Enough Filtration?

[Fantastic Derek]

Hi

AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank. I
was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices they
are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval that
is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
damage and loss of fish.

The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me an
external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than I
have to.

Many thanks

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> Hi
>
> AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank. I
> was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices they
> are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval that
> is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
> second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
> damage and loss of fish.
>
> The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
> Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
> enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me an
> external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than I
> have to.
>
> Many thanks

I have got two of these tanks - one is a general Community Tank and the
other is a Malawi.

The general Community Tank currently has the Fluval 4 but I have also got a
Fluval 404 external (overkill I know - I meant to pick up a 304 external).
The Malawi tank has a Fluval 304 external - the LFS traded it for the Fluval
4 when I bought the tank so I got it relatively cheap. The Fluval externals
appear to be quite heavily discounted over here (UK) where I shop so this
could be an option for you (the trade).

Whether the Fluval 4 is up to the job would greatly depend on the number of
fish that you are intending on putting in the tank. Both of mine run close
to the margins which is why I opted for the Externals.

Hope this helps
Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

Very helpful.

I'm not planning on putting loads of fish in, at least not at first.
Is it ok to add extra filtration later on or should I go for the
external filter right now?

Thanks again


On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:07:15 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> Hi
>>
>> AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank. I
>> was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices they
>> are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval that
>> is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
>> second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
>> damage and loss of fish.
>>
>> The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
>> Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
>> enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me an
>> external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than I
>> have to.
>>
>> Many thanks
>
>I have got two of these tanks - one is a general Community Tank and the
>other is a Malawi.
>
>The general Community Tank currently has the Fluval 4 but I have also got a
>Fluval 404 external (overkill I know - I meant to pick up a 304 external).
>The Malawi tank has a Fluval 304 external - the LFS traded it for the Fluval
>4 when I bought the tank so I got it relatively cheap. The Fluval externals
>appear to be quite heavily discounted over here (UK) where I shop so this
>could be an option for you (the trade).
>
>Whether the Fluval 4 is up to the job would greatly depend on the number of
>fish that you are intending on putting in the tank. Both of mine run close
>to the margins which is why I opted for the Externals.
>
>Hope this helps
>Gill
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> Very helpful.
>
> I'm not planning on putting loads of fish in, at least not at first.
> Is it ok to add extra filtration later on or should I go for the
> external filter right now?
>
> Thanks again
>
>
> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:07:15 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Hi
> >>
> >> AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank. I
> >> was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices they
> >> are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval that
> >> is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
> >> second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
> >> damage and loss of fish.
> >>
> >> The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
> >> Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
> >> enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me an
> >> external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than I
> >> have to.
> >>
> >> Many thanks
> >
> >I have got two of these tanks - one is a general Community Tank and the
> >other is a Malawi.
> >
> >The general Community Tank currently has the Fluval 4 but I have also got
a
> >Fluval 404 external (overkill I know - I meant to pick up a 304
external).
> >The Malawi tank has a Fluval 304 external - the LFS traded it for the
Fluval
> >4 when I bought the tank so I got it relatively cheap. The Fluval
externals
> >appear to be quite heavily discounted over here (UK) where I shop so this
> >could be an option for you (the trade).
> >
> >Whether the Fluval 4 is up to the job would greatly depend on the number
of
> >fish that you are intending on putting in the tank. Both of mine run
close
> >to the margins which is why I opted for the Externals.
> >
> >Hope this helps
> >Gill
> >

With the Community Tank we went with the internal to start and added the
external later so it's not really a great issue as long as you run the two
together to start with - or at least move the filter sponges into the
external when you do the swop. By the time (6 months later) when I did the
Malawi tank I went with the external right awa;y - as we also did with my
son's 30gall upstairs. The advantage I found with going for the externals
right away on the Malawi and the 30 gall was that I was able to do the trade
immediately when I bought the tanks and save some money (with these tank
packages the filters are still boxed so they can sell them on). This was
both my local "Maidenheads" - I don't know if you live near one but worth
checking out.

In my favourite "Maidenhead" the main display tank is a 1200 with a 204 and
internal 4 - they keep telling me they are living on a "wing and a prayer"
as it is over-stocked by at least 50% but the tank has been good and very
beautiful for at least 6 months. One of the staff members I've been chatting
to would not run her tanks without an external....

What type of fish are you planning on keeping? and how many?

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

I actually live near several Maidenhead Aquatics - the one at Henley
is the closest - very helpful chap although this is the guy that wants
me to buy the external filter now.

I have a smaller tank already with some danios, mollies, rams and
thick lipped gouramis, but my wife really wants some angel fish and I
love clown loaches so I thought it best to get a bigger tank,
epsecially considering my molly population recently increased
dramatically. My thnking is that this wouldn't be that many fish
initially (15 plus 6 baby mollies) so wouldn't require a huge amount
of filtration. What do you reckon?

On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 21:25:34 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> Very helpful.
>>
>> I'm not planning on putting loads of fish in, at least not at first.
>> Is it ok to add extra filtration later on or should I go for the
>> external filter right now?
>>
>> Thanks again
>>
>>
>> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:07:15 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Hi
>> >>
>> >> AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank. I
>> >> was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices they
>> >> are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval that
>> >> is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
>> >> second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
>> >> damage and loss of fish.
>> >>
>> >> The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
>> >> Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
>> >> enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me an
>> >> external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than I
>> >> have to.
>> >>
>> >> Many thanks
>> >
>> >I have got two of these tanks - one is a general Community Tank and the
>> >other is a Malawi.
>> >
>> >The general Community Tank currently has the Fluval 4 but I have also got
>a
>> >Fluval 404 external (overkill I know - I meant to pick up a 304
>external).
>> >The Malawi tank has a Fluval 304 external - the LFS traded it for the
>Fluval
>> >4 when I bought the tank so I got it relatively cheap. The Fluval
>externals
>> >appear to be quite heavily discounted over here (UK) where I shop so this
>> >could be an option for you (the trade).
>> >
>> >Whether the Fluval 4 is up to the job would greatly depend on the number
>of
>> >fish that you are intending on putting in the tank. Both of mine run
>close
>> >to the margins which is why I opted for the Externals.
>> >
>> >Hope this helps
>> >Gill
>> >
>
>With the Community Tank we went with the internal to start and added the
>external later so it's not really a great issue as long as you run the two
>together to start with - or at least move the filter sponges into the
>external when you do the swop. By the time (6 months later) when I did the
>Malawi tank I went with the external right awa;y - as we also did with my
>son's 30gall upstairs. The advantage I found with going for the externals
>right away on the Malawi and the 30 gall was that I was able to do the trade
>immediately when I bought the tanks and save some money (with these tank
>packages the filters are still boxed so they can sell them on). This was
>both my local "Maidenheads" - I don't know if you live near one but worth
>checking out.
>
>In my favourite "Maidenhead" the main display tank is a 1200 with a 204 and
>internal 4 - they keep telling me they are living on a "wing and a prayer"
>as it is over-stocked by at least 50% but the tank has been good and very
>beautiful for at least 6 months. One of the staff members I've been chatting
>to would not run her tanks without an external....
>
>What type of fish are you planning on keeping? and how many?
>
>Gill
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> I actually live near several Maidenhead Aquatics - the one at Henley
> is the closest - very helpful chap although this is the guy that wants
> me to buy the external filter now.
>
> I have a smaller tank already with some danios, mollies, rams and
> thick lipped gouramis, but my wife really wants some angel fish and I
> love clown loaches so I thought it best to get a bigger tank,
> epsecially considering my molly population recently increased
> dramatically. My thnking is that this wouldn't be that many fish
> initially (15 plus 6 baby mollies) so wouldn't require a huge amount
> of filtration. What do you reckon?
>
> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 21:25:34 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Very helpful.
> >>
> >> I'm not planning on putting loads of fish in, at least not at first.
> >> Is it ok to add extra filtration later on or should I go for the
> >> external filter right now?
> >>
> >> Thanks again
> >>
> >>
> >> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:07:15 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Hi
> >> >>
> >> >> AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank.
I
> >> >> was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices
they
> >> >> are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval
that
> >> >> is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
> >> >> second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
> >> >> damage and loss of fish.
> >> >>
> >> >> The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
> >> >> Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
> >> >> enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me
an
> >> >> external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than
I
> >> >> have to.
> >> >>
> >> >> Many thanks
> >> >
> >> >I have got two of these tanks - one is a general Community Tank and
the
> >> >other is a Malawi.
> >> >
> >> >The general Community Tank currently has the Fluval 4 but I have also
got
> >a
> >> >Fluval 404 external (overkill I know - I meant to pick up a 304
> >external).
> >> >The Malawi tank has a Fluval 304 external - the LFS traded it for the
> >Fluval
> >> >4 when I bought the tank so I got it relatively cheap. The Fluval
> >externals
> >> >appear to be quite heavily discounted over here (UK) where I shop so
this
> >> >could be an option for you (the trade).
> >> >
> >> >Whether the Fluval 4 is up to the job would greatly depend on the
number
> >of
> >> >fish that you are intending on putting in the tank. Both of mine run
> >close
> >> >to the margins which is why I opted for the Externals.
> >> >
> >> >Hope this helps
> >> >Gill
> >> >
> >
> >With the Community Tank we went with the internal to start and added the
> >external later so it's not really a great issue as long as you run the
two
> >together to start with - or at least move the filter sponges into the
> >external when you do the swop. By the time (6 months later) when I did
the
> >Malawi tank I went with the external right awa;y - as we also did with my
> >son's 30gall upstairs. The advantage I found with going for the externals
> >right away on the Malawi and the 30 gall was that I was able to do the
trade
> >immediately when I bought the tanks and save some money (with these tank
> >packages the filters are still boxed so they can sell them on). This was
> >both my local "Maidenheads" - I don't know if you live near one but worth
> >checking out.
> >
> >In my favourite "Maidenhead" the main display tank is a 1200 with a 204
and
> >internal 4 - they keep telling me they are living on a "wing and a
prayer"
> >as it is over-stocked by at least 50% but the tank has been good and very
> >beautiful for at least 6 months. One of the staff members I've been
chatting
> >to would not run her tanks without an external....
> >
> >What type of fish are you planning on keeping? and how many?
> >
> >Gill
> >

I would always go with the advice that you get from Henley "Maidenhead" -
that is the one I prefer to use myself. Ask him if he will do a swop on the
filters, although it was Hare Hatch that I got to do the swop. BTW you will
also have seen the Display Tank that I was referring to - couldn't do that
one without extra filtration :-)

You must be quite close to where I am then....

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
jsut go for it.

Cheers



On Sun, 21 Aug 2005 10:11:09 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> I actually live near several Maidenhead Aquatics - the one at Henley
>> is the closest - very helpful chap although this is the guy that wants
>> me to buy the external filter now.
>>
>> I have a smaller tank already with some danios, mollies, rams and
>> thick lipped gouramis, but my wife really wants some angel fish and I
>> love clown loaches so I thought it best to get a bigger tank,
>> epsecially considering my molly population recently increased
>> dramatically. My thnking is that this wouldn't be that many fish
>> initially (15 plus 6 baby mollies) so wouldn't require a huge amount
>> of filtration. What do you reckon?
>>
>> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 21:25:34 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Very helpful.
>> >>
>> >> I'm not planning on putting loads of fish in, at least not at first.
>> >> Is it ok to add extra filtration later on or should I go for the
>> >> external filter right now?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks again
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Sat, 20 Aug 2005 19:07:15 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> >> Hi
>> >> >>
>> >> >> AS I've said in a previous post, I am thinking of buying a 4ft tank.
>I
>> >> >> was looking at ebay and other second hand sources, but the prices
>they
>> >> >> are going for are putting me off as my LFS has a kit from Fluval
>that
>> >> >> is brand new and costs not much more. I had a friend who bought a
>> >> >> second hand tank and after a few years it burst causing a lot of
>> >> >> damage and loss of fish.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> The kit is the Fluval Duo Deep 1200 Aquarium Set which comes with a
>> >> >> Fluval 4 Plus Underwater Filter. My question is, is this a strong
>> >> >> enough filter for the job? The guy at the shop is trying to sell me
>an
>> >> >> external filter as well, but I don't really want to spend more than
>I
>> >> >> have to.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Many thanks
>> >> >
>> >> >I have got two of these tanks - one is a general Community Tank and
>the
>> >> >other is a Malawi.
>> >> >
>> >> >The general Community Tank currently has the Fluval 4 but I have also
>got
>> >a
>> >> >Fluval 404 external (overkill I know - I meant to pick up a 304
>> >external).
>> >> >The Malawi tank has a Fluval 304 external - the LFS traded it for the
>> >Fluval
>> >> >4 when I bought the tank so I got it relatively cheap. The Fluval
>> >externals
>> >> >appear to be quite heavily discounted over here (UK) where I shop so
>this
>> >> >could be an option for you (the trade).
>> >> >
>> >> >Whether the Fluval 4 is up to the job would greatly depend on the
>number
>> >of
>> >> >fish that you are intending on putting in the tank. Both of mine run
>> >close
>> >> >to the margins which is why I opted for the Externals.
>> >> >
>> >> >Hope this helps
>> >> >Gill
>> >> >
>> >
>> >With the Community Tank we went with the internal to start and added the
>> >external later so it's not really a great issue as long as you run the
>two
>> >together to start with - or at least move the filter sponges into the
>> >external when you do the swop. By the time (6 months later) when I did
>the
>> >Malawi tank I went with the external right awa;y - as we also did with my
>> >son's 30gall upstairs. The advantage I found with going for the externals
>> >right away on the Malawi and the 30 gall was that I was able to do the
>trade
>> >immediately when I bought the tanks and save some money (with these tank
>> >packages the filters are still boxed so they can sell them on). This was
>> >both my local "Maidenheads" - I don't know if you live near one but worth
>> >checking out.
>> >
>> >In my favourite "Maidenhead" the main display tank is a 1200 with a 204
>and
>> >internal 4 - they keep telling me they are living on a "wing and a
>prayer"
>> >as it is over-stocked by at least 50% but the tank has been good and very
>> >beautiful for at least 6 months. One of the staff members I've been
>chatting
>> >to would not run her tanks without an external....
>> >
>> >What type of fish are you planning on keeping? and how many?
>> >
>> >Gill
>> >
>
>I would always go with the advice that you get from Henley "Maidenhead" -
>that is the one I prefer to use myself. Ask him if he will do a swop on the
>filters, although it was Hare Hatch that I got to do the swop. BTW you will
>also have seen the Display Tank that I was referring to - couldn't do that
>one without extra filtration :-)
>
>You must be quite close to where I am then....
>
>Gill
>
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
> jsut go for it.
>
> Cheers
>
>
>
>
Small world :-)

Gill

[Rick]

I grew up in Wyomising, West Reading, Shillington
"teri" > wrote in message
...
>
>>I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
>>jsut go for it.
>
> Hey, I am in Reading too... but the one in Pennsylvania ;-).
> Teri

[Gill Passman]

"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>
> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> ...
> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
> > jsut go for it.
> >
> > Cheers
> >
> >
> >
> >
> Small world :-)
>
> Gill
>
>
>
I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never given me a
bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and well
cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....

Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same place - I'm
guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road, somewhere
off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian Terraces in
Reading in my time....all very solid...

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!

Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me a
deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going to
put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.

On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
.. .
>>
>> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
>> > jsut go for it.
>> >
>> > Cheers
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> Small world :-)
>>
>> Gill
>>
>>
>>
>I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never given me a
>bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and well
>cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
>
>Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same place - I'm
>guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road, somewhere
>off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian Terraces in
>Reading in my time....all very solid...
>
>Gill
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!
>
> Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me a
> deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going to
> put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.
>
> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> .. .
> >>
> >> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
> >> > jsut go for it.
> >> >
> >> > Cheers
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> Small world :-)
> >>
> >> Gill
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never given
me a
> >bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and well
> >cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
> >
> >Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same place - I'm
> >guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road,
somewhere
> >off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian Terraces
in
> >Reading in my time....all very solid...
> >
> >Gill
> >

Snap again - thought you might if the Henley Maidenhead is your closest.

I'm never too sure about this fishless cycle thing having read some of the
posts on this NG - good luck :-)

Apparently there is another good Maidenhead in Bracknell - not been myself
but have a friend who has been over there. Got another friend who goes to
the Newbury one. I've been very happy with the Henley one - always willing
to give good advice.

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

I've been to the one in Bracknell. They've got some marine stock there
which they don't have in Henley and they seem to have more staff, but
the guy at Henley's pretty good. I went to one in Iver today (was
roughly in the are on a customer visit) and that one's pretty big. A
few dead fish though.

So you've heard things about fishless cycling? I've only just started
reading this newsgroup. What problems have you heard about?


On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:42:27 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!
>>
>> Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me a
>> deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going to
>> put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.
>>
>> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
>> .. .
>> >>
>> >> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I might
>> >> > jsut go for it.
>> >> >
>> >> > Cheers
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> Small world :-)
>> >>
>> >> Gill
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never given
>me a
>> >bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and well
>> >cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
>> >
>> >Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same place - I'm
>> >guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road,
>somewhere
>> >off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian Terraces
>in
>> >Reading in my time....all very solid...
>> >
>> >Gill
>> >
>
>Snap again - thought you might if the Henley Maidenhead is your closest.
>
>I'm never too sure about this fishless cycle thing having read some of the
>posts on this NG - good luck :-)
>
>Apparently there is another good Maidenhead in Bracknell - not been myself
>but have a friend who has been over there. Got another friend who goes to
>the Newbury one. I've been very happy with the Henley one - always willing
>to give good advice.
>
>Gill
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> I've been to the one in Bracknell. They've got some marine stock there
> which they don't have in Henley and they seem to have more staff, but
> the guy at Henley's pretty good. I went to one in Iver today (was
> roughly in the are on a customer visit) and that one's pretty big. A
> few dead fish though.
>
> So you've heard things about fishless cycling? I've only just started
> reading this newsgroup. What problems have you heard about?
>
>
> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:42:27 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!
> >>
> >> Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me a
> >> deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going to
> >> put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.
> >>
> >> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> >> .. .
> >> >>
> >> >> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> >> >> ...
> >> >> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I
might
> >> >> > jsut go for it.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Cheers
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> Small world :-)
> >> >>
> >> >> Gill
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never
given
> >me a
> >> >bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and
well
> >> >cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
> >> >
> >> >Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same place -
I'm
> >> >guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road,
> >somewhere
> >> >off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian
Terraces
> >in
> >> >Reading in my time....all very solid...
> >> >
> >> >Gill
> >> >
> >
> >Snap again - thought you might if the Henley Maidenhead is your closest.
> >
> >I'm never too sure about this fishless cycle thing having read some of
the
> >posts on this NG - good luck :-)
> >
> >Apparently there is another good Maidenhead in Bracknell - not been
myself
> >but have a friend who has been over there. Got another friend who goes to
> >the Newbury one. I've been very happy with the Henley one - always
willing
> >to give good advice.
> >
> >Gill
> >
Check out Connie's posting "I'm about to give up...." or try a search on
Google on this newsgroup for fishless cycling. I guess it works for a lot of
people and is certainly kinder than risking sacrificial fish.

You said in an earlier post that you already have a tank. Another way of
doing this is to take filter medium and substrate from the existing tank
(plus some water) and you will already have some bacteria. This is how I do
it now we have a severe case of MTS in the house. It's probably best to err
on the cautious though and rather than going on the basis that you have now
created a fully cycled tank just add a very few fish at a time and keep
monitoring allowing the bacteria to increase as per the fish load. Generally
I add the fish and then the filter medium/substrate afterwards so that the
bacteria has something to feed on. I then check the water quality daily to
make sure that there is no ammonia/nitrite spike. I've only come unstuck
with this once which is my current attempt where I had a small nitrite
spike - I think the key is probably to add the fish a bit slower than I did
on this occassion but fortunately the fish coped.

If you really come unstuck on doing this I guess you could ask a fellow
Caversham fish keeper for some mature filter medium.

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

Very kind offer!

Actually, I 've already added the ammonia (last night). I squeezed the
filter sponge from orginal tank into the new tank and added a couple
of the plants and some water and then added the ammonia to take it to
5ppm as the instructions dicatate. I've tested this evening and the
ammonia levels seem to have come down slightly. i was going to carry
on, but I'm not sure now. Isuppose once I'ev started I should carry
on.



On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:01:31 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> I've been to the one in Bracknell. They've got some marine stock there
>> which they don't have in Henley and they seem to have more staff, but
>> the guy at Henley's pretty good. I went to one in Iver today (was
>> roughly in the are on a customer visit) and that one's pretty big. A
>> few dead fish though.
>>
>> So you've heard things about fishless cycling? I've only just started
>> reading this newsgroup. What problems have you heard about?
>>
>>
>> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:42:27 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!
>> >>
>> >> Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me a
>> >> deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going to
>> >> put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
>> >> .. .
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> >> >> ...
>> >> >> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I
>might
>> >> >> > jsut go for it.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Cheers
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> Small world :-)
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Gill
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never
>given
>> >me a
>> >> >bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and
>well
>> >> >cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
>> >> >
>> >> >Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same place -
>I'm
>> >> >guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road,
>> >somewhere
>> >> >off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian
>Terraces
>> >in
>> >> >Reading in my time....all very solid...
>> >> >
>> >> >Gill
>> >> >
>> >
>> >Snap again - thought you might if the Henley Maidenhead is your closest.
>> >
>> >I'm never too sure about this fishless cycle thing having read some of
>the
>> >posts on this NG - good luck :-)
>> >
>> >Apparently there is another good Maidenhead in Bracknell - not been
>myself
>> >but have a friend who has been over there. Got another friend who goes to
>> >the Newbury one. I've been very happy with the Henley one - always
>willing
>> >to give good advice.
>> >
>> >Gill
>> >
>Check out Connie's posting "I'm about to give up...." or try a search on
>Google on this newsgroup for fishless cycling. I guess it works for a lot of
>people and is certainly kinder than risking sacrificial fish.
>
>You said in an earlier post that you already have a tank. Another way of
>doing this is to take filter medium and substrate from the existing tank
>(plus some water) and you will already have some bacteria. This is how I do
>it now we have a severe case of MTS in the house. It's probably best to err
>on the cautious though and rather than going on the basis that you have now
>created a fully cycled tank just add a very few fish at a time and keep
>monitoring allowing the bacteria to increase as per the fish load. Generally
>I add the fish and then the filter medium/substrate afterwards so that the
>bacteria has something to feed on. I then check the water quality daily to
>make sure that there is no ammonia/nitrite spike. I've only come unstuck
>with this once which is my current attempt where I had a small nitrite
>spike - I think the key is probably to add the fish a bit slower than I did
>on this occassion but fortunately the fish coped.
>
>If you really come unstuck on doing this I guess you could ask a fellow
>Caversham fish keeper for some mature filter medium.
>
>Gill
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> Very kind offer!
>
> Actually, I 've already added the ammonia (last night). I squeezed the
> filter sponge from orginal tank into the new tank and added a couple
> of the plants and some water and then added the ammonia to take it to
> 5ppm as the instructions dicatate. I've tested this evening and the
> ammonia levels seem to have come down slightly. i was going to carry
> on, but I'm not sure now. Isuppose once I'ev started I should carry
> on.
>
>
>
> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:01:31 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >
> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> ...
> >> I've been to the one in Bracknell. They've got some marine stock there
> >> which they don't have in Henley and they seem to have more staff, but
> >> the guy at Henley's pretty good. I went to one in Iver today (was
> >> roughly in the are on a customer visit) and that one's pretty big. A
> >> few dead fish though.
> >>
> >> So you've heard things about fishless cycling? I've only just started
> >> reading this newsgroup. What problems have you heard about?
> >>
> >>
> >> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:42:27 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
> >>
> >> >
> >> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> >> Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!
> >> >>
> >> >> Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me
a
> >> >> deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going
to
> >> >> put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.
> >> >>
> >> >> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
> >> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> >
> >> >> >"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
> >> >> .. .
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
> >> >> >> ...
> >> >> >> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I
> >might
> >> >> >> > jsut go for it.
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Cheers
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> Small world :-)
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Gill
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never
> >given
> >> >me a
> >> >> >bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and
> >well
> >> >> >cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same
place -
> >I'm
> >> >> >guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road,
> >> >somewhere
> >> >> >off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian
> >Terraces
> >> >in
> >> >> >Reading in my time....all very solid...
> >> >> >
> >> >> >Gill
> >> >> >
> >> >
> >> >Snap again - thought you might if the Henley Maidenhead is your
closest.
> >> >
> >> >I'm never too sure about this fishless cycle thing having read some of
> >the
> >> >posts on this NG - good luck :-)
> >> >
> >> >Apparently there is another good Maidenhead in Bracknell - not been
> >myself
> >> >but have a friend who has been over there. Got another friend who goes
to
> >> >the Newbury one. I've been very happy with the Henley one - always
> >willing
> >> >to give good advice.
> >> >
> >> >Gill
> >> >
> >Check out Connie's posting "I'm about to give up...." or try a search on
> >Google on this newsgroup for fishless cycling. I guess it works for a lot
of
> >people and is certainly kinder than risking sacrificial fish.
> >
> >You said in an earlier post that you already have a tank. Another way of
> >doing this is to take filter medium and substrate from the existing tank
> >(plus some water) and you will already have some bacteria. This is how I
do
> >it now we have a severe case of MTS in the house. It's probably best to
err
> >on the cautious though and rather than going on the basis that you have
now
> >created a fully cycled tank just add a very few fish at a time and keep
> >monitoring allowing the bacteria to increase as per the fish load.
Generally
> >I add the fish and then the filter medium/substrate afterwards so that
the
> >bacteria has something to feed on. I then check the water quality daily
to
> >make sure that there is no ammonia/nitrite spike. I've only come unstuck
> >with this once which is my current attempt where I had a small nitrite
> >spike - I think the key is probably to add the fish a bit slower than I
did
> >on this occassion but fortunately the fish coped.
> >
> >If you really come unstuck on doing this I guess you could ask a fellow
> >Caversham fish keeper for some mature filter medium.
> >
> >Gill
> >

If you run into problems when you add the fish just give me a shout.....BTW
where did you find the ammonia?

Next question - what's your nearest landmark? (no way we can give away
addresses on the net)

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

I got it from Boots in town (not the one in the Oracle). It's their
own brand "household ammonia" 9.5% solution.

(Reading Bridge)


On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:00:27 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> Very kind offer!
>>
>> Actually, I 've already added the ammonia (last night). I squeezed the
>> filter sponge from orginal tank into the new tank and added a couple
>> of the plants and some water and then added the ammonia to take it to
>> 5ppm as the instructions dicatate. I've tested this evening and the
>> ammonia levels seem to have come down slightly. i was going to carry
>> on, but I'm not sure now. Isuppose once I'ev started I should carry
>> on.
>>
>>
>>
>> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 20:01:31 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >
>> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> >> I've been to the one in Bracknell. They've got some marine stock there
>> >> which they don't have in Henley and they seem to have more staff, but
>> >> the guy at Henley's pretty good. I went to one in Iver today (was
>> >> roughly in the are on a customer visit) and that one's pretty big. A
>> >> few dead fish though.
>> >>
>> >> So you've heard things about fishless cycling? I've only just started
>> >> reading this newsgroup. What problems have you heard about?
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 07:42:27 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>> >>
>> >> >
>> >> >"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> >> Looks like everyone comes from a Reading somewhere!
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Caversham actaully (although not in Pennsylvania!). Yeah, he gave me
>a
>> >> >> deal on the filter. Got it all back today and set it up. I'm going
>to
>> >> >> put some ammonia in it to try this fishless cycle.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 00:18:00 +0100, "Gill Passman"
>> >> >> <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >"Gill Passman" <gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote in message
>> >> >> .. .
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
>> >> >> >> ...
>> >> >> >> > I'm in Reading. I think he will do a swap on the filters so I
>> >might
>> >> >> >> > jsut go for it.
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Cheers
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> Small world :-)
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Gill
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >I hope that he went for it....it has to be said that he has never
>> >given
>> >> >me a
>> >> >> >bad bit of advice yet...and the fish are generally very healthy and
>> >well
>> >> >> >cared for - I've never seen a single spot on his Clowns....
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >Well obviously I'm not in Pensylvania as we shop in the same
>place -
>> >I'm
>> >> >> >guessing Victorian Terrace you are Cemetry Junction, Oxford Road,
>> >> >somewhere
>> >> >> >off Basingstoke Road or Caversham area....known a few Victorian
>> >Terraces
>> >> >in
>> >> >> >Reading in my time....all very solid...
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >Gill
>> >> >> >
>> >> >
>> >> >Snap again - thought you might if the Henley Maidenhead is your
>closest.
>> >> >
>> >> >I'm never too sure about this fishless cycle thing having read some of
>> >the
>> >> >posts on this NG - good luck :-)
>> >> >
>> >> >Apparently there is another good Maidenhead in Bracknell - not been
>> >myself
>> >> >but have a friend who has been over there. Got another friend who goes
>to
>> >> >the Newbury one. I've been very happy with the Henley one - always
>> >willing
>> >> >to give good advice.
>> >> >
>> >> >Gill
>> >> >
>> >Check out Connie's posting "I'm about to give up...." or try a search on
>> >Google on this newsgroup for fishless cycling. I guess it works for a lot
>of
>> >people and is certainly kinder than risking sacrificial fish.
>> >
>> >You said in an earlier post that you already have a tank. Another way of
>> >doing this is to take filter medium and substrate from the existing tank
>> >(plus some water) and you will already have some bacteria. This is how I
>do
>> >it now we have a severe case of MTS in the house. It's probably best to
>err
>> >on the cautious though and rather than going on the basis that you have
>now
>> >created a fully cycled tank just add a very few fish at a time and keep
>> >monitoring allowing the bacteria to increase as per the fish load.
>Generally
>> >I add the fish and then the filter medium/substrate afterwards so that
>the
>> >bacteria has something to feed on. I then check the water quality daily
>to
>> >make sure that there is no ammonia/nitrite spike. I've only come unstuck
>> >with this once which is my current attempt where I had a small nitrite
>> >spike - I think the key is probably to add the fish a bit slower than I
>did
>> >on this occassion but fortunately the fish coped.
>> >
>> >If you really come unstuck on doing this I guess you could ask a fellow
>> >Caversham fish keeper for some mature filter medium.
>> >
>> >Gill
>> >
>
>If you run into problems when you add the fish just give me a shout.....BTW
>where did you find the ammonia?
>
>Next question - what's your nearest landmark? (no way we can give away
>addresses on the net)
>
>Gill
>

[Gill Passman]

"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
> I got it from Boots in town (not the one in the Oracle). It's their
> own brand "household ammonia" 9.5% solution.
>
> (Reading Bridge)
>
>
About 5 mins drive then at max....how freaky :-) I used to live in St Johns
Road and walk my dog where you are talking about. Near CPS now....

You mean Broad Street rather than St Martins Precinct I
guess....interesting - one day I might give it a go....

BTW I do mean it if you run into trouble once you put in the fish I have 6
cycled tanks so it is no great issue to me.....

Gill

[Fantastic Derek]

Definitely a small world.

There is very kind - I'll remember that (just in case).

Thanks again


On Mon, 22 Aug 2005 23:35:33 +0100, "Gill Passman"
<gillspamattaylorpassmanspam.co.uk> wrote:

>
>"Fantastic Derek" > wrote in message
...
>> I got it from Boots in town (not the one in the Oracle). It's their
>> own brand "household ammonia" 9.5% solution.
>>
>> (Reading Bridge)
>>
>>
>About 5 mins drive then at max....how freaky :-) I used to live in St Johns
>Road and walk my dog where you are talking about. Near CPS now....
>
>You mean Broad Street rather than St Martins Precinct I
>guess....interesting - one day I might give it a go....
>
>BTW I do mean it if you run into trouble once you put in the fish I have 6
>cycled tanks so it is no great issue to me.....
>
>Gill
>