Search found 278 matches

by coldmachineUK
Thu Aug 27, 2009 5:15 am
Forum: Hospital
Topic: Mbu Puffer Breathing Very Rapidly...
Replies: 58
Views: 5459

Re: Mbu Puffer Breathing Very Rapidly...

Well I just read this topic after a few days away and I'm trying to catch up. I read it all in one go, which I think sometimes gives a bit of perspective since there's no involvement in the heat of the moment. Basically it boils down to two things: 1. When a fish is sick we, as it's owner, can get p...
by coldmachineUK
Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:50 am
Forum: Marine Puffers
Topic: Emergency possible TTX poisoning Help Required!!!!!
Replies: 41
Views: 2168

Re: Emergency possible TTX poisoning Help Required!!!!!

I don't think tasting tank water is either a good measurement of water quality, or a good idea period. You can pick up all sorts, including legionnaire's disease ( source ). I suggest an API water test kit is sufficient; of course, PP's sig says it all: the solution to pollution is dilution! Water c...
by coldmachineUK
Wed Aug 19, 2009 3:32 am
Forum: Freshwater Tanks
Topic: List of freshwater fishes to avoid for beginners
Replies: 90
Views: 29039

Re: List of freshwater fishes to avoid for beginners

CAEs dont grow to 2' in length - even Fishbase, which tends to note larger lengths based on those recorded in the wild, has it down as just under 1' (11" specifically). I agree with your addition of the false eels which are seen in the hobby: fire eels, especially, are very picky eaters and are...
by coldmachineUK
Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:59 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: How to not feed puffers lol!
Replies: 22
Views: 1573

Re: How to not feed puffers lol!

Oh, that made me laugh! I watched without the sound and thought "oh surely there's a scream in there somewhere" and turned the sound back on; I wasn't disappointed! :lol: Seachem sells a garlic liquid which can be used to soak food, and the 'vitamins' that people talk about are most likely...
by coldmachineUK
Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:51 am
Forum: Brackish Tanks
Topic: Should I or Not?
Replies: 19
Views: 1066

Re: Should I or Not?

I don't think a 30G is big enough for a dragon goby, personally. I believe they can grow to ~15". How long is the tank? I'm guessing only ~2.5' is that correct? An F8 and a dragon goby should get along okay; I think PP has experience with that. Not so sure about the guppies though - I'd have th...
by coldmachineUK
Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:14 pm
Forum: Brackish Tanks
Topic: Should I or Not?
Replies: 19
Views: 1066

Re: Should I or Not?

I have two in my 53G Brackish with two Knight Gobies; one is larger (fatter) than the other. They play at feeding time (chase each other, but it's clearly all a game and the fat one teases the smaller one by spitting food at it). No bullying. Not sure about a 30G though. I wouldn't think it would be...
by coldmachineUK
Sun Aug 09, 2009 2:34 pm
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: Nitrates - Odd?
Replies: 7
Views: 455

Re: Nitrates - Odd?

Strip tests are known for lacking the accuracy of proper bottled tests. Sometimes high nitrate levels are unavoidable depending on your local tap water; your 30% weekly water change schedule sounds fine though so it should keep things down if not at '0'.
by coldmachineUK
Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:31 pm
Forum: Hospital
Topic: Sick Puffers
Replies: 15
Views: 1251

Re: Sick Puffers

Okay, follow the advice in the Emergency Cycling article, and do as I say with the refractometer and the marine salt. Marine salt raises water salinity, buffers the pH and contains many helpful minerals which benefit your fish. Aquarium salt is just a tonic salt, sometimes used in the treatment of i...
by coldmachineUK
Thu Jul 30, 2009 1:08 pm
Forum: Hospital
Topic: Sick Puffers
Replies: 15
Views: 1251

Re: Sick Puffers

Absolutely do not soak food in clove oil. It's garlic you need to be soaking it in. Clove oil has an anaesthetic effect and is used when we trim puffer teeth. Again, do NOT soak food in clove oil. 1. Adding aquarium salt is no good - you need to bring them up to brackish water using marine salt - th...
by coldmachineUK
Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:11 am
Forum: Hospital
Topic: F8 dentistry, anybody know if this is safe?
Replies: 22
Views: 1045

Re: F8 dentistry, anybody know if this is safe?

I think it'd be dependent upon customs at both ends - might pass through US but then fall foul of the overly exuberant British customs. Despite having no exceptions from Community Law, British Customs and Excise (now the UK Border Agency, I think) keep harassing legal cross-border shoppers bringing ...
by coldmachineUK
Thu Jul 30, 2009 8:06 am
Forum: Hospital
Topic: F8 dentistry, anybody know if this is safe?
Replies: 22
Views: 1045

Re: F8 dentistry, anybody know if this is safe?

Is there any chance I could buy some off you BFF, down the line? I'm struggling to get hold of MS222 for the same reasons, and have one surviving SAP - the other two I lost to clove oil, so I'm really keen on avoiding using it again.
by coldmachineUK
Mon Jul 27, 2009 6:46 pm
Forum: Hospital
Topic: Pirate is Dead - Help me prevent more- what is wrong?
Replies: 15
Views: 756

Re: Pirate is Dead - Help me prevent more- what is wrong?

Where did the deworming come in as a necessity? I don't see that to be the definite cause of your loss here - you have an ammonia spike at 0.25 following a period of 24 hours without a working biofilter. Seems like that may have been the cause; at least, the last straw for a stressed puffer. It's no...
by coldmachineUK
Sun Jul 26, 2009 9:51 pm
Forum: Hospital
Topic: Pirate is Dead - Help me prevent more- what is wrong?
Replies: 15
Views: 756

Re: Pirate is Dead - Help me prevent more- what is wrong?

Sorry to hear about your loss :( The other recently change is that my filter was off for over 24 hours. I think that may well have been a contributing factor; the beneficial bacteria begin to die off after a couple of hours without aeration (i.e. water circulation), from what I recall. So, an entire...
by coldmachineUK
Sun Jul 26, 2009 6:31 pm
Forum: Freshwater Tanks
Topic: List of freshwater fishes to avoid for beginners
Replies: 90
Views: 29039

Re: List of freshwater fishes to avoid for beginners

16) River/hillstream loaches: highly sensitive to water params, require cooler water temperatures and fast-flowing current which can be difficult to provide, and feeding requirements can be complex.