Calling all fish tank owners

[Ant]

I've been using TetraTec APS air pumps in my two tanks. An APS 50 in my small tank and an APS 300 in my main 120l tank. Got no complaints, both very quiet and haven't had any problems with them. The APS 300 has two outlets, so you can have two air lines coming out, or you can connect them for one big air line.

Can't compare them to anything else though as they've been the only two I've used.

[neonplanet40]

Cheers for the reply Ant. Ive ordered a Tetratec aps 400. Should be more than enough i would think.

Lately ive added a good few more fish but i can get my nitrite and ammonia levels to stay down. Nitrite sits at about 0.25 when it should be 0. I think there could be too many fish or somthin.

I have a juwel record 120 so you guys know what the filtration is like. If i was to get another filter. Maybe and undergravel one as well would this help the tank? 2 filters which would be able to cope with more fish?

Or am i going about this wrong.

Neon

[Ant]

I reckon that should be more than enough too.

I have some additives at home which I had to use once when my ammonia and nitrite levels went crazy, helped balance things out again. It’s been fine ever since. I will get their names when I get in later from work and update the thread. I also have a Rekord 120 and find the filtration system which came with it more than adequate. I think it does a good job considering the amount of fish I have in mine. How many fish do you have?

[neonplanet40]

thanks for the quick reply! I have between 25 and 30. Its hard to count them whent hey are constantly swimming around! I jsut dont see why the levels are spiking. Its a fully matured tank (over 1 year) I do water changes weekly and when i wash the pads i wash them in used tank water. I also added the 10 fish over a period of 14 days.

Im nto sure how many fish our tank can hold though. I have alrady lsot 2 (quite big) tiger barbs and as we speak my clown loach is in dyer need.

Neon

[Ant]

I was just as surprised when my water went crazy that time. My tank currently has just under 50, admittedly small, fish and the filter system is doing a good job I think. Mine has also been going for just over a year now. Have you replaced any of the filter sponges?

Unfortunately this is where my limited knowledge ends. I think your best bet is go see your local fish supplier as soon as you can and see what they think. Take a water sample with you for them to test. My local aquatics place has been brilliant in answering questions like this for me.

PS Have you spotted this thread yet?

[neonplanet40]

Wow under 50? And i thought i had too much. Must be something else then. Let me know the additives you use when you get a chance.

The only sponges i have replaced is the carbon sponge and the white poly pad weekly. The rest i have never changed. I wash the grime of them in used tank water but that is all.

It wouldnt be my new live plants would it?

I thought they actually would help the water. (although they dont look the best at the minute....)

I will have to go to my local fish dealer then. Its problems like this that always cost money to fix!!!

Yes i seen that thread. Ill have to get some pictures put up!!!

[Ant]

Got the details here for you. They're both made by Sera:
Ammovec "Sera Ammovec is a special mixture of purifying bacteria that reduces the biological activation time for new aquariums, and breaks-down ammonium and nitrite for cleaner water under everyday conditions."

Nitivec "Sera Nitrivec is a special mixture of purifying bacteria, which serves a purpose od breaking down ammonium and nitrite. With long-term effect, these microorganisms immediately remove the polutants and provide clear water for the aquarium."

I used both those products after a 50% water change when my water went funny, and it was back to normal soon afterwards. I would also change the green Nitrate removal sponge.

Hope that helps.

[neonplanet40]

Ty for your help Ant. Ill give this a go and see what happens


Hopefully the clown loach can hang on!!!

Neon

[Ant]

No problem Neon! I just hope that helps, still may be worth getting a 2nd opinion from the fish shop while you're there.

My clown loaches like to play dead sometimes, one even lies on its sides. Just takes a tap on the glass to wake him up.

Hang in there loachie!

[neonplanet40]

Ok well then he may be ok. Its jsut that every now and then he lies on his side in the ornament and looks dead. next minute he is swimming about! So he may just be ok.

Im looking to get some floting plants but i cant find anya tm. I think it would be good for my female siamese fighters to hide in......

Neon

[Ant]

Yeah, playing dead is normal behaviour for them, so if you've had it a while doing this I wouldn't worry too much.

I'm also after some floating plants, but still struggling to find some... I've also got a female fighter, but its in a bowl downstairs. Once I do find some decent floating plants or my currents plants grow high enough, I'll move her into my main tank. I'd like to add a male one day too... If I'm lucky they may mate, which is apparently very interesting to watch.

[neonplanet40]

lol well i have 2 female fighters in my tank and they are ok. They are a lovely change of purple/blue. Ive only had them and the clown loach for 1 week.

You have really nice plants in your tank. I only have about 4 and they arent doing great. I use "leaf zone" aquarium plant food to feed them once a week. Any advice on live plants? Also any good places on the net to buy good plants?

I cant find the lead to connect my camera to my computer in case ppl are wondering why i aint put any fotos on yet

[Ant]

Thanks, I don't know a lot about plants, just buy what looks good and bung them in the tank! Only one of the plants in there has been in there since the start. All the rest have been added in the past few months. So far they are coping well... I have had some grassy plants before but they never lasted. I do add some Florena plant fertizer when I remember, but other than that don't do much with them. No idea about buying plants on the net I'm afraid. Never though of looking on there. Would the plants survive the transit?

[neonplanet40]

Ive got plants on the net before and theya rrived fine. I guess it depends where youg et them. There are some good sellers on ebay believe it or not