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  1. Sacha

    Best cheap filter floss?

    Hi all, Looking for a cheap but high quality alternative to Juwel bioflow poly pads / filter floss. This is the white pad that sits on the top of the Bioflow filter. I am hoping to buy in bulk and cut down to size. I bought some cheap floss on eBay a while ago but it just fell apart within a...
  2. Sacha

    Clip-on light for low tech bowl?

    I'm planning to turn an old glass bowl into a low tech (no fish) setup just with garden soil and plants. Can anyone recommend a good Clip-on light to attach to the rim of the bowl? Preferably relatively high intensity. Many thanks
  3. Sacha

    Do I need external filter for my low tech?

    Hi all, I've had my Juwel Rio 240 running as a successful low-tech since December. Lightly stocked with fish and shrimp - no trace of algae and plants growing slowly but steadily. Lots of floating plants. I'm using the Juwel internal filter with an upgraded 1,000 lph powerhead, and in addition...
  4. Sacha

    Final attempt before I pack it in and start again

    Hi all, I've reached the end of my tether now and am on the verge of tearing my tank down and starting from scratch (new substrate etc.) but just after some final advice before I do so. My Juwel Rio 240 has been running now for almost 2 years. It has a layer of John Innes soil, topped with...
  5. Sacha

    How to remove crypt cleanly?

    Hi all, after some advice please. In my low-tech 240 I have a layer of soil (John Innes) covered by gravel. I have about 8 ugly cryptocoryne wendtii brown in the tank that have been established for about 6 months now. I don't know why I bought these plants. They are just unsightly and don't...
  6. Sacha

    First low tech - advice needed

    Hi all, I've just ordered a brand new Juwel Rio 240 and intend to set it up as a low-tech. Some of you will remember I owned a high-tech Rio 125 for several years. A couple of years ago I got rid of the Co2 because it wasn't helping my situation at all, and switched to liquid carbon instead...
  7. Sacha

    Do Corydoras dislike Easycarbo?

    A couple of years ago I had a Cory apocalypse- about 15 died on me in the space of 6 weeks. I never diagnosed the problem but guessed it was some kind of infection. I've been keeping about 20 Trilineatus very happily for about a year now. I've just had one die on me with the same symptoms as...
  8. Sacha

    What would you change about this setup?

    Hi all, It's been a while since I posted here! I have a Juwel Rio 125 now moderately planted low tech with very easy plants (swords, anubias, ludwigia, hygrophila). This tank used to be high-tech but it was just way more trouble than it was worth for me. I recently re-scaped the tank and am...
  9. Sacha

    Converting to low tech...

    Well it's been a fun ride but I think it's time that I packed in the Co2 and simplified my set up. At the moment I am using Co2 and RO/DI water re-mineralised to 100PPM. The environment is ideal for the livestock that I keep: Cardinal tetras Silvertip tetras Pentazona barbs Corydoras...
  10. Sacha

    Are Otos more sensitive to Co2 than other fish?

    Hi all, I have had a lot of trouble keeping otocinclus alive in my high-tech planted tank. There is plenty for them to eat, and I cannot see of any particular reason why they always seem to get sick and die. The fish appear healthy in all other respects (they have full bellies, gills not...
  11. Sacha

    In search of an accurate thermometer

    Hi folks, This is one of those things that has bothered me for my entire fishkeeping career. I have never been able to find an accurate in-tank thermometer. The best I have found is one built into the Seneye Home, but I don't use that in my tank anymore since it's a pain to have a computer...
  12. Sacha

    Is it just random luck?

    I paid a visit to Aquatic Design Centre yesterday because I wanted to take photos of an ADA tank there that I've had my eye on for a while. It is the best plant growth I have ever seen in a tank, online or otherwise. As you can see from the last picture, Co2 is fed from a single glass...
  13. Sacha

    Where to buy coarse sponge?

    I want some coarse sponge for my filter (Eheim Pro 600). The only one they sell is for the pre- filter tray, so it has that big cut- out bit in the middle. I have that sponge, but I also want to put some sponge in the bottom tray. Can I buy a big sheet of coarse sponge somewhere and cut round...
  14. Sacha

    Water changes on large tank?

    Hi guys, I have had my 125 litre tank for a few years now, and I do 50% weekly water changes with RO. We're having my room refurbished in May and I would like to get a bigger tank for when that happens. I'm looking at the Juwel Rio 300 and the Rio 400. The 300 is 350 litres, which would mean...
  15. Sacha

    How often do you fiddle with your tank?

    Let's be honest, we all do it. Some of us fiddle once a week, some a few times a week, some of us may even fiddle several times in the same day! So how often do you fiddle with your tank? Apart from the weekly water change, how often do you trim plants/ scrape algae/ play with the scape? For...
  16. Sacha

    Water flow in unfiltered tank?

    I have an unfiltered nano wabi- Kusa bowl that I have recently flooded. It is home to one nerite snail currently, hopefully more snails/ shrimp to come soon. It is heavily planted with HC and a few stem plants. I have a small air pump connected to some airline tubing. This oxygenates the water...
  17. Sacha

    Keeping nerite alive?

    My Co2 softwater tank is killing my nerite snail. His shell is eroding. I remember reading something once about repairing the shell with nail varnish?? Is there anything I can do to stop/ reverse the shell erosion?
  18. Sacha

    Not regenerating Purigen?

    I use two bags of Purigen in my filter. They become discoloured and brown very quickly (a couple of weeks). To regenerate them so regularly is a hassle, and very expensive in terms of the amount of Prime required. Is Purigen any good if used without ever regenerating it? Or is it just...
  19. Sacha

    Is this spray bar configuration ok?

    This thread can be deleted now, I've re- configured my spray bars entirely now.
  20. Sacha

    Is high flow making my fish miserable?

    In my endless effort to achieve "good circulation" around the tank, I now have an obscene amount of flow. My tank is a Juwel Rio 125. I have one 1250 lph Eheim external filter, and a 1000 lph internal filter pump. Accounting for displacement, I have around 20x turnover I reckon. Flow is...
  21. Sacha

    An observation

    Just a personal observation... I have had diatoms growing on my tank walls, and on the Staurogyne Repens for months now. The diatoms is only present in the shaded areas of the tank, mostly on low leaves that are shaded by the higher leaves. After struggling for literally months trying to...
  22. Sacha

    Which filter media to remove to prevent Co2 "burping"

    As some of you know, I have put my UP inline diffuser onto the intake of my Eheim Pro 600 filter, to minimise the amount of visible bubbles in the tank water. All good, except for the fact that the filter burps a few times an hour, making an annoying, loud "gushing" noise. I'm guessing this is...
  23. Sacha

    Drilling holes in Eheim spray bar

    I need to drill some holes in my Eheim 16/22 spray bar, because the flow coming through the filter is too powerful as it is. I actually have it attached to an internal Juwel 1000 lph filter, and not the Eheim external. So, what's the easiest way to drill a few more holes in the spray bar...
  24. Sacha

    Why do my old leaves look like this?

    For a while I have had a problem with all the old growth in my tank. The new growth is always lush and healthy and algae- free. But all the old leaves on all of the plants look like this: This is a Ludwigia Repens 'Rubin' leaf. The rest of the stem is perfectly healthy. At first I...
  25. Sacha

    Question- inline diffuser on filter intake

    I just connected my UP inline diffuser to the intake pipe of my filter, because I was sick of the micro- bubbles coming through the spray bar when it was on the out- pipe. Now, the micro bubbles are exactly the same. No change to having it on the out- flow. Does this mean I have bypass going...
  26. Sacha

    Sera reactor 500 vs reactor 1000

    So my third UP inline diffuser has now started leaking, and i've decided to give up on them as they are clearly prone to leaks. What's the difference between the Sera Reactor 500 and the 1000 model? My tank is 125 litres and the external filter is 1250 lph.Well, it looks like you can't buy...
  27. Sacha

    Regenerating Purigen?

    On their website (http://www.seachem.com/Products/product_pages/Purigen.html) we're told to use "regular 8.25% hypochlorite household bleach ". I am using Tesco value thin bleach (Sodium Hypochlorite 1.5g per 100g): Will this be ok? Shall I soak it for 24 hours? Their instructions say to use...
  28. Sacha

    Massive flow- unhappy fish?

    This is a question about flow in my 125 litre tank. This is a co2 injected tank. I am running an Eheim Professional 3 (600) filter which is rated at 1250 lph. In addition to this, I am using an upgraded Juwel internal filter with a 1000 lph pump. Today I attached an extra spray bar to the...
  29. Sacha

    Seeking advice- HC in low tech?

    I have started an emersed tank: http://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/sachas-emersed-adventure.32879/ And it seems to be doing well. The plants have all rooted and the HC is starting to grow. The thing is, my nerite snail in my main Co2 tank is not doing well. He doesn't like the acidic Co2-...
  30. Sacha

    The Green Machine- a bit disappointed.

    I recently went to Wales for a few days, and on the drive back to London I decided to stop off in Wrexham to check out the Green Machine. To be honest the place is nothing special. They had two large planted tanks, but they weren't exactly spectacular. Then about 6 or 7 smaller ADA tanks...
  31. Sacha

    Filterless, heaterless shrimp tank- is it possible?

    As above really. I currently have a wabi Kusa bowl that I have made using an old baby biorb (~15L). I was thinking it would be cool to flood the tank and use it for shrimp. But it would have to be without a filter and without a heater. And the tank will only hold about 8-10 litres of water...
  32. Sacha

    Help with new style UP inline atomizer

    I have just bought this atomizer: http://www.co2art.co.uk/collections/diffusers-reactors/products/original-up-new-inline-co2-atomizer-diffuser-system-16-22mm-hose Its new feature is that you can take it part to clean the ceramic. I have no idea how to take it apart. I am reluctant to use any...
  33. Sacha

    Cleaning sand

    Just wondering what is the best way to clean the sand in my tank? It has a layer of Tetraplant complete underneath it. I have never actually vacuumed the sand, because it causes too much disturbance in the tank. But now I've been reading that some people do actually Hoover their sand?
  34. Sacha

    Sodium

    This is an issue that I've raised before, but I've never really got a definitive answer. I use RO water in my planted (Co2) tank. I re- mineralize that water using JBL Aquadur. JBL Aquadur contains: Cations: Calcium 45% Sodium 32% Potassium 13% Magnesium 10% Anions: Hydrogen Carbonate...
  35. Sacha

    £2500 fish

    Stopped by Aquatic Design Centre today. They had some amazing livestock in. Here is a Gem Tang. Price tag: £2500. Yes, two thousand five hundred pounds. They also sold an Angel last week for £7000! I urge anyone in London to stop in and check out the amazing creatures on display here.
  36. Sacha

    Need help- circulation

    I need serious help with the circulation in my tank. The tank is a Juwel Rio 125. It has the internal filter (upgraded), so 1000 lph. And an external APS 1400 lph. So 24x turnover total. The Co2 is injected using an UP inline atomic diffuser, so the Co2 comes straight out of the spray bar. I...
  37. Sacha

    Pearling

    Got some great pearling after the water change this evening. Thought I'd take some photos.
  38. Sacha

    Juwel internal filter media

    My tank is a Juwel Rio 125. I have a 1400 lph external filter inside which I have one coarse blue sponge, a layer of Sera Siporax, and a piece of white filter floss. As well as this, I also still use the Juwel internal Bioflow filter. I upgraded the pump from the stock 600 lph to a more powerful...
  39. Sacha

    Looking for Co2 refillers in London

    As the title suggests I need to refill two FE and want it to be reasonable. Last time I was charged £35 for two which is a bit steep. Do Mr. fizz in Uxbridge still exist? I doubt it somehow. Anyone got any recommendations?
  40. Sacha

    Need help- setting up riparium in garden?

    Someone flytipped this at the top of my road: I took it home and filled it up. It holds water about 40% of the way up, but the seal has come apart at one of the corners, about halfway up. So it is only half- watertight. I've decided that I can't be bothered trying to find a filter, hood...
  41. Sacha

    Drop checker stopped working

    I use Co2 art 4dKH water with 5 drops of Bromothymol blue from the API pH test kit bottle. This has been working fine for a few months. But now the drop checker has stopped working. It is always yellow in the tank. When I take it out of the tank, it turns blue after a couple of hours. However...
  42. Sacha

    My pH profile

    I have just completed a pH profile for today. Time is along the x- axis, pH is along the y- axis. 12:30 = Co2 ON 14:00 = Lights ON 21:00 = Co2 OFF 22:30 = Lights OFF KH is approximately 2.7 According to a few charts, I am achieving approximately 30 PPM Co2 concentration...
  43. Sacha

    How to get rid of aerial roots

    My Ludwigia Palustris is growing well and looking great, but it's got loads of little white aerial roots coming down from the lower half of the stem. They're really ugly. Is there any way to prevent them from growing? I don't want to have to uproot all the plants just to snip off the shoots
  44. Sacha

    Can someone explain Rubisco to me?

    I'm struggling to understand exactly what Rubisco is and what role it plays in plants' self- regulation. Can someone give me a brief explanation of what it is please? Thanks.
  45. Sacha

    Carpets with Cory?

    I have some Staurogyne Repens due to arrive today. Ultimately, I would love to make it a big carpet. The thing is, cory are sand- sifters. If I cover up the sand, the cory won't be as happy, will they?
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