New to this

[Zulaab]

Re: New to this

Cberry,

I use these two test strips :
Ammonia :  http://www.junglelabs.com/pages/details.asp?item=TK300
6 in 1 for Chlorine, pH, Nitrate, Nitrite, Hardness, and Alkalinity : http://www.junglelabs.com/pages/details.asp?item=TK880

Then get a true tester kit for when you really need to be accurate... like everyone else will tell you the strips I have found are good to test the extreme, ie "there is NO ammonia" in the water.. "there is NO NO2 or NO3 in the water or there is only a little in there not extreme.  Get accurate numbers when there is a problem and at least accurate numbers once every 2-4 weeks when things are going well..

I use the strips once a week and write down the information so I know what is going on in the tank.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New to this

Make sure you check for expiration dates on the test kits......after they expire they can and will give false readings and a lot of the LFS that don't sell much of the test strips will still have old kits on the shelves.

I accidentally bought an expired kit and the readings were through the roof! Tested with a known good tester and it read totally different from the strips but did show the correct reading.

[Cberry]

Re: New to this

That sounds like something that would happen to me.  Except I probably would have believed the readings went down and spent a bunch of money on chemicals to get levels back.

[eklikewhoa]

Re: New to this

I personally would not use much chemicals to get the params set....most of what matters are out of whack if there is a problem that needs attention to be solved not patched with a quick fix shot of chemicals.....just my 0.02 worth.

[Cberry]

Re: New to this

While I'm getting this great advice does anyone know the best way to remove calcium deposits on an aquarium?  I just got another tank and it has white stains on the inside of the glass.  I've been scrubbing this tank for the last hour and not getting anywhere.

searched and found an article on Vinegar that didn't work either.

[wvgdiscus]

Re: New to this

Mixture of clorax & water 1 part clorax to 10 part water. You will have to let it set for 24 hours. Make sure you rinse it out very very well. Also prime will help remove the clorax as well. If that does not work, then a straight razor & a lot of elbow grease.

[armthehomeless]

Re: New to this

Razor Blades can be helpful in removing calcium deposits

[Cberry]

Re: New to this

thanks

[armthehomeless]

Re: New to this

http://houstonfishbox.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=329&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

[Anonapersona]

Re: New to this

While I'm getting this great advice does anyone know the best way to remove calcium deposits on an aquarium?  I just got another tank and it has white stains on the inside of the glass.  I've been scrubbing this tank for the last hour and not getting anywhere.

searched and found an article on Vinegar that didn't work either.

I've never actualy bought a new tank, after 7 tanks, so I've had some experience with cleaning old ones! IMO, CLR (calcuim, rust, lime remover -- from grocery bath cleaner section) is the best. Pour some in a bowl and use a toothbrush, take your time, if it is fizzing it is working. I use this to clean filter tubing that is junky, the tank lid, anywhere deposits have collected. Rinse well and then rinse again.

I attack in this order. First I try Kosher Salt, with my fingers. It cannot scratch glass but is sort of rough. Then try vinegar. Know that you are attacking a combination of proteins and calcuim so you may need to work through layers of stuff, so go back and forth with salt and vinegar, it is OK to mix them. This will take off maybe half of the problems.

Eventually I go to CLR, it rinses clean. Use an old toothbrush, not your fingers! If I am desperate, I will go to a brand new razor -- but I hate to do that, I find it too easy to scratch the glass or to cut myself. Finally, there may be some faint shadows that will not come off, you can't feel them but you can see them faintly. They tend to be under where a suction cup was for a long time apparently. I've had to just turn the tank around, or mount my heater in the same place to hide those ghost spots.

Look for 15% acid vinegar, Pickling Vinegar, try Fiesta they used to carry it. But regular white vinegar does a fair job.

I don't recommend bleach, it is too hard to rinse off and it won't attack hardwater deposits at all. I have used Oxiclean on things that needed that sort of cleaning. Oxiclean rinses clean.

Needless to say, do this in the sink or in the yard, not near fish! And, your trees won't appreciate much salt so use sparingly if you are in the yard. You can clean a tank in the bathtub if you line it with thick towels first.

[jagness]

Re: New to this

I've usually heard and recommended at least a 70 gallon for one oscar when it's larger.

That's not a bad rule of thumb for a full grown Oscar.

Also, I definitely wouldn't put Parrots in that 55. First, there's the hybrid issue. But in my experience they also don't do well with aggressive fish (yes, I made the mistake of buying a few one time). Your Oscar's just about to the size that I suspect he'd attack a Parrot fish. In fact, if you had a big enough tank, introducing another equally sized Oscar at this point could be tricky.