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RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:56:44 GMT

I have 2 computers,this new one and my 486 from when I ran a computer bulleten on before the internet days.I used the dos text editor to make up the sheets then printed them out(used my old dot matrix) on the 486.I then punched 3 holes in the pages and put them in a file foldler,one set for each tank.I keep them on a small table beside the tanks so I can just pick them up,read the data there and add new data.....funny though this computer is only 3ft away from the tanks:P.

RE: has anyone.....

math-only aquarium — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:55:54 GMT

Hello Again,

I know what you mean. I use computer programs for just about everything now, but a simple peice of paper is still the best tool for raw data collection (IMO).

MOA

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:50:44 GMT

All the wood and rock work will be in the tank by the end of Aug.,Sept.1st I will add half the water, the plants then the rest of the water. when this is done I will test for PH,amonia,nitrite,nitrate,Kh and GH. all these tests will be performed and recorded(made up datasheets for the set-up and testing,one for the fish and one for the plants) every week.after 4 wks if all is well i will begin to add fish 3 at a time,if after 4 wks. all is still iffy I will cycle another 2 wks.I will have a hard copy record(sheets for each tank) of all that is going into and going on in my tanks.I know in this day and age there is probably a computer data base for this,but computers crash,paper doesn't(that is uless you make an airplane out of it),call me old fashioned, but I like to be able to pick up something and read it rught away and not have to wait for a computer program;)

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 22:34:44 GMT

Perhaps the lava rock with the Malaysian wood will balance each other out. I know that lava rock is quite an abrasive stone so any I use will smoothed out a bit with some sandpaper ans will be covered with jave moss and other plants that will attach to rock or wood. Seeing that the peice of LAve rock is so large I will break it down some and then use it to form caves around the tank.Years ago I used lava rock but had smaller peices and would carve hollows in them with a drill and round file. Sometimes I would cover a flower pot split in half with silicone(aquarium) and stick pieces of lava rock and gravel to the pot,looked really nice and somewhat natural,at least the fish enjoyed them.

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:19:42 GMT

I am not going to use the PH down in the tank, I use it to test rocks:). The lava rock will be used to form caves and such and it will be coverd with java mossAnd other plants that will grow attached to it. I wonder if the tannins from the Malaysian wood and the lava rock sort of make things a little more neutral in the tank? If I use anything to keep a blackwater type of tank I will use peat or blackwater extract. Some people think a blackwater tanks dulls the fishes colours, for me it has always been the opposit,at least with the proper lighting.;)

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 11:08:02 GMT

This a brand new 75gal. set-up,I will have everything in the tank and ready to go by the end of the month. Sept 1st I will add the water and check all ther paremiters....Amonia,nitrite,nitrate,PH, KH&GH then record them( made up data sheets for this and one for plants and one for fish) The tank will cycle fishless(but with plants) for 4 weeks with testing every wk..If everything is ok after 4wks. I will start to add fish 3 or 4 at a time allowing one week between additions(and checks of the water conditions) each wk. until I have the tank fully populated.If after the initial 4 wks. things are off, I will cycle longer until is where it is right for the fish. All the fish will be South American except for the possibility of some threadfin rainbows & khuli loach's.

RE: has anyone.....

math-only aquarium — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 09:09:24 GMT

Hell Again,

Lava rock doesn't affect pH much, actually, and is one of the safer types of rocks (provived you smooth out the rough edges). As to the HCl/vinegar test, I wasn't referring to pH--I meant testing for calcium and magnesium. If you pour acid on a rock and it starts to fizz (react), then it usually contains calcium or magnesium salts that can raise hardness and bring the pH up. The acid test is a quick way to see if a rock is safe for aquarium use.

BTW, pH down can have some nasty reactions is a biologically complex tank (i.e., blackwater tank). As such, you may want to find a more natural method of altering pH like peat or using distilled water, etc.

MOA

RE: has anyone.....

FattFishy — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:40:17 GMT

You might want to watch the pH. Have your KH tested before you get the driftwood; your pH might crash if you have a low KH of 4.5dKH or lower.

I didn't really want it...

driftwood = tannins = blackwater (I really don't like how it looks... my opinion, not yours!) = pH drop (I have a KH of 5 so I'm not too worried if I did get driftwood) = somewhat happy fish because of pH drop

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 04:20:02 GMT

Hmmmm Malaysian wood=tanins,tanins=blackwater,blackwater=happy tropicals......FISH store here I come:cool:

RE: has anyone.....

rich311k — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:48:43 GMT

Most of my wood is Malaysian. I like the color of it. It does leach quite a bit of tannins though.

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 20:39:10 GMT

I think it should be safe it is for sale at my LFS,I don't use vinager I use PH down, a little stronger,a little more reliable. I live in Hamilton Ontario and the city is right on the Niagera eascarpement,I am going for a walk with a friend tomoorw to a waterfall and stream 5 minutes from my place,lots of shale and slate and other rocks....cheaper than the fish stores $3-$5/LB.Might even find some sunken tree roots if lucky I was offered a peice of lava rock today,it is about twice the size of a basketball, but I heard it affects the PH.

RE: has anyone.....

math-only aquarium — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:09:22 GMT

Wef the rock is igneos or metamorphic and passes the HCl test (vinegar works as a substitute), then it should be perfectly alright for aquarium use.

MOA

RE: has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 10:14:52 GMT

Unfortuatly I do not have a picture, it is white and brown and looks like a big pile of spagetti with very little sauce;).I want all the tanins I can get as I am leaning towards a black water South American set up,at least in one tank.Each week my tank is cycling I will change 5 to 10 gal. of water to use for top ups later on and for my quarentine tank.

RE: has anyone.....

math-only aquarium — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 08:55:15 GMT

Hello,

Do you have a picture of spaghetti rock?

As to the Malaysian wood, I'm familiar with it. Lots of tannins and has a slightly higher decay rate than other woods. As such, it should be boiled several times (5-10 times; 5-10 water changes while boiling) and should be allowed to soak for 2-13 weeks (depending on just how tannin-free you want it to be) before being used in the aquarium. Other than that, it's actually a very suitable wood for aquarium use. (I like Locust better, though.)

MOA

has anyone.....

GRUBYGUPPY — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 06:43:36 GMT

Has anyone used spaghetti rock and or malaysian wood in their tanks? Any info would be appreciated.