Re: Heating for smaller tanks etc

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Tue Feb 02, 2010 6:25 pm

As soon as Netty has finished with the camera I'll take a couple of pics of the hood and light:)

by **mickelmass** on Tue Feb 02, 2010 7:22 pm

Oh brilliant! Thank you so very much! That's very kind of you both.

I am just now on my hands and knees in the bathroom, with half a bucket of silica sand in the bath and I am giving it a good old rinse just to get anything out of it that shouldn't be there, although there isn't aything there at all. It's come up really nice and the water is now crystal clear. I got 2 x 15k of the stuff from eBay. OK, its been used before but not for aquariums. It was used as a substate to go under artificial turf and it is changed every couple of months, hence it was cheap (ish) and guaranteed to be OK to use in aquariums as the seller sells a lot of the stuff to a lot of tropical fish keepers, all of whom left positive feedback. It's also been zapped with UV etc, just as a safeguard to sterilise it.

So I got myself some but I have never even used silica sand before, so it's a first for me but I really didn't know that it was so fine and soft! I don't quite know what I expected but I thought it might be like play sand but it's not a bit like that. Also, so I have heard it doesn't effect the water perameters either as it's nuetral?

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Tue Feb 02, 2010 8:57 pm

Hi
With the light I just used the normal tube clips that come with the starter units. I then drill two small holes in the back, raised section of the hood to put the little screws through. The only problem with these clips is that after time they go brittle. The picture below sort of shows it. You'll need to cut small grooves in the back edge of the hood to feed the electric cables through, scissors will do it. Bear in mind this light has been in this hood for sometime now and has discoloured the hood. This could be overcome by sticking silver foil to the inside of the hood under the light. You can buy ready made metal reflectors, but this adds to cost.

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by **mickelmass** on Tue Feb 02, 2010 10:41 pm

So, I rest my case, as I will tell the woman at the shop tomorrow! Of course it's possible. Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. And of course, being an aquarium tube, they don't give of a lot of heat either do they, if any?

Is that a 24"x8"x8" Clear-Seal lid you have there and if so, can I ask what tube and ballast you used in it please? Is it one of the hoods from your divided male Betta holding tanks? That's the one I am working on tonight but I can't do much until the dividers and small Visitherm heaters arrive tomoz or Thursday? Those little Interpet Mini filters work a treat in those 24" tanks don't they? I had my doubts as they were so small but the do the job admirably.

I am also looking at getting some of the clip on tube lights for the aquarium as well, unless they are far to expensive. They look quite nice as well, provided they light the whole of the aquarium lengthways and not just the bit where they are clipped on to the glass.

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:17 pm

Hi
Yes, its one of the divided tanks the hood is on. Its a 15w tube with the standard starter/ballast box.

Yep, never had a problem with those filters, got loads lurking around the house lol.

by **incognito** on Tue Feb 02, 2010 11:45 pm

it is nice to know a tube will work fine under those hoods.. I use one of those clearseal tanks occasionaly too for spawning... always ment to give it a trial run with the light and never got around to it lol

by **mickelmass** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:35 am

Now I know I am definately serious about this Betta breeding hobby as I just paid for 10 Indian Almond Leaves from the shop, even though I don't have any breeding stock as yet! Can anyone tell me just how long IAL last for please or do they last more or less indefinately and how are the stored? Many thanks.

by **Newfishy** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:10 am

if kept cool and totaly dry a very long time. mine are over a year old and still quite good. I would look for places online though to get the best bargin. I paid less then $3 us for a massive bag.

by **mickelmass** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 5:35 am

I looked on eBay for some and they had plenty but all from Thailand, Indonesia and places like that. None from the UK with the exception of here, Betta-Paradise.

I got them from here as I am sure it will help their funds a bit and seeing as everyone has been so helpful. I don't want to buy foreign unless I really have to and especially not from China. I think 10 leaves will last me a while for the amount of breeding stock I will eventually have, which won't be many. Thanks for that advice though, I shall keep looking.

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 2:15 pm

Netty will get on to your order once she signs into that email [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by **mickelmass** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:14 pm

No rush Van as I only have one male at the moment anyway and he is just a BSB but he is cute none the less. I have a couple of female Plakats arriving in about a fortnight though, from a breeder I know from eBay with an option (and a decent price) to take four more from him as well and all different lines and colours, if all goes well.

I have a decent size tank setup for them to go into with literally loads of plants, bald coconut caves, coconut caves with hair on (Java Moss) and other hidey holes, so there should not be any squabbling (he says)?

Again, just as soon as everything is sorted and all setup and running OK, I will post some pix here but not until they are perfect and ready for public viewing! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by **incognito** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 4:55 pm

Looking forward to seeing the pics! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Wed Feb 03, 2010 6:29 pm

You should get the IAL on Friday all being well and with a good wind behind them [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by **mickelmass** on Thu Feb 04, 2010 10:18 am

Thanks both of you. I shall be on "the abomination" that day but if they are small enough to go throgh a letterbox, then no worries, If not, I can always pick them up from the sorting office the next day. Cheers! [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Thu Feb 04, 2010 12:34 pm

Ah yeh.......unless your letter box is at least A4 sized they wont go through [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

by **mickelmass** on Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:09 pm

Yer, just checked and it takes A4 as my tropical fish mags are A4 and they get through OK. If they get a bit broken though it won't matter will it? Never having used them before, I have no idea about them?

EDIT:
I am now in all day today (Friday) in case the Cattapa leaves arrive because I took a day off from dialysis (very much frowned upon) as I am also expecting other parcels to be delivered. Well, I have a life to lead as well and I get fed up with being hooked up to that monstrocity every other day for four hours! Might go out tonight and get newted as well - I wish?

by **mickelmass** on Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:15 am

I was going to put some pix up yesterday evening of the new 17L Nano tank I have just set up for my BSB but I have not the foggiest ides how to do it? I did see the "image" button at the top here but didn't understand how to add pix from my HDD? Could somebody kindly explain to me please? Thank you folks!

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:22 am

Hi
I think the easiest way to upload a photo is to do it from photobucket, as i always get confused my the other method:)
Its just a simple case of uploading your image to your photobucket and then copying the IMG code, which is displayed below the photo you want, and then paste it straight into the post you are making. When we upload our photos, we set the upload size at 640x480. This is a universal size for posting on forums.

I will now go and see if i can work out the other method though:)

registered · by **Vandraco aka Bronzecat** on Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:31 am

Right I'm back:)

Click the "Host an Image" button in the row of buttons above
Click browse
Double click the photo you want from your pictures
Click "Host it" then manually copy the IMG code (the 2nd code down) by right clicking that code and clicking "copy"
Then put your cursor in the post u are making right click "Paste".

Thats the way i just did it for this pic
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registered · by **Netty** on Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:56 am

Oooo I'm excited now. I learnt a new thing Very Happy

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