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Recent content by dw1305

  1. dw1305

    Adding a single a. borelli to a community aquarium

    Hi all, It is a bit of a strange one, the usual base addition ("to raise pH & control plumbosolvency") is sodium hydroxide (NaOH), a strong base that fully disassociates into a Na+ and OH- ions. Because it is a "strong base", all the hydroxide ions are in solution, there is no reserve or...
  2. dw1305

    Stocking for 20 gallon

    Hi all, I think the answer is probably "none", because you would need a much bigger tank. Personally I don't have any practical experience, but others will - <"https://apistogramma.com/forum/threads/ivanacara-adoketa-tankmates.19376/">. What does the tank look like? Can we have a picture and...
  3. dw1305

    Examples of sight lines?

    Hi all, Welcome. Those are some of my favourite fish, but I think you really need a bigger tank for Hatchet fish. I kept Marbled Hatchet (Carnegiella strigata) with Apistogramma agassizii, "successfully" in a tank that size, but it wasn't ideal. Pygmy Corydoras (Gastrodermus pygmaeus) are good...
  4. dw1305

    How long does it take for bacteria to break down nh4

    Hi all, Basically there are assemblages of nitrifying microbes that across the whole range of pH levels and ammonia loadings that occur in freshwater. In low pH situations Ammonia Oxidising Archaean (AOA) may be more important, but in our tanks comammox Nitrospira, which oxidise TAN directly...
  5. dw1305

    How long does it take for bacteria to break down nh4

    Hi all You are right, below pH7 TAN (total ammoniacal nitrogen) is nearly all ionized (NH4+). Temperature is also relevant, more TAN as NH3 at higher temperatures -...
  6. dw1305

    How long does it take for bacteria to break down nh4

    Hi all, At UKAPS we've talked to some of the scientists involved with fundamental research on the microbial assemblage. I've link them in this post. <"https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/tank-on-back-order-plans-going-a-bit-wrong.78790/#post-791777">. I'll also link this current paper...
  7. dw1305

    Trifasciata Anomaly

    Hi all @Jimmymud, I will also do you the courtesy of not posting on any of your threads again. Cheers Darrel
  8. dw1305

    Trifasciata Anomaly

    Hi all, @Jimmymud Europeans tend to be fairly straight to the point, it isn't arrogance it is just a cultural thing. This isn't FB, you will get an honest opinion from the posters on this forum. I'm a pretty shoddy fish keeper, but most regular posters are real experts. Personally I have...
  9. dw1305

    Help with planning 50G with apistogramma fire gold or macmasteri

    Hi all, If you didn't have the Acara? They would still be sub optimal tank mates, mainly much too active. If you have a happy pair of Apistogramma? They will attempt to spawn, and that isn't going to go well. It is a bit like people saying that cats and hamsters are both good pets, true, but...
  10. dw1305

    Dwarf cichlids wanted

    Hi all, You could try Ste Chester at "Premier Aquatics" Runcorn and Peter Clark at "Apisto Aquatics" Chesterfield. I think you may struggle to find A. elizabethae. Cheers Darrel
  11. dw1305

    My new western Amazon tributary tank setup

    Hi all, Lovely tank, I'd have some concerns about the "exCorydoras" as well. I also don't think the Rummynose Tetra are suitable, too big and too active. A smaller tetra? Like the Ember or Green Neon Tetra? Don't add any ammonia, you just need to plant the emergent plants and let them grow in...
  12. dw1305

    Tank suitability for A. Borellii male.

    Hi all, The tank should be fine. How hard is your water? Cheers Darr
  13. dw1305

    blackwater tank cycling?

    Hi all, I think you just have to think about it in a different way. You've provided a suitable environment for the fish, and the plants are having a positive effect on water quality, therefore it is unlikely there is anything wrong with the fish, even though you can't see them. I've got much...
  14. dw1305

    How much space does A. trifasciata need?

    Hi all, Welcome back, as you've found they are quite aggressive. Depends, it isn't really big enough, but if it was basically full of structure it might be OK,and I mean really full (like below) so that "line of sight" is never more than a few inches If I kept them again I would try a male...
  15. dw1305

    Siporax and pH

    Hi all, That should work. The issue isn't really with the Siporax, but with pH as a <"measurement">. You can't meaningfully measure pH in RO water, because it doesn't start with any solutes and any addition of bases ("proton acceptors"), however small, will cause a rise in pH. You can...
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