to pull him out before the tide came in full. Just got him out in time. The sad part of it all was that me and my wife where the only ones at first to stop and help this guy out. My wife had asked so many people to help and they kept on saying no. As you can see we did get more help before it was to late. That is me with my shoes off.

Aqua Top Products

Sick-Lids — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 10:22:53 GMT

I have been shopping for a UV sterilizer for my aquarium and had come across Aqua Top which offers a LARGE variety of UV products... Including Canister Filters with built in UV bulbs... And they are replaceable... As well they have Hang On Backs with UV... In Line UV....

So is anyone familiar with the quality of Aqua Top products?

LED lighting

brianp — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 11:41:06 GMT

Hi All. After becoming active again in the hobby after a brief break I see that companies are now selling LED lighting as a complete lighting solution(not just for night). any opinions on these would be great both for freshwater and reef. I am no electrician but I was wondering about info on building your own light fixtures with these. any idea where I might be able to get a hold of some plans? I aooplogize if this subject has already been posted on.

Bri

Odyssea T5 Lighting

Starrfish — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 07:05:34 GMT

it anyone familiar with this system? -Odyssea 24" 48W T5 HO Light Fixture Extendable Series (FW/ Planted), its available from aquatraders.com.

my current lights hood just had a bulb die, and i can't find the correct replacement bulb, except for ones that cost $20. i think the light is not made in the wattage i need anymore. now the since the two bulbs in my hood were new at the same time the other bulb can possible go any time. so thats a $40 expense. now the odyssea light is 39.95 and is exactly what i was looking to replace my old hood with next year. so i was wondering what experience you may have with system or company in general. the only rating for the light i found was a 5 star, but that was from the same website it was bought from.

my tank is a 20G planted with an assortment of tetras as well as swordtails and oto cats.

the plants are a sword, vallisneria, anubias and moss ball.

i need responses quickly, my tank can't go too long with reduced lighting, its operating in about 0.75 watt/gallon of compact flourecent right now.

What Size of Tank should i get?

MRBLUBS — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 16:20:14 GMT

Hello,

I was wondering what size of tank should i get for my goldfish and algae eaters. I have 11 Comet goldfish, 1 Ryukin goldfish, and 2 chinese algae eaters that are in a pond in my backyard. Its almost the end of summer and i still dont have a tank to over winter them in.

I think i should get a tank that is 20-30 gallons for them but i really dont know.

Thanks for the help.

filter too much?

bettasrcool — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 17:12:15 GMT

I have a bio-wheel 100 power filter on my 10 gallon and was wondering if it may be too strong for the small tetras that I keep in my tank? These filters don't have any flow control so they are always running at full 'speed'.

Turbo CO2 Bio-System

SKeith — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:18:27 GMT

I got a Turbo CO2 Bio-System b/c there were comments (on the web site I that bought it from) that it was easy to make a re-fill for this instead of buying one. Can anyone give me a good recipe for it?

should I add the lighting?

bettacrazy — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 08:05:00 GMT

I just bought a 20 long aquarium with the light strip but no glass aquarium cover. can I add the lighting without a glass cover? I know I am going to have to have one at some point because there will be marbled hatchetfish.

wood from Java leaching red

nikwiles — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:38:20 GMT

I've acquired some pieces of wood from an aquarium shop supposedly from Java that say to boil for 15 min or soak & leach until they're no longer coloring the water. They are great gnarly pieces & the 1st ones I got seemed to cooperate. But I have 2 that I put in a 35 gal tank that really make the water go acid. I've pulled them out again & will boil and pour off until the water doesn't color up. I've also put extra charcoal in the filter. Is there anything else I can do? Thanks for your time.

"911" Center support for my 55 gallon tank broke

linster — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:28:54 GMT

As you can see from the pictures, the center support for my 55 gallon tank broke and I am concerned that it is too much stress on just the glass alone. I have used a clamp to support it for now but I need a way to fix it properly. Can anyone help?

Can Filter

jewelChiclid — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 10:31:32 GMT

Is a canister filter overkill for 55 gallon freshwater tank.

Help removing sea Gel

ctemt — Sun, 29 May 2011 07:10:39 GMT

Hi I have just tried this product that I think was called Sea Gel that you use to put the background on my aquarium. Now I am trying to change the background but can not get the remnants of it all. Can you please help me as to how to remove this or what you do to keep the background on thanks

Changing filters

Starrfish — Tue, 17 May 2011 10:04:36 GMT

I will be getting a new filter soon, and i was wondering, my current existing filter has been running for years and has a healthy bacteria population. now when i get my new filter it wont. know i know in new tanks you have to let a new filter establish for several weeks before adding fish. how do you condition a new filter in an established tank? because the filter media is different between the two, i cant simply put the old in the new.

thanks for your help

Changing from External to Canister Filter

scg1103 — Sun, 15 May 2011 16:50:05 GMT

Need help!!

Want to change from Emperor 400 external filter to a canister. Can anyone suggest a site about filters or a certain filter for a 46 gallon bow front tank. Not sure which way to go.

Aquarium Lighting

Squilliam — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 05:12:08 GMT

Does anyone have any knowledge of aquarium lighting. I currently still have bulb thtat came with tank canopy. My lfs probably has maybe 10 types available. As I am never happy with lfs girls advice thought I would ask.

I have 55gal that is 30" x 24 x 22. Black gravel substrate and black back drop. No live plants at this time.

Any favorites or suggestions appreciated.