New Member

[Jigsaw]

Hi, I'm Jigsaw and have been in the hobby for 1 year now and just recently discovered this forum. My first tank was not a real aquarium, but about a 20g acrylic box that we had in the back yard. I made it a dirted tank thanks to Father Fish and it is still going strong today. I have done maybe 4 water changes. I had 6 guppies and 5 shrimp to start but their reproduction has gone bonkers. I finally had to separate the female guppies from the males to get it under control, but the cherry shrimp are still out of control and I have to give some away. Since that tank I found Alexander Williamson and now prefer the commercial substrate capped with sand because pulling up plants does dirty the tank. Soooooo much more to learn and try - I love it.

 

[Fishmanic]

Welcome to TFF… the best site for getting your questions answered.
Be sure you vote in our Tank of the Year tournament.
Click the banner at the top of the forum to view the poll.

 

[AJ356]

Welcome aboard!

 

[TNG]

Welcome to TFF.
I’ve heard of fish kept in aquariums with soil substrate with irregular or no water changes. Just wondering if you have checked the water pH and how it compares with the pH of your water supply source.

 

[emeraldking]

Nice to have you aboard...
Also I agree on most what Father Fish claims when keeping fish. He and I like to work how it works in free nature. If I compare myself with a lot of others, I don't need a frequent water change in my tanks unlike most other people claim that those tanks should need. A well balanced tank doesn't need a frequent water change. Even when it's dirted. But most people would reason out of caution because it's a small closed environment in comparison to open waters. Which I get, btw.

 

[Jigsaw]

Welcome to TFF.
I’ve heard of fish kept in aquariums with soil substrate with irregular or no water changes. Just wondering if you have checked the water pH and how it compares with the pH of your water supply source.

I couldn't believe my tank was going so smoothly so I kept checking water parameters daily for a week or so and they didn't fluctuate much. Our well water comes out the faucet at slightly higher than 6.8 but not up to 7.2. The water in the aquarium stays around 7.2 , maybe a little higher. Water hardness stays around 75. Have lots of plants so ammonia has not been a problem and neither have nitrates or nitrites. I am a full novice and keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.

 

[Jigsaw]

Oh, the other thing that happened was we were evacuated during one of our famous forest fires and my tanks (3) all survived without electricity for a week without losing a single fish. What kind of luck is that?