Honesty and knowledge are not the same thing, and this product sounds too good to be true. I don't think chemically lowering your pH without actually filtering out buffers is a good idea.
Aces! Yet Another "I'm New and Unsure" Thread
- Thread starter shaggyspeedy
- Start date
Let me suggest that you look into a brand-new product called Bio-Spira. Read up on it at www.marineland.com I've been following articles by this guy Hovanecs for years and he's trustworthy. Later you should read all his articles archived at that site.
Let me suggest that you look into an ammonia-sequestering chemical called AmQuel put out by Kordon. It will give you false positive tests for ammonia, but it locks the ammonia in a form that's non-toxic but available to the nitrifying bacteria you are soon to know more intimately than any except E. coli!
Let me suggest that now, before you throw away all the packaging, you take the unused undergravel filter back to the lfs-- for credit, not a refund. Trade it in for a bag of red Flourite to mix with your gravel. Later you may want to have real plants. Meanwhile the laterite will help stabilize phosphate levels etc.
Let me suggest you get David E. Boruchowitz, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums. www.amazon.com could have it in your hands before the weekend.
Let me recommend that you bookmark www.thekrib.com for constant reference. Read the FAQs there now. Read all the rest of that site tomorrow!
Let me suggest that you avoid neons, with your alkaline water. Go with some Barbs or Danios for now. Better get the website for Toledo Water Dept. and work out what the alkalinity (KH) of your water is.
...and take an old man's advice, move slower and work each step out together.
Let me suggest that you look into an ammonia-sequestering chemical called AmQuel put out by Kordon. It will give you false positive tests for ammonia, but it locks the ammonia in a form that's non-toxic but available to the nitrifying bacteria you are soon to know more intimately than any except E. coli!
Let me suggest that now, before you throw away all the packaging, you take the unused undergravel filter back to the lfs-- for credit, not a refund. Trade it in for a bag of red Flourite to mix with your gravel. Later you may want to have real plants. Meanwhile the laterite will help stabilize phosphate levels etc.
Let me suggest you get David E. Boruchowitz, The Simple Guide to Freshwater Aquariums. www.amazon.com could have it in your hands before the weekend.
Let me recommend that you bookmark www.thekrib.com for constant reference. Read the FAQs there now. Read all the rest of that site tomorrow!
Let me suggest that you avoid neons, with your alkaline water. Go with some Barbs or Danios for now. Better get the website for Toledo Water Dept. and work out what the alkalinity (KH) of your water is.
...and take an old man's advice, move slower and work each step out together.
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The mighty WetFeller is playing all modest-like. You should also be sure to bookmark as a constant reference his very excellent SkepticalAquarist . (His irony is chelated so that its easier to absorb than when he's being irascible 
).
If your pH test kit runs to high of 7.6 (it should specify a range) then 10.6 will read as 7.6 and 9.6 will and 8.6 will. If its over the high end, you'll just keep getting the same color.
Ammonia will appear in your tank as either NH3 (ammonia) or NH4 (ammonium). NH3 is highly toxic while NH4 is not. The water's pH is what decides on how much of each form is present in the water. If you have a high pH the ammonia will be more toxic during your fishy cycle. If you are going fishy you should definitely look into BioSpira (and report back on it! Its new and folks are waiting to hear…)
And as for the Under Gravel Filter, some folks are fans and some not. You'll find more than you ever wanted to know about filtration if you follow the link… and if you're still standing you can head over to the WetMan's for more.
I think a lot of folks around here are instantly suspicious of the fishstores (idiots and theives). Most likely your guy is an honest joe who knows what he knows and wouldn't mind making a sale. He could be a great resource. He could be wrong about a few things. He could be both at the same time. Trust but verify.
HTH
). If your pH test kit runs to high of 7.6 (it should specify a range) then 10.6 will read as 7.6 and 9.6 will and 8.6 will. If its over the high end, you'll just keep getting the same color.
Ammonia will appear in your tank as either NH3 (ammonia) or NH4 (ammonium). NH3 is highly toxic while NH4 is not. The water's pH is what decides on how much of each form is present in the water. If you have a high pH the ammonia will be more toxic during your fishy cycle. If you are going fishy you should definitely look into BioSpira (and report back on it! Its new and folks are waiting to hear…)
And as for the Under Gravel Filter, some folks are fans and some not. You'll find more than you ever wanted to know about filtration if you follow the link… and if you're still standing you can head over to the WetMan's for more.
I think a lot of folks around here are instantly suspicious of the fishstores (idiots and theives). Most likely your guy is an honest joe who knows what he knows and wouldn't mind making a sale. He could be a great resource. He could be wrong about a few things. He could be both at the same time. Trust but verify.
HTH
Truer words have never been spoken.
I just re-entered the hobby after a long lay off, and have scoured the web for good sites with info I trust. Really- the only links you need are The Skeptical Aquarist and this one (AC). There are lots more with varying degrees of useful, well organized (or not) information, but I always find myself returning to these two.
Yet another update.
I went and met the owner of the store... seemed like a good guy, and his tanks were immaculate. Very well set up. I asked him about this seemingly magic powder (who's name I can't remember... I'll post it when I get home), and he showed it to me, and told me some of the basics on it. Says he's used it before and it works perfect, he's even put it in a tank with fish, and it doesn't harm them.
So when I left there to go to work, I called my fiancee and told her to go ahead and pick up some fish. She picked up 3 Danios (I don't remember what breed). She added the powder, let the fish acclimate to the water, and released 'em. At last check (about 45 minutes ago), they were swimming happily.
I'll get you the name of this product when I get home.
I went and met the owner of the store... seemed like a good guy, and his tanks were immaculate. Very well set up. I asked him about this seemingly magic powder (who's name I can't remember... I'll post it when I get home), and he showed it to me, and told me some of the basics on it. Says he's used it before and it works perfect, he's even put it in a tank with fish, and it doesn't harm them.
So when I left there to go to work, I called my fiancee and told her to go ahead and pick up some fish. She picked up 3 Danios (I don't remember what breed). She added the powder, let the fish acclimate to the water, and released 'em. At last check (about 45 minutes ago), they were swimming happily.
I'll get you the name of this product when I get home.
either Giant Danios or zebras I would say. Giants are better though IMO. Anyways heres a question from me too within the same topic. My PH is 7.6 due to the water hardness. Thing is how Can I get rid of that hardness or whatever so the PH can stabalize? Is there a chemical or something? Or will it stablalize in the final stages of nitrates while im cycling???
Turns out they're Zebra Danios. They certainly are active, but they seem to be adapting nicely.
Also, Here's the mystery chemical: Neutral Regulator
Edit: For a little comedy, we happened to catch Iron Chef tonight.... sure enough, it's a sushi battle. I certainly hope they aren't watching!
Also, Here's the mystery chemical: Neutral Regulator
Edit: For a little comedy, we happened to catch Iron Chef tonight.... sure enough, it's a sushi battle. I certainly hope they aren't watching!
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I have never heard of that stuff before but Seachem is a wonderful company. I trust them. The only problem I can see is that you may run into algae problems because of the product's use of phosphate.
P.S. You really should bookmark WetmanNY's website. It's one of the best out there bar none.
P.S. You really should bookmark WetmanNY's website. It's one of the best out there bar none.
I have never heard of this stuff either.... Would it be safe to use this product while cycling a tank normally? Wouldent it affect the growth of the tank in speed and overall baceria rate by adjusting the PH? Or am I wrong, I never have used PH UP or DOWN chemicals before since to the fact they never work. I wonder if this will. If it can get my water hardness and PH Lower im all for it...
