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    Anacharis DEAD :( whats the dealio!

    Glutaraldehyde, is a sterilizing agent. Studies were done to see what effects would occur if a spill washed into the environment. Those studies found that small doses promoted aquatic growth while large doses killed soft aquatic growth such as algae. The pattern was like ripples in a pond. Dead...
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    Bubble Counter

    Mineral oil or glycerine. Both available at decent pharmacies. Be aware that they will eventually end up in your tank, though neither will cause harm over time. My choice is to use a bubble counter to set the system up then remove it after everything is working to your liking.
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    Is this a good service? Is it worth it?

    If you can afford it, go for it. Some of us are just not gifted in laying out a garden or planted tank. I'm not. I can manipulate 3D images in my mind but I can't make a designer room, tank, or garden landscape. What I do is ask aquarium acquaintances to critique my tank when they drop in...
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    Do I change my Eheim filters for a wet/dry filter in a planted tank?

    If there is room in the stand, use a wet vac to remove some of the water from the canister before lifting it. Some people use a sliding platform to move the filter forward.
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    Betta jumped over divider

    No, but they can fight. Breeding, fighting, what else do they have to do.
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    Anacharis DEAD :( whats the dealio!

    While glutaraldehydes, such as Seachem Flourish Excel, can kill anacharis, so can warm water. The best thing for sensitive plants is to not do the initial dose that Seachem suggests. Just use the daily dose as recommended. Glutaraldehydes break down in 24 hours so it won't accumulate.
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    need advice experience for making algae wafers/fish food for herbivorous fish

    If you want to make your own algae foods, I suggest doing a Google search for - algae paste for fish Saltwater people have been working on this extensively. Some pleco breeders use spiriulina and shrimp meal, mix it with some food grade agar paste, spread it like icing on ceramic tiles and let...
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    10 gallon plant lighting...Brains fried!

    That is why I specify Sylvania, Daylight, 23 watt, "Now smaller than ever" when I recommend spiral compact bulbs. The hood is rated for 15 watt incandescent light bulbs. Flourescent are much more energy efficient. They use .05 watt emitters. They may be fine fish tank lights. Their Double...
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    Preparing Mopani wood?

    Fresh mopani from a store has been fumigated in transit to the US so there are no pests to kill. It's heavy enough to sink quite well. Boil it if you wish. One neat thing about mopani, is the color is goes all the way through. With the judicious use of a table saw or band saw, you can cut the...
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    Betta jumped over divider

    Jumping over a divider is how a lot of beta breeders assure the two fish are ready to breed.
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    Sexing plecos

    Nope. Do a search for ordontodes. If you're getting into plecos, check out plecoworld, plecoplanet, and planetcatfish.com There are commonalities in the standard bristle nose plecos, but variations abound. As the males mature, their bristles will grow longer and more abundantly than females...
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    how long do you boil driftwood?

    Add carbon to your filter for a couple of weeks. That will pull tannins from the water. Remove it, and wait a week to see if you need to do it again.
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    Shielding DIY lighting from moisture

    A thin film of petroleum jelly on the threaded part of the bulb will help seal out moisture and help prevent oxidation of the socket. Please note that I said THIN FILM.
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    Top Fin LED hood.

    Each emitter is .3 watts. Each small strip is just under 1 watt. Great fish tank light.
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    Plants From Aquabid - Permits

    Mosses are too easy to get in the states, to bother ordering from an Asian seller and ending up on a Homeland Security list. Customs does the confiscation, but they all report to the same bosses. Based on posts in other forums, Some of the Asian sellers have most of their plant shipments to the...
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    Cheap bubbler/bio filters?

    Air driven filters have a long history, because they work. Some manufacturers don't like them as they work until the plastic is too far gone to super glue back together, and media costs are slightly above nil.
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    Top Fin 30 filter.

    I use a slab of filter sponge that I sliced from an AquaClear style replacement. I'd not run out to purchase a Top Fin filter, but that's because I don't like to pay for cartridges, not because of the quality of the product. For free, I'll use as many as I can get.
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    Colored sand and gravel?

    By the way, Crayola color sand is inert.
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    Lighting. (nm,T5, blue,white) Need imput

    I'm going to direct you to http://michiganreefers.com/modules/Jig/index.php Michigan Reefers is one of the largest reef and salt water forums in the world. There is a lot of information on DIY LED, which is what you should be concentrating on as you want to DIY your own. If you don't like their...
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    Look what I found under my sink!

    Probably not. It appears to be standard size modules. After years you will need a new membrane. If they aren't kept wet, they deteriorate quickly. While you have it apart, just replace the other media. Go here, watch the videos on RO/DI...
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