SpidersWeb

Thanks heaps Yeah I chose a pH of between 7 and 7.5 because most of the internet resources suggested 7-8 for the Firemouth. I know they'll be fine in whatever but just wanted to get it spot on and 7.5 seemed like a good pick, as its not too far from 7 so it wont bother anything else thats in there. Should clear up, by Proper pH I mean the product. Its a powder you add to the tank. On the back of the Proper pH 7.5 it says "not to use with aquarium plants" because its a phosphate buffer? But mainly just wanted to check to see if anybody was like 'omg no' haha so all good. I've been just adding it at the correct dosage to each bucket of water during my 20% water changes. Looks like I'll setup my existing tank for 7-7.5 then with a rock based aquascape, and setup a new tank for 6.5-7 soft with plants,driftwood etc. I got a pile of driftwood bits which I've boiled the tannin out of (well tried to, I need one of those big witches cauldrons). As for the green tinge, excellent, that sounds good. There is no wood in the tank yet, so I take it that means there is a high nitrate level, which would mean the tank is cycled? and if I added better UV lighting would the plants take advantage of this? I only have the Java moss, Java fern and the Amazon sword that I got off you in there at the moment. The Java Fern is having a field-day spreading around. Also whoops, I put this in the wrong forum I was meant to put it in Beginners Corner!

I've had fish for a long time, but this time I want to do everything properly, so I've got a lot of beginner type questions Can somebody recommend a good testing kit? pH ammonia hardness etc I have been using Proper pH 7.5, but I read I shouldn't be, so whats the situation with this? Also it hasn't been working, and I realised this might be due to the carbon I put in the filter?? What effects does driftwood have on an aquarium? lowers the pH?? Why do my fish think cheap flake food is fantabulous but cichlid pellets and tubiflex worms are the devil? Before my last water change my tank water had a slight green tinge, but there was no algae growing on anything, what does this say about the water? My tank is 288 litres, and I'm using a Jebo 810 900L/hr, would adding undergravel filtration be a beneficial accessory or a waste of time? Does anybody have a link or three to good information on Whiptail Catfish, and their water preferences? phew *think* thats it Fish are 5 Firemouths, 4 Convicts, and 2 Angels.

I'm really liking Stress Zyme, it really helped with the tank cycle. I'm making a habit of using it whenever water is added to the aquarium now. It may not contain the right bacteria, but it certainly did something good.

haha we've got a light blue '89. Its Helen's little baby. I've got a pair of old Starion Turbos My pride and joys when they work.

Cheers Alan On a bad note I've already lost one Firemouth this morning On a good note my girlfriend is going to let me use her dresser as a fish tank stand, which I did not expect! So looks like I'm in luck. Now its a case of whether to buy a new tank or fix the old one.

Ok, so I found a way to get my spare 4ft going again, and my convicts will be moved over so that my Firemouths can live in peace. I was planning to set it up this weekend, but I just realised I have one big problem... I have nothing to put it on. I could just buy a table, but have no way of getting it home We used to borrow a 4WD from a friend of my fathers, but we're out-staying our welcome with that, so its not an option this time, which leaves me with a two door Starion, and an even smaller two door MX5 which doesn't even have a roof to tie things too. So.... any ideas? Appearance isn't important, but time is Tank is 1200x400x400. Any help welcomed! Cheers, Jono

I stack my rocks, but I wont go higher than a single tier in levels. I make caves, but I dont go as far to make caves on top of caves. I just take care to make sure the rock is sturdy in place. Generally if a rock was to get knocked down (for some unknown reason), the speed is reduced by water resistant and the impact is spread across the substrate so its not really a problem. The rocks that could crack the glass at that height are so heavy they definately aren't going anywhere 8) I'm using river rocks this time, and they're a bit of a pain in the butt because they're mostly round making it harder to build cool structures. In my previous tanks I used to have rock slates (from some quarry in the Waikato) which were fantastic, and I'd stack those two-three tiers up with no worries. They were thin, strong, and more importantly flat I'd prefer real rocks over fake rocks anyday. Not only do they look better IMHO but the weight makes them harder to move, so if I build something, it stays built. If you find you need to use a glue to hold a rock in to place, then you need to find another rock or find somewhere else for it.

Perhaps leave him as he is for the moment, and take another photo like your one earlier in say about a week? Then compare the tail. This will identify if its fin rot, if its healing, or if someone is biting it. Some way of seperating him from the other fish such as a breeding trap would be a good idea if he gets worse. If he's got energy,eating, and not swimming sideways - then there is no need to move him yet. I'd say he was just a slow healer. If he was being nipped often, he would learn to avoid hanging his tail in front of the culprit. I've got 10 guppies in with 12 cichlids at the moment, and they've already learned what the 'look' is from the angels! (No guppies lost, or biten and they'll go home today)

What I do is mix hot/cold water in a bucket, until it feels the same temperature, I don't go so far as to use a thermomteter, but definately try to keep it as close as I can. Then I stir in some water conditioner, and then some Stress Zyme, add to tank, and repeat until its full again. Working and has worked for me in the past Also I run/ran my tanks in the 78-82 range which I was recommended years ago to do to reduce fungus/disease, not sure how true that is but I haven't had any problems since doing so. Good luck with the fishies!

Thanks Convicts seem to have laid eggs already! One pair is fanning a rock, I can't see the surface, but for the last 30 minutes at least one of them has been sideways the whole time, one leaves the other partner joins in. I know the challenge is getting them not to breed, but I only got them as random selections from Hutt Pets last Saturday, so can't be doing too bad of a job

Cheers Few more pics, http://www.starion.co.nz/images/fishpic/IMG_0833.jpg Firemouths and angel following 'Mr Food' http://www.starion.co.nz/images/fishpic/IMG_0834.jpg ditto http://www.starion.co.nz/images/fishpic/IMG_0835.jpg Guppies and Firemouths http://www.starion.co.nz/images/fishpic/IMG_0836.jpg 6 Firemouths + Convict Pair

Hey everyone, My name is Jonathan, or Jono for short, and am just getting back in to the hobby again. Finally got my tank setup properly, so thought I'd say hello and post a quick picture. Within about a week this forum has shown to be invaluable to me already. Big thanks to Blueandkim for lending me some guppies for tank cycling, and a big thanks to everyone who helped me track down my lovely Firemouths last weekend. The pictures below are of our new 4ft tank. On Monday the old 4 foot tank dropped its centre brace (bad design) and developed a nice front glass 'bow'. So we hurried the new one in to place, and it looks fab. The old one will be repaired, and setup at a later date. We have in the tank, 10 guppies, 2 angels, 4 convicts, and 6 Firemouths. Also found out as part of a present, my girlfriend has ordered me in two Gold Severums, which means two things, I had better return those guppies and I am gong to need to fix that old tank ASAP. Anywho, here it is:

Welcome! :bounce: