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My tank is now 5 months old and I had the same thing happen just last week. For 5 or 6 days there was a cloudy film on the surface of the water. Went just as quickly as it arrived...even though I had seemingly changed nothing. This is the second time it has happened and on both occasions it has...

Syphon off 5 buckets full of tank water. When replacing water into the tank I fill a bucket with cold water from the tap and add 1 kettle full of boiling water to bring it to the right temperature. Carry the bucket to the tank and use a jug to move the water into the tank. Takes about 20-30...

You've convinced me :good: ....(I like my reds and pinks) a mix of tubes it is! Great advice as always Thanks Rick

Thanks...I'll probably go with two daylight plus bulbs. Thanks for the link Sam - those are far cheaper than from elsewhere. Cheers Rick

Thanks for the advice. Would you recommend one of each type or go for two of the same? Rick

Hi all I am looking to change the old bulbs in my tank (straightforward swap - no upgrade). Plants are doing fine, but the bulbs are quite old now and so I need to think about changing. Currently have two Philips PL-L Compact Fluorescent 55W # 865 6500K Daylight Link and was thinking of...

Thanks for the detailed responses Tom. It is extremely useful having someone with your experience in this forum. Cheers Rick

Hi all I am currently running a 30g tank with 4 wpg lighting, 30ppm co2 and EI dosing (KNO3, KH2PO4 & trace). The tank is heavily planted and the plants are growing like weeds and pearling - for the last few hours of the lighting period my tank looks like its filled with lemonade! However I am...

Should be fine. I have drilled a hole in the middle of the underside of my filter intake - just a fraction smaller than the diameter of my tubing, so that the Co2 tube is a snug fit and is not in danger of being dislodged. The tube is pushed through about 5mm. Your filter sponges and the filter...

I have my co2 tubing pushed into a hole drilled at the bottom of my filter intake strainer. Bubbles just get sucked straight up into the external filter (Rena Filstar XP2). Have had no problems with this and I am assuming that all of the Co2 is getting dissolved very efficiently as even with 1...

Thanks for the replies - that's really helpful. On the basis of your advice, I think that I will reduce the light intensity and photoperiod by half and reduce CO2 as well as a water change and double dosing of ferts before I go. Will let you know how successful this is. Cheers Rick

Cheers RadaR....sorry should clarify that hair algae was due to under dosing nutrients and now that I have upped the macronutrients it is on the decline. Co2 is being diffued into the intake of my filter and I am measuring using KH and PH tests Rick

I am about to go away for a week and wanted some advice about how best to ensure my tank doesn't suffer too much. I have a 30g heavily planted tank and am using EI, dosing my tank accordingly each day (5ppm KNO3 & 1ppm K2SO4 on alternate days plus trace 2ml alternate days). I have high lighting...

Machine Mart sell disposable CO2 bottles for welding, which are pretty much exactly the same as the ones you buy for aquarium use (and cheaper). http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/range/gu...28-77A9344CEFE1

I cut the top half of the plant off and plant it in place of the bottom half. All those unsightly roots become the anchor roots for your new plant.....that is of course until the plant grows large again and sprouts more roots halway up....then you have to repeat the process. :crazy:

I wouldn't argue with this at all...and I don't think anyone here is suggesting that algae eaters are the answer to to algae problems (I think many of us can draw on bitter experience to support that :X ). The original question posted was simply asking when it was possible to add algae...

I added two SAEs and two otocinclus after 2 weeks in a heavily planted tank with CO2. Then added 4 more otocinclus the following week, followed by an ancistrus the week after. All survived quite happily (and are still going strong 2 months down the line). As long as you have enough fast growing...

I don't think that it is going to be your background that is contributing to the problem. I have the same 'rock' background in my 30g (see below) which has been up and running for 2 months now and there is no algae on it. I filled the tank with fast growing stems from the outset and apart from a...

Thanks. That's my plan - to use disposable bottles and then get a regulator adaptor when I eventually find a good place locally that does co2 refills. I think the d&d regulator seems the best way for me to go. Can I ask what the problem was with the leak (so I can avoid a similar incident!)? Rick

Cheers Dave

Hi all I am trying to find a decent regulator and needle valve to fit disposable CO2 bottles. I want to use the disposable co2 welding bottles from Machine Mart (£7.74 a bottle) mainly for convenience and cost. I am having a few problems tracking down a suitable regulator for these bottles and...