Re: [GSAS-Member] ultra-low maintenance aquarium

[haika@drizzle.com]

Why not just ditch the fish and use shrimp? The nitrates won't build as
quickly this way. I've done this in two tanks, but I admit that I still do
water changes several times per month. But it's not a big deal to do a
water change in a 2.5 gallon tank (wink)....one of the MANY MANY reasons I
stick with nano tanks!

Betty Goetz

> Thanks for your input. Let me give some more challenging parameters:
>
> The project is a 72 gallon planted tank with JUST enough fish to
> provide nitrogen and other nutrients, and relatively self-sufficient
> other than adding a minimum of food and probably removing some plants
> from time-to-time. No air pump, no filter, no water changes, a little
> halogen light (tank is in front of a south-facing window), and a heater
> set to 68 degrees. I'll turn the temperature down slowly and remove the
> fish that appear to be struggling. I found an old email from Steev with
> a list of fish that can live at 68-70 degrees. I have some relatively
> low light plants, and the tank will self-select for the plants that
> survive the cooler temperatures.
>
> My other tank, another 72 gallon, might just have my large pleco, and
> some sunfish or similar non-tropical fish. It will contain low-light
> and pleco-proof plants.
>
> I'll let you know how my attempts at ultra-low maintenance tanks go.
> Any additional input is appreciated.
>
> John
>
>
>
> On Jan 12, 2007, at 5:35 PM, Trish wrote:
>
> Susan is correct. Water changes are the EASIEST way to
> keep our fish happy and healthy. And the cheapest too.
> I try to do water changes on all my tanks{8 in all}
> weekly, and I do about a 50% water change when I do.
> If I go longer, that is when you get the problems,
> especially with algea.
>
> Water changes are a must in fish keeping.
>
> Trish
>
> It would be like if you wear the same clothes for
> weeks on end, with out a shower in those weeks. You
> take your showers regularly, and change your
> clothes....do the same for your fish by water changes.
> --- SUSAN WELENOFSKY <welenofsky@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Hair algae has nothing to do with the storm.
>>
>> You had hair algae in the African tank upstairs last
>> time I came over. Your
>> tanks are out of balance. I was trying to correct
>> the problem but you can't
>> fix it without doing water changes. That's why it's
>> important to do them. I
>> don't have algae problems in my tanks unless I go
>> too long without water
>> changes, sigh. I wish you understood how important
>> this is because I sound
>> like a broken record.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: John Ruhland [mailto:john@drruhland.com]
>> Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 3:29 PM
>> To: SUSAN WELENOFSKY
>> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Zebra Pleco
>>
>> Around the time of the storm, I started getting
>> small amounts of hair
>> algae in my two other tanks, tanks that had never
>> had it before. It was
>> also when water changes were at an all-time high
>> here. I am also
>> feeding less than in the past. Other people seem to
>> be having more
>> problems with hair algae as well. Could it be that
>> there was a change
>> in the water quality after the storm?
>>
>> Would the Ameca splendens do a better job of eating
>> the hair algae than
>> the Leopard Gooeids? It was the Leopard Gooeids that
>> hungrily eat all
>> the food and not the hair algae as I reported a week
>> or so ago.
>>
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 12, 2007, at 1:43 PM, SUSAN WELENOFSKY wrote:
>>
>> Yes, I brought you those fish because they do.
>>
>> You should check your nitrate level because that is
>> what feeds the
>> algae.
>> That is why it is important to do water changes. If
>> you let it go too
>> long,
>> the algae gets a good foothold and will destroy your
>> plants. I do water
>> changes on my tanks weekly. The more you feed, the
>> higher the nitrate
>> level
>> goes, the worse the algae.
>>
>> Susan
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
>> [mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf
>> Of John Ruhland
>> Sent: Friday, January 12, 2007 10:19 AM
>> To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
>> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Zebra Pleco
>>
>> Do they eat hair algae?
>>
>> On Jan 11, 2007, at 6:20 PM, SUSAN WELENOFSKY wrote:
>>
>> You have a Hi-Fin Pleco Dr. Ruhland. The fish I
>> brought over for
>> downstairs
>> are Leopard Gooeids, not Ameca splendens, by the
>> way. I think they will
>> work
>> for cooler room temperatures. I will ask Dorian
>> since he bred them.
>>
>> Susan
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com
>> [mailto:gsas-member-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf
>> Of John Ruhland
>> Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2007 6:01 PM
>> To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society member chat
>> Subject: Re: [GSAS-Member] Zebra Pleco
>>
>> I have a really nice looking pleco I'm looking to
>> find a home for. He's
>> about 8-9 inches.
>> I sold the same kind to a fish store last year for
>> $15, so I'm guessing
>> he's pretty special.
>> Also selling a pure black angel fish, about 6
>> inches, and Daffodil
>> Bichardi's of various sizes.
>> John
>>
>>
>>
>> On Jan 11, 2007, at 3:22 PM, <altonkwok@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I'm looking for Zebra Plecos.  Does anyone know if
>> there are any local
>> breeders?
>> _______________________________________________
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>>
>>  
>>  
>> Dr. John F. Ruhland
>> The Natural Health Medical Clinic
>> 4002 - 25th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98108
>> 206-723-4891
>> www.drruhland.com
>>
>>
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>>  
>>  
>> Dr. John F. Ruhland
>> The Natural Health Medical Clinic
>> 4002 - 25th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98108
>> 206-723-4891
>> www.drruhland.com
>>
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>>  
>>  
>> Dr. John F. Ruhland
>> The Natural Health Medical Clinic
>> 4002 - 25th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98108
>> 206-723-4891
>> www.drruhland.com
>>
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> The Natural Health Medical Clinic
> 4002 - 25th Avenue S, Seattle, WA 98108
> 206-723-4891
> www.drruhland.com
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