In just 6 days the first of several big days will be here - the start of the hectic holiday season. Thanksgiving Day, a day filled with yummy food, football and perhaps guests, many of which will stare at your tank.
Is it ready for those eyes?
We take calls every work day - and answer many questions - the most of which have to do with tank care and well being. Many still struggle with nuisance algae and want a solution which will work - not just cover up!!
Let me give you a few pointers - based upon the years in the field - caring for my own 15,000 gallons and numerous client tanks.
RO Units will reduce your headaches significantly - IF and ONLY IF you maintain regular filter maintenance.
Even with the use of an RO unit, Chloramine (water processing facilities addition to all public water) will NOT be filtered, resulting in trace amounts of ammonia.
Water must be treated with an Ammonia Blocker- ie: Amquel, Zip Drops, Prime are a few for sale within the hobby.
Proper eco-balance must be established between fish and animals which will consume waste and left overs.
Adding an extreme population of algae eating snails to combat algae will only produce the desired results for a limited period of time - then food supply (algae) will wain, snails will die - their meaty bodies will spike the amomonia, nitrite, nitrate cycle resulting in an algae bloom- Unfortunately the army of algae eating snails will have died and the problem will actually be worse then before.
Besides using a balance of hermit crabs, shrimp and stars - NON algae eating snails are a MUST. The best clean up snails we know of are nassarius vibex. This is a Caribbean snail, which resides happily within the warm waters of the Caribbean - not to be confused with Nassarius Obsoleta which is a cold water snail- which will ONLY survive in the typical aquarium for 1-2 months. The most important thing these small but mighty snails do - is to hut down and consume all things dead, rotting and disgusting!
In just 6 days the first of several big days will be here - the start of the hectic holiday season. Thanksgiving Day, a day filled with yummy food, football and perhaps guests, many of which will stare at your tank.
Is it ready for those eyes?
We take calls every work day - and answer many questions - the most of which have to do with tank care and well being. Many still struggle with nuisance algae and want a solution which will work - not just cover up!!
Let me give you a few pointers - based upon the years in the field - caring for my own 15,000 gallons and numerous client tanks.
RO Units will reduce your headaches significantly - IF and ONLY IF you maintain regular filter maintenance.
Even with the use of an RO unit, Chloramine (water processing facilities addition to all public water) will NOT be filtered, resulting in trace amounts of ammonia.
Water must be treated with an Ammonia Blocker- ie: Amquel, Zip Drops, Prime are a few for sale within the hobby.
Proper eco-balance must be established between fish and animals which will consume waste and left overs.
Adding an extreme population of algae eating snails to combat algae will only produce the desired results for a limited period of time - then food supply (algae) will wain, snails will die - their meaty bodies will spike the amomonia, nitrite, nitrate cycle resulting in an algae bloom- Unfortunately the army of algae eating snails will have died and the problem will actually be worse then before.
Besides using a balance of hermit crabs, shrimp and stars - NON algae eating snails are a MUST. The best clean up snails we know of are nassarius vibex. This is a Caribbean snail, which resides happily within the warm waters of the Caribbean - not to be confused with Nassarius Obsoleta which is a cold water snail- which will ONLY survive in the typical aquarium for 1-2 months. The most important thing these small but mighty snails do - is to hut down and consume all things dead, rotting and disgusting!