newbie needs help!!

[AquaB]

Hi,

i used to keep fish many years ago, and i am just setting up a new tank and relighting my love of fishkeeping!

i am about 3 weeks in to the maturing process and currently have 6 lf zebra danios and a couple of pearl gouramis. a few plants/rocks/bogwood etc.

1. the problems i am having are mainly that the water is still very discolured, which i guess is due to the bogwood, but i would of thought it would of cleared by now?

2. im also getting an oily film on the surfacewhich goes away for a day after a 10% change, but comes straight back the following day!?

3. my ph is about 8 at the mo and i want to reduce this to nearer 7, however im using a reducer but it doesnt seem to change? could it be anything to do with some rocks i have introduced? the only problem is i dont know what rocks they are, i pinched them from a park!!?

if anyone can shed anylight on any of these matters i would be grateful!!

thanks,

Alex

[Irish2539]

Hey Alex,

Ye iv got that oily film b4 when i was cycling a tank.. it just went away. No idea what it is..

Have u tested the PH of ur tapwater yet?

Yes those rocks are probably raising the PH... Well depending on the rock. Personally i dont put in random rocks... I buy rocks with neutral PH from my LFS.. But you can collect rocks that dont raise PH.. U just gotta know which ones.. Granite and other igneous rocks u can use....

Also i wudnt Recommend Using Chemicals to lower PH... U Can use peat.. (In Ireland i can just head up the mountains and collect this) or Indian almond leaves (Pretty cheap on ebay). Few others methods as well.

Hope that helps
alex, (yup, we got the same name)

[Brhino]

1. the problems i am having are mainly that the water is still very discolured, which i guess is due to the bogwood, but i would of thought it would of cleared by now?

Is it a brown/tan color? If so, yes, that's from the bogwood. I've had a piece in my tank for over a month now and it's finally starting to lighten up. It's not harmful, but if it bothers you, make sure there's carbon in your filter, and replace it often. That and frequent water changes will help.

[rich311k]

I would do larger changes than 10% try 35-50 much more effective that way.

The brown will go away eventually, try running carbon in your filter and changing it every week.

The film is from proteins in the food and waste. try to feed a bit less and increase surface agitation.

[Northernguy]

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!
rich gave great info.
Also read the free ebook.The link is below in my sig.There is lots of valuable info in there.I am sure it will help.
Also test for ammonia ,nitrites and nitrates.Your ph is fine and that stuff to lower it is not good for your fish.Its best to leave it stable.
A liquid test kit is best.Test strips are worthless.

[AquaB]

Thanks guys/gals,

alot of good tips there!! can get very confusing as my 2 local shops seem to contradict each other in terms of advice!!

does anyone know of any sites that can tell me what rocks can and cant be used in an aquarium? ideally with pics so i can identify the ones i have!

Also, whats the best way to get rid of algae growth on plants and bogwood?
should i just wait til i can introduce some algae loving vertebrate!?

thanks again,

Al

[AquaB]

Welcome to the Fabulous AC!
rich gave great info.
Your ph is fine and that stuff to lower it is not good for your fish.Its best to leave it stable.


My water is ph8 out the tap. I am hoping to reduce this to about 7 with a plan to keep dwarf chiclids and some rarer plecs/cats. i will stop using the chem reducer, but i need to get it down. is peat any good?

thanks

[Northernguy]

Most rocks are fine.I prefer slate,granite,marble and quartz.They have all proven to be safe.
With white vinager you can test the rocks.Pour a bit on and if it fizzes it will raise your ph.If it does not it will not do anything.
Driftwood will lower ph a bit.
Make sure the rocks are clean and set up so they will not move and crush a fish.
Do not boil .I use a steel brush under hot tap water.
I also clean my driftwood and rocks with a steel brush under hot tap water.
Do not clean any filter parts with tap water.Only old tank water.
Peat in the filter works well.
What is the ph in the tank?
It usually is lower in the tank.

[tanks4thememories]

the film is from the nitrification process it is a good sign that you have plenty of bacteria present. I imagine from the time table it is the 1st kind and you are now working on the ones that turn nitrite into nitrate. Some people see it others don't.

[tanks4thememories]

My water is ph8 out the tap. I am hoping to reduce this to about 7 with a plan to keep dwarf chiclids and some rarer plecs/cats. i will stop using the chem reducer, but i need to get it down. is peat any good?

thanks

I would suggest using RO water. Or letting your water sit in a container with peat in it before you use it in your tank. The reason being if you lower your tank ph to 7 and you have 8 coming out of tap then when you do wc there is a strong chance you will shock your fish depending on what % of your tank water you change. So if you wish to keep your tank water at 7 I suggest you come up with some system to get it lower before you add it to the tank. Having driftwood in your tank is a great stable choice for keeping PH at a decent level.