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  1. dw1305

    German Blue Rams keep dying

    Hi all, They are unhealthy things now unfortunately. I really like them, but I wouldn't buy commercially raised fish. They need soft, clean warm water, how hard is the water? Can we have a full tank shot? It just makes life easier for us. Cheers Darrel
  2. dw1305

    Any opinion on a. arua ?

    Hi all, I just enjoyed it. That is a very kind offer, but I think I probably gleaned enough. Cheers Darrel
  3. dw1305

    Why do sites report PH ?

    Hi all, It tells you about the relative abundance of acids - "proton donors", and usually that tells you the relative proportion of bases "proton acceptors". This back to the CO2, bicarbonate (HCO3-) and pH equilibrium, pH levels are regulated by the level of atmospheric CO2. When you add CO2...
  4. dw1305

    Why do sites report PH ?

    Hi all, They are, and it isn't helped by various charlatans talking about "pH stability" so that they can sell them the World's most expensive sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), or some other useless product. People like being proactive, and they also like black and white answers in a "shades of...
  5. dw1305

    Why do sites report PH ?

    Hi all, I don't think it does, my opinion is that pH isn't a very useful measurement in water with very low solute levels. I prefer conductivity as a measurement, it tells you that any addition of acid - H+ "proton donors" will lower pH. It is less "useful" than pH, but much more...
  6. dw1305

    Any opinion on a. arua ?

    Hi all, That is a great video, even though I can't speak German. Cheers Darrel
  7. dw1305

    Siporax and pH

    Hi all, You can use floating cell media, hydroleca or reasonably coarse sponge. Personally I'd stick with Siporax, now you've got it. I'm assuming you have soft water, so the pH rise doesn't reflect a large addition of acid, and they shouldn't effect pH once they are rinsed. Cheers Darrel
  8. dw1305

    Does GH really matter in KH+GH

    Hi all, I don't really care, our rainwater is usually about 30 ppm TDS, I assume that is 1: 1 dGH : dKH but I've never checked. Cheers Darrel
  9. dw1305

    Evolution Of A 70L Apistogramma Tank.

    Hi all, Ah no, Mike only mentioned it 5 minutes a go and now it's already for sale ....... Cheers Darrel
  10. dw1305

    Evolution Of A 70L Apistogramma Tank.

    Hi all, Just don't, soon somebody will produce it and the "aquatic industry" will be extolling them as "better than the real thing" and "available in a range of colours". They've already convinced people they need to buy Terminalia catappa leaves, when ~90% of people could walk for 5 minutes...
  11. dw1305

    Evolution Of A 70L Apistogramma Tank.

    Hi all, It is this, a complex environment with "line of sight" broken in all directions. I'm not a great fish keeper, so I need all the help I can get. I also have no interest in aesthetics, I'm very much "function over form". cheers Darrel
  12. dw1305

    Evolution Of A 70L Apistogramma Tank.

    Hi all, Honestly, we've nearly all seen this with dwarf cichlids. A pale cichlid hides near the tank surface in a corner and is relentlessly pursued if it leaves that space. If you don't remove him or her? Death is inevitable. Cheers Darrel
  13. dw1305

    Evolution Of A 70L Apistogramma Tank.

    Hi all, Yes, I remember the thread now. They are evergreen, so the leaves fall off all through the year. I usually have a look every couple of weeks and pick them up before they are swept up etc. Cheers Darrel
  14. dw1305

    Evolution Of A 70L Apistogramma Tank.

    Hi all, Magnolia grandiflora for the leaves? I use these a lot, they are very long lasting. Cheers Darrel
  15. dw1305

    Using Waterlife pH 6.5 product

    Hi all, We actually have a "Kinetico" ion exchange unit at home, it gets through a lot of salt. Our tap water is fully saturated with calcium (Ca++) and bicarbonate (2HCO3-) ions, the water tastes lovely, but furs up showers etc really quickly. It is "strong acid" ion exchange, so it doesn't...
  16. dw1305

    Using Waterlife pH 6.5 product

    Hi all, I think these are "phosphate buffers", and I would be amazed if the weren't sodium phosphate based - <"https://www.ukaps.org/forum/threads/phosphate-buffer.9279/">. They are worse than useless, and sold by companies that know this, but are entirely devoid of any moral compass or...
  17. dw1305

    Looking For Advice (A. Borelli)

    Hi all, I have the low tech equivalent, a pestle and mortar - <"https://apistogramma.com/forum/threads/new-life-spectrum-fry-starter.23903/#post-112446">. Cheers Darrel
  18. dw1305

    Looking For Advice (A. Borelli)

    Hi all, I have these and all the fish eat them. My fish get a lot of live food - <"https://apistogramma.com/forum/threads/panduro-pairing-wait-or-give-up.30039/page-2#post-136747"> so tend to be less keen on most dry food -...
  19. dw1305

    Parasite or just a deformity?

    Hi all, It maybe a thyroid "tumour" - <"https://apistogramma.com/forum/threads/copella-callolepis-disease.22316/#post-103180"> ? Cheers Darrel
  20. dw1305

    Looking For Advice (A. Borelli)

    Hi all, You probably know what I'm going to say, but can you wait longer before the fish arrive? Your tank is still much, much too open. The fish don't need (or want) large open areas. If you can see the fish easily, you won't see the fish, if that makes sense? It doesn't have to be plants...
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