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I had to make similar choice......my signature shows which way I went........

Of course LFS's know about Cycling (what it means and how to do it) but unfortunately there is a vast difference between fish keeping and SELLING fish keeping. :unsure: WE know (and they do too) that to cycle a tank (filter) all we need is a bottle of ammonia solution costing £1.99 from...

For what dechlorinator costs I just cannot see why people still think it's worth the risk in not using it. :rolleyes: It does a hell of a lot more than just remove chlorine. I've know people that waste their hard earned on 'Cycle' (so called instant bacteria, mostly dead that is :lol: ) and...

Time will tell, yes mature media does help but some people do get a bit carried away with it's capabilities (it's not a mirical worker!) You have a lot more nitrites to come and the bacteria that processes it takes much longer to form than the ones that process ammonia. However, every cycle is...

Several weeks......seriously! You do have a fair bit of nitrite present which means the ammonia is being processed which is very good :good: The nitrite testing purple will go solid colour (known as the 'nitrite spike') before backing off to an eventual 'sky blue'

Repeat all the above ^^^^^^ You'll need to be doing DAILY partial water changing and water testing (for ammonia) Check out this test kit, it's used and recommended by many on this forum...... TEST KIT

The good news is :band: :cool: :clap: Right, now to the serious stuff :shifty: I know it's the weekend and a trip to the fish store is very luring but......when a cycle appears to have completed it is a very good idea to continue for a few days to make sure before doing the massive water...

As I see it you are 20 days into a cycle and you have the right idea... :good: Ok, so you have produced ammonia processing bacteria which has dealt with 5ppm of ammonia down to zero but are unsure exactly when that was.....no real harm done. Dose back up to 5ppm and monitor in a day or so. As...

Wow, at those prices I would both consider keeping Malawi's AND moving to the States! :lol:

Any LFS (local fish shop) but they charge the earth for a small tube :rolleyes: If you do eBay then this will do... Silicone

Hi No 1. You need to soak the wood for a week or two (if it's bog wood or similar) which makes it waterlogged so it will sink. In this time it will also leech out tannin's which otherwise would stain the water in your tank. One trick is to fix it to a piece of slate (with aquarium safe silicone...

The bacteria that processes nitrite take twice, if not 3 times as long to develop than the bacteria that processes ammonia so stick in there my friend :good: I'm thinking to start processing 5ppm of ammonia down to zero in just 11 days is amazing (and unusual) even by starting with mature...

Ok, sorry but when I saw "Malawi Cichlid Help" and "different species with an average size of between 7-10 inches" in a 180, well, hardly 1 fish (forgetting a mixture)of 7" let alone 10" would be happy in that size tank! So if you are serious about African Cichlids in a 108ltr then why not...

Um, lost count of what you are doing and just stating a water reading doesn't mean anything without history...(could be tap water reading for all we know :huh: ) Care to elaborate?

This is either a wind-up :sly: or you need to research Malawi's requirements :unsure:

You know when your Mbuna tank is too over stocked, it looks a total mess! (bit like a tumble dryer with your coloreds going round) :fun:

To 'massively' overdose with dechlorinator is just a waste of money! Yes, it is best to pop in a little more just to be on the safe side but let's not over do it! One thing to remember is though, if you are adding water straight from the tap then the dosage of dechlorinator should be for the...

with a tank that new you must test regularly for ammonia and nitrite as ANY reading above zero will require major water changing. Keep feeding down to a minimum during the first few months of a cycled tank. Also remember there is a world of difference between a 'cycled' set-up and a 'matured' set-up

Firstly, I would have to disagree with previous poster's suggestion of Congo Tetra. They are best kept in a shoal of 6 or so and as they grow to between 2.5" - 3" and need open water your tank is unsuitable. :no: Getting 3 more Cory of the same species as you already have is a great idea as...

sounds spot on but what's the history is, how long has the tank been running, stock etc?

They are commonly known as 'pest' snails and will multiply like crazy especially if you tend to over feed your fish :crazy: There are Pest Snail Control remedies but avoid them as they contain copper :unsure: Some people invest in Assassin Snails as they eat these pest snails but do not...

They are commonly known as 'pest' snails and will multiply like crazy especially if you tend to over feed your fish :crazy: There are Pest Snail Control remedies but avoid them as they contain copper :unsure: Some people invest in Assassin Snails as they eat these pest snails but do not...

Yes the cheap ones can. My Juwel Rockface is nearly 3 years old and still looks superb, mind you I do really look after my water :good:

I would replace all of it........with foam media! Unless you are trying to remove used medication or water staining (from bog wood etc.) it's not used these days.

Just need to thoroughly rinse the dust out of it before use otherwise it will cloud your tank for weeks. Why do you ask?

What kind of thing are you looking for, natural or.... :sick: unnatural?

I have one in my signature tank below. Wouldn't have anything else now. It does need to be fixed when the tank is new and before adding water. I have the Juwel light grey Rockface, cost £30 a slice and I needed 2. Good investment I think, expense long forgotten but appearance effect is still...

Nitrate level is fine, in fact great (I get 40ppm from the tap!) As far as how often to do a gravel vac, most people use a gravel vac to take out water when doing a partial water change so that's your answer.

Funny story. Back when I was between marriages I remember working overtime one Saturday morning then retiring to the pub. Around 3pm I caught the first of 2 buses home which took me to the bus station. Having a half hour to wait I nodded off on a seat. I awoke to realize that I had missed my...

Do not, I repeat do NOT sniff it when you open it as many have done :no: Your nose will fall off!!!!! :S

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

Ha ha. Vodka, Prezzo's more vodka then home by 10 :blush:

Totally agree with this...... :good:

Zucchini (or as we true Brits prefer to call it, Courgette)after a 10-15 sec blast in the microwave is a must for my Cochliodon (L137) Mind you he has to fight the rest off first!

Ok so being a Tanganyikan Cichlid keeper I don't need plants but here's my view for what it worth. Obviously, like a garden you cannot expect the eventual effect to be instant so as the plants grow the look will improve. May I suggest a black or dark background to start with. Then much more...

Yes Homebase sell it in the household dept. (You wont see it in the web store as they cannot send it.) This is it

Could be FISH TUBERCULOSIS (ie, bent spine) I would suggest taking it back to the shop. Always best to thoroughly *insect your purchase once in the bag before leaving the shop. *inspect...... :blush:

That's ok.... if you follow what I suggested after a week things should be better. Don't bother cleaning the filter during these water changes let it breed bacteria undisturbed for a while. After a week PM me with your water test results to remind me. You are aiming for zero for both Ammonia...

Hi as you seem aware of the 1" per gallon you are allowed 26" 0f fish allowing for ADULT size not the size they are now. Remember though this is only a guide as it depends on the actual fish too. Sword tails @ 2.5" = 5" guppies @1" = 4" C Tetra @1" = 8" Loach @2" =...

If you are starting from scratch then, as you have done, dose ammonia up to 5ppm, turn the heater up to 85-90* and leave it for at least a week - 10 days then test as nothing will happen at all before then so you would just be wasting your test kit. You do not need to re-dose until the level...