Search results for query: *

Hi +1 for Altum angels. Here is an old Pic from The Green Machine of their Cryptocoryne heavy Altum setup for inspiration Regards Konstantin

Hi and welcome to the community. If this is the 23l tank from your other post I will suggest to swap the Amano shrimp for Cherry shrimp.Amanos get quite large and need a roomier tank(I always had problems with them escaping smaller tanks than 60l in volume) You are correct about the Aponogeton...

Hi +1 for the biggest size you can get. I am very fonnd of small fish in bigger numbers in large tanks . It leaves you more options in future in case you change your mind about stocking and layout. You can sneak the smaller tanks later.lol Regards Konstantin

Hi I had this issue in the past too. Found out the hard way that amanos due to their size prefer larger tanks and are unsuitable for nano sizes.My tank was mature so doubt is water chemistry. I will suggest to go with Neocardina and Cardina shrimps or get a lid for the full size of the tank (no...

Hi that will do the job. The stems advice is for a different scenario when you plant from the get go without dark start but can be applied to your setup later when you finish the dark start and plant the tank.Having fast growing plants will help for the system to mature and balance itself.You...

Hi The amount of free Ammonia is not very relevant if the bacteria is oxygen limited . The bacterial growth and nitrification are Oxygen dependent processes and you can throw as much food for the bacteria as you want or try to increase metabolic rates by increasing temperature but if you...

Hi Answered your pm. As suggested there please start a journal of your tank with lots of info and pictures and I and other members will help you out as much as we can. Regards Konstantin

Welcome to Ukaps. What plants you are thinking of growing. Only asking as in CO2 injected tank while the CO2 is beneficial to plant growth it is difficult to get it right without prior experience more in tank your size.Have you considered to start low and slow and once you gain a little...

Hi Do not worry about temperature. Keep it in the normal for the future system range.You want more oxygen to speed up the process not temperature increase. Regards Konstantin

Hi I will personally wait as it will be easier to fiddle with the hardscape as it will be easier with dry soil.Otherwise no issues to fill and drain as it suits you. Regards Konstantin

Hi Lift the filter a lil to ripple the surface while adjust the CO2 to be stable. You can add air stone during lights out period to break the surface film.Or lift the filter further to break surface but will be tricky to get it down in exactly same place when CO2 is on so you have stable CO2...

Hi Monte Carlo Hygrophila "Araguaia " Riccardia Cryptocoryne parva Hemianthus micranthemoides .... are good option too. Regards Konstantin

Hi look into different fertilizer.Florish is not complete fertilizer and doesn't have sufficient levels of N and P so you will run into difficulties along the line. with CO2.Tropica specialised,TCN complete... or mix your own(cheapest option) depending on what is available where you are. Regards...

Hi I will be reluctant to use Perspex or acrylic as a lid. If not thick enough it can warp(spelling)/bend from the moisture and its own weight.It really dislikes moisture when used as lid. I rather have glass covers. Regards Konstantin

Hi all I am a plant enthusiast. I have no problem to run tanks without live stock. If I stock them tho I will never abuse the inhabitants for the sake of the plants.Thats one of the reasons I went lowctech ;) Regards Konstantin

Hi If its bothering you much can always ask moderator or admin to delete it for you. Doubt it will be an issue for anyone. Regards Konstantin

Hi there Very nice build . Now the only downside is you need a bigger tank to fill the stand now.Haha ;) Regards Konstantin

Hi limiting nitrates in low tech tank is unnecessary and will probably do more harm than good to a beginner.I will stick to complete fertilizer to cover all the bases. I have dosed my low tech tanks with 1/2 to full EI levels of ferts for years without any ill effect on fish or shrimp and plants...

Hi +1 for Hygrophila Polisperma varieties Also good options are: Limnophila heterophylla Pogostemon Quadrifolius (my favourite) Regards Konstantin

Hi and welcome to the forum. Its a wise choice to start small and then once you get hang of things to go big.Its if nothing else less costly.Not injecting CO2 doesn't mean you wont have beautiful tank with healthy plants.It just mean that you will need to choose your plants more carefully and...

Hi Its algae. In order to get useful advice how to deal with it please provide more details on your system (tank size,filter,lights and photoperiod,CO2 yes no ,inhabitants and feeding regime.....) and maintenance routine (ferts, waterchanges .......) and few full tank shots Regards Konstantin

Good to hear. Keep us posted how you get on. Regards Konstantin

Hi @mario How is the tank getting on? Regards Konstantin

Hi I agree it looks like fine sediment. If it is its good to try to get it out with water changes (while giving the plants a good waft)as sediment accumulating on plant surfaces is often giving algae somewhere to take hold. Regards Konstantin

Hi It will really hep if you try to increase oxygen levels of the system and do large volume waterchanges daily or every other day till water clears up.Im not sure that lights increase is a wise option atm. Regards Konstantin

Hi Im sure it will. How long it will take is just anyone's guess tho. If you keep on top of your maintenance everything will be fine eventually. 🙂 Regards Konstantin

Hi not much you can do really. Just keep changing water and maybe add Purigen to the filter till it sorts itself out.If its a new filter maybe ask LFS or local hobbiest for some mature media to kick start it. Regards Konstantin

Hi How well the bacteria is doing its job is very dependent on the oxygen levels in there. Instead of adding stuff make sure the water is oxygenated well.Lift the filter so it breaks the water surface.This will get rid of the film and improve oxygen levels. Later when planted you can lower it...

Hi Tesco(and the other two mentioned above) has thin own brand bleach. Do not use the thick or scented stuff. If you can't get that Easycarbo (other glut brands)will do the trick for killing algae on rocks or equipment but is more costly .I use thin bleach for cleaning Purigen and equipment but...

Hi as said above it is Diatoms and very common i new setups.It rubs off pretty easy of the glass and you can stir the sand to cover it up and it will die off.Extra water changes will help as will increased oxygen levels ehen your CO2 is off. Its just a matter of elbow grease till tank settles...

Hi the thing with carpets its once you disturb it its done with.You can't really reuse it as such as it will float due to not having stable roots to hold it down and natural buoyancy of the plants.You will need to split it and replant it so most of it will go to waste anyway. You can split it...

Hi if you have Mg deficiencies and add the MgSO4 you shold be able to observe pretty quick response(more green colour)from your plants(and algae) as Mg is mobile nutrient. If Mg was also a limiting nutrient you shold also see better growth shortly after. Regards Konstantin

Hi if the filters are not running in a bucket you can empty them leaving 1/4 of the water in and open the lid few millimeters for air availability.This will give you better bacteria survival. See this thread https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/power-cut-filter-performance.67448/#post-667662...

Hi do not jam pack the filter with media or you will reduce flow further.In planted tanks filter media is pretty much irrelevant as plants will do most of the biological filtration. I keep my filters mainly full with coarse sponge (as it has less impact on flow) and a little siporax.I do like...

Hi How long before lights on you start the CO2 and how long before lights out injection stops? Regards Konstantin

Hi I don't like the inline atomizers. If you dont clean them frequently enough they get clogged resulting in bigger CO2 bubbles being produced that dissolve much more difficult and get stuck in pipes.Not sure what quality are they made now I was using them in their early days tho. Have you...

Hi Hi while I agree that the filter is likely underpowered for 240l tank too. I do not agree with the skimmer being a negative in CO2 injected tank.Yes it does great job at increasing gas exchange and thats not a negative thing.While obviously some CO2 will gas off and it needs to be...

Hi You can only try.You don't need heavy/turbulent flow. As long as all plants in different areas are gently moving your flow will be sufficient. Think your size is 16/22 but double check it just to be sure. Regards Konstantin

Hi If you want spray bar.JBL has outflow spray bar as a replacement part.It comes in 2 parts that attach to each other. Get a set or 2(of needed) that match your size filter and add them together pull the end cap out, cut the last bit to match your lenght and glue the cap back on. Job done...

Hi there You seem to be running circles around nutrient deficiencies and how much CO2 exactly you are injecting only.I have been there too. It doesn't really matter if your CO2 is exactly 20,25 or 30ppm.While 30ppm is optimal even if your injection is 20ppm will be good as long as its stable...

Hi I am looking at your video and I see that while there is good circulation higher in the tank and towards the back there is barely noticeable movement of plants in lower areas and in the middle. I like the position of the skimmer but I would move the intake pipe on the same side as the...

Hi there Will you please provide more details. Tank size,filtration, lighting and photoperiod, how long before lights on the CO2 comes on and when you get the lime green drop checker(for example when the lights come on,one or two ,3 hours after lights come on),temperature of the tank. If Mg is...

Darrell beat me to it. Hahaha

Hi all I past I had quite a few power cuts.When that happened what I do is disconnect the filters and open them slightly to ensure access to atmospheric oxygen,empty most of the water leaving the canisters about 1/4 full so there is good amount of humidity, give the canisters a shake every now...

Hi all. I will second @ian_m Chech your flow CO2 distribution .I had it with Rotala green in my last high tech.Classic CO2 issues for Rotalas. Was growing fine one day as the plants grew in(high plant mass inhibits flow too) the lower 2/3 of the plant developed same black spots and tyni holes...

Hi Most of the bacteria in matured tank is settled on the various surfaces arround the tank(Substrate,filter,hardscape,plants....)Very little is free floating.Adding water from a matured tank will have very little benefit at starting new one.Better add handfull of substrate ,few stones,plants or...

Hi Its defo not rime to wait.Keep removing what algae U have in front of U.Even if U lose plants once it settles U will get some fresh one.When U do your excel use syringe to spot dose on the algae with filters off for 10 min.I have not used Excel but overdosed Easycarbo 5 times the reccomended...

Hi For a 30cm high tank 2 x 54w T5 is a bit high light I will give the tank a good trim to clear as much algae as possible.Good clean of filters and tank.All hardscape that can be taken out and srubbed with excel rest spot dosed and scrubbed.Remove one bulb for now and do daily50% waterchanges...

Hi I will suggest that you sort the tank out first before worring about the HC.That much BBA is screaming that sth is not right.U need to tackle that first. I have grown HC in my first ever planted tank with low CO2 (dark green dropchecker) and medium-high light on ADA substrate and ferts...

Hi all Plant away U never know.I run Brishardi cichlid tank( adult pair and 4 batches of fry ) and thought the same way but they pick on plants very rare and only in certain spots. Regards Konsa

Hi U are on the right path there. I have been focusing on plant growth and tank balance last 3 years with the actual scaping left in background. I have experienced in my low techs all sorts of algae dissapear in a week when I hit the sweet spot regarding balance of light and nutrients,oxigen...

Hi It has been mentioned here before.I think it dissolve to salt and water once its done its thing. https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/clean-taken-down-tank.50087/#post-510233 https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/sterilising-nets-etc.52181/#post-513759 Regards Konsa

Hi If U opt for getting it will U please post few close ups as Im planning a custom tank atm. Regards Konsa

Yes U can http://www.freshwatershrimp.co.uk/product.php?id_product=447 Regards Konsa

Hi lee I do feed mainly frozen and live but use some good quality staple for my Brichardi colony as second feed as have loads juveniles that are growing (Tetra pro as my parent fish are used to eating flakes before I had them and refuse granule and New life spectrum Thera 0.5mm) But 50 quid...

Hi A bit off toppic but these posts made my day.lol Regards Konsa

Hi The hose plants are a great way to green up your tank.U can only try with the submerged once too U never know.I got lucky. I run a Tanganican Brichardi colony in planted tank and once me and the parents agreed where I can and can not put plants and where their nesting sites are gonna be all...

Hi The temperature increase will have quite negative impact on the plants if it goes near 30.My buces melted and rest plants were damaged as well when I was treating my puffers for ich but my treatment went for 3-4 weeks. Regards Konsa

Hi Think all ich treatments available in uk will stain silicone due to composition.Metronidazole will clear the ich but I struggled to obtain it here.Do U have the option for hospital tank. Regards Konsa

Hi Tbh I never bought it.It came with something years ago plants,snails I dont really remember it was few tiny bits that I propagated. I believe it is Riccardia Chamedryfolia Regards Konsa

Hi It is really slow grower and fairly easy maintenance without the need for constant trimming .If U dont let it choke itself and start dying underneath there is no need to reattach as it grips very well.I have some attached to my plastic background and even on other plants (Bucephalandra)...

Hi It may work with CO2 addition and good fertiliser regime. Low tech not so sure. Have U considered Riccardia as an option for the back wall. Regards Konsa

Hi Fear not man.I have 4 cats full-time (and few litters of kittens some newborns and some wild to tame form cat protection over the coarse of the year) and a dog and 3 tanks running with no problem. Its good to get the tank covered apart from that all will be good. Only one of mine sleep on...

Yep thats what I do.Then put only what U need and rest dispose of or pass to someone that needs (wants)it. Regards Konsa

Hi Have a look at Boraras sp (Chilli rasboras and the likes) ,pigmy corries They may be good option for U. Female guppies grow quite large for 23l tank imo. Regards Konsa

Hi If the shripms are doing well.U dont need to worry about testing the water. They are more sensitive critters than fish.My only concern is that tank is tiny.Its ok for shrimps that have negligible impact on the bioload but with fish it may be different .What fish and how many U thinking of...

Hi Yes the blue tint will go away.Any white (clear)silicone will get permanently dyed tho. Regards Konsa

Hi I will advice the op to stick to product guide without overgosing.My puffers are probably more sensitive than the fish to be treated and had amano shrimp in the tank too with no negative impact.I was not able to do as much Water changing as I should as the pufffers are stress Nellies.I will...

Hi Here is some info from: http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?70884-Ingredients-in-Esha-Hexamita Esha Exit ACTIVE INGRED: diaminoacridine 6.3 mg, veride malachitum 0.31 mg, methylrosanilinii chloridum 0.79 mg, methylthioninii chloridum 3.98 mg ad Aqua. (basically its Acridine...

Hi +1 for esha Exit. Not very convinced that it kills the parasite in stage 1( on fish) tho. It may take much longer than 3 days too.Recently used it to treat SAP puffers and it took 3-4 weeks to fully get rid of the ich with temperature increase to arround 30°C for the last week or so.Dont...

Hi I have Brichardi colony(atm 5 generations) going in my 125l tank.Low light 2 T8 18w no CO2.Mild ferts.Focus especially on micros and Mg and K as loads macros(N and P) from fish waste. The way forward is to get floaters and try any other fast growing weed U can think of to see wich will work...

Hi why dont U try ludwigia sp. mini super red Rotala H'ra. With good CO2 and light its doable. To start them float them for a while and they will sprout shoots from every node then attach them(or wrap) to the branches,trimm heavy to get them bushy Regards Konsa

Hi There is your answer. It is clear that your snails are nibbling on the new growth if no other food arround. Mine did sometimes alrhough very rare.And Im talking 200-300 Ramshorn snails in 20l tank. I doubt that is the japonica shrimps as if it were them the devastation is a lot more.If they...

Hi The tank has only Californian Black worms ,about 20 red cherries and a single adult Red Ramshorn snail that is been there on his own since birth so no babie snails.The bioload is negligible for the filtration of the tank. I will preserve all filter medium no problem done it before many times...

Hi all Thinking about rescape again on my little 22l shrimp tank with sump in back . Thinking about full overhaul.New substrate and all. This time willing to go for proper substrate and the choice is Tropica aqua soil. My question is if I rescape and preserve the very mature filter (3+ years)...

Hi I have grown Hygrophila Araguaia low tech in sand only.Its doable but hard when U dont have good substrate hence my recommendation about decent Aquasoil.This will give U margin for errors. As for tissue culture plants U mentioned without CO2 is a bit hit and miss as while they are great value...

Hi Jbl aquabasis is similar to tropica plant growth substrate( dirt) hence needs capping with sth ( fine gravel,coarse sand or aquasoil) What are your tank dimensions.If not too large opt for the aquarium soils instead. I will start low tech (no CO2) as things will develop slowly.In high tech...

Hi Bopowarls There are few points for U 1.While the Fluval Edge is modern looking bit of kit it is a little unsuitable for the Iwagimi Aquascape.The light spread is not good and U will struggle to get carpet going arround the outer parts of the tank .Probably par levels will be low too. 2.I will...

Hi Darrel You are bang on the money with the gravel vac.Just remembered last time I did gravel vac my brichardi cichlid tank and it takes them no problem.Its just the tank footprint is very small and hardscape and plants.... its still difficult as no open spaces atm.Will clear a corner and do...

Hi I am yet to discover a way to harvest them without disrupting the whole tank.I have back sump (Aqua one Betta duo tank) and the filter sponges are wick with them too but no joy getting them out of there too. I have them in multiple cultures indoors and out so they are here to stay. I have a...

Hi Yes I belive so.When I was restarting the tank anything but the top 1cm of the sand( Light coloured ADA Nile sand)was black with light silty smell to it.It washed off quite easy too. The worms are quite effective at eating any food leftovers also. Regards Konsa

Hi all There was sth that I wanted to share. In my little 25l tank.I used to have Californian black worms in the substrate and was growing plants very well even without CO2. When restarting tried to eliminate the colony. But one or two worms made it trough.All the rooted plants I reused suffered...

Hi What temperature U have in tank.Cryptocorine sp like a bit warmer water.How do U change water.If the tap is quite a bit different from what U have in tank (tap TDS 100 ,tank TDS400+)sometimes that does it too if U do one very large WC. Funny things are them Cryptocorine plants nowadays.About...

Hi Even here some people see snails as pests. Its a personal preference really.Cherries may do well but U will need to have some hiding places till they establish the colony if U have boisterous guppies and add them at lights off .Once the shrimp are fully grown the guppies wont be able to do...

Hi Snail will never out compete healty fish for food. The snail population will grow only of there is a lot of left over food.In my tank 125l with a Brichardi cichlid pair with 3 generations of offspring (400 juveniles of different sizes) have noticed a rapid decline in my snail population...

Hi Your water parameters(PH,KH and GH) will have little to No influence of the condition of your fish. Tell us more about your tank filtration and waterchange regime.How often and how much do U feed.It is impossible to have nitrates of 0.Probably your test are not accurate as there quite few...

Hi It may be dragonfly nimph still a predator and needs removing Regards Konsa

Hi When I switched my tanks to low tech I have tried the siesta periods too thinking about optimisation of CO2 then I realised I am going low tech and why should I care.I have better results with constant photo periods with good fertiliser regime and regular tank maintenance. Less algae and...

Hi Why dont U email Evolution Aqua they may help with some pics Regards Konsa

Hi I transferred some moss with Asselus aquaticus,Californian black worms and Crangonyx Pseudogracilis from my out door bucket to start food colonies for my new setup before stocking with fish.The damselfly eggs must have been in it.Ended up with 7 nymphs I caught on my prefilter sponge and...

Hi That one is quite good.I know two of the chairmen and they are sound and knowledgeable people as far as fish are concerned.Not so much about plants and aquascaping tho. Im based near Preston and always up for a meet up Regards Konsa

Hi You will need 25 "meaningful"posts to be able to see sellers/wanted section on here.Its a forum rule. Regards Konsa

Hi For anyone involved in pvc windows manufacturing this will be like walk in the park.Wide variety of slim line profiles and after cutting on an angle there are few corner inserts to put it together. The mesh is fitted with a rubber trim pushed in the designated channel and you are done Not...

Hi Why not make a fine mesh on pvc frame tank cover.Like mosquito mesh on windows.Not as ugly as big chunky wooden box and will stop fish comming out plus much cheaper.U will be able to addapt it arround the light too and have it easy to remove for maintenance Regards Konsa

Hi Paul. Welcome to the green side :)) Have a read trough the tutorial section of the forum a lot of the things U will need to know are well explained there. Often the duration of the light is less important than intensity.Many folk are unable to dim there light units so in order to reduce...

Sorry to hear that. Best thing U can do is 25% waterchange every day till U figure it out.

Hi Double dosing ferts is not an issue imo.I used to dose full ei on my low tech tanks with no ill effects on critters. If your problem was water quality related I believe the shrimp would have senced it first. Any shrimp deaths?Have U seen them darting arround the tank? Regards Konsa

Hi CO2 poisoning(overdosing) is always a suspect if U inject.On the other side U may have slipped sth in with the new fish.I recently had a bad ich case due to not quarantining new fish.It took me ages to clear it. Regards Konsa

Hi Are U CO2 user? Other tank information (Size,filtration,maintenance schedule, stock levels....)Did U quarantine the new fish before putting it in? Regards Konsa

Hi all I am using fluorocarbon fishing line(fly fishing one with low diameter) and is virtually invisible in water.I attach two small suction cups on my sides with line attached and all my floaters are sectioned in front where I want them Regards Konsa