6 Uarus Oh boy!

  • We are currently upgrading MFK. thanks! -neo
I use the sticks I ran out last week. What test kit do you recommend for accurate results? I found this at Petco: http://www.petco.com/product/14733/API-Nitrate-Test-Kit-for-FreshwaterSaltwater-Aquariums.aspx

Do you think daily wcs then? how much? 10%? Do I still do my weeklys at 50-55%?

How about testing for softness. I have not tested for that. But I really want to have a spawn!

Thanks for sharing your threads. I read you had the holes in the head that were of concern..was there anything else that made u decide Uarus weren't for you? I just adore these guys!! lol
 
api is good. Cheaper to get the full kit which includes ammonia and nitrites and ph for ~$18 on amazon. Since bottle number 2 of the nitrate test has been sitting around for more than 7 days, I would shake it really hard for 2 minutes so that the clumped up particles are evenly distributed. The instructions say 30 seconds.
 
Most people seemed to be in agreement that I wasn't seeing HITH but sensory pits. You may be able to see them on your fish too. They are very tiny pinhole sized dots on the snout and face of the fish, usually above their nostrils. They're very noticeable on uaru for some reason. The only uaru species where HITH became a real issue for me was Uaru fernandezyepezi and I'm guessing that had a lot to do with the harder water.

I would just do water changes based on your water quality. Obviously the more fresh water you have the better. I was doing daily 75% changes plus four to six meals, which is how I got my fish from 1 - 5" in four months. Some don't have the time or money for that (my water bill is ridiculous) so obviously it's not necessary. But remember these are large growing fish which are eating machines (which means more waste) and so they will get to a point where they foul the water really fast.

I use the liquid nitrate kits by API. There are obviously other dissolved organics in the tank that are removed during water changes but nitrate is a good place to start as far as monitoring the water quality goes. Once it starts to creep up between 10 - 20ppm it's time for a water change.

Also make sure to test your source water. I used to live in a rural agricultural area and our ground water came out of the tap with a nitrate of nearly 10ppm. That worked against me as a uaru/discus keeper. :(
 
Ok I will go out today and buy the API kit. Ryan you've been a great help. I am not familiar with water parameters. In all my years of fishkeeping Ive been lucky. Never had issues. Only used the suction PH and Amonia things that go in the tank.
But I also never kept anything sensitive either..primarily Angels in the past. I will post my reading on here for both my tank as well as my tap. Im anxious to hear your thoughts. Hopefully my water source is not lethal :(

The come right up to the glass nose to nose with us. I can't see any dots yet lol
 
+1 to everything Ryan has said. I use the API test kits for amonia/nitrate/nitrite/pH too, and if you're interested in breeding them or just providing ideal water for them I'd recommend getting a TDS meter and GH/KH test kits so you know what you're dealing with.

As for the 125g with the holes, if it is already drilled and has an overflow I would most certainly set up a sump for filtration! It doesn't have to be massive or complicated, just another tank of suitable size under the main aquarium, a couple of filter socks, some submerged media (matrix, sintered glass etc), heaters and a pump.
 
^ Agreed on the wet-dry sump. They are much easier to clean than canisters because they're not a closed system and you can easily remove the filter floss and media to rinse or replace, plus I like to hide my heaters there to keep them out of my tank.
 
Here is the back of the tank. It was built into the wall. I am guessing thats a w/d filter system?
The arylic has crazing is that a concern?

I know zip about w/d filters. Is there a source u can point me to to read up on them and what is a size and brand? I was planning on using 2 aquaclear 110s...

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Ok did my nitrate NO3 test..it shows 40ppm. Just did a w/c on Sunday. I suspect my filter is not able to keep up. My aquaclear110 will be arriving end of this week beginning of next. I gonna do a w/c now..50% again. See how the reading shows tomorrow.
 
There's plenty of info in the DIY Filters and SetUp and Filtration forums. Keep in mind that a wet-dry filter and a sump are two different things. As I mentioned before, you can have a very simple sump filter set up using an old aquarium, filter socks, and submerged media like matrix or noodles. Here's a good example; http://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/showthread.php?496601-770-Gallon-Filtration

All aquarium filtration has the same basic functions; collect physical waste, and convert ammonia into nitrite then nitrite into nitrate. In a moderately stocked system then a simple sump as I've described should be able to do all that, provided you have enough media and enough flow, without all the "fancy stuff" like wet/dry media, moving media etc etc.

One of the most important things is to make sure the sump tank is large enough to hold the water that flows down from the tank when the pump is switched off so that the system can restart in the event of a power outage. How much water that is depends on the shape of your tank and the design of the overflows and plumbing. Do you have any photos of inside the tank?
 
I don't have a picture to send right now. The tank is in storage. The front is slightly bowed out. It's not the standard rectangular shape.

So a sump pump. Ok. That sounds intimidating! lol Im trying to piece all this in my mind. Do I still use the HOB filters with the sump pump or is that the filter it self? I will study the link. I appreciate you posting it. Ive heard the term sump pump but I never understood what it was.

As for the level of Nitrate right now Im rather worried they fish don't look stressed or breathing heavy right now. Im gonna have to hold off on the 50% w/c until tomorrow. I want to clean my filter really good. Is that ok to do with tap water? I don't have any buckets, I hook up my python to the sink when I do w/cs and living in an apt im limited to what I can keep as far as large buckets. Not enough storage..

I will get pic of the front of the tank. do you need the inside as well? Like from the top?
 
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