SNOWKIWI

I dont have more than one thermometer on each tank, but have experimented with a digital one that I have on one of my tanks. I moved the sensor around to different places in the tank, and got slightly different readings at each place. I assumed it was to do with the positioning of the heater, and the filter pump inlet and outlet. It wasn't too much different, so I wasn't too worried. I guess you get a bit of thermal layering as the water when heated will move upwards, and as the water cools it moves downward to the bottom of the tank. Also, there is a difference in reading between the digital one and the fixed one that I have.

I have a reasonable sized conservatory that is accessed through a ranch slider from my lounge. The conservatory is glass on three sides, but has the ceiling area covered in, it is West facing. I don't use the area very much, and was contemplating using it as a fish room. I was wondering if any one else has set up tanks in this type of area, and what problems they encountered, if any. Just thinking about it at this stage, as I will have to run electricity etc to this area.

Hi hannick, I dont have a Jebo r331, but I have checked out the hood filter and other filters on my tanks. The filter cartridge with the fine filter material is at the top, under that is the course sponge, and under that are the ceramic noodles. Regardless of the type of filter, they all appear to have the water going through the fine filter material before it goes through the course sponge. One of the internal pumps has the sponge and the noodles in two separate containers sitting side by side, the same applies, the water passes through the sponge before passing through the noodles. Thinking about it, I guess the reason would be that you dont get any relatively large particles sitting on the noodles, allowing the surface area of the noodles, where the bacteria grow, to work as effectively as possible, without becoming clogged with rubbish. Hope this is of some help.

Hi tee-em, We use a similar product made by Loctite on all our cold threaded joints, for a particular oil company. This is because they are under the impression that thread taped joints allow bits of thread tape to enter the linework and get caught in the filters. We have not noticed this happening at all, and thread taped joints, especially on low pressure systems, in my humble opinion, are probably all you need, as long as you put the thread tape on in the right direction, lap the turns of tape by about 50%, and don't put too much or too little on the threads. Not sure about the Oatey brand or other brands of liquid thread sealer for that matter, as being safe to use, as you may get the hydrocarbon oils or other components leeching out and contaminating your water. Hemp is o.k. but more difficult to apply and is generally used in the trades on parrallel threads rather than tapered threads. So I guess its really your call, whatever you feel is the safest option.

Hi tee-em, Are you contemplating using Teflon thread tape, of the wrap around type or, as I suspect a Teflon based, liquid compound, and if so what brand.

The best thing to do would be to talk to an Electrician, if you know any! otherwise ring someone local and get them to have a look at the proposed installation and make some suggestions as to the best way to go about it. You may need to run a sub-main from your existing switchboard, or an extra circuit or two from your existing switchboard to the "fish room". More than one circuit would be preferable, so that should a circuit breaker or fuse operate you will not lose power to all your tanks, also keeping any heating circuits on their own is a good idea for the same reason.

One of the plastic hinges on my tank lid has broken, can anyone help me with a supplier that can sell me another hinge.

Thanks for the warm welcome, some answers to your questions: 1) I like to have community tanks, but recently am changing things around a bit, i.e. All sex mad guppies in one tank! I have the following: Guppies, four types of tetra, Mollies, Angels, Penguins, Golden Algae eater, Flying Fox, Peppered corys, Male and Female Fighter, Green Algae eater, Red tailed shark, Swordies, Platys, High fin platys, and whatever else I may have missed! 2) My favourite Pet Shop is the Whangarei Aquarium Centre in Cameron Street. 3) A club in Whangarei would be a good idea, if we can get an idea of numbers in the area, people like Northland chic, might not want to travel from Mangonui though!

Hi bOi, So far as the warranty goes, the guy that organised the replacement (another dealer) asked about the lid containing light and pump/filter/heater. My choice was to hang on to the originals, that way I could use the old gear to reduce the cycling time of a new tank, i.e. using the old filter and noodles that were laced with bacteria, also if the other tanks were too heavily loaded, I was going to set up the pump/filter on a couple of blocks and use it to help share the load as it were. Anyhow, while at the second dealers, my missus saw a 60 litre octagonal tank that she liked the look of, and had the ideal place for, so brought it home, cleaned it removed the nice clean noodles, filled the filter with the old noodles, ten litres of old water, threw in a bit of food and let her run for 24 hours. No Nitrites, Nitrates at about 5, PH Sweet, Ammonia sweet, so introduced a couple of Platys and Swordies to see how things go. I will keep a close eye on daily tests for the next week, but all looks good. New tank will be here early next week, so we can start all over again! :lol:

Thanks Sharn, You have confirmed what I suspected! I bought the tank locally, but when I took it back, was yold that the warranty doesn't cover glass breakage, the dealer put me on to someone that would probably repair it for me. I went to see him, and he reckoned that it probably would be warranty, rang the rep, organised a replacement, which will be arriving next week. I didn't even buy the tank off him! so I was well impressed, so impressed, that I bought another tank off him, which is the one I have set up today, with the old "noodles", plants and stones out of the broken tank. I will leave it over night and see what all the test levels are like tomorrow, and depending on results, might move a few hardier varieties into their new home. Just looked at a website, and all the new tanks appear to be covered for glass breakage, well at least they are in the states!!! :lol:

Hi fellow fishkeepers, a terrible thing happened to me on my way to make my morning coffee! Turned the lights on, in my tanks, prior to giving the morning feed, and noticed that the water level on one of the tanks had mysteriously dropped by about 2". Upon closer inspection, I found a large diagonal crack on the rear glass going from corner to corner!!! Siphoned most of the water out and managed to save all the fish, by hurriedly transferring to other allready populated tanks. My question is, has any one else had a similar problem with this type of tank? The tank is only about 3 months old, and was sitting on a very solid base, so I am at a loss as to what may have caused this fracture. Because the other two tanks are somewhat overstocked now, can you help with suggestions as to frequency of water changes etc until I can get a new tank cycled, also have kept 10 litres of "old" water, stones, and plants, any ideas how long new tank will need to cycle if I use these when starting off, I am in a hurry to get the homeless fish into it, but don't want to lose any in the process? :oops:

Hi Sid, If you are going to use lighting supplied at mains voltage, I would suggest that you use an R.C.D. to supply the lights, then, if your lights get too damp or worse fall into the water, you and your fish will be safe from electric shock.

Hi all, Just a few words by way of introduction. I have recently revived an old hobby, which has developed into a bit of an obsession in the last few months, no prizes for guessing though, "Tropical Fish" Started with a small tank and a couple of guppies, and now have three community tanks, a fourth cycling as we speak, and an empty wallet! I have been perusing this sight for the last few weeks, and have been thoroughly impressed by the friendly and helpful attitude of the members. I hope to learn a great deal, as well as pass on anything of use that I have picked up from my dealings with a couple of professionals that I am acquainted with.