SpidersWeb Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Can somebody recommend a good testing kit? pH ammonia hardness etc I have a spare Freshwater Master Test Kit here RRP$50 used a couple times that you can have for $30 (avg TradeMe price 'used') - no hardness test tho. Ended up with 3 of them over the years and I'm not one to test water unless something is SERIOUSLY wrong. I have been using Proper pH 7.5, but I read I shouldn't be, so whats the situation with this? Who said you shouldn't be? Everyone has an opinion and if you're keeping fish that like a high pH that's fine. Keep in mind your firenouths are a South American cichlid so will prefer pH >7 Also it hasn't been working, and I realised this might be due to the carbon I put in the filter?? Carbon shouldn't have any affect on your pH at all. Be sure and toss or replace after 6 months tho. What effects does driftwood have on an aquarium? lowers the pH?? Driftwood releases tannins that turn the water a browny colour and lowers the pH. Why do my fish think cheap flake food is fantabulous but cichlid pellets and tubiflex worms are the devil? They've probably been accustomed to flake and you can try fasting them for a day or two and then introducing the new food to get them to switch over. 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? Brown/green could be due to driftwood. Green water means that you have lots of nutrients and light but no plants - basically a water-borne algae bloom. This can be combated with a UV sterilizer if need be. 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? There's no such thing as too much filtration, but adding a undergravel filter to an established tank is a bit of a pain. I'd say it's not worth the effort. Does anybody have a link or three to good information on Whiptail Catfish, and their water preferences? Planetcatfish has suprisingly little info. Jake (CatBrat) recently bred tham so I'd have a chat with him. As they are harvested from Peru you're looking at warm soft water. I reckon 25-28 and ph of 6-7. Fish are 5 Firemouths, 4 Convicts, and 2 Angels. Warm soft water - all of them. No reason to have a pH over 7. HTH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted May 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 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. In the aquarium, T. meeki prefers a pH of 7.5-8.5 and a neutral to slightly hard GH 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 If you boil driftwood, does it still release tannins? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted May 16, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 If you boil driftwood, does it still release tannins? When you boil it, all the tannins come out, so I dont think there would be much more to release although I imagine I didn't get it 100% all out. Also changes the colour of the wood, goes to a much more whiteish colour. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caper Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 Just did a quick check and 4 out of 5 websites tell me that Firemouths indeed prefer a pH of 6.6-7 but can tolerate pH up to 8.5... also should be noted that these fish come from many different biotopes but mainly rivers - muddy or clear. So mineral-rich water is unlikely in the wild. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted May 16, 2006 Report Share Posted May 16, 2006 i dont like using the ph up and down stuff because it often doesnt correct your problems and it will swing back to normal. are you trying to harden or soften your water? you say its a phosphate buffer? what does that do? high phosphates encourage algae growth if i remember rightly. when people have algae probs they often check phosphate levels. i reccomend the aquarium pharm test kits, really easy to use. i wouldnt use carbon at all, it has a very short life (like a sponge, it will absorb what it can then leach stuff back into the tank). ive read it can last anywhere from a day to a month but a healthy tank shouldnt need it. it will often mask smells etc that you would want to correct. good for a short term fix. i agree with blue bout not bothering bout the UG filter, youll have to tear the tank apart and adding another canister/internal/hob will do a much better turnover. most fish are very tolerant in their ph, as long as its stable (can test if its stable by checking your KH) they shouldnt have a prob. keep it in the general fish keeping range and you should be all go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Just did a quick check and 4 out of 5 websites tell me that Firemouths indeed prefer a pH of 6.6-7 but can tolerate pH up to 8.5... also should be noted that these fish come from many different biotopes but mainly rivers - muddy or clear. So mineral-rich water is unlikely in the wild. hmm I found the opposite, but I've seen 6.6-7 before. I guess the varying opinnions suggest they do fine in basically anything, and that I should just leave it alone. What comes out of our taps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Every suburb around here is a bit different. Best to get a kit and test the tap water yourself. As I said, I have spare Master Test Kit. Better to get mates rates than pay retail. I'm pretty sure they're still $70 in LFSes but that could have dropped to $50 by now. I know when I bought mine I had a hard time getting it for $50 so I ordered off TradeMe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 Sounds good Have to wait until I get paid though. I'm at the 'collecting up silver coin' stage in my finances. You selling those lights too, or keeping them for a rainy day? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Faran Posted May 17, 2006 Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 I have a bunch of 3 foot double tube hoods and a 5ft single hood but nothing in 4ft unless I strip down my old wooden hood for parts and they're honestly kinda rusty and just I-bars rather than light hoods... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpidersWeb Posted May 17, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2006 I'm currently using a 30W 3ft single tube that sits on the tank. So anything is an upgrade. Pop me a price for a 3ft double If the price is good it'll work out well. I want to put more money towards a new tank and filter. Oh and thanks sharn for the reply earlier I'm not sure how Proper pH works, just looked like a wonder cure that'd make my life easy, and just from that I should have known not to bother with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sharn Posted May 18, 2006 Report Share Posted May 18, 2006 oh man it would be a miracle if they did work safely! i would really love to find a kh increase that doesnt increase ph... seems there isnt really much i can do that is still safe and easy to use. i was just wondering what they meant by 'phosphate buffer', wondering what exactly was in it... anyone have any clues? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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