A sad end to my holiday

[Gill Passman]

Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and instantly
knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....

Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the water
quality - I already knew.....Losses are....

6 Neon Tetras
1 3 spot Gourami
1 Guppy
1 Platy

and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(

I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.

We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional external
tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in the
tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....

We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what it
would tell me....

Gill

[Gill Passman]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
> Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and instantly
> knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>
> Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the water
> quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>
> 6 Neon Tetras
> 1 3 spot Gourami
> 1 Guppy
> 1 Platy
>
> and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>
> I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
>
> We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional external
> tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in the
> tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
>
> We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
> sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
> testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what it
> would tell me....
>
> Gill
>
>
Correction - faulty external....I also have a working internal in the tank

[Elaine T]

Gill Passman wrote:
> Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and instantly
> knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>
> Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the water
> quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>
> 6 Neon Tetras
> 1 3 spot Gourami
> 1 Guppy
> 1 Platy
>
> and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>
> I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
>
> We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional external
> tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in the
> tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
>
> We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
> sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
> testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what it
> would tell me....
>
> Gill
>
>
Oh, Gill. What a terrible thing to come home to. The clowns are the
worst of all... I'm so sorry.

--
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

[Nikki Casali]

Gill Passman wrote:

> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and instantly
>>knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>>
>>Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the water
>>quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>>
>>6 Neon Tetras
>>1 3 spot Gourami
>>1 Guppy
>>1 Platy
>>
>>and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>>
>>I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
>>yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
>>
>>We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional external
>>tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in the
>>tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
>>remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
>>
>>We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
>>sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
>>testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what it
>>would tell me....
>>
>>Gill
>>
>>
>
> Correction - faulty external....I also have a working internal in the tank
>
>

How depressing. With the recent victory over white spot and now this
blow. I feel very, very sad. But not the Clown Loaches too! You must be
devastated. Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Murphy's Law seems to
be exerting its presence ruthlessly. It's a constant battle.

I had an air lock form in my external filter last week which meant flow
reduced to nothing. If I hadn't been around I'd be in a similar
position. Your Fluval seems to be a bit unreliable. But your internal
should have provided a backup filtration, or was it overwhelmed? I don't
understand this. Didn't your fish sitters notice anything strange before
yesterday?

I don't think I'll go on holiday any time soon. I don't think anyone
would be able to resolve any issue if they arose with my tanks
considering the complex setup I have. I'd have to hire a professional!
Actually, I'm being serious. I wonder if Maidenhead Aquatics (LFS) would
lend a hand? If not, I'll rig up a triple filtration system. Yes,
backups of backup systems ... and a web cam. Hmmm. You've got me
worrying now.

Let us know the results of the tests. My sincerest condolences though.
Seriously.

Nikki

[Gill Passman]

"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
>
> > "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> > .. .
> >
> >>Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and
instantly
> >>knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
> >>
> >>Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
water
> >>quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
> >>
> >>6 Neon Tetras
> >>1 3 spot Gourami
> >>1 Guppy
> >>1 Platy
> >>
> >>and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
> >>
> >>I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> >>yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
> >>
> >>We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
external
> >>tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in
the
> >>tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> >>remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
> >>
> >>We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
> >>sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
> >>testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what
it
> >>would tell me....
> >>
> >>Gill
> >>
> >>
> >
> > Correction - faulty external....I also have a working internal in the
tank
> >
> >
>
> How depressing. With the recent victory over white spot and now this
> blow. I feel very, very sad. But not the Clown Loaches too! You must be
> devastated. Whatever can go wrong will go wrong. Murphy's Law seems to
> be exerting its presence ruthlessly. It's a constant battle.
>
> I had an air lock form in my external filter last week which meant flow
> reduced to nothing. If I hadn't been around I'd be in a similar
> position. Your Fluval seems to be a bit unreliable. But your internal
> should have provided a backup filtration, or was it overwhelmed? I don't
> understand this. Didn't your fish sitters notice anything strange before
> yesterday?
>
> I don't think I'll go on holiday any time soon. I don't think anyone
> would be able to resolve any issue if they arose with my tanks
> considering the complex setup I have. I'd have to hire a professional!
> Actually, I'm being serious. I wonder if Maidenhead Aquatics (LFS) would
> lend a hand? If not, I'll rig up a triple filtration system. Yes,
> backups of backup systems ... and a web cam. Hmmm. You've got me
> worrying now.
>
> Let us know the results of the tests. My sincerest condolences though.
> Seriously.
>
> Nikki
>
Thanks Nikki,

I was so looking forward to seeing my clowns dancing tonight....instead I
had to net out the last two :-) They were lying together...another thing
that makes me realise what wonderful, great fish they are....I'm still
crying about them and find it difficult to look at the tank - I do so to
make sure that the remaining fish are still OK - they have certainly perked
up after the water change and fixing the filter....I really loved those
Clowns...

I blame myself for not putting in the backup filter two weeks ago after the
first failure but I had thought the Fluval 4 internal would be OK....how
wrong can you be :-(

I actually bought the external at Maidenhead (Henley) - I will speak to them
tomorrow - they are usually very, very good about such things....but we have
also had problems with the external Fluval in the Malawi tank (fortunately
it kept going so I don't have a double tragedy). We are questioning whether
to buy another Fluval external (or two in reality as I don't want a repeat
in the Malawi tank) - common sense says that at least then we have
spares......

I'm not sure how my fish sitters didn't notice the smell but maybe that only
happened today (I believe it is the first time that temps have been raised
again). They checked the temp in the tank but not the filter flow - in fact
the air brick gave a false sense of security that everything was OK (but
also probably saved the fish that I have left). I left detailed instructions
but forgot to say check the pumps (my fault)...I also had said don't worry
about water changes as we will be back soon and I will do them immediately
on my return - how wrong was that - water changes might have saved them.

The fish only started to die last night - unfortunately they didn't call me
on the basis that I was back today. It won't happen again - both they (my
Mother and Sister in Law) have learnt from this. I am suprised that my
Sister in Law didn't suss as she also keeps fish - but then again I am over
at their house quite frequently sorting their tanks.....All of the other
fish are OK and doing fine - in fact most of the tanks are gleaming and more
fry in the Mbuna tank....it is all very sad and I am not blaming anyone -
next time (2 days) I will tell them to check the pumps as well....

I'm missing my Clowns.....

But another learning curve I guess.....

Gill

[Gill Passman]

"Elaine T" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and
instantly
> > knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
> >
> > Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
water
> > quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
> >
> > 6 Neon Tetras
> > 1 3 spot Gourami
> > 1 Guppy
> > 1 Platy
> >
> > and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
> >
> > I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> > yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
> >
> > We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
external
> > tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in
the
> > tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> > remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
> >
> > We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
> > sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
> > testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what
it
> > would tell me....
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >
> Oh, Gill. What a terrible thing to come home to. The clowns are the
> worst of all... I'm so sorry.
>
> --
> Elaine T __
> http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
> rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com

The two I found earlier were less than 1cm from eachother....they loved
eachother til the end - what a fantastic fish.....I just found the last one
(I thought he had been removed but not....)......I am gutted...but one thing
I know is that I am NOT going to give up on keeping these fish - they have
given me so much joy and pleasure...there is nothing greater than watching
Clowns dance...and love one another.....

I am very sad today.....I have pictures of these fish which I will keep
forever.....call me sentimental if anyone wishes but I feel the loss of
these wonderful fish very deeply and just wish I had been able to help
them.....

Gill

[Gail Futoran]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote
[snip]
> I am very sad today.....I have pictures of these fish which I will keep
> forever.....call me sentimental if anyone wishes but I feel the loss of
> these wonderful fish very deeply and just wish I had been able to help
> them.....
>
> Gill

I'm so sorry for your loss. I do understand your
feelings and regrets. But I'm glad you're planning
to continue in the hobby.

Gail
San Antonio TX USA

[Gill Passman]

"Gail Futoran" > wrote in message
...
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote
> [snip]
> > I am very sad today.....I have pictures of these fish which I will keep
> > forever.....call me sentimental if anyone wishes but I feel the loss of
> > these wonderful fish very deeply and just wish I had been able to help
> > them.....
> >
> > Gill
>
> I'm so sorry for your loss. I do understand your
> feelings and regrets. But I'm glad you're planning
> to continue in the hobby.
>
> Gail
> San Antonio TX USA
>
>
With 5 tanks I can't give up :-) Thanks for your kind message

Gill

[coolchinchilla]

Gill Passman wrote:
> Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and instantly
> knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>
> Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the water
> quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>
> 6 Neon Tetras
> 1 3 spot Gourami
> 1 Guppy
> 1 Platy
>
> and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>
> I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.

Gill, I'm so so sorry. Of course you're heartbroken. I'd be
heartbroken too.

Be gentle with yourself.
coolchinchilla

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
> Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and
> instantly
> knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>
> Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
> water
> quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>
> 6 Neon Tetras
> 1 3 spot Gourami
> 1 Guppy
> 1 Platy
>
> and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>
> I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
>
> We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
> external
> tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in
> the
> tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
>
> We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
> sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
> testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what
> it
> would tell me....
>
> Gill


There is something about certain fish, such as Clown loaches which makes
it much more personal. Having lost many fish (including a 100g tank of
5" Clowns) I can sympathize. Anything I can do to help make your tanks
more robust would be a pleasure. It's a recipe which uses live plants,
algae, low fish load, fish pairing and redundant heating and filtering,
but you probably don't want to think about that right now, so it's just
fyi, for future consideration.
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Mary Burns]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
>> Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and instantly
>> knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>>
>> Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
>> water
>> quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>>
>> 6 Neon Tetras
>> 1 3 spot Gourami
>> 1 Guppy
>> 1 Platy
>>
>> and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>>
>> I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
>> yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
>>
>> We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
>> external
>> tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in
>> the
>> tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
>> remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
>>
>> We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
>> sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
>> testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what
>> it
>> would tell me....
>>
>> Gill
>
>
> There is something about certain fish, such as Clown loaches which makes
> it much more personal. Having lost many fish (including a 100g tank of 5"
> Clowns) I can sympathize. Anything I can do to help make your tanks more
> robust would be a pleasure. It's a recipe which uses live plants, algae,
> low fish load, fish pairing and redundant heating and filtering, but you
> probably don't want to think about that right now, so it's just fyi, for
> future consideration.
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>I'm so sorry, my 8 clowns are my favourite and understand how gutted you
>must feel. Mary

[Gill Passman]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> > Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and
> > instantly
> > knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
> >
> > Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
> > water
> > quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
> >
> > 6 Neon Tetras
> > 1 3 spot Gourami
> > 1 Guppy
> > 1 Platy
> >
> > and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
> >
> > I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> > yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
> >
> > We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
> > external
> > tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have in
> > the
> > tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> > remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
> >
> > We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it all
> > sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will start
> > testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew what
> > it
> > would tell me....
> >
> > Gill
>
>
> There is something about certain fish, such as Clown loaches which makes
> it much more personal. Having lost many fish (including a 100g tank of
> 5" Clowns) I can sympathize. Anything I can do to help make your tanks
> more robust would be a pleasure. It's a recipe which uses live plants,
> algae, low fish load, fish pairing and redundant heating and filtering,
> but you probably don't want to think about that right now, so it's just
> fyi, for future consideration.
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
>
Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

I had hoped that the internal Fluval 4 would give me backup if anything
happened to the Fluval 304 - sadly it didn't. I have two tanks with Fluval
304s and have been toying with the idea of buying a third for redundancy (if
not two more but they are quite expensive). I am definitely going out to buy
one today to safeguard the remaining fish in the tank (I will run it in
parallel with the existing) - along with some spare impellers. We thought
about changing brand but then we wouldn't get the flexibility of swopping
things around if problems arise.

In terms of spares I currently have:-

1 50 watt heater (for the smaller tanks)
1 5 gall tank (complete) still in its box
1 15 gall tank (which was going to be my next project after the hols - now
will be a QT tank for restocking the community tank)
1 air pump
2 small filters/pumps (Rena)
1 Fluval 4 internal that I leave hanging around in one of the tanks
permanently (currently in the community tank)
A CO2 unit I've never used

I'm adding a Fluval 4 to the above list. I guess a heater for the bigger
tanks might also be a good idea. Is there anything else you can think of?

All of the tanks, with the exception of the Malawi tank, are heavily
planted - although some of the plants in the little Hex tank are decimated
(lack of light - I instructed the fish sitters to keep lights out to prevent
any risk of over heating if it got too hot outside). So plants are on my
shopping list for today as well. The community tank has quite a lot of
algae - I limit to pulling it out only when it is strangling the plants and
clean just the front and sides of the tank. The rest of it is now pretty
much controlled by the algae eaters in the tank.

In terms of fish, I think I will need to get companions for my remaining one
guppy and one Neon, whether they ultimitely end up in the Community Tank - I
don't know. The only other fish on my shopping list are Clown Loaches. I do
not plan to add any of these fish into the Community Tank until I am happy
that the water quality has returned to normal. Any ideas/suggestions on the
fish mix would also be great.

The current fish list is:-

3 Blue 3 spot Gouramis (1M/2F)
3 Platys
3 Siamese Flying Foxes
5-7 Otos (I can always spot at least 5 and put 7 in there)
1 Queen Arabesque
1 Neon
1 Guppy

(Tank is 200L)

Gill

[Gill Passman]

Just tested the water - this is after I changed 30% last night so I dread to
think what the ammonia level was....

pH is 8
Ammonia is 1.2
Nitrite is 0 (but I guess this will go up very soon)

Another 30% change today....

Off to LFS this afternoon to get the new pump

Gill

[Nikki Casali]

Gill Passman wrote:

> Just tested the water - this is after I changed 30% last night so I dread to
> think what the ammonia level was....
>
> pH is 8
> Ammonia is 1.2
> Nitrite is 0 (but I guess this will go up very soon)

That pump must have been doing 90% of the biological filtration.

The surface area of all the substrate, plants and tank walls that the
nitrifying bacteria can accumulate on doesn't seem to count. You say the
internal filter was working? How much were the fish being fed? Sorry for
these questions at this difficult time right now.

Nikki

[Gill Passman]

"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
>
> > Just tested the water - this is after I changed 30% last night so I
dread to
> > think what the ammonia level was....
> >
> > pH is 8
> > Ammonia is 1.2
> > Nitrite is 0 (but I guess this will go up very soon)
>
> That pump must have been doing 90% of the biological filtration.
>
> The surface area of all the substrate, plants and tank walls that the
> nitrifying bacteria can accumulate on doesn't seem to count. You say the
> internal filter was working? How much were the fish being fed? Sorry for
> these questions at this difficult time right now.
>
> Nikki
>
Fish were getting slightly less than usual rations. As we have a cat,
guinea-pig and rabbit that need feeding as well when we are away it was easy
to follow the usual routine and strict instructions were left (and followed
even down to counting the Spirulina sticks apparently). The internal was/is
working fine but obviously wasn't up to the job.

Just been to Maidenhead and they will swop out the faulty 304 without any
question, which makes me wonder if this is a known problem (or maybe it was
them just being as helpful as usual). They also suggested I contact Hagen
about compensation for replacing the fish (probably won't do this). I bought
a 404 to put in the tank for now (I meant to pick up a 304 but had a
brainstorm). Anyway, I guess extra filtration is better than not enough.
Also got some AmmoLock 2 to tackle the immediate problem - especially as we
go away again tomorrow. Got some extra plants as well to try and deal with
this naturally. One of the fish sitters will do water changes as well (she
has her own fish so should be OK with this).

The remaining fish are holding on. Off now to do a water change, put in the
plants and AmmoLock. Then I will start sorting out the 15gall (Matt's jinxed
tank) so I can set it up as a QT tank. (Oh and all the washing from our
holiday and packing for the weekend).

Gill

[Steve]

Gill Passman wrote:
> "Nikki Casali" > wrote in message

> Just been to Maidenhead and they will swop out the faulty 304 without any
> question, which makes me wonder if this is a known problem (or maybe it was
> them just being as helpful as usual). They also suggested I contact Hagen
> about compensation for replacing the fish (probably won't do this). I bought
> a 404 to put in the tank for now (I meant to pick up a 304 but had a
> brainstorm).

I'm very sorry about your fish losses, and I've occasionally had similar
problems. You're not alone!

Hagen equipment has provided good service for me. I've used Fluval
external and internal canisters, and their Aquaclear hang-on-the-back
filters. One large Fluval canister is still going strong after 14 years.

One issue for me has been, that after an electrical power interruption
the Aquaclears may occasionally not start up if I haven't kept the
impeller and its well properly clean. The same issue sometimes occurs
with my Marineland Eclipse filter/canopy system if I haven't maintained
it properly. For what it's worth.
Steve

[Gill Passman]

"Steve" > wrote in message
.. .
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > "Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
>
> > Just been to Maidenhead and they will swop out the faulty 304 without
any
> > question, which makes me wonder if this is a known problem (or maybe it
was
> > them just being as helpful as usual). They also suggested I contact
Hagen
> > about compensation for replacing the fish (probably won't do this). I
bought
> > a 404 to put in the tank for now (I meant to pick up a 304 but had a
> > brainstorm).
>
> I'm very sorry about your fish losses, and I've occasionally had similar
> problems. You're not alone!
>
> Hagen equipment has provided good service for me. I've used Fluval
> external and internal canisters, and their Aquaclear hang-on-the-back
> filters. One large Fluval canister is still going strong after 14 years.
>
> One issue for me has been, that after an electrical power interruption
> the Aquaclears may occasionally not start up if I haven't kept the
> impeller and its well properly clean. The same issue sometimes occurs
> with my Marineland Eclipse filter/canopy system if I haven't maintained
> it properly. For what it's worth.
> Steve

Firstly thanks for you support.

We have been asking ourselves the same questions that you are suggesting
over and over as to whether it is a maintenance issue. The inlet valve needs
clearing at least once a week but all the crap seems to be contained in
there. The impeller and it's well have always been clear. Part of our
thinking is that the actual pipes themselves get blocked. We can get it
going after around 15 mins of manual pumping. But still at the back of my
mind is the readiness of the LFS to just say "bring it in and we will swop
it for you". Maybe there have been some bad batches.....we've had the same
problem once with the Fluval 304 in the Mbuna tank which doesn't get the
same waste/algae caught in the inlet as the other tank....who knows....I'm
just very sad that it cost so many fish lives :-(

Gill

[Steve]

Gill Passman wrote:
> "Steve" > wrote in message

>>One issue for me has been, that after an electrical power interruption
>>the Aquaclears may occasionally not start up if I haven't kept the
>>impeller and its well properly clean. The same issue sometimes occurs
>>with my Marineland Eclipse filter/canopy system if I haven't maintained
>>it properly. For what it's worth.
>>Steve
>
>
> Firstly thanks for you support.
>
> We have been asking ourselves the same questions that you are suggesting
> over and over as to whether it is a maintenance issue. The inlet valve needs
> clearing at least once a week but all the crap seems to be contained in
> there. The impeller and it's well have always been clear. Part of our
> thinking is that the actual pipes themselves get blocked. We can get it
> going after around 15 mins of manual pumping. But still at the back of my
> mind is the readiness of the LFS to just say "bring it in and we will swop
> it for you". Maybe there have been some bad batches.....we've had the same
> problem once with the Fluval 304 in the Mbuna tank which doesn't get the
> same waste/algae caught in the inlet as the other tank....who knows....I'm
> just very sad that it cost so many fish lives :-(
>
> Gill
>
>

With my filters it's a bacterial slime that builds up on the impeller
magnet and in the housing, that causes the filter to not start pumping.
I'm guilty of not cleaning those parts until the filter DOES stop,
usually when I'm starting it after tank maintenance. I neglect the
impeller for a year or more on the big canister filter :) .

Another issue, closer to what you're describing, is that the intake
screen may plug with java moss, snails or whatever. For some years I
covered the intake of the big filter with two plastic "pond plant
baskets" held together with stainless steel turkey skewers. I cut a hole
in the top basket to let the intake pipe through. I also used foam to
cover the intakes of two Aquaclears. The results were, no intake
clogging and huge numbers of surviving swordtail fry. More recently,
I've just cut my intake pipes shorter so that the intakes are 6 to 8
inches off the tank bottom. This seems to reduce clogging of the intake.

It's enough to make one wonder whether air driven filters weren't more
reliable; however I remember some issues with them, too.

All in all, it seems to me that the aquarium hardware is really quite
good, considering what it costs.
Steve

[Nikki Casali]

Gill Passman wrote:

> "Steve" > wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>Gill Passman wrote:
>>
>>>"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
>>
>>>Just been to Maidenhead and they will swop out the faulty 304 without
>
> any
>
>>>question, which makes me wonder if this is a known problem (or maybe it
>
> was
>
>>>them just being as helpful as usual). They also suggested I contact
>
> Hagen
>
>>>about compensation for replacing the fish (probably won't do this). I
>
> bought
>
>>>a 404 to put in the tank for now (I meant to pick up a 304 but had a
>>>brainstorm).
>>
>>I'm very sorry about your fish losses, and I've occasionally had similar
>>problems. You're not alone!
>>
>>Hagen equipment has provided good service for me. I've used Fluval
>>external and internal canisters, and their Aquaclear hang-on-the-back
>>filters. One large Fluval canister is still going strong after 14 years.
>>
>>One issue for me has been, that after an electrical power interruption
>>the Aquaclears may occasionally not start up if I haven't kept the
>>impeller and its well properly clean. The same issue sometimes occurs
>>with my Marineland Eclipse filter/canopy system if I haven't maintained
>>it properly. For what it's worth.
>>Steve
>
>
> Firstly thanks for you support.
>
> We have been asking ourselves the same questions that you are suggesting
> over and over as to whether it is a maintenance issue. The inlet valve needs
> clearing at least once a week but all the crap seems to be contained in
> there. The impeller and it's well have always been clear. Part of our
> thinking is that the actual pipes themselves get blocked.

The tragedy with your fish had enough impact to enter one of my dreams
last night. I was looking over your filter and noticed that your pipes
had animal fur lining the tube walls in a radial pattern. Gives another
meaning to pipes being furred up! I wasn't going to mention this until
you said that you thought the tubes get blocked. Weird coincidence.
Weird dream.

Nikki

[Daniel Morrow]

"Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
>
>
> The tragedy with your fish had enough impact to enter one of my dreams
> last night. I was looking over your filter and noticed that your pipes
> had animal fur lining the tube walls in a radial pattern. Gives another
> meaning to pipes being furred up! I wasn't going to mention this until
> you said that you thought the tubes get blocked. Weird coincidence.
> Weird dream.
>
> Nikki
>

First I would like to say that my heart sank when I heard about the news
about gill's tank deaths, but I also find it inspiring that she will not
give up and will continue on with this hobby. I think that is wonderful. I
know what you mean nikki - Makes me want to have triple backup if I ever go
on vacation (I am working towards totally automating my fish feeding but
water changes/topping off are still very important considerations), man -
what a pain for the fish and their owners for this (gill's sad day) to
happen to. I offer my condolences gill, good fortune to you, at the very
least henceforth. Later!

[Gill Passman]

"Steve" > wrote in message
. ..
> Gill Passman wrote:
> > "Steve" > wrote in message
>
> >>One issue for me has been, that after an electrical power interruption
> >>the Aquaclears may occasionally not start up if I haven't kept the
> >>impeller and its well properly clean. The same issue sometimes occurs
> >>with my Marineland Eclipse filter/canopy system if I haven't maintained
> >>it properly. For what it's worth.
> >>Steve
> >
> >
> > Firstly thanks for you support.
> >
> > We have been asking ourselves the same questions that you are suggesting
> > over and over as to whether it is a maintenance issue. The inlet valve
needs
> > clearing at least once a week but all the crap seems to be contained in
> > there. The impeller and it's well have always been clear. Part of our
> > thinking is that the actual pipes themselves get blocked. We can get it
> > going after around 15 mins of manual pumping. But still at the back of
my
> > mind is the readiness of the LFS to just say "bring it in and we will
swop
> > it for you". Maybe there have been some bad batches.....we've had the
same
> > problem once with the Fluval 304 in the Mbuna tank which doesn't get the
> > same waste/algae caught in the inlet as the other tank....who
knows....I'm
> > just very sad that it cost so many fish lives :-(
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >
>
> With my filters it's a bacterial slime that builds up on the impeller
> magnet and in the housing, that causes the filter to not start pumping.
> I'm guilty of not cleaning those parts until the filter DOES stop,
> usually when I'm starting it after tank maintenance. I neglect the
> impeller for a year or more on the big canister filter :) .
>
> Another issue, closer to what you're describing, is that the intake
> screen may plug with java moss, snails or whatever. For some years I
> covered the intake of the big filter with two plastic "pond plant
> baskets" held together with stainless steel turkey skewers. I cut a hole
> in the top basket to let the intake pipe through. I also used foam to
> cover the intakes of two Aquaclears. The results were, no intake
> clogging and huge numbers of surviving swordtail fry. More recently,
> I've just cut my intake pipes shorter so that the intakes are 6 to 8
> inches off the tank bottom. This seems to reduce clogging of the intake.
>
> It's enough to make one wonder whether air driven filters weren't more
> reliable; however I remember some issues with them, too.
>
> All in all, it seems to me that the aquarium hardware is really quite
> good, considering what it costs.
> Steve
>
The impellor was absolutely fine - the next thing we checked after the inlet
valve. I like your idea of adding an additional protection on the inlet
valve as this does seem to gather algae - although it wasn't too bad this
time (we clear it quite frequently). I've got some aquatic plant pots
kicking around - I'll try this when I get home next week. Bit nervous about
going away again this weekend it has to be said.

The only part of maintenance that we are a little guilty of not doing is
cleaning the medium often enough - but I'm not sure how much of an impact
this would have had. It's getting done this morning before we head off when
I do the water change so we have tank water to clean it in. It is also
getting swopped into the new filter to try and preserve what, if any,
bacteria we have left.

Gill

[Gill Passman]

"Daniel Morrow" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Nikki Casali" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Gill Passman wrote:
> >
> >
> > The tragedy with your fish had enough impact to enter one of my dreams
> > last night. I was looking over your filter and noticed that your pipes
> > had animal fur lining the tube walls in a radial pattern. Gives another
> > meaning to pipes being furred up! I wasn't going to mention this until
> > you said that you thought the tubes get blocked. Weird coincidence.
> > Weird dream.
> >
> > Nikki
> >
>
> First I would like to say that my heart sank when I heard about the news
> about gill's tank deaths, but I also find it inspiring that she will not
> give up and will continue on with this hobby. I think that is wonderful. I
> know what you mean nikki - Makes me want to have triple backup if I ever
go
> on vacation (I am working towards totally automating my fish feeding but
> water changes/topping off are still very important considerations), man -
> what a pain for the fish and their owners for this (gill's sad day) to
> happen to. I offer my condolences gill, good fortune to you, at the very
> least henceforth. Later!
>
>
Thanks for you kind words Daniel. I'm not comfortable with us going away
this weekend but can only hope that I've done enough work on the tank in the
last 3 days to make it safer for the fish - I have my doubts about one of
the Platys but all I can do is keep up the water changes and cross my
fingers. The remaining Neon is confused, he is swimming around looking for
his buddies - I need to do something about that but it will be a few weeks
before any new fish come out of QT. Ditto for the Guppy.

I suppose one of the things that keeps me going is the number of tanks that
we have. Although what happened is hard to take I get inspiration from the
fish in the tanks that remain. Plus I feel I owe it to the fish remaining in
the tank in question to do my best for them.

It's coming up to a year now since I first started out on this and I have
learnt so, so much from my experiences and those of others.

Thanks again
Gill

[Dr Engelbert Buxbaum]

Gill Passman wrote:


> I actually bought the external at Maidenhead (Henley) - I will speak to them
> tomorrow - they are usually very, very good about such things....but we have
> also had problems with the external Fluval in the Malawi tank (fortunately
> it kept going so I don't have a double tragedy). We are questioning whether
> to buy another Fluval external (or two in reality as I don't want a repeat
> in the Malawi tank) - common sense says that at least then we have
> spares......

I disassemble my Fluval filter once a month to make sure that there is
nothing growing between the impeller magnet and its hole. This seems to
be a weak spot of those otherwise quite sturdy and reliable filters: If
they stop (power outage or something like that) they may not start again
if there is muck in there causing friction. Unfortunately, that's
nothing you notice during normal running, it happens only if the things
stop.

Have you thought about getting a matt filter? That is probably the most
reliable thing you can get, especially if you have one in each of the
back corners, so there is some redundancy if a pump fails.

Sorry about your fish - clowns are my favourites too.

[NetMax]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "NetMax" > wrote in message
> .. .
>> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
>> .. .
>> > Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and
>> > instantly
>> > knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
>> >
>> > Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
>> > water
>> > quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
>> >
>> > 6 Neon Tetras
>> > 1 3 spot Gourami
>> > 1 Guppy
>> > 1 Platy
>> >
>> > and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
>> >
>> > I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
>> > yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
>> >
>> > We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
>> > external
>> > tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have
>> > in
>> > the
>> > tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
>> > remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
>> >
>> > We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it
>> > all
>> > sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will
>> > start
>> > testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew
>> > what
>> > it
>> > would tell me....
>> >
>> > Gill
>>
>>
>> There is something about certain fish, such as Clown loaches which
>> makes
>> it much more personal. Having lost many fish (including a 100g tank
>> of
>> 5" Clowns) I can sympathize. Anything I can do to help make your
>> tanks
>> more robust would be a pleasure. It's a recipe which uses live
>> plants,
>> algae, low fish load, fish pairing and redundant heating and
>> filtering,
>> but you probably don't want to think about that right now, so it's
>> just
>> fyi, for future consideration.
>> --
>> www.NetMax.tk
>>
>>
> Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.

Welcome back Gillian. I hope the tanks were in slightly better
condition.

> I had hoped that the internal Fluval 4 would give me backup if anything
> happened to the Fluval 304 - sadly it didn't. I have two tanks with
> Fluval
> 304s and have been toying with the idea of buying a third for
> redundancy (if
> not two more but they are quite expensive). I am definitely going out
> to buy
> one today to safeguard the remaining fish in the tank (I will run it in
> parallel with the existing) - along with some spare impellers. We
> thought
> about changing brand but then we wouldn't get the flexibility of
> swopping
> things around if problems arise.

Yes, it's nice to stick to a brand as you become accustomed to some of
its idiocincricies, though sometimes identical Fluvals can give slightly
different results, especially for priming. The 304 and 404 pumps are
interchangeable to the 304 and 404 filter. For lower flow and higher
bio, I put a 304 pump on a 404 filter. To just run a RUGF, I'll use a
404 pump on a 304 filter. This isn't a manufacturers recommendation of
course ;~).

Whatever canister, keep an impeller assembly on hand. My Eheim 2213 and
Fluval 304 seem to eat impellers at about the same rate (couple of
years), but I've never changed impeller on a 30 year old Fluval 201 (go
figure!).

For redundancy, I like to pair a powerfilter with a canister. Also
because of their very different strengths and weeknesses. Alternately, a
canister/UGF or powerfilter/UGF or replace the UGF with RUGF, or if the
fish load is low, a sponge filter into the mix.

> In terms of spares I currently have:-
>
> 1 50 watt heater (for the smaller tanks)
> 1 5 gall tank (complete) still in its box
> 1 15 gall tank (which was going to be my next project after the hols -
> now
> will be a QT tank for restocking the community tank)
> 1 air pump
> 2 small filters/pumps (Rena)
> 1 Fluval 4 internal that I leave hanging around in one of the tanks
> permanently (currently in the community tank)
> A CO2 unit I've never used
>
> I'm adding a Fluval 4 to the above list. I guess a heater for the
> bigger
> tanks might also be a good idea. Is there anything else you can think
> of?

The ultimate safety margin comes from a high, water to fish ratio in a
large tank. This low fishload makes everything happen more gradually,
and large tanks are almost self-correcting.

> All of the tanks, with the exception of the Malawi tank, are heavily
> planted - although some of the plants in the little Hex tank are
> decimated
> (lack of light - I instructed the fish sitters to keep lights out to
> prevent
> any risk of over heating if it got too hot outside). So plants are on
> my
> shopping list for today as well. The community tank has quite a lot of
> algae - I limit to pulling it out only when it is strangling the plants
> and
> clean just the front and sides of the tank. The rest of it is now
> pretty
> much controlled by the algae eaters in the tank.

Plants are live filters. While they'll carry a tank during some
disasters, they also have the potential of creating a disaster on their
own, but their fiascos are at least *usually* more predictable (die off
due to medications, significant loss of light etc). Overall, established
planted tanks will help much more than they are a risk.

> In terms of fish, I think I will need to get companions for my
> remaining one
> guppy and one Neon, whether they ultimitely end up in the Community
> Tank - I
> don't know. The only other fish on my shopping list are Clown Loaches.
> I do
> not plan to add any of these fish into the Community Tank until I am
> happy
> that the water quality has returned to normal. Any ideas/suggestions on
> the
> fish mix would also be great.

I routinely take tanks in and out of service. At the moment I think I
have 2 in service, 1 under construction, 2 for repairs and 2 in storage.
Leaving a tank empty gives me a chance to regroup my plans, research, and
then start procurement for just the right decorations, equipment and
fish. My point is that there is no rush to restock. While it might sound
insensitive or callous, a fish loss is also an excuse to try something
completely different. It takes very little time to gain a new interest
in some type of a species tank, or a new fish to breed etc etc. Let the
waters take you for a while ;~)

So many fish, so little time.
--
www.NetMax.tk

> The current fish list is:-
>
> 3 Blue 3 spot Gouramis (1M/2F)
> 3 Platys
> 3 Siamese Flying Foxes
> 5-7 Otos (I can always spot at least 5 and put 7 in there)
> 1 Queen Arabesque
> 1 Neon
> 1 Guppy
>
> (Tank is 200L)
>
> Gill
>
>
>

[Gill Passman]

"Dr Engelbert Buxbaum" > wrote in message
...
> Gill Passman wrote:
>
>
> > I actually bought the external at Maidenhead (Henley) - I will speak to
them
> > tomorrow - they are usually very, very good about such things....but we
have
> > also had problems with the external Fluval in the Malawi tank
(fortunately
> > it kept going so I don't have a double tragedy). We are questioning
whether
> > to buy another Fluval external (or two in reality as I don't want a
repeat
> > in the Malawi tank) - common sense says that at least then we have
> > spares......
>
> I disassemble my Fluval filter once a month to make sure that there is
> nothing growing between the impeller magnet and its hole. This seems to
> be a weak spot of those otherwise quite sturdy and reliable filters: If
> they stop (power outage or something like that) they may not start again
> if there is muck in there causing friction. Unfortunately, that's
> nothing you notice during normal running, it happens only if the things
> stop.
>
> Have you thought about getting a matt filter? That is probably the most
> reliable thing you can get, especially if you have one in each of the
> back corners, so there is some redundancy if a pump fails.
>
> Sorry about your fish - clowns are my favourites too.

Thanks....we still don't know what caused the failure. We replaced it with
another Fluval....we had never noticed a problem with the impeller - like
you we check it frequently. I cleaned out the old one and could see nothing
that might have caused it to fail - everything was pretty clear and the
filter media wasn't too clogged. There were no power outages that might have
caused it to stop working.

I'm looking at building in more redundancy to all of the tanks. We are
unlikely to be going away again for sometime so this should give me a chance
to do this. The tank in question actually has a Fluval 4 internal but this
wasn't enough unfortunatelt once the main pump failed.

New Clowns on the way soon - I don't like seeing the tank without them. Set
up the QT tank today.....

Gill

[Gill Passman]

"Brian" > wrote in message
...
> Regarding a filter for your filter intake:
>
> This is an excellent idea that I have occasionally employed. The easiest
> thing to do is just buy a foam filter block, I think the kind for the
> Aquaclear filters. Just cut a hole in the end of the foam block and
> stick it onto the filter intake. If you get the hole the right width &
> depth, it will stay on without needing any other attachment, and will
> provide effective filtration of detritus that would otherwise enter your
> canister filter (and clog the intake).
>
> With this setup, you can get away with cleaning the filter less often,
> as long as you take off the foam block pre-filter to frequently clean
> it. It also provides a little extra biofiltration that won't go bad if
> the impeller fails and the water in the canister fouls.
>
> Cheers,
>
> B
>
> --
> Brian Heller
>
> It is easier to tame wild beasts
> than to conquer the human mind.

The Rena internal filters seem to come with just the thing to achieve this
without any mods. It would certainly be easy to slip one of the smaller ones
over the intake valve and at very little cost.....hmmm - shopping trip
tomorrow or the day after. Although it has to be said we didn't find any
evidence of the impeller being blocked/stuck but I do find the continual
clearing of the inlet valve a bit of a pain...

Thanks
Gill

[Gill Passman]

"NetMax" > wrote in message
.. .
> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >
> > "NetMax" > wrote in message
> > .. .
> >> "Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> >> .. .
> >> > Came home tonight after 12 days away. Went into the kitchen and
> >> > instantly
> >> > knew something was wrong as the net was not were I had left it....
> >> >
> >> > Pump failed in the main Community tank....I didn't need to check the
> >> > water
> >> > quality - I already knew.....Losses are....
> >> >
> >> > 6 Neon Tetras
> >> > 1 3 spot Gourami
> >> > 1 Guppy
> >> > 1 Platy
> >> >
> >> > and very sadly all 6 of my Clown Loaches :-(
> >> >
> >> > I'm heartbroken.....my fish sitters are distraught....deaths started
> >> > yesterday. We don't know when the pump failed.
> >> >
> >> > We've got the pump working again and I'm off to buy an additional
> >> > external
> >> > tomorrow as well as the seemingly faulty internal that we also have
> >> > in
> >> > the
> >> > tank....Have also done a 30% change in the hope that I can keep the
> >> > remaining fish. The last Guppy does not look too good....
> >> >
> >> > We're off again for a long weekend on Friday - I hope I can get it
> >> > all
> >> > sorted by then...or at least well on the road to recovery. I will
> >> > start
> >> > testing the water tomorrow but was too upset tonight - plus I knew
> >> > what
> >> > it
> >> > would tell me....
> >> >
> >> > Gill
> >>
> >>
> >> There is something about certain fish, such as Clown loaches which
> >> makes
> >> it much more personal. Having lost many fish (including a 100g tank
> >> of
> >> 5" Clowns) I can sympathize. Anything I can do to help make your
> >> tanks
> >> more robust would be a pleasure. It's a recipe which uses live
> >> plants,
> >> algae, low fish load, fish pairing and redundant heating and
> >> filtering,
> >> but you probably don't want to think about that right now, so it's
> >> just
> >> fyi, for future consideration.
> >> --
> >> www.NetMax.tk
> >>
> >>
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated - thanks.
>
> Welcome back Gillian. I hope the tanks were in slightly better
> condition.
>
> > I had hoped that the internal Fluval 4 would give me backup if anything
> > happened to the Fluval 304 - sadly it didn't. I have two tanks with
> > Fluval
> > 304s and have been toying with the idea of buying a third for
> > redundancy (if
> > not two more but they are quite expensive). I am definitely going out
> > to buy
> > one today to safeguard the remaining fish in the tank (I will run it in
> > parallel with the existing) - along with some spare impellers. We
> > thought
> > about changing brand but then we wouldn't get the flexibility of
> > swopping
> > things around if problems arise.
>
> Yes, it's nice to stick to a brand as you become accustomed to some of
> its idiocincricies, though sometimes identical Fluvals can give slightly
> different results, especially for priming. The 304 and 404 pumps are
> interchangeable to the 304 and 404 filter. For lower flow and higher
> bio, I put a 304 pump on a 404 filter. To just run a RUGF, I'll use a
> 404 pump on a 304 filter. This isn't a manufacturers recommendation of
> course ;~).
>
> Whatever canister, keep an impeller assembly on hand. My Eheim 2213 and
> Fluval 304 seem to eat impellers at about the same rate (couple of
> years), but I've never changed impeller on a 30 year old Fluval 201 (go
> figure!).
>
> For redundancy, I like to pair a powerfilter with a canister. Also
> because of their very different strengths and weeknesses. Alternately, a
> canister/UGF or powerfilter/UGF or replace the UGF with RUGF, or if the
> fish load is low, a sponge filter into the mix.
>
> > In terms of spares I currently have:-
> >
> > 1 50 watt heater (for the smaller tanks)
> > 1 5 gall tank (complete) still in its box
> > 1 15 gall tank (which was going to be my next project after the hols -
> > now
> > will be a QT tank for restocking the community tank)
> > 1 air pump
> > 2 small filters/pumps (Rena)
> > 1 Fluval 4 internal that I leave hanging around in one of the tanks
> > permanently (currently in the community tank)
> > A CO2 unit I've never used
> >
> > I'm adding a Fluval 4 to the above list. I guess a heater for the
> > bigger
> > tanks might also be a good idea. Is there anything else you can think
> > of?
>
> The ultimate safety margin comes from a high, water to fish ratio in a
> large tank. This low fishload makes everything happen more gradually,
> and large tanks are almost self-correcting.
>
> > All of the tanks, with the exception of the Malawi tank, are heavily
> > planted - although some of the plants in the little Hex tank are
> > decimated
> > (lack of light - I instructed the fish sitters to keep lights out to
> > prevent
> > any risk of over heating if it got too hot outside). So plants are on
> > my
> > shopping list for today as well. The community tank has quite a lot of
> > algae - I limit to pulling it out only when it is strangling the plants
> > and
> > clean just the front and sides of the tank. The rest of it is now
> > pretty
> > much controlled by the algae eaters in the tank.
>
> Plants are live filters. While they'll carry a tank during some
> disasters, they also have the potential of creating a disaster on their
> own, but their fiascos are at least *usually* more predictable (die off
> due to medications, significant loss of light etc). Overall, established
> planted tanks will help much more than they are a risk.
>
> > In terms of fish, I think I will need to get companions for my
> > remaining one
> > guppy and one Neon, whether they ultimitely end up in the Community
> > Tank - I
> > don't know. The only other fish on my shopping list are Clown Loaches.
> > I do
> > not plan to add any of these fish into the Community Tank until I am
> > happy
> > that the water quality has returned to normal. Any ideas/suggestions on
> > the
> > fish mix would also be great.
>
> I routinely take tanks in and out of service. At the moment I think I
> have 2 in service, 1 under construction, 2 for repairs and 2 in storage.
> Leaving a tank empty gives me a chance to regroup my plans, research, and
> then start procurement for just the right decorations, equipment and
> fish. My point is that there is no rush to restock. While it might sound
> insensitive or callous, a fish loss is also an excuse to try something
> completely different. It takes very little time to gain a new interest
> in some type of a species tank, or a new fish to breed etc etc. Let the
> waters take you for a while ;~)
>
> So many fish, so little time.
> --
> www.NetMax.tk
>
> > The current fish list is:-
> >
> > 3 Blue 3 spot Gouramis (1M/2F)
> > 3 Platys
> > 3 Siamese Flying Foxes
> > 5-7 Otos (I can always spot at least 5 and put 7 in there)
> > 1 Queen Arabesque
> > 1 Neon
> > 1 Guppy
> >
> > (Tank is 200L)
> >
> > Gill
> >
> >
> >
>
>

Thanks

I had a canister filter in the tank but it didn't seem to do the trick
sadly....but I don't intend removing it for the present. The remaining fish
survived the weekend OK but I am still concerned about one Platy who is a
bit quiet. All of the other tanks survived the hols fine. I am reviewing the
whole redundancy issue - we have too many fish to lose in all of the tanks.

My project for this week and coming weeks had been to set up the 15gall tank
that was my son's where we sadly lost all of the fish a few months ago -
still have no idea why/how but it all started with a stuck Rena heater. I
have gone ahead with setting up this tank (new heater of course). This will
be the QT tank for any replacement fish and then eventually a tank in it's
own right - I've set it up as I finally want it for this reason. I've used
30% water from one of the other tanks water changes and the rest is tap
water (treated) - when I get round to putting in the fish I will then add
some substrate from one of the other tanks plus some filter medium. This
will not be coming from the troubled tank. I put in around 10 large plants
as well.

You are so right that I need to take a step back when thinking of restocking
the Community Tank. Obviously I need to take into account the needs of the
remaining fish but having this 15gall eventually available gives me the
opportunity to do some swopping around with the smaller fish. You are so, so
right - so many fish not enough time :-)

Clowns are obviously going to be a priority for me so I am thinking that
these are the first that go in the QT tank....that gives me around 3-4 weeks
to think about what I want to do with both the big Community Tank but also
the tank I am going to use as QT.....it was sold to hubbie as a temporary
installation in the kitchen but I think he has already given up and knows
that it is a permanent fixture - lol - and it does look so,so pretty :-)

May post soon on compatiblity issues....

Gill

[Daniel Morrow]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Brian" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Regarding a filter for your filter intake:
> >
> > This is an excellent idea that I have occasionally employed. The easiest
> > thing to do is just buy a foam filter block, I think the kind for the
> > Aquaclear filters. Just cut a hole in the end of the foam block and
> > stick it onto the filter intake. If you get the hole the right width &
> > depth, it will stay on without needing any other attachment, and will
> > provide effective filtration of detritus that would otherwise enter your
> > canister filter (and clog the intake).
> >
> > With this setup, you can get away with cleaning the filter less often,
> > as long as you take off the foam block pre-filter to frequently clean
> > it. It also provides a little extra biofiltration that won't go bad if
> > the impeller fails and the water in the canister fouls.
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > B
> >
> > --
> > Brian Heller
> >
> > It is easier to tame wild beasts
> > than to conquer the human mind.
>
> The Rena internal filters seem to come with just the thing to achieve this
> without any mods. It would certainly be easy to slip one of the smaller
ones
> over the intake valve and at very little cost.....hmmm - shopping trip
> tomorrow or the day after.

If you don't want a "ghetto" or macgyver prefilter on your fluval msf get a
lustar sponge prefilter. It is much more advanced than a sponge shoved onto
the tube - the lustar filter-max III will last a lot longer between
cleanings and allows superior flow without risk of debris getting through
it. Good luck gill - HTH, and later!

Although it has to be said we didn't find any
> evidence of the impeller being blocked/stuck but I do find the continual
> clearing of the inlet valve a bit of a pain...
>
> Thanks
> Gill
>
>