Hi,
As above I have one baby fronnie (gasping & generally not moving much - i have put him in isolataion fron the others in the same tank but in a floating unit). His tank mates are fine, the other 5 fronnies are showing no signs of distress, eating hearthly ect etc. I have 6 yellows, 2 blues of similar size and none of these are sick either. He doesn't seem to have any bits from the gills either. I know that baby fronnies show the first signs of sickness when something is wrong in the tank but after testing ph, adding salt regularly nothing seems different to usual. He had been sort of sitting on the bottom for 2 days (just though he was being a typically fronnie) before he got noticably worst last night. He's also about 3cm if that helps
Anyone got any advice, would appreciate it....
Thanks
Alana
im am no expert :roll: ,
but maybe a lack of oxygen?
the weather is starting to warm up, so the more aeration and water surface agitation you have, the more oxygen. I think the agitation from the bubbles or a powerhead aimed at the surface breaks the surface tension of the water and helps with oxygen / carbon dioxide release,transfer -whatever , well something like that
maybe someone else could back me up or correct me or tell me to shaddap :wink:
yeah thought that could be it so increased the air. Only did this last night though and he's still gasping. It's like he has a parasite or something but he's not blotting yet. Im at work now so i'm hoping he'll have taken a turn for the better not worse by the time I get home. Im thinking maybe a salt bath would be good for him cos something is obviously in his gills...
Shaddup (sorry ash :P )
No id do as ashh said and throw in an airstone or 2 see how that goes :wink:
ill 2nd that
more aeration is the go and how does he get along with the other fronnies cause he might be getting bullied.
Just had word from the other half that he didn't make it. No else is gasping so hoping that the others are fine. We had uped the air last night so that'll help. Can anyone tell me why one would be struck down with it and the others not, that is why i suspected a parasite.. we do regular water changes, add salt check the ph, nitrate, ammonia.... the only thing i can think is that a couple of days a go they were fed small bait prawns(although im not sure he even ate any)....any suggestions
thanks everyone for you advice
Without knowing tank and fish details it would be pretty hard to make any assumptions whatsoever. Unfortunately fish do die from unexplainable reasons sometimes.
Some things to watch out for, especially if you are new to the game.
Overcrowding
Overfeeding
Waterchanges straight from the tap
Too many water changes while the tank is trying to cycle
Overfeeding while the tank is trying to cycle
Putting new fish straight in the tank without acclimatizing
Bullying from other fish.
Any fish that sits in a corner too often, even Fronnies, probably has a problem.
And even when you do everything right , sometimes there is an inexplicable death.
Theo
thanks Theo, I just hate seeing the buggers die with no obvious explanation - one question, we do water changes from the tap (with chemicals) for about a quater of the tank every 2-3 weeks.. do you think this is to harsh? why not use straight from the tap..we do it gradually over an hour, one hose going out one going in.. not the way to go??? if not what is the best way from your experience?
Cheers,
Alana
there is chlorine and chloramine in the tap water which is deadly to fish.
should always put chlorine neautralizer in the tap water.
I know a lot of people think they arent harming their fish by putting in fresh water , but I can tell you from experience they are.
Not only that, Councils sometimes put in more chemicals for one reason or another, such as after a storm. When this happens you [u:fa28662f8c]will[/u:fa28662f8c] lose fish.
The best way is to age water in a drum or drums. Two days is all it takes(Or longer if you wish) and your fish will love you for it.
I always have two drums ready to go.
Go to the markets and pick up cheap plastic drums, or Bunnings have all kinds of containers nowadays at very good prices. Just make sure they havent contained harsh chemicals.
Theo
I do the same as Theo when it comes to water changes.
With the fronnie, breathing heavy at the bottom of the tank isn't a lack of oxygen in the water.
If it was breathing heavily at the top of the water it would of been lack of oxygen in the water.
Frenchy :D
thanks everyone, so even adding the chemicals whilst adding the water there is still a risk. Looks like I'll be buying some drums.
Adding chemicals while adding the water is probably the worst way, besides adding no chemicals that is.
Theo
I put my neutraliser in then get the hose and put it in the tank. I have never had a problem this way for americans or africans. It seems to work and is far easier than doing it any other way. Everyone does things different. But no neutraliser is murder i would say
i do exactly what devz11 does i put the neutraliser in then i put the hose in and i have never had a problem
It certainly is easier that way, and if you want to keep doing it the easy way, thats fine by me.
Thats the beauty of these forums, people with years of experience can try to give people advice, but there's always people who choose to ignore it. Its funny a bloke on here from around Byron Bay, said the very same thing you're saying, a few weeks later he inexplicably lost a lot of his fish after a water change. Hmmm I wonder why.
I reckon if I had a dollar for every fish thats died from doing things your way, I would be a multimilionaire.
Anyway the shops love people who do it your way, it gives them plenty of repeat business.
Theo
PS: I know my Avitar says I'm an apprentice, but I think I'm a bit beyond that.
[quote:6efa73799b]I know my Avitar says I'm an apprentice, but I think I'm a bit beyond that[/quote:6efa73799b] Just a tad :lol:
The other thing I do if I forgot to sit the water for a day or 2, and just want to do a small change, is full a couple of 20 litre buckets & neutralise them, sit for a while in the sun/airater then add to tanks.
Frenchy :D
we've only had fish for a little over a year so relatively new to the practice but been learning as we've gone along. All that time we'd being adding the water that way(through the hose) annd never a problem but that doesn't mean the fish haven't hated and suffered from it. I guess a good fish keeper wants to do what is the most comfortable for their fish so if it means letting the water sit and then changing it then so be it.
Again thanks everyone who's posted - it's great getting an array of mixed opinions!! Keep it up :D
i [u:99c1f57bbd]had[/u:99c1f57bbd] been for ever using neutraliser to condition my water, but for the last couple of months have been doing the [i:99c1f57bbd]'let it sit for a few days thing'[/i:99c1f57bbd]and have had no problems what so ever with it.
For the little bit of forethought and extra effort, the dollars I save doing it this way help me get that next fish/s I really want, sooner.
Allthough I do keep a bottle of neutralizer in the cupboard just incase if an emergency water change is needed...... :D
fish that are in trouble from poisoning the likes of chlorimine usually start spireling around the tank ,alot of fronnies at the size you were saying suffer from flukes out of control ,have even heard breeders say its not unusuall to lose alot from a mouthfull at the 2 1/2-3month stage .gasping is some times associated with gill flukes ,might pay to treat them jic
I have never lost a fish as a result of the way i change the water. It may say newbie under my name but i can assure you im not. I have researched many an idea and tested it. If i thought my fish were at all unhealthy or suffering from the way i did my water changes i wouldnt. I have mainly oscars and they are pretty sensitive to many things... they are happy and healthy. So it must work!!!
It must have taken a lot of research to come up with the method you describe, "put the drops in, put the hose in, turn on the tap. Now thats a novel new way, I'm sure everyones is interested to learn.
Oh hang on, thats what all newbies do.
"Oscars are sensitive to many things" yes they are, like:
Getting hit over the head with a mallet
Being run over by a truck
Eating 3 dozen cockroaches in one sitting
Oh, and getting a garden hose stuck in its mouth
Just keep stikin that hose in Dev, whats a bit of hot or cold water full of chlorine gunna do. Oh yes, remove the slime coat to let in that nasty white spot, fungus and fin rot, burn the gills. Its funny how they always seem to scratch and shimy afterwards, they just dont make fish like they used to.
Theo
:lol: :lol: Theo what are we gonna do without you when your gone :P
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
:lol:
I will miss Theo too :cry:
What you do devz isn't something that should be reccomended to anyone. If I did water changes your way, my tangy's will be dead.
Frenchy :D
[quote:4061be3c9f="DeagonTheo"].
Oh hang on, thats what all newbies do.
"Oscars are sensitive to many things" yes they are, like:
Getting hit over the head with a mallet
Being run over by a truck
Eating 3 dozen cockroaches in one sitting
Oh, and getting a garden hose stuck in its mouth
Just keep stikin that hose in Dev, whats a bit of hot or cold water full of chlorine gunna do. Oh yes, remove the slime coat to let in that nasty white spot, fungus and fin rot, burn the gills. Its funny how they always seem to scratch and shimy afterwards, they just dont make fish like they used to.
Theo[/quote:4061be3c9f]
You have issues!!! I know alot of fish keepers on here who use the same method i do to change water. Not Newbies!!! Fancy that!!
I am trying here to keep my cool with you as i value this site. But i am sure i would rather shove a hose down your throat anyday than my oscars. And to this day they have never had a hose down their throat!!
White spot, fungus and finrot... sorry never had them in my tank!! but obviously you have!! Scratch and shimmy after water changes sh*t you must be doing some bad stuff to your fish cause its never happened to mine!!
Here is an idea Theo learn to shut up!!! And stop running your mouth!!
Excuse me people just a quick question, are there chloromines in the water up your way, eg; Deagon.
Frenchy :D
[u:1947675fd0]I [/u:1947675fd0]have issues :roll:
Like I said Dev, just keep doing what you're doing.
Its good to see you're trying to stay cool.
Theo
:D
I can feel the love :roll:
I'm just going to say one more thing on this subject.
When people come on here to ask for advice, there are a lot of things to consider, not just what works for us on one or 2 species of fish.
There are people from all over Oz frequenting this forum and they draw they're water from numerous councils. God only knows how much Chlorine or Chloramine they put in their supplies.
If I were to tell people to do a water change with a garden hose and their council was putting in double the amount of chlorine to where I come from, its a bit late to say oops when their fish die.
To the people who do it that way I wish you luck, but I would probably refrain from telling other people to do it that way.
Theo
And at what point did anyone say that this is how you should do it?? Advice is all anyone on here can give.. if people choose to use this method or your method or their own method so be it its ADVICE. But you dont seem to give advice on this subject. Hence the reason you pissed me off in the first place. Read back what you wrote from start to finish and you'll see exactly how you manage to rub people up the wrong way! eg. Personal attacks!
[quote:adb0838679="devz11"] Read back what you wrote from start to finish and you'll see exactly how you manage to rub people up the wrong way! eg. Personal attacks![/quote:adb0838679]
I enjoy Theos honesty and most of the time hes right just saves pussy footing around like most of us do :lol:
Luv ya Dev :P
i love yous all so much......... :?
I'm pretty sure I've never made personal attacks on any one on the forum, what I have done is to try to show people the error of their ways' usually in a humorous way.
Unfortunately some take this as an affront on their person and I can understand that, we all react differently to different situations.
The main thing is that we all come away with something, and I do all the time.
I'm one of the D'heads who has had all the diseases from A to Z so if I can help someone from making the same mistakes I did I'm happy.
Theo
Well to clear a couple of things.
Chlorine & chloramines are lethal to fish.
A 30% water change with [b:b60f2e02c7]chlorinated[/b:b60f2e02c7] water is about the limit "most" cichlids can endure(without adding conditioner) [b:b60f2e02c7]"but"[/b:b60f2e02c7] any amount of water with [b:b60f2e02c7]chloramines[/b:b60f2e02c7] is dangerous.
If your water only has [b:b60f2e02c7]Chlorine[/b:b60f2e02c7], spraying the water into your tank, eg; with a shower head. This drives off the chlorine(gas) dissolved in the water.
[b:b60f2e02c7]Chloramines[/b:b60f2e02c7] cannot be be removed in this way & can only be removed by or adsorbed by chemicals, eg; water conditioners.
The water can also be cleaned by passing it through activated carbon, but how much carbon removes is varied.
This is why I asked if some people have Chloramines in their water, as airation won't remove them.
Frenchy :D
i don't think i have met any of you but the way you are carying on like drama queens .if it works for you do it !if not try something else but for farksake be a little more constructive .its like my fish is bigger than yours .i thought this forum might be a bit more helpful than it is and from reading back some pages most of you are ,fishie fishie (justin)man you have issues ,do you find it nescessary to argue with every one or is it just your ignorance that leads you into conversations you seem to have little input into except to critisize,you probably work in the industry and would appear you think to have more knowledgeable than most but i bet your just winging it .get your own idea up so that the crap can be picked out of it ,or don't you have any of your own !take your uncostructive argueing to MSN.
Ohhh are we still going on about this................... :roll:
[quote:84202fe738="madbob101"]Ohhh are we still going on about this................... :roll:[/quote:84202fe738]
- an den....... :lol:
but really guys an gals...FFS, you've all expressed your opinions,
now get on with looking after your fish the best way you think you know how, and just agree to disagree.....
Welcome to the Forum, turtle, its good to see another thought inspiring opinion on the intricasies of fishkeeping from the Ipswich area.
Theo
Seeing this thread has become a water quality subject I'd love to ask some sensible questions on that subject if I may :)
I do my water changes by filling up multitudes of buckets of town water and leaving them for a few hours to get warm up a bit, and some days I don't dare do it because the tap water smells like bleach :? I've only ever used a hose to first fill a new tank up.
I have no clue of what they're adding and when they're adding it and honestly there's no real way of me ever finding the truth out really so if I get these larger containers and leave the water to sit in them for a few days, that will get rid of any contaminants that could harm my fish for sure? Or just most? Do you have to keep them in a cool place (out of sun) or it doesn't matter? Does this water in the containers have a life span before it's no good?
*BTW I've never lost a fish doing it my way either but is it just that I'm lucky?*
As I said earlier containers nowadays are cheap and versatile, so if you have a big tank use larger containers rather than buckets.
When filling a tank for the first time, just use new water, heat and aereate , but dont add any fish for a couple of days, use a dechlorinater if you really cant wait.
When doing partial water changes leave the water in the drum about 2 days or longer. Use a small power head (or larger one for a big drum) these are cheap nowadays as well, to circulate the water in the drum, you can then add a garden hose or similar to the pump to pump the water to your tank.
I have put fry straight into aged water(2 Days)with no ill effects, so that answers your question about contaminants. If you are still unsure leave it for a longer period.
Theo
PS: You've just been lucky, I've known people to drink and drive for over 20 years and not get caught. That doesnt make it a good way of driving though does it?
When you start spending hundreds of dollars on one fish it pays not to be quite so reckless.
Looks like turtle has come out of his shell.
(I read, yawn, rolls over & go back to sleep)
Frenchy :D
thought it appropriate to change the subject heading and let my fronny rest in peace.
Unfortunately where there is life there is death, all we can do is try to minimise our mistakes to reduce the death.
Fishkeeping is fairly simple, unfortunately in our quest for knowledge, we become confused by the mountains of information out there.
I think for a lot of people, including me, it becomes like a scientific experiment, only to find out, after years of research, that fish are a versatile lot, capable of adjusting to and breeding in, reasonably widely varying water parameters.
Theo
Allow me to add to this mass-debate ( :lol: ) . . .
Just to clarify to newbies in the hobby, there are three types of neutraliser that I'm aware of:
-Stuff that neutralises chlorine and chloromines only
-Stuff that neutralises chlorine and chloromines AND ammonia, and heavy metals (what I use).
-Stuff that claims to do the whole lot as well as create ideal water conditions for your fish (eg Geo Liquid)
I have for years done the same thing: fill a bucket from the tap, add neutraliser, add to the tank. Never had a problem as yet.
I make sure I use decent stuff i.e. I use Aquastar from Age of Aquariums which claims to neutralise not only chlorine and chloromines, but heavy metals (like copper) and other contaminants. Essentially it's like a more expensive European product called Prime. I live in a 65 year old house with copper pipes, so a good neutraliser is essential.
You can check what Aquastar does from below link if interested, but convenience I use the good water conditioner in a bucket beforehand, and for me and my fish so far so good. I can see how people might get caught out with just the basic chlorine neutraliser as found at the supermarket, but I've never had a drama with the better stuff.
http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/category36_1.htm
cheers.
What is going on here I go of line for 2 days and the form goes to hell in a hay basket
Hey !!
Age ya water
Add ya chemicals
And get on with ya lives is that so hard 8O
Just to add my 2 cents :P
I've been doing the hose in the tank method for many years now and haven't had a problem... I do tend to add a little extra neutraliser with some added at the beginning, middle and end of the change. Maximum water changed for a tank is 30% in one go. This is usually less (and more frequent) in wintertime as the water out of the tap is too cold.
I think the size of the tank/system matters - I wouldn't do it with a 2 foot tank :!:
Fry tanks get smaller "aged water" waterchanges. In this instance the water in a bucket with neutraliser added and an air stone for an hour or two before being pumped into the tanks.
Everyone has their difference methods of water changes but and some may say there's a 'right' or 'wrong' way to do things - I think there's a different way to do things - whether they're right or wrong is up to the individual.
Cheers
Matt
ps - been keeping fish for 15 years :wink:
edited - I use a neutraliser by aquasonic - I haven't heard of many others using it but I reckon it tops 8) http://www.aquasonic.com.au/ It's made in Australia for Australian conditions :mrgreen:
well it wasn't hard to track down the blow hard squishy fishy ,works down the coast in aquariums alive ,just need to find out what days your there justin ,would you like me to ring up and talk to you boyfriend and find out or do you want to let me know on here .you will know me when you see me ,look for a large red head who looks unamused ,but please don't run .
lol, your kidding right :roll:
turtle,
whats justin been up to now???
he's not stirring the pot again!!!
))o
[quote:d08ba9490d="turtle"]well it wasn't hard to track down the blow hard squishy fishy ,works down the coast in aquariums alive ,just need to find out what days your there justin ,would you like me to ring up and talk to you boyfriend and find out or do you want to let me know on here .you will know me when you see me ,look for a large red head who looks unamused ,but please don't run .[/quote:d08ba9490d]
Turtle your new here right? Not a good way to start off by throwing around threats and bad mouthing forum users who have been here for quite a while and do there part where they can help.
I mean i know Justin shits us all :lol: but we have learnt to luv ok well put up with him...its what we have to do here to help each other rather than act like school kids :D
Your source (gee let me guess who that could be) tell you what it's a tad outdated ah. I'm not even in the fish industry.. playing around with plants if you must know.
[quote:1d8d0a9655]look for a large red head who looks unamused[/quote:1d8d0a9655]
Sounds like the misses.
Didn't have to stir this time Wayne, :roll: just because my views on topics are different sometimes.
The last post about chlorine & chloramines come from a text, editor Ad Konnings, its advice take it or leave it.
My fish aren't cheap, I will take all precautions to eliminate all potential risks.
Cheers,
Frenchy :D
Thanks Bob, :? I think. :lol:
Frenchy :D
[quote:6a1e9bd576="here fishie fishie"]
Sounds like the misses.
[/quote:6a1e9bd576]
Haha classic come back :lol: :lol:
Just to let you know Turtle
Justin doesnt work for me.
Just so i know which one here is his boyfriend?
Brad
[quote:bcf09408a9]Just so i know which one here is his boyfriend?[/quote:bcf09408a9]
Don't you trust me Brad :cry:
Frenchy :D
[quote:ff56ba1727="here fishie fishie"][quote:ff56ba1727]Just so i know which one here is his boyfriend?[/quote:ff56ba1727]
Don't you trust me Brad :cry:
Frenchy :D[/quote:ff56ba1727]
8O ........ewww
This is getting personal now :?
Why do some people feel the need for physical threats over something so small and stupid :(
Get over yourself and grow up please, lets get back to the water quality issue :D
yep second that!!! and they say girls are bitchy! :wink:
What about the Economics of the Neutraliser vs Drums. 200L Drum $40, lasts a v.long time unless you set it on fire when your drunk ?
Neutraliser $55 Litre, if you have LOTS of tanks it doesnt last long.
Get a Drum up ya.
Scooter
[quote:ead1a2bf1f]200L Drum $40[/quote:ead1a2bf1f]
where from for that price??
Man, I pity you people who live up on the Goldcoast or Brisbane, your local councils are ripping you off! I live in lismore NSW, and not only does my water supplier give me bucket loads of chloramine per litre of tap water, but they also throw in bucket loads of extra ammonia, nitrites, and (the best bit)......... NITRATES!! FOR FREE!!! Now THATS value for money!!!
You guys should look into getting water shipped up to you from MY coucil, Rous water, "Seriously good stuff!"........ NOT.
Aaron
PS: Kinda hard dealing with levels of Nitrate in excess of 40mg/L out of the tap, especially if you have nitrate sensitive fish. It also seems to negate the main use of aged/treated tap water changes, cos often the water going in the tank is worse than whats coming out. I have had to revert to other measures such as trying to utilse as much biological de-nitrification as possible, cutting way back on the food, and what i have also been experimenting with is pre-ozonisation of town water (in a drum), followed by carbon filtering (to remove excess ozone molecules), follwed by adding trace elements and adjusting water parameters. Not so easy and not so fun.
lol@aaron
))o
Aaron, I think in your case I would be looking at using rainwater. Depending on the setup you've got, they make tanks in all sizes.
You would have to add some minerals according to the fish you keep, but that would seem easier to me than trying to clean up your town water.
Theo
Thanks for the reply Theo, I have considered the rain water idea but there are two things working against it in my situation:
1. I live in a 2 bedroom rental unit with my girlfriend, the 2nd bedroom is the fishroom plus half of the loungeroom, so there is already a bit of tension over available space in our household. I think a kick-ass water tank in the tiny back yard would probably tip the already fragile balance, plus i dont think the landlord would be really impressed with a big tank in the back plus me re-diverting all the plumbing from the guttering.
2. It doesn't rain nearly enough where i live.
Having said that, i would love a rain water tank full of rain water! But its not possible at the moment.
I also have access to excellent water from a mates dam, however it would be a 2hour round trip to collect it, plus i would need to buy a 1000ltr water transport tank, a trailer, and a new car full of fuel strong enough to tow all of this, then when i get home i'd have to UV sterilise it all before use just to be safe from bad bugs. As i work 6 days a week and only get one day to spend with the missus a week, this is just not practical.
So at the moment my only time and effort effective method is to try and fix the badly broken tap water, and hope that one day it gets better, and it does from time to time, every 4 months or so it gets good for a week or two, then goes to shit again. How can supposed "Water specialists" (Rous Water) get it sooooo wrong? Losers! I know its their fault cos i went to Rocky Creek dam where the water comes from and tested it, the water is perfect, it just doesn't come out at my place like that.
Aaron
I think Rous water must have a few dead animals (or maybe humans?) in their water storage resevoir, plus they never flush it out. How else could it get so bad? Dodgy bastards!
Lucky i only use their shit tap water to shower and flush the toilet with! I have to treat it before me or my fish get to drink it! :roll:
Hows this though, (little story for you all):
I rang up Rous Water to complain/ask why the water was so full of nitrates, and they told me all my Hagan nitrate test kits must be faulty/always give a false reading beacuse "they only detected 20mg/L" (still waaay to high for my liking). So they suggested i take a tap water sample down to southern cross university to be tested for nitrate because "they know what they're talking about". Now the funny thing is, I work at Summerland Aquariums, and we stock Hagan Nitrate test kits...... AND we also happen to be the supplier of the same test kits to southern cross university's science department, which they then use exclusively to test for nitrates! HAHA! I explained this to Rous Water, yet they continued to tell me "no no no, you must be testing wrong, southern cross uni is gods gift to water testing....."
Needless to say, my council are a bunch of clueless (Alert admin)s.
[quote:e28bf1bc84]my council are a bunch of clueless (Alert admin)s.[/quote:e28bf1bc84]
Surely not. 8O
I find that hard to believe. Council.......(Alert admin)s..........
Same thing in my book.
Yes I know Glen.....It depends on the department. ))o
Gee that is pretty bad Aaron is guess we can count ourselves lucky. :oops:
[quote:c161ae41d0]and they say girls are bitchy![/quote:c161ae41d0] he started it. :P
:idea: Speaking of big red heads, how is it all going Phil?
Also Phil in my dictionary, when you look up Council, it says refer to clueless. :?
Frenchy :D
Kiwi,
I'm great. Good to see you still being the wonderful, charming, understanding, non-confrontational kiwi you always are.
You going to the GC Auction? If so we will have to catch up there.
Don't forget quiet, modest, shy.... :roll:
Dont know about the auction yet? I'm a busy boy, you know.... :lol:
Frenchy :D
No problem.
Hope you can get there.
Should be a few ppl hopefully.
I might even get a few bargins too.
Not knowing what size tank or tanks you've got, or fish you keep there's 3, solutions to your problem.
1. Those cute little plastic fish on nylon.
2. Siamese Fighters
3. Get a 50 ltr plastic tub from Bunnings, buy some Water Hyacinth or other aggressive water plant to put in the tub and stick it in the backyard with your town water.
Hopefully the Hyacinth will strip the Nitrate from the water in a few days.
You could use this on a large or small scale.
If none of the above suit, get a Budgerigar. Thats if the air quality is okay :lol:
Theo
:lol: @ theo...
Yes Ash, what are we going to do without theo. :o
Has washdoc, oops I mean Turtle gone back into his shell. :P Last time you were a 18 year old girl called amanda, this time a red headed bloke. :roll:
You got issues man. :lol:
Frenchy :D
Hehe, good one Theo! :roll:
Yeah, i think i'll get some of those plastic fish..... :lol:
Nah, the oxidization via ozonization method is the easiest for me, works fine too. Been doing it a while now, the ozone renders everything useless eg. chloramines, chlorine, ammonia, nitrites, nitrates etc. by passing off an oxygen molecule to all chemical compounds it comes in contact with (see above list), this is called oxidisation, rendering all the compounds inert. By then carbon filtering, the inert compounds are removed from the water, leaving you with quite pure and clean water. Add some trace elements, salts, buffers etc. and your away!
I ozonise for 24-48 hrs for a 240 litre drum, depending on how shitty the water is, then i carbon filter for 24 hrs, adding salts, buffers etc takes 2 mins. Alot quicker than waiting weeks for plants to absorb nitrates through photosynthesis.
Carbon is cheap, as are the Resun Ozonisers (approx. $149). Almost like RO water at a fraction of the price!
Aaron
guys i agree with all of what you are saying but really do you think we are going to far with what we do to the water??
fish are pretty tolerant and can put up with a far bit......do you really think the water is that good where they come from.
just for example
im sure for one reason or another the ph in L Malawi is not a constant 8.2. rain would effect that like many other things would.
also like uv's, if your using one is your water so clean that when you sell fry or even older fish to someone who isn't it can be to much of a shock to the system.
im not knockin you for what your doing, its just do you think we're going abit over board....
20 even 30 years ago none of this had been thought of and the yellows were as yellow, prob more so, then what they are today, lived as long and breed the same, so whats the advantage????
))o
20-30 years ago the water out of the tap was fresh straight from a natural dam or river etc.
20-30 years ago our councils hadn't discovered how to go overboard with chemicals to make fresh water not so fresh anymore.
20-30 years ago people got by without chemicals in their tap water, but our councils seem to have forgotten this.
By doing what we're doing we're trying to make the water like it was "out of the tap" 20-30 years ago.
very good points arron....
))o