Some Problems

[liam]

Beginners Info Sheet
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Tank Dimensions (LxWxH): cm 90 x 44 x 40 (inch 36 x 17 x 16)
Tank Volume (litres or gallons): 158.4 litres (41.85 US gallons)
Lighting Intensity(No of Watts) : PL: 2 X 36W = 72W;
Type of Lighting (FL/PL/MH) : PL
No. of Hours your light is on : 10 hours
CO2 Injection Rate (bps) : not available
Type of CO2 (DIY/Liquid/Tank) : DIY - Nutrafin
Method of Injection (e.g. Diffusor/Reactor): Flipper
Substrate Used : Base Fertilizer, Gravel
How Thick is your base fert : 2 cm (back) to 1 cm (front) (taper)
How thick is your gravel : 4 cm (back) to (front) 2 cm (taper) (Graded,Kiln
Dried - Monterey Sand - 8 Mesh)
Liquid Fertilizers Used : None (in a weeks time)
Frequency of fertilization : To be once a week after 20% water change
Tank Temperature : 29 degrees
Type of Filter (overhead/internal/canister) : Internal filter - Atman F303
(600L/H)
Filter media used : Sponge
How long has your tank been set up : < 2 weeks
Other equipment :

Chemical Properties
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Carbonate Hardness (KH): 2 degrees
Total Hardness (gH): 6 degrees
pH : 6.5 - 6.8
NH4 (ppm): not available
NO2 Nitrites (ppm): <0.6ml
NO3 Nitrates (ppm): not available(high results promotes algae growth)
PO4 (ppm): not available
Fe (ppm): not available

Bioload
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Fish (Total = 16)
Cardinal Tetras (9), Emperor Tetra (3), Rummynose (2), Silvertip (2)

Plants
Various (Half of the tank filled with various plants)


Problem 1:
I measured the pH the previous day and it was around 6.5 to 6.8. So I
increased the kH (to around 4 degrees) a little bit by adding Sera kH-Plus
last night. The Sera CO2 testkit shows dark green meaning there is enough
CO2 for the tank. However, this morning, I realised that there this whitish
film at the bottom of the CO2 test cube. What does this indicate? Is it
because of the increase in kH?

Problem 2:
Nitrite NO2 was less than 0.3ml/g but reading went up to about 0.6ml/g. Any
concern? Understand that there will be some sorta spike initially?

Problem 3:
This shouldnt be posted here but here goes. The middle part of the tank has
a piece of glass plate right? Well this morning, the front part came off the
front of the tank. So the back part is still attached to the back of the
tank...and it is hanging. I further noticed that the upper part of the tank
has warped a little which is why the front glass plaste came off. I take
that this is due to the pressure of the water. However, I am concerned if
the tank will hold for long. Should I get a new tank? (it's about 1 year
old). Also , there is no way i think I could fix the glass plate back.
Please advise.

[PeterGwee]

Problem 1: No worries there...

Problem 2: Carry out frequent water change to keep the NO2 level low to prevent fish stress or death. Monitor the level and do a water change when the NO2 level 0.3mg or more. In a well-run planted tank, the ammonia might not even have a chance to reach the NO2 stage as the plants would consume it readily. Look into growing the plants well as healthy plants = healthy fishes = healthy living conditions.

Problem 3: What is the thickness of your tank glass? From what you mention, the bracing has come off which might well indicate the bowing effect on the front glass....dangerous as the tank might just give way anytime. Better to get a new tank but might be able to resolve the problem by draining down the tank so as reduce the bowing of the front glass and then silicone back the bracing..I bet your tank thickness is on the low side...With planted tanks, the amount of substrate plus stuff like driftwood and stones can place a lot more pressure to the tank walls than a fish only tank. Get a thicker tank!

[spike]

Hi, do something quick, this can be very dangerous. Even a slight knock might see the tank breaking. Change to a more well built tank if possible.
[:0]

[Allen_1971]

for point 2, you might wanna add a bit of salt to your tank... say 2-3 tablespoons.. this should help alleviate nitrite toxicity issues... changing water also helps.

For point 3 you need to be careful... your tank could give problems... reduce the water level to 50% and see if your warping is reduced... if so, you know for sure that you need that top brace for the extra strength... in such a case I would advise a tank change.

[liam]

Hi,

Thanks for your responses.Please take a look at the pictures at <http://homepage.mac.com/jeffreyliam/...2.html>

1. I measured the thickness of the glass and it's 6mm. Is this thickness okay? I mean what should be the recommended thickness for 3 footer?

2. Any good LFS I should buy from? I rather invest in a good one now.

3. If new tank, that means I have to buy new base fert. How to bring over the gravel? Wash them first then bring to new tank?

Thanks.

[liam]

Hi,

I also noticed that the styrofoam sheet is short by 6mm on the left side of the tank. Could this have caused the bowing?

[liam]

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On 5/7/2003 5:37:30 PM

for point 2, you might wanna add a bit of salt to your tank... say 2-3 tablespoons.. this should help alleviate nitrite toxicity issues... changing water also helps.

For point 3 you need to be careful... your tank could give problems... reduce the water level to 50% and see if your warping is reduced... if so, you know for sure that you need that top brace for the extra strength... in such a case I would advise a tank change.
----------------

Hi,

I have added salt when I setup the tank initially. And also now, I have reduced the water to about 60% and the bracing is now touching the front panel.

[cks]

liam,
problems 1 & 2 really no problem but problem 3 is really the problem.
best you get another tank before it burst out and flood your living room.
no need to wash the substrate . just scoop up every thing and transfer to your new tank.
cheers

[liam]

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On 5/7/2003 8:43:36 PM

liam,
problems 1 & 2 really no problem but problem 3 is really the problem.
best you get another tank before it burst out and flood your living room.
no need to wash the substrate . just scoop up every thing and transfer to your new tank.
cheers
----------------

ok. thanks...so which means that the gravel and fert will be mixed...when bringing that over to the new tank...will the mix cloud the new tank?

I am getting the new tank tomorrow...also 6mm thick.

[PeterGwee]

Liam...remove only the top gravel and not the base fert...wash it well if mix with base fert...the best you can do to conserve the bacteria is to remove as much mulm (dirt) while siphoning the base of the gravel bed during the draining of tank and then add it to the bottom of the new tank substrate.

Why not consider a tank with thickness of 8mm or above for your tank size..it is less likely to warp as compared to one of thinner glass...more expensive though. Think about it..imagine I had a 2ft tank of 1cm thickness..abit kiasu and bloody heavy but imagine the risk of the tank cracking and flooding my bedroom while I am asleep...duhz..much worth it.

[liam]

Peter,

Thanks. I _want_ to get 8mm. I just called up one of the LPS but only got 3 footer 6mm. Where can get 3 footer 8mm?

Would appreciate if can recommend where cos i don't want a flooded living room the next day.

[Allen_1971]

Liam,

if you have no problems getting a new tank, then thats what you should do. If you wanna try to save the tank, you could try buying some silicon and connecting the front brace back. The choice is yours.

[vinz]

Liam,

Try the tank-makers for a custom made tank. Check yellowpages for Soon Heng and Sin Chew. Maybe the other forumers can recommend more.

Do visit the shops to check out their workmanship. You could try asking them if they are willing to send someone to your home to fix that bracing for you.

Anyway, the bracing is there to prevent bowing/warping of the glass. It's a good idea to keep the water level lower until the brace is fixed.

[liam]

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On 5/8/2003 11:23:26 AM

Liam,

Try the tank-makers for a custom made tank. Check yellowpages for Soon Heng and Sin Chew. Maybe the other forumers can recommend more.

Do visit the shops to check out their workmanship. You could try asking them if they are willing to send someone to your home to fix that bracing for you.

Anyway, the bracing is there to prevent bowing/warping of the glass. It's a good idea to keep the water level lower until the brace is fixed.
----------------

Thanks. Called most LFS north-side for 8mm 3 footer tank but most don't have them.

I don't think I want to save the present tank as I am thinking the workmanship could be sloppy - besides most 3 ft tanks are 6mm in the market.

[vinz]

LFS usually have stock tanks only. I think you can get the tank makers to make a tank to your specs. Soon Heng and Sin Chew are tank makers. They should provide a delivery service, so except visting them to order, you shouldn't have to worry about location.

[PeterGwee]

Yeah...Vinz is right..just ask the LFS if they custom made tanks..simple. Imagine I can custom made a 2ft with 1cm thick glass..LOL..the store owner was a bit shock when I ask for 1.5cm thickness..he say I don't need that so settle for 1cm...he even joke that I am not keeping a dinosaur am I?

[liam]

Thanks for all your advice. I have already put in an order at NA for 3 footer 6mm. I didn't know it was so dear for 8mm 3 footer. Anyway, it takes 10 to 14 days to get custom tanks. I don't think I'll wait.

My further observations are the tanks at NA are sealed with black silicone and they are very neatly done and the finish is quite amazing. I mean no access silicone or silicone marks. Also, the middle brace was a lot wider than mine.

When I compared to the one I have at home now, I realised that mine is defintely shoddy. Hmmm...just when I thought tanks were ...well...just tanks.

Rgds

[Goondoo]

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On 5/8/2003 2:55:43 PM

Yeah...Vinz is right..just ask the LFS if they custom made tanks..simple. Imagine I can custom made a 2ft with 1cm thick glass..LOL..the store owner was a bit shock when I ask for 1.5cm thickness..he say I don't need that so settle for 1cm...he even joke that I am not keeping a dinosaur am I?
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I got my custom made tank from Yishun Soon Heng. 4 footer 10mm, check LFS list for address and contacts.

Hope this helps...