What Works for Me May Not Work for You

This really is a great thread.... so raw :evil_lol:



The good... (what works for this user)
  • pH Controllers for pressurized CO2 injection
  • 4 dKH drop checkers to measure CO2 levels in planted tanks
  • Airstones at night to help protect pressurized CO2 injected setups
  • UV sterilizers
  • Popping the canister filters every week for cleaning (mechanical filtration only)
  • 75% water changes q weekly
  • Prime
  • Excel
  • Root tabs
  • Epsom salt as needed (with water changes) to maintain GH for African rift setups
  • Nightime illumination
  • Having an arsenal of meds on hand as an aquarium "First Aid" kit
  • Python gravel vac with every water change
  • Research, research, research... learn, learn, learn...
The bad... (what this user declines)
  • "Therapeutic" salt (total bunk for anything other than ich)
  • pH up/downers (garbage)
  • The myth of pH "shock"
  • Overstocking/Undersizing
  • The phrase, "I'll get a bigger tank soon..."
The ugly...
  • Inability to put needs of the specimens FIRST
  • Inability to accept constructive criticism after posting on this forum... don't like it, don't post.
Cue Sergio Leone music..... Aiah Aiah Aiah, Wah Wah Wah
 
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1. I change the water in the tank mostly when the mood suits me (i.e, when the filter makes too much noise). Maybe twice a week, adding about five gallons to the tank (open-top, yep)
2. Ich is the aquatic equivalent of a rhinovirus. I treat with a raised temp and table salt.
3. Temp of tank: 81 deg. Temp of tap water: 74-76 deg. Tank pH: 6.4-6.8 Tap pH: 7.4+
4. PH shock doesn't seem to exist in my tank. Nor does temp shock.
5. When I replace water instead of topping the tank off, I get algeal blooms and sick fish. Haven't replaced water in 6 months.
6. Bucket toter. 1 bucket.
7. I mixed cold water with tropicals. White clouds and a German Ram. Result? The clouds play in the cooler replacement water and the Ram doesn't care.
8. I haven't touched the filter media in about 3 or 4 months.
Obv I use conditioner.
 
I forgot something....

:lipssealedsmilie: Don't let hubby find out how much my 'fishy things' cost :lipssealedsmilie:

Gosh.........He'd have a cow!!!! :evil_lol:
 
OK Here goes...

-Most of my tanks are usually overstocked and im ok with that lol
-I do a 15-20% WC every Friday
-I tend to overfeed my fish.. I like them fat and healthy
-I use chemicals, but only when necessary
-I use carbon, but im not obsessed
-I cant be away from my tanks for more than 6-7 hours
-I use gravel in all tanks
-I feed a LOT of blackworms
-I cycle my tanks with 2 neon tetras
-I seldom test my water once the tank is cycled
-I always carry buckets, too cheap to buy a python
-I swear by aquarium salt, and use small amounts of it every water change
 
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WOW,some of the things you guy's do/don't do!Pops this is a great thread,a real learning experience,and your right"if it aint broke don't fix it"!
1)weekly wc's of 20-30%, always use prime.
2)never in the many years of keeping fish have i ever tested my water(i feel that as long as weekly wc are done there's no need)
3)never over stock.
4)feed once a day at night.
5)love sponge powerheads.
6)i'm lost without my python,way too much water to move!
7)carbon?who needs it!big waste of money imo.
8)q-tank?what!!!I don't buy sick fish!soo what's the point?
anyway, again; great thread Pops!!!!
 
Just a couple I forgot:
I do have a qt tank. But it's full of fish.
I use rainwater to soften my tapwater.
My tanks are always conservatively stocked. But then I find an excuse to add just a couple more....

This is one of the all time great threads!
 
Awesome, I am here to come clean:

20% water change most weekends
Feed lightly every night
Never liked UGFs
I think bio wheel are way overrated
The bigger the filter the better
Never have tested water, never will and have had great success
No medication for sick fish, just Diatom and/or Die
Starting to use pot scrubbers as media and love it
Hate air pumps
Like homemade wood or iron stands, no partial board
Will take any aquarium off the curb I see on trash night
I dislike the large pet stores; they are ruining the hobby with poor quality, bad advice and high prices
I use hot tap water and if necessary diluted bleach to clean filters
I will never by rocks
Love fish auctions and swap meets
I don't quarantine fish
I haven’t allowed the water my fish come with in the bag in any of my tanks for over 20 years
 
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