Lots of questions ...newbie here

hhc

hhc

AC Members
Apr 15, 2009
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The great golden state
Hi fish people!
I just had a couple of questions about general fish keeping things I hoped somebody might have an answer to.
1. Whats the difference between marine salt and aquarium salt?
2. Whats the difference in accuracy/results between test strips and regular water testing kits?
3. In the world of UV sterilizers that are reasonably priced what type would you guys reccommend? (for the 55 gal tank)
4. Why won't my Bosemans Rainbows school? I have three, do I need more? I see them communicating but mostly they hang solo. Hmmm...Can Bosemans tolerate any salt in the water?
5. Whats a good starter plant for a tank and do you have to have CO2 to make that happen. (before I get started on plants I need to know about long term costs...)What about those crazy moss balls? What is the main benefit to live plants?
6. and lastly, how do you get hard water film off the inside of the tank? The aquarium scrubber brush doesnt seem to do a very good job and I'd like to catch it before my fish are living in a calcium cave :huh: (we have VERY hard water here 200 to 250).

Thanks for reading this long post. I appreciate any help you can offer.
HHC
 
i can chime in.. test strips are inaccurate and a waste of money, get yourself a liquid test kit. They may be a bit pricey, I paid about $30 bucks for a freshwater test kit at petsmart. Comes with everything you need.

hope you get everything else answered.
 
Hey there stranger ! , I checked the water is above 250+ here. Also live plants absorb excess nutrients and nitrates. However I am not sure about their compatibility with the fish you have. Also your more than welcome to use my API liquid test kit any time. I am down to two tubes as they break on a pretty steady basis.
 
2. Whats the difference in accuracy/results between test strips and regular water testing kits?
test strips and liquid tests will give you completely different results most of the time. liquid is more accurate and more consistant...IMHO test strips give you a 'reasonable ballpark' but nothing reliable
3. In the world of UV sterilizers that are reasonably priced what type would you guys reccommend? (for the 55 gal tank)
none, proper tank maintenance (ie waterchanges) is all you really need
4. Why won't my Bosemans Rainbows school? I have three, do I need more? I see them communicating but mostly they hang solo. Hmmm...Can Bosemans tolerate any salt in the water?
i dont know, but i would guess is they need a bigger school
5. Whats a good starter plant for a tank and do you have to have CO2 to make that happen. (before I get started on plants I need to know about long term costs...)What about those crazy moss balls? What is the main benefit to live plants?
starter plants are going to include low light plants (unless you already have high lighting in your tank...aka 3+wpg), link:http://www.plantgeek.net/plantguide_list.php?category=1&filter=&filter_by=2&page=1
they are simple, easy to grow, require no co2, no real fertilizers or anything
6. and lastly, how do you get hard water film off the inside of the tank? The aquarium scrubber brush doesnt seem to do a very good job and I'd like to catch it before my fish are living in a calcium cave :huh: (we have VERY hard water here 200 to 250).
consistant scrubbing and avoiding lots of water evaporation...get a good tightly sealed aquarium lid to keep the water in and you should be all set.
 
PS. I got some aquarium bulbs for the tank that were "garenteed to grow", but I don't know. Thy look pretty "sucked up". Wonder if I should start them seperately or what?
 
Marine salt is a necessary addition to a marine or brackish aquarium; aquarium salt is a confidence trick to part you from your money for essentially the same stuff you find in the cooking salt aisle at the supermarket by propagating a number of myths.
 
KarlTh said:
Marine salt is a necessary addition to a marine or brackish aquarium; aquarium salt is a confidence trick to part you from your money for essentially the same stuff you find in the cooking salt aisle at the supermarket by propagating a number of myths.
Click to expand...


That's incorrect.

Cooking salt contains iodine which isn't necessary for aquariums, and can cloud water. Not to mention table/cooking salt contains many impurities.
 
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