Tunnel Rat Posted September 22, 2006 Author Share Posted September 22, 2006 Bad news all the gravel is coming out tomorrow all 40kg of it My fault I was told it would buff the ph up but I had some in a small tank that never went up higher then ph 7.5 This tank is up around ph 8.5 after a W/C its at ph 7.2 with in a day or two back at ph 8.5 shame I really like the fine black gravel.There is nothing close to it only that real black stuff that looks unnatural so its fine brown gravel going in.What a pain the tank is all settled in running so good now I need to do a major job like this. cya Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GarthMc Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 Bad news all the gravel is coming out tomorrow all 40kg of it My fault I was told it would buff the ph up but I had some in a small tank that never went up higher then ph 7.5 This tank is up around ph 8.5 after a W/C its at ph 7.2 with in a day or two back at ph 8.5 shame I really like the fine black gravel.There is nothing close to it only that real black stuff that looks unnatural so its fine brown gravel going in.What a pain the tank is all settled in running so good now I need to do a major job like this. cya Rat You can't mix it say 50-50? I had a similar problem going from a 2' to a 4'. I had marble only in the 2' with the pH staying at 7.9-8.0. When I moved it to the 4' it went up to about 8.5 (maybe to do with the increased surface area? ) but I mixed it with some pebblecrete (which are pretty much inert as far as pH goes) and it's now back down to the same old 7.9-8.0. I can understand it might look a little funny, but it might solve you buffering issues. Maybe try a sample in an icream bucket to see what it looks like first? -Garth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted September 22, 2006 Share Posted September 22, 2006 I wasn't aware the black gravel buffered at all. What's it made from do you know? If it does that good a job I might have to change a few of my Malawi tanks over to it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted September 22, 2006 Author Share Posted September 22, 2006 You can't mix it say 50-50? I had a similar problem going from a 2' to a 4'. I had marble only in the 2' with the pH staying at 7.9-8.0. When I moved it to the 4' it went up to about 8.5 (maybe to do with the increased surface area? ) but I mixed it with some pebblecrete (which are pretty much inert as far as pH goes) and it's now back down to the same old 7.9-8.0. I can understand it might look a little funny, but it might solve you buffering issues. Maybe try a sample in an icream bucket to see what it looks like first? -Garth No mate need to sort it out fast & ph 8.0 is still to high so it's coming out right now.I have a real nice fish waiting to go in and can not be upsetting him once he is in there.So it's Goooooooooone. I wasn't aware the black gravel buffered at all. What's it made from do you know? If it does that good a job I might have to change a few of my Malawi tanks over to it Baz it's that black sand/fine gravel from Specialised Gravel Services in Newcastle. I was told it is made from that stone that they use on railway lines just crashed It is not completely black. Hey Baz do you want it It's all washed & clean just come & pick it up I have 60 kg of the craP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brayden's dad Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 My fault I was told it would buff the ph up but I had some in a small tank that never went up higher then ph 7.5 This tank is up around ph 8.5 after a W/C its at ph 7.2 with in a day or two back at ph 8.5 I'm not quite clear on what you're saying here. Do you mean that after a water change the pH drops to 7.2 & then comes back up to 8.5 after a couple of days? Troy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BaZ Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Baz it's that black sand/fine gravel from Specialised Gravel Services in Newcastle. I was told it is made from that stone that they use on railway lines just crashed It is not completely black. Hey Baz do you want it It's all washed & clean just come & pick it up I have 60 kg of the craP. I think railway ballast is made from basalt, which to my understanding shouldn't raise the PH at all. Anchar would be a good person to ask, she's into rocks and stuff If it indeed does raise the PH and you are getting rid of it I'd love it, however I don't see myself travelling to Rockdale in the near future. I'll pm you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Hey There, Its the same gravel that craig thompson uses in his tang tank plus i think the larger stones that he has in there are basalt aswell he might add buffers etc but im not sure cheers wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 My fault I was told it would buff the ph up but I had some in a small tank that never went up higher then ph 7.5 This tank is up around ph 8.5 after a W/C its at ph 7.2 with in a day or two back at ph 8.5 I'm not quite clear on what you're saying here. Do you mean that after a water change the pH drops to 7.2 & then comes back up to 8.5 after a couple of days? Troy. Yep thats what I am saying after a big water change maybe more like 7.5 it goes back up to 8.0-8.5 in no time 2 days. Well its gooooone now shame that stuff looked so good. Hey There, Its the same gravel that craig thompson uses in his tang tank plus i think the larger stones that he has in there are basalt aswell he might add buffers etc but im not sure cheers wayne Hi Wayne where is the I told you so lol I wish I had of listened to you in the first place it was just that I had some in a small tank that sat at 7.5. But now I look at it there is only a small amount of that gravel & wood in that tank as well But your sump Rocks thanks mate cya Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chez Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Excellent looking tank cant wait to see the finished result.... Great work....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted October 22, 2006 Share Posted October 22, 2006 Any updates? Would love to see how it's looking now. Bruce Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted October 22, 2006 Author Share Posted October 22, 2006 Any updates? Would love to see how it's looking now. Bruce Ok Bruce I will take some shots soon with the new gravel & all the fish. The filter system is all complete now have the two 2217 running the Lifeguard FBF300 up and running on the sump just need to upgrade the sump pump from the Eheim 1260 in it now to a Aquamedic 6000 will be doing that next week. But it is going great I love it all the fish are getting on all five of them . It is so funny the end of the tank is only 1ft from my head when I am on the pc every time I turn around I have two big eyes watching every move I make.My RTG is right up against the glass looking at what I am doing he does not miss a thing.I am going to cover this end with black contact so he can not see me as he is looking down to much (drop eye). cya Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Any updates? Would love to see how it's looking now. Bruce Ok this is it now well not quite just added a big sword plant(big rounded leafs at the end of the stem type) its about 1.5ft tall.I put it where that little Anubias on the log is middle of the tank.The Aro love these plants with the big leafs as he just love resting under them and as soon as he See's something bag back on patrol.All the plants are going great the only thing I do is add a Flourish tab under each big one & plant one for every 10cm on the smaller one's. The Engine room with the FBF filter running. well I think thats the end of this post my longest ever cya Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spedwards Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 You can't close the thread down without showing the moon lighting off (when it's up and running) Looking good, by the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 You can't close the thread down without showing the moon lighting off (when it's up and running) Looking good, by the way. LOL still got all the parts in a box from pc case gear I am just finishing off 3 weeks holidays went camping down Jervis bay for a week was just great mid week nobody around camp ground to ourselves. But I have fallen into a big slump going to bed at 4am waking up at 12 midday to much BF2 2142.You see the tank is next to my pc because I am up all night they get the blue light that comes out the side of my pc box thats there moon light lol. thx Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xzbit Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Sorry if this is a bit of noob question, but you put a dead prawn and dead piece of fish into the tank. Why? Does this help with the cycling process? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spedwards Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Gives the tank something to cycle on, rather than using a cycle fish or pure ammonia etc. I used old fish food for my fishless cycle... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D6C1 Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Looking great!!! Well done mate!!! So when are we going to see the aro in there?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xzbit Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Thanks spedwards! Toufic, you can see the aro in his last full tank pics! not very clear though! in the top left! Very nice set up by the way!!! :thumbs: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Sorry if this is a bit of noob question, but you put a dead prawn and dead piece of fish into the tank. Why? Does this help with the cycling process? Yep as Jon said just pollutes the water to give the bacteria something to start on. But stinks. Rat Looking great!!! Well done mate!!! So when are we going to see the aro in there?? Toufic I suck at full tank shots but go ok at fish shots these are posted somewhere else but here you go just for you toufic. My main man Feng thats what my wife named it. cya Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtoul Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Just Beautiful thanks for the shots Rat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 Just Beautiful thanks for the shots Rat. Thx Tim 1st post Welcome Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timtoul Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Thanks i really like the enviroment here nice and welcoming and great set up Admin and moders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobcas Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 I am only a newbie here as well, so sorry Tunnel Rat for keeping this thread alive (perhaps past its used by date) but I just wanted to say it is a great thread, there are heaps of good ideas and the end result is one beautiful looking tank. Congrats on all fronts...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tunnel Rat Posted November 13, 2006 Author Share Posted November 13, 2006 I am only a newbie here as well, so sorry Tunnel Rat for keeping this thread alive (perhaps past its used by date) but I just wanted to say it is a great thread, there are heaps of good ideas and the end result is one beautiful looking tank. Congrats on all fronts...... Thx Hobcas Buy all means keep it alive then my longest post will get longer If I helped some one or gave anybody any new ideas I am happy. Rat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YAL05T Posted November 13, 2006 Share Posted November 13, 2006 Looking very nice Rat, and as much as I am a black substrate fan, the stuff that you have used to replace the old black gear is very nice, the colours all tie in well together for a very aestheitcally pleasing aquarium. I have to admit that I am in the process of borrowing a few of your ideas for my 6x2 planted. Regards, Brett Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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