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Hi SO19, It contains a lot of minerals that are leeched by rooting plants as they are required, particularly iron, magnesium and potassium. So in essence it provides those sorts of nutrients for the plants without having to dose the aquarium. At least for rooted plants. With regards to being...

Just a quick update for Llegmore: I didn't use the fin rot treatment in the end as the tank is cycling and I didn't want to mess with the filter medium at this stage. I quarantined the two remaining neons and did a 90% water change. I also removed any plants that were not looking their best...

Hi guys, My tank is still in the fish in cycling process and I've had various plants in since the beginning. Its a 10 Gallon tank. Some plants fare brilliantly (java fern) while anything else literally melts. The Vallis included. The java moss hasnt really grown in the three weeks. I've...

Hi Llegmore, That could certainly make sense :) Especially since the other fish seem ok. I've read that neons are very sensitive fish and don't do well in a cycling tank. The two neons are still not very happy and not moving around much even after another 90% last night. Perhaps it'll take...

Thanks :) lfs store has suggested fin rot treatment so I will try them out with this and hopefully they'll be back on form soon.. Thanks for replying - its much appreciated!

Thanks fluttermoth, I try to keep the ammonia at 0.25 if not below usually. It's never got to 0.5 before so I think that was down to the additional 12 hours before a change compared to usual. Yesterday's water change was a big one at about 80% which brought it below 0.25 (yellow but bare tint...

Just an update :) Re tested all parameters and then did a big water change. The only parameter of concern was the ammonia which was at 0.5. In the process, I quarantined the remaining two neons and threw out the plants that weren't doing so well. At examination, the ones that were yellowing -...

Just an update :) Re tested all parameters and then did a big water change. The only parameter of concern was the ammonia which was at 0.5. In the process, I quarantined the remaining two neons and threw out the plants that weren't doing so well. At examination, the ones that were yellowing -...

Hi guys, I've been fish in cycling for pretty much three weeks now as per lfs instructions. Every day, I was changing about 20-50% of the water, changing it to 50% every other day as the lfs told me to not change at all during cycling, so this was a compromise. I understand now how a lot of...

Ammonia test post today's water change has brought it to 0.25ppm. I purposely did one before water change to compare ammonia results. Interesting. I forgot how much I love test tubes and aseptic technique :)

Hi guys, Thought I'd give a quick update on the cycling. I got the API test kit and have been monitoring every two days. Water changes every other day of about 50%. My ammonia today is at 1ppm while nitrites and nitrates are both 0. Ph is 6.4 or 6.6 so probably 6.5. After two and a half weeks...

Thanks :) checked this morning and the browning from being posted has resolved and it seems very healthy.

Thanks :) it's currently in my sink! Do I leave the lid open? Silly question probably but if I don't ask I'll never know.. X

Hi guys, My first tank is still cycling and it's doing well. I currently have 4 Vallis, two broad leaf plants of which I'm unsure of the name, and two sand dune grass like plants. Today, I got some java moss. I was only expecting a small amount to get started, with the hope to buy some more...

Right. I've decided not to go back to the local fish store. I took in a water sample today and asked them to test the water as I keep getting 0 ammonia. One of the Vallis at water change yesterday was completely rotten just above the roots so I threw it away. The fish are doing great and seem...

Great thanks :) I was worried that I might be removing too much water and therefore preventing any cycling. I've had a look on some aquatic plant websites and can't seem to spot the one that isn't doing so well. I'll definitely post a picture. Hopefully the Api tests should arrive soon. The...

Hi guys, Just an update on my cycling. It's been over a week with fish in. It's a 50L tank. 4 neons 4 Pristella. Two broad leafed plants with two very small pieces of bogwood. I've been keeping a log of chemical results, water changes and amounts, as well as fish behaviour and plant...

Ok scratch that. I did a second test with the same brand and a test using the second brand. The results are the same as this morning. I'm not entirely sure how every test result was so wildly different (pH, GH included) but there we go. Panic averted :)

I've just tested the water after getting home from work - nitrates have spiked. This morning they were very low. Suddenly they are at the top end of the test strip, while the nitrites are the same as previous. Ammonia still no change, though Im beginning to think that the strips are simply not...

Ah ok, that does make sense depending on the bacteria it contains. I used to be a microbiologist so I'll have to do a bit of research into the particular bacteria it uses, and determine whether these things would actually be viable upon receipt. Although if you guys don't have much faith in them...

I'll check the test kit out, I certainly don't feel comfortable with the test strips. My Dad decided to sell up about two years ago after keeping tropical fish for 20+ years. He's moved onto pond fish now. Unfortunately from an advise point of view he's doing the 'I can't remember' thing. I...

Thanks for your replies, I'm now of the opinion he was just trying to sell me some fish. In hindsight I should have listened to what I'd learnt not what I was being told. I'm using paper strips at the moment, which seem quite easy to read. The ammonia is somewhere in between 0 and 0.5. I think...

Hi guys, I'm new to tropical fish tank keeping and I'm hoping for a little guidance. My Dad has kept them for years, and he lent me a few books to get started before jumping in. I have a 50L tank which I set up and began fish less cycling as per a lot of information I'd read. I have two...