GOLDFISH (NOR ANY FISH, IN MY OPINION) DO NOT BELONG IN BOWLS!   1/23/07
Hi Jorie,
<Hi again>
I'm afraid my fish lives in a bowl.
<Ok, this is not good for any fish, but especially a very messy goldfish (or two).  Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/gldfshsystems.htm.  Another good goldfish resource here: http://www.kokosgoldfish.com/ >
We don't use the term gallons but I think its about 4-5 liters.
<Just about...WAY too small for even one goldfish.  One fancy goldie needs at least 10 gal. of water, plus proper filtration and regular water changing.  Do read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwfiltration.htm >
I think that's one gallon.
<I am under the impression that 1 liter = (approx.) 0.26 US gallons.  Even if your bowl is 5 liters, that's about 1.3 US gallons...unsuitable for any fish.>
Well a regular bowl.
<Terrible.  Read here; even though its an article about Bettas, the same rationale applies: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/bettasysart.htm >
I don't know how much ammonia the water  has but I know we have hard water (I hope you understand my point).
<Ammonia and alkalinity (hardness of water) are not the same thing.  Ammonia is a toxin and cannot be present in any amount in a fish's water.  Here's a good article explaining "ammonia, nitrites and nitrates and how they interact to establish the necessary nitrogen cycle in an aquarium (which, is virtually impossible to do in a 1.3 US gal. fish bowl) : http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwestcycling.htm >
Oh, when I asked a friend who has some experience at this about my problem he said that its because I had different water from the pet shop,  or the fish was sick,  or he had a shock.
<Bottom line, if your friend has any reasonable amount of experience, he would have told you that you need an aquarium of at least 10 US gallons (just under 38 liters), with biological and mechanical filtration.  Also, you should be doing regular water changes, matching the pH and temp. of the "old" vs. the "new" water as closely as possible.  What your friend tells you is all true and possible, but the key issue is that your fish is essentially swimming in its own waste, in highly polluted water, and this will eventually kill him.>
He doesn't believe that the other goldfish was attacking the fantail.
<Well, if I recall correctly, you saw a "bite" in the fish that died? Something had to have caused this...>
Oh, and one more question. My goldfish is always at the surface for air so I want to buy an air pump.
<GET RID OF THE BOWL. Get a reasonable sized aquarium, as mentioned above.  If you want two goldfish, you'll need at least an 80 liter tank...>
Can I put one in the bowl?
<You could, but this won't resolve your polluted water problem. Invest in a larger tank instead.>
If yes, do you have some models to recommend.
<No, I recommend a bigger aquarium. Read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwset-up.htm >
Thanks you so much for your time. Sorry for all this questions.
<Don't apologize for asking, but please understand, this truly is an essential.  Your one fish likely died from poor environmental conditions, and your other one will likely perish as well.  It is cruel and inhumane to keep any fish in bowls, esp. goldfish, who are notoriously messy.  Not to mention there are great temperature fluctuations in small bowls, little oxygen content, etc...
Unfortunately, you don't have the luxury of taking all the time in the world to read the mounds of info. on proper fishkeeping; do your fish a favor, take my word on it, buy a larger aquarium with filtration, and get your fish in their ASAP.  All the while, be doing your reading, and you'll soon see why I'm so concerned for the health of your fish.
Best regards,
Jorie>

Insurance   9/21/06
Hello,
          I have recently moved into a new house, and my landlady is quite paranoid about my 120 gallon freshwater aquarium breaking. One of the stipulations of my lease is that I need to get renter's insurance that should cover damage, should the tank leak.
<This is a good idea... for both parties... for all your belongings>
I am, however, having a challenge finding such coverage. Can you point the way for me to seek any providers for this type of coverage? Thank you, Bill Day, Waterville, Maine.
<Easy enough to do... with a "Yellow Page" or such phone directory or the Net... contact insurance companies in your area... and ask if they offer Renter's Insurance... and if their policies cover aquariums. Bob Fenner>

Supporting A 20 Gallon Tank  9/9/06
Greetings all, My first (and most -pressing-) question has to do with the position of my tank. My boyfriend and I live in a small one room apartment, we came across a 20 gallon tank  out with the trash one day  and  decided to give it  a  new  home. Currently, we  have  it  set  up  on  a  sturdy  dresser (there is also a piece of cardboard beneath the tank), the dresser faces towards the door but we have the tank set up so the "front" of it faces our all-purpose eating-sitting-sleeping area. However, the tank is about two inches longer than the dresser is wide, and so is unsupported for about an inch on either side. It has been full of water for about two weeks now, and so far so good, but the visual thought of the seams giving out from stress are really cringe inducing. Do you think this is an "okay" setup, or should we really reposition it so that the entire tank is supported? (I know of course the latter would be preferable, but that would put the tank at a really crummy angle for observation of the fish.) If you think this isn't "okay" could you say whether it's an inevitability or just a not entirely remote possibility?
< Remove the tank and place a piece of 3/4 plywood under the entire tank and than place in back on the dresser. This Tank with water will weight close to 200 lbs. The tank should be OK as is but I would feel better with a little extra support on the end pieces. The plywood will also help protect the top of the dresser. Some dressers are made of particle board and not solid wood. I would start looking for another stand if your dresser is made from the particle board.>
Secondly, I have a question about our fish. After cleaning the tank (just with a new sponge, and soaking it in water for a day), setting up the filter/airstone/heater/gravel/etc., and letting it run for about a week we went out and got three scissortail rasboras to keep in it. This was three days ago. (These seemed like a good candidate to survive the cycling.) They range in size from about an inch and a half, to 3/4s of an inch. The two larger fish have seemed pretty much content, actively swimming and the like. However, after maybe 6 hours the smallest fish retreated to a corner of the tank. If the other fish swim over to him he either ignores them, or darts over to the other side of the tank. He also comes out briefly after the lights are turned off for the night, but goes back to the corner within a few minutes. He comes out to eat, and seems to get his fair share, and otherwise looks healthy. I'm wondering if because of his relatively small size the cycling process/stress of transportation/some other factor is hitting him harder than the larger fish. Or, if he's perhaps just trying to separate himself from the establishment of the pecking order. (Initially the other two fish chased each other, and each claimed a nip from the other's tail. The chasing seems to have stopped, and the little fish still has very nice full tail fins.) Or, if perhaps there just simply aren't enough fish around for his schooling instinct to kick in. Other information that may be useful to know: we have (assumedly) soft water with a pH (that has remained steady) of about 7.3. In our excitement we neglected to test the water from the pet shop, but since it is just around the corner we assume it was similar. We took about 45 minutes to acclimate them by adding doses of water from the fish tank into the bag. We have been changing a gallon of the water daily. There are two large, two medium, and three small fake plants in the tank, along with a large rock (bought at the pet store), and another largish decoration. These are mostly oriented towards the front and the back, hopefully providing plenty of both cover and swimming room. We have been feeding them about 8 tetra flakes daily (two feedings of 4 each). Sorry for such a long-winded explanation for one little rasbora, but it would do my heart good to not loose any fish due to preventable circumstances.
< Schooling fish like these prefer to be in groups of at least six. After cycling you can add some more fish and he will feel better and come out more.>
One last question, if you will. We definitely plan to add more rasboras, knowing well that three isn't a proper school (not to mention that I find them delightfully amusing). I have read that if schooling fish are introduced singly to a group they sometimes get unduly harassed. For this reason, we are reluctant to add them one by one. Also, we anticipate the need for some sort of "janitorial" fish. In your opinion what should take precedence, reducing the bioload, or getting these guys into a proper school? (Of course we don't plan to add anything until we test and find ammonia levels to be 0).
< Get the school up and running first, but really you could add the others at anytime as well.>    
Finally I would like to thank you guys for your wonderfully informative site, and also your time in reading (and answering) this letter. It is greatly (greatly) appreciated!-Krisi
< Thanks for your kind words.-Chuck>

Plans for Upgrading FW Tank 7/12/06
Hi guys.
<Hi>
First allow me to thank you for your very informative website, and for your dedication in assisting others in the hobby.
<Thanks for the thanks.>  
Currently, I have a 55-gallon freshwater planted tank w/ a few fish. I am interested in upgrading to a 75 or possibly 90-gallon tank.
<Nice>
The emphasis will be on keeping freshwater tropical fish such as discus, and on simplifying (if possible) routine maintenance operations. First decision: material selection. Here is what I have gathered so far concerning the pros & cons of acrylic vs. glass aquariums: acrylic aquariums, in general, are: 1. clearer than glass aquariums, 2. lighter than glass aquariums, 4. more flexible than glass aquariums (is this really desirable if you don’t live in So Cal?)
<In some applications where physical motion is harder to avoid, often in public settings.>
4. better insulators against temperature fluctuation, 5. more expensive than their glass counterparts, and 6. much easier to scratch. There doesn't seem to be a consensus as to which material is clearly the best choice.
<Neither one is clearly better than the others.  Also with some of the high grade glass now available the clarity of glass tanks can be as good/better than acrylic, but at a price of course.>
Well, what about tank failure?
<Neither is really failure prone if properly set up, but glass is less forgiving.>
Most of what I have read implicates glass aquariums as being more likely to fail due to their seams.
<If improperly setup/stored.>
However, I have also read that this is not true. What is your opinion on this issue?
<Really, as far as basic quality, six of one, half a dozen of the other.>
Can you tell me if bowfront tanks are any more likely than traditional rectangular tanks to leak?
<Mine never have.>
Are you aware of any pros/cons regarding bowfront tanks (m ore difficult to clean, etc)?
<Honestly, I wouldn't buy another.  They look nice, but the magnet scrapers don't work real well on them, and you get some weird blind spots.  Not terrible, but I have become a fan of plain old rectangular tank over time.>
Since I said that I would like to simplify routine maintenance operations, do you have any suggestions for me?  
<Still need to do all the basics, water changes, filter cleaning, etc.>
I would like to make water changes easier to perform, especially if I go to a larger tank. I currently use a gravel vac to remove water, and replace it with R/O water (algae gets a foothold and never goes away if tap water is used!) Would it be beneficial to get a pre-drilled tank and use an overflow and sump, or are these only for marine applications?
<Often are used, nice for hiding equipment, good wet dries, but really won't make anything easier.>  
If it would be beneficial, then what are the risks of tank water draining out on the floor?
<Can definitely happen, testing, good design necessary to minimize these risks.>
Lastly, my interest in upgrading to a larger tank was recently peaked when I viewed the tank backgrounds made by Pangea Rocks @ www.aquarium-background.com. My current tank is not wide enough to install such a background in. Do you have any feedback on these products from current U.S. customers?
<Haven't seen these before.  Look nice, but doesn't say what they are made of.  Also have to worry about detritus getting stuck in/behind the background.  Try some BBs to see if anyone has used them.>
Thanks in advance for your reply.
<Sure>
<Chris>

What about "Top Fin" aquariums - 5/25/2006
Hey there WWM crew!
<<Hey Linda.>>
I've read through your site and could not find any opinions on the Top Fin aquarium, sold thru PetSmart.  I cannot find anything on the net as to who manufactures these aquariums.
<<I do believe it is Marineland or Perfecto>>
Is this aquarium, to your knowledge, equal to the All Glass or a step below?  (reason why I'm asking is that I bought a 75 gal. last week and am hoping it is a decent tank, although, am certainly not against returning it and buying an All Glass or even an Oceanic.  Most of the fish stores in GA have All Glass but liked the stand so much at PetSmart, that I went for the tank, also.)
<<I have a 47-gallon X-tall by Top Fin, and I love it.  It is gorgeous, sturdy and I have never had a problem.  Buy with confidence!
Thank you.  Linda  
<<Glad to help. Lisa.>>

A cruel tank  - 05/23/2006
<<Tom here, Martin.>>
Well, I don't know what will become of this e-mail, but I have to alert someone because I feel something is cruel and everyone should be warned... everyone who is into this hobby, that is. I came across this guy on e-bay selling tanks that have the following dimensions: 68" high, with a front of 12" wide and a side of about 8" deep making the footprint, or worse, the SURFACE of this five foot deep tank less than a square foot! I am no expert but YIKES is all I can say. The guy has pix of goldfish and such in there, and even says that this is scientific and educational for the kiddies, and how everyone will Ohh and ahh when they see your tank. I wanted to immediately go report this to P.E.T.A or something... Am I wrong to be this angry? Am I overreacting?
<<Your reaction, and perhaps anger, are certainly understandable. To add a little perspective, however, is this fellow worse than any company, or individual, that peddles an inferior product, i.e. a product that doesn't do what is claimed and, therefore, places the health and well-being of our pets at risk? The guy is, at best, a moron but he won't be able to peddle his death traps to knowledgeable people.>>
Could you please warn people of the detriments of owning this tank and the effects trying to cultivate life in that particular environment would have?
<<You just warned folks for us, Martin. Any aquarium with insufficient surface area to allow for gas exchange/oxygen uptake (and this one takes the cake!) should be shunned by anyone looking to keep fish. Simply put, the larger the surface area of the top of the tank, the better. For those who like Rules of Thumb, 12-20 square inches of surface area per inch of adult-sized fish should be used as a rough guideline, high end being better.>>
Otherwise I may go to his factory with a heat-gun and melt all of his acrylic tanks in the name of all the merciless pet fish murder he's inflicting from cheese-bay. I didn't provide a link because I didn't know the legal ramifications and what not, but he's not hard to find under their search engine, searching for "square aquariums".
<<Thanks, Martin, for sharing this with us and our readers. You've done everyone a service today. Tom>>

My poor harlequin is breathing from the surface!? Inherent BiOrb limitations, problems   - 03/26/2006
Dear WWM,
<Molly>
I am having some trouble with my relatively young tank. It has been up and running for about 3 months now (not including the pre-fish  
cycling period).
It is a BiUbe.
<BiOrb?>
I have 6 x harlequin rasboras, 1 x male Betta splendens, 2 x smallish bottom feeders.
I have followed all the instructions on setting up a tank religiously and all my readings are always perfect -except for nitrate (NO3)  
which always seems quite high -have been doing water changes to bring it down (is coming down slowly). It's in the 50-70 range which my test kit says is bad but not toxic. Is this right?
<Not correct. Please read here: http://wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwnitrates.htm
and the linked files above>
Everyone seems happy and fine although the tank gets dirty VERY quickly.
<These units have this trend/trait... unfortunately "kill off" much livestock and hobbyists consequently...>
I clean the top of the filter tube and the rock I have when I do water changes but they, and my plants (not live) become grubby  
very quickly -a few days tops. It is a green sludge, sometimes brown.  
Is this algae?
<A mix of this and bacteria mainly>
Why is it becoming so dirty so quickly?
<Inadequate filtration, circulation... the unit itself>
Should I change the filter? Or am I feeding too much (once a day a pinch of flakes which all get eaten up)?
<Both changes would likely help>
-Perhaps I should also mention that during my pre-fish cycling period I put in some live plants but they kept going brown and dying so I only have plastic now. Any ideas why?
<All sorts... posted on WWM>
However, this evening I noticed that one of my harlequins seems to be breathing from the surface. He goes up for air for about 10-20   seconds, swims around for a few seconds then goes back for more. No one else is behaving oddly. I am very worried for him. What could it be?
<Lack of oxygen, pollution... see WWM re... real trouble once again with this product>
My temp is 78-80.
Many thanks for your wonderful website,
Molly,
London.
<Please use/read it... and soon. Bob Fenner>

FW zee plungee!    3/24/06
Greetings Crew.
<Lisa>
I'm a new fish mom.  I have a Betta in a 1-gal. mini bow tank.  He used to be in a 1.77 gal. Marina tank, and sat on the bottom, very still, wouldn't eat while I was around.  He seems really happy in the 1-gal -- the light, for one thing, makes a big difference, and now he swims around in front of me and eats.
I have a 2.5 gal. mini bow tank right next to it (the beta watches but doesn't flare), with 3 mollies (one black, one black potbellied, one gold dust) and 1 Mickey mouse platy in it.  They're healthy, they get along well, and they love to be fed -- they get very active whenever I come near the tank (I think they think they're dogs -- trying to teach the black molly to do tricks).  They've been swimming on both the bottom and the top, and they like to hide near the filter.  Lately they seem a little more aggressive with one another, and they've been spending more time at the top.
<Good observations... happens, natural, with growth, crowding... aggression>
But again, it's usually just when I'm in front of the tank (when I watch from a distance, they're fine) and they're not gasping for air -- they look like they're trolling for food.  I've wondered if I need to feed them a little more -- the black molly is pretty aggressive at feeding time -- but I don't want to overfeed.  Their mouths aren't stretching and they don't appear to be in distress, but I'm worried that I'm crowding them.
<You are, will be>
I do a 30%-50% water change weekly, and rinse off the gravel, etc.  (Have only had them for about a month or so.) The water is clear -- only slightly cloudy a couple of times after a change -- and smells fine. They're hardy little guys -- after a bad earlier spell with goldies I'm terrified that I'm going to hurt them or make them sick.  Should I just shut up and go get them a 5-gal tank, or am I worried for nothing?
<Ahhh! The bigger the better... In time, even larger. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Many thanks.
Lisa

FW zee plungee! II   3/24/06
Thank you!!!  You couldn't have made that any easier.  Heading to the pet store tonight/tomorrow for a new tank to bring in to the office to get started/conditioned for about a week before I bring them in.  Until I get them situated will do more frequent water changes and may add a second little sponge filter I have, just to try to keep the water as clean as possible.
Have a great weekend.
<Thank you for sharing. BobF>

Custom Tank Design Questions   3/3/06
Basically, my wife and I are building our dream house out on about five and a half acres in West Virginia, a few miles west of Martinsburg.
<How nice!>
We're going with a very energy efficient design, incorporating passive solar, earth sheltered, solar hot water, rain catchment, in floor radiant heating and more.
<Sounds good>
One of the hobbies I've had for a very long time has been keeping aquariums of different kinds. I've done everything from that 10g starter tank my mom got me when I was 11, up through a hand built 575g coral propagation tank that lived in the basement of my house.
<And will likely stay there!>
With this new house, both my wife and I have decided that we would like to take the chance to design a tank into the home. And based on my experiences with
different types of tanks, I've decided to go with a fresh water, planted tank.
<Will be gorgeous>
I thought about some of the nicer tanks I'd seen with that theme from my Takashi Amano books, the displays at the Baltimore Aquarium, and from other hobbyists. But the one thank that stuck out in my mind was the display at the Barnes and Noble at the Power Plant in the Inner Harbor.
<Mmm, haven't seen this>
The feeling of being under the surface of the water, and the extremely wide vista of that tank make for a spectacular experience. I don't think that I have quite enough pull with my wife to convince her I need a seventeen foot long tank just yet, but I have gotten her very excited about replicating a somewhat smaller version.
What I am thinking about, is basically taking that tank, and chopping it in half lengthwise, to end up with an 10'x5.5'x4'x rectangular tank.
The current idea is to pour the tank out of concrete, leaving a hole for a piece of 2.5" thick acrylic for the viewing window, which would   measure 8'x5'.
<... I would aim for something with less depth, vertical ratio... easier to work on (to put it mildly), light and will look nicer if a bit more horizontal aspected>
It would rest on the inside edge of the concrete wall, in a special ledge that would be poured all around the tank. It would then be siliconed into place. The inside of the concrete tank would be coated several times with epoxy to ensure that it is water tight, and of course, the window sealed with as much silicone as we could throw at it.
<Not necessary... just a good solid bead to nestle in>
The outside of the tank would be dressed in a stamped stone concrete to make it fit into the decor of our home.
<Very nice touch>
The walls would be extended to allow for filtration, co2 injection, and other equipment, as well as for a ladder to access the top of the tank.  A 2 foot wide catwalk will be suspended so that I can clean the front glass with a scraper on a stick,
<Very hard to see...>
or, when I'm feeling particularly frisky, by me in a bathing suit.
<A good plan...>
Lighting will be supplied by four, 250w 10kk MH bulbs, supplemented with fluorescents as needed.
<... not near enough light for this depth... I would count on 1,000 watt MH's (yes) if you go with five feet depth>
The whole room will be vented with a dedicated heat exchanger system, and the tank itself heated by sufficient wattage on a temperature controller. Trace element and mineral dosing will be handled as needed. Access to the room will be from a door in the family room, which is behind the intended space where the tank will go. I'm planning water and drains to be plumbed into the room for RODI evap. replacement, and general maintenance.
<Good... and maybe a shower for your use (not a joke), and a sink...>
Obviously this tank is intended to be a showpiece for the entire room, if not the entire house.  The biology, and decor of the tank will
attempt to copy that of the B&N tank, with faux rock shelving providing different levels for planting, sunken roots, and limbs, and a general African biotope for the plants and fish.
<Nice... perhaps the Barnes and Noble folks would allow you a glimpse of their back-room area for input, inspiration...>
The questions I have at this stage of the game pertain to the engineering aspects of the tank. In particular, how thick  a piece of acrylic would I need going with the viewing window of 8'x5'.
<Inch and a half... two inches if you can afford it>
If I reduced the height of the window to 4', would it make a significant difference in the thickness of the material required?
<Oh yes... and cut the cost by about half... 1 1/4" would do here>
How thick should the concrete walls be that make up the sides of the aquarium? The bottom?
<Depending on the mix, use of steel rod, wire reinforcement, 4 to 8 inches.>
Given that the final weight of the tank will end up around 15000 pounds, how thick does the slab under the tank need to be?
<Mmm, would support all around the edge with filled-cell block, make eight inches>
(current thickness is 10" + 4" of concrete for the floor).
<About right>
Thank you for taking the time to go over these questions. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to 'pick the brain' of experts in this way.
Sincerely,
Brian Robak
PS Here are the websites:
http://www.brianrobak.com/gallery/NewHouse/  <--- for plans for the new house
http://www.brianrobak.com/gallery/FishTanks/    <--- for my fish tanks
Please note that almost all pictures can be "blown up" by clicking on the "full size" link, found on the upper right of the light blue bar.
Also, many of the albums have sub albums, so be sure to click on them a few levels deep to get the full pictures.
<Thank you for sharing your dream/s with us. Cheers, Bob Fenner>

Am I overcrowding my tank?  02/12/06
Hello,
  I'm kinda new to the whole fish keeping experience, and would like your help. I have a 2 1/2 gallon tank with two female balloon mollies and 4 ghost shrimp. My question is are my fish safe from over-crowding?
<Mmm, not really... small volumes are very easy to "get away" with pollution, vacillating water quality...>
and if possible is it okay for me to have one more balloon molly?
<I would not>
I've been doing a bit of research and what I can gather the general rule is a fish of one inch for every gallon,
<Better one cubic inch per every 3-5 gallons>
but I've read cases where people had more fishes in their tank than they had gallons and they were having no problems. I would also like to know if I can feed my mollies any vegetables like say: lettuce or cucumber. Any suggestions you can give me will be much appreciated.
  Thank you,
  Marissa
<Good question... but your chances of trouble increase tremendously with adding more life to small tanks. Bob Fenner>

Nano v. Eclipse   2/1/06
Nice site.  I was thinking of getting a 12 gallon freshwater tank for my office.  I'm looking for the least amount of hassle.
I stumbled upon the Eclipse System 12 and the Nano Cube 12 Gallon. Is one "better" than the other?
<Mmm, yes... in general the Eclipse is better for freshwater set-up "types" and the Nano for marine...>
I will get hearty fish, and whatever extras (like a heater) which will make the whole experience easier and nicer.  I may also get one for my home, and may end up getting a larger set up in future.
Thanks!
<Ah yes. Welcome. Bob Fenner>

Re: Nano v. Eclipse    2/3/06
Sorry to be a pest, but I have to ask why?  Nano cube cost a bit more, but it's made of glass and comes with a pump.  I am only starting my fish
education, but those seem like good things that the Eclipse doesn't have?
<The Eclipse units have less capacity for modification for marine types of filtration (protein skimmers require cutting the top, and the "wheel" is inadequate... often, for biological filtration), the Nano's have more flexibility for upgrading lighting... all in all making them more adaptable to marine use. They are better for most freshwater applications as the top covers most all... jumping, evaporation...Bob Fenner>

Reptile Tank Being Used For Fish   1/21/06
I just got a used 55 gal tank from a pet shop. It was for reptiles. I washed it, scrubbed it, and set it up and all is fine. After filling it I
noticed that the tank has started to bow out and the brace that runs across the top has split and is now almost and inch gap. This really
sucks!!! Can this be fixed? I am thinking of getting a large clamp from the hardware store and clamping it back together across the top. I am
using two lids to cover it , so the clamp over the middle wouldn't be in the way.  Anything you could tell me would be of great help to me.
<Many terrariums are made of thinner glass than those tanks used for aquariums. Drop the water level to about half and clamp the front and back together. Clean the areas under the lips in the front and back portion of the tank. Silicon in a six inch wide piece of glass to be used for the new brace between the front and the back . give it a couple days to set up and refill the tank. It should work as good as new.-Chuck> <<RMF is nervous re this suggestion/practice>>

Converting Saltwater to Freshwater; Donations via Pay Pal 01-06-06
Thanks for all that you do.
  I have approached aquarium keeping backwards, having started with saltwater.  The inhabitants from my 12 gallon with the Eclipse 1 hood have all (both) been moved to my 55 gallon.  I would like to go to freshwater, planted tank with the smaller aquarium.  I want to be sure I am not missing anything in the conversion (or doing too much).
  I will pull the liverock and crushed coral substrate and replace with stone.  I will also remove the coralline algae that has built up on the back glass (no chemicals).  I also plan to replace the 50/50 bulb with an aquatic plant bulb.  My main question involves the bio-wheel.  I assume the beneficial bacteria is not the same and it will need to be cleaned (or replaced).  Is this as simple as rinsing in hot water or should some bleach be involved?
<You can place the bio-wheel in a bleach and water solution over night.  Then rinse well and place the wheel in a freshwater bath with a dechlorinating agent. This will ensure a fresh start.>  
  I am planning to keep a small school of Cardinal Tetras and 1 or 2 larger fish (suggestions?) with 6-8 small plants.
  Finally, I would like to do what I can to support the site.  I will be selling some aquatic items on EBay and would like to donate the proceeds.  Is there a method in place to donate via Pay Pal?
<We do have a collection site through Amazon.com. You can find the link at the bottom of our home page. Thank you for your question and your support. Travis>   
  Thanks.

Nano Cube: Freshwater Application  1/8/06
Hello!  Happy New Year!
<Hi and happy new year to you as well.>
I'd like to set up a second fresh water tank and was wondering what you thought of the JBJ 24 gallon cube.
<For freshwater I think they are great.>
I did a search and found them discussed for saltwater but not fresh.
<Yes, they are more heavily marketed to Marine keepers, and in my opinion this is quite unfortunate. The 'Cubes are much more suited to freshwater aquaria than marine aquaria due to their compact size and lack of a protein skimmer.>
I would like to have two rams, a small school of cardinal tetras, some plants and maybe some Corys.
<Sounds good.>
I'd like to have a larger tank (what I really want is a 180 gallon biotope) but I rent and only have a small space available.
<I understand, but wow a 180 planted, that would look sweet.>
Here is a link to the specs:  http://www.jbjlighting.com/sys_24g_nanocube.html
<I'm quite familiar with them, we get a lot of 'Cube questions.>
I haven't seen any discussion about them for fresh water, and was wondering if it would be a good choice.
<Yes but switch out the stock 50/50 light bulbs for 6,500K or 10,000K.>
As always, thank you so much for your help!
<Anytime.>
Michelle
<Adam J.>

Re: JBJ Cube Freshwater  - 01/12/2006
Hi,
<Hey Michelle.>
Thanks for your reply!  Yes, 180 gallon would be sweet!
<Yes we all want bigger tanks it seems, no matter how big our current system is.>
I'm glad to here that you like the JBJ cube.
<I wouldn't go that far, I could think of some significant changes I would make if I were the designer, however I wouldn't say its "bad" either, just has room for improvement like most things.>
  A few follow up questions.
<Mmm-hmm.>
Would the filtration that comes with the 24 gallon unit be all that is needed?   
<I would replace the stock pump, with something of similar size like a Maxi-Jet.>
To do plants, would I need to inject CO2 because of the power compacts?  I'd rather not.
<Depends on the plant in question, but you can get away without an injection system.>
Is the 18" length really okay for a pair Rams?
<Probably would prefer larger quarters as adults.>
And finally, is it true they leak a lot?
<I have heard reports that they, do (leak). Though the one I used to keep did not. I will say that the problems I have seen reported to JBJ were handled very well by the company. Good luck, Adam J.>
>I did a search and found them discussed for saltwater but not fresh.
><Yes, they are more heavily marketed to Marine keepers, and in my opinion this is quite unfortunate. The 'Cubes are much more suited to freshwater aquaria than marine aquaria due to their compact size and lack of a protein skimmer.>
I had a 20 gallon nano reef for about two years, I never want to do that again.  It was a really nice tank, but I was so burnt out by the end.  I was checking twice a day to make sure everything was okay.  If I have a salt tank ever again, it has to be bigger.  Right now I have a 10 gallon low tec planted tank that has been running for about a year and a half, it is so much easier and it looks nice.  I would never go back to a small salt tank.
I do have another question for the fresh tanks.  I've never had any of the algae eating shrimp.  I heard something about them attacking and eating fish, is that true?  Also, how does one provide a safe place for them to molt?  Do I need to put in iodine when they do?  Will they be okay with a pH of 8.0?  
One last question, I just picked up an Aquarium Pharmaceuticals carbonate hardness test kit (and general hardness is on order).  Is the drop that changes the color from blue to yellow suppose to be the last one, or do you keep putting in drops until the yellow is bright (I found it to be just one more drop)?  I hope that question makes since.
Once again, thanks for your help!
Michelle

Stainless steel in freshwater aquariums  1/1/06
Hello,
I am currently building an experimental 55 gallon aquarium with an integral under gravel sump.  I would like to use stainless steel for the floor/sump but I'm concerned about contamination ( the surface area of exposed steel will be fairly large).  Can austenitic stainless steel be used in freshwater aquariums?  If so, which types?  Is there any known resource for this type of information?  If direct exposure is a taboo, how well does powder coating fare?  Any information would be appreciated.
>> Dear Don,
If you have a freshwater tank, you could use stainless steel, but with the cost it would certainly be cheaper to use just about any other material such as plastic, glass, acrylic etc. To be sure you would have to use surgical grade stainless steel - if the steel you are using oxidizes it is not good for the fish. To be honest I would advise against it.
Good Luck, Oliver

Aquarium brands/backgrounds  11/24/05
Hello. I've got a question regarding fish tanks and backgrounds. I'm interested in purchasing a 100+ gallon aquarium for a Tanganyikan community tank, but I'm not sure which brand aquariums are best.
<Opinions vary... but all the major brands are warranted, worthy. For glass I like the Perfecto, All-Glass and Oceanic lines... for acrylic, the SeaClear/Tradewind/CASCO, TruVu/Aquaplex and Tenecor lines...>
One of the LFS sells Jebo aquariums. Do you know anything about them?
<Yes>
Do they have a good reputation? What other brands might you recommend looking at?
<Mmm, more mixed than others listed above>
I haven't yet decided between glass and acrylic, so I'm open to suggestions.
<Mmm, see WWM re: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/tksstds.htm
and the linked files above>
My second question is about Pangea backgrounds.
<Gorgeous>
They look beautiful, but I'm wondering whether you've heard positives or negatives about them. Thanks so much for your feedback!
<Have seen these at trade shows and set-up around the world. Quite sturdy, stunningly beautiful. http://www.aquarium-background.com/
Bob Fenner>

More Myths About Livestock Scratching Acrylic Tanks - 11/18/05
I recently bought a 220gal Tenecor tank (72X24X24) with the Simplicity Plus system with the intention of setting up a FOWLR system. I originally wanted to buy a shark, but after reading your site, I realized that this tank is simply too small for one.
<<Yes, and shaped wrong too.>>
I would like to put a couple of triggers in though, maybe a Blue Throat and a Picasso.
<<Cool! I have a Blue Throat in my Tenecor 375.>>
The guy at my LFS said that triggers sometimes scrape their teeth along the sides of the tank, and since this is an acrylic tank, I thought I'd better check. I've never read about this behavior, have you?
<<Nope...probably falls in to the same category as the stories about the Ctenochaetus genus of tangs scratching acrylic tanks with their teeth...mostly wives tales. >>
<<Did you bring this up with your wife?  MH>>
I think you need not worry...and believe me when I say...YOU will put far more scratches in the tank than any fish!>>
Thanks!
Robert in Texas
<<Welcome, EricR in South Carolina>>
>Mmm, do agree with the hobbyists causing more scratches... but have seen trigger-made scrapes in acrylic... and a pleco-destroyed one recently. RMF<

Fishbowls banned! (In Rome) 10/25/05
CNN just ran a story on fishbowls being banned in Italy and I thought you might find it interesting! 
ROME, Italy (Reuters) -- 
" The city of Rome has banned goldfish bowls, which animal rights activists say are cruel, and has made regular dog-walks mandatory in the Italian capital, the town's council said on Tuesday. 
The classic spherical fish bowls are banned under a new by-law which also stops fish or other animals being given away as fairground prizes. It comes after a national law was passed to allow jail sentences for people who abandon cats or dogs."  Here's the link to the full article:  http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/europe/10/25/italy.fishbowls.reut/index.ht 
<Thank you for this. BobF>

Small Tanks, Small Fish? - 08/04/2005
Hi, WWM crew!  
<Hi, Jennifer!  Sabrina with you, today!>
Since becoming a devoted fan of your site, ;-)
<Yay!>
I have upgraded the size of all of my tanks to a 10 gallon minimum.  I'm now wondering if the old tanks (a 2.5 and a 5 gallon) can serve any purpose aside from be used as hospital tanks.  
<Oh yes, absolutely.>
What is your opinion regarding the ethics of keeping a fish (or other creature) in a tank this small?  
<Provided the creature in question is suitable for a small tank, my opinion is quite positive.>
I enjoy having life on my desk at work, but fear it's quality of life will not be very good if it is confined to such a small place.  
<Understandable.>
Am I being overly sensitive?  
<Nope.  Just a conscientious aquarist!>
I would greatly appreciate your opinion!   
<Alrighty....  *Assuming* we're talking freshwater, here, you have PLENTY of options.  I would urge you to consider the 2.5 gallon tank for a mini planted aquarium....  They *do* make fluorescent lights for 2.5g tanks, and plants suited to this would be java moss, java fern, Bolbitis fern, and Anubias sp. (A. nana or A. nana "petite" would be a good choice for a very small tank).  For livestock, cherry shrimp would be ideal.  These are becoming more and more available in the hobby, so hopefully they would be somewhat easy to find - they will even breed in a tank of this size.  Otherwise, many people keep a Betta in a tank of this size, and they do indeed often seem to be quite content.  Another fish option would be scarlet Badis badis (actually Dario dario, now), as these fish don't grow much larger than a centimeter in length.  Heterandria formosa are a tiny livebearing fish that do well in relatively small tanks - great for the 5g, but maybe not the 2.5g.  I have also kept and bred peacock gudgeons in a 5.5g tank....  no other fish with them, though.  Trichopsis pumila is a tiny gourami that, in a well planted 5.5g tank, does quite well.  Really, there are a lot of tiny options out there for ya!>
Thank you! -Jennifer
<And thank you for writing in!  Wishing you well,  -Sabrina>

Glue smell in New tank 7/7/05
Hello Everyone,
<Bryan>
I recently bought a new 25 gallon tall aquarium from PetSmart. Well it's been sitting on my new stand for a few days so I finally put some gravel in it and filled it up. My problem is that there is now a GLUE like smell coming from the tank.
<?>
Right now the temp is about 90+ do to the fact I filled it up with zero fish in it. I expect for it to level out in a few days and then see if I needed a heater.
<You will if you're keeping tropical animals... important that the temperature not fluctuate much, keep warm>
The rocks inside the tank were picked off the ground outside from a previous "dump" of another aquarium but were scrubbed with hot water. I'm really baffled by this and am curious what is going on. Please help.
Bryan, WA
<I would empty this tank and re-fill it... wait a few days, see if this odor persists... You did rinse it out before initially filling? I might try a "test fish" once the system is cycled... Bob Fenner>

Tank Too Small?
Hi. I have a small 3 gallon Eclipse tank that I got to hold some tetras. After they all died I went back to the store and they gave me a small African cichlid (I think - it is blue with black vertical stripes and is about 2" long). I have no other fish in there. I have had it for 1 day. It is swimming around a lot, going up and down the glass, followed by lulls. It is not eating much although I saw it gobble a few floating pellets I put in there but not the flakes. I read that cichlids need lots of room and now I am wondering if I have doomed this little guy from the start.  Any advice on how to keep it alive? Also I have 7.0 pH balancer but I heard cichlids need more alkaline water.
Thanks, Bob
<Yeah, you are correct to be concerned. Three gallons is too small for him. And these Rift Lake cichlids like a high pH and very hard water. I would return the fish or invest in a tank around 20 gallons. There are water additives that will give you Rift conditions if you want to upgrade his tank. Don>

Tank Size
Hello there, just a quick question on my tank. I'm buying a second hand tank from a friend. He says 35 gallon I think its a 29. 30"l 19"h 12"d so which one is it? thanks
>> These dimensions are for a tank of 29 gallons. Oliver

Bow Front Tank Problems?
About a month ago I submitted a question about my two iridescent sharks flipping out in a 72G bow front tank.  I had recently moved them from an overstocked 90G standard tank to make things a little nicer for me and the fish.  Anyway,  we seemed to not be able to pinpoint the problem I was having at that time.  But thankfully, after a month of misery, I have found the problem.  It was the tank itself.  I finally decided to put my sharks back into the standard 90G and put my Arowana and my silver dollar into the 72G bow front tank.  Well guess who's flipping out now!  My sharks are back to being calm and eating and my Arowana and silver dollar are flipping out.  They will only get startled if I approach the front of the tank.  If I approach the tank from the sides they're fine, it's only that damn bow front.  Well hopefully these two will get used to it better than the sharks.  They are both a lot more calm than the sharks and don't get startled half as often.  Oh well.  Wish me luck.  The last thing I need is an unhappy Arowana.  Thanks again for your help.  -Ted
< Never heard of this problem before. The same optics that the bow front offers that we as aquarists seem to enjoy could distort the view of a fish inside the aquarium. next time I have my bow front out I will look at it from the back to get the fishes perspective.-Chuck>

Lid on Too Tight
Hi, I have a 10g freshwater tank w/8 guppies, 2 catfish & a pleco.  Until recently the only cover I had on the tank was a screen. A few weeks ago I decided to buy a hood for the tank & put in place. Shortly after 4 of my guppies died. The hood I placed on top of the tank almost completely seals the top of the tank with the exception of where the filter & air tubing run through and that's a tight fit. I was wondering could a tight fitting hood with very little openings cause problems in the fish tank such as dissolved gases not being able to escape? Could it cause other unforeseen problems? Please enlighten me. Thank you.
< As the water moves in the aquarium the surface comes in contact with the air where CO2 and other gases are given off and oxygen is absorbed by the water and utilized by the fish and the bacteria that break down the toxic fish waste. I have seen instances where a tight lid, especially in an acrylic tank, can suffocate an aquarium full of fish.-Chuck>