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  1. bugs

    Filter cleaning, how often

    After trying a number of internal and external filters over the years, I keep coming back to Juwel internal filters. Good capacity, well made, easy access and with a fine filter at the top of the media stack there's very little that causes the media below to clog. None of those useless suction...
  2. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    OK, thanks. It's a 55 litre tank so I'm proposing 600g welding gas from Machine Mart (£14). I'm anticipating getting a few months off each cylinder so not such an overhead to keep an eye on them and get to a point when I can predict when they're likely to run out.
  3. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    Thanks for such a comprehensive reply. Much appreciated! I see some valves are double stage, primarily (it seems) to ensure pressures are maintained right to the end of the gas supply. Does anyone use one of these vs single stage? Worth the extra?
  4. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    Hmmm... Getting sucked in... Considering CO2 now, for a couple of reasons.... Firstly, it's just occurred to me that daily dosing of liquid carbon will be a pain, especially when on holiday! Secondly, the basis of liquid carbon is rumoured to be a particularly nasty chemical. So... To help...
  5. bugs

    Filter Media... Nitrate Remover and Carbon Foams

    I wish I was better at understanding these things. Thank you for saving me the wasted expense of buying alternatives!
  6. bugs

    Filter Media... Nitrate Remover and Carbon Foams

    Probably a stupid question but just checking current thinking... TNC Liquid Carbon and combined ferts dosed tank... No gas CO2. I propose to REMOVE and replace both the carbon and nitrate remover sponges from my new filter and replace with basic sponges. This is what I've done in the past...
  7. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    Thank you. I'm topping off with gravel. I noticed Tropica have changed the names slightly too on their site - not helpful!
  8. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    TNC Carbon - check. Tropica Growth Substrate - check. Thank you!
  9. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    Perfect! Now I just need to think about which substrate to go under the gravel and which liquid carbon to use.
  10. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    That's a very long article and my laziness will probably mean I end up eating my words but it seems the argument is save money? I'm erring on the side spending the money for the convenience.
  11. bugs

    Back again... Another new start...

    Longish Winded Background Story... Hi all. Not been around for some time, having downgraded to a small basic tank while I got on with renovating my home. I've still got a couple of rooms to do and some other projects but having tired of looking at the sorry excuse of my current aquarium I...
  12. bugs

    Don't forget to adjust your timers... EOM

    I like to contribute something to the forum :D
  13. bugs

    Don't forget to adjust your timers... EOM

    Don't forget to adjust your timers... EOM
  14. bugs

    Water Changes. How do you do it?

    I keep contemplating making a "Y" junction on the suction side of my external, with the extra outlet going in to an Eheim tap kit so I can connect a hose and run it to waste. Just need to get round to doing something about it. Fortunately I'm low-tech so water changes are really a frequent...
  15. bugs

    THE best way of cycling a planted tank?

    I've never been a fan of so called maturing additives, however, I was surprised how popular Tetra Safestart is. Have a rummage around Cichlid forums and you'll see what I mean. BTW - Safestart contains the bacteria rather than the waste required to start a new family.
  16. bugs

    Low tech large set-up HELP?

    You're describing the reasons I have recently switched to low-tech, although I'm probably not sufficiently progressed with it to know what works and what doesn't (i.e. probably not much help to you). I only put the plants in yesterday. This taken me some time to get going for one reason or...
  17. bugs

    The Planted Aquarium Podcast. #3 with Tom Barr

    Wierd... I stumbled (kinda*) across the very same earlier today too. I tried to listen but got bored though. * Google alerts for "planted aquarium".
  18. bugs

    Where Did You Start?

    I first got in to planted tanks about 10 years ago. I was vaguely aware of the idea of using CO2 and had sought out Dennerle and realised their kit was A. expensive and B. not readily available. Somehow or other I stumbled across a company called Hobby Fish, run by two brothers who, if my memory...
  19. bugs

    How can I move my tank to new house?

    Too late now but, for future reference, you can often buy polystyrene lidded boxes from fish shops for a nominal sum (or sometimes they'll let you have them for free). Get lots of bags too. Bag up the fish, enclosing lots of air in the bag too, pop them in the box. Fill out any remaining space...
  20. bugs

    Good plant suppliers?

    My low-tech is going to be low-budget. I'm planning to plant a large variety of plants and see what grows and more or less let it do it's own thing (aka jungle). I've got my eye on Java, Plants Alive, Pro Aqau Plant (ex Greenline), and Aquarium Gardening all as possible suppliers of...
  21. bugs

    hobby or obsession

    I think obsession is just a phase for most. There's so many choices of set-up and it's not exactly straightforward to switch between different types on a whim. So, you end up with numerous tanks and an increasing dependency on optimising all aspects either to keep up with maintenance or just in...
  22. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    The debate is not about what makes a bad aquascaper. Taking your example, one "hit" scape does not make a "great" aquascaper. One musical hit does not make a "great" musician. Greatness goes beyond the ability to competently complete the task in hand in a credible manner (IMO...) On the subject...
  23. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    Someone could create one great scape and one hundred not to great scapes. Not a great aquascaper in my opinion...
  24. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    LOL - We've moved from great aquascapers to great scapes... (For which I am partly to blame with my reference to scapes). There's a difference in my mind, despite both being valid.
  25. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    I'll check out the PFK thing that you mention. Sounds like it could be interesting.
  26. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    Just another train of thought... Define "great aquascaper". I see many variations on what Amano has popularised. I'm not really in to studying his form but he seems to have something original and personal in many of his scapes which many tend to copy. There's nothing wrong with copying but it...
  27. bugs

    Your Fishkeeping History

    I got bored listing it all... Basically, started in 1982 and I've had up to five tanks on the go at once (in the days when it takes over...). Currently on the cusp of doing low-tech planted or Cichlid tank.
  28. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    Sweeping observation. :)
  29. bugs

    Are there any great female aquascapers?

    I think you'll find most males do it to show off their prowess to others, whereas women will do it primarily for their own pleasure. Same as many things... Hence why you find a lot of males in forums showing off their tanks, cars, woodworking skills, computer skill, etc, etc, etc...
  30. bugs

    Top beginners' FAQs

    I wasn't joking when I previously wrote: ...as a FAQ.
  31. bugs

    hi im new

    If you an ex-marine then I suspect you'll be drawn towards high-tech but, before taking that route I would recommend exploring the El Natural option too. Not suggesting that it is better - just another approach which may appeal. Diana Walstad's book makes a good, in depth, read.
  32. bugs

    Top beginners' FAQs

    I thought someone had already written an article as an introduction for someone new to planted tanks. Those FAQ's not already answered in the article should perhaps be incorporated in to the article rather than duplicate in another form? Alternatively, add links to pre-saved (forum) searches...
  33. bugs

    Removing Limescale from top of the tank

    I just scrape it off using one of those cheap glass scrapers. Get some traditional razor blades for the scraper. They get ruined in fairly short order but generally do a good job.
  34. bugs

    Large Aquariums on wooden floors... Clive??

    I don't actually know the answer. However, starting points... Whilst the volume gives an indication of weight the footprint is important. What dimensions do you have in mind? Can you get at the underfloor joists to determine the direction they run in (relevant to your tank length). If you...
  35. bugs

    Heater Duration

    Sometimes there is beauty in simplicity, even if it is at the expense of some accuracy. Essentially I have a good enough answer to the question I originally posed. Of course, anyone wanting to take a more scientific approach should take note of Egmel's comments.
  36. bugs

    Heater Duration

    This evening I recorded the heater lamp for 1 hour (having turned OFF the heater cable...). Known: Heater wattage: 150w. Tank capacity: 75 litres. Room temp (start): 19c Room temp (end): 20c Heater on periods: 1. 2mins, 50secs 2. 2mins, 35secs 3. 2mins, 29secs So, based on these variables...
  37. bugs

    Clive...ever thought about writing a book?

    http://www.lulu.com/uk/
  38. bugs

    Heater Duration

    I'm hard pressed to find my heater switched on. I know it's been warm recently but my house stays reasonably cool and we never heat it above 19c. The lights must be slowing the heat loss. I recorded the heater light on two separate occasions for 1 hour each and the light did not come on once!
  39. bugs

    Heater Duration

    Not E.ON is seems - not unless you sign up to a contract... So nobody prepared to even hazard a guess at how long their heater runs for?
  40. bugs

    Heater Duration

    Yeah, I appreciate there's all manner of variables BUT, if you had to hazard a guess... I'm figuring I'd take the average of the guesses to flatten the variables. Not particularly scientific but good enough.
  41. bugs

    Heater Duration

    So, if you were going to use the PFK tank running cost calculator and therefore need to specify the number of hours the heater was running, what would you estimate based on a tank in a centrally heated house?
  42. bugs

    HELP!!!

    When I had a Juwel mine just fell off - twice! The silicon doesn't stick too well to the plastic so it should just come off with a bit of persistent persuasion.
  43. bugs

    Quite an interesting site

    Television tank...
  44. bugs

    Algae Magnet

    Doh - yes, Vauxhall Bridge Road.
  45. bugs

    Algae Magnet

    I wouldn't get too excited...
  46. bugs

    Algae Magnet

    Hi. Welcome. About 10 years ago it was possible to buy sensible sized magentic cleaners rather than the huge things they sell these days. The last place I recall seeing them (within the last few months (I think they have very slow stockturn!)) is a shop called Tachbrook Tropicals in Victoria...
  47. bugs

    Too much Redmoor wood

    I may be interested in a lump... 40" maybe., although I have to squeeze it down between the two cross members on my tank. What's the going rate?
  48. bugs

    Green film on water surface...

    To add some more info in view of the comments so far... The light levels were reduced in line with the removal of CO2 and ferts. Since the removal of CO2 and ferts I've watched the film appear and then disappear again. It's just recurred again recently. No sign of the plants degenerating but...
  49. bugs

    Green film on water surface...

    Green film on water surface - good or bad? Tank = 60cm, no CO2, no ferts (occasional splash of Leafzone, just to use up what's left in the bottle). It's psuedo El Natural in so far as I've switched off the CO2 and stopped adding ferts. The film is not posing any problems as the moment, I just...
  50. bugs

    Money well spent

    I've spent quite a lot but if I divide it by 20+ years of fishkeeping it does not work out to a great deal. The cost seems to occur in peaks - usually when I decide to redo the tank. Planted tanks represented probably the most expensive and time consuming "flavour". I've recently decreased the...
  51. bugs

    Beginning of the end - Solenoid has packed up...

    I'm not sure which make it was (it's thrown in the garage right now so not easy to check). It's been temperamental since a very short period in to its life - occasionally remaining partially open and then being OK for long periods before doing the same again for a few days (or nights to be...
  52. bugs

    Beginning of the end - Solenoid has packed up...

    Well, it's started, my tank is on the slope down from "high-tech" to low-tech. The idea was to keep the current tank going and start up an El Natural in the second-hand Rio 125 that I've just bought. But... last night I noticed that the lights were off but the CO2 was still pumping away in to...
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