Thank you for this. My mother-in-law needs a crash course in having goldfish and times have clearly changed since when I was a kid. She seems to be getting a cold shoulder from store owners, you would think it might be better to educate rather than be rude and shun.
Yeah it's freshwater, I think the Larvae must have come in with the mother snail as they have only been in the tank 2 weeks. Water quality is spot on with every test we have done so far so cannot see them having reproduced in our tank.
Yeah it's freshwater, I think the Larvae must have come in with the mother snail as they have only been in the tank 2 weeks. Water quality is spot on with every test we have done so far so cannot see them having reproduced in our tank.
My nerite snails leave eggs all over the place, they never go beyond that stage though. I'd guess at it being another type of snail coming via water or plants from when you've put something else in the tank.
Happened to me on an old tank, it was suddenly full of tiny snails.
My nerite snails leave eggs all over the place, they never go beyond that stage though. I'd guess at it being another type of snail coming via water or plants from when you've put something else in the tank.
Happened to me on an old tank, it was suddenly full of tiny snails.
It's deffo a Zebra Nerite, the shell is very distinctive, and they were the last thing put in the tank, tank it's self has been running for about 10months now 8months with just some guppies, and added Cardinal Tetras and the snails over the last two months.
If they came from a freshwater tank when you bought them though, they shouldn't have had any viable way of reproducing prior to going in your tank either?
God knows, bought them all from Maidenhead Aquatics and would think the stock is decent, shop has been open for nearly 30 years and staff have been there for 20+ so should know how to handle them. But you never know!
Let's hope it is a freak thing that you've managed to raise a Nerite snail in freshwater otherwise you might have to get an assassin snail or some Yoyo loaches to solve a snail infestation!
I want to convert my 120l freshwater gravel tank into a planted tank, I've been reading a few guides online, just want to run it by you guys to make sure, is it definitely safe to use regular organic potting soil? 1 inch soil with about 1inch sand on top?, how long will the soil last, does it need changing every few years?
Been there done that for a long time and I honestly wouldn’t recommend it.
These days I use tropica soil, yes it’s expensive but it works and you don’t need a gravel top or have to worry about ammonia killing all your fish. Just Chuck it in the tank and go.
Been there done that for a long time and I honestly wouldn’t recommend it.
These days I use tropica soil, yes it’s expensive but it works and you don’t need a gravel top or have to worry about ammonia killing all your fish. Just Chuck it in the tank and go.
Interesting, that was actually my next question, been looking at tropica soil but it all looks like it's little balls? does that compact down after a while? what exactly is it?
Interesting, that was actually my next question, been looking at tropica soil but it all looks like it's little balls? does that compact down after a while? what exactly is it?
I believe it’s crushed volcanic soil, it maintains its shape through its lifespan. The idea is that it will absorb nutrients and release it to plants and it’s loose structure allows oxygen to penetrate down to the roots.
It’s pretty easy to scape with and there is no need to cap it with anything. You can bank it etc and it seems to hold its form. Plants also find it really easy to root in.
There is very little risk of toxic gas pockets forming which is a real risk when you use compost or similar.
It’s also softer than glass so it shouldn’t scratch your glass unlike sand or gravel.
All in all it’s a good product, just pricey. There are loads of different versions from different manufacturers but I think the tropica one is the most cost effective.
I believe it’s crushed volcanic soil, it maintains its shape through its lifespan. The idea is that it will absorb nutrients and release it to plants and it’s loose structure allows oxygen to penetrate down to the roots.
It’s pretty easy to scape with and there is no need to cap it with anything. You can bank it etc and it seems to hold its form. Plants also find it really easy to root in.
There is very little risk of toxic gas pockets forming which is a real risk when you use compost or similar.
It’s also softer than glass so it shouldn’t scratch your glass unlike sand or gravel.
All in all it’s a good product, just pricey. There are loads of different versions from different manufacturers but I think the tropica one is the most cost effective.
I miss not having a fish tank in my workplace. There’s a local guy who sets it all up and maintains it which is perfect. Curious how much it’ll cost, I’d like something decent. Budget about 1-1.5k I guess. Will update with his ideas once he gets back to me. Have about 1.2x0.6m space to play with. Ideally something tropical and colourful or something eye catching like a giant eel
Need to use my budget up by July, so why not.
Edit: the guy attended already, for the budget going to go for freshwater, with some aquarium soil, plants, fish, snails etc. Sounds pretty cool. Awaiting the quote. Turns out he already knows a load of people where I work.
Edit: also getting marine aquarium quote with an increased budget.
Edit 2: the quotes are in
1.TROPICAL FRESHWATER TANK 240litres
£550 Tank inc delivery
40 soil
80 wood
30 rocks
75 Sand/gravel mix
90 Circulation pump
120 Plants
Then its all smaller stuff inc, water condtioners, plant , fish food, backing paper etc.
£250 labour. Il be there for a few hours, will just need help lifting the tank to the classroom.
This is all totalling around the £1235 – 1450 mark.
Fish are not included in this price but they aren’t too expensive.
3-4 week Maintenance full clean is £90.00. this includes, gravel, glass, pump, filter clean with a big water change and pruning plants.
2. MARINE FISHTANK 240litres
Same tank, just with a lot more equipment .
£750 tank inc delivery
400 skimmer
180 circulation pumps
400 approx Coral rock (live)
150 salt water
300 corals
55 coral sand
Then again all the Smaller equipment, food , thermometer, treatments etc
£350 labour, longer time spent setting the tank up, getting all the corals, salt water etc, I would also need one of my colleagues to help with this.
This is all totalling around £2800-3000
Marine fish can be a bit expensive some at £20-50, but you wouldn’t be able to stock like a fresh water tank, so a good 6-10 fish would be fine.
Marine tank will need frozen food as well as dried food, I can supply this. You will therefore need to keep the frozen food in a freezer.
2-3 week maintenance is needed on a salt water tank , same clean as freshwater but will need to add salt water . this is £90 plus £40 salt water , Total £130.00
I miss not having a fish tank in my workplace. There’s a local guy who sets it all up and maintains it which is perfect. Curious how much it’ll cost, I’d like something decent. Budget about 1-1.5k I guess. Will update with his ideas once he gets back to me. Have about 1.2x0.6m space to play with. Ideally something tropical and colourful or something eye catching like a giant eel
Need to use my budget up by July, so why not.
Edit: the guy attended already, for the budget going to go for freshwater, with some aquarium soil, plants, fish, snails etc. Sounds pretty cool. Awaiting the quote. Turns out he already knows a load of people where I work.
Edit: also getting marine aquarium quote with an increased budget.
Edit 2: the quotes are in
1.TROPICAL FRESHWATER TANK 240litres
£550 Tank inc delivery
40 soil
80 wood
30 rocks
75 Sand/gravel mix
90 Circulation pump
120 Plants
Then its all smaller stuff inc, water condtioners, plant , fish food, backing paper etc.
£250 labour. Il be there for a few hours, will just need help lifting the tank to the classroom.
This is all totalling around the £1235 – 1450 mark.
Fish are not included in this price but they aren’t too expensive.
3-4 week Maintenance full clean is £90.00. this includes, gravel, glass, pump, filter clean with a big water change and pruning plants.
2. MARINE FISHTANK 240litres
Same tank, just with a lot more equipment .
£750 tank inc delivery
400 skimmer
180 circulation pumps
400 approx Coral rock (live)
150 salt water
300 corals
55 coral sand
Then again all the Smaller equipment, food , thermometer, treatments etc
£350 labour, longer time spent setting the tank up, getting all the corals, salt water etc, I would also need one of my colleagues to help with this.
This is all totalling around £2800-3000
Marine fish can be a bit expensive some at £20-50, but you wouldn’t be able to stock like a fresh water tank, so a good 6-10 fish would be fine.
Marine tank will need frozen food as well as dried food, I can supply this. You will therefore need to keep the frozen food in a freezer.
2-3 week maintenance is needed on a salt water tank , same clean as freshwater but will need to add salt water . this is £90 plus £40 salt water , Total £130.00
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