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  1. V

    Plant ID microsorum "apple"

    Microsorum pteropus "Philippine"
  2. V

    Plant ID microsorum "apple"

    I think there's a Philippine variety of the normal java fern. It looked similar but had hammered leaves
  3. V

    Gravel cleaner for deep tank

    I might try put something together with a powerhead and old syphon from a power gravel cleaner which will have a wider opening than an inlet grill. Unfortunately i'm converting my tank over to sand but hopefully the wider intake will be ok. thanks
  4. V

    Gravel cleaner for deep tank

    It's just easier on a larger tank rather than siphon into a bucket. I do a water change at the same time but its pumped from the filter outlet straight out the window.
  5. V

    Gravel cleaner for deep tank

    Will the jbl one return water to the tank? The one i've found (called 45-70) looks like it empties to a bucket. Do you have a link? Thanks
  6. V

    Gravel cleaner for deep tank

    ah ha, thanks. Appears i must have missed that one when looking earlier.:thumbup:
  7. V

    Gravel cleaner for deep tank

    Hi Guys, I'm looking for a gravel cleaner that would work in my tank which is 60cm deep, however i want it to return the water to the tank. Ideally i'd like one that is air powered but i can't seem to find one that is long enough. There's the power gravel filters (pgr2000) but if i can find...
  8. V

    Plant stems melting

    Great, thanks :( I think I'll need to look into a new diffuser. It's all just building up in the filter now
  9. V

    Plant stems melting

    Hi Guys, I'm having some trouble with some of the stems on my plants melting. I have a large leafed (unidentified) crypt and my red tiger lotus that are having the issues. Both are growing near to each other in the tank on the left side. The other crypts don't really seem to be affected...
  10. V

    450L Low Tech Aquarium

    Lighting is T8, 4x 40W
  11. V

    450L Low Tech Aquarium

    Sorry, haven't been received notifications on this. Here's a quick update. The tank is still up and running, hasn't changed much in the way of planting. I've had to remove the Echinodorus uruguayensis as it was too big for the tank unfortunately. It's been replaced with some crypt balansae...
  12. V

    Clean freak!

    I agree. On a tank that size an air driven one probably wouldn't work if it's deep. You can get a power gravel cleaner which is more like a hob filter. It'll hang on the side and return the water to the tank.
  13. V

    can I tell which of my taps is softened using a pH test?

    You should be able to taste the difference, just a small sip. Or maybe feel the difference. Soap in soft water will also lather up better, if it's possible to test that.
  14. V

    450L Low Tech Aquarium

    Thanks for the comments guys! Substrate is ADA amazonia although it'll be around 2 years since it went in. Not hoovering it out probably helps a bit, but as I live in the fens it wouldn't surprise me if the water is laden with nutrients too. I did have a shoal of glowlight danios that I thought...
  15. V

    450L Low Tech Aquarium

    I did use co2 for the first 6 months which helped the plants to get established. Lights are 2 tubes for 10 hours, 2 for 7 hours. Water changes are roughly 40% every 2-3 week's.
  16. V

    450L Low Tech Aquarium

    Tank has been going for just over a year now. 6 months with co2, rest without. Family complain there's too many plants so you can't see the fish, but perhaps that's because it's very lightly stocked. Danios are always hiding. Do you think Congo tetras would eat cherry shrimp? Perhaps i'll just...
  17. V

    450L Low Tech Aquarium

    Hi Guys, Been a while since i've done anything to the tank so it's slightly overgrown! Not sure what i want to do with the tank now, so looking for some ideas. Tank is a Rena 450, 5'x1.5'x2' Lighting - 4x40w T8 Filtration - Fluval 405 and Fluval Fx5 CO2 - none. Ferts - none Fish - Angel...
  18. V

    Solar roof panels

    I think one of the bigger down sides is that you have to make sure you're not planning to move anywhere in the next 20 or so years, so that they do pay off.
  19. V

    is this FE ok to use it's black (pictures Inc)

    I've used some of the black FE's in the past. They're the same fittings as the newer ones so you shouldn't have any problems there. However you won't be able to get the black ones refilled.
  20. V

    Planning for a 400l low tech tank

    I have a rena 450, great tanks :) I too wish they were a bit wider. Quite hard reaching the back of the tank though, hope you have an aquascaping tool kit? The angel fish will finish off all your cherries, they did mine. I just had a few left that had taken refuge in the filter. Amanos are...
  21. V

    Where to get CSM+B from?

    I've never seen it available in the UK before, only here in the US - http://www.aquariumfertilizer.com I got some of this years back and still using it, could do with some more though.
  22. V

    Aquascaping article on Daily Mail site

    Has anyone seen this? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... tions.html That's got to be some good promotion, shame that ukaps isn't mentioned.
  23. V

    Velcro strap to replace gaffa tape?

    I use a large hose clamp (larger version of this )
  24. V

    Where to get CO2 Cannisters and Refills

    Instagas Hamilton Way (off Nelson Way) Boston PE21 8TT Tel: (01205) 368622 Fax: (01205) 351807 Air Liquide supplier. Need to buy an Air Liquide cylinder (£88.25 for 6.35kg), but then refills are £13.50
  25. V

    CO2 Hose

    Hi Guys, I'm needing around 10m of CO2 hose, so looking at some cheaper options (ebay). Any ideas which is better - nylon or polyurethane ? Also looking into a cheap inline pressure gauge - anyone know of any? Thanks.
  26. V

    Options to extend CO2 hose

    Tank is 400l. I've asked the local BOC, they're charging £10 for 6kg + £5 a month rent, then £11 to collect it. Local Air products supplier works out at £25 for 6kg + £85 rent a year. Only place i could find to refill FE's is £20 a cylinder, hardly worth getting them refilled. So not...
  27. V

    Options to extend CO2 hose

    Hmm didn't consider that. Other hoses can take up to 20 bar, so it'd need some kind of regulator. It's looking like my best option is to have rather long CO2 tubing with the regulator on the cylinder. Annoying though, as i wont see the pressure often. :(
  28. V

    Options to extend CO2 hose

    Hi Guys, It's proving difficult to find a reasonably priced CO2 around here, so i'm considering using larger cylinders. However, rather than having the cylinder next to the tank i was wondering what my options for keeping it on the other side of the wall would be. It'd be in the outside shed...
  29. V

    Crypt Id

    Hi Guys, Could anyone id this crypt for me please? If i remember it should be c. becketti, but it's also looking very similar to the c. wendtii tropica that i have in the tank too. Thanks!
  30. V

    Can anyone recommend a co2 system for a 500 litre tank ?

    Check out reactors, they fit inline with the filters. Something like the aquamedic 1000 would be good on a tank this size.
  31. V

    DIY CO2 for a 5 litre Pico.. Is it worth it?

    Why not dose Flourish Excel or other liquid carbon ferts, rather than have a diffuser which would look huge in a tank that size?
  32. V

    Has anyone used this plant supplier?

    I have, plants were spot on :thumbup: As mentioned above, just be aware of the Friday cut-off and you should be fine.
  33. V

    Another one of my Hobbies - RC

    Ah yeah, good point :oops: Be careful that it doesn't go out of range too then :)
  34. V

    Another one of my Hobbies - RC

    I miss my tmaxx's. :( Had to sell them to fund the fish tank. I don't see a fail safe on it though, does it have one?
  35. V

    VGA / DVI Swicthbox

    Is it just the monitor you need switching? A lot of the time you'll also want keyboard / mouse switching too (KVM Switches). Some even do audio now! Take a look here to get some ideas - http://computers.shop.ebay.co.uk/KVM-Sw ... ml?_npmv=3
  36. V

    Can you recommend a cheap pump for water changes?

    i use maxijet for mine. Had it for years just for water changes and had no problems. Not quite cheap though, ~£23 for 1000lph. Will have to check if it will fit on a garden hose though. My hose is too short so i have a join in the middle (using a larger piece of pipe which leaks a bit :) )
  37. V

    Plant deficiency

    James' site has a section about plant deficiencies that may help http://www.theplantedtank.co.uk/deficiencies.htm
  38. V

    Be Plant Wise - Disposal of aquatic plants

    I received an order from Planted tanks this weekend, quite impressed that they actually included a leaflet about this Be Plant Wise campaign.
  39. V

    New Planted Tank Site

    Have to say I placed an order that was delayed because of the volcano from planted tanks. Order only came to roughly £10 as I wanted to see what the plants came like (great quality!), yet because of the delay due to the volcano Tony sent it by special delivery to arrive Saturday - costing over...
  40. V

    Heavy duty CO2 inline reactor

    Has anyone seen the new fittings sold separately? I've just emailed aquamedic to see if they do.
  41. V

    Heavy duty CO2 inline reactor

    Am 1000 doesn't have 17mm fitting unfortunately :( You'd need to use adapters. It's a shame they don't make them to fit larger hoses, they're really good otherwise.
  42. V

    JBL disposable bottles

    Halfords do some of these in their larger stores. They're with all the welding equipment.
  43. V

    CO2 Washers

    Hi Guys, Would someone be able to tell me the size of the washer that goes inside the FE please? Mine's rolled away in the garage somewhere so I need to order some more. I could measure up the diameter, but not sure about the thickness. Thanks!
  44. V

    Shopping list for a 400 litre tank

    I'd definitely go with a reactor on the tank. I have an Aquamedic 1000 on my 400l, does the job perfectly. Needs a good filter attached to it (and hoses need reducing to 12/16mm which is a downside). http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/AQUAMEDIC-AQUA-ME ... 720wt_1055
  45. V

    cryptocorynes... soo many... too many to choose from!

    How about Cryptocoryne willisii ?
  46. V

    removing water marks?

    hmm but then what about the smell afterwards? room must be smelling great :D
  47. V

    sticking extension blocks.

    I tried using these and tying it with cable ties. It got annoying after a while. Having secured it, i couldnt see the timers without sticking my head inside the cabinet - something you may want to consider if you glue it. These bases also fell off quite easily, perhaps i should have used more...
  48. V

    Plants for shrimp breeding tank

    I had some riccia floating in my shrimp tank, they were always hanging around on there.
  49. V

    CO2 reactor

    If you look at the picture in the post above, you can see a circle just below the hose tail. The tail comes undone at this point so that you can remove the media.
  50. V

    digital plug timers

    I'm having the same problem with these at the moment. At the time i bought them they were 2 for the price of 1, but now they're not so great. They're ok some of the time, but i have to keep resetting the time and timers. Not good when it's the one powering the solenoid that's the worst :x One...
  51. V

    CO2 reactor

    I had the same problem when i was looking. For a decent one on a tank of a similar size i was looking at around £70 after postage and conversion. Have a look around though: http://www.aquaticbiotope.co.uk/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=827 Never ordered from them and not sure if they have...
  52. V

    CO2 reactor

    Flow is still good, although i haven't checked it well enough to see how much it's been reduced. It's also flowing through an external heater too. I don't have to bleed it due to excess gas. It makes a small amount of noise when gas collects at the top, but not much now that i've got it setup...
  53. V

    CO2 reactor

    I'm using the aquamedic 1000 from Steve on a Rena Xp3. Works a treat! Very efficient, i'm only having to run 2-3 bps on a 450l tank. However, i've had to use hose reducers for it to fit in. The tails are just slightly smaller than a 16mm pipe. I thought i could get away with it by using jubliee...
  54. V

    Planting Aponogeton Madagascariensis

    Thanks Ed, didn't think of this as a rhizome. It was a bulb, so i buried my other one. Should i chop off the bottom leaf on the left then to plant it? It's pointing downwards as show in the picture. The main shoots are at a 90 degree angle to the other shoots :crazy:
  55. V

    Planting Aponogeton Madagascariensis

    I've recently purchased this plant, but no idea how i'm meant to plant it. It looks to have grown funny, but i don't want to bury the side shoots that appear to be growing from the bulb. The main plant is on the left end, yet there's 2 shoots growing at the top right. Any ideas how i can...
  56. V

    New Traces from Aqua Essentials

    Aww man, I was gearing up to place an order for CSM+B, now i'll have to work it all out again to see if it's worthwhile! Good new though :)
  57. V

    Aqua Medic replacement parts?

    Surely they shouldn't corrode - wouldn't that indicate it's getting water inside? Is it still under any warranty?
  58. V

    Achieving redish color in plants such a eleoharis and glosso

    Do you have a larger version of the first picture? i'm not sure if that is glosso along the front - it could be something like hc that's not fully carpeted and the red you can see is coming from the stone substrate?
  59. V

    Can you dose CO2 into a filter for ultimate absorbtion?

    You might also get a build-up of undissolved CO2 which gets expelled occasionally. It's no necessarily bad, but can be noisy. A bit like the air coming out when you prime the filter.
  60. V

    DIY CO2 Question

    Also make sure there's no leaks! How have you attached the airline to the coke bottle? I often found that the glue would work it's way loose from the lid after some time.
  61. V

    DIY CO2 Question

    Been a long while since i've made my own DIY CO2, but i remember never putting in a whole packet at once. If you was brewing something then you probably would use the whole thing, but for CO2 you don't need that much. It can also take a few hours to get started too. Just make sure none of the...
  62. V

    Boiling plants

    Sometimes if you stop giving the fish so much food it will mean there's less left over for the snails to eat, so slowly they will die off. Or you could try snail traps, or putting cucumber in for an hour or so, then removing when snails are on it.
  63. V

    FOF Iwagumi Challenge - POLL

    2 for me, i can't image the others looking good once planted. I like this idea of encouraging the public to take part - did many give it a go? Nice to see the different ideas people have using the same equipment too!
  64. V

    Diffuser for 450L tank

    Did the design of this one cause much disruption to the flow from the filter? I like it as i think it's easier to fit in the cabinet, although the other one LD posted wouldn't be too bad. I've seen a variation of this posted on Ebay.de which has a bubble counter attached to the side (their ebay...
  65. V

    Diffuser for 450L tank

    Thanks guys, I did mean reactor, but for some reason put diffuser in the title :( Someone pm'd the details of lunapet, which is the German shop i was looking for. Has anyone heard about / tried one of these...
  66. V

    Diffuser for 450L tank

    Hi Guys, I'm toying with the idea of adding CO2 to my 450L tank. I'm looking at getting a reactor to do this (guessing my rhinox 1000 won't be up to the job :D ). There used to be a place in Germany on ebay that would sell some (along with other CO2 equipment), but i can't find it. Does anyone...
  67. V

    Lighting on a 5ft tank

    Thanks Sam, i'll try the T8's for a bit, see what they're like. Just have to hope they are 36W each :) Mortis - what about using some kind of sealant / mastic around the end of the tube to seal it to the fixing. When it needs replacing it can be cut to free the tube. Again, not sure about the...
  68. V

    Lighting on a 5ft tank

    Hi guys, Thinking of getting a new tank and just trying to weigh up the lighting possibilities. Looking to get a 5ft tank, comes with 4x 36W T8. Now, on larger tanks they say the wpg rule doesn't work so well. So i'm wondering just how good this is. I'm not wanting any carpeting plants, but...
  69. V

    Using Stainless Mesh between substrates

    I've used substrate dividers before. The roots do grow through, but can be harder to pull out plants once they've grown through. Then there's also a problem of the divider working its way to the top - eventually it does come through. You can get some greenhouse shading at garden centres, it's...
  70. V

    Lily pipes, worth the money?

    That's going to be very difficult to clean at the spray end. Even harder to get out the pesky snail shells that end up blocking the holes!
  71. V

    Excel - Melting

    Hi Guys, I know excel melts vallis plants, but does anyone know if it has any effect on blyxa? Also, what's the suggested dosing, per day? Thanks
  72. V

    Diatoms Problems

    Anyone? :(
  73. V

    Hose Kinking - How to prevent it?

    Hi Guys, I have an external filter that is placed to the side of the tank (still below it). I find that the hose keeps kinking in certain places, so i was wondering if anyone had ideas on how to prevent this? thanks
  74. V

    Diatoms Problems

    Hi Guys, Really not sure what's going wrong with this tank, but it's still suffering from diatoms. The lighting was turned down to 1x24w for over a month. After that i turned 2 tubes on, but after a week im back with diatoms. Been battling with this since i posted the original thread. I've...
  75. V

    PFK Planted Tank Special - 19 pages

    WOW :shock: £3000 for that ADA setup at TGM ?? :shock: :shock: :shock:
  76. V

    oliver knott substrate

    The guide says to add a fertilized substrate first then lay this over the top, so i'm guessing it's not an all-in-one like AS? Have to say his photo on the packet is a bit cheesy :lol:
  77. V

    Google Malware

    We had something like this on a site i look after at work. The site had been infected with malware from an sql attack and google had blocked it.
  78. V

    Need some info on Luminaire materials

    Mine uses acrylic, although it's now got burn marks on it so i've had to replace it.
  79. V

    can you keep plants overnight

    I keep spare plants in a tub, light is only provided from the window nearby, water isnt heated and no ferts added. Just a simple bucket with water. I've had moss and plants in there for months. I dont see why you can't do that for new plants too. Floating in your tank may be a better option for...
  80. V

    Some sort of eggs maybe?

    I had the same thing all over my bogwood few years back, they were nerite eggs. Good luck with them, they're a real pain to get off. Won't come off with a light scrub!
  81. V

    Anyone want a DIY Reactor?

    I've actually been considering the same thing recently. I've not looked myself, but would be interested in anything that'd be suitable. It'd have to be cleaned regularly though i suppose.
  82. V

    DIY Project My DIY Reactor

    If you're getting a build up of gas at the top, why do you use a 'T' piece instead of a bend, like at the bottom ? I guess there must be a reason as all reactors i've seen have this.
  83. V

    Cost Sharing Sharing ADA products - Credit Crunch

    You could try using Power Sand Special. It already includes Bacter 100 and Clear Super.
  84. V

    Diatoms Problems

    Just to follow up on this, i've reduced by lighting to 1x24W all this week and it's made a huge difference. I havent cleaned it out yet, but there's nowhere near as much diatoms, so my ottos must have been feasting before it disappears :)
  85. V

    Garden Direct Trace Mix

    It says the iron is chelated by EDTA.
  86. V

    Garden Direct Trace Mix

    Having thought for a while, Magnesium is actually added as Epsom salts. I guess there's no need for me to dose epsom salts if i'm using this trace mix. Is the concentration of magnesium a problem though?
  87. V

    Garden Direct Trace Mix

    I've just been looking for different trace mixes and then thought to check what was in the one i was currently using. I've been using the garden direct trace mix for some time, which i thought contained high copper levels. However, after checking through some threads i think i've been using a...
  88. V

    Tropica TPN+ match using ammonium nitrate

    What about using ammonium phosphate? Would that be possible to use, rather than ammonium nitrate?
  89. V

    Tropica TPN+ match using ammonium nitrate

    Thanks James, Will it be possible to make this mix then? Is there another chemical that could be used that contains ammonium nitrate?
  90. V

    Tropica TPN+ match using ammonium nitrate

    Just wondering, does anyone know of a source of ammonium nitrate that sells small quantities, ie 500g ? Does it have an alternative name?
  91. V

    Dosing with Ammonia and Urea

    Here's an article by Diana Walstad about the uptake of ammonia and nitrates. In it she states "Aquatic Plants Prefer Ammonium Over Nitrates" and also "Aquatic Plants Prefer Leaf Uptake of Ammonium"
  92. V

    Dosing with Ammonia and Urea

    I wonder how much Tropica would give away if you was to ask them why they use ammonium nitrate instead of potassium nitrate, and voice your concerns about adding extra ammonia to your tank?
  93. V

    Trace Elements and Shrimp

    I've used this in a tank with mainly shrimp and they've been fine, although i wasnt dosing EI amounts.
  94. V

    Tropica TPN+ match using ammonium nitrate

    Nice work there :) I might give one of these a go as i need to order some trace mix. What's the difference in behaviour between ammonia and ammonium? Is ammonium just as harmful? Will it still get converted into nitrates?
  95. V

    What trace mix?

    I've stumbled across this 0.36 % Fe (iron HEEDTA); 0.08 % Mn (manganese EDTA); 0.4 % Bo (boron monohydrate); 0.09 % Zn (zinc EDTA) 0.06 % Mo (sodiummolybdate) No copper though... great for shrimps, but is that likely to lead to deficiencies, or is it possible to get away with the little...
  96. V

    Diatoms Problems

    I have my diffuser situated below the filter inlet, so all the bubbles get drawn into the filter. I'd hope most dissolves into the water, but there's always a buildup inside the filter.
  97. V

    What trace mix?

    Thanks James. I've been noticing a slight cloudiness in one tank which i've been dosing normal trace amounts. My other (shrimp) tank i don't dose as much due to the high copper levels and the water has stayed clear. I've been thinking about getting a new trace mix so now seems as good a time as...
  98. V

    Diatoms Problems

    Thanks Ceg, I've already dropped the lighting levels and can't wait to see what effect this has had at the end of the week. How long should i be waiting for the substrate to mature? It's been over 2 months already. Will i just need to wait a month or so then turn more lights on and see if the...
  99. V

    What trace mix?

    To pick up on something that James mentioned above, i get a lot of this brown/orange gunk in my filter, especially around the impeller. I use Garden Direct's chelated traces, and our area has hard tap water. Is this due to an overdose / excess iron? Or does it have the opposite effect, taking...
  100. V

    Diatoms Problems

    Thanks for the replies guys. The filter was matured before i put in the Amazonia, and being as the light has been on a smaller tank without any problems i thought it'd be ok on this one. I'll knock out the lights now and let you know how it goes. Thanks again :)
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