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Newbie questions

Phile

Member
Messages
58
Location
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
Hi all, Very true, plants are the thing that make water management easier. They should produce a jet of water if you have an uplift tube that ends above the surface, sponge filters are much more effective with an up-lift tube. Have a look at Mike's comments in <"10 gallon apisto setups">.

I like the look of the Czech type jetlifters that Stephan Tanner sells in the USA <"jetlifters - Swiss Tropicals"> (made in Germany by Beck & Harich).

cheers Darrel
I have always used the Hydro sponge filters that I got online from That Pet Place. Inexpensive, easy to use, replacement sponges available, great for small tanks. I used them for my jollies.
 

ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland

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ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Hi,

I have found this silica sand that is used for sandfilters. It´s size is 0,4-0,8mm. It´s supposed to be pre-washed.
Is this a good choice for apistos. Will it clog up?
 

ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Hi all,It is fine, a lot of people use it. Have a search for <"pool filter sand"> on the forum.

cheers Darrel

Hi,

I tested my sand. It raises conductivity. I tested by putting 2 tsp of sand into a cup of DI water for over 24 hours.
5 µS before. 18 µS after. Do I have to make more tests (KH/GH) or is it useless as a substrate? As it seems to leach something.
 

gerald

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
1,491
Location
Wake Forest NC, USA
That's still a negligible amount of conductivity. The solubility of silicate is very small and won't harm the fish; nor will it raise KH or GH, if silicate is the main ion dissolving from it.
 

dw1305

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
2,755
Location
Wiltshire UK
Hi all,
I tested my sand. It raises conductivity. I tested by putting 2 tsp of sand into a cup of DI water for over 24 hours. 5 µS before. 18 µS after. Do I have to make more tests (KH/GH) or is it useless as a substrate? As it seems to leach something.
Did the water warm up while it was in the cup (ie. was the original DI water cold)? If it warmed up some of the rise in conductivity will be to do with temperature.
That's still a negligible amount of conductivity. The solubility of silicate is very small and won't harm the fish; nor will it raise KH or GH, if silicate is the main ion dissolving from it.
I agree with Gerald, it is a small rise in conductivity, and I think it should be OK to use.

It could be traces of calcium carbonate left in the silica sand, bur they would only be traces.

cheers Darrel
 

ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Hi all,

Did the water warm up while it was in the cup (ie. was the original DI water cold)? If it warmed up some of the rise in conductivity will be to do with temperature.

I agree with Gerald, it is a small rise in conductivity, and I think it should be OK to use.

It could be traces of calcium carbonate left in the silica sand, bur they would only be traces.

cheers Darrel

Hi,

The water was at room temperature the whole time. Will it stop leeching eventually?
 

ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Yes!

1st spawn from my Cacatuoides . I ´ve kept tanks for 20+ years and this is the first time I see free swimming fry.
The most spectacular thing! I just saw mom coming home from behind the Java bush and "puking" 10+ fry!

Amazing parents. Kicking tetras asses constantly. Haven´t seen any predation from Cardinals.

In pic whole family at "peat pit" having fun!
 

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ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Do you think my smaller tank is too small for breeding with dithers?
My Cacatuoides male picks up a couple of fry and beats up hatchets and the tetras even they stay on surface and and in the opposite corner.
3 of my hatchets has lost half of their tail fins.

I removed the male to my bigger tank so that the dithers have time to heal.
 

gerald

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
1,491
Location
Wake Forest NC, USA
Why do cichlid parents attack fish that look like they could eat their fry? Think real hard ...
In the wild they would probably chase away any fish within about 3 feet of their fry.
 

ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Hi,

Is this peat particle dirt that comes from water changes harmful to plants? Will it hinder their ability to harvest nutrients?
I personally don´t mind how my moss looks.
 

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gerald

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
1,491
Location
Wake Forest NC, USA
Blow the peat off the plants with a baster or pipette if a thick layer settles on them. A little wont harm them. Peat in the substrate is good for plants.
 

ButtNekkid

Active Member
5 Year Member
Messages
315
Location
Finland
Hi,

In how soft/acidic water can you keep snails in? I have malaysian trumpet snails in my 15 gallon tank with "peatwater" and some peat as a substrate.
Conductivity has been lately at 80 µS.
 

dw1305

Well-Known Member
5 Year Member
Messages
2,755
Location
Wiltshire UK
Hi all,
In how soft/acidic water can you keep snails in? I have malaysian trumpet snails in my 15 gallon tank with "peatwater" and some peat as a substrate. Conductivity has been lately at 80 µS.
I think you are getting towards the limit of what even MTS will survive.

Have a look at the end of the shell spire, the snail can only make new shell at the mantle, and as the water gets softer and more acidic the older shell whorls will become whiter as they erode. There is a more complete discussion at <"UKAPS:Nerite snails in a high...." >

I've found that if the white eroded zone has spread more than about 2/3 of the way down the shell, your snails are doomed.

cheers Darrel
 

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