Mitsy

I have traded the ultra-actinic for another 10,000 K tube, it was the only type the local FS had, and I didn't want to spend another $15-$20 to order a tube. So, now I have 64 watts total, a much more appealing appearance, still having some algae problems, but it is gradually diminishing (the soft brownish kind). I am running one tube about 11 hours a day and the other about 7 hours because it is on the circuit with the fan which is VERY annoying, and I keep it on only when no-one is home during the midday. I have mostly easy to grow plants and easy to keep fish, and they seem to be doing fine.

I came across a good deal on a PowerCompact hood that fits my 29 gallon (110 liters) tall (71 centimeters deep) aquarium. Since I am trying to grow lots of plants it seemed like a good way to provide a better souce of light than the two 18 watt regular fluorescent tubes I was using. The hood came with a 32 watt 10,000K Daylight and a 32 watt Ultra-Actinic, which I understand to be mainly for the health of reef organisms. Will it be useful to use it (it makes the tank look odd) or should I be looking for another tube to replace it?

While trying to disseminate some of the information I have been gleaming from all you knowledgeable folks, I came across a mention of using volcanic materials for providing minerals to plants. Will pumice sand work for this purpose? I carve this wonderful stone, so I end up with sand and chips as a by-product. I know that ferns and terrestrial mosses grow well on this stone in the fountains and trickle towers I construct (as well as lots of blanket algae). The trickle towers really help remove nitrates on the ponds, as well as being attractive and the sound of the water falling over them is soothing.

Paul, I think you have a valid point. concerning the U/G filters. As an outdoor ponder, the fear of anaerobic media is always forefront, but in an aquarium, I can see it being easier to control. I visited your website and was quite impressed! I notice you are using a finer size substrate than I have at present, I think I'm going to start looking around for something smaller, myself. I am in a dilemma right now, as a mailorder supplier must have felt guilty about being out of a couple of selections I wanted so they sent a lot more plants than I had intended to get. The tank is now very crowded with plants, with a number of them going outside to be with the goldfish. I may still get rid of the U/G filter, as I am probably going to replace the substrate soon. Will pond tabs broken into smaller pieces work in an aquarium setting? I am still trying to figure out how I can utilize our local lateritic soil into the substrate and not turn my water orange.

...I would be glad to put some in a box for you! Oh, my, I just received my plant shipment, she added some extras, and now I have more plants than aquarium! My learning curve just got steeper!

...As I have been learning all the new stuff on aquatic plant care I have come across this term which sounded familiar. Now I find out that it is a soil product for supplying iron to the plants. Can this be the very same red clay soil that abounds in our foot hills? They are known as lateritic soils and some are very, very red. Can I utilize this soil as dry pellets implanted in the substrate? This stuff will cloud water very quickly, so I bet its a trick to use it. To think, I may have it here, right at my fingertips! Anyone want some? :lol:

Great photos! I have seen the Darlingtonia north of us around a lake high in the Marble Mts. Its difficult to get them to grow in our summer heat. My native interests lean towards the larger plants that can take our temp. extremes. I have a lovely wild ginger, Asarum lemmonii, that sports large kidney bean shaped leaves with silver veining. and a Salvia, not IDd yet, that grows to about four feet and is really attractive to hummingbirds, and Trillium chloropetalum, a difficult one to get to thrive, but stunning in the spring.

I have to giggle at that, Andrew. I rather think it has an opposite effect, I can think of no other woman who would want to wear a rattlesnake band hat! I am never without a good straw hat on when working outside, one of which sports the aforementioned reptile. I rather think its for shock value (oops, giving away a bit of a personality secret, I think ). Yes, I am familiar with Crescent City--beautiful area. Wish I could make it over there again, soon. Native plants are a favorite study, and I have a number of them in my gardens and ponds. As to what lengths you'd go with meeting a rattlesnake in your yard, you either run screaming or hit it with whatever is handy. I like snakes, but the rattlers give me the willies. We ran into a beautiful big Pacific Western rattler while camping on Lake Shasta, and had the opportunity to show it to my young niece and nephew, which I am raising to respect and care for wildlife. We left the newly shed snake to his solitude--and didn't tell the other adults until later, so I know they wouldn't try to kill it. No point to killing one that poses no danger.

...you take me too seriously! Garter snakes, gopher snakes, kingsnakes, grass snakes...they all get proper treatment on my property. The worst to happen to him would be to get removed to the creek. Rattlesnakes in my yard? Well-l, yes, they do get dispatched. The ones I have made into hatbands are the ones my friend kills on their property, it seems there is one under every rock. They are quite poisonous, and quite large. Some have been found on their very doorstep. Don't hate yourself--no offense taken. Each one must act according to their own conscience!

Plenty of fish eaters on the wing here, too. None have found my little watery world, yet. I'm sure the cats & dogs would like to have a go at them in any case. I see by your profile your a dog behavior consultant. I have three Queensland Heelers, two that were rescues. Its amazing what you can do for a dog if you treat them right. People get these dogs without the patience or knowledge on keeping such a clever and active breed happy. My last 'find' had been severely abused by a young man, and was an emotional wreck, but he's a fine dog now. They can be such a joy.

We have an even tougher stance on importing plants. Many garden plant and aquatic plant suppliers can't ship here, sometimes you can't even ship plants intrastate. I understand the importance of keeping out pathogens, since we are such a big agricultural area, but it does make it tough to collect special plants. It is also illegal to collect and possess many native plants and animals (heck, I could get into trouble with just the feathers I have collected over the years, go figure that one) but I still utilize many plants I collect since they do so well in our climate. Dirtbikes can raze and tear up the places these plants grow, but I'm not supposed to grow them? Ah, but that's another rant, another time...

Goldie, During most of our summer the heater doesn't get much work! This one was comparably cool, but we did have a week of over 110F (43.3C) which topped at 118F (47.7C). I put jugs of ice in with my koi and goldfish outside to keep the water temps down. Today was only (!) in the 80s (26C+-), oh, so nice to work outside in the garden! I noticed a garter snake slithering about, and now I am worrying about my oranda goldfish fry in their tub outside. He'd better not go for it, I have made hatbands out of rattlesnakes, and I won't hesitate to do it to him if he succeeds!

Microsorium pteropus At least according to my sources...common names can be misleading.

Hello to all from the Pacific west coast! I am setting up my 29 gallon tall tank, and will be planting it heavily with plants, with fish to soon follow . I have had conflicting suggestions on whether to use my U/G filter or not, I lean towards using it to help prevent anaerobic bacteria from growing at the bottom of the substrate, and this is how I construct my veggie filters for my outdoor ponds, a 'false floor' that creates space under the root mass to allow for good circulation. The roots actually grow down into that area eventually, where I would imagine they take advantage of the more concentrated fish poo anyway. What's the general consensus with you more experienced aquarium folks?

Greetings from hot, dusty Redding! I have at present 8 koi, about 25 large and 30 small home-spawned fancy goldfish, and a 29 gallon aquarium I am going to set up for plants and some small tropicals. The koi and goldies are outside (it doesn't get bitter cold in the winter) and I really enjoy DIY projects. As soon as I have the funds, I will be putting in a 5,000 gallon pond...yipee!