Search found 6108 matches

by RTR
Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:47 am
Forum: Giant Puffer Species
Topic: Fahaka questions
Replies: 47
Views: 7911

Re: Fahaka questions

Not to mention the fact that moving big fish is rarely fun.
by RTR
Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:37 am
Forum: General Discussion
Topic: dp and guppies
Replies: 3
Views: 751

Re: dp and guppies

+1 to eieo's comment - that covers the subject perfectly! They want and need to make sales, that is what they are there to do.
by RTR
Sun Aug 10, 2014 6:26 am
Forum: Hospital
Topic: Sick Figure 8 Save-ME
Replies: 29
Views: 4116

Re: Sick Figure 8 Save-ME

Please answer all the questions printed above. We need information on the tank to be able to help you and your fish.

Do you plan to move the Cichlid to another tank? What type and size is the Cichlid? They are not brackish water fish.
by RTR
Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:35 am
Forum: Freshwater Puffers
Topic: Is my tank DP ready?
Replies: 10
Views: 1471

Re: Is my tank DP ready?

But squeaky-clean and/or diatomed tanks don't have infusoria for newly hatched fry. In theory the DPs don't need such, but some infusoria is a safety net.
by RTR
Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:26 am
Forum: Freshwater Puffers
Topic: DP tank size/stocking?
Replies: 7
Views: 1465

Re: DP tank size/stocking?

Huge +1 to Pufferpunk's comments. My DP tanks were quite densely planted - mine bred in dense thickets of stem plants with Java Moss tangled in it- that was always the male's chosen site. With a dozen fish even in a 30/33XL, you could have dead fish rotting in the dense plantings w/o being able to s...
by RTR
Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:04 am
Forum: Brackish Tanks
Topic: DIY decor?
Replies: 9
Views: 2401

Re: DIY decor?

My only tank epoxy use has been w/Two Little Fishies epoxies. I use the grey in FW and BW and SW for rockwork. If the pieces are heavy, make the cave/refuge in sections so the unit weight is lower - you don't want to have to handle big heavy assemblies in glass tanks. You don't need to ask how I lea...
by RTR
Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:49 am
Forum: Brackish Puffers
Topic: HELP! new F8 coming tomorrow and water is BAD
Replies: 24
Views: 2900

Re: HELP! new F8 coming tomorrow and water is BAD

Bioballs should be rinsed in fish & bacteria safe water. Most of my sponges are mechanical filtration only, so tap water is fine. I do have duplicates for most, so I leave them beside the tank room sink to dry before re-use. I do prefer to keep biofiltration and particulate filtration separate. ...
by RTR
Sat Aug 09, 2014 8:51 am
Forum: Giant Puffer Species
Topic: Fahaka questions
Replies: 47
Views: 7911

Re: Fahaka questions

Fast growing largish fish such as Fahakas are relatively easily stunted. To avoid this I personally recommend moving such fish from their QT tank directly into their permanent home. You can ask owners of mature Fahakas what size their fish reached. Quite a number of years ago I did so and found that...
by RTR
Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:01 am
Forum: Brackish Puffers
Topic: HELP! new F8 coming tomorrow and water is BAD
Replies: 24
Views: 2900

Re: HELP! new F8 coming tomorrow and water is BAD

Huge +1 to Pufferpunk's comments above!!! I'll bet that I have sponges at least as old if not older than hers! High quality open-celled foams are (almost) forever! I do still have my original Eheim filter it has to be pushing 40 if not more. I can't run it any longer, as the impeller is worn out and...
by RTR
Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:22 am
Forum: Brackish Tanks
Topic: DIY decor?
Replies: 9
Views: 2401

Re: DIY decor?

Huge +1 to the above comments. I generally set tanks intending to last for at least 10 years. I current have at least one tank at ~30 years or a bit more (it moved to this house drained but still set). Some I get bored with before 10 years and re-do. Most often that is due to the set-up demanding to...
by RTR
Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:04 am
Forum: Freshwater Puffers
Topic: Is my tank DP ready?
Replies: 10
Views: 1471

Re: Is my tank DP ready?

It does look better! Cloudiness goes away as the filter pads age a bit. For post-in-tank work photos you can cheat if you know anyone with an old Diatom filter. Run that for a half hour to an hour and the tank becomes artificially squeaky clean. No real operating tank ever looks that good all the ti...
by RTR
Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:50 am
Forum: Freshwater Puffers
Topic: DP tank size/stocking?
Replies: 7
Views: 1465

Re: DP tank size/stocking?

+1 to Bertie's comments above. The idea of 8-12 DPs in a 20-lomg is madness! To me that is asking for massive pollution. The maximum I have ever done is 4 DPs (1 male and 3 female in a 33XL which was heavily planted and had feeding cones at each end and was quite densely planted. That was my standar...
by RTR
Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:46 pm
Forum: Brackish Tanks
Topic: DIY decor?
Replies: 9
Views: 2401

Re: DIY decor?

You are asking for a book, at least, more likely several books. Google on "rock aquarium decor" or some such and come back with more questions on set-ups you like...

Also look into "aquarium safe epoxy", which is pricey but very useful.
by RTR
Thu Aug 07, 2014 2:28 pm
Forum: Brackish Puffers
Topic: HELP! new F8 coming tomorrow and water is BAD
Replies: 24
Views: 2900

Re: HELP! new F8 coming tomorrow and water is BAD

Water changes are better and cheaper than carbon (aka GAC, granular activated carbon). Carbon is expensive and limited capacity, requires routine replacement. GAC replaces nothing used up in normal tank function, water changes replace all dpleated or used minerals in exactly the percentage changed -...
by RTR
Thu Aug 07, 2014 1:43 pm
Forum: Freshwater Puffers
Topic: Is my tank DP ready?
Replies: 10
Views: 1471

Re: Is my tank DP ready?

Is the filter cycled?

Personally, I would want more smallish plants (whether real or artificial). From what I can see of the pictures (I have poor vision) it looks like you have pretty long sight lines. I like really short sight lines for DPs. It helps keep the peace in my experience.