Search results

I've never seen a sump on anything smaller than a 55. Like Msouth said, they are more common on SW tanks where the extra filtration and dilution capacity is really important. But they certainly can be used on FW tanks as well.

A sump is basically a large open filter. The usual setup is this: you have a container of water that sits under your tank; your tank drains to the sump via a drain or overflow, goes through various filter media, then is returned to your tank by a pump. Sumps increase the effective water volume...

CO2 and H2O are not the only products- you also end up with a salt. That can be an issue. In the good old days carbonated water for soda fountains was produced using sulfuric acid and marble dust. They'd just sweep up the dust from building sites. Mmm!

FW sumps are essentially the same as saltwater, but slightly simpler. SW sumps often include water conditioning stuff that you won't need. Biomedia and mechanical filtration are the main things you want in your sump. Some sump designs include a refugium. This could be good for a planted...

Your multiple tank syndrome has reached an advanced stage... I'm not a cichlid keeper, but five big aggressive fish does seem a bit much.

Just be aware that dojo loaches are illegal to possess in some states. Check with your state fish and wildlife agency before buying one.

Try http://forum.nanfa.org; you should be able to find plenty of info on keeping bluegill and pumpkinseed. I can tell you right now that your 37 will only be large enough for one of those fish when he is an adult- and that won't be very long, they are fast growers. You mentioned a pond. If...

Urethane foam such as Great Stuff also works.

It can happen, but I've had little trouble with predators. Bythotrephes in particular has not yet spread to my region; I believe it is currently still restricted to the Great Lakes area. In any case that's all part of the fun! I'm going to restock my daphnid colonies soon; I'll be happy to...

I agree. In any case I would remove the carbon you have in there now- it has absorbed the ich medication, and should be disposed of to prevent the medication from leaching back out. In a healthy tank carbon can help give you that 'crystal clear' look, but if you're like me, you're not too...

Sure, no reason why not. I've switched tanks between mice and fish before. The resealing is the main thing; rodents can be hard on silicone. Also be sure to check the upper rim; if it is too chewed up, your canopy and equipment may not fit properly.

No need to buy daphnia. Now's the time to get them- they are abundant in spring and fall. Go to a fishless pond with a fine mesh net and a bucket. You should be able to scoop up plenty of daphnia, copepods, ostracods, and other assorted goodness. Just sort out any insects or leaches before...

To keep them safe! Why can't we all just get along?

Smallies are too big, bluegill are plain. There are lots of gorgeous nongame fish in VA. Here in TN I can catch fish like these:

Just depends on the piece. I have a chunk of driftwood in my 65 that turns the water to the color of weak coffee; I have to run carbon in the filter just so I can see my fish.

Yep, take that carbon out. You can use dry oak leaves as as alternative/ addition to peat moss. If you find a nice juicy piece of driftwood it'll stain your water in no time.

If you want something unique I suggest a local biotope. What part of VA are you in? If in the uplands, you could set it up with a nice current and add some of your local darters, dace, and small sunfish, such as orangespots. Or if you're in the coastal plain you could do a very nice planted...

Nice fish, Tony. They are definitely shadow bass. Shadows and rocks are similar and closely related, but you don't have rock bass in your area. The darters are handsome too. See if you can turn up some pirate perch- those are neat little fish and should be pretty easy to find down there.

Pygmy sunfish!

I don't know if y'all saw this, but Channa argus are established now in the Mississippi drainage in Arkansas and potentially have access to the entire continental interior, including (via canal) the Great Lakes and Mobile systems. This is bad news... Sorry for the tangent. Have fun with your...