Question: Are under gravel filters useful?

So I read the bottle but it's a little confusing - it gets the tank ready without the need to go through the cycling process. I think I'll play it safe & buy declorinator product, I never used it when I had Medusa (just used the cycle stuff) but maybe that was one of the MANY things I was told that lead to his unfortunate demise :( I've tracked down pool filter sand so will clean it & add it to the tank this weekend. Then I just need to track down some live plants & a couple fake ones to give my new friend lots of places to hide away from the light. I'll keep you posted & once it's up & running I'll try to figure out how to upload photos so you can see my progress. Thanks for all your help :happy:
 
I'd buy the dechlorinator and skip on the Cycle product. There are very mixed views on whether it actually speeds up the cycling of your tank. Most feel it does not as the good bacteria the tank needs can't survive on a shelf in a bottle w/o a source of ammonia/nitrites(their food) and actually introduces not-so-good bacteria.
 
Thanks for the heads up on the cycle product - I'll dump it and get some declorinator. Has anyone had experience in leaving the tank empty for a couple of days to get rid of the chlorine? My friend who has had fish & turtles for the past 20 years reckons when 1st starting out the chlorine will disappear in a couple of days before adding fish to begin the cycling process? Any thoughts?
 
If you leave your buckets of water out for 24 hours it's supposed to get rid of the chlorine. At least that's what I've been told. I've always found it safer to use dechlorinator as it usually gets rid of any heavy metals etc in the water as well.
 
The regular commercial brand of water additive that I use removes chlorines, chloramines, as well as trace elements.
I believe this is the same with most commercial brands of freshwater aquarium water treatment additives.....
Speaking as a UK resident, leaving tap water to 'age' and dissipate dissolved-chlorine used to be standard practice...that proved a fine alternative.
Chloramine, however is a relatively new additive to our tap-water, and isn't caudate friendly, but is easily and cheaply rendered safe by using proprietory water conditioners.
I tend to treat a 2 gallon bucket last thing at night, then leave it in the living room overnight, so that by the next day it's roughly tank temperature, treated, and aged......

KW :happy:

PS. Get a report from your local water provider to see if chloramines are an issue,, test some fresh water, test some 24 hour old water.....
 
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:DThanks for all your help :happy: Looking forward to getting the tank started this weekend. Was thinking about putting in a terracotta pot (from a garden/hardward centre like Bunnings) in there as a hidey cave, do I need to soak it first. Figured I might have to considering there might be 'dust' that will leach out once exposed to long periods in the water. Any thoughts? Will upload pics on Sunday :D
 
It wont hurt to soak it overnight if you want, but i thought a good clean would be ok. Make sure you rinse the sand(if you are using that it is) really well and when you think you have rinsed it enough rinse it some more.
looking forward to the photos
lea
 
Thanks Lea. Have read about cleaning the sand, sounds like a mission but I'm up for the challenge :happy: I'll head to Bunnings on Sunday & pick up a pot to put in my new axie's home. I'm thinking about getting creative & gluing some smooth pebbles to part of the outside (using aquarium approved silicone of course!) & hunting down some Java Moss to attach & eventually cover. Had read posts about the coconut shell caves & like the idea of using the coconut to create different shapes. I'll file down any rough edges but thought it might be useful in creating arches that plants could grow on. Just throwing around ideas at the moment so will wait & see what I come up with. I have a very boring job so tend to be on this forum most days & surfing around for inspiration! :grin:
 
Sounds like a good idea, Joanne :happy:
The silicone needs to be fully cured (I believe that the curing process is helped by creating a humid atmosphere, maybe a wet sponge in a dish nearby(?) ......when I use silicone, I wait at least 48 hours after the 'vinegar' smell has gone, before attempting anything else.
Java moss takes time to establish, but will soon spread and look great.
Some really nice thought-out natural hides will be so appreciated by their inhabitants....looking forward to some photos :happy:
 
Just had a thought - how much sand would I need for a tank measuring 60cm x 30cm x 30cm (L,H,W)? Am thinking play sand might be more cost effective as the smallest pool filter sand bag I can find is 20kg! I don't have a pool so seems kinda pointless to get a massive amount. I'm thinking that I'd only need 5kg, any thoughts?
 
I think I got a bag of play sand that filled up my 36x18 inch tank for like 5 bucks.
 
I've managed to make an undergravel filter work for me.

I used a layer of plastic mesh ontop of the small filtration gravel and then large river rocks ontop of that (bigger than the axis head).

You can see the mesh underneath the hide and the small gravel trapped beneath it.

It does require a lot of hoovering up waste but I don't mind that too much, I do it with the water changes.
 

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hey just out of curiosity is that a reverse flow ugf, or just a regular? I'm planning a new tank upgrade in the distant distant future, and am considering a reverse flow because it seems like a sweet idea, but I'm concerned about the bb culture crashing if I were to get a power outage.
 
Hi All,

Have started my craft projects for the tank. Computer software won't let me upload photos for some reason (just think technology is against me ;)). Will figure it out so watch this space! Silicone needs to cure for 7 days - I know, sounds extreme but I'm not taking any chances! Got a bag of sand ($6!) from Bunnings so just have to wash it. Question tho - can I wash it now & set the tank up running before getting 2 danios on Saturday to start cycling the tank? Or am I better off just waiting till the weekend?
 
I cant see why you cant set it up now and have it running, as long as the tank in ready and cured.....you should be right.
 
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