nickyboi

Awesome guys thanks for that, im aware that the tank usually goes cloudy when setup or cleaned, as ive had a tank for a few months now, however this is all new gear (some rocks and plants etc from old tank) and its STILL cloudy, I was only really concerned as I knew why it was cloudy (I didnt clean the gravel properly) and was wondering what i could do, heaps of good ideas. Monaro, dont stress matey, i appr your input, thanks i just thought id bring up the topic of CYCLE as you had advised, and what i'd heard about it...was hoping for some more opinions as opposed to who asked what. Just after info... Thanks guys

wow awesome info dude, thanks! so I can just use frozen shrimp from the super market?

I was told NOT to use cycle because of multiple reasons , I used it in my last tank and it seemed fine...any ideas? check this anyway http://honors.montana.edu/~weif/firstta ... eria.phtml http://honors.montana.edu/~weif/firsttank/cycle.phtml "I recommend against using a bacteria booster or any kind of chemical when cycling your tank. These tend to leave you with a less stable tank in the long run. A tank cycled slowly and carefully with a few fish will usually cycle in four to eight weeks. A tank cycled with a bacteria booster or chemical supplements will take between two days and eight months to cycle, usually completing the cycle at about eight weeks, and these tanks usually do not stabilize for about six months after the last treatment. Do not use these products if you want a stable, easy to care for tank. If you are just thinking about getting your first aquarium, you might want to start with some simple steps to a successful aquarium."

Whats the best food and conditions to ensure my fish show their brightest prettiest colours, im currently feeding them tetra flakes and spirilina flakes, however over the last few weeks the kenyi have started to "dull" a little and a couple loosing stripes, however by some of the orange tinge starting to show on them im guessing they are the males and starting to change colour?

Thanks guys! good info, off to the pet shop later

Just setup the 4 footer! FUN! love the new canister filter, however my mate and I were trying to figure out how much was REALLY coming out, its supposed to be 1200L/ph however we measured about 750-900L/ph, everything seems fine, no air bubbles, no kinks in hosing and the o rings should be ok...weird Also I dont think I cleaned some of the new gravel enough and after 12 hours the water is still rather cloudy, will this dust eventually disappear or be filtered away, or should I start all over again?

Def not colourblind (as far as I know lol) I just cant seem to pinpoint an exact colour on the chart to match with the result- Im guessing its between the 20-35ppm reading for the nitrate and realise even with the weekly 1/3 water changes its obviously the size of the tank thats affecting the levels, its 70L with 8 hungry and poopin cichlids so I guess the new tank (260L) with the new canister filter (1200l/ph) should do the trick once its cycled. Should I add the old water from the 70L to the new tanks water to assist in the cycle or is that a no no???

I have recently purchased a freshwater master test kit, with all the tests however I find some of the tests esp the nitrate test hard to judge, I mean I match it up to the colour chart against the white area and in a well lit area but it is difficult to get a spot on comparision and im finding im having to estimate between two to three of the colours. Excuse my ignorance but seeing as $$$ arnt really going to be an issue here, are there easier tests, such as digital/electronic tests I can use?

nobody know or have any idea?

thanks matey, i already have the 200W so was wondering if i would get away with it or if i needed another one.... hopefully it will do.

Hey all, Does anybody know if a 200W heater would be enough to keep a 260L tank at the right temp?

Sometimes my Kenyi will stop swimming for a second and have a little shiver/jiggle then be on their way again, it cracks me up every time, yet also worries me. Is it something to be worried about or get fixed?

I have white and cream coloured pebbles/gravel between 5 to 10 mm, and currently have 6 kenyi and 2 elec yellows. In the new tank im setting up I have added a pack of oyster shell as ive been told this assists in the pH levels. They seem to like the current gravel and the yellows like to move it around and burrow, however I have read mixed reports about what is the favoured substrate for these kind of fish. I also plan on a couple dif kinds of cichlids too and wish to breed some. Got any ideas or suggestions in regards to the substrate? Cheers

hahaha I can feel it in my bones matey, no plans on selling the 70L! cheers mate

Im new here, and to fishkeeping, currently have 6 Kenyi and 2 Elec yellows and have had them for about 2 months, all doing very well and the little kenyi really are growing! I have recently purchased a 4ft tank, (approx 260L) and built the cabinet for it in the weekend and pickin up a canister filter tommorow! other than that have everything ready to go!!! Cant wait for the transfer from the 70L! I hope to get some photos up soon for ya'll to look at and look forward to sharing info, however will prob be picking your brains more so! And look forward to buying a few new cichlids for the family. Catch you all in the forums 8)