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  1. Byron Amazonas

    Black water and peat

    Many of us kept goldfish in one of those bowls, and they lived for several years. That was luck, which is apparently your system. But most of us have learned that this is not good enough. Perhaps the reason I didn't answer your question is because you have no idea what you are asking. Aside...
  2. Byron Amazonas

    Black water and peat

    Well, I am afraid you will not get much help from members if you are not willing to give us the data necessary in order to answer the question. And it is not very responsible to not know what is coming out of your tap. Fish live in water and its properties substantially affect their...
  3. Byron Amazonas

    Black water and peat

    The initial GH of your source water (presumably tap water?) will determine how much tannin is necessary. Obviously you also want the pH acidic, and the KH plus the initial pH will govern this aspect. These substances require regular replacement as the tannins are used, so it usually helps to...
  4. Byron Amazonas

    New 29 Gallon Startup Help

    I see no problem (notwithstanding it seems unnecessary) adding a bacterial supplement (like Dr. Tim's One and Only), but I would not not add ammonium chloride. This could kill plants, bacteria and fish. I assume this is intended to be an artificial ammonia source to start the cycle? Not...
  5. Byron Amazonas

    New 29 Gallon Startup Help

    [FONT=verdana] Like most products, some work and some don't, or not as well. A scientist named Dr. Tim Hovanec led a team that carried out very extensive research into nitrifying bacteria in the 1990's [some of their scientific studies are online, I can give links if asked]. In a nutshell...
  6. Byron Amazonas

    New 29 Gallon Startup Help

    On the light, while I am not knowledgeable on LED (still using T8) that data does indicate a good light to me, so let's assume so and move on. Any substrate can compact. I've had gravel do this. But this is not a bad thing in itself. The substrate is the most important biological aspect of...
  7. Byron Amazonas

    New 29 Gallon Startup Help

    You may be able to close the other two threads (you have one in the newbie section too on this same topic), or PM a moderator to close them. Or add a post to each with a link to this thread. Keeping the same topic in one thread is better for you and others as everything is in one place. To...
  8. Byron Amazonas

    Black neon tetras and water changes

    You seem to be on track now, mainly, but it won't hurt to emphasize a couple of things. First, this is a small tank at 53 litres (= approx 15 gallons). One group of fish the size of black neons is going to more than fill this space. This is a shoaling fish that needs a group, minimum is...
  9. Byron Amazonas

    Red plants and LED's?

    My only suggestion and one which applies to any light, is either to view the light over a freshwater tank first, or be able to easily return it. This was my problem with the one LED I tried; the online data was one thing, but it looked terrible on the tank, and not being able to go back I had...
  10. Byron Amazonas

    First larger sized tank...

    This is a very questionable premise. For my part, I tend to follow authorities like Neale Monks who maintain there is no real benefit to UV in freshwater, and money can be better spent. There are several who feel UV can actually be detrimental especially in planted tanks; it will remove some...
  11. Byron Amazonas

    Red plants and LED's?

    Agreed (post #14). Scientific tests cited by Walstad determined that aquatic plants responded best (the photosynthesis activity producing oxygen was the measure) under light with a colour temperature between 6000K and 7000K, what she terms cool white. She writes: The fact that plants did very...
  12. Byron Amazonas

    First larger sized tank...

    UV has very limited effectiveness. Whatever problem the barbs had, it was likely internal, either protozoan or bacterial. UV can not deal with what is inside the fish, only what is in the water column and then only in the water passing through the UV. All of the water in the tank does not...
  13. Byron Amazonas

    Calcium and Gypsum

    I would not bother measuring calcium. I frankly have no idea what level of calcium is required, but one can get very bogged down measuring for various minerals. With a GH of 4 dGH or higher, there will be sufficient for plants provided this GH is being achieved with something like Equilibrium...
  14. Byron Amazonas

    29 Gallon Planted Tank Questions

    I personally would not have a lone angelfish. I know some do, but this fish is by nature a shoaling fish that lives in small groups and they have a very defined hierarchy within the group. There is insufficient space in a 29g for a group obviously. And I agree on the corys, this is another...
  15. Byron Amazonas

    29 Gallon Planted Tank Questions

    I agree to stop using chemicals/additives to clear the water. First thing is that many of these act by binding microscopic particulate matter into larger particles so the filter media can more easily trap them; but these chemicals also bind the fish's gills, and may have some effect on shrimp...
  16. Byron Amazonas

    Rebooting 30g planted tank

    The bubbles are more likely to be oxygen releasing from the leaves, what is termed pearling. If you look very closely, you can sometimes observe this, i.e., the bubble forming and then releasing.
  17. Byron Amazonas

    Calcium and Gypsum

    I would not use a product like this. I assume the calcium is for the plants. While calcium is one of the "hard" minerals and a macronutrient for plants, there are others that may be lacking too. What is the GH of your tap water? If this is below 4 dGH (= 71 ppm) then I would add something...
  18. Byron Amazonas

    90 Litre Tank Stocking

    I would not mix two groups, there is not sufficient space. You can get lamp timers at hardware and home improvement stores that work well for tank lights; consistent light is important for fish and plants as both develop an internal circadian rhythm and will be healthier. I happen to use the...
  19. Byron Amazonas

    Restocking a 26g

    Personally, I would not acquire dwarf gourami unless you can get them from a reliable local breeder. Those in stores are risky. The Honey Gourami is a better choice, and here a trio with one male and two females would work. I would not recommend a lone angelfish; this species is a shoaling...
  20. Byron Amazonas

    90 Litre Tank Stocking

    Re your post 54, make sure you have a regular daily photoperiod for the tank lights; otherwise, you will have algae out of control. The duration depends upon the balance between light (intensity) and nutrient availability, plus of course the number and species of plants (as I said before...
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