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DaveSamsell

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Everything posted by DaveSamsell

  1. DaveSamsell
    Maybe, since the letter "E" can also represent the shrimp being "Encapsulated", lol.
  2. DaveSamsell
    @James Black, I have a lot of Mystery Snails in my planted aquariums. My "trick" is many Marimo Moss Balls & feeding the snails well. These snails don't seem to be much of an issue for me regarding plants, overall, if they are well fed. Personally, I feed algae wafers, crab cuisine, Repashy & other homemade foods. My bladder snails & Nerites are much better "cleaners" though. 🐌🐌 🐌 🐌🐌
  3. DaveSamsell
    My water test samples are taken from the moving water output of the HOB filters. I have experimented though by "capturing" water from different portions of the aquariums & personally seen very little difference, with my liquid test results. I.E. pH, nitrite, nitrate, GH, KH, etc...
  4. DaveSamsell
    Am not an electrician, but to me, it really all depends on your power (wattage) consumption requirements. The "stand-by", propane generators you referenced are fairly expensive, but do offer the convenience of autostart & do use an electronic \ electrical transfer box. If you're looking for limited power, the smaller generators work great, but utilize the manual transfer switching box, many times. Both types should be professionally installed.
  5. DaveSamsell
    In my experience, it was dependent on the type of substrate & nutrients used. One of my aquariums has larger sized gravel & the Val propagated more slowly for me with limited root tab placement & moderate water column fertilizer. Every tank is different though. The Val plants are easily removed if it's growing too aggressively though.
  6. DaveSamsell
    @Sandra the fish rookie, Total surface area of the aquarium, plants & filter set-up will help dictate stocking capacity. One easy way is by adding a coarse, pre-filter sponge on the filter intake, for beneficial bacteria to grow. @Brandy, brings up a good point in her comments above, I.E. about sometimes in the more heavily planted aquariums, one may not see nitrates directly; since plants do uptake that as a food source. I learned that awhile back, when cycling a tank. Plants were growing & no nitrates were present. I started adding fish slowly & nitrates started to rise very little from the increased bio-load, showing the nitrogen cycle was indeed working, but not quite "measurable". The internet often tells us that the nitrogen cycle, once completed, is a done deal. On the contrary, when a new tank is " cycled ", it can support the produced bio-load of the tank, at its current stocking level.
  7. DaveSamsell
    @Patrick_G What I have found is that 1/4 teaspoon of fully pulverized and dissolved Wonder-Shell, per 1 gallon of water, raised the measured water GH by approx 10 degrees. So, if applied further, the same 1/4 teaspoon did indeed raise the measured water GH by 1 degree in an approx 10 gallon aquarium. 📊
  8. DaveSamsell
    I am a big fan of the Co-OP's "Fine Poly Pads". They work great for me in my HOB filters and the following way: After having a few magnetic glass cleaners & their internal pads wearing out, prematurely; I thought there has to be an easier way. What I have been doing for quite some time is using a slightly over-sized piece of the fine poly pads (to be used on the internal/water side of the aquarium glass for easy bio-film & mild to moderate algae removal. Purposely, I would make the pad about 3/4" larger, all around. This buffer helps prevent cleaning too aggressively near those sensitive silicone seams, as well. There is some reduction in "magnetic hold", but the surface area of the poly pad really does a nice job in cleaning. Plus, they are reusable with a little rising out in the sink. Actually, have found this to work better for me than the original cleaner design. Melamine sponges work great as well, but am partial to the durability of the poly pads.
  9. DaveSamsell
    @Lynze, I usually keep the water line fairly high in the aquariums & actually the clutches of eggs were previously deposited inside my HOB filters. If I see more clutches, I might try leaving them alone & see how the eggs fair out, by that method. @AquaAggie, Strangely enough, my original snails were only Ivory & Chestnut colored. I was surprised to see the assortment & randomness of the new snail colors. @Daniel, @OceanTruth, @Colu, Thank you...
  10. DaveSamsell
    @Maggie, Maybe you can make a DIY "extra arm". I.E. Forming an "L" shaped extension (similar to a fish net, only wider, of course) & clip on a plastic bag (around the ring), so the sponge filter can be easily lifted by the tubing and inserted into the bag & brought up slowly. Just a thought. 🤔
  11. DaveSamsell
    A while back, I incubated & hatched a large number of Mystery Snails. Here is an updated photo of their growth progress. I use a lot of Hikari Crab Cuisine & sinking algae wafers. They seem to enjoy them. Having snails is just as fun for me as keeping fish, at times.
  12. DaveSamsell
    Several Nerite snails helped reduce my GSA a lot.
  13. DaveSamsell
    I hardly use bio-rings at all, but had great success with the CO-OP's coarse black sponge pads. The sponges were easily "cut-to-fit", for all my HOB's. My tanks are heavily stocked & don't recall any water parameter issues, because of surface area, etc.
  14. DaveSamsell
    Additional aquarium lighting fixtures for a couple of the tanks. Already had them installed recently, lol, couldn't wait. Will have to pick something else then, like maybe another aquarium. 😎
  15. DaveSamsell
    @Gestaltgal, Here is an informative video:
  16. DaveSamsell
    @Candyman6611, Wonder Shells primarily raised the GH in my aquariums. Did little to the KH & Ph in average dosages.
  17. DaveSamsell
    @umfalcon I like drier air, in general for many reasons, & we keep the humidity levels around 40-50% or less, year-round. Even before I kept aquariums, we did have a slight mold build-up on one wall, in the upstairs bedroom. I measured the humidity and at that time is was about 65% There are other variables as well such as proper air flow / ventilation, etc. to be taken into consideration.
  18. DaveSamsell
    Sunlight contains the entire color spectrum, unlike some aquarium lights. This is why you are seeing the difference.
  19. DaveSamsell
    Happy Thanksgiving. 🦃
  20. DaveSamsell
    4 days is really not that long. I have used similar products like Zoo Med Banquet Blocks, without issue. Mini Banquet Original WWW.AQUARIUMCOOP.COM These are great for snails and shrimp as they have a ton of calcium and some protein for them and are a long term feeding product so that they get a chance to eat. Now with high protein micro pellets! Great for bottom...
  21. DaveSamsell
    Lots of possibilities. If it was my aquarium, I would purchase about 6 Otocinclus. They are very docile & one of my personal favorites. Great biofilm\algae cleaners.
  22. DaveSamsell
    Thanks for the kind words. I just fancied it up for something a bit more formal. Definitely wanted a battery powered light for safety. I like the API kits for what they are & sometimes it looked like I had a bit of ammonia, but the bright light showed it differently as 0 ppm, in my case. Your ammonia level should be very close to zero, as you know. What is your tank Ph? If it is under 7.0, ammonia does become a lesser issue.
  23. DaveSamsell
    What kind of guitar? I play mostly my Fender Telecaster nowadays. Started off about 30 years ago with an old rust bucket acoustic. It's a nice hobby and I think my fish enjoy the music (maybe, lol).
  24. DaveSamsell
    @Wisnasky-tank, If you haven't seen these 3 videos, please reference:
  25. DaveSamsell
    @Ken, That is pretty slick. I like the deign. Only thing, if I may 'suggest' is to waterproof it? But, that may be just cosmetic. Not sure how much moisture would absorb into the wood/glue joint, over time etc. Nice job. 😊
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