The Great White Hand

Hi, I have an AR980 to which I'm adding a Cf1200 filter (bought it waiting to fit), extensively planted I think (variety of swords, crypts, cambomba, anubias, java ferns on driftwood, java moss, dwarf saggitaria, pigmy chain sword, saurarus, straight and twisted vals, glassos, and some others) and moderately populated (Blue Ram pair, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 3 Corys (Peppered, Bandit and Sterbai), 1 Brstlenose, 1 Otto (waiting on another 2 or 3 and an SAE), 26 neons and 20 harlequins. I know the lights need replacing, so today I picked up 1 Arcadia 900mm, 30W, 7,500K CRI 1A ("Brighter Natural Light" is the name) today, is this a good choice?. I need to replace the other 30w 900mm and the 25 watter which is blue/purple. I would welcome your suggestions! I'm not ready for CO2 yet (I've been keeping fish for two months, first month 2-footer now the AR980) Warren mentioned "For fluro's, about the closest you'll get is colour 96 from Philips or Sylvania TLD96 series lamps" who has these in CHCH? Approx how much $? The Arcadia tube was $58. On another issue, people talk about the these wet/dry filters (ala AR980) slowing down over time as they mature, is there any truth in this? The powerheads don't allow you to adjust the flow do they? Regards, TGWH

Hi Hope someone can help? I can only imagine I got grit on one of my cleaning pads or magnets, because I've put some decent scratches on the inside of the tank (AR980). Any advice very welcome! Thanks to all the folk who provided advice on filtration for the AR980. I bought a Aqua One CF1200 to help out the wet/dry built-in system. It will provide a back-up in an emergency, will fit more with my intermediate plans for Discus and hopefully ameliorate my obsession with water clarity for a while. I now need to figure out how to put it in (instructions not that flash) with my wife not noticing (tank in the lounge, she would of course install with ease if she knew about it). Regards, TGWH

Hi, I though you might enjoy this! My daughters (4 3/4 and 2 and 3/4) have been getting into fish as much as their dad over the last couple of months and know their fishes pretty well. Anyway the vet comes to our house to treat the dog, sees a Blue Ram in the tank and asks the 2 3/4 old what her little fish's name is, expecting a "nemo" or whatever and gets a definite, microgeophagus ramairiz! Regards, TGWH

Hi Thank you for the advice, I appreciate the opportunity to run these issues by aquarists with your considerable experience. I know I'm only being impatient and the system will reach a happy equilibrium. I'll try and temper my impatience, not a good trait for a fishkeeper I imagine. Blue&Kim, "O for awesome", can't wait to show you pictures of my set-up! Regards, TGWH

Hi Gannet Seeing your setup has helped me reach a decision I've just been looking at an Aqua One canister filter on TM, as long as it comes with all the hoses, etc. , I'm going to buy it. Please advise on setup in an AR980, any tips? Regards, TGWH

Hi, Thanks for the advice, I think I'll persist with the current set up, make sure I keep the maintenance up and play around with some diffrent media in the intake in best TGWH fashion. B&K, do you find the water coming out of the filter stirs things up abit? I'd love to have Discus in the next year or so (If I can wait that long!) I think I might go down the external line when I make that decision. Regards TGWH

Hi, I would appreciate your comments. I have an AR980 which has been set up for about four weeks. It is extensively planted (variety of swords, crypts, cambomba, anubias, java ferns on driftwood, java moss, dwarf saggitaria, pigmy chain sword, saurarus, straight and twisted vals, glassos, and some others) and moderately populated (Blue Ram pair, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 3 Corys, 1 Brstlenose, 1 Otto, 26 neons and 20 harlequins. I am currently running the AR980 filter and a Fluval 2 plus from my previous "two footer". The water chemistry appears good (0 ammonia, 0 nitrites, Ph 7, low nitrates and phosphates). The water in the "two footer" was crystal, but the water in the new tank has got little flecks like bubbles and seems brown/orangey (I believe tannins from a big bit of bogwood). I do 20% water changes twice a week, use aqua plus to condition water, add "cycle" every second day and am using Flourish and Flourish excel for the plants I would welcome comment from other AR980 owners or those familar with this type of set-up. Are these AR internal filters adequate? Mine is set up as per instructions, how can there effectiveness be optimised? Should I consider a canister to go with the built-in filter or be a little more patient? Thank you in anticipation! TGWH

Hello to all FNZAS members Firstly, I'm delighted to have found your site and gained access to this great community of fishkeepers. I've gained the benefit of your expertise and experience as a guest on this site and had the pleasure of dealing with some of you on Trademe. I bought a "two footer" on TM about a two months ago for the kids (Yeah right!) got it set up nicely, then a month ago, couldn't resist a 215ltr AR980 on TM. My wife layed down the law and said the AR980 had to go (a mate and the underbidder from TM were keen to take it off my hands at a tidy profit). there was no way it was leaving this house though! However, I did have to break my "two footer's" light in order to keep it. The fish and plants were going to die without the light s from the AR980, weren't they! I have the AR980, extensively planted (variety of swords, crypts, cambomba, anubias, java ferns on driftwood, java moss, dwarf saggitaria, pigmy chain sword, saurarus, straight and twisted vals, glassos, and some others) and moderately populated (Blue Ram pair, 1 Dwarf Gourami, 3 Corys (Peppered, Bandit and Sterbai), 1 Brstlenose, 1 Otto (waiting on another 2 or 3 and an SAE), 26 neons and 20 harlequins. I am currently running the AR980 filter and the Fluval 2 plus from the "two footer" until I'm happy with the water clarity (chemistry is just right). the water in the "two footer" was crystal, but the new tank hasn't got there yet, I might have to look at a canister to go with the built-in filter. I would welcome comment from other AR980 owners or those familar with set-up. The story of my username is as follows and is probably not uncommon. It is because I've always got the forementioned "GWH" in the tank or playing with the filter, etc. Family and friends are always assuming the role of fish and saying "Oh no here comes the GWH again" and the like. John from Organism keeps telling me to "keep my hands out of the tank" and "chill out". On TM I'm Arnold500, as I used to bench press over 500lbs, but I might go fishy there as well. The Great White Hand (aka Arnold500)