Planted Aquarium, Back to the Natural
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 May 19 2008, 12:39 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang   
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I just bought new 2 feet tank .. Actually wanna do saltwater tank but the pet shop don't have any saltwater fish.. My gf desperate for fish already.. So, there's no choice but to get freshwater fish.. So funny to see crushed coral + wood in fresh water..
 So, now that I have Filter + Lighting + Wood .. Can I add plants? Another question is.. What I have to put into the freshwater? The petshop guy suggest I put some kinda Salt ( Water conditioner stated at the plastic ).. I put 6 scoops as it's stated behind the guide table.. Now my fish become like this :-  Why the hell they sticking on the sand? |
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May 19 2008, 09:32 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(geediver @ May 19 2008, 01:59 AM) Amedion: Dude, if you want a planted tank I suggest you stop adding salt into your tank, and also remove the crushed coral. Both these items will definitely lead to "Kiam chai" syndrome. Meaning you planning on having salted vegetable tank is it? Plus you have Cichlids in there, they'll just uproot your plants. On top of that, your Hang On Back (HOB) filter doesn't really work for a 2 feet tank. Ideally, HOB works for tank sizes 1.5 feet and below. That petshop guy suggest me to add salt.. If I don't add those salt.. The fish can die? Hell, I don't even know what's the name of my fish.. My gf choose while I busy checking out other items.. Ic, so if HOB doesn't work for my tank.. What do you suggest? I tried my Dolphin P-808 powerhead but it create typhoon.. My fish will KO .. QUOTE(presario316 @ May 19 2008, 04:01 AM) Amedion: So, those type of fish can live with plants without salt? For your current Equipment/setup, can only grow some hardy plants like moss/fern/anubias. I think your pH should be slightly higher than 7. and STOP ADDING SALT if you want to add plants. The type of fishes in your tank are call "African ciclids" which prefer pH 7 and above. They are what i call "Fresh water fish with Salt water fishes' color"  How old is this current setup? less than a week? I suggest you cycle yr tank or any fish you add will jsut keep dying. Anyway, if you're interested in cichlids, I've some of these to let go  :  I read it somewhere.. Add a little bit.. Acceptable for plant but it's healthier if no salt at all.. Some fish prefer a little salt.. Since I don't have any plants yet.. I just throw in salts.. I might get those hard-to-die-type plants that can just hang on the wood.. I forget name.. Java moss and what? My bulb is 15w.. If not mistaken.. My tank is around 10~12gallons after deducts the wood and crushed coral.. Sufficient ya? My current setup is just one day old.. One snow white fish already died.. And I read it somewhere again.. It says a new tank don't have beneficial bacteria.. So, the waste creates more ammonia n become toxic to them.. BUt it's just one day old..  .. So, I throw in a Crystal Rock taken from some old tank that filled with water.. Now I don't know what will happen next..Oh yeah.. If possible.. I don't want to go freshwater.. I prefer saltwater.. If you can guide me then it's better.. This post has been edited by Amedion: May 19 2008, 09:33 AM |
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May 20 2008, 09:39 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(nezumitaro @ May 19 2008, 10:25 PM) you hv coral sand. which is a BIG NONO in planted tank. better make up ur mine what u want to keep 1st. don't spend extra money oh. I see .. I already put in a plant .. Added on May 19, 2008, 10:30 pmcichlids tank are no plants tank.. its only sand n rock. cichlids need alkaline, plants need acidic. Wait till the next time I free.. I will swap coral > substrate.. QUOTE(presario316 @ May 19 2008, 10:37 PM) Amedion, Yeah.. I read a lot of grandmother and grandfather story from the net before purchasing.. Now wanna experience it .. I suggest you dont do anything, dont buy anything, dont add anything till you've read enough on the internet. Can google for lots of information on how to cycle a tank. try "Tank cycling". The current fishes in your tank, feed minimum once for 2-3 days. next few day, what you will see is very cloudy water Go read more and you shall know what to do. Very LONG grandmother story if we were to type here.Tank cycling.. I use crystal rock taken from old tank .. Put it in my new aquarium and let it run for a day.. Then only I add fish & plant .. Now my tank got one plant that sticks on wood, 9 fishes & 1 blue lobster.. One of my snow white gone.. The lobster took it into the stomach? Now I'm dry already.. Wait for 1 week and see what gonna happen..  This post has been edited by Amedion: May 20 2008, 12:55 PM |
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May 20 2008, 05:33 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(presario316 @ May 20 2008, 01:27 PM) Amedion: Most probably in the lobster's stomach. What type of fish do u have? i see only Yellow labs, cant make out what are the rest. Take note, cichlids can be pretty aggressive Argh.. I will cook the lobster later when I know what flavor to use.. Added on May 20, 2008, 1:31 pmby the way, i dont understand what you mean by "crystal rock". Just 1 day is insufficient for beneficial bacteria to be established in your tank, on your filter medias, and all surfaces in your tank. Anyway, this is the family :-  Btw, my tank is 1.9x feet length X 0.9x feet width X 1.2x feet depth if not mistaken .. How much gallon is that? Around 14~15, rite...? So, let say I deducts other decoration thing.. Around 12 gallon.. Heard that a tank must cycle 4 times per hour.. Means 48 gallon / 181 liters? The box of my HOB states it is capable of pushing 250L/H .. Is it enough cause I already add another air pump that push 250L/H too.. This post has been edited by Amedion: May 20 2008, 05:33 PM |
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May 20 2008, 06:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(nezumitaro @ May 20 2008, 05:38 PM) can you give cm for ur tank ah? Forget about the size .. I think mine is 15 gallon tank .. Can anyone please let me know where can get live rock or inexpensive flourescent light that is suitable for plant? This post has been edited by Amedion: May 20 2008, 06:47 PM |
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May 21 2008, 09:28 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(Jamien @ May 21 2008, 05:42 AM) I'm sorry for repeating the question but why does Amedion's fish lie on the gravel? @>@ I feel very curious. I think they're still new to my aquarium.. After a day or two, they explore everywhere except lobster's place.. Anyway, this is my tank's size :-  I fill the water till 12inches only & the converter show its 13.xx gallon.. Should I fill it up till 13inches?  Now only I know the fish ( African Cichlids ) that my gf choose can grow to the size of 4" ~ 6 " .. My tank is way too small ..This post has been edited by Amedion: May 21 2008, 11:07 AM |
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May 21 2008, 02:45 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(geediver @ May 21 2008, 02:35 PM) Amedion: Yeah, your tank waaaay tooooo small for the eventual size of your fishes. Most of the commentors so far, presario, nezumitaro and I have long been trying to advice new hobbyists on how to improve and spend less money. The internet is a powerful encyclopedia, if you know how to use it properly. Please read and look for information most relevant to your tank conditions. Don't la follow the advice from hobbyists from colder environments blindly, take it all with a pinch of salt (pun very much intended). Well, it's all my gf's choice .. She wants coral but that is way to expensive for me .. Jamien: the fish all crowd at the bottom got 2 reasons, one reason the wanna see what the corals look like (NOT!); actually like presario said, they checking out/exploring, the other reason being they sucking up the nutrients from the salt (coz they know salt good for their health). These sucking up nutrients not only can be seen with cichlids but especially so with goldfishes and koi too. It helps keep away scaly diseases like ich and white spots (sorry so long never keep fish can't tell the difference anymore). Presario: End of the month harvesting time again, you interested ar? And Giles fatty bom bom coming back next Tuesday, wanna go yum char? So, now I am at the wrong-way-but-still-can-survive-tank .. Mine is Malawi Cichlids Setup ( Rock & Sand with little plant ) .. Will add Java moss and tie it on the Driftwood.. That's the last thing I will do .. Then I will wait for a month and see what happen .. Then only decide what to do .. |
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May 21 2008, 03:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(geediver @ May 21 2008, 02:49 PM) Don't add moss, in the salty environment, the moss will just DIE!!!!! and contribute more dead material to your tank! End up everything dead! I believe it's water conditioner .. Very well then .. Don't add anything.. |
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May 22 2008, 01:46 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(presario316 @ May 22 2008, 01:13 PM) Amedion: Thanks for the tips, bro.. Not necessity to add salt in a Malawi-setup kinda tank you know? or any other fresh water tanks. We add salt for 2 purposes(that i know of) 1) Helps the fishes to generate a layer of coating to protect itself against harmful parasites/illness bla bla bla 2) parasites that causes velvet and white spot/ich (i cant remmeber the name of it) hates salt! For malawi tanks, things you'll need to dose are KH Buffers. You can DIY yours. Search online for the recipe. it's a mixture of baking soda, epsom salt...and somethign else i think. Not very sure. Helps maintain the pH above 7. Cos cichlids require pH that's above 7. Malawi's usually 7-8, Tanganyikans need 8 and above. For your tank size, the only cichlid i can think of are Shell dwellers (Can be found at SLS...ONLY!) Or else, you can try South America cichlids like Apistogamma, Pelvicachromis etc. South America cichlids water parameter is the opposite of african cichlids. Do take note. But they have very nice colorations and their size remain small (those i mention above), about 2 inches. If you really want to have a salt water setup, be prepared to dish in more $$ It's more complicated than just adding SALT! Good luck!The pack of water conditioner / salt I got from PetFamily is suggested by the guy who work there.. I put 4 spoons as instructed.. Now I guess I'll throw it into the dustbin .. I guess my pH is acceptable cause got crushed coral and the water is from filtered tap water ( mix with anti-chlorine ) .. I will get pH tested for the next water change cause now already broke .. So, far two Snow White goes into Lobster's stomach and one Yellow lab died coz the King in my tank killed it .. This is the king :-  Now I will wait and see if my tank can survive for a week or two, then only decide what to do next .. Thought of getting small reef tank because my gf wants colorful fish but after a lot of people said it can cost over RM 1k.. i give up.. Surfed a lot in the net and couldn't find much nice fish.. The nice one are Yellow Labs which is already in my tank .. The fish you suggested is cichlids.. It's nice too but can grow big is size which my tank cannot hold.. Any other fish that looks colorful and cute like clown fish? Any place that I can get a bigger driftwood .. ? |
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May 22 2008, 06:52 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(presario316 @ May 22 2008, 06:14 PM) Ame: Already google after ur first reply to me .. I don't think my gf will like that kinda fierce look of it .. Try google "Pelvicachromis taeniatus" and "Apistogramma". These are soft water fishes, softwater cichlids. NO tank is sufficient if you overstock it with fauna. Your tank will do just nice for a pair of any of these. Apistogramma cacatuoides http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:2Hx2pH...%2520Red%27.jpg Pelvicachromis taeniatus http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:JbSh73...xy/apulcher.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:zyZGt_...61/P1030070.JPG Ame, You used to sell handfons in the forum ? Cichlid all looks so fierce.. Tetra looks like Ikan Bilis ( she said that ) .. I'll try to find more suitable fish .. Yes .. I am handphone seller .. not selling for over 2 years+ already.. |
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May 23 2008, 10:19 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(geediver @ May 22 2008, 11:35 PM) Ame: there's another way... get your gf too chip into the hobby too la. All the I want this I want that, then bf also keliru! eheheh Just kidding. Ask around here, most of the time its the other way around for most of us. Minister of Home Affairs don't approve of our hobbies until much much later. Actually I am not confused .. I know what she want.. Just that I can't make it for her.. She want this :-   This post has been edited by Amedion: May 23 2008, 10:26 AM |
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May 23 2008, 12:47 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(geediver @ May 23 2008, 11:30 AM) Surgeon fish and Nemo? lolx... you both share-share the cost of building it la Impossible to get lar.. The adult size = 12" ..  Need at least 6 ft tank .. Let's forget about saltwater for now.. Anyway, let's discuss my current tank setup first.. On daytime the whether is hot.. Temperature reading for my water is 29c.. So I off the light.. When nighttime.. It reach 26c cause I turn on the aircon.. So, I on the light for a little heat.. Question is -> Is it okay to turn the light off in the night and on at daytime? |
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May 24 2008, 09:47 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(geediver @ May 23 2008, 05:01 PM) Amedion: I'd like to know where your tank is situated. My wildest guess would be your room. Your question is: Yes it is situated in my room ...When to turn the lights on and off? Well the lights are used to simulate natural light, and an aquarium being an unnatural setting, we can only try to simulate or recreate. Hence, try to turn the lights on as close as possible with nature. Remember in nature light comes on gradually, whereas in your tank the light effect is immediately after you hit the switch. Optimum light penetration during the day in nature is between 10am - 2pm. You can try simulating those times too within your tank. Invest in a timer, to set the on/off times of your lights (the time the light is switched on in a planted tank is known as PHOTOPERIOD) Hope this explanation helps. Otherwise you know what to do la... Google some more I was thinking to use the light as heat cause my aircon is cold ... Daytime is freaking hot.. Therefore I dun wan to run on the light to add extra heat.. Now I see the best time to turn on the light is 10am ~ 2pm .. run it for 12~14hours, right? QUOTE(silverwineus @ May 23 2008, 06:07 PM) 26 degrees is ok. But a sudden drop to 25 degrees, sometimes will cause your fish to contract white spots.. I guess my aircon also need time to get cold.. So, It shouldn't be a problem... For the good of your fish, turn on the lights when you on the air-con, but you can turn the lights off when you go for sleep. |
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May 24 2008, 12:17 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(presario316 @ May 24 2008, 11:31 AM) 12-14 hours? too long That's the hours I need to sleep .. later you gonna have a "green tank"....Someone asked the same question in other forum.. The guru there said it is okay to turn on the light in the night as long as ur room don't have any light source from the sun at daytime.. I think mine is good cause my room is dark .. Btw, what substrate you all normally use? How much for 15gallon tank? Does it have dark coloured type / black? This post has been edited by Amedion: May 24 2008, 12:22 PM |
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May 28 2008, 04:25 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(frankzane @ May 28 2008, 02:14 PM) Yup, all got. PetFamily got sell double tube 27w and 36w ...But I want to upgrade my light later as well. Currently, I have two 15W fluorescent light for my 2 feet tank. But i remember someone in this thread told me that it's not enough. The problem is, I can't seem to find a 18" light which has more than 15W!!! |
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May 29 2008, 02:00 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(frankzane @ May 29 2008, 01:16 PM) Ok, but where is PetFamily? Qian Hu The Pet Family (M) Sdn BhdThanks. Added on May 29, 2008, 1:18 pm yes, it is 2x1x1. means i'm still insufficient of 7W!  Block E, Lot 6212, Kg. Baru Balakong, 43300 Balakong, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Tel : (603) 8961 5142 Another branch located at Bukit Tinggi, Klang ( Beside Giant Market ) .. |
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May 30 2008, 09:41 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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Just a quick question here.. Anyone here put the tank in aircon room?
Mine is at 26.5c with aircon at nighttime & 29c at daytime.. Should I do something about it? |
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May 30 2008, 12:19 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(presario316 @ May 30 2008, 12:05 PM) All my tanks are in living room where air cond is usually on from 8-12am. It's not very good for the temperature fluctuations, but fortunately, so far so good. not much problem daytime temperature about 26-27 Celsius. at nite and early morning between 22-24 celsius.  We are in the same country.. Why ur daytime temperature 26~27 only?Nite time 22c !? Mine in aircon room only 26.5c ... You live at Genting Highland?  Mine got a little problem.. At daytime.. The fish stay at the bottom and the colour look like faded.. I guess they're stressed .. This post has been edited by Amedion: May 30 2008, 12:20 PM |
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May 30 2008, 12:45 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(frankzane @ May 30 2008, 12:26 PM) Ok,, thanks. Means two tubes with one socket .. But what do you mean with a double tube? Added on May 30, 2008, 12:28 pm Huh? So got another branch also at Tmn Megah? Ok, thanks. That sounds nearer to my place compare to Balakong. Added on May 30, 2008, 12:33 pm But are ferns, e.g. Java Fern are true aquatic plant? Btw pinchboyz, wat plant is that at the right rear corner (looking to the computer screen)? The one with broad leaves? I tot i wan to get one as well.  Nice tank though! |
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May 31 2008, 12:25 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
3,377 posts Joined: Jul 2005 From: Klang
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QUOTE(nezumitaro @ May 31 2008, 12:07 PM) air-con is the best Impossible to turn the aircon on for 24/7 ... hehe use hand loh   make sure the fins are no colors ya.. some with yellow gold color. they also claim its SAE.. I guess I better get a heater so that the temperature stays at 29c all the time.. Otherwise my fish will get stressed with that 2.5c temperature drop at night when the aircon is turned on .. |
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