Freshwater Aquarium Colored Rocks

I certainly learned that you do not have to follow "the bigger the better maxim" in setting up a reef. Neither do you have to use a sump or have tons of sophisticated expensive equipment. Whatever works for your budget and the well being of the animals you want to keep is enough."

"I cant emphasize enough how much Ive learned from the people in our local Marine Society (the Chesapeake Marine Aquarium Society)

This prefilter design greatly reduces the chances of the siphon action breaking, either from collected air or when the filter pump stops.

Wet-Dry Filters: Wet-dry filters are typically rectangular acrylic or glass reservoirs that sit below the aquarium. Most are divided into two basic sections, the "wet-dry" chamber and the "sump." Some wet-dry filter models may also have additional sections or chambers for in-sump protein skimmers, de-nitrification systems, canister filters or for pre-filtration of the water.

The wet-dry chamber houses the biolo

freshwater aquarium colored rocks

Biological filtration is a must. Unless you have an "open" system with continuous flow through of "new" clean seawater, you will be re-circulating your "closed" systems aquatic medium along with livestock wastes and uneaten food. These materials are toxic to your fishes and invertebrates unless expediently converted to less noxious materials and/or filtered out. This is the realm of biological filtration for most of us; circulating system water through a matrix/substrate housing beneficial nutrient-cycling bacteria.

The simplest of these bio-filters are air-dri

At time/point 5 ammonia starts to drop off in concentration, being readily oxidized by the first group of nitrifiers. Ditto at time/point 6 for the second group of bacteria. At time seven the system has officially "cycled" with ammonia and nitrite now at undetectable levels. In completely cycled, balanced systems the curve of nitrate concentration will flatten as marked (8) with an unbalanced situation (too little denitrification, use of nitrates by other life, transport by water changes, over-feeding/under-filtration...) accounting for an ever-increasing level/concentration of nitrate as indicated by (9)

The dynamic snowballs as waste accumulates, mucus accumulates, bacteria proliferate and ultimately become pathogenic; its the very thing that kills so many corals in shipping. There is also the simple matter that an increase of water flow in traditionally under-filtered aquariums often translates into prompt and improved rates of growth in captive animals. And finally, on more elemental level, effective water flow is necessary in the aquarium to prevent the accumulation of detritus, and worse - lingering matter that dissolves and concentrates ove

Common Cichlid Diseases
Like all fish kept in tanks, Cichlids are prone to disease. The artificial environment and closed system are the perfect breeding grounds for pathogens and parasites. Of course, wild fish get diseases, but these go unseen by everyone but fishermen and wil.

Brain versus Hammer
I recently moved the brain a little to close to the Hammer and caught this pic at night, 1st time I ever seen the brain put out the stingers since I got him 3 years ago..

Special For 8/22/06 - 8/25/06
Moonlights: Marina Brand; White Light unit with adapter: $13.99 LED unit w/cord $6.99 Connection box w/adapter $11.99 Regards, Kevin.