The Puffer Forum

Tim wrote:

defool89 wrote:Okay live progress. I'm about to add the fresh water and s bunch of plants. Its surprisingly entertaining to do this while listening to heavy metal.

That's an interesting aquarium background

That's a Salvador Dali poster I couldn't settle for normal aquarium backgrounds thnx

Ph 6.8
Amonia 0
Nitrate no2 =0
No3 = 5
Phosphate 10

I also just changed my filter foam and got some phosgaurd to catch the phosphates as it circulates through the filter

Does your filter still have most of the old media in it? If not you could be in for a whole world of trouble aka tank cycle/ mini cycle

defool89 wrote:

Tim wrote:

defool89 wrote:Okay live progress. I'm about to add the fresh water and s bunch of plants. Its surprisingly entertaining to do this while listening to heavy metal.

That's an interesting aquarium background

That's a Salvador Dali poster I couldn't settle for normal aquarium backgrounds thnx

Perhaps you would like a 3d background like these

http://www.designsbynature.net/products ... xe-3d-bgs/

Are those actually 3D or just look that way?

Pufferpunk wrote:Are those actually 3D or just look that way?

I believe so, when you click on one it gives you the dimensions l,w,h. I believe most of them are panels that you put together. Or I think you can get some made to fit the tank.

He are completed tank pis..
http://www.designsbynature.net/2010/01/ ... em-coming/

I will check that out thanks. I'm crossing my fingers on a 3d goth gargoyles, demin or warlock display hehehe...well Bertie i belive i should still be okay. I left my carbon pack and the white pebble filter in there. The foam filter needs to be cleaned once a month and changed once every two months per the boxs directions. I should be okay. ..

So my problem seems phosphates. Its not extremely high but its up there.. but wuat caused the increased phosphates? Maybe a bad tank light?

I only change foam pads when they start to fall apart, if kept clean there is no need to discard until then

defool89 wrote:Ph 6.8
Amonia 0
Nitrate no2 =0
No3 = 5
Phosphate 10

I also just changed my filter foam and got some phosgaurd to catch the phosphates as it circulates through the filter

That ph seems a little low. Wouldn't the ph be better being closer to 8?

That particular part of the filter was pretty bad. 8 seems a bit high although i agree 6.8 is a bit low

My FW tanks are 7.8-8.0 ph while my BW and SW tanks are 8.0-8.4 ph. I had remembered reading that puffers prefer a ph of 8.

Whoops forgot you have a FW tank with a Fahaka. A ph of 7.2-7.8 is ideal.

The foam filter needs to be cleaned once a month and changed once every two months per the boxs directions.

LOL, great way for them to sell lots & lots of sponge filters! I have some that are >20 years old...

What's the pH of your tap water?

Many to most commercial algacides have a slim to very slim margin of safety, beyound which the may kill inverts, fish, etc. Take all package instructions with a grain of salt. That meams don't believe them. Human drughs have to jump through all sorts of legal hoops on disclosures and warnings. Meds sold in hobby stores for fish and other pets have no such legal requirements in labelling. Believing them is hazardous to your pets.

Seachem's Excel is, as already said, not an algacide. It is not labeled as such and company makes no claims on that point. The fcat that it does kill certain algae with higher-than-normal dosaes is not a corporate claiom from the makers. I agree that normal doses will not hurt a moss ball, but direct undiluted exposure will definitely do damage.

There are filters on the market which use ditom powder as filter bed. These can filter doen to sub-nicron levels and can extract single-celled algae fron aquarium water quickly. They are quite effective in my experience and I use the frequrntly. They tend to be a PITA to use, but do the job. Theu do not affect the water chemistry, partial water changes are still required. "Patrials" - short for "partial water changes"

Partial water changes are IMHO & IME absolutely required, period. If you cannot change, you need to at least test. If you can't do either, you have the wrong hobby. Live pets require care beyond simple feeding, and on a regular and rotine basis.

HTH

While I've only been doing this for about 10 years I have yet to need to change a sponge out. Floss yes, sponges no. To clean the sponges I just rinse them in old tank water and put them back in the filter.