Recent content by drooke

Since my last update I've tested the dKH twice, once every week. The API test kit I have is a little difficult to test with, with the first drop of solution added to the water sample the water should turn blue and then with repeated drops it should eventually turn yellow. For these last two...

Thanks for the further replies. I've ordered some bits which have arrived. I haven't got any leaf litter in yet but will keep an eye out for some. I have lost another cory and a cardinal since my last post, hopefully no more to come. I've just put a big bag of washed and boiled oyster crushed...

Thanks for the replies. So the message is I need to raise my kH to stop any pH swings. To do this, I can get a big filter bag to hold all the crushed oyster shell I have (a decent handfull) in the filter, will this be sufficient to raise kH? Will it raise it slowly or quickly? What kH should I...

I've done some more tests on my tap water, both fresh from the tap and some that has stood for 24 hours. Fresh from tap: pH: 7 kH: 0 Stood for 24 hours: pH: 6.8 kH: 0 So based on those values, something in the tank seems to be reducing the pH but the kH is naturally low. What are the best...

Thanks for the replies. No movement from the snails so I've put them in a second tank I have which has a slightly higher pH to see if they reemerge. It seems like the length of the acclimatising period is up for debate from your comments but there does seem to be a common element in that you...

The HMA filter is less than a year old and hasn't filtered much water in it's lifetime as I don't do very regular water changes, maybe 700 litres at most. I always make sure I flush about 10 litres of water through it to clear out the standing water and then put the fresh into the tank. I would...

Thanks for the replies. I don't add CO2, no fertilisers either and no tap water conditioner with using the HMA filter. Fish were from World of Water in Manchester but I rate their selection and stock, making the trip from Yorkshire. Certainly one of the better shops. I guess it could be under...

Hi all, I've lost some fish recently, given the tank a clean out and done a 25%ish water change with HMA filtered water. It's looking bright and clean again. On Saturday I went to buy some new fish and bought two Whiptails, two Cory Arcuantas (to add to my existing 4), six Congo Tetras and two...

Thanks for the suggestions Sanj, I'll check them out and try a few new ones. I know that they are eating, they're just not as enthusiastic about dry foods! Thanks, Dan Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Hi Sanj, that's an amazing tank you have there! I have recently collected some rainbows (reds, blues, bosemans, red tails and dwarf neon) but I'm struggling to find a dry food that they love - any suggestions? They do love the white worm culture I'm trying to get up to a decent size to feed them...

Thanks for the feedback. I've finally got round to ordering some air line to try the loop idea.

Thanks for the replies. The airline idea sounds good, I might try two smaller "pens" to put the plants in so that they can float around easier. The current free form arrangement and quantity means that the plants don't really move. This idea would also let me keep Frogbit too, I had some before...

Hi all, I have a lot of floating plants in my tank and find it quickly grows and will take over the tank surface completely. I think it's a type of Salvinia. While it is good for preventing algae growth it throws a green colour cast on to everything beneath and also causes issues with feeding...

Sorry, thought it applied to all non-UK purchases. That sounds like a decent saving then! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD

There's also import duty to consider when buying from a German site.