American Livebearer Association :: Forum

World Water Parameters Data [by Melody]

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 21:02:17 -0100

Tank Setup::World Water Parameters Data
The United Nations Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS) Water Programme offers a water quality & parameter tool. Hobbyists may find it useful for wild/wild-type Livebearer environment replication.

http://www.gemstat.org

Re: Breeding tank set up for platys [by gerard]

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 05:21:40 -0100

Tank Setup::Breeding tank set up for platys
IO agree. Anytime there appears to be a fish that is shy for more than a few days there is usually something else wrong. I would isolate him in a seperate tank for recovery and monitor him with out other fish around and watch his behavior especiall monitor if he is eating.
gerard

Decorating Aquariums for the Holidays [by Melody]

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 23:04:49 -0100

Tank Setup::Decorating Aquariums for the Holidays
Do you decorate your aquariums for the holidays? I'd love to see some pictures if you do.

Martha Stewart truly decorates everything, including aquariums...

DIY Fish Tank Christmas Tree

Re: Installing Sponge Filter [by Matt68046]

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:09:05 -0100

Tank Setup::Installing Sponge Filter
The round sponge filters is the only kind i use. They are basically bio filters, you don't even really need the tube. Its purpose is to draw the water up and thru the sponge. You can bend it at the top, as my LFS does, or you can cut it in half with a saw like i do, or if it is well below the waterline, just leave it as it is. if it is above the waterline, it will have no suction and will only serve as a bio filter.

Re: filter for livebearer fry [by harryknaub]

Sat, 06 Oct 2012 14:47:49 -0100

Tank Setup::filter for livebearer fry
I mostly use HOB filters and haven't noticed any losses. The Xiphophorus couchianus fry are tiny, maybe 3/16 in. and they seem able to stay away from the tubes. Having said that, I think the idea of a sponge over the intake is probably a great idea.

Harry Knaub

Re: Setting up new 55 gal tank - layout idea? [by ltw246]

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 20:33:55 -0100

Tank Setup::Setting up new 55 gal tank - layout idea?
Some very nice layouts are shown at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKoUFP ... izlA&index=1&feature=plcp

Re: Using media/plants to help cycle new tanks [by iwrmom]

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 21:17:59 -0100

Tank Setup::Using media/plants to help cycle new tanks
I got c. pygmaeus last week and c. hasbrosus this week...three of each...and they seem to love swimming around with each other AND with the five male endlers. It is the perfect little community. But...no more fishies for the 15g for now. It has 11 between the corys and endlers and I think that anymore than 15 fish in a 15g is considered overstocking (unless my plants and the small size of the endlers change the equation). I will move in the few male fry when they show color but anything else will have to wait until I get a bigger 30g tank from a friend.

Re: STUDY: Aquarium Nitrification Revisited [by Oldman]

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 02:02:34 -0100

Tank Setup::STUDY: Aquarium Nitrification Revisited
Well done Mel.
I have also read through that whole article while working as a MOD elsewhere. I find it a bit disturbing when I get down to reading the actual details though. The method they used to identify the specific population ratios involved was one that was said to affect those same ratios in the study done by Havonec. It is why he chose to use other methods to identify the involved species of bacteria. I do not have adequate scientific expertise to evaluate who is right, but I do find the competing theories interesting to contemplate. Meanwhile, Havonec was quite successful in producing the only functional bacteria additive that I know of when he was working with a domestic American company.

Re: Best filter for a 55 gallon tank? [by Oldman]

Sun, 25 Mar 2012 01:46:34 -0100

Tank Setup::Best filter for a 55 gallon tank?
WorldF, that filter is plenty. Pay no attention to the multiples of tank volume per hour unless you use a dense planting scheme. If you have dense plantings, you want to circulate the water to prevent local peaks of different chemicals.
A large enough surface for your biological filtration is a real priority unless you have so many plants that the nitrogen just can't survive in the water. I use simple air driven box filters in many of my tanks and they work just fine. I doubt that I even get 2x in those tanks but the fish don't know that. They just go on thriving and reproducing. I do fill my box filters with ceramic media to make sure the biological filtration surface is large enough.
Think about filter flow this way. People who make filters often put bigger pumps in bigger filters so hobbyists get used to thinking in terms of rated flow instead of noticing how much media is in the filter. The reason the higher flow filter is thought to be better is because they hold far more media. When you first clean a filter the real flow is probably at least half as much as the flow rating, but a month later it is probably much lower. It keeps right on working and converting nitrogenous wastes even though it is beginning to be plugged up and has that reduced flow. You clean it and really don't worry about the flow rate after, you worry more about damaging the biological effect of the filter by using poor cleaning techniques.
No filter, short of one that will rearrange your substrate, will ever keep fish waste from accumulating on the bottom, so flow is not a real factor there either. It is up to you to remove those wastes with a gravel vac. As long as the filter contains enough media, it will be fine.

Re: Walstad-Type Natural Planted Tanks [by Dataguru]

Thu, 19 Jan 2012 22:39:30 -0100

Tank Setup::Walstad-Type Natural Planted Tanks
I'm going to be a guest on Aqua Botanic Radio- Using soil in the aquarium Saturday 1/28/12 12:00 PM central time

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/aquabota ... sing-soil-in-the-aquarium

Robert says there will be a chat room and you can call in if you want to ask questions or give me a hard time.

Betty