Nitrates?

"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...

That's the advice I've usually gotten from people who
have really large tanks with a lot of expensive fish.
I have small mostly cheap tropicals.

That's me too When I go to the LFS first I scan the pricetags - then the
fish!!

Could be you're overfeeding a bit. That's something a
lot of us do, I think. Maybe try throwing in a fast day?
It's hard to walk past a tank knowing I haven't fed
the poor guys that day, but it really doesn't hurt them
and might help keep the nitrates down. Anyhoo, I
schedule Wednesday for my fast days. (by "my" I
mean the fish, but I suppose I could do a fast day
for myself, too. LOL)

I have read and forgotten about 'fast' days - good idea. btw - the only
tank that is 40ish is my one with fancy GF. I was just trying not to
confuse the issue since I know they are a little dirtier and hardier. I
also give them about 3 gal/inch.

The bottom line is I am going to have a tendency to
want to spend sparingly, add as little as possible and stock heavily

By "stock heavily" what do you mean? If you're putting
too many fish into your tank(s), that could well be the
source of your higher nitrates (which don't seem excessively
high to me, but could be lower). Better to move up to
a larger tank than overstock.

All the tanks I have are pretty much filled at the inch per gallon (with a
*little* growing room left). I can't really add much bigger tanks or they
would be REALLY expensive - I'd have to buy a bigger house I am curious
what plants you have. I have been trying to slowly build up my plant life
but thus far with small hood lights the only thing that seems to get bigger
instead of smaller is the anacharis I take from the pond.

"4 years" ?? I killed off most of my poor little fish over
a 7 year period - never learned a darned thing -
ROFL - too funny.

near San Antonio TX
::hi neighbor::
Howdy partner(ess) Yes I am the same Newbie Bill you have helped from
time to time in rec.ponds. I've just been graviting towards the glass ponds
during the winter.

Thanxx
Bill

"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
. com...

"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
[snip]
All the tanks I have are pretty much filled at the inch per gallon (with a
*little* growing room left). I can't really add much bigger tanks or they
would be REALLY expensive - I'd have to buy a bigger house

I don't know how the experts feel about the system I'm
about to recommend, but I found this really useful
in figuring out how many fish I could reasonably have:
http://www.tropicalresources.net/web..._guide_fw.html
I'm still overstocked a bit in several of my tanks but
since all my fish are small tropicals I don't worry too much.

I am curious
what plants you have.

When I got started buying plants I didn't pay much
attention. Some died off, some did great. I think
I mostly have crypts, and definitely Java Fern (great
tied to driftwood or other surfaces). There's one
plant I mentioned in my other post I can't id and
wish I could. I tried taking photos to post but
none came out. Anyway, plants aren't that expensive
and I just try different ones til I find some that work.

I have been trying to slowly build up my plant life
but thus far with small hood lights the only thing that seems to get
bigger instead of smaller is the anacharis I take from the pond.

Oh yeah I've done that, too. My anacharis doesn't
seem to do as well indoors as outdoors. Maybe because
my tanks are warmer? It is worth converting to
flourescent lights, even the mini compacts Wal-Mart
now sells are worth a try. (They'll work in an
incandescent hood - trust me, I've done it.)

"4 years" ?? I killed off most of my poor little fish over
a 7 year period - never learned a darned thing -
ROFL - too funny.

near San Antonio TX
::hi neighbor::
Howdy partner(ess) Yes I am the same Newbie Bill you have helped from
time to time in rec.ponds. I've just been graviting towards the glass
ponds during the winter.

Thanxx
Bill

"glass ponds" I like that.

Gail

"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
I don't know how the experts feel about the system I'm
about to recommend, but I found this really useful
in figuring out how many fish I could reasonably have:
http://www.tropicalresources.net/web..._guide_fw.html
I'm still overstocked a bit in several of my tanks but
since all my fish are small tropicals I don't worry too much.

Rats- the site seems to be down right now. I would be very interested in
seeing yet another idea. My reference to pushing the limits (overstocked)
are based on the simple 1"/gallon rule. But like you most of my FW pets are
around 2 inches. I think I am correct in assuming that a 2" gourami is
going to produce more waste than a 2" narrow body tetra just because they
have more girth to support. I have also seen some reference to some fish
just apparently not producing as much waste per inch - platys are the only
one I have seen specifically mentioned. I have always figured that's one of
the reasons that fancy GF are considered so much more 'dirtier' - because
there is much more fish to support.

It is worth converting to
flourescent lights, even the mini compacts Wal-Mart
now sells are worth a try. (They'll work in an
incandescent hood - trust me, I've done it.)

All of my tanks have single florescent bulbs, 2 have the more expensive
'grow lights'. But they still are very minimal compared to the 2-5 watts
per gallon I often see recommended. The artificial plants in the 3rd tank
with regular florescent lighting seem to be doing fine

Thanxx
Bill

"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
...

"Gail Futoran" wrote in message
...
I don't know how the experts feel about the system I'm
about to recommend, but I found this really useful
in figuring out how many fish I could reasonably have:
http://www.tropicalresources.net/web..._guide_fw.html
I'm still overstocked a bit in several of my tanks but
since all my fish are small tropicals I don't worry too much.

Rats- the site seems to be down right now. I would be very interested
in seeing yet another idea. My reference to pushing the limits
(overstocked) are based on the simple 1"/gallon rule.

For your reading interests then : )
http://www.2cah.com/netmax/basics/st...stocking.shtml
--
www.NetMax.tk

snip
Thanxx
Bill

"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
om...
I know this is probably a controversial subject but I am still trying to
get a real grasp of what concerns I should have about nitrates. The
opinions seem to be diverse. Some say the number is not so significant so
long as the fish grow with it. Others say don't worry unless its almost
off the scale. Others say whoa 10ppm max, no 20 well no more than 30-50.
I am hopelessly addicted to my little fishes so I generally think I keep a
pretty good tank. Around 10x gph/tank size with penguin filters. Weekly
water changes and vacuuming. Test 2x/wk. No ammonia or nitrites. But my
nitrates do tend to be a little high (depending on who you talk to).=10-40
I think. It seems you would have to be an accomplished artist to correctly
interpret those shades Frankly my budget is well suited to the
inexpensive bio wheels, but I am tempted to try canisters just so I can add
some nitra zorb or other additives, if it's really necessary. Of course
then there are other vets who say UG filter and a sponge filter, thats all
you ever need to add to a tank. The bottom line is I am going to have a
tendency to want to spend sparingly, add as little as possible and stock
heavily and I am trying to 'learn' to know how many fish I can handle
safely. I am willing to put in more time quicker than I am more money. I
really do value each fish so I don't want to learn by death rates. But, I
also pond. From there I know there are alway those who suggest much lower
stocking rates, 'to be safe' when much higher are possible if you know what
you've doing and are willing to moniter things a little more closely.

Sorry, I know this is a long post and probably some will be tempted to say
give it 4 years and you'll get you 'fish sense'. I'm hoping I can cut
down that time with some of your wisdom.
Thanxx
Bill Brister - Austin, Texas

Get some more plants and they will keep the Nitrates in check...

Dan J.S. wrote:
"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
om...

I know this is probably a controversial subject but I am still
trying to
get a real grasp of what concerns I should have about nitrates.


Get some more plants and they will keep the Nitrates in check...


Then get some high quality substrate to keep the plants healthy.

and more wattage, 2 watts per gallon at least!

and add some C02 for super plant health and growth.

and some good trace element ferts for dosing.
Then you can add some Nitrates.....

steve :)

"default" wrote in message
oups.com...

Dan J.S. wrote:
"Newbie Bill" wrote in message
om...

I know this is probably a controversial subject but I am still
trying to
get a real grasp of what concerns I should have about nitrates.


Get some more plants and they will keep the Nitrates in check...


Then get some high quality substrate to keep the plants healthy.

and more wattage, 2 watts per gallon at least!

and add some C02 for super plant health and growth.

and some good trace element ferts for dosing.
Then you can add some Nitrates.....

steve :)

Wow- I'm going to have to same this one in a special file for FUTURE
reference. Unfortunately my current budget doesn't allow for hi quality
this and hi wattage that. This does give me a great idea of what to head
towards though - thanxx.
Bill