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Hooray!

I almost suspected this site dead with a lot of the regulars not posting anymore. Glad to hear from you Robyn and I am happy to tell that my plants will arrive tomorrow evening. I ordered from aquariumplants.com. So yes, expect some (desastrous) pictures this weekend! Can't wait to get the wet hobby going again but it will be tough here - last Saturday I visited another highly recommended store (online reviews) and again, a huge disappointment. Ridiculously high prices, no selection and fish not in great condition. thanksfully there is the Internet. If I am unable to retrieve Ramses and company from my favorite fish store I will order discus online.

Claudia

UPDATE: I planted the new plants, added the driftwood and petrified wood for 'hardware' and filled the tank. So far so good, holding water. However, two of the four 6,700 compact lights of my Coralife light fixture are dead (probably not so surprising for a long distance move) and I am in desperate need of a replacement as some of the new plants are high-light-fans. To make this little enterprise all the more enjoyable, the Eheim filter refused to start and I had to do a manual job.
No pictures for now as the water is totally turbid (Eco-Complete for substrate), the current needs adjustment, lights as well and two pieces of the driftwood are weight down by pieces of slate. Nothing to post in the planted aquaria sectino of enjoyment.
On the brght side, the water here is very soft and I will not need Ro water for a 'mixer' to accommodate discus and other soft water fish I am so fond of.

Well, at least you are started now & I'm sure you'll have your lights sorted out soon. Look forward to the pictures.

Shame your LFS are proving less than satisfactory, but you are lucky that you can get quality discus on line. Not so easy here. Still thinking of calling for Ramses & your originals???

Look forward to seeing your pictures son.

Cheers
TW

Hi Claudia,
It's good that the move is over and you are ready to go!
Are the bulbs themselves bad or is it the canopy
that houses them that has gone bad? Plug them in
and see which work and which don't, then replace the
working bulbs with those that aren't coming on.
If they work, then the canopy is the problem, if they
don't work then they need to be replaced.

Frequently rough handling will break the filaments in
the bulbs, and just as frequently, it can cause wires
to come loose in the canopy. The first is an easy,
though expensive repair. The second could be easy
to check connections for tightness and integrity,
or, even more expensive if the housing needs to
be replaced.

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Frank -


tha's what I am afraid of .. I will check the bulbs tonight when I get home. I wanted to order new ones right away but I am reluctant to do so as I might need repair of the fixture instead.

Thanks for the suggestion, though, even if it confirms my worst fears.

Claudia

BTW, it was in the tripple digits yesterday and
today... Miserable, but I guess you two would love it..

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Help!

I am thoroughly PO - tried to test the CF light bulbs to discover that it is almst impossible to remove these darn things without damage from their sockets. The problem is the 4 pins that feel like glued to it! During the first attempt, the white cap at the end of the bulb came off and some corroded material came out! The second went better but not without damage.

Now I have to order new bulbs in the hope that it is the bulbs and not the fixture that is damaged. Is there a way to change these bulbs easier and without the danger of damaging the bulb?

FRAAANK?

Hi,
Wow!
If this "stuff" does not apply skip it and use what does.

I've never had any of my CF bulbs act as yours have.
Mine have 4 "box" pattern pins and when I lift the end
of the glass bulb the socket hinges swing open and the
bulb lifts right out of the socket. The reverse happens
when inserting new bulbs, Simply set the pins into the
holes and push the bulb back down so it is horizontal and
"clicks" into place. I'm more worried about the metal
clamps that hold the far end of the bulbs in place.
Each time I replace the bulbs I have to hold the clamps
open as I'm afraid if I snap them into the clamps they
are so substantial that I think they would shatter the
glass!

If yours are sticking as it sounds like they are, it
it sounds as if you have moisture directly from the tank
getting into them where it evaporates and calcium carbonate
is building up over time. There should be a piece of glass
or plastic that "seals" the light side of the canopy from
the tank. That prevents moisture (splash-back) from getting
into the assembly, and also prevents any condensation from
getting into the canopy when the lights are turned off
and cooling.

It also sounds like they may be running hot. Heat and age
are the main reasons for the plastic and/or sealant in
the bases to be cracking. By "Hot" it sounds like
there is no fan on the canopy, or that the fan is
running slow due to dirt/dust build up, or the intake filter for the fan is clogged. I've replaced my fan
once in 15 years. I purchased an "industrial" one
with quality roller bearings. and I used an old piece
of panty hose, the panty part as the replacement filter.

The cause(s) along with the above, also be one of age.
Remember, for us (fish keepers & aquatic Gardener's) the
bulbs should be changed annually, and not wait till they
cease to come on or start flickering to change them out.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi Frank,

thanks for your post. I was initially also concerned that water might be the culprit but everything inside the fixture looked very tidy, no sign of any water built up and the Chicago region where the tank was set up has some pretty hard water. I received the new bulbs two days ago and putting them in was very easy (my fixture has straight pins). I did not squeeze the caps way back onto the pins, just till I heard it snap. I suspect that the peson in the factory who assembled this unit overdid it and combined with the considerable heat that develops, some melting had taken place. The fixture has a nicely working fan and I check regularly for excessive heat.

Now, onto the real disaster that took place: I planted the new plants, turned on the lights, and pang, almost no light. So far not so good but it turned far worse within 36 hours when all the stem plants started melting, followed by the crypts and eventually almost everything else. Dead plant tissue everywhere. I've never seen anythuiing like this before.
Now, with the new lights and a 30% water change yesterday and a very small one today to remove rotting plant parts, things are starting to turn around and I can see some tiny, bright green leaves poking through the substrate. Still a mess. I tried to determine hardness and got no reading at all so I went to the store that is recommended for having a small aquatic section and good cat food ...

This place looks like the light that you see at the end of the tunnel. They have nicely maintained tanks with a small selection of fish that changes every week, plenty of equipment, two tanks with aquatic plants AND knowledgeable, friendly staff. I left with a new gravel vac, a list of other vondors in the area (!), an invitation and info to join the local aquatic society of which they are members and the information that the water is as soft as it can get - a discus keepers dream, except for the pH. A strapping 9.0 reading straight out of the tap! Reason being that quite a few of the lovely old brownstones in my new/old hometown are still equipped with pipes containing lead.

The guys think that the bacteria in the Eco-Complete got some unwanted company during the prolonged period in the plastic bags. I consider it likely that this caused the melt down. They suggest to do regular, almost daily small water changes (small because of the pH that breaks down rapidly but large water changes present a problem and are dangerous). Any ideas, also with respect to the discus that I want to keep? I can not"bubble" or "ripen" the water as they suggested in huge containers prior to doing water changes - alternatively the use of 'discus buffer' to lower the pH was recommended as it will crash naturally from 9.0 within short period of time to 6.0.

Any suggestions welcome

Sounds like you have had a few dramas, but you seem to be getting on top them now. Glad you've finally found a LFS you like.

You're asking for suggestions about discus. So, have you decided not have Ramses & company shipped to you?

Well, if I lived in the US & was able to access wild discus at reasonable prices - that's what I'd be going for. Now I know you won't want to include the infamous Heckel - but I have seen such beautiful pictures of other types of wilds on the net. Besides that, I love my domestics, eg albino, alenquer, rose red, blue diamond & turks. Have I left anything out?

9pH out of the tap. Gee, I thought mine was high at around high 7's or 8. I use C02 to control my pH, so I can't say what buffers work best. Seachem is such a good brand, that I'm sure their Discus Buffer would be fine???

When you have pictures to share, I'd love to see them.

Cheers, Robyn

Cheers
TW

Claudia ...Hi ...Sounds like you've had a hell of a time during and after your move . Sorry I've been absent ..Computer trouble .
I don't like using buffers for PH issues , I'd test how much difference a standard water change makes to your whole tanks PH. I've found over time that higher PH new water doesn't change the PH of the whole tank very much but I don't have 9.0 Ph .
You could use Seachems Acid Buffer on your new water , but in my experience you'll go nuts trying to get it right.

Hope you sort it out and get the tank settled soon ..love to see some photos of course .

Garry

Gary!!!

I am so pleased to see you back in action - I hope that the computer trouble is sorted out and over. I am having trouble here as well but it is all work-related ... stress and very little time to post. Now that you are back I will have to get up to speed again:

I have added fish - a dozen tiny neon tetras. They were the only fish in purchase condition and fitting for a South American discus-themed tank (plus I wanted a change from the rummies). Now that I have ultra soft water coming out of the tap I want to keep some of the small fish that I did not want to subject to medium hard water.
Regarding your suggestion wih buffer: for bigger changes I will have to add buffer as the change in pH will be too much but I have a project: titration to mnimize the amount of it.

BTW, I think you tried R. wallichii with little success in the long run, right? I gave up on it as it looked awful within short time and I had read that this plant needs soft water. I had to give it a try and guess what? It is absolutely beautiful with bright red tops in the new set up. See here and the pic does not do it justice:


I got a dwarf lily on the way back from NYC and it forgot about dwarfism:

Didiplis diandra is also doing well

Here is a plant that I had to try as well - suppossedly it stays small, it is called 'Hygro Kompact', please pardon the quality of the shot


Some of the neons, well fed and always fighting. I am quite surprised about this behavior as they hardly school at all. I had to wait to get this shot


Now here is a project for a dedicated aquascaper: no layout at all. After the initial bacteria-mediated melt down, I was too scared to change much and allowed plants to settle in. Suggestions? I mean it - no discus yet and the plants are fairly established by now:


Waiting for (constructive) criticism but you can bang me over the head as well

Claudia

Claudia... Before any criticisms of the 'Scape' perhaps you best fill us in on your plan ...you do have a plan? or at least a preferred look that you want ... Do you want a River ..an Island ...A Beach etc ...Maybe then we can help.
On the R. wallichii front it went really well for me in the 60g for about 3 to 4 months then just died off and looked crap. One thing you have to do I think is cut the tops of and replant those and dispose of the bottoms ...PIA I know ...but it may be the only way to have it stay looking nice.

Neons ...don't get me started ..I have about 20 odd in the 60g and you are lucky to see 6 at a time ...they never school like Rummies do ...haven't seen them fight though ..probably do it out of sight . I heard that if you have a lightly planted tank and Discus they will school for protection from the big fish ...but I did not work for me with Angels .

Look forward to seeing your ideas for your scape .


Garry

I like your hygro compact. Interested to see it's progress.

I don't know if it's true or not, but I have mostly read that cardinals are better in a discus tank than neons are. Be warned though, apparently some discus like to hunt them by night, while they are small. I'm growing my cardinals up in the 72G, before I add them to the discus tank, after having read someone say "discus like to hunt cardinals by night & then pretend they know nothing about it by day".

Look forward to seeing more pictures. I guess by now, you have decided not to fly your fishy friends to your new home.

Cheers
TW

Clauda ...just let us know you are there . We are watching !!!!


Garry

I know it's been a long, long time. Finally an update and some more fish!Robyn was corrct to assume that Idecided against flying the discus and companions to my new home. Too much of a hazzle and it took a very long time until the tank was finally ready for more fish. Last weekend I finally got something 'bigger' into the talk:

this is what the tank looks like right now as everybody can see, I did not turn into a dedicated aquascaper yet. At least, no algae problems, no meltdown anymore. I had a huge and pretty sword that decided to develop flowers (approximately 30 cm out of the water), but when I cut them off, the plant was not exactly grateful and developed nasty holes in the leaves. It looked almost like a Madagaskar Lace plant. If anyone knows what type of deficiency could have caused this, please let me know!

Out it went and in camethe new inhabitants. Garry, they are for you!
Power in numbers! They are only quarter-sized and afraid of the neons ...
and another close up

Theseare wild caught P. Leopoldi and supposedly more aggressive than the mild mannered, tank raised P. scalare. So far, I haven't noticed any of this. Quite to te contrary, they shy away from almost everything, a little bit of a discus-like behavior.

Reddish plants are doing fine, see M. tuberculatum and I did a big trimming two days ago


Next week, I will add dwarf cichlids, they have very nice Bolivian Rams in the store I bought the Leopoldis. Unfortunately, the store is a good 40 minute-drive away from home and shipments of fish take there time to arrive. That's it for now!

welcome back claudia

Looking nice & the angels look very happy.

So, I guess there are to be no more round fish for you?

Cheers
TW

Hi Robyn,

so good to hear from you! I am taking a short break from round fish, nothing more. I decided on this because I will move within the next 6 months or so again and do not want to move juvenile discus at this point. The time frame that was required to get this tank up and running again got me thinking and I know that my job will not leave me with enough time to take the next move at a leisurely pace. Plus, I want to upgrade to a larger tank for the round fish, 150G is what I have in mind.

The wild, little Leopoldis are cute but they are by no means boisterous as the shop owner told me. More like discus - hiding.

I have to check your tanks ...

Claudia

Changing cities again, or just moving somewhere more permanent?

Moving tanks is such a pain. 2 weekends ago, I moved contents of the 4ft tank (African cichlids) into the 3ft (the divided one, ex honeymoon suite). Plants from the divided 3ft went into the 4ft & some into the 7ft. Took me all weekend to clean out & swap everying over, & I wasn't even moving house, so I don't envy you your upcoming task.

I wondered about the round fish thing, as lots of people say that you shouldn't mix angels & round fish.

Sounds like you have a good plan. Hope you enjoy your time with Angels, but hope you do come back to round fish. It's been nice to share my love for them with someone who understands the passion.

Cheers
TW

Wow, i can't believe you've found leopoldi's Ive been looking for them everywhere, even online, but i cant find a single place that stocks them.

But anyway, they all look amazing And I love how they all shoal together in a tight pack.

Hi,

I don't know where you are located but if you are US and really want these fish, Isuggest that you contact the store I got mine from. They ship within the US!

The link is htpp://www.unclenedsfishfactory.com

Mine were reasonably priced (considering that the Northeast is expensive).

Hi Cat,
You might want to double check your typing.
The link takes you to an "Unknown Site."

Frank

-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

Hi Frank:


This is what I copied, please type it in if it is not working

http://unclenedsfishfactory.com/

The site comes up, guaranteed

Hi Cat,
This time it worked. I dunno...
Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--