they are "blinking" and what other fish do you have in the tank?

you never said what the original temp was before you dropped the temp. and i would never suggest that you drop the temp that fast again (which i am sure you figured out). think of it as you dropping the pH or raising it real fast. not a good idea. too much shock. i would suggest that you slowly (ver...

after reading pg 127 of "ecology of the planted aquarium: a pratical manual and scientific treatise for home aquarists" by diana walstad (edited by Echinodorus publishing, chapel hill nc, usa) and published by , maybe the root thing was off, but by my experience, swords (Echinodorus) do gr...

if you use plants, i would suggest putting some potting soil (strictly organic) or aquatic soil to help give nutrients to the plants. but that is only if you are using plants. otherwise, as everyone else has said, use sand. sand from a creek or river is good. just make sure you know what is upstream...

let me jump in here for a minute. i agree that planted tanks should not have ug filtration only when you are dealing with plants that are root based, like the Echinodorus or Cryptocoryne species. their roots, similar to trees, don't just stop going down just because you want them to. what happens ne...

i am from charlotte north carolina, on the southeastern seaboard.