Recent content by chris1004

Hi, It is possible to repair the leaking filter head quite easily. Usually the problem lies with either the hose end connectors themselves or the hose connection unit. If its the hose end connectors you'll usually see water on top of the filter housing itself and the best course of action is...

Hi, When it comes to wood and pleco's they don't just suck on it they actually need it as part of there diet. This can be introduced via specially formulated tablets with a high wood content in them such as the pleco tabs form JBL or by ensuring there is sufficient wood available in the tank of...

Hi, Definitely Purigen last in the filter. I tried tights once for Purigen and the stuff leached through the holes so I wouldn't recommend there use, last thing you want in the water column is thousands of tiny plastic beads. I know they are expensive (£10 or therabouts) but the actual 'bag'...

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Hi Clive and Darrel, I appreciate your in depth replies and it goes a long way to setting my mind at rest. I'll admit that a lot of the chemistry goes straight over my head but your explanations are perfectly understandable. Thanks. Chris.

Be aware when buying your filter bag that many will not stand up to being soaked in bleach and will not have a fine enough mesh grade suitable for use with Purigen.

Hi, Not sure I entirely agree with that sweeping statement mate. Anyhow moving on its actually this little gem I'd like more info about. I've often heard that buffers are harmful but haven't yet really heard a good reason why (not one that's satisfied my curiosity anyway). Please can you...

Wrong. Although its not chemical filtration in the strictest sense of the word it behaves much more in this manner than as mechanical filtration. Basically it strips the water of ammonia and nitrite. The more ammonia in your water the shorter it'll last between regenerations.i.e. its very...

Ditto Dan's sentiments. I'll be modifying my working practices with this in mind from now on. Thanks guys for the useful info. Regards, Chris.

Hi Andy, :oops: :oops: I use PTFE tape on anything and everything. Never had a problem and it has helped me out of a jam on more than one occasion. My regulator has taped threads at every connection and its never leaked. That doesn't mean its right though. I'm just a DIYer with no formal...

Hi all , Thanks for saving me a stack of cash. I was just about to replace a pair of Dennerle T5 tubes that are just over a year old and would cost in the region of £50 to replace. I can hear Clive laughing already :) .But I do like the colour that they give off. Maybe they'll be good for...

Hi, Just been looking for some info on fluorescent tube life span and came across this informative post. Most common advice (manufacturers and the MATRIX spring straight to mind) is that you should change tubes every year but looking at the above graph I'm wondering if this is this really...

Hi, OK I'll try at the weekend but I've never posted a pic up on this forum before (or any other forum) and I only have my camara phone to take them with. That coupled with the fact that I'm technically inept when it comes to PC's could take me a while but I'll see what I can do. Regards, Chris.

How very dare you!!!!!! :wink: :wink: :) I love my SAE's. I now have two, a baby 2" 'vixen' and a fully grown 8" inch fella originally named by my loving wife as 'foxy'. I've never yet managed to grow any kind of moss with Foxy in the tank and have completely removed him/her from my planted...

Hi, There's a recipe for algae if ever I saw one.... Regards, Chris.