Hello All - New member

HarleyC · #1 02-21-2013, 04:28 AM

Thanks All.
First question re water. Heard it best to take as much of the tank water as possible. Then read this interesting article - http://www.fishchannel.com/fish-maga...-aquarium.aspx

Thoughts?

kien · #2 02-21-2013, 04:30 AM

Welcome to the mad house. Check your sanity at the door and enjoy your stay :-)

Oh and don't forget to start a build / tank journal! :-D

Dearth · #3 02-21-2013, 04:57 AM

Welcome back

Open your wallet and start crying---anonymous fish hobbyist

HarleyC · #4 02-21-2013, 05:09 AM

I have started crying already LOL. But, I'm sure I'll be crying a lot more if the wife finds out the real costs associated with this hobby. I used to be able to get away with spending on my last hobby (motorbikes), as I could say I had to have it as it was a safety issue.
What excuses can I use now?

Coralgurl · #5 02-21-2013, 05:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyC

I have started crying already LOL. But, I'm sure I'll be crying a lot more if the wife finds out the real costs associated with this hobby. I used to be able to get away with spending on my last hobby (motorbikes), as I could say I had to have it as it was a safety issue.
What excuses can I use now?

It was on sale, smokin deal, offer too good to pass up. I always get busted either going to or coming from the lfs. One time I was in a store and in walks the bf because he saw my car in the parking lot. He called before he came in to see what I would say.......ooops

Welcome to the board! Great people here!

daplatapus · #6 02-21-2013, 01:43 PM

Welcome!
Ditto on starting a tank journal with lots of pics

Baldy · #7 02-21-2013, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyC

I have started crying already LOL. But, I'm sure I'll be crying a lot more if the wife finds out the real costs associated with this hobby. I used to be able to get away with spending on my last hobby (motorbikes), as I could say I had to have it as it was a safety issue.
What excuses can I use now?

Tell her that if you dont buy it, it could flood the floor. Don't know how long you could use that one for though

HarleyC · #8 02-21-2013, 02:21 PM

thanks guys

albert_dao · #9 02-21-2013, 05:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarleyC

Thanks All.
First question re water. Heard it best to take as much of the tank water as possible.

No, waste of time. Just premix new. Same goes for substrate.

albert_dao · #10 02-21-2013, 05:29 AM

Sorry, I typed that last response with one hand (pizza in the other).

Here's why you don't want to use old water:

1. It is heavy as f***.
2. Salt is pretty good nowadays. As long as you premix it to the proper temp and salinity (use a refractometer), your animals will welcome the change.
3. When you uproot your tank, you will inevitably allow all sorts of nasty wastes and metabolic byproducts into the water column.
4. Bacteria don't just float around in the water column, they are in your rocks.

As far as substrate goes, just get new substrate. Don't use too much. 1-2 cm of a clean coarse gravel will do. I prefer 5-7 mm grain size. It allows you to max out your flow without making sandstorms and is easy to gravel vac.