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  1. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Sounds great Andrew, I've been considering adding on a Fluval 404 or Eheim equivalent. Perhaps I can have some filter floss and peat moss in there. Would this be ample? How long could it run in there for before requiring changing? BC
  2. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    While I've got your attention, which of these would make a good show tank species in a group of 5-7? I don't limit what I can have to the list below which is what my LFS can get from Holland: Apisto agassizii Rem (medium) 9.99 per pair Apisto Cacatuioides Red Red (3-4cm) 9.25 per pair...
  3. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Andrew, I'll tell you my setup and perhaps you can suggest a way to incorporate peat! The tank is at work! I'm the senior engineer at a large transport company and I've managed to talk the bosses into buying an RO/DI unit to make our own water for forktruck batteries. HEE HEE! :) The RO...
  4. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Andrew, Thanks again for your expedient reply. You'd be horrified if you tested some of these aquatics shops water. I know I was. :) So, 100% RO, float a bag, give 'em a touch of tank water in their beg then let those babies go! That's exactly what I do. Don't know why the viejitas are...
  5. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Andrew, I was thinking more along the lines of if they should be kept in hard and alkaline just the same as at the LFS or maybe they came in softwater from breeder (most likely). It's hard telling. I suppose you need to leave the fish at the LFS for a couple weeks and leave them to acclimatise...
  6. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Thanks! Andy! :) I suppose my next question is, soft and acidic fishes by nature that are kept and bred in hard alkaline water............................ are they best kept in soft or hard conditions. The reason I'm asking, as I am dropping the KH, GH and PH in my tank (slowly mind you), I...
  7. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    OH! Thanks everyone for your help thus far! :) BC
  8. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

  9. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    I think we definetely have different suppliers, however, I'm betting our tapwater is VERY similar. Seems as if the Southeast is very hard and alkaline off the tap. Don't know about the rest of the UK though!??????????????? Perhaps we'll have to hook up if you sell any of your fishes. Still early...
  10. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Yes TJudy, I do have a deionization unit on my RO. It's a 4 stage unit. Firstly, it goes through a 5 micron sediment filter (something to do with coconut) then is goes through a carbon (activated??) filter, then through the RO membrane and then through the deionizer. There is no softening before...
  11. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    OK! Teach'..................... School me on Ions please! BC
  12. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Have you tested your RO product water and then your water after peat moss?? What were/are the results? BC
  13. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Fishgeek, I see you're in London, I'm in Suffolk, so our water must be very similar. RUBBISH! I will carry on with straight RO then! What do you keep anyway? Breed any? Looking for something nice to add to my display tank at work! BC
  14. BIG_CICHLID

    To RO or not to RO .... that is the question!

    Hello! I keep Aggies, Rams, Bolivian Rams and Viejitas amongst some angels and a large shoal of cardinal tetras (about 50). I have bad tap water as you can see: Tap water: Nitrate 100 / Nitrite 0 / GH(TH) 21d / KH (TAC) 15d / PH 8.2 The tank was cycling a few weeks back and the readings...
  15. BIG_CICHLID

    fish acting weird

    Any other fish in the tank? Are they acting similarly? Sounds as if you adding RO water is a good thing. But perhaps you may have been a bit ambitious. Dropping .8 PH in one go sounds a bit excessive. You should change water chemistry slowly. They need to acclimitise to new water conditions very...
  16. BIG_CICHLID

    Cichlid pair in 29 gallon

    Well, You could go as large as some of the Archocentrus species (avoid nigrofasciatum if you want peace) or even Herotilapia multispinosa on down to some of the dwarfs. But as you keep apistos and rams already, I'm sure you know all about them! Perhaps some West African dwarfs or even Kribensis...
  17. BIG_CICHLID

    Apisto aggi's, advice please

    I've had two pairs of Aggies here recently and on both occasions the females settled well while the males died after about two weeks! :( They seem very shy and lethargic when introduced. Not sure if this is normal for them or not. Perhaps someone can suggest................ Hiding up high...
  18. BIG_CICHLID

    Ram with a vengence

    The eggs got to 48 hours, they ate them and my female died suddenly yesterday??!?!?!?!?!?! :( BC
  19. BIG_CICHLID

    Suggestions for 5' x 18"D x 26"H

    http://www.cichlidtank.com/MyCichlids/Gallery/album.asp?albumid=1250 Here's that tank I was talking of. Just set it up today! Will be adding lots of plants and a few rocks! :) BC
  20. BIG_CICHLID

    Suggestions for 5' x 18"D x 26"H

    Yeah! I plan to create pockets to break the line of site! :) Will start setting up the new tank on Monday! Will keep you posted with some pics and updates! :) BC
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