GeeTee

Is there a test for hardness? Greg

Not live, but did try frozen blood worm. Same thing,spat it. I'll just keep an eye on him. Greg

Yes both my fish spit it out but the blue one doesn't go on with the job and eat it.

just thought I would try a picture of them.

When looking into buying these a few weeks ago there was a forum here, had in it a Dwarf would suck in its food then spit it out again,and not eat it. Well on the weekend I bought 2.A flame and a coral blue. The flame is mature and well coloured,the blue was smaller and dull,I thought it was young,so bought it thinking I could watch it develop. This blue is doing the same as the one in a previous forum and I can't find that forum to see what was said,so am hopful someone can help me out with an answer. The flame also spits food back out but he eats it every time. The blue gets bullied a little but nothing to be concerned about I wouldn't think,as it wasn't eating from day one. Doesn't seem to be to thin but does appear to sulk and hide but only when being chased a bit. Greg

Yes it is, I'm going to start and bring the pH down this weekend I'll do some water changes with tank water. I have access to a tank I just have to travel 10 minutes to get it.I would have started with tank water if I had realised the restrictions it would put on the fish that I really want. A couple of weeks of small water changes should do the trick, shouldn't it?? Greg

Thanks vapo, I'll probly start with one until I get a few more plants,I only have some Java Moss at the moment but getting more on the weekend. Probly end up with my first dwarf this weekend also. Greg

On the dwarf gouramis,I've been looking into them and it says to buy 2 or more(which suits me just fine),does this mean the same colour or is it ok to mix and match colour? I think I read it here some where that the different colours are just like having a blonde and a brunette. Does that seem right? Greg

Thanks Caryl,thats great. On the dwarf gouramis,I've been looking into them and it says to buy 2 or more(which suits me just fine),does this mean the same colour or is it ok to mix and match colour? I think I read it here some where that the different colours are just like having a blonde and a brunette. Does that seem right. Greg

G'day Caryl, The pH in my tap water is 8.8 and I want it lower to have some dwarf gouramis. Iwill be looking into peat on the weekend

I read on a bottle of pH down that this can occur when using this chem (or maybe it just happens) Could someone please give me a simple explanation what this means. I did a search and it came up with products and saying this will happen but could not get a straight answer on what causes it and what the affects would be. Greg

Will go and do a small change now then I can check things again tomorrow arvo'. Greg

Am I right to think that once the tests hit 0 for a couple of weeks I could SLOWLY introduce more fish? Greg

will do, thanks. Greg

I can understand that misnoma. Greg

A question on my own tank now,I am in the cycling stage, 2 weeks now. 80x 40 x40cm approx 120 litres,cycled it for 1 week with the filter cartridge from the comet tank by the intake giving it a brush each day to release its "goodness" and 6 small guppies feeding every 2 days. After week 1,pH 8, nitrate 0,nitrite 0, ammonia 0.A mate offered me 3 25mm mollies,couldn't resist. Did a test yesterday pH 7.6, nitrate 0,nitrite 0, ammonia, .25.Did 15% water change. Test today same results. Should I change water again or is it not that bad if ammonia will stay around .25?

No it just comes with a hole provided to place a heater in.No heater included. I did realise that the fish grow larger,does the smaller tank not reduce the growth rate? I have tested the tank and everything read well,pH 7.6(tap water is 8.8)Nitrate 0, Nitrite 0, Ammonia 0, Nitrate was 10 2 weeks ago,did a water change and changed the filter cartridge and it came back to 0. I'm not trying to say what we have is correct just giving results. Greg

I have that heater BlueandKim in the 300 watt and have a cheap $2 thermometer that picks up a very small change in temp when I change the setting slightly(new toy)and it reads the same as the dial on the heater. Greg

My son has one of these Aqua One AR-126 (22litre)great little setup,sits beside his bed as a night light,can anyone tell me the flow rate of the pump as I took the sticker off it with that info on it because it didn't "LOOK PRETTY" facing the front of the tank.I know I should have stuck it on the back instead of discarding it.So if anyone has access to one that would be appreciated. Also it has 2/3" comets in it and 2 small sucker cats,would it handle a black moor as well.(will keep the wife interested if I put something in it she wants) Greg

Yes I like the idea of a planted tank so I will probly end up with a community tank this time around,I'll get the pH down. I got some more glass today,might have to make a second tank sooner than I thought. I think it's got me this fish keeping and I don't have fish in my tank yet and looking at another tank.My wife won't be happy. Greg

Have been studying them just now and found that the Malawi are not to aggressive and like a very high pH. Bluetom,do you like your African better than your community tank? Is there more personality in one tank than the other? Greg

I really like the cichlids,I have been studying them a bit and found that they liked high pH and thought seriously about it.I will study them a bit more. Need to know do they get aggressive to their own species and see if they are compatible with any other fish (as they seem to be aggressive) to get a bit of a cross section of fish in the tank. Or buy some chems to get the pH down. I'll get the tank cycled and go from there. Let me know of any other fish that like high pH. Greg

I have finally got all the gear together and am ready to fill my tank. I have concerns with high pH in my tap water,it is well over 8(even tested it with 2 different kits). As I don't have direct access to rain water and having to do plenty of water changes while cycling is the best alternative to get the pH down with some chemicals? I don't really want to use chems but might have to. Maybe if I can fill it the first time with rain water it will stay down doing changes from my tap? Any advise greatly appreciated. Greg

Very true.Shall give it a go. Greg

It does have a lever that closes both water lines for maintanence,Idid try that to see if it slowed the flow,which it did.I don't know if it is meant for that aswell as closing the lines. I'll work it out. Greg