This aquarium is beautiful, but it's overpriced. It's only 8 gallons and it comes with a filter and substrate. You have to purchase decor and heater. The opening at the top is small making it difficult to retrieve things/clean.Save 11% Off
Showing posts with label build your own fish tank. Show all posts
Showing posts with label build your own fish tank. Show all posts
biOrb FLOW 30-Liter Aquarium, White
This aquarium is beautiful, but it's overpriced. It's only 8 gallons and it comes with a filter and substrate. You have to purchase decor and heater. The opening at the top is small making it difficult to retrieve things/clean.
Aqua Mist® Add-A-Stone Aerating Aquarium Ornaments
Fish do better in water that is not stagnant, therefore, adding an airstone not only increases the oxygen content of the water, but gets the water moving in a circular current. Moving water keeps debris from lodging on the bottom, and keeps the aquarium ecosystem healthier. Therefore, I purchased two 6" stones and have one at each end of my 55 gallon tank. The bubbles are fine (smaller) and give the aquarium interest. The stones attach to standard hose and run off an air pump.konedog
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I just received mine and I set it up in my 10G tank and ZERO bubbles. Seems like it doesn't breath at all. I tried to scratch the surface a little bit & washed it under the tap to remove any debris... No go.Air Pump if good for upto 20g Tank. I'm amazed by reading the review that I'm the only one with no bubbles =((
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Bubbles come out of the first 1/8 of an inch.. what about the other 5 3/8" ?Very Poor quality / garbage.
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This aquarium ornament doesn't work that well. Unlike in the picture, the bubbles don't come out in most places. Only a about 1/4 of it shoots out air bubbles.Save 31% Off
AquaTop Aquarium Heater Digital Dual Display- 100W
I purchased my heater through Amazon and loved how easy it was to set up. The temp settings were very accurate, at least in my experience. The problem with the heater is that it died suddenly and I cannot figure out why. When I plug it in, the display lights up for a few seconds then cuts off and no matter what I try, I cannot get it to function. I tried contacting AquaTop directly, but have yet to receive a response. This will be the last aquatop heater that I purchase.
I bought a submersible thermometer to double check this device...and numbers on each match.
This is everything I ever wanted in a heater!
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I have 15 of these heaters from 100w to 300w. I have six aquariums with two of these heaters in each tank and one in each of the three water change buckets. The best feature is the dual display for reading the desired temperature versus actual. I also use glass thermometers to double check temperature. I like being able to see both of the heaters from across the room and check / compare temperatures.Tips: Never rely on one heater for any aquarium. Figure out the total wattage and then buy two heaters where each one is about 60% of the required wattage. Stuff fails and this will help protect your fish from a heater that fails to heat or gets stuck on. This will also give you time to notice the problem and replace a failed heater.
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Made it 8 months and then started flashing 99 constantly with no heat. Had high hopes with it's remote sensor and easy set. Now it's going in the trash.Want AquaTop Aquarium Heater Digital Dual Display- 100W Discount?
Great idea, but after 6 months or so product fails. Bought 11 of them 3 went in the garbage-8 were sent back to aqua-top with no response yet. Read 90 deg start to flash and can not reset. Even if you unplug and plug back in.Stick with old school products!Save $0.02 Off
Jungle TB640W Tank Buddies Correct pH, 8-Tablet
This stuff's label doesn't say much about what it does. Does it raise the ph, or lower the ph? Is it just baking soda or calcium carbonate in a fizz tab? It seems to have added a little bit of alkalinity (buffering capacity) to my tank and pushed the acidity from 6.9 to 6.8 further away from center!.One tablet in a fresh tank will cloud the water for days. A tablet in an estableshed tank will cloud the water if the ph is not too far off from where this stuff wants it to be. There is no patent information available on it, and there is no more information on the product website than on the product packaging. I would rather stick to products like ph+ and phto resolve specific issues with ph than to have a mystery tablet that advertizes like it handles things either way.
I suppose if you did have a big ph problem, that this stuff probably could help. But I wouldn't include it in regular maintenance routine unless your tap water comes out with the acidity of a soft drink.
I wish that companies who market 'simple fix' products like this to the general public would not disrespect us so much as to hide how the product works... Marketing on the front of the pagkage & explanation on the back. All we get here is marketing & auto-magic hype.
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These helped lower the PH in my aquarium. What I liked about them, is you could add the number of tablets required which disintegrated quickly. They were easier to handle than messy measuring spoons.Read Best Reviews of Jungle TB640W Tank Buddies Correct pH, 8-Tablet Here
I will not claim that this product works for everyone (in fact if you look at all the reviews, you will see some that claim this PH corrector does not work) but it did work for me. The PH in my 20 gallon tank used to be on the low side around 5.2 to 5.6. I placed 2 tablets (1 tablet per 10 gallons) inside a cup filled with water from my auarium and let sit for a few minutes while it dissolves (I don't recommend placing it directly in the tank). I poured the water into my tank and after a couple hours or so I tested again and the PH was between 6.5 and 7.0 which is much better than where it was. For me the effects lasted for quite a while not sure how long but definitely more than a couple days or so. I'd say maybe a month? Anyway this product worked for me and if your PH is a little high or low I'd recommend trying these. I'm not sure how well this stuff would work if your PH is off by a lot though. But I thought an increase from 5.2 to 6.5 to 6.8 was pretty good! I plan on buying these again.Want Jungle TB640W Tank Buddies Correct pH, 8-Tablet Discount?
Lee's 24-Inch Tube, w/Cleaning Claw
Arrived in nice packaging and it does what it is suppose to do and no troubles yet. Though you'll need an external pump or use your filters pump for suctionSave $0.05 Off
Finnex 200-Watt Hang-On Digital Controller Aquarium Heater, Titanium Tube, 60 to 80-Gallon
I installed this item in my aquarium right away. It warmed the water in our 55 gallon tank fairly quickly. I was impressed.Pros:
Visual appeal Thermometer/heater unit anyway.
Temperature is easy to read.
Heats quickly.
Keeps water temperature constant.
Cons:
Thermostat looks cheap and is hard to hide because its attached so closely to the the unit that you need to keep it close.
Programing the temperature settings is more difficult than most units.
Suction cups that hold the thermometer/heater unit are poorly made causing them to constantly lose their grip. I am continuously having to replace the suction cups to the inside of the tank.
Over all the unit works as I need it to. I have a 55 gallon tank and it has no problem keeping the water at the required temperature. I purchased this unit in January and have had it now for a little over 3 months. If I have any issues I will let you know.
Time to find a new brand for me. These are far too expensive to be disposable.
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Hagen Nutrafin CO2 Natural Plant System with CO2 Activator and Stabilizer
If you plan on having plants in your aquarium then injecting CO2 into your tank is highly recommended. Having a yeast-based CO2 system for me is the easiest, cheapest and safest way to go (as opposed to a canister-based system). When using a yeast-based system, like this Hagen one, it's impossible to overdose CO2 in your tank which is nice.Remember, having 2-4 watts of "quality" fluorescent lighting per gallon (compact fluorescent fixtures seems to me to be the best choice) in your aquarium is even more important than adding CO2.
This off the shelf system should be sufficient for beginning aquarists who are starting out with plants (fish don't need extra CO2). While not as efficient or cheap as a DIY one, it does a decent job of putting a fair amount of CO2 in the tank for about 2 week periods at a time. People who also don't want to mix their own yeast mixture will find the packets more convenient (however less effective).
The Hagen diffuser (that dissolves the CO2 bubbles into the water) does a decent job. However, there is waste, meaning, CO2 bubbles escape to the surface before being dissolved. But you still will get a raise in the tank's CO2 level.
So, if you are new to CO2 systems and want something that is minimal investment ($35) and don't want to make your own system, then this is a no brainer system. I think you should get it and help your plants to thrive.
But if you want a cheaper, much more effective system, then do this: For 10-25 gallon tank, use one 2 liter soda bottle. For 25-50, use 2. Mix 1/2 teaspoon of bakers yeast in warm water and then let it sit for 5-10 min. Then dissolve 2 cups of sugar into filtered water and pour into soda bottle. Add the yeast. Drill a hole in the soda bottle cap and either glue an air line to run through it or buy a metal airline connector (like from Lowes or Home Depot) and glue it (using Goop) into the cap. After you have the air line running out from the soda bottle (if you have two then connect them using a T brass connector), run it into your aquarium and dissolve the CO2 using a diffuser (like this Hagen one, howbeit not efficient), an air stone (also not efficient) or into a small pop bottle that a Rio Power Head is forcing water into to completely dissolve the CO2 bubbles. You can search around and find photos on how this is done.
After all of my trial and errors, the above method using soda bottles with a metal airline connector in the cap (glued in with goop) and a Rio Power head is the best, cheapest and most effective system for pumping CO2 into your tank.
If you are purchasing this Hagen system, just remember that for every 20 gallons of water you have in your aquarium, you need to set up another Hagen canister. So for a 40 gallon tank, buy 2 of these. But remember, you will get a nice rise in CO2 levels but not near the level you would using a forced water reactor using a Power head. There are two parts to a CO2 system: the amount and quality of CO2 bubbles being produced and then also the amount those CO2 bubbles are being diffused into the aquarium water. The best is having the bubbles completely disappear into the water. Then you know there is no waste to your CO2 production.
To find out how much CO2 is effectively being dissolved into your tank, search online for the CO2 measurement calculator. This is measured by the ratio of KH and PH in your tank (as long as you haven't used PH buffers).
Hope this helps you in making a valued purchase.
I have only small fish (under 3 inches) in my 55 gal planted tank. Not one fish has ever suffered as a result of CO-2 fertilization, but the plants grow much, much better!
I see no reason why a DIY yeast+baking powder solution would not work -will be going to this. For the price, you get all you need to get started, to make your plants look great!
Update: In the years since I wrote this, I have lost a couple small fish (which are typical of planted tanks) getting trapped between the diffuser and the glass. Over time, the rubber suction cups fail. That solved the problem for me fish can no longer get trapped in that small space. I now use plants of other times in tank to secure the diffuser into proper position. Still like the product, been using it for years. CO-2 is a big help with the plants, which help control nitrates, add beauty, make fish happier.
Update 2 (2012): I would still recommend this product for anyone starting out with CO2 to stimulate a planted aquarium it works! I still use the container that comes with this kit to generate CO2 with sugar, yeast, baking powder, and water. Don't bother with Hagen's expensive powders they are just yeast in one, and baking powder (not baking soda) in the other. Get it at the grocery store. One container of each will last for years, cheap! The CO2 generator in this kit seals well better I imagine than a DIY soda bottle with silicon would. But I no longer use "the ladder" CO2 diffuser that came with this kit. It did work well for years, other than a few fish trapped behind (usually during a water change hiding). Now, I am experimenting with a glass and ceramic disc diffuser, which works well, and Fluval (Hagen) ceramic disc in round plastic diffuser which is working well as also. Just plug into the airtube, wait 12-24 hours (for pressure to build) and they work great! Be sure to learn the basic of CO-2 injection in aquaria. Co-2 should lower the pH gradually, so you need to be sure your water has adequate buffering agents as well as watching the pH to ensure it doesn't get too low. A cheap easy way to increase buffering capacity and pH is Baking Soda (Sodium BiCarbonate). When adding it, do so slowly and gradually (not too much in one day) to avoid sickening the fish. I use Mardel 5-in-1 test strips, but have some way to test Nitrite, Nitrate, Buffering Capacity, and pH of the tank water.
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This system is simple to use and affordable compared to most CO2 systems, but if you're willing to put in a little effort and research you could build your own CO2 fermentation system that works just as well (if not better) for a fraction of the cost. Still, not everyone is willing to build their own, and this system is a decent compromise. It's also pretty safe, since the CO2 injection is slow and gradual and won't cause fast pH drops. Make sure you have a decent buffering capacity just in case.My only criticism is the "activator" and "stabilizer" packets which Hagen sells for this product they are too expensive for what they are (basically yeast and baking powder) and a home-made mixture seems to work better for me anyway. With Hagen's mix, I couldn't get more than about 9 ppm CO2 in my 10 gallon tank (about 3 4 bubbles per minute) but a simple mixture of baker's yeast, sugar, and water gets me twice that and lasts just as long (2-3 weeks). Most people aim for 15 25 ppm or so (but no higher).
In any case, if you have adequate light (2.5 watts per gallon or more), your plants will benefit from CO2 injection and Hagen's system does what it advertises.
One tip: buy a simple air valve for the tubing so you don't get a siphoning mess when you're re-filling the CO2 cansiter.
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I have had the Nutrafin system for a few months now. I used the included Activator/Stabilizer packets for the first 3 months,then switched to molasses based sugar and yeast.
Some observations:
The ladder style CO2 diffuser really works well. Evidence of
this is the size of the CO2 bubble that is introduced into
the diffuser at the bottom compared to the size of the bubble
that comes out at the top. The bubble becomes an order of
magnitude smaller as it traverses the diffuserwhich is another
way of saying that CO2 is getting dissolved in the water. When
it is first introduced to a new aquarium, this observation alone could verify that it is working.
For anyone expecting quick results, it took about 15 days before
my plants showed "pearling" and about another week (around 21-22
days) before I saw the promised lush green plant growth. (Note
that I have 2.5 watts per gallon of light for 10 hours a day and
use Seachem Flourish once a week.)
There is no easy way to turn off CO2 diffusion with the system.
Once the lights turn off and unless the water is sufficiently buffered, pH can be dramatically and dangerously reduced. Start
with buffered, neutral water and after 3 weeks it may have turned
slightly acidicwhich is an ideal environment for many aquatic
plants.
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I have used this system for two years. It works pretty well. Hagen's yeast and 'stabilizer' last about a month in the winter, 2-3 weeks in summer, when the yeast seems to burn off quicker. I did once lose a fish that got trapped in the diffuser, but that fish had been looking unhealthy (inactive, not feeding) anyway. You can use bread yeast and baking soda instead of Hagen's expensive yeast, but it doesn't last as long.The important thing is that CO2 is released into the tank and the plants look healthy. I don't bother to test my PH in my 20 gallon tank, so I don't know the effect on acidity..
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Instant Ocean SCPS-100 SeaClone Protein Skimmer, 100-Gallon
I've used a SeaClone100 hanging on back of a 55-gal for about 10 years and it works fine. Keep the O-Rings fresh, clean the joints, intake and filter and it will last for years. I use another SeaClose100 on an 80-gallon and I have to empty the cup every two weeks. Can't find better in this price range.
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Stopped working after a month. What a joke of a product. It did work great for a month though. Seriously though, if you buy this product, it just means you like wasting money. I thought I would be the one person this product worked for. Guess not.Read Best Reviews of Instant Ocean SCPS-100 SeaClone Protein Skimmer, 100-Gallon Here
Needs constant adjusting, is very loud and adds too many bubbles to the viewing tank. For the money it works when properly adjusted. Suggest you spend a little more mad get a better skimmer.Want Instant Ocean SCPS-100 SeaClone Protein Skimmer, 100-Gallon Discount?
This thing is just plain loud..air bubbles in a reef tank isnt good as well!..save your money it will probably arrive broken as mine did..pure junk! sad to see coming from a reputable company like marineland\instant oceanSave 69% Off
Zilla Day White Light Incandescent Spot Bulb
Mine burnt out after about 6 weeks. I will try it again. I have my lights on timers. If it burns out again, I can get my money back. I got it at the pet store.
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I have gone through about 5 of these bulbs since march, the black lights from zilla are pretty good but the white lights just burn out after 2-6weeks.Read Best Reviews of Zilla Day White Light Incandescent Spot Bulb Here
It fit our needs for all of two weeks. I have never had a light burn out so quickly. I do not recommend this light at all I would give it zero stars if that was an option. A complete waste of money.Want Zilla Day White Light Incandescent Spot Bulb Discount?
Purchased this thinking good buy, WRONG it burned out after about 2 weeks. Waste of money...DO NOT PURCHASE, buy at your own riskSave 7% Off
Penn Plax Finding Nemo Action Aerating Resin Ornament, Half Shipwreck
It was a little smaller than I thought it would be, but it still looks great in the tank. It hooked up to the airline well, and works well. At first, it seemed like I was going to have trouble keeping it submersed, but I just put a few rocks from my tank in the bottom. That did the trick. I was afraid that a few of the poky parts would hurt my fish, so I just trimmed them.Save 1% Off
TOM Stellar Air Pump S-30 - 30gal to 40gal tank
This S-30 Tom Stellar Air Pump operated quite nicely, and appeared to be doing it's job rather well. However, this thing is loud! Sounds like a compressor, which of course, it is.I went with the S-20 model, and it's like night and day in the noise department. Same build quality as the S-30 with rubber feet and all.
FYI, apparently, these are an all black model now, not like the current picture on Amazon. They have the STELLAR name vertically printed on the top of the housing in large letters.