Search results for query: *

Hi Mark Welcome to the forum!!! That is quite overkill on the lights - your CO2 and fert dosing will have to be spot on to avoid a big mess of algae. On the setting up CO2 side I did set up CO2 once but the D&D reg was broken, got a replacement which I will set up when I flood my tank...

If pearling arises from the water not dissolving the oxygen fast enough (making bubbles), it makes sense that if you have more circulation it dissolves the oxygen better so you get less pearling. Perhaps? :crazy:

An alternative to soaking in hot water is to shower your wood. In my student room I had a shower which was very handy for cleaning off dust and bits from wood, with really hot water. I always soaked wood in tap water and never had any problems. As you soak the wood for several days - weeks the...

Many people on this forum keep fish in much higher levels of Nitrate so you don't need to worry so much about keeping that value at 0ppm. We all make mistakes so try not to take it to heart! :)

In the past there was the aquacube when you took out a years subscription. This one does look good, but you have to take out two years... Still tempting though!

Give it a bit of a chance. It is really scary to start with, but it is also really fun and once you've made a few friends you'll be much happier. Don't forget that everyone is in the same position as you! :thumbsup

!! What uni did you go to?!?

Use a bigger diameter hose. I used to buy filter hose (it was about £1.50 a meter) rather than a specially made siphon. Put one end in tank, the other suck (careful don't swallow tank water) to get the siphon going, put it into a bucket, you can stop the flow by putting you thumb over the end...

Don't forget Darrels offer ;)

Just wanted to re-iterate the sentiments expressed. As an example one percula clownfish (yes nemo) pair in maidenhead aquatics near me is £40. The goldfish bowl was £100! Although saying that the place does have loads of tanks set up so is very good for inspiration.

What outlet will you use on the filter? As it concerns flow perhaps Ceg will be best to advise.

I also agree with this comment, your betta have lovely big tanks to swim around in! I've seen them in much much worse (pint glasses). With the filter pads perhaps check them as you are doing the weekly water change. If you use a bucket then just pop the internal in that with the water you're...

Perhaps hold fire on getting more plants for today. Keep an eye open on the classified section as sometimes when people are trimming their plants they tend to offer them cheap to UKAPS members. Have a look at your budget and let us know if you have any funds for perhaps uprating your filter. Ah...

Fair enough Andy, but if you read the stocking levels its 30L tank - 1 male betta 30L tank - 1 male betta and some pygmy cories (not sure how many) Considering this I would consider stocking levels to be low and therefore not much ferts being supplied as waste. Also the OP mentions that the...

This isn't contradictory at all bobtastic, and yes a balance between these three is the key. Very hard to achieve! Fish waste can provide ferts :thumbup:

Just to warn you that Tropica sell two fertilisers 'Tropica plant nutrition' and 'Tropica plant nutrition +" buy the plus, regular doesn't have nitrates or phosphates in either. I know a few people have mentioned this but it is worth pointing out clearly as it is a very subtle difference on the...

How quickly you see changes will largely depend on how much time and effort you put in, and if you act upon the advice given. What does the JBL product have in it? If it contains phosphate, nitrates, potassium and trace elements then great. From experience I don't think it would. If the label...

It looks like API leaf zone only contains iron and potassium. Imagine an ideal human diet, you need good amounts of carbohydrate, protein and fat. Plants need potassium, phosphate and nitrates. You need a range of vitamins and minerals, not just iron, and so do plants. Plants also need a form of...

Well done for doing the research first! Here are some answers to your questions. I have given you links as examples, you might find the same products elsewhere and Google is definitely your friend. For substrates I picked one from each sponsor to be fair (that and some only sell some certain...

Take a look at this MSDS from Oxford University. http://msds.chem.ox.ac.uk/GL/glutaric_dialdehyde.html Excel may be a low concentration of gluteraldehyde, but I'd still err on the side of caution. The analogy to diesel filling isn't accurate, how often do you put your hands in the diesel tank...

TBH I think that a microscope at £500 is not going to be good enough to accurately identify algae. Your best bet might be looking for an academic that studies freshwater algae and asking them for some info. In fact I'm sure I've read somewhere that Mr Tom Barr is somewhat an expert. Perhaps he...

Arty I'm pretty sure excel isn't 100% gluteraldehyde. This seller isn't doing anything wrong. When you buy an alcoholic drink you would not expect it to be 100% alcohol - same principle. When it comes to buying chemicals it might be best to buy from a reputable seller. If the seal is broken you...

Hi Steve, What I tend to do is attack my koralia with a razor blade (!) I used the flexi blades from an aquarium shop and hook the point under some algae and flick it off. I don't necessarily recommend this, and you can damage the koralia and yourself!

Re: What's the demand for high street planted aquarium shops I think people are underestimating the amount of time effort and money that goes into making a fish shop work. Think about all the costs of water and electric. Especially if you are on a water meter. Importing cheapest of the cheap...

Haha, its already on his list for my birthday Paulo! How big is yours George? ;) Ah I bet you got it for free and all.

£59.99 This is inclusive of tank, light and filter.

Saw this tank for sale at Aquajardin, Eastleigh yesterday. Looks pretty nice! A quick search reveals pfk have a v brief blurb on it. Its acrylic 8 litre tank, with filter in a back compartment like a marine nano. Comes with an adjustable LED bendy light (1.6W). Although the wattage sounds...

Could someone post a link to Aqua essentials shop on ebay please? I can't find it...

In the reflection of the glass, right hand side

The sad face is that I like to have a choice. Before they sold half and half, and TBH the aquafleur ones quite often looked algaefied and leggy - vs tropica was lush and green more often than not. Obviously this could be the way the shop were treating them (in separate tanks you see), but I'm...

First off I'd recommend going on Saturday as you'll be able to meet some other UKAPS folks. Secondly I don't know what substrate you want, but TGM don't currently have ADA Aquasoil Amazonia powder or gravel in 9L bags (this is the favourite one). For inspiration I'd recommend finding the thread...

Just been to MA @ Fareham, unfortunately they are not stocking any tropica plants. Due to the current poor exchange rate and customers complaints about price they now only stock Aquafleur :(

Re: Stores in the Uk that REALLY specialise in planted aquar Aquajardin in Eastleigh used to be quite good with lots of display tanks, lots of nanos planted and marine. It's rather overpriced for corals even though they are nice. Lately though they don't have anywhere near as many display tanks...

Nice! Wonder how it got to the dump?

If anyone is interested in how 27th was created:- http://aqua.andy.tw/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=158257&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

Where did you buy the opti-white from?

OOOOOOOH If you do can I come?!?!?!? I really want to meet that Toby bloke 8) My fiance may have something to say about that though...

Oh I'm serious, I seen a bit of it and thought a UKAPS stand would be really good.

UKAPS should definately have a stand next year!

Al-gee NOT al-jee, god I hate that pronunciation! Reminds me of awful first year lectures...

Siamese fighters do tend to eat critters though...

You-Kaps all the way. I have done a couple of meets - FoF x 2 and a TGM meet though it needed to be said. To my friends - not only am I weird enough to be doing a degree in Biochemistry and love it, I am "fishy" and are on forums for that. Do I really need to go any weirder (geekier)?

Thats a really nice scape, well done Matt! PS By George he's got it! hehehehe :lol: ok I make myself laugh and thats all that matters 8)

Thanks! I did go to MA in Fareham using the old c/c and bought a few plants. Tank is set-up and looks awesome - cheers Dan for all the help and stuff. This man knows his stuff! Also thanks to Chrisi for the plants. Now can't get CO2 to work - yaaaay. I have only put on one 36w light and...

Yes I think I owe a massively huge thank you to everyone for their messages of support and stuff. Will try to get some pics up of the tank by Monday!

Its fine Matt, thanks though, I used another card :wink: when one runs out start on another one eh? :lol: Pm sent to LD

PM sent Just tried to buy some AS from AE and had my card declined... Oooooooooops!

Cheers Aaron that might go in nicely as the tank is 60x30x30 :D I know I love this forum for that. When I'm up and running and life isn't so sh... I'll be able to return the favour.

Aw, cheers Matt :D

Thanks for the replies :D Nickyc - nah I'm just up here for 8 more weeks, its a summer thing. Well guys looks like I'll be sorted, Dan Crawford is a star and is sorting me out with a tank Sunday. Also stones/wood/some plants... So yeah big thank you to him and big thanks to everyone for the...

Paulo - Cheers mate! Yeah I know ironic eh? Matt - That would be ace cheers, I may take you up on the offer as the tank is just such a nice size. Either that or build a new one which i hear is not too much more work and cheap. You aren't too far from me either.

Hey Guys, Thanks muchly for the lovely messages and offers, it's really nice as I've been really lonely lately (no internet/relationship break-up/moving to Cambridge) and really stressed from moving and life stuff. The scratches are on the front panel but little bits of glass have come out too...

Hi there, Sorry I've messed some of you around but I can't send out the P. helferi. I had like the worst experience ever. Just moved to Cambridge and once I filled up the tank I realized everyone of my CPDs/galaxy rasboras were dead, and then the next day when I came home I noticed 3 massive...

Re: lfs dont know jack!!!! When I went to my LFS I worked at, they had a new delivery of plants in. Still in the box so I read the list of contents:- Elodea Draceana Vallis Etc Etc Etc Eleocharis vivipara Blyxa japonica ... ... Blyxa!!! So I said to the guy can he open the box for me and he...

Again not fish safe but awesome is cillit bang. Hate the adverts but it does work bl**dy well. Not supposed to use near food prep areas either...

I got a nutrifin one and it never worked. Don't really know why!

Lol Welcome to the forum!!!

I've been so busy at uni and rubbish going on in my life I have left my tank for about 2 weeks with nothing added, no reduction in light and only fed the fish a few times. I am playing with fire, but tbh I really couldn't care less :cry: somebody wake me up when its all over!!!

What I saw of the vid was really good! I saw like 20 minutes then I acidentally clicked on something... Lost my place and there seems to be no way to skip to the section I need... So I'd have to sit through the 20 minutes again. I hate watching anything twice so close together so I may wait a...

UKAPS BABY YEAH!!! My fiance so doesn't get that :lol:

Sounds really good! I have sent my friend whos going up to Oxford tomorrow to check the shop out :) For second 2' tank how about a mini jungle tank? Using things like HC as a carpet and HM, limnophila sessiflora (or that plant in the small iwagumi display tank by the office at tgm) and...

Hi Tom, If I was going to make reference solutions to test a test kit, what chemicals should I use to test ammonium, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, potassium etc etc etc. Do I use say KH2PO4 for phosphate?

I find my arm is a bit itchy, I don't have duckweed in my tanks, but it's ok-ish after washing my arm off thoroughly with fairy liquid and water. Being a red-head I have THE most allergic skin. My face is almost the worst though, just having a shower makes my face go redder than a tomato.

I hadn't heard that at all, sounds a bit rubbish! Can you show pics after the decision process? Andy - sigh, can tell you aren't loving your wife atm :P :lol:

I agree with Clive and Mark. I'm sure 99% of other members would too!!! Read through the principles of Ei and you'll find out more.

I love that cartoon! Sooo describes me!

On the bright side of TFF the questions have been so basic recently they are good practice to answer :D

I know someone who did that. They then could get their own fish tank stuff at trade prices :D

That's ok, I remember some people saying they were interested in some. If anyone wants I could buy it for them and post it up to them? It was only about 4" tall though and only two pots left. They may get more in though :D I do love their selection though, good choices.

Is available at MA in Fareham. Lovely place btw. They'd just done a trim of their display tank. Lovely chap in there came up to me to chat as I'd been in before twice. I bought a Nymphaea lotus (zenkeri) as I've been after a red one for a while. Now not sure if I've got a red one or not. Their...

I got my PFK throught his morning and for some reason thought it was going to be this issue... Read like 90% before I realised! Love the article this issue George! Lisa

Back to the future 4!! That's be ace...

Thats what I was waiting for, like the aquacube!!! That was a good offer!!!

I meant in a purely vertical sense then! Yes I am definately looking forward to that issue. I am so glad I let you talk me into buying a subscription George!!! 12 issues for £30 plus a Grumpy old fishkeeper t-shirt nice one!

George described me as small too... I don't remember him being of such huge proportions either!

ADA ferts? Step away from the norm for you George! You get to keep the plants? Cheeky get :twisted: My LFS that I wouked at used to sell tatty tropica plants for £2.60 each but now changed to a cheaper supplier with no labels - blast! Also had plants I'd never seem before...

I meant to lol too, :D

:shock: Not sure what you mean :oops: Looking forward to that issue coming through my letterbox... And also being able to ask questions about it... Unless we can do that now? So what happened to the plants? Were they just delayed in the post?

Wow that sounds sooo cool! You can let us know if opti-white is worth the extra money... So what happens with the stuff once you have taken the pics? Does it all go back to AE?

Cheers for the help Sam. I tend to go away randomly, maybe not at all maybe 2 days. Maybe three... It would be so much easier if I could find a nice cheap peristaltic pump.

Hi guys, I thought of a few questions:- 1) Can I use a normal non-return valve? 2) Can I use normal connectors? 3) If I make a bubble counter do I have to silicone the lid on so I can change the water, or shall I use some parafilm which is like ptfe tape to make sure no CO2 escapes? 4)...

Richard has already dispatched my order. I didn't realise the glass one came with the reagent bottle too. Dang it... Just had a phone call from lampspecs saying my debit card has failed... I thought I had enough in my bank account... Oh crapity crap..... Then gave them my credit card info and...

Cheers Sam :D Is this the right CO2 test kit? http://www.aquaessentials.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=77 I'm trying to get one like you showed so I can use that as a drop checker. I don't mean to be dense or lazy btw, sorry! Will be picking the tank up tomorrow...

It will be 72 watts over roughly 125 litres sooo... 2.18 wpg pc T5

Thanks for letting us know Sam, shame I'm too impatient!

Cheers for the replies guys! Yep I'll have a good read of those pages again. I have access to a lab and very very very accurate scales, so it really wouldn't be that much for me to make some up. So it's bicarbonate of soda I add? PS My bioload from the fish will be reasonably high so will I...

So in a bit of good luck I managed to sell some items, and be offered a rio 125 for free! How lucky is that?! The only thing is the light is broken, and obviously it has to pan out. So I managed to find an ASL PC 2 x 36w lighting set including reflectors on sale at £29.99. I realise this maybe...

I thought I used to get 15%. Anyhow... Their prices are some of the best, so with 15%/10% discount you're laughing. Yep had a chat with the guys in there yesterday, and Gareth.

Yeah I know the wage isn't great, but as you say, cheap gear... I used to work there and as I have no self control I didn't exactly make much money!

I'm coming down to Hayle in June :)

Does the hood not come off then??? Dammit. I was hoping I could use the hood and stand of a rio 180 for my tank... Poo pants

Portsmouth! Which is borderline south east! :)

Porton Pet and Aquatics is looking for a full-time member of staff that will pretty much run the fish house. I am not sure how much it pays, I know the last guy was on £6.50 an hour. Just thought I'd mention it in case anyone is interested.

How about a shed, so "the house is more tidy" as the fish stuff will be outside now :lol:

I've only ever been low tech, so could someone explain to me about why I'd need all the tools please?

Did you know glass is a super cooled liquid? I was chatting to my fiance who is studying product design with modern materials BSc and apparently most glass is heat treated, which should prevent some glass going. But the elastic limit of glass is low, so I would be concerned about the tank bowing...

UKAPS - You - kay - aps ADA - A - D - A Cichlid - Sick - a - lid Riccia - Never had to say it out loud

One tank of tropica, one tank of that cheaper brand. Not sure the name, but of that range they had one tiger lotus which the guy tried to sell to me but it was at deaths door... The tropica plants looked really healthy though, loving the new display method. If you spend £25 on tropica plants...

I'm waiting until I find out about the lily pipes, then check valve and bubble counter, drop counter, and 2 x diffuser. I need some CO2 tubing too...