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DaveSamsell

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Everything posted by DaveSamsell

  1. DaveSamsell
    @Alec2cool, The fish room is looking really nice. Some folks purposely run heavy gravel or sand for many reasons, actually. I.E. aqua-scaping, developing anaerobic bacteria, etc. I have Red Wag Platys in my 55 and they can be 'nippy' fish, but are interesting. I agree with you on the black sand. Also, it takes a bit of time to find out what ultimately works with an aquarium, both fish & plants alike. Looks like you are well on your way. Great job. 😊 Will stay tuned for future updates. 🐟
  2. DaveSamsell
    @Karen B. One of my aquariums has a set of Nicrew water submersible rated lighting fixtures. They grow low to medium light plants well for me. I personally like them. The price point is reasonable & the suction cups never came off the glass, which is amazing in itself.
  3. DaveSamsell
    @TWBRIN, This is what I did. Helps me to see the colors more accurately.
  4. DaveSamsell
    You are very welcome. 😊
  5. DaveSamsell
    @Alec2cool, Best of luck with the new purchase. 55 gallon tanks are a lot of fun. 👍
  6. DaveSamsell
  7. DaveSamsell
    Looks good Jason. BTW, I think a utility bucket is an Aquarists best friend, next to the cat, of course, lol.
  8. DaveSamsell
    Well, actually it wouldn't be too much of a tutorial anyway, lol. I just had some extra parts laying around like the female USB 2.0 connector and 4 AA battery holder. I researched the female pin-out USB 2.0 connector and just properly soldered it up for use. (Positive+) USB pin to (positive+) battery holder wire/terminal. (Negative -) USB pin to (negative -) battery holder wire/terminal. Proper direct current (dc) voltage polarity must be observed. There are 2 data lines (which are in the middle and will not be used) & 2 power lines which were obviously used. A voltage power line is on each side of the connector. Am not sure if you have extra parts or have electronic & soldering skills, since the pins are very delicate, etc. Anyway, similar units already come preassembled for just few dollars and are easily available online, etc. The picture above is for reference only & the actual soldering is done, of course, on the back side of the connector. One would have to follow the pin to the back for soldering, etc. There are available rechargeable battery banks with USB ports as well. What I most like about my design though is that you can swap out the rechargeable batteries, when they fail. Unlike a factory made battery bank, once their installed battery fails, it is a throw away item, in most cases.
  9. DaveSamsell
    I've only been in the hobby for about 14 months now & can relate to what you are saying. There are many sources to review on aquarium knowledge, but this Forum has a great number of folks, many of which whom have decades of experience, that eagerly share their knowledge, for hours each and every day. That is very commendable in my book. Before I ventured into this hobby, I read/watched everything that I could get my hands on and still probably only know a small fraction of what is really "to know". What I do know is that we all can contribute, in some fashion, & regardless of our experience level. Starting with the basics and slowly progressing in experience, while remembering to have fun in the process; since this is supposed to be an enjoyable hobby. Personally, am very grateful for the vast knowledge here and it's a comfort knowing that a question can be asked & answered very quickly. I also feel that Cory hit a home run with this endeavor and am happy to help do my small part as an individual member of the NERM team. Welcome to the hobby & the Forum......Keep up the enthusiasm, BTW.
  10. DaveSamsell
    Typically, I would change water very early in the morning. Seems like the fish are still half asleep and they don't seem to mind that much. Am trying to limit my water changes, in general, by testing, adding plants and re-mineralizing accordingly. So far it's working very well.
  11. DaveSamsell
    I have a huge amount of this plant in multiple aquariums. It seems like the tanks that have harder water (higher GH/KH), the plant appears to grow better for me. It is a stem plant and good fertilizer such as Easy Green, should be fine. That fertilizer has a good amount of potassium in it, to begin with. Now, with the inclusion of the other plants you mentioned, the Pogo's may indeed be getting outcompeted for those nutrients. I have other potassium craving plants and do dose potassium separately, and never noticed any pinholes in my Pogo's, maybe that is why. BTW, this plant is primarily a water column feeder and doubt root tabs would provide a noticeable difference.
  12. DaveSamsell
    I can appreciate your concern. I remember polishing/waxing old hardwood floors and water stains are indeed a pain. We had multiple rooms with those floors. Actually one of my 55 gallon aquariums is in an area with a sensitive floor. Am ultra careful not to drip or splash, but that's easier said than done. Thinking back I remember seeing large lipped restaurant plastic serving trays. Maybe you could get a couple and DIY something. Personally, I use throw carpets, when doing maintenance, but everyone has their own ideas.
  13. DaveSamsell
    💡 Maybe a new, fish shaped, product could be made and call it "Swedish Puffer" treats. Also, embedded clam shell bits in the mix would be good for Murphy's teeth, as well, lol. 🐡 Or, perhaps a new cereal, "Rice Puffers", with a special, blended recipe.
  14. DaveSamsell
    I have used Aquabid & Ebay at times in obtaining my aquarium fish/snails. I never had an issue, but it's like anything else, there is always a perceived risk. Review the sellers feedback and ask questions in advance if unsure regarding your potential, online purchase(s).
  15. DaveSamsell
    @MickS77, BTW, I wanted to mention that I truly like your hat. 🤠
  16. DaveSamsell
  17. DaveSamsell
    The "internet" often times talks about many different ways in cycling aquariums. I have tried fish-in, fishless, adding "cycled" material and "plant cycled" aquariums. My personal favorite way of cycling an aquarium is with plants and fertilizer. By growing life in the tank, it shows that the tanks is starting to process ammonia, etc. Whatever the method, it still takes time and patience, IME. Here is an interesting video about plant cycling for your consideration.
  18. DaveSamsell
    Sincere congratulations to this month's winners: @ange, @Jessica., @TheDukeAnumber1. Thank you for being active & informative members in the Forum. I have learned something from each of you and it is appreciated. All the best.....
  19. DaveSamsell
    Admittedly, the Co-Op root tabs seemed to work a little better than others I have tried. What really made the noticeable difference for me with my Amazon Sword plants was to space the root tabs in a more narrow "grid-like" pattern. Granted, the sword plants were getting larger and probably needed more nutrients. I like the product, all in all. Here is an informative video for anyone, that may be interested. The "Rooted Plant" talk starts around 07:18 in the video.
  20. DaveSamsell
    Tip #4 in the video may help:
  21. DaveSamsell
    I have used medium to even high light in my aquariums while using many "low light" plants. Most were basically unaffected, some did transition slightly, I.E. Anubias & Java Moss . The Java Fern seemed the most noticeable for me, with some leaf scorching, under higher lighting. Every tank and exact light situation will be different.
  22. DaveSamsell
    Here is an interesting video for you to consider:
  23. DaveSamsell
    When you say "murky", do you mean a white cloudiness or other color? Am also curious of what your highest ammonia reading was when the tank was 'cycling'. Typically, in my planted aquariums, I don't run carbon, since it will absorb plant nutrients from the water column. Here is an interesting video to look at as well:
  24. DaveSamsell
    I grew up in a small town, long before the arrival of the 'big box' stores. We had a LFS that we used to go to and everyone was always friendly. I support small businesses wherever possible, since it's getting tougher competing with the big guys out there. Small online businesses, at times, survive pay week to pay week, when economic times get difficult. Especially with shipping restrictions and ever increasing shipping prices, making it more problematic for the business owner(s), etc. Having said that, my experiences with the Co-Op all have been very favorable and a pleasure to do business with them. It's nice to get that "small hometown feel" back again, after all these years.
  25. DaveSamsell
    If I had only one choice, it would be a very high quality flake food. The flakes would slowly cover more "edible" territory, in the tank, for everyone to take a bite, as the rest sinks to the substrate, for the bottom dwellers.
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