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  1. MARKCOUSINS

    Monte Carlo growing straight up.

    Definitely MC!So that's good!As you wrote as your levels of light and CO2 are lower it will take longer,but will get there.
  2. MARKCOUSINS

    Monte Carlo growing straight up.

    Strange,also under fairly low lighting it should carpet.Are you sure it's not M.micrantimoides(excuse if spelling is off!).Post a picture if possible.
  3. MARKCOUSINS

    Indentification please

    Number 6 looks like Rotala sp. colorata.
  4. MARKCOUSINS

    Plant ID Please.

    Thanks Tim!I removed it on the weekend whilst doing my water change.Was the wrong plant in the wrong place.Gave it to someone who needed it.
  5. MARKCOUSINS

    Plant ID Please.

    Was sold just over 2 weeks ago as Ludwigia glandulosa,but looks more like Ludwigia repens to me.What do you guys think?
  6. MARKCOUSINS

    Problems with Riccardia Chamedryfolia

    Thanks for your reply! I thought as much.Would it be advisable to remove the affected areas of Riccardia or just let it sort itself out and the shrimp clean it up a bit? Actually this evening some pieces are looking are showing tiny tiny improvements.Not out of the woods by a long way but hopeful!
  7. MARKCOUSINS

    Melted S. Repens grow back?

    Agree with the 2 comments above.Fingers crossed they will bounce back.Have also experienced a similar situation.Change of light if stronger could possibly be the cause as the plant would require more CO2.
  8. MARKCOUSINS

    Problems with Riccardia Chamedryfolia

    This set up is only been running for about 2 weeks.But really struggling with Riccardia.Very quickly started to turn brown/black/grey and melt.I had used some liquid carbon initially and that could have been a problem.But the past 7 days have not been using it and have done numerous water...
  9. MARKCOUSINS

    Easier water changes.

    It looks like a good invention Kirk.Looking forward to reading how it works in it's 1st outing:)
  10. MARKCOUSINS

    Shrimp specific GH+

    Hi,i can say as long as you don't have a massive tank Salty shrimp bee mineral GH+ will last absolute ages.You will probably lose it before you finish it:)You need such a small amount to raise the GH of RO water.As you have probably read it says it contains various elements/minerals for the...
  11. MARKCOUSINS

    From Tranquility Island to A Dutch Touch [200L]

    Compliments!Just be flicking through shot after shot of excellent plants!Top stuff:clap:
  12. MARKCOUSINS

    CO2 Distribution and Water Flow

    Hi,you could try moving the atomiser to just below your power head/out flow so the co2 bubbles get pushed across the back of the tank hit the side wall and come back across the frount of the tank.That way if the flow is sufficent you should get much better co2 coverage.I would also raise the...
  13. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    PH is fine for your crystals as is TDS.KH is high but yours is a planted tank not a shrimp tank.If the GH is 5 or 6 then that would be great.Have to see how they get on with the co2 and ferts.Best of luck!
  14. MARKCOUSINS

    Shrimp Safe Fish

    Agree with that.
  15. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    Oh yes i like the shrimp:)What are your water parameters looking like?Better doing a nice slow aclimatisation drip with those red crystals.
  16. MARKCOUSINS

    Trimming Stem Plants

    Good list.I have also had success with Rotala rotundifolia in couple of low tech tanks i had in the past.
  17. MARKCOUSINS

    Trimming Stem Plants

    Very nice tank Nick,good healthy looking low tech tank you have there:)I would agree with Tim's comments.You don't want or need to go severely trimming your plants as growth rate should not be too high/quick being low tech.As said above remove shabby stems and replanting upper portions and the...
  18. MARKCOUSINS

    Trimming Stem Plants

    Hi,it depends on various factors.Plants being used,growth rate,desired effect.Best gives us a list of your plants and even better a pic of your tank maybe with an idea of what you would like to achieve.Cheers Mark
  19. MARKCOUSINS

    Hardy carpet plant advice

    Hi,big fish do not go well with good carpets.A 6 inch pleco thrashing and sucking around will wip out the tiny roots on lightweight carpet plants in no time.And i allways thought silver dollars were plant eaters,maybe I'm wrong.I suppose your best bet is some kind of cryptocoryne carpet,that...
  20. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/s54w3cbvbasb1r4/2014-03-15 14.26.53.jpg Some of the shrimp getting stuck in to a mullberry leaf.
  21. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Thanks Graham:)I am very pleased with everything up till now,all the shrimp are looking healthy and behaving normaly.A lot better than my first attempt at a RCS tank was thanks to good advice from guys on here:)And good shrimp from a honest supplier.Cheers Mark
  22. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    Well done it's looking good!Now can you leave it alone for a bit to settle down and grow;)
  23. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    Good man your on a mission!
  24. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    It is definately not a boring tank journal!All go in your tank mate,well it keeps you busy thats for sure:)
  25. MARKCOUSINS

    Jelly Island - nano with Blue Jelly shrimps

    Another thriving shrimp tank:)You certainly have the knack!Cheers Mark.
  26. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    I bought 12.Did not know but the guy sent me 6 red hybrids and 6 black hybrids which is quite nice.All of them are pretty young shrimp which he said would be easier to aclimatise,which makes sense.He breed them himself so he gave me some infomation about how he kept them which helps too:)
  27. MARKCOUSINS

    Aquanano40 CRShrimp tank....Journal Closed.

    It's a shame:(But myself and i think i speak for many others have learnt a lot from this journal!Thank you Ady for writing it:)Cheers Mark
  28. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/qj5xjukqy6ea2du/2014-03-06%2021.28.47.jpg One my favourite red hybrids:)
  29. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    I would prefer the ebi black substrate myself.I found it difficult to get hold of in Italy so i used Shirakura red bee sand instead.But i know most of the members on our forum plump fo the ebi substrate.Cheers Mark.
  30. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Thanks a lot they have settled in very well i am very pleased with the quality for what i paid for them:)
  31. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/7zekls83yyqkbg9/2014-03-07%2019.53.00.jpg A few of my new shrimp:)
  32. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Hi Vic i think someone mentioned Basil as regards getting Taiwan F1 in another thread,that's a good idea.There are also other members keeping Taiwan bees as well that might have some surplus.I would not be of much help as i live in Italy and had a hell of a job getting hold of any.I have now...
  33. MARKCOUSINS

    CRS new tank

    I agree with Alastair they really love Mullberry,in my main tank where i have just Amano shrimp it is incredible they rip it to bits like piranha!
  34. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Did a water change today and the tank is now PH 6.3ish GH 6 TDS 148 so i think that is hopefully a good starting point.:cool:I hope!Cheers Mark
  35. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan Bee Nano

    You would be lucky if a substrate lasts 3/4 years!Most shrimp substrates will stop buffering the water after 1 year or 18 months max.Cheers Mark
  36. MARKCOUSINS

    Do Dennerle Classic Line take disposable CO2 bottles?

    Not 100% sure but i don't think you have to use the original bottle as i think it has a standard thread.Have a check.I have an old Dennerle co2 system and i do not use the original bottles.Cheers Mark
  37. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    I would say first one very spick and span,second one not a real dump but keep the door shut or block it off so the Mrs can't see!;)
  38. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    I think it is.From what i have heard it's to not let it drop below 5.
  39. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Hi Lindy,is that your normal parameters in your tank(GH 5 TDS 110)? I allways thought GH5 was the lowest you should have the GH or there would be moulting problems.I am probably wrong,it is intresting though to see how people can succesfully keep(and breed)TB's at different parameters. Can't...
  40. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Hi Graham i was not intending to raise the TDS but was intrested to know what people think a reading of 350/380 microsimens could relate to as an aproximate TDS.Tomorow i will do a small WC and bit of filter maintenance without cleaning the media.I have decided to leave both filters running when...
  41. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    I agree with Ali that is a tidy cabinet mate.The other day I found 2 barbie dolls in my cabinet!No they were not mine they were my 5 year old daughters!Cheers Mark
  42. MARKCOUSINS

    Gourami Gloaming #4

    You have done a very good job because you can not tell it is made up of different bits and it looks very natural,will look great with moss and plants in and around it.Have fun:)
  43. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/sykv3m90972ny7j/2014-02-28 23.31.00.jpg Here is a photo with both small internal filters going one spray bar just above the surface and lots of micro bubbles.
  44. MARKCOUSINS

    Gourami Gloaming #4

    That's a top piece of wood:thumbup:
  45. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan Bee Nano

    There is a good chance it is the new feeding levels you used.As before you had no problems.Very glad to hear that there are no new losses:thumbup: Let us know any progress on shrimp transfer to new tank.Cheers Mark.
  46. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan Bee Nano

    How are things going?Have you managed to transfer any shrimp over to the new tank?
  47. MARKCOUSINS

    A fool and his money...

    Well thought out:thumbup:Your planting suits the hardscape very well.So far so good it is a good scape in the making.
  48. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan Bee Nano

    Obvious could be lots of things,but just looking at your recent posts do you think it something to do with food going down un the substrate and spoiling causing a problem to water quality?Maybe if you change water give the substrate a good clean with a gravel cleaner especially where you drop...
  49. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan Bee Nano

    Bad news mate sorry:(.Is your new second tank being used yet?
  50. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Thanks for comments Dane.I think i am going to leave the 2nd internal running it gives better tank turnover and with 1 spray bar above the surface the tank is full of tiny bubbles.Can't be a bad thing can it?Cheers Mark
  51. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    I currently have 2 mini Dennerle internals running in the tank(in the photo there is only one).One with spraybar above the surface cascading into the tank from 2cm aprox.Good or bad?Should i run them both or just one when the shrimp come?Cheers Mark
  52. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Good eyes Dane:clap:
  53. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Thanks very much Dane for the advice:-)The guy who is sending me the TB hybrids says he keeps them at about 350/380 microsimens.Not to sure as to what this means at a TDS measurement,did read that 1ppm TDS = 1.56 not too sure if it's reliable.Current is 148 TDS in the tank i see you recommended...
  54. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Wednesday my shrimp will come!Fingers crossed:-)
  55. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Dropbox - 2014-02-18 23.25.24.jpg
  56. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Regarding testing TDS or GH,i test both.But i test TDS far more often than GH. If i were setting up a new tank i would constantly monitor TDS(daily) and monitor GH before water change and a few days after. I would allways measure both when seeing livestock behaving oddly. Cheers Mark
  57. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Who said you have to go and buy it every 2 weeks?Good idea get some and test it over a longer period(TDS,PH,GH),say after 3/4 weeks.Then you compare the results to what the readings were when you bought it.If the readings are still ok then there is your answer:-) When i get RO from LFS i stick...
  58. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    All the active substrates have a limited life it just depends how much you make them work as Dane said.The same was true about your old fluval substrate that also reduces parameters for a period of time( according to a lot of users very short time with hard tap water). Looking at the post 37...
  59. MARKCOUSINS

    Some of you guys have your tank so full of water...

    Rob i bet they are just doing it so they can get some cool photo shots then they take some out again!Crafty:lol:
  60. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    With the amount of RO water you need just buy 5 liters or so a fortnight.Cheers Mark
  61. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Not sure about your tank specs mate!I used 3.75 liters of substrate in a 25cmx25cm tank (20L) giving aprox 5 to 6 cm covering!Note substrate compacts very slightly.So a 5 liter bag should have been on the nail for your tank depending on dimensions obviously:confused:
  62. MARKCOUSINS

    New full-time career in aquatics

    All the very best in your career:thumbup:
  63. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan Bee Nano

    Great Iain,new tank is getting nicer and nicer.Look great the two tanks together :-)
  64. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    I gave it a go unfortunately the temp dropped to 18degreesC.So will be getting a small adjustable heater 25watt,found one for a good price it will arrive with the shrimp next week(hopefully).So i can keep the temperature at 22ish:-)
  65. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Actually did a water change earlier and the GH is now 6 TDS 140ish
  66. MARKCOUSINS

    Help - 4 day old tank with a jelly slime on Anubias

    Slime on your wood is harmless,nail brush,toothbrush,pipe cleaners,cloth and good old elbow grease!Or leave it to the shrimp or snails:-)
  67. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    It's only 20L Alastair problem is I live in Italy.Very kind offer though thanks.Cheers Mark
  68. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Good idea Ollie,i unplugged it about an hour ago and will have a look at what happens with the temperature.Problem is it's my daughter's bedroom so the window gets opened in the morning for a bit.But for the moment it's off there is nothing in the tank apart from moss and java fern so no...
  69. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Thanks Iain!I will try and get hold of an adjustable heater,the one i have is a fixed temperature Dennerle nano which seems to run at 24 allways.Cheers Mark.
  70. MARKCOUSINS

    Help - 4 day old tank with a jelly slime on Anubias

    Hi,it's most likely leeched from the wood.No problem remove and scrub it off.I like to soak my wood a bit before putting it in the tank in a bucket changing the water regularly to remove tannins and more often than not you get this kind of slime,quick scrub it's off.Might come back and you have...
  71. MARKCOUSINS

    Taiwan bee water parameters.

    Hi guys,I have my tank set up almost 5 weeks now and was wanting to introduce some Taiwan bee F1.Water parameters are PH 6.5 GH 7 KH 0 TDS 150,Temperature is 24 degreesC.What do these values look like?Cheers Mark
  72. MARKCOUSINS

    IAPLC 523 - Mighty Bush

    Great job.The way you have scaped it you would think it's a bigger a tank imo.Cheers Mark.
  73. MARKCOUSINS

    What Ludwigia is this?

    Not easy to see could be a repens of some sort.I have some in my tank,when low and close to the substrate is green as it grows(and grows quick)changes to an olive green then reddish colour.Really red on the underside of the leaves.Cheers Mark
  74. MARKCOUSINS

    Back to my roots

    Fantastic Ian!Plants must be on steroids:-) My god the growth is superb and I would enter this to any comp!Cheers Mark
  75. MARKCOUSINS

    Substrate choice

    Have never used it with Caridina only with Neocaradinia.Which is now going ok now I have the parameters stable.Have to say though the colour of Manando(never used Sansibar) does not really compliment the colour of my red Sakura very well.If you have good tap water or are using RO remineralised...
  76. MARKCOUSINS

    25 litre tree scape

    Nice one Tim!Any shrimp going in?Cheers Mark
  77. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    When you put your new substrate in the tank it will be very important to monitor parameters of the water to see how it adjusts your tap water PH and GH.Just to be carefull these levels don't drop too much.You don't want GH going below 5.As Lindy mentioned getting a build up of micro organisms in...
  78. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Good advice from Lindy:-)Drip aclimatise the shrimp is a much better and safer way of introducing them to the tank.If you just float the bag and release them after a bit you could lose shrimp quickly or after a few days due to stress and damage.I usually drip my neocaradinia(red cherry/Sakura...
  79. MARKCOUSINS

    No name 60... Ug!

    Great plant Iist Iain!This will be very intresting.good luck with the UG.Cheers Mark
  80. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Having not used Fluval Shrimp Stratum I did a bit of research.Fluval say not to mix Fluval Shrimp Stratum with any other substrate or gravel.It will drop the PH of the water slightly.If using tap water with a relatively high PH this effect will not last long causing the PH to go up again in the...
  81. MARKCOUSINS

    Strange or not so strange Amano behavior?

    I think that's a pretty good move.
  82. MARKCOUSINS

    Strange or not so strange Amano behavior?

    Is a good idea when initially introducing them.They might be getting slowly acclimatised,how were they behaving today?Cheers Mark
  83. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    You would be better off with black it would be better for viewing for sure!I was looking on the site from one of our sponsers Freshwatershrimp and they only have Ebi Gold in black(I think).Maybe they do it in brown but black would make a red colouring stand out much better!Cheers Mark
  84. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Good luck,I think it is a good choice going for the Ebi gold substrate it gives you a bit more control on your PH.Let us know when you get it.Important to keep an eye on PH and GH to see what it does with your tap water.Important to try and not let GH get below 5 as could affect moulting.Cheers Mark
  85. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    I would say 1 bag of 5 kg would do it mate!I just used about or just under 4Kg to do a 20L cube but with 5cm depth.So I guess you just put the whole bag in and you will probably find a nice 4ish cm covering should be pretty good for buffering the water.Cheers Mark
  86. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Ebi gold should drop the PH to around 6.5 and GH 4/5.Don't worry about the KH too much.
  87. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Agree with Lindy just be carefull it does not drop too much.
  88. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    I would say that there is a good reason for not having berried shrimp.The water parameters not being correct for breeding due to the water being too hard.In my opinion around 6.8 to 7.2 would be my idea of ideal PH for RCS.Some people will probably disagree but I would be happy with around 7 PH...
  89. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Just looking back at your previous posts there is one other thing that maybe could be a factor,that is the PH.You posted your PH at 8 which is what I have seen written as max PH for RCS.I personally would not feel comfortable keeping them in a tank with such hard water.How long have you been...
  90. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    No I can understand that you wanted to start with a basic shrimp set up.I would like to know what is responsible for the TDS drop.Maybe someone will come along with an answer.In my Sakura nano after W/C I have a TDS of about 180 after a week it is about 195-200.It is by know means perfect but...
  91. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    Usually over the course of the week the TDS will increase in a tank due to feeding,ferts,waste and supplements added to the tank.But in yours it decreases.Is there anything in the tank making this happen?Shrimp do not like to much change(temp,ph,TDS etc).They do like it stable.Cheers Mark
  92. MARKCOUSINS

    Best Substrate For RCS?

    If your tap water is giving you such a big increase in TDS you want to be thinking about using RO water(remineralised).That way you will have more chance keeping things stable.Cheers Mark.
  93. MARKCOUSINS

    Strange or not so strange Amano behavior?

    Good chance it is CO2 related.
  94. MARKCOUSINS

    Roots Dyed Dark - Low Tech Blackwater (updated 08-04-14)

    Bad news Lee.Real shame to read about something like this.Like you and BigTom said above wonder what kind of DOA figures occur in the aquarium trade:-(
  95. MARKCOUSINS

    Debating tank layout... with pics..

    Looking at your ideas looks like you want/need 2 plant species only.A moss of some kind to grow on the wood and a low growing/foreground plant for the rest.Moss,there are plenty to choose from(better one that will attach).Foreground plants HC,Staurogyne repens,glosso,Eleocharis,Marsilea....the...
  96. MARKCOUSINS

    Help - algae is growing too fast

    Agree with the words of Ian and Edvet!Less light and dose the proper ferts!
  97. MARKCOUSINS

    Crystal Beach Guesthouse

    Looks like a thriving shrimp set up!Very healthy:-)
  98. MARKCOUSINS

    Changing my routine..Help

    I would say just change over,at least that what i did and only got positive results!Just remember to keep up with the water changes:-)Cheers Mark.
  99. MARKCOUSINS

    Shrimp substrate question.

    Yes Graham,I'm happy with the parameters.I think fairly soon i will introduce some shrimp.Probably a few Red Sakura just for a bit of a test run before going with a caradina species.F1's definately looking favourite as my prefered choice:-)Cheers Mark.
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