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Aquascaping and other Topics, rock,
mech. and chem. filter media 12/31/09
Hello Crew, Hope
all of you had a very merry Christmas and are preparing for a great New Year! I
have a question on aquascaping, please. I have read that when using rock in the
aquarium it is best to always use the same type and not mix them because it
ruins the effect.
<Mmm, can, but not always... or not necessarily. Have seen
more than one size, texture, color in tanks, the wild....>
I wanted your
opinion as to whether or not it would be OK to use different colors of the same
rock, such as red and white.
<Sure>
Also, in a power filter, please tell
me what kind of mechanical filtration is best for trapping smaller particles
without decreasing the water flow a great deal constantly.
<Mmm... no "one
answer" here... I like cheap "blue batting" from the yardage store, or the
equivalent you can buy Dacron polyester labeled/packaged for fish tank use in a
good deal of settings... but the re-use-able Ehfi- flockens from Eheim et al.
are excellent in canister filters, the ceramic and sintered glass beads can be
of use... even pre-packaged GACs....>
The filter I have comes with sponges
for this purpose but I have never used them and don't know how well they work.
<Try them out>
Also, I have seen sheets of padding that can be cut to any
size that are supposed to work well, but have no experience with those either.
<Are what many aquarium service co.s use...>
And lastly, please tell me
if you are familiar with the PuraPad and if so is it really as good as
advertised?
<Some folks have stated great satisfaction...>
If so, would it
make sense to use it along with Purigen or would that be overkill? As always,
thanks for doing such a great job.
James
<I would just use one or the
other... with the cautionary notes and rationale I've posted/archived on WWM.
Bob Fenner>
Aquarium Decor, FW sel.
4/9/08
I have been reading previous questions related to mine, but I want to be
sure. I have a 125 gal freshwater. I want to make a wall of bricks along the
back, leaving spaces for hiding fish. Bricks are OK?? How about the prick pavers
in the garden supply stores?
Thank you so much for your time!
Anna
<Don't use anything from anywhere that doesn't come with a guarantee that it is
safe to use in ponds or aquaria. Simple as that. If your brick supplier has told
you they're lime-free and not otherwise chemically treated in some way, and
provides an assurance that they're safe to use in ponds and fish tanks, go for
it. I've certainly seen aquaria ornamented with bricks. But if they cannot
assure you this is true, then steer clear. You will find your garden centre well
supplied with inexpensive, pond-safe rocks such as granite and slate. Use those
instead. Cheers, Neale.>
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Freshwater Decor ? Goldfish
sys. 3/12/08
Hello...
Would a product made of alabastrite (not painted) be safe for a goldfish tank?
And would a concrete type statue be safe with enough water circulation and
oxygen?
Lisa
<No, none of these things is acceptable. Unless an ornament or material is
explicitly sold as aquarium safe, don't assume that they are. Concrete for
example contains lime, and that can raise the pH of the aquarium very quickly.
You can get coatings that prevent this, allowing its use in ponds for example,
but why bother? The variety of aquarium-safe rocks and ornaments is huge and
wide ranging in price as well, so there's really no reason not to use them.
Granite and slate can be bought from garden centres and used to create all
manner of "terrain" inside the tank, and there's also bogwood, ceramic
ornaments, terracotta, etc. Anything pond-safe should be aquarium safe. Cheers,
Neale.>
Re: Freshwater Decor ? 3/12/08
Thanks again Neale......
I asked about ceramics before and see that you mentioned that they would be safe
as well but I'm getting so much different feedback from others. Some say
ceramics are not safe unless they are marked "dinnerware" safe.
<Ah, you misunderstand. When I say "ceramic ornaments" I mean the stuff sold in
pet stores for fish tanks. Ceramic mangrove roots, castles, and the like.>
Well, no statues or things of that nature would be marked dinnerware safe.
Someone suggested buying "bisque" ceramics and then painting it ......but where
would I find the right type of paint for inside the aquarium.
<Wouldn't bother. Running an aquarium is difficult enough sometimes without
adding unknown variables.>
And some have said that ceramic can be glazed but needs to be fired a certain
temp to make it "safe". I know I'm being anal here but I have yet to find one
single aquarium decoration that I really like.
<Hmm... I tend to go with what I know -- granite, slate and other stones sold as
pond safe. Cheap, easy to obtain, safe. I don't really care much for ceramic
castles and temples and shipwrecks, but I know some people like them. To be
honest, Goldfish couldn't care less about ornaments save plastic plants, which
they like for the shade. So why not go for a "jungle" style with thickets of
plastic plants surrounding an open area for swimming? Bamboo is another great
material, especially the super-thick stuff, for creating "oriental" scenes. The
downside to bamboo is it rots and needs replacing every couple of years. But it
is so cheap, who cares?>
I'd be willing to buy someone from another country even if it was what I was
looking for....don't mind shipping it in for the right product.
Lisa
<Some books on aquarium decor out there... 'The Inspired Aquarium', 'Aquarium
Design', 'Aquarium Displays Inspired by Nature ', 'The Complete Aquarium' and
others. Track down, consult. I happen to like 'The Complete Aquarium' a lot, and
on Amazon.com it goes for about a buck second hand. Do also visit a garden
centre and see what they have for decorating ponds and rockeries. Factor in the
use of submersible lights and airstones -- these make dramatic additions, and
will turn something humdrum into sheer magic if used right. Cheers, Neale.>
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Safe for aquarium, Aquarium
Safe Decor 2/20/08
I have a 3 part question.
<Ok>
1) Is a large Amethyst Geode safe to use in an aquarium as a decoration.
<I would not, I would worry about what else is the rock made of besides quartz.>
2) Is a rock painted with "Behr Latex mildew resistant" indoor paint safe?
<No, the anti-microbial properties of the paint will cause problems.>
3) Could I cover the above rock in a thin layer of silicon to render it safe to
use as a decoration in a fish tank.
<I would not, not worth the risk and effort.>
Thanks,
Kevin
<Welcome>
<Chris>
Ps Can you please email me a response as well as posting.
<We always do.>
Aquatic Ornament and water
flow within 1/29/08
Hello at WWM,
I appreciate your site and all the information you provide.
I have an ornament that I purchased for my tank a few years ago at a fish store
for fish tanks. It's an artificial wood structure but looks more like a
mountain. It's about 14 inches by 14 inches or so and is hollow inside. It is
hollow so that water fills it up and it doesn't float. There is a hole on the
bottom (that sits on the gravel) and two small holes on top. My question is: Can
this cause a problem in the tank whereas there is no water flow within this
thing?
<Should be fine. If it's an aquarium ornament and not something designed for pot
plants or whatever, it should be safe in fish tanks.>
It's pretty big and I'm wondering if there could be a problem if the water
filling it up doesn't have much movement (and filtration) within it - could it
therefore cause problems to the water quality in the rest of the tank (slowly
leaking out). I don't think it would be a problem but thought I'd ask if you
have heard of any problems regarding this. I could put and air stone in there if
need be I suppose.
<Provided your aquarium has a decent water current, there shouldn't be any dead
spots. An aquarium with small fish (guppies and Neons) should have a filter
providing 4 times the volume of the tank in turnover per hour; make that 6 times
for big fish (plecs, big barbs, cichlids etc.).>
The reason I ask is that in the past I had it in a fancy goldfish tank and did
have some problems in the tank, but didn't verify if this was the problem - I
believe it was parasitic, and treated it thus - but I just wanted to see if you
have any opinion on this. I'm thinking of using it again for a Cichlid tank.
<Never heard of diseases being caused by aquarium ornaments.>
P.S. Tell Bob that I bought and read his book "The Conscientious Marine
Aquarist" and appreciated what he said about feeding feeder goldfish. Every book
I read that advises against it do so solely due to the introduction of
parasites, but Bob's was the only one that gave thought and mention to the
"hapless" goldfish as well. Very good to hear someone speak up for these guys
unashamedly, being the goldfish fan that I am.<<Ahhh. RMF>>
<Bob isn't the only one of us against the use of feeder Goldfish. In fact I
think the majority of *professional* fishkeeping writers are against them. To be
honest, it seems to be mostly immature aquarists of the male persuasion with too
much testosterone and not enough brains who like watching one animal dismember
another.>
Thanks
Richard
<Cheers, Neale.>
Tank layout, FW bricks of
some sort... for aquascape... inside... 01/13/2008
Hello WWM,
I've been thinking about a new layout for my tank over the past week and I
really like it, there's enough room to set it up in there, so yeah, here it is:
I'd been thinking on getting some small bricks- or something that shape- from a
local hardware store for the effect of basically building a wall/cliff on one
end of my tank
My tank contains several guppies, platys, a dragon goby, and two fiddler crabs,
so I wanted to use this as a land space and plant some sort of moss on the top
with some rocks for hiding.
It would be about three inches or so wide, and cover the whole end of my 29
gallon tank.
It's currently filled to about 2/3rds with the only "land" being some bogwood
above water level. I thought that this might make a more stable alternative to
the rock wall I attempted a while ago, which I could never build up high enough
safely.
My question to you guys is would this work with regards to filtration? Would the
bricks trap too much fish poo, or would it provide a nice hiding spot for some
of the smaller guppy fry which seem to pop out of their moms all the time?
<Mmm, likely will be okay... am given to suggest leaving an inch or so space"
behind the "wall", but nothing much on the "sides" to prevent the fish getting
in...>
If this is a good idea, would you happen to know of any good substances which
would make a nice, aquarium-safe brick that I might be able to find around town
somewhere?
<Most all fired brick products should be fine... I might soak a piece in water
for a few days... measure for changes in pH... some materials are able to be cut
more easily then others... there may be merit in silicone/mortaring them
together/in-place...>
If not, would you be able to suggest an alternative, or at least point me in the
right direction?
Thanks a bunch,
Collin.
<This is largely a realm of experimentation... you want matter of no or gently
positive chemical properties... Bob Fenner>
Concealing aquarium equipment
I have a 125 glass aquarium that I'm setting up for discus, I wanted to know
other than foam backgrounds, is it possible to conceal aquarium
equipment inside the tank, for example I am going to use two Eheim 2215 filters.
<Yes, using plants, rocks, bamboo, etc. Eheim (and perhaps other brands) make
thermofilters, which have the heater in the external canister filter. These are
very good for creating a "clean" look.>
( it is an unplanted tank). Do they make corner towers that I can hide the
equipment behind?
<Some all-in-one tanks come like this anyway (e.g., Juwel tanks). Not aware of
any after-market units that you can add to a tank.>
I've been doing a lot of research on your site regarding overflow towers, but I
would rather not drill the tank. It doesn't appear that pvc (I was hoping on
trying to find some form of black plastic that I could drill holes into to help
with water flow), will adhere to the glass.
<Aquarium-safe silicone sealant will help you glue anything to the glass you
want.>
I'm also concerned about having good water flow behind the concealed equipment.
Do you have any suggestions.
<Not normally an issue, but just make sure you don't create completely static
pockets of water.>
Thanks,
Laina
<Cheers, Neale.>
Futuristic Underwater City
1/8/08
Hello
<Michael>
We are looking to create a futuristic (Jetson type buildings, etc) underwater
city in our 125gal tank. Do you have any ideas where we might find or how we
might create such structures & scenery?
Thanks!
Michael Szromba
<Neat idea... I don't recall seeing any article, nor much of a mention of such a
novel project... But visions are coming into my head... are you going to cut the
bottom of the tank and install a permanent "dome" over the cut out, such that
you can add, manipulate, electrify the area underneath? I would be searching
catalogs, online sources for miniatures... likely the model railroad biz is a
good place to start. Do send along pix when you have them. Bob Fenner>
Re: Futuristic Underwater
City 01/08/2008
Didn't think of the dome. This is something to keep in mind for a layout
that wouldn't be submersible. We were more thinking of a "fish functional"
futuristic city in the water in the center of the tank & then creating the
illusion of an abyss on either side & the back.
<Maybe a lighted diorama...>
We would then use color & lighting to further enhance the effect...haven't
gotten into thinking about how to make that work yet.
We've tried the areas of model railroading, plastic modeling, etc, and have so
far come up short on any futuristic structures.
<Mmm, may have to fashion yourself... of chemically inert materials>
Even looked in to molding our own, but all I've read on this is about molding
from some existing object. Doesn't seem to be a feasible DIY method of molding
from drawings, etc.
The research continues!
Thanks!
<To petfish, and beyond! BobF>
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Croc head in
freshwater tank 11/18/07
Hi. Can I bleach a croc head I have in my freshwater tank? I needs
really cleaned! Thanks.
LISA C. YOUNG
<I assume you are talking about a ceramic or rubber aquarium décor type.
You can bleach it, about ¼ cup per gallon of water will do fine. Just be
sure to rinse it thoroughly afterwards and let it dry completely
(ideally 24 hours), making sure there is no bleach smell afterwards.
Have fun, Scott V.>
Re: Croc head in
freshwater tank 11/19/07
Thanks for the info about the croc head. But....it’s not plastic or
rubber.
It looks like Bone to me, or something like that. I am attaching a photo
so you can see what I’m talking about. Thank you. Lisa
<Hello again Lisa. This croc head is indeed a casted resin.
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+6635+16789&pcatid=16789
Bleaching it will be just fine. Have fun, Scott V.>
Re: Croc head in
freshwater tank 11/20/07
Hi. Thanks so much....feeling more confident. I didn't want to kill
anything.
LISA C. YOUNG
<Your welcome, glad to be of help, Scott V.> |
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A model... |
Poly underlay floor leveler for fw aquarium structure 5/17/07
Hi Guys
My name is Brian, this is my first time writing to you guys. I'm trying to find
out if I can use "Poly" underlay floor leveler to make my own fw
aquarium decorations and if yes
<Can>
what do I seal them with?
Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks Brian
<Polyurethanes, latex enamels (for a time), resins of various sorts are all
possibilities here. Bob Fenner>
A few questions... Mmm, mainly FW Aquascaping Ideas 2/20/07
Hi guys - your site is great. I've been doing a ton of research over the
past few days, a bunch on your site, but have a few specific to my setup
questions I was hoping you could help me with. 15-20 years ago I was big into
freshwater fish. This was in the pre-internet days, so I didn't have access to
the great knowledge that's out there now. Reading everything nowadays makes me
wonder how I ever had successful tanks. :)
<Mmm, there were, are books...>
Anyway, after a very long hiatus, I've decided to get back into the hobby. I
picked up a 47G tall/column tank the other day, dimensions 20x18x30. I've seen
setups in the past with column tanks that are really stunning, so I figured why
not.
<Indeed!>
Of course, I'm anticipating a tank of these weird dimensions possibly having
'issues' I need to know about and deal with. First question - with a tank this
particular size, are there any 'gotchas'/issues I should know about right off
the bat?
<Mmm... a couple of the "stock" issues with less surface area per volume
(compared with flatter, wider aquarium formats), and all they imply, impress...
less dissolved oxygen per time, restrictions on livestock density... coupled
with psychologically less horizontal space/territoriality... A bit harder to
aquascape with rock let's say, and maybe a little harder to get into, work on...
but as you state, stunning in appearance...>
I anticipate having a few live plants, not many, and as for fish, I really don't
know what I want yet. I'm not set on anything, so I'd rather my filter
preferences dictate what fish and how many I'll end up with.
<I see>
Next question - I'm not planning on doing an UGF. I also would prefer to have
as little hanging off the back of the tank as possible, meaning I would prefer
to not use a powerfilter or bio wheel, and the quieter the better. You guys
seem to like the Eheim canister filters -- would I be able to realistically get
away with one of these for all my mech/bio/chem filtration?
<Yes>
If so, what model would you recommend -- the 2215 (164gph) or the 2217 (264gph)
(or something else)?
<The 2217 is my choice here>
Also, assuming this would work, what type of fish load do you think it would be
able to handle (obviously in very broad terms here)?
<All sorts... tank-bred specimens, species would be better... I like Angels,
Gouramis, small catfishes... but you could have any number of "themes", biotopes
here>
Last question - I'm having trouble figuring out how I'd like to aquascape this
tank given the fact that it's so tall. I've been looking and looking for
pictures of peoples' setups with column tanks to get ideas, but haven't really
found much. Do you know of any places with good examples or ideas specifically
for column/tall tanks?
<The Takashi Amano books... are spectacular... see the library, the Net if you
want to buy... Tropica's site, Dennerle... on the Net. Look about for a key
piece of "driftwood", or rock... build around it/these>
Specifically, I'm not really sure *what* to use to aquascape in the first place
to get height in a tank like this. I'm thinking I'd like some kind of rock wall
built up from the ground - spanning most of the bottom back half maybe, and then
tapering up to a point about 3/4 of the way up the tank (if that makes sense -
like a triangle).
<Man... what are you wearing? We're thinking alike...>
But like I said, I don't really know what I could/should use to build something
like that. I know for reef tanks you just build up a wall however you want with
live rock -- are there good rock pieces I should expect to find at shops similar
to this but for freshwater tanks?
<Mmm, maybe... this and "rock and concrete" sort of landscape suppliers... look
in your "Yellow Pages">
(I haven't looked super hard, but the few places I've looked the last day or two
I haven't really seen anything - just the standard run of the mill fake
arches/formations, etc...). Also, I'd like to be able to add live plants in
this 'wall' (rather than be in the gravel at the bottom), and I'm not sure how
that would work either,
<Can be made to... maybe Anubias (potted or no), Java Fern... many
possibilities>
as far as anchoring them and getting them to root or whatnot. Anyway, any ideas
you could give me in this regard would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for listening. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Jeff Mueller
<As stated... see the Amano books... very inspirational. Bob Fenner>
Ornaments turning white 8/21/06
Hi,
< Howdy! >
My name is kylie and I have a 20 gallon tank with two ornaments one is a
seahorse and the other a large castle and the color on both of them is coming of
to the point that the seahorse is almost white. My question is, is there
something in the water making this happen?
< The water itself is making this happen. Water is the universal solvent, and
will dissolve and dissolute nearly everything given enough time. Think about the
Grand Canyon! Unfortunately, not all ornaments sold in the aquarium industry are
truly "water-proof". Generally speaking, if the ornament looks like it has been
painted, it is most likely not safe for long term exposure. >
Thanks,
< You are welcome! RichardB >
-Kylie
Superglue and FW (all aquatic) systems 8/16/06
I was hoping that someone could tell me if superglue is safe to use on
structures inside of my painted turtle's aquarium??? There are also some
Zebrafish and Chinese algae eaters in the tank.. Would it be safe for them too?
<Is very safe once cured. Bob Fenner>
Need Clarification about Sculpey sealers 8/3/06
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/FWSubWebIndex/fwaquascapfaqs.htm
I read the article about using Sculpey to make tank decorations, but I'm not
sure if the sealer I have is safe to use. The article said
"What sealant is safe to use?
<For Sculpey, I use acrylic media (the stuff that's just the acrylic polymer). I
haven't tried either plaster or concrete.>"
I don't know how to tell if my sealer meets those qualifications. I use (for
all my other Sculpey projects) Folk Art's Clearcote Hi-shine Glaze by Plaid. It
doesn't have a list of ingredients, but it does say on the back "Contains:
Acetone, Toluene"
Can I use this product to seal my fish's Sculpey decorations? If I can't, can
you tell me a product that can? Not just the chemical make up, but like a brand
name or something more specific? Because I can't seem to find something that's
label 'acrylic polymer' I haven't had enough chemistry classes yet to know by
heart : )
I love your site, it's been a wonderful help to my roommate and I, who now
have some 20 odd fish, spread across fifty gallons in various tanks. We've
become quite the little fish fans with your help! Thanks again!
<Mmm: Sculpey:
http://www.sculpey.com/... the solvents listed should "all be gone" through
evaporation within a day of their application here. I do think you'd be okay
using this, submersing the products in a biological system once they're cured.
Otherwise, coating these sculptures with epoxy paint, latex based acrylics
should also be chemically inert. Bob Fenner>
Re: My Oscar, Sys., seashells best at the seashore 8/1/06
Hmm.. I sent you an email earlier today, asking about my new Oscar. I know
on your web page it says read and you'll more than likely find what you're
looking for, and I think I found one of the answers to one of the questions I
had asked. (the one about why my new Oscar lays at the bottom of the tank) I
still am curious as to whether sea shells are good for the tank or not.
<Generally not useful for freshwater systems on two counts: they too-likely
change water quality by dissolving... to conditions you don't want. And
secondly, the shells sharp edges are too likely to physically damage the fishes>
they're pretty, but If they are harmful I'll take them out. I have two in there.
so there's not that many. Anyways...one more question, and sorry for the bother:
I currently have a 10 gallon tank with a two inch or smaller tiger Oscar. I know
that is probably two small.
<Yes, will need more room... soon>
but it's all I can have right now. When should I upgrade to a larger tank?
<ASAPractical>
What size of Oscar is considered too large for my tank? Thanks.
<Likely at 3 inches or so... Bob Fenner>
Aquarium Deco 4/14/06
Hi,
I have a 58 gal tank. I have not set it up yet. I am looking for an authentic
looking shipwreck. Approximately 12 to 24" long. A two piece or one piece that
looks broken in half with holes in the hull. I have not been able to find
anything like this. What I have seen on the web are ships that look toyish. I
like " Top Fin " decor with its detail, but have not seen any ships etc. Can
you help me locate a vendor that may have what I am looking for?
Appreciated, thanks for replying
<There are some really neat, authentic-looking, large shipwreck decor items made
for aquariums, but most retailers don't carry them as they're perennially poor
sellers. It may be that you'll want to "cast your net" a bit further, and ask
for some European aquarist BB help here to locate a source in W. Europe... have
it shipped to you. Bob Fenner>
Corals in freshwater aquarium 2/23/06
Hello, I'm new to fish and have kept a 30gal freshwater aquarium for about
a year now. Just bought a couple large pieces of coral that I was intending
to clean before putting in the aquarium. Was looking around for info on how to
clean, but I keep on seeing info about putting corals in saltwater.
There were a few statements about not using coral in freshwater. Is that
really true? Is it a question of chemical interactions or the fish not
interacting well physically with the coral?
<Both>
One piece I have is quite smooth, the other has sharper ends. Should I forget
the idea completely, or is it ok to try the corals in freshwater aquariums?
Thanks.
<There are some groups of fishes (that like hard, alkaline water)... e.g. some
of the African Great Lakes residents, some livebearers, that can tolerate, even
like the presence of calcium carbonate skeletons... from dissolving corals...
but most freshwater, no. Bob Fenner>
Adding Sea Shells To a Freshwater Tank 2/1/06
Hi, I would like to know if it would harm my goldfish if I put sea shells
into their freshwater tank. The shells were collected in Venezuela and have been
soaked and the water has been changed continuously. Thanks for your help,
< Generally adding shells to a freshwater tank is a bad idea. The shells will
dissolve and cause the pH to rise. -Chuck>
Painting an aquarium decoration - 01/12/2006
I purchased a XL Sewer Pipe decoration distributed by kandaimports,
unfortunately I didn't notice the incomplete paint job. The insides of
the pipes are
exposed as light grey material and it is very noticeable as the pipes
opening
are about 4inches in diameter. the piece is not cement but maybe a
plastic
composite of some sort. They suggested I use a 2part epoxy paint and
then coat it
with a 2part clear epoxy when done. Problem is I can only locate a
2part
epoxy that is for bathtubs (white or almond) no dark colors. Any
suggestions on
a different kind of paint?
<Most water-based latexes will work... though not as durable and color
fast as epoxies. Bob Fenner>
Artificial Plants 1.5.2006
Hey Crew,
I bought some plastic plants from a store in order to save some money. I was
just wondering if there would be any chance that these plants would cause any
harm to my fish. I cut the bottom of one of them off because it was too tall and
notices metal wires in it, so I didn't use that one. Are the uncut ones alright
to use?
thanks for all the help
<Are these for aquarium purpose? If so, and none of the metal is exposed, I'd
feel OK about using them. If they're for other uses, I'd decline, as the
adhesives and glues used are likely toxic. Hope this helps! Ryan>
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>
Lead And Foam Weights On Plants - 11/05/2005
Hi Robert
<Actually, Sabrina here, in his stead.>
I was just wanting to know if it was ok to leave the lead and foam weights on my
Whisper (faux) plants, as I have a few fish that love to toss the rocks around in both my tanks.
<If these are weights that are "built into" the plants, I would leave them. If not, if this really is lead, I would not use it. Instead, I would silicone the plant to an inert rock large and heavy enough to weight it down.>
I have a 3 and a half foot tropical fresh water tank and a 2 and a half foot cold water tank.
Thanks a lot.
<You bet.>
OZ
P.S. I looked on the previous questions and answers pages but could not find
anything that said yes or no.
Thanks again
<Wishing you well, -Sabrina>
Aquarium Decorations 10/10/05
Hello, I have found your website very helpful as a beginner. I have searched
for information on my particular question, but haven't had any luck finding the answer. Five or so years ago I found a small antler in a forest and I am
wondering if putting this into my aquarium as a decoration will be toxic to my fish? Will the antler break down over time or should I be fine. The
aquarium temperature is held at a constant 74 degrees.
Thank you for your time and your help.
<Yes, I'm quite sure you wouldn't find anything about antlers as decorations in aquariums on our site. But, to be on the safe side, I wouldn't.
James (Salty Dog)>
Ornamental Background Inserts are Pricey 9/28/05
Chuck, two questions: what price is "really expensive", and what price do
you think is reasonable?
< One hundred gallon backgrounds from Europe were costing 600 to 700 dollars US.
Two to three hundred would be better but it all depends on the quality and
workmanship.-Chuck>
Burping Hippo 9/26/05
I found your article on aquarium decorative accessories at WetWebMedia
by doing a google search.
I'm looking for a ceramic hippo that is operated by air and releases
bubbles. You call it the burping hippo in the article. There is no
mention of where, if anyplace, this burping hippo can be purchased.
Is this no longer in production or can it still be found? Do you know of
anywhere I can order this? I'd love to get this for my Dad's aquarium.
Thank you, <Mary, we don't sell burping hippos. The article may have talked
about it but we are not an on-line store as such. Thank you, James (Salty Dog)>
Mary
<<Is the original Penn Plax (001) ornament... very out of production... You
might find this, and many other interesting "old aquarium artifacts" on eBay...
BobF>>
Natural Looking Background Inserts 9/25/05
Hey guys, love your website! I am in the process of starting up a company
manufacturing poly-resin (I guess the most common & cost effective as opposed to
ceramics) aquarium inserts. They are really habitats designed to bring out the
natural behavior of the animal concerned. I have put a great deal of thought
into and consulted with experts on designs and created one for amphibians, one
for small reptiles, and several for fresh and salt water fish. They are not
silly Ferris wheels with bubbles but look quite life-like rock formations,
mangrove roots, etc. They have numerous overhangs, caves, and arches, (like you
would find in nature) so will not be easy to mass produce ( I.e. make a mould
of). Any suggestions on where to go to have a mould made? I am nervous of going
to China in that the intellectual property I.e. my mould and source of production
would be over there and hard to monitor. Any thoughts?
< This project comes up numerous times over the years. Old World Exotic was
importing them in from Sweden but the were very expensive. You can see the
creation process in the Cichlid Yearbook #1 by Ad Konings. China would be a
logical source but the tend to copy everything. The are a couple of problems
with these backgrounds. They are expensive. They take up valuable tank space.
Fish get behind them. Tanks bigger than 30 gallons or acrylic tanks have
dividers across the top or very narrow openings that will not allow the
placement of an insert. The backgrounds soon become covered in algae so all of
your painting becomes obscured under the algae. I have one in a 50 gallon tank
and have a love /hate relationship with it. Love the way it looks with plants
and discus but it has its problems.-Chuck>
Keeping Background clean 8/28/05
The plastic background I am using always accumulates deposits between the
background and the aquarium glass. This becomes a maintenance hassle. What's
the best way to attach the background to avoid/minimize the accumulation of
deposits?
<I would imagine this would be quite annoying and frustrating. How about
attaching the background to the outside of the aquarium glass? I would think
that would solve the problem. Best of luck, Jorie> <<Mmm, a slight smear of
Silicone sealant (with the glass, acrylic absolutely clean) all around the edge
of the background's edge is best here. RMF>> Paints/varnishes for use inside fw aquarium
Dear most knowledgeable folks,
<Okay...>
I'm working on a 3D background for a 135 FW tank, carving tree roots and
rocks out of EPS (Styrofoam), and wondering about paint that will be
durable and nontoxic. I had originally planned to coat the whole thing
in an epoxy marine varnish, but all available seem to be high-gloss,
which looks unnatural. I've read one DIY-er who says he's used a
matte-finish clear spray with no ill effects on his fish. I know that
Pangea (http://www.pangeashop.com/)
makes painted foam backgrounds for
use in aquariums, and even supplies touch-up paints, so I'm guessing
there are paints which are safe to use. Any advice, other than
subjecting some hapless danios to a test?
Thanks
Melinda Johansson
<Water-based latex and acrylic epoxies will cure non-toxic, but I don't know re
their ability to last, weather underwater... Bob Fenner>
Re: paints/varnishes for use inside fw aquarium
Thank you! I think I'm going with artists' acrylic, coated by a coat of
clear matte acrylic. My biggest concern is whether the clear coat will
eventually cloud underwater, but we'll see.
<Agreed>
Thanks again. Your site is awesome. It makes fishkeeping a very
different venture than when I started in it 30 years ago.
<Again... we are in confluence... am very happy to see more and more content
added to the Net, some reasonableness forthcoming in getting accurate,
significant, useful information to folks expediently... Bob Fenner>
Concrete paints .....
Firstly , you guys are great, thanks so much for all of your help. After
reading as much as possible I still have a couple of q's. I have
constructed a cement background for a 150 G FW. I used Styrofoam as a
base. I used a common cement mix before I was a aware of plastic
cements (thanks to WWM), as far as I know it will be highly alkaline once
water is added.
<Yes... but will leach out... and you can speed up the removal of the high pH
components... use of dilute acids... like vinegar>
I also used an acrylic fortifier throughout the building
process. I am not pleased with the look, the texture is fine but I would
like the color to be brown. I would prefer a coating that I could paint
onto the cured cement that will not get darker in the water (like all
cement does when its wet).
1. Should I acid wash to remove alkaline causing agents first, or should I
acid wash after applying a paint?
<I would do this before>
2. What paint should I use....epoxy based, water based latex,
acrylic....keeping in mind the surface is cement based with an acrylic
fortifier?
<Mmm, actually, either Dry Lok or Thoro... colored with oxide... like used for
stucco... would be my preference. Please see here:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PondSubWebIndex/thoroselart.htm
and the linked files above>
3. Will I be able to have a normal ph level (7.8-8.2..tanganyikan
cichlids) once the curing process is complete?
<Yes>
I am prepared to also cure the piece for a couple of weeks using a water
softener or softener salt (does this make sense at all) dissolved in the
full tank.
<Read through WWM re acid use... much faster>
Thank you... In Advance
Adrian Seepersaud
<Welcome. Bob Fenner>
Fossil in fish tank
Dear WWM,
In addition to keeping pet fish as a hobby, I also collect fossil shark teeth (Large C. megalodon teeth). I thought it would be fun to combine these
interests, and put teeth inside my tanks, as a decoration. However, I am unsure if they would affect my tanks chemically. These teeth are found in rivers in
South Carolina, and are composed of FLUORAPATITE [calcium phosphate fluoride - Ca5F(PO4)3] . Would this be safe to add to my tanks (A 29 gallon freshwater
and a 10 gallon brackish)? Will it affect my PH, GH, or KH? What about phosphates? Thanks for your assistance.
Sincerely, Wesley P. Hermann
<This material IS very safe in aquarium systems... virtually insoluble as you might guess. Bob Fenner>
Malawi aquascape
I'm looking to create a small Malawi aquascape for my 75 gallon
using the recipe for Aragocrete (GARF), but substituting silica for
aragonite. My question is how do the pros at zoos create such
incredibly realistic backgrounds for their aquariums? Are these made
from polyester resins, or from concrete?
<Have been made from both, and other materials... if concretes, materials including cements, these are "plastic types" generally, and even then, need "curing" (can be sped up with mild acid washing.... to remove the bulk of excess alkalinity>
How do they create a
substructure and what are some ways to scale this down to the
aquarium size for a realistic DIY background?
<Mmm, no under-structure likely needed... large constructs have welded, tied re-bar, wire/cloth... sometimes other support... but for an aquarium size background... can be made in sections... for removal... or cast in place... with the tank laid down on its back (unless this is to be a diorama... with it outside the tank>
It's main goal would
be to cover the equipment (overflow box, return pipe, heater...)
while not looking too manufactured.
<Stand-offs for inserting this gear later can be made of piping, Styrofoam that can be melted out (with solvent) later...>
I'll cure it all in an empty 55
before adding it to a 75 to make sure pH isn't affected.
Thanks, Steve
<In this case, making (likely wood) forms and pouring your material into these is likely what you will do... in at least three sections (this stuff is HEAVY). Bob Fenner>
90-gallon tank background
Hello, Crew!
<Bob, it's... Bob!>
I have greatly appreciated your insight in the past and hope you don't mind
if I pick your brain again.
<Not much left... but go ahead!>
I am getting ready to set up a 90-gallon tank
in my office and am trying to figure out what to do with my background. I'd
like to do something other than paper, just because I am worried about try
to clean any drips that may occur.
<Mmm, a couple of things here... a good idea to coat/line such backgrounds that
may be damaged by water... and either use a good water-proof tape over the
entire edge of the background and tank to seal it, OR even silicone sealant!>
That won't be an easy tank to reach
behind, if you know what I mean.
<I do>
Anything you have seen that was pretty
neat and semi-easy to create?
<All sorts... from appliqués like paints, mothball combo's (remember Crystal
Craze? Man, I'm getting old!), photo-quality prints and others... dioramas
(almost all home-made), and inside (some are fabulous) constructs of modern
materials to slate...>
I know I can go with painting the back a flat
color, but that just seems rather dull. My plans in the tank are to set up
a south pacific environment with live sand and about 50-60 pounds of live
rock in order to leave lots of swimming room. Any creative thoughts or
resources I should consider?
<Let you mind swirl here... don't stare too long in a lava lamp however... maybe
a Styrofoam sheet of thickness that you can paint (I like blues) and first melt
out some 3 D relief in (most any solvent will do... outdoors!)... Take a look on
the Net re what others have done... and when you're "just walking around", keep
your eyes open for possible textures, colors... Like burlap material... cork
board...>
Thanks for your time and energy. You are a great resource for all of us!
Bob
<Glad to share. Bob Fenner>
Decor contamination
hi, I was wondering if there is any way to find out if a rock or object is safe
for your aquarium. I am going to buy a 55g tank and want to put some small
pieces of flag stone in the aquarium to create a decorative hiding space for my
FW Moray eel. How can I find out is the flagstone is safe or not?
< Usually rocks and sand that leach minerals into the aquarium are to be
avoided. Add a drop of Muriatic pool acid to a rock and see if it fizzles. This
is the calcium in the rock reacting to the pool acid. This rock will leach
minerals into the water and raise the pH. Try soaking the rock in some distilled
water and check the pH often and see if the minerals leach off the rock into the
water and raise the pH. IF the pH changes avoid the rock.-Chuck>
Question about rocks in Fresh
This was a question about White Keystone rock. I have recently had
problems with bad cloudiness in the tank. Is "white keystone rock" not good for
a
fresh water tank?
Thank you take care.
< I don't know exactly what white keystone rock is but I can give you a few do's
and don'ts when it comes to rocks. Don't use rocks or gravel that is made from a
sedimentary rock like sandstone, siltstone or conglomerate because calcium/lime
deposits have created a cementation that will dissolve over time and increase
the pH of your water. Geologists use weak acid solutions to test the rock and
see if it will sizzle when the acid is applied. If the rock is making your water
cloudy then don't use it. If it is a quartz time material then it should be fine
but there may have been some rock dust on it that wasn't washed off that clouded
the water. If the pH has increased and the cloudiness persists then I would
definitely get rid of the rock.-Chuck>
-al-
Foreign decorations in an aquarium
Hi My name is Angela and my friend just got a 55 gallon tank. I really want
to get him something that suits him well and he loves Aerosmith, Scarface, and
Kiss. I was wondering if you know of a site that might have custom
figurines? or if I just buy a figurine what is water safe and what is not (ex.
plastic, ceramic, glass) << Well I've never thought of that. I'd say anything
that isn't metal is safe. Painted items may be of concern as well. But
plastic, glass, ceramic, are all safe for the aquarium. Odd looking.... but
safe. >>
<< Blundell >>
Using ceramic glazed objects in freshwater aquariums
Dear Bob,
<Julie>
I have read your FAQ about DIY objects for your aquarium. I saw two different answers. One said that you shouldn't put
glazed objects in your aquarium. The other answer said that
you can add glazed objects in an aquarium.
Can you pleases help me out here. I like to add fire glazed objects
with my tetra's,
thanks for the help,
Julie
<All ceramics that have been glazed that I have ever heard of are safe for
aquarium use. The glazing process renders the pieces chemically inert... so they
do NOT influence water quality. Bob Fenner>
Clay Pots
Hello, Just wanted to ask if it was safe to use clay flower pots that you can get
from any garden center to use as decoration in a freshwater aquarium setup?
The fish will require soft to medium soft water and I didn't know if the clay would harden the water any. If it is alright to use the pots what is
the best way to clean them??? Thanks for your help, Frances Gray
<<Frances, yes, assuming you mean the regular, reddish terracotta pots, they are fine. To clean them just rinse under
tap water and scrub them with some baking soda. If you want to cut the pots in half lengthwise, you can soak them for a few days in a bucket with water to soften them, this will make it easier to saw them in two without them chipping. Do not use pots with paint, glazes, etc, for obvious reasons. Have fun :) -Gwen>>
Coral... from HI? Cleaning, using in freshwater?
We just received dead coral from Hawaii and would like to know how to clean
it and then can we put it in our freshwater tank? Than you, Shelley
Lundberg
<Dead coral from Hawai'i? Not supposed to be collected, shipped from the 50th
State. An "action plan" on how to clean coral skeletons can be found
here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/clnornart.htm
but not a good idea in general to use coral skeletons in freshwater systems...
for the chemical changes to water quality and danger in scratching livestock
they present. Bob Fenner>
--- Kim Lundberg
Safe store bought tank decor? (03/05/04)
Hi and thank you for your wonderful web site. I just discovered it today! I
hope you can help me with my question!
<Hi! Ananda here to try!>
Until now I have always had my small 1 1/2 gallon tank set up with a few plastic
plants and some rocks but,... since my Betta of 3+ years recently went the great
fish bowl in the sky I decided to change things up a bit with a new Betta. New
Fish new decor!
<Yay! It's always fun to redecorate the tank.>
Last night I went and purchased a new Betta and some tank architecture and when I
got home I set up the tank. I soaked the architecture in treated water for about
2 hours and gave it a thorough scrubbing. After I completed the tank
set up I noticed the water faintly smells of ???? My best guess would be resin
or some sort of compound the decoration is made from.
<Or something that was sprayed on the decoration as a "fixative",
or something similar.>
Needless to say I am unsure if it's safe for the new Betta and so my new Betta
is still sitting in the plastic container he can home from the store in. Help
what do you think?
<I would put the Betta in the tank with the old stuff, and keep the new stuff
in a bucket -- dump the smelly water, refill the bucket, let sit several hours
or overnight. Rinse and repeat until the water in the bucket does not stink. At
that point, it should be safe for the fish. If you are uncomfortable with how
long it may take to get to a non-smelly state, you might bring it back to the
store and explain the issue to them and try for a refund. --Ananda>
DIY decorations for FW tank
Dear WetWeb crew--
Hi, I read your site everyday, and haven’t been able to find my answer in the
google search. I want to make my own decorations for a FW tank. The pieces
I plan will be fairly large. I’ve done mold making/casting, but does the
poly-resin have to be FDA approved?
<No, but would guarantee their safety for human use/ingestion>
Can you tell me a specific type (brand) of material can safely be used in tanks?
<Polyurethanes>
What about cured sculpey; plaster, or concrete after sealing?
<Can be used... need to be acid-washed or soaked for a long time (weeks,
months) to leech their alkaline exteriors>
What sealant is safe to use?
<100% silicone, methacrylates, many marine epoxies>
Are regular acrylic craft paints safe to use?
<Epoxy based ones are better, but acrylics will do>
I read the “bioassay” article, and everything archived about decorations,
but was hoping you might have a specific type of material that would be a good
place to start experimenting.
Thanks for your time and great advice!
Kate
<I say start your work! Bob Fenner>
Making decorations for freshwater tank (1/23/04)
Dear WetWeb crew--
<Hi! Ananda here tonight...>
Hi, I read your site everyday, and haven’t been able to find my answer in the
Google search.
<Check the forums, too -- http://wetwebfotos.com/talk
... cause I've talked about this on the forums! :-) >
I want to make my own decorations for a FW tank. The pieces I plan will be
fairly large.
I’ve done mold making/casting, but does the poly-resin have to be FDA approved?
<It's definitely safer that way. You need to get a resin that won't leach
*anything* into the water.>
Can you tell me a specific type (brand) of material can safely be used in tanks?
<I've shied away from using resins because I'm not sure the stuff I have on
hand is tank-safe. If you do find out a specific brand, I would be *very*
interested in hearing about it!>
What about cured sculpey; plaster, or concrete after sealing?
<Sculpey: Once you bake it, it's safe. I've been using that in my tanks (both
freshwater and brackish) for two years. You can use acrylic matte medium as a
glue to attach gravel etc. to a base and create your own fake plants using silk
plants from the craft store. 100% pure silicone (from the hardware store) works
as a glue, also; just make sure you get the kind that has nothing but silicone
in it. Plaster or concrete: Both of these will send the pH through the roof if
they aren't totally sealed. I'd be very, very careful. Check out the forums for
topics about "gravelcrete" or "gravocrete" and
"aragocrete" for comments about using cement-based substances in
tanks. You have to cure them for weeks before they're safe to put in the
tank.>
What sealant is safe to use?
<For Sculpey, I use acrylic media (the stuff that's just the acrylic
polymer). I haven't tried either plaster or concrete.>
Are regular acrylic craft paints safe to use?
<They should be, if they're well-sealed or worked into the Sculpey and the
baked pieces sealed.>
I read the “bioassay” article, and everything archived about decorations,
but was hoping you might have a specific type of material that would be a good
place to start experimenting.
<Hunt out a ceramics shop. Poured ceramics, once fired and glazed, are safe
in the tank. I haven't done ceramics in years, but I suspect they may have
matte-finish glazes by now.>
Thanks for your time and great advice!
Kate
<You're quite welcome, and I'd love to know what you come up with!
--Ananda>
Adding the Ocean to Your Tank 11/06/03
Hi :)
<Hi, Pufferpunk here>
I have a cichlid tank that is very well established. I love to change the tank
display. In the past I have put coral in the tank that I have gotten while
snorkeling in the Caribbean with no problem. I have a very large conch shell
that I feel apprehensive about displaying in my tank, but think it would look
awesome in it! Do you think it will be okay?
<You're not going to like this answer, but I feel I must scold you a little
here. As an avid scuba diver (I'm actually leaving for the Caribbean on
Saturday), I need to educate you about taking things from the ocean. We have a
saying, "Take only pictures & leave only bubbles". Everything in
the ocean has a reason for being there. That conch could be used for a hermit
crab or octopus home. It is never good to help yourself to these things. Enough
said about that. ;) If there is no smell to it, you could soak it overnight in a
light bleach solution, rinse well & then a few hours more in dechlorinated
water, before adding it to your tank.>
Thanks for your help. Susan
<You're welcome, Pufferpunk>
DIY tank decorations? (10/24/03)
<Hi! Ananda here today...>
What kind of resin can I use to make ornaments for my freshwater aquarium and
where can I get it? Tony
<I've done some resin casting, but your email address seems to indicate
you're in the UK, so I'm not certain the stuff I've used would be available to
you. You might try a Google search:
resin casting site: UK
The "site: uk" will restrict the search results to sites that have
".UK" in their top-level domain name, i.e., sites based in the UK. It
looks like some of those sites should have some of the info you want. Once you
decide on a specific resin, you can cast a piece and test it in dechlorinated
tap water. Make sure to wash off any mould release first! While the resin
*should* be inert, I would leave it in dechlorinated water for a few days, then
test the water. If anything comes out abnormally, change the water, wait another
few to several days, then test again. If the resin is still leaching chemicals,
you can either wait longer to see if it stops, or try another resin.
--Ananda>
Shells and coral skeletons, use in FW aquariums
I currently own a 65 gallon freshwater tank with a selection of fish in it
(Gouramis, Plecostomus, Chinese algae eaters, Cory cats, cichlids, one female Betta,
a couple snails and a tiger barb).
<Just one comment - tiger barbs are schooling fish, and should be kept in
groups, as they'll be healthier/happier - but they become nippy and may cause
harm to long-finned fish. Also, 'cichlids' encompasses an enormous
group of fish, so from just that, I have no idea whether they're compatible with
the rest of your fish. Since you're not mentioning any problems, I'm
going to assume all is well and happy in your tank. Sounds great.>
I have recently been given some coral and some seashells from my father, who
harvested it from the waters around Jamaica over 30 years ago. He has
kept them clean, dry and isolated since, but recently offered to give them to me
to use in my tank. My question is whether or not I can use these
items as decorations in my tank.
<Unfortunately, since your tank is freshwater, I'm afraid the answer is no. They
would be absolutely fine to use in a freshwater rift lake cichlid tank, a
brackish tank, or a saltwater tank, but in your tank, they will raise the pH
undesirably, and possibly harm your fish as a result.>
I am concerned that since they came from a saltwater source and have not been
"sanitized" that they could affect the fish in my tank either by disease
or death. Can you provide any advice on how to use these to enhance
my aquarium, or if I should even use them at all?
<Should you ever choose to have a rift lake, brackish, or saltwater tank,
it's all a go - I'd recommend boiling the items in a pot of water first to kill
anything that they might be harboring. Wishing you well, -Sabrina>
Paint for Aquarium Figurines
I bought a couple decorations for the tankeroo, and
hated the color they were, so... took the liberty of
painting them. Well, didn't really dawn on me till I
was almost finished that I probably shouldn't put that
in my tank since I painted it with Acrylic paint. What
should I do? Can I coat it with something that will
make it safe for my tank?
<Acrylic once cured (dried, in a day or so) should be fine>
How about Polyurethane?
<You could coat the items with this but likely unnecessary. Bob Fenner>
If I
let it cure forever before putting it in. Or where
could I get a clear epoxy, latex paint, or resin?
Also, what is two part urethane? Thank you soooo much.
Chelsea
-Overloading the bottom glass?-
Hi guys, this is the first time I have sent you a question. I am a newbie, I
have recently bought a 34gal tank and I plan on putting African Cichlids in
it. I aim to decorate the tank in a more marine looking tank than a freshwater
tank using imitation corals and such. my question to you is how
much rock can the bottom glass take? Is there a rule of thumb on the weight
capacity for this? I can't find a calculator on any site that will tell me
what the capacity of rock weight my 36" X 12" tank bottom will carry
before
I run the risk of breaking the glass.
<No worries, I don't believe it's possible to overload your tank bottom, as scary
as that sounds.>
It is a concern of mine because I am thinking about making my own rock using
concrete and cichlid substrate mix. what do you think? I see some marine tanks
just loaded with rock and I wonder if those tank's bottoms are 3/4" up from
the bottom edge of the tank or have some additional support for the bottom like
the glass being in total contact with the surface of the stand.
<Nope, as cheesy as these aquariums and stands appear to be built, they can
really hold a tremendous amount of weight. You should be all set!>
I hope you can help put me at ease before I load the tank up and have a problem
in the end.
<Good luck, Mike, you can finally sleep easy again! -Kevin>
Cheers.
Mike.
In the beginning, there was a tank...
Hi Wet Web,
<Hi Samantha, PF here tonight>
I am a beginner fish owner with several questions. I recently
purchased a 29 gallon tank package (tank, heater, filter,
thermometer). I set up the tank properly, washing it, the gravel, the
plants - everything. The tank was filled, water conditioner and salts
were added, and I let the tank run for one week. A friend recommended
we purchase pH and ammonia test kits, and test the water before purchasing
feeder fish for starting the initial tank-water cycle. So we did. <You
wouldn't have any kind of nitrate or ammonia without something there to
decompose, no surprise there was no change> The pH tested very basic, so we
added the pH down solution....actually we added several rounds of it over a
period of 5 days. <This stuff can take a while to take affect> The ammonia
test, we did not attempt at this time. No changes occurred. It still
showed the basic blue color to test. Ok...off to the local fish
shop. They instructed me that pH isn't something to be overly
concerned about. <That all depends on what kind of fish you are keeping, some
less, others vital.> Ok. They sold me three cute feeder fish, and
off home we went. I introduced them to the tank slowly and all was
well for about two days. Then the tank started to become cloudy - I
could actually see the coloring in the water swirling about! <This is
bacterial growth from fish food/excrement> It got so bad that I couldn't see
fish nor plant. Everyday it got more and more yellow and
cloudy So I put the fish in a pail, and completely emptied, washed
and re-did the tank and let it run. However, foolish me almost killed
the poor fish in the bucket I had them in. As soon as I saw them
wobbling on their sides I panicked and put them back into the
tank. They survived, thank goodness. But it is now
happening again. The water is turning yellow and cloudy slowly. Why
is this happening? <Your tank is still cycling> I did not use any
chemicals to wash the tank and supplies, no pH solutions were added the second
time, just the salts <I assume salt supplements for FW tanks?> and
conditioners. The fish appear to be happy. They swim, eat
and have periods of floating, where it appears they are resting. I keep the tank
temp at 74 degrees F. I hope to have a community tank with tetras,
mollies, a bottom feeder, an algae eater and the 3 feeders. But I
don't want to rush into anything until I can get this under control and running
properly.
<Tetras, as I recall are Amazonian black water fish, be sure and research any
fish before making the purchase. Your time spent will pay in healthy/happy long
lived animals you don't have to replace.>
1. Why is the water turning yellow? (I have town water,
used water conditioners and salts as directed) Could this be a
disease?<Much more likely it's bacteria, see above>
2. Should I have an air-rator device of some kind?
<Not necessarily, you filter will provide aeration>
3. I've read on your website that small frequent changes are
best. Is once monthly sufficient for a 29 gal tank? I have
22 gal of water in the tank right now. <twice a month would be better, weekly
better yet. A 4 gallon bucket (most home repair/supply stores have them) with an
airstone in it would be a good place to condition water.>
4. The pH test kit and the ammonia test kit have no expiry dates on
them, they are a no name type brand. Can these kits become expired?
<Yes> Is there a widely known, reliable brand you can
recommend? <I'm not an expert on FW testing, you might want to go
over to the forum and post this under the Equipment & Dry Goods section.
Here's the link to the forum: http://wetwebfotos.com/talk
/ I
do know Salifert makes a very good test kit, but bear in mind they are priced to
match. AS I recall, they're are test kits you can get that include pH, ammonia,
nitrate, etc. for about $35>
5. Is it necessary to have a test kit each for pH, ammonia, nitrates?
<Yes> Should these tests be used frequently? Once a week or more? <Once
a week would be a good routine>
6. I would like to add real rocks to my aquarium to create neat
living areas for the fish. How can I safely go about
this? I have checked my local pet stores, but none sell anything but
gravel. <Ok, there rocks you can get at a home supply store, or garden shop.
You might want to see if any of your local greenhouses also do ponds ( a growing
hobby ) they may be able to point you to some good local rocks to use. Also
check here for some advice from Bob: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PlantedTksSubWebIndex/rkwdscapeag.htm
>
7. During the initial cycling for a tank to get it started, should I
be doing any water changes? <Small, regular changes won't hurt> How will I
know when to do one? If so, should the water changes be less than
those of the monthly maintenance type changes? <No, biweekly would be better,
say 5% (4 gallons)
8. How do I know when the cycling is done and it is safe to start
introducing other fish? <Test for ammonia and nitrate, when you have 0
ammonia, and the nitrates are dropping, there you go. Add fish slowly>
9. I am suspicious that my filter is of poor quality. It
is an Aqua-Tech filter that hangs off the side of the tank. It sucks
water up into a bucket area and it passes through a flat cartridge like filter
before pouring back into the tank. The filter is a black plastic
sheet with a pot-scrubber like foam attached to it. Between the two
is a small amount of charcoal pieces. No matter how many time I try
to shake it to even out the charcoal, they settle to the bottom of the filter
cartridge. <Not really an issue, most charcoal becomes "full" in a
few days anyway.> I am worried that this is not filtering enough, or
efficiently. Could this be the case? The force of the
water pouring back into the tank is very strong. It pushes the fish
all the way down to the bottom when they swim through it. Should a
filter do this? <Not a problem really. The biggest problem with your filter
is that when you change out the media, you remove a big chunk of your biological
filter. You might want to look a unit with a BioWheel instead. Now, if you go
that route, don't ever replace the BioWheel unless it breaks. Even if it looks
cruddy and barely rotates, leave it on - it will keep your biological filter
intact.>
10. Is there a method for feeding fish when you will be away for a
couple weeks? <There are feeder blocks you can buy> I am new to my area,
and know no one. I do not want strangers in my house. <And I don't
blame you.>
11. Can I add water to the tank in between water changes, if the
level appears to be low due to evaporation? <Yes, you should be topping off
your tank>
Thanks for any help you can provide to me on these topics,
Samantha
<You're welcome Samantha, welcome to the hobby and have a good night, PF>
Coconuts? In My Tank?? 3/30/03
Hi, it's me again!<Phil with you this morning.> Is it true
that using coconut shell halves as caves in
your aquarium is bad because they leach phosphates into the water?<I believe
I've heard something like that. I would leave the shells out of the
aquarium because they will start to decay and foul the water.> Can high
levels of phosphates irritate fish?<In ways yes. High phosphates
cause algae to grow at lightning speed. Hope this helps! Phil>
- Locating Products -
Where can I get a sand waterfall for my aquarium I have been looking for
them all over?
<I'm not familiar with the item you describe, but I would do two things:
first, check through our list of aquatic links to find what you are looking for
-
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/WWMAdminSubWebIndex/general_links_pg.htm
Secondly, you should also enter the phrase "sand waterfall" into your
favorite search engine and follow the links that show up. Good luck in your
search. Cheers, J -- >
- Sand Waterfalls, a Description -
Crew:
<Hello - JasonC here...>
Saw the post about "sand waterfalls." Just though I'd let you know
what these are. They are cutesy fad FW aquarium decorations that use an air
stone to cause sand to pour out of the upper portion and land in a collector at
the bottom to be swept back up and through again. They come in may different
types (e.g. lion's mouth, mountain). I bought one at PetSmart a few years back.
I haven't seen them there in a long time, probably because they are absolute
junk. Threw mine away a long time ago. The currents in the aquarium would sweep
the sand stream away so that most fell outside of the decoration. Pretty soon
one has a pile of sand next to it and no sand running though the
"waterfall." Steve Allen
<Thank you for this input - will make sure it makes it onto the dailies just
in case anyone else was wondering what these were like I was. Thanks, J -- >
Re: seashells
Is it safe to put seashells into fresh-water aquarium for deco? I
have a 55-gal. tank.
<It would depend on where you get the seashells. If they are purchased at
your LFS they should be safe. It's not recommended to use any that were gathered
somewhere or ones purchased from non-fish stores. Ronni>
Re: plant cover for Gourami in quarantine
Hi! I was just wondering if it might be ok to float a leaf of romaine lettuce in
a quarantine tank with a single Golden Gourami jut to give it some cover. I
don't have a plant to put in at the moment. Thank you, Steve
<Hi Steve. This may be more trouble than it is worth. The
leaf would have to be rinsed really well to make sure there were no pesticides
on it. It would not take it long to start decaying so it would have
to be replaced frequently. I would probably just pick up some plastic
plants next time I was at the fish store. -Gage>
Wood log and copper
Hi there! I have a quick question about a log...I used to keep
this log in a 10 gallon freshwater aquarium that I have treated with copper
before. This tank has since been taken down and set up again. It
was only bare for a month or so and now it is running again and fully cycled. My
question: If I reintroduce the log will it disrupt or destroy the cycle because
of the copper it probably soaked up?
<no worries here. After a good rinse of the log, the impact will be slight if
any. Use Poly filters for the first few months to sop up residual copper.>
A huge thanks for your time! Rachael
<best regards, Anthony>
Driftwood plants
To Robert,
could you please tell me what plants can attach to
driftwood. I know that java fern, java moss, Anubias nana can.
Could you please tell me all the plants that you know that can attach
to driftwood?
<Hmm, well other aquatic ferns and mosses do... Am trying/typing to think of a reference I have or somewhere to send you that might list these... What books on general aquarium gardening do you have access to?>
Preferably the easy ones!
Could you send me a link if you know where I could find pictures of
them.
<I wish. Would gladly even post my images on part of our site: Home Page if/when have time/general resources to sort them all out.>
1) Can spathiphylumms attach to driftwood? Someone told me that they
can but they need to be 'very young', when they are still growing. Is
it possible for it to attach to d.wood even when 10cm tall?
<Spathyphyllums? Not really. These are "short timers" in submersed settings... Really bog plants at best, terrestrial ones for a certainty.>
Thanks
>>
<Be chatting... I do encourage you to consider actually writing articles, making photographs to go with writing/selling articles about your above insightful questions...
Bob Fenner>
Driftwood with live plant
Dear Robert,
I recently purchased some driftwood and the pet shop said to soak it in water for 2 weeks, changing the water every day. They said that doing this gets rid of the 'tannin' that the wood releases.
<Much of the tannins... among other potentially discoloring, damaging compounds...>
I'm worried as my wood is not sinking. I am also equally concerned as I read your notes that driftwood could still release harmful properties into my tank-I wouldn't want to harm my trop. fish. I have a Aquaclear 300 and
Clearflow undergravel filter.
<I hear you... Take a look at the site: Home Page and Freshwater Index piece and FAQs on the "sinking" issue of driftwood... you may need to boil the material, maybe use some chemicals with it... even attach something chemically inert (like slate) to its base to get the overall density high enough to weight it down>
1) Do you recommend that I continue with preparing the drift wood? and if so, what should
I do to make it sink?
2) Will it release harmful chemicals that may affect my fishes' breeding patterns? if so, what can
I do?
<What sorts of fishes, other livestock? Many are not mal-affected by such exposure...>
3) The piece of driftwood is very long and I cannot keep it fully submerged in a bucket and
I can't use the sink either, mum won't let me! Does it need to be completely submerged to 'sink'?
<Yes... as in to waterlog the whole mass... and prep. it... and get it, keep it down!>
Thank you I would really appreciate it if you could send me a reply at your earliest convenience.
Keith >>
<Be chatting my "unsinkable" friend. Bob Fenner>
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