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  1. lurch1000

    60cm Riparium

    Stunning riparium Sir. I stumbled upon this while looking for things to do with my 2'. Next job is to look for riparium supplies in the UK without it breaking the bank. I am thinking of using bathroom organisers and fitting a mesh to encourage moss growth along the front of them to disguise them...
  2. lurch1000

    Any scooter fans?

    I like Lambrettas, would ever buy a scooter of any style description or age, but the classics are beautiful.
  3. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    The livestock plans have changed sadly due to supply issues. However the tank is staying, and can still be blackwater, but it won't be high flow and nothing stays rooted!! I've not fertilised the tank or done anything to it, but there's some awesome green hair algae on the H.leucophala!! I did...
  4. lurch1000

    water quality prior to going into aquarium

    I generally only clean the two sides I look through. Mainly so the tank looks nice :) What's noticeable on my glass is a touch of GSA and lately, a smidge of green hair at the back. When you create your tank, create a habitat first. Cover as required for the fish you wish to keep. Lovely soft...
  5. lurch1000

    Should I fishless cycle a new planted tank?

    Not sure that a decaying prawn producing ammonia has a significantly different net effect than adding bottled ammonia/um. As for wanting to chuck a load of fish in at once, I believe the idea came from Chris Cow to immediately stock African Cichlids. Darrel is correct, our tanks will never see...
  6. lurch1000

    PH Pen Storage Fluid

    Now I re-read my comment it's ambiguous to say the least. He does pH pens, he does TDS pens. To buy the two together is a weird deal. The pens separately come to £9, but posted about £16. Together they're £12 and postage makes them £15.
  7. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    So will I! I'm wondering if the fish for it will ever come... Not sure what I'd do with it if I can't get the fish. Not many would like the crazy circulation I have in there...
  8. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Struggling to keep plants rooted in the shallow substrate. String and pebbles next I think. Keep meaning to update photos, but big thanks to Darrel for the moss and fern now attached to a nice piece of wood. Bit of what i believe to be H.difformis too that im letting grow a bit before...
  9. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    Had a major hack back on this stuff. Kept healthy tips and binned all stems that had been previously chopped. Seem to have developed some green hair algae on the A.r as well, no where else bar a couple of Hydrocotyle leucophala leaves. Bit bizarre, but not particularly concerned or worried...
  10. lurch1000

    Alien invasion of Algae

    Water changes can be beneficial for the fishless cycle with household ammonia as well. :)
  11. lurch1000

    PH Pen Storage Fluid

    Do a TDS meter for £4 as well, and a combined package of two which is a weird deal.
  12. lurch1000

    PH Pen Storage Fluid

    Here's one on eBay you can look at - http://bit.ly/100XQAQ
  13. lurch1000

    Should I fishless cycle a new planted tank?

    Thanks Ady, currently on Tapatalk on an iPod. Searching anything anywhere drives me up the wall! :)
  14. lurch1000

    plant name?

    Brazillian Pennywort may make it easier :)
  15. lurch1000

    plant name?

    Definitely. Got tons of the stuff. Give a load away and i still have tons of it :)
  16. lurch1000

    Should I fishless cycle a new planted tank?

    Can't say I'm familiar with that one. Shall have to get Googling tomorrow!
  17. lurch1000

    Should I fishless cycle a new planted tank?

    I fully understand your point Darrel, but I'm not against a "test" of the tank's capabilities with some aqueous ammonia. I've never fully cycled a tank by any suggested means, ammonia, silent etc, I've always cloned or upgraded or managed to pinch sensible portions of media, although I have test...
  18. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    Plenty may do it, but you run the risk of noise from cavitation. IMO if you're going to do CO2 with an external, get an inline diffuser designed for the job.
  19. lurch1000

    Should I fishless cycle a new planted tank?

    Sorry Henry, I was a bit OTT on over-emphasising a point for anyone who might mis-read it.
  20. lurch1000

    Should I fishless cycle a new planted tank?

    I find "Hardy fish" an objectionable term. While some fish have wider tolerances than others, none should be subjected to any exceptional parameters. If you can't give the fish the water and care it needs, don't buy it. Silent cycles can work. As suggested, get the tank established as a planted...
  21. lurch1000

    New leaves transparent & yellow

    Does your fertiliser state the contents? I'm not familiar with it for the list of ingredients. I use EI, and I know what salts go in, bar what's in the chelated trace. Advantage of EI is that you can adjust the nutritional balance.
  22. lurch1000

    Blanket weed

    Brilliant!
  23. lurch1000

    Spectrum...doesn't matter...does it?

    It's been a good few rounds hasn't it? :) Just to be contrary, I want to encourage algal growth in my new tank, what tube should I get? Got the option of fitting it to a 600mm T5 fitting, or an 18" T8... ;) (That one is tongue in cheek just to be clear, but to many's horror, I will be...
  24. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Are you commenting on its suitability on looks or for the fish, or both? At the moment its primary function in that location is a weight!! There's a rounded pebble on to of the wood holding it down and as the water logging seems to be progressing well, I may be able to move/remove it soon. If...
  25. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    I believe he may have done so already. Speaking to him, he's aware that parameters can be away from the suggested breeding values, but he's not got the confidence to stray too far from what he knows is safe. Fascinating creatures though.
  26. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    I shall have a read of that shortly, thank you.
  27. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    The cloudiness sorted itself out. Ain't procrastination great... Ditched the big powerhead, it was just ridiculous really, I had high hopes, and it didn't cost much, and I've managed to swap it with a salty for a sensible one. I've lobbed some plants in and had a rough re-arrange of stuff in...
  28. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    It's not too bad for the better known genus that are out there, but there's a few tricky ones where little is known about them. If they can be bred in captivity, there's a better chance of the new generation doing better in a wide range of water conditions, but with some species, that has yet to...
  29. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    May be a case of deploying the power head to take care of that one. Co2 rich water will be taken up by the intake and recirculated anyway.
  30. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    I did attempt some DO tests, I can't find the exact results that were indicated, and I';m aware it is a very difficult test. I do remember that the results were far from conclusive, but indicated that the DO was fairly saturated and not low, but stuffed if I can remember the values for what they...
  31. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    Spray bar at back, circulation pump at opposite end to intake, positioned nearer the back wall pushing towards the inlet? Should hopefully have little effect in the circular motion then.
  32. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    Well, a little time spent now getting it right will leave you plenty of time to enjoy it in the not too distant future. It's not too bad to do a substrate change if you wanted to. I've done it myself, and if everything is prepared and washed before you actually walk up to the tank, the getting...
  33. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    It was just a thought to throw in the mix. Having a power head to ensure circulation and flow where you need it should be more than adequate, afterall, often is the case that circulation can be achieved without extra unnecessary filters, and power heads often cost less to run.
  34. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    You could make two spray bars, and make their respective lengths relative to the filter output. It might help if you can find the filter output value rather than the rated value.
  35. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    I have all pond solutions filters that use a hose close to 16/22mm. I just bought an extra outlet kit for more spray bar sections. My tank is a 120cm Rio 240, and where the inlets have to go, two bars of three sections each make effectively a continuous bar (I don't have the internal filter)...
  36. lurch1000

    Considering moving spray bar to back of tank.

    If you find the hole spacing or size on your spray bar leads to too weak a flow, you can always block holes periodically. I have spray bars across the back firing slightly down towards the front wall so the water gets pushed down and back, and I have a Hydor Pico 650lph head that makes a current...
  37. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    Some assumptions going on here, you assume my tank has poor DO. Would you also care to enlighten me as to how a wild caught fish from nutrient poor, low conductivity water naturally can use Oxygen to combat osmo-regulatory problems? No amount of DO will affect osmosis if there is a gradient. I...
  38. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    Neither, CSG. I assumed that with you being Warrington way, Darwen being not too far away, I put 2 & 2 together... Oops! :)
  39. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    I wanted them, but having arrived on two wheels and a cold wet journey back over the Pennines, I had to keep my hand down.
  40. lurch1000

    How to control Malaysian Trumpets?

    Trumpets don't eat living plants, so don't worry there. If you see them on leaves, they'll be munching on something on the leaf. As mentioned, review your feeding, perhaps a couple if Assassins. They're saleable, or at least very easy to pass on for P&P. Loach and Puffer keepers will take them...
  41. lurch1000

    Resolved! Tapatalk issues

    Ooh, no, every need for buttons. Don't get on with iPhones, Samsung SII, Ace and a couple of others I tried. Second Blackberry with buttons I've had, and not keen on moving to touch! Rather go back to my old 6110 I think!
  42. lurch1000

    Spectrum...doesn't matter...does it?

    Interesting to read the different viewpoints here. Question is, in the typical aquarium, say 60cm from top to bottom, will any white bulb that has something in the red and blue spectrum near the alleged peaks be able to deliver the required energy through what is basically shallow water? Even...
  43. lurch1000

    Resolved! Tapatalk issues

    Not until January!! I like it, there are proper buttons. Lord knows I'm a complete touch-tard. To be fair, viewing the site is fine, replying is frustrating, because the input isn't a regular text box, and some funky dynamic thing, that's where the issue lies. To be even fairer, I've not...
  44. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    I will be resuming dosing, I've not long dug the salts out from the cupboard to make a new bottle of macro up after forgetting yesterday as I got a bit carried away setting up the other tank. As for test kits, I'm aware of your views on them, and I also fully understand the limitations. I've...
  45. lurch1000

    Resolved! Tapatalk issues

    Appears I was always on responsive! Oh well :)
  46. lurch1000

    Resolved! Tapatalk issues

    Thank you LD! Shall have a look now.
  47. lurch1000

    Resolved! Tapatalk issues

    I object to paying for what will be an upgrade for what I have. I have two devices, one iOS, one Blackberry, so I only have it on iOS. Wrong way round as I use the Blackberry the most by far. While on the topic of forums on portable devices, is there a mobile friendly version of the forum? It's...
  48. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Well cloudy today! Wonder what was in the gravel?! The sand is out the 4' with a little new sand of the same type mixed in, gravel was given to me by a friend. Filter not here yet, so circulation and some media methinks!
  49. lurch1000

    Spectrum...doesn't matter...does it?

    (Sorry Troi, didn't see your interposed post before I hit send)
  50. lurch1000

    Spectrum...doesn't matter...does it?

    Manufacturers will make available what is in demand, so if a plants are said to need peaks at x y and z wavelengths, then they're going to supply the demand. If a renowned planting guru stated that this new wavelength worked and this nobrand tube delivered it, Arcadia and all the others would...
  51. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    I think it's now a case of cut the top earlier rather than later, give the base a chance, get any shoots then skip the rest. I have a couple of species of Myriophyllum that grow like there's no tomorrow, but they're easier to cut as they don't look like a dog's dinner for too long. I ceased...
  52. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    I ended up finishing the substrate off with sand out the 4', and filling it with change water from there to. Updated PB, but as it was from a mobile app (well two, too lazy to get up and grab the PC) so the ordering may be out.
  53. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    Decided that as two more shoots were out the top, I'd do some tidying up of the A.reineckii. It's really going to be a long haul with this. The initial plants and replanted tops do well and look good, the bases don't. There are some low down side shoots, these will have to grow and be...
  54. lurch1000

    PH Pen Storage Fluid

    Hot given mine with no destructions recently, never gave it a second thought. Sounds like a case for wet cotton wool in the cap!
  55. lurch1000

    PH Pen Storage Fluid

    So the storage solution is recommended for all types (and prices) of (pH) pens is it?
  56. lurch1000

    Spectrum...doesn't matter...does it?

    Glad I found this. There's much talk of spectrum the world over as mentioned, and each time someone links to a spectrum, I don't see vast differences (on the whole) between many. I understand spectrums in terms of transmission values, but only for HD cameras. The LED side of this intrigues me...
  57. lurch1000

    Resolved! Tapatalk issues

    Tapatalk good for me.
  58. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Here's the Photobucket album with bits so far. Need to extract some sand from my 4' tank to put in here as I want any infusoria to get a head start, then I can fill it and start working out how to plant in shallow substrate. Edit: Replaced with Photobucket "Story": 2' Blackwater tank progress...
  59. lurch1000

    Decreasing pH and hardness

    What is your pH, GH and KH? Be helpful to know before settling on or dismissing any ideas.
  60. lurch1000

    What has UKAPS done for you?

    Wasn't it once said the only silly questions are the ones you don't ask?
  61. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    I just bought May's PFK, the "Communitope" tank in there appears to be what I'm creating more or less, other than I'll be having some plants. I've had a word with Nathan about that, told him he's stolen my idea, and that it's actually a "Continentalitope", which I coined months ago. I did get a...
  62. lurch1000

    Hello all, just signed up in Lincolnshire.

    The kind you use a hammer and chisel to drink? ;) Martin took some Cory off me, apparently they have to swim slower in lincs water!!!!
  63. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    As for almond leaves, I'd assumed they'd be dearer than oak. I have a few left overs here somewhere.
  64. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Humic waters (assume you are on iOS as it tried making me say humid) are typically black waters where degraded organic matter in the water. Humic being due to humic acid being released. I'd imagine Darrel will be able to explain fr better than my communication skills will permit :)
  65. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Thanks. I've been directed to somewhere that sells leaves if I can't find a tree locally. Saves depleting personal stashes. Intriguingly, they sell it by a numbered quantity - not sure I'd be bothered counting, I'd sell be weight or by the handful!
  66. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Aha, someone who knows what im doing with the tank!! ;) I'll keep a closer eye out Darrel. Not seen many trees with leaves on round here, can't think where I've seen oak locally (be a lot fewer leaves after this wind!), but wasn't overly looking before. I may just PM you depending what I find...
  67. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Could do with some oak leaves. Can they be purchased from anywhere out of season?
  68. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Whiptails I'm thinking.
  69. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    I've seen some interesting common names in the LFS too, Sterbing and Duplicate Cory's (yes they used the apostrophe). I get the Duplicate Cory, but Sterbing? Come on... Your Black Otos are very nice, exactly what they are is a curiosity, but doesn't take away that they're really nice, or that I...
  70. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    I was going to upload an image from my mobile, don't think it's going to work! I'll shuttle some images to the PC later on this week when I've hopefully filled it. This image wasn't so exciting anyway. The cabinet that tank is on needs a bit of batten just to strengthen the top, then it's good...
  71. lurch1000

    2' high flow blackwater

    Evening all. Planning a 2' South American themed tank with very fast flow and humid water, so thought I'd journal it. Tank is 2'x1'x1', so 54l. Decor will be a bit of redmoor root, the odd rock, few pebbles and a thin gravel and sand mix as the substrate. I intend winding some Hydrocotyle...
  72. lurch1000

    DIY Project DIY Water Changer, No more buckets!!

    Excellent thread LD! My question is - anyone know which APS aquarium pump is best suited to garden hose? They have a few that say 1/2", but on the metric vary from 12-15mm! I'm thinking the 800lph variable flow will hopefully be the right one based on speed and size. If not, anyone know the...
  73. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    Good man :) I'll be keeping an eye out up this way.
  74. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    I'd have pulled them up on the advertised price. That is the price they have to sell for. Email to head office might sort it out. Maidenhead Aquatics - Fishkeeper
  75. lurch1000

    1 spray bar 2 filters.

    Looking good. Similar to how I did my last DIY bar. Not sure what would NE aquarium safe to cover/colour it though.
  76. lurch1000

    Can Purigen Strip down useful nutritients?

    Very good hypothesis on Purigen. Just a case of trying each of the Dow products to see if it works now! Might have a look see what protection Seachem have on Purigen. Depending on the licence, if there is one, they may have to acknowledge Dow. Again, brilliant post.
  77. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    I'm loathe to disagree with a Darrel post, and in any case, certainly on looks, that's a closer match! You're a walking encyclopaedia!
  78. lurch1000

    Suitable catfish for 4 foot planted tank

    What is the whiptail you have seen? There's a few...
  79. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    Finally, after weeks of nothing happening with the base portion of the cutting, I have spotted a tiny side shoot. Where this was throwing me, the top portions and the original plants I put in rocketed away, and expected similar behaviour from the base portion. Other stem plants I've had have...
  80. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    Might ask at mine, going there on Thursday, need some water.
  81. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    Checked your profile, you're about 4 hours from me :)
  82. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    Planet Catfish lists O.notatus as a synonym as do they list Microlepidogaster notatus. I see no reason for them not to be compatible. Some Loricariids can end up out competing each other for food, so theres a consideration there. Where did you find them? Quite like these.
  83. lurch1000

    What the best filter to have on a planted tank

    Fair old system! Have to load that up on the PC later. Tank is glass, Juwel Rio 240.
  84. lurch1000

    Black Ottos

    Only time I've heard of black Otos was in reference to H.notatus.
  85. lurch1000

    What the best filter to have on a planted tank

    I agree, flow isn't everything, circulation is where it's at IMO. I'd be drilling the tank I have as I've not long upgraded in to it! My salty colleague suggested plasticine behind where I'd drill and plenty of fluid to cool the cutting face. I've seen HOB weirs and returns which could be an...
  86. lurch1000

    What the best filter to have on a planted tank

    I'm not against it, but I'm wary of drilling a live tank! Seen a sumped Rio on PFK, got 3 linked tanks in the cupboards. Clever idea, could add 50% to the water volume too, and near double the surface area to boot. I may well cost it up at some point.
  87. lurch1000

    What the best filter to have on a planted tank

    Got a salty trying to get me to sump my freshwater 240 :)
  88. lurch1000

    What the best filter to have on a planted tank

    I use the coarse sponge for catching big stuff, polish pad only gets the very fine stuff, it discolours, but doesn't get much crud in it, and there's not much dirt around the ceramics. If that ever changed, I'd shuffle it about. I guess media chambers can be arranged to suit. APS filters don't...
  89. lurch1000

    What the best filter to have on a planted tank

    I have APS filters, bit power hungry though, but first in the through flow I have a coarse sponge, then ceramic media after that and a fine pad to finish. Worth a look at the power consumption of each filter you consider, the extra cash now may pay for itself in saved energy quite quickly.
  90. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    A backing to the tank by the sounds of it ;) I have a black laminate backing on mine, about £6 or £7 delivered for 120cm from All Pond Solutions. The dark colours bring the plants out.
  91. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    I have my filters left and right in the cabinet, the intake for each filter is above it, and the spray bar above the other. Theory being what one's spray bar pumps out, the other filter takes in and returns to the other side. That's the theory anyway! If you can get the bars to meet close to the...
  92. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    Thanks for the link. I think I've read that one before, but revision and revisiting is good.
  93. lurch1000

    Alternanthera reineckii propagation/cutting

    Should say its been a few weeks since I first cut the plant and nothing. Going to need to cut a couple more very soon as they're out the tank, any suggestions as to the best place to chop?
  94. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    No worries! Best thing you can do is to plan and prepare, once you know what you're doing, and everything that can be done in advance has been, then start draining water and moving fish, that way they're out for the minimum time.
  95. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    However you make your bar, if the flow seems too much, you can bore out some or all of the holes to tame it. Conversely, if the flow isn't enough, you can block some holes to increase it.
  96. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    Copy a spray bar you have! I made a bar from overflow pipe once, 2.5mm holes every 20mm, worked a treat.
  97. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    Why not save all the water? Get 3 80l tubs from a discount store, then you can put it all/most back? Fish can be split across tubs then. I've done similar when I've changed sub draw before.
  98. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    Tank is a Rio 240, each APS 1400 comes with two spray bar sections just over 6" long. I bought an extra outlet kit, and made the outlets 3 sections long on both filters. Put the intake in the outside of the notch, the outlet on the inside and elbow to 3 section bar, they meet within 3/4" at the...
  99. lurch1000

    2 new filters to aid flow and circulation, help me decide between....

    I like the APS filters, but one thing to consider is that they use more power than many equivalents, so one to consider and calculate over the first year. I have a 4' with two APS 1400 filters, each with a spray bar that makes the length of the back wall, pointing forwards. Flow isn't...
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