Show me your aquarium

[Caddyshack]

EmilA said:

He didn’t make it overnight . Still going to get a water test done

The solution to pollution is dilution.

Do some 25% water changes

Test for ammonia and nitrite.

[rider73]

So, we had a power cut at some point in the weekend and my lights didn't come on for I don't know how long because the clock on its timer needed resetting
How does one prevent the things. Especially as I'm about to buy an auto feeder too

[EmilA]

Caddyshack said:

The solution to pollution is dilution.

Do some 25% water changes

Test for ammonia and nitrite.

I did a 1/3 change on Friday. Tend to do this every week.
Water tests tomorrow and then take next steps.

[ThunderSpook]

rider73 said:

So, we had a power cut at some point in the weekend and my lights didn't come on for I don't know how long because the clock on its timer needed resetting
How does one prevent the things. Especially as I'm about to buy an auto feeder too

I had the opposite problem. I have a Fluval Smart light and we lost power when I was on holiday a week or so ago (not sure how long in to the holiday). It then loses its schedule and remains on permanently until you connect your phone to it by Bluetooth to update the schedule.

[rider73]

ThunderSpook said:

rider73 said:

So, we had a power cut at some point in the weekend and my lights didn't come on for I don't know how long because the clock on its timer needed resetting
How does one prevent the things. Especially as I'm about to buy an auto feeder too

I had the opposite problem. I have a Fluval Smart light and we lost power when I was on holiday a week or so ago (not sure how long in to the holiday). It then loses its schedule and remains on permanently until you connect your phone to it by Bluetooth to update the schedule.

i've seen these like tiny UPS's , they usually have a 3 pin socket and some usb - given the light and pump are such low voltage perhaps i could get something like that....
alternatively
given that led light and *maybe* the pump are low powered they could be converted to run from USB???? which i could then hook up to a powerpack thats on permanent charge until power cut - then it kicks in?

[EmilA]

Had a water test done. No issues bar the PH which was 6.8.

Think its time to do a 50% water change and been advised to move the filter as high as I can aswell.

[Caddyshack]

EmilA said:

Had a water test done. No issues bar the PH which was 6.8.

Think its time to do a 50% water change and been advised to move the filter as high as I can aswell.

The PH would not worry me at all, a stable PH is the key. Use liquid tests and check at various times of day to look for swings.

Also check the tap water for nitrate (not nitrite) and then compare the tank water nitrate. Again, test the tap at various times, especially after lots of rain as some farmers fields can run off. I have seen way off a normal test kit max straight out of the tap and other times not even a trace from the same supply.

[EmilA]

So the stores seem to tell me to not bother with buying strip kits to test, and just tell me to bring them a sample. This is advise from different stores that I spoke before buying a tank and more recently. Some offer the tests for free, others charge. I would have imagined the free stores would want a sale..

So which test kits can the PH collective recommend please.

[Sway]

EmilA said:

So the stores seem to tell me to not bother with buying strip kits to test, and just tell me to bring them a sample. This is advise from different stores that I spoke before buying a tank and more recently. Some offer the tests for free, others charge. I would have imagined the free stores would want a sale..

So which test kits can the PH collective recommend please.

API for freshwater.

[Turn7]

Agreed, APi kit is good value and decent .

Buy one and test your tap water , you still haven’t told us what the Nitrates are from the tap.

[J4CKO]

You guys got any good tips on water changes ?

How to speed them up for example, gone from 120 to 240 litres so will take a bit too long with a couple of buckets I expect, I use a syphon and then fill from the tap, mixing in a bit of hot so not tipping super cold water in, adding a bit of tap safe as I go.

Seen one where it has a long hose so you can dump the water outside, tried a hose and pump which worked but the hose was prone to kinking.

[Sway]

Python is very good apparently for this.

The fluval fx filters make water changes easy - a drain tap on the base, hose fed out the window to water the plants (never waste water change water, it's superb for the garden!).

Aquaroll water carrier thingy filled with temperate water and tapsafe, then it gets sucked into the tank by the filter.

[EmilA]

Thanks will purchase that. Tap water has not been tested yet. But from the tests done before, it was always 0 on nitrates.

Assume this is the one that is the best one to get;

https://apifishcare.com/product/freshwater-master-...

Or stick to the test strips, or PH test kit only?

Edited by EmilA on Wednesday 14th August 12:50

[J4CKO]

Sway said:

Python is very good apparently for this.

The fluval fx filters make water changes easy - a drain tap on the base, hose fed out the window to water the plants (never waste water change water, it's superb for the garden!).

Aquaroll water carrier thingy filled with temperate water and tapsafe, then it gets sucked into the tank by the filter.

I have this one,

https://fluvalaquatics.com/uk/shop/product/307-can...

Will that work with this model ?

[Sway]

J4CKO said:

Sway said:

Python is very good apparently for this.

The fluval fx filters make water changes easy - a drain tap on the base, hose fed out the window to water the plants (never waste water change water, it's superb for the garden!).

Aquaroll water carrier thingy filled with temperate water and tapsafe, then it gets sucked into the tank by the filter.

I have this one,

https://fluvalaquatics.com/uk/shop/product/307-can...

Will that work with this model ?

Unfortunately not, only the bigger FX series.

This might help though: https://www.completeaquatics.co.uk/python-7-5m-nos...

Tbh, that's a lot more than I thought it'd be, and for transparency I've never used one but have heard they're good from a mate, not a random!

[Sway]

EmilA said:

Thanks will purchase that. Tap water has not been tested yet. But from the tests done before, it was always 0 on nitrates.

Assume this is the one that is the best one to get;

https://apifishcare.com/product/freshwater-master-...

Or stick to the test strips, or PH test kit only?

Edited by EmilA on Wednesday 14th August 12:50

Yep, that's a good one.

You'll only use ammonia or nitrite when there's a proper issue you're trying to hunt down. pH and nitrate are the core freshwater tests.

0 nitrate actually isn't a good thing - water too clean. I'd be damned surprised too as source water 'likely' has nitrates.

Test strips are awful, avoid. Very quick and easy (and cheap) but hopeless in terms of results.

[Caddyshack]

EmilA said:

Thanks will purchase that. Tap water has not been tested yet. But from the tests done before, it was always 0 on nitrates.

Assume this is the one that is the best one to get;

https://apifishcare.com/product/freshwater-master-...

Or stick to the test strips, or PH test kit only?

Edited by EmilA on Wednesday 14th August 12:50

You might be lucky and have 0 nitrate at the tap but you would expect some nitrates in the tank as it is a by product of a working filter. Defo use Api liquid tests.

[J4CKO]

Sway said:

J4CKO said:

Sway said:

Python is very good apparently for this.

The fluval fx filters make water changes easy - a drain tap on the base, hose fed out the window to water the plants (never waste water change water, it's superb for the garden!).

Aquaroll water carrier thingy filled with temperate water and tapsafe, then it gets sucked into the tank by the filter.

I have this one,

https://fluvalaquatics.com/uk/shop/product/307-can...

Will that work with this model ?

Unfortunately not, only the bigger FX series.

This might help though: https://www.completeaquatics.co.uk/python-7-5m-nos...

Tbh, that's a lot more than I thought it'd be, and for transparency I've never used one but have heard they're good from a mate, not a random!

Yeah, atched a video review of the FX series and realised that the utility valve was the key bit on the FX Series, had seen the Pythin so will likely get one of those.

Tank is full and up to temp, put about 50 litres of water in from my old tank and some ball things in the fish shop recommended for providing the required bacteria, gave it a while and volunteered four Black Widow as the advance party as they seem about as hardy as any fish I have have so can get the poop cycle going a bit before introducing any of the more highly strung fish.

All still alive after a day and happily swimming round, will add a few more over the coming days.

[extraT]

J4CKO said:

You guys got any good tips on water changes ?

How to speed them up for example, gone from 120 to 240 litres so will take a bit too long with a couple of buckets I expect, I use a syphon and then fill from the tap, mixing in a bit of hot so not tipping super cold water in, adding a bit of tap safe as I go.

Seen one where it has a long hose so you can dump the water outside, tried a hose and pump which worked but the hose was prone to kinking.

I use an old internal filter pump + aquarium tubing. To refill I literally disconnect the tube, hold it up high to discharge the water into the sink. An hose type adaptor for the tap and then just literally push the tube on the adaptor and refil, adding dechlorinate directly into my tank.

Complicated to type out, easier in reality

[EmilA]

As a precaution did a 7 day treatment for fin rot in the tank. Then a 50% water change & a good brushing of the tank. Somehow still missed a few areas!

All of the larger decorations were also removed so cleaned throughout the stones properly aswell.

Added a new betta in yesterday and so far so good. Been checking the water and no issues thankfully.