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This is an old tank from before I new anything at all about planted tanks. It had plain gravel and some play sand in and wasn't given anything in the way of ferts or carbon. Here's a closer view of the same tank at a different time. It was getting DIY Co2 and EI ferts in this one but had the...

I've just 'discovered' that pink ramshorns (thanks frothhelmet :)) eat BBA. I had a plantlet covered in the stuff that I put in the tank with these snails and they've completely cleaned all the leaves. Not a solution and may not be an option as part of your clean up crew but if they are I'd...

The only plant I've had trouble with when using liquid carbon is pellia. Everything else - including vallis (which still grew and reproduced rampantly!) - was fine. Even mosses. I've got hc in a small tank that's dosed with liquid carbon and that is also growing well. I've never spot dosed it...

I must be married to a saint! Whenever I've had a bit of a flood (and there were two or three times in quick succession once :crazy:), he helps me mop up without any recriminations :D Viv

We've pretty much decided to build a shorter base frame and just use the top of the original cabinet to sit the tank on. Problem sorted and it means I can put it against the wall opposite the sofa, underneath where the projector screen is. I'll finally be able to look at it straight on instead...

Oh :( Thanks for letting me know. I'll get some shorter ones and see how I get on. At least I won't be planting anything too fiddly! Viv

Mmmm I was after something longer than that DrRob, up to twice as long. Claire are yours long or the more standard 25-27 cm ones? I have trouble reaching to the subtrate of my Vision 450 even with a step up. Now I'm going to plant it up I need something that will make it a lot easier. I've seen...

Anyone got any recommendations for good long handled planting tools? I tried to find the ones I saw on here but I'm not having much luck :( Viv

I've got the 2213 and 2 2217's and I've been very happy with them on the whole. Individually each one is pretty quiet - I can barely hear the smaller one, the larger ones have a low hum. The only times they've been noisy are when I haven't primed them properly and there was air trapped inside. Viv

I don't know enough to give you the sort of advice you're after but from what I've learned having no CO2 makes you low tech. I don't think on its own it makes you 'Natural' or anything. I think these are more styles of scaping - might be wrong though! When I first decided to have a go at a...

I've enjoyed reading your posts ceg, you expalin things very well. But can I clarify something? You seem to be implying that photosynthes is a process that only occurs in light. But during the lighting period the plant only produces energy (stored as ATP). Its during the unlit/dark hours that it...

Bearing in mind what you've said about impatience (know that feeling all too well!! :D) then I agree with AverageWhiteBloke - start with the 60cm (and use the 180 for the malawis during your move), then move onto the 180 if/when you want to and the fish are back in their 5ft tank. I agree with...

Hello Ian :) I'd go for the 180 too, its what I've started with and I think its a good size, room to work with but not quite as expensive on things like substrate and plants - jealous you've got the vision though! :mrgreen: Viv

As long as your water readings are fine then I wouldn't think its anything to actually worry about. The waste will sink in to the gravel and get broken down (so is good for the plants in that respect :) ), but I take it you just don't like the look of it? Can I ask if there some reason why your...

If I had a piece of kit like this mine would probably want to take it apart - or try and reprogramme it! :roll: Viv

It seems to have all been about wives so far! :) My hubby has an interest in that he likes to look at the tanks, will talk about changes with me and will help with any lifting etc More importantly he doesn't mind me spending money on my hobby - especially now it pays its way a little bit! But...

Re: How much time do people spend actually watching their ta All my main tanks are in my living/dining room - the 450 acts as a room divider on the left, the 180 and the fighter are opposite the sofa and the 125 is on the right. I watch these on and off all day when I'm at home - which, as hubs...

I thought that - I'm all electric! I would have a tank full of hot water though so I could use that to keep the temp up in the smaller tanks. I get quite a few power cuts here too but thankfully they tend to be very short!! Viv

I haven't got masses of experience with externals but the ones I have (all eheim classics) never shut themselves off. Seems an odd thing for a filter to do :? Why not email the company and see what they say about it and if they say this is normal for this filter, find out what the reasoning is...

Crikey! Thats some pretty good growth!! Its looking really good :thumbup: Viv

Thanks for the replies :) Viv

I keep reading about akadama but have never seen it - only photos. Why is it so good? I like the eco-complete I've used and its indistinguishable from the fine black gravel so I was thinking about using a mixture of these next time. I looked into ADA amazonia but tbh I'm put off by all the...

Tanks look good and I'm glad moving the 180 went okay :D In my first planted tank I mixed Tesco cat litter with eco-complete and overlaid it with black gravel. Over time I've found that as I've had to remove plants cat litter has been pulled through to the surface and I hate it :x I've...

The AE aqua carbon gets the thumbs up from me and it didn't harm my krib fry. Viv

What flooring have you got? We've (well, mostly hubby sitting on the floor and using his legs!!) managed to slide a virtually full Rio 300 and a Vision 450 across laminate flooring. Moving our Rio 180 was a doddle after those two!! Carpet would make things a lot harder but two strong people...

Just wanted to add that while I'm a fan of Juwel tanks and think the provided filters are great for filtration, I really don't think they provide enough flow for a planted tank and wouldn't get to all areas of the tank. So as well as dealing with any CO2 issues I'd think about getting a small...

I got the regulator, drop checker etc needed to go pressurised CO2. FE and inline diffuser are on their way so won't be long before I can set it up!! :D I also got blue leds for my 450 and an overhead light unit with 2 white, 1 blue for a small 2ft tank I'm setting up for shrimp - yellow...

This is not good news! I'm planning on changing to these heaters but all my tanks are in my living room. A bevy of loud clicks would drive me nuts!! I think I'll just try one for starters - I hope the clicking isn't too intrusive!! Viv

I've been using 5ml on my 180 since February. Plants are growing well and fish are alive and happy so I don't think its too much. Viv

Re: My fish seem to have no fear - problem with tank mainten danmil3s said "Have you tried poking them with a stick, I find this very effective on most things the dog, wife, and small children." :lol: I've tried swatting at mine with the gravel cleaner but they just seemed to think it was...

Re: My fish seem to have no fear - problem with tank mainten I know what you mean as I jumped out of my skin the first time it happened. Still not keen on it and the odessa's can actually give quite a nip. I don't think there's going to be anything you can do about because as said, it means...

Totally inadequate at expressing at how I feel about this scape but - that is so amazing!!!!! Viv

After much looking around the consensus seemed to be RO or getting pressurised CO2 would be the best bets for lowering pH long term. I'll be trying the CO2 soon so will see! RO wasn't really an option for me but may be for you? Personally I think red-tailed black sharks are too aggressive and...

This something my husband goes on about every week when I do water changes. Its his ideal scenario so I'm interested to see how it goes for you. Viv

That's good to know! I am going to be using a FE. Viv

I can't really help with your plant issues as I don't have the knowledge. When I set my tank up I had huge problems with algae but mine was all to do with insufficient flow. About the white bugs though, they might be planaria worms. Over-feeding contributes but there is a treatment called...

Ok :) I'm a bit of a worry-wart at the best of times and I'm really quite nervous about this whole CO2 thing! I'm sure it will all go well when the time comes though and I'll feel like an idiot!! :lol: Viv

Oh! This one was recommended to me and may already be wrapped up somewhere. If its not is there another you would recommend? Viv PS I seem to have hijacked this thread! If I should move it elsewhere please let me know!!

I'm hoping to get a solenoid. In fact this: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170636382159?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_5842wt_905 is what I'm hoping to get. I'm sure once I've got all the bits and pieces I need I will be on here somewhere asking for set up advice! Viv

Thanks for this. I have been stressing over making the change so deciding to take it slow and play it safe is helpful. I can't imagine being confident with the gas atm but like anything else I'm sure that will change with use and familiarity!! Viv

That was the intention - now I'm not sure! It isn't easycarbo I use. It is actually called aqua carbon (from Aqua Essentials) but I suppose its exactly the same stuff? Its taken me over a year to decide to go pressurised and now I'm wondering if I should :? :) Too late now though as I...

I see. Do you use the same dose or less because of the CO2? I'm interested because I'll soon be changing over to pressurised CO2. Currently dosing a 180l tank with 5ml of aqua carbon every day. Would it be a good idea to keep up with this and maybe add a bit of CO2 rather than changing over...

Right! I think I'll try that this weekend then and see how it goes. Viv

Thanks for the claryification foxfish :D Viv

LOL! I get each bucket to temp using hot and cold water from the tap. I always though just putting in cold water would be BAD. Might have to rethink this though as it would make life a whole lot easier!! I change 30% of the 450l every week, 50% of the 180l and 20-25% on the 125l and 2 60l tanks...

Sorry if this is a dumb question but why use easycarbo if you've got CO2 running? I've not heard of anyone having both at the same time but my experience is limited! Is there any benefit to it? Viv