Hey Tom!

[CLEVEsports420]

Tom,

I'm not sure if you remember me or not. Some years ago (10+) you worked at a pet store in Niles, Ohio named Pet Supplies "Plus". My name is Dave and I think I first met you on my 13th birthday. I was one of the millions (highly exagerated number... I hope) of people that used to call you up and bug you for tips. Alot of the time is was about fish or which other pet I kept at the time, some of the times it was asking questions about the PC. I'm sure I annoyed the heck outta you. What also might ring a bell for you is my brother Andy used to work with you as a stock boy. How's life been treating you? Not too bad here, just turned 25 sunday, been workin at Kraftmaid in Middlefield for the past 2 years. Andy got married back in May. Family is doing as well as can be.

Been doin alot of thinkin, plannin on firing up my 29H back up. Unlike the way I used to do it in the past with no paitence what so ever. This time I'm gonna take my time and do it right. And I thought a lil wisdom from fish god (Tom)wouldnt hurt at all. First and foremost, I want what I've never been able to achieve, a beautifull live planted aquarium. Have never been able to get quite the effect that I see on professional tanks. I have a very nice piece of driftwood that fits the tank just right in my opinion. Only problem is the piece was what was the demise of my tank the last time. The piece gave my tank a hideous amber tan when I put it in a few years ago. I had soaked it in the sink in my basement for literaly weeks on end, changeing the water every day and still could not get it to stop leeching tannin in the water. Anyone know any tricks to get driftwood to stop leeching tannins? I would like to use this piece if I can get it to stop giving off the tannins. Its a beautiful piece that would really pop if i could get a few plants to take and attach them to the wood.

I've been wanting to try an actual plant substrate this time, as opposed to using plain gravel. I got my eye on some stuff called Eco-Complete Plant Substrate. They sell it on drfostersmith.com here is the link to the stuff I am looking at: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3746+9087&pcatid=9087 have you ever used, or heard of anyone using this stuff, and is it as good as the reviews say it is? Not sure how many bags I would need also.

I am also thinking of buying a new hood (the one I have is probably older than I am and the glass has some hideous calcium spots on it that I cant get off) and compact flourecent light. That should deffinately give off the right power I need to get good healthy plants right? I was considering tinkering with C02. I don't know if you have seen these new systems that dont require tanks, that make C02 with natural fermentation. This link is what I'm considering investing in: http://www.bigalsonline.com/StoreCatalog/ctl3684/cp18478/si1501563/cl1/plant_gro_co2_natural_system?&path=c3684-def-USD-16695%23%23-1%23%23-1%7E%7Eq436f32%7E%7Ec3684-def-USD-18477%23%232%23%23y%7E%7Enc3684-def-USD-18478%23%230%23%23r&query=Co2&offset=10 Are these thing worth it? Or are they just a waste of money?

A few years back I upgraded from that vintage hang on back of tank filter to a Fluval 104 canister filter that I would recomend to anyone. I don't know if you remember Mike or not, he reccomended that filter to me. Only when I tore down the tank I misplaced a few pieces that I hope to dig out of the basement this weekend. If I cant find them, I found a site that has some of the replacement parts I need, and another site that has the rest of the parts I need. I'll be using my Ebo Jager heater that I still have. and was also considering this UV sterilizer to keep algae under control: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4393+7999&pcatid=7999

I've done most of this reasearch myself, and I hope that I got myself in the right direction. Mom also has a concern, since the tank has been without water, and collecting dust for a few years, do you think the silicone is still intact? It doesnt appear to be peeling at all. Other than that, I'm ready to get to work. Just need to know if any of the products that I am thinking of investing in are junk or not. Any advice anyone on this board can give me would be greatly appreciated, anyone who is a friend of Tom's is a friend of mine.

Thanks a bunch,
Dave

[Tom]

Hey Dave

Yes...I know exactly who this is...the Andy clue sealed it.

How have you been? Middlefield is a nice area...out amongst them Amish....gotta watch them folk<G>

Keep soaking the driftwood...it WILL eventually come clear and clean but it takes seemingly forever. As to modern day plant technology..I hate to admit I was never a high tech plant person and I am so horribly out of touch with the hobby that I am of little use...BUT...the people ehre are still the BEST...so fire awa the questions. They will guide you better than I coud ever hope to.

And if you ever head into Cleveland itself...holler and maybe we can connect. I have a little market booth on East 185th in town...good place to meet up perhaps.

[CLEVEsports420]

Tom,

Glad to hear that you remember me. I guess it really is a small world after all, if E185th street u refer to, is the same E185th on google maps ur right there in Euclid. I have been driving up to Euclid pretty much every weekend for the past year. My girlfriend that I met on myspace lives in Euclid, and I'm actually somewhat familiar with that area. I'm not gonna be there this weekend due to an unfortunate incident with one of my girl's best friend's cutting his life short. She will be out of town this weekend, but I will be up there next weekend. I work afternoons in milling department at work. I usually leave straight from work on friday night, and spend the weekend there with her until sunday night. If u give me some directions on where to go on E185th I would be glad to come meet up with you if you are there on saturdays or sundays. She lives just off Babbit road, and I know how to find 185th from Lakeshore Blvd, just not sure what to look for from there.

One question about that driftwood piece... a friend of mine has expressed interest in the fluval 104 I have for his tank, I'm thinking of just giving him that filter, and getting a new 405 filter, which will give me the flexibility to use in a bigger tank should I choose to go that route someday. I found a seller on ebay that sells the 405 brand new for like 80 bucks cheaper than fostersmith's sells and includes free shipping. I also saw on that sellers list of items with the search query "fluval" some new stuff called "Lab series" Opti-Carb. Basically the description is that its carbon on steroids. Since that filter cycles 340 GPH which yes, I know is overkill, do you think soaking that piece in my tank, with this filter on steroids and this high grade carbon, it will eventually pull all the tannins out of the water without the hassle of me having to empty and refill the large sink in my basement on a daily basis? After 2 or 3 weeks of previously soaking that piece years ago and spending 20+ minutes everyday watching the sink fill only to empty it next day made me want to bang my head against the wall. Granted the water got a lil less brown every day, it never fully fixed the problem. Here is the description of the stuff I am looking at:


Fluval Lab Series Opti-Carb's mixture of ion-exchange and synthetic organic removal resins combine with research grade carbon to create a powerful, adsorbent water polishing media. Opti-Carb offers superior, rapid reduction of dissolved organic matter, removal of proteins before they break down into toxic compounds, and elimination of odors and discolorations that result in sparkling clear aquarium water.
Opti-Carb can be used as a daily filter media or for removal of specific toxic metals and compounds. Treats up to 50 US gal. (189L). Does not affect pH, KH or General Hardness. Formulated for reef aquariums, excellent for fresh and marine environments.
Hi-Capacity Ion Exchange Media. Opti-Carbs mixture of ion-exchange and synthetic organic removal resins, and research grade carbon combine to create a powerful adsorbent water polishing media. Rapid reduction of dissolved organic matter, removalof proteins before they break down into toxic compounds, elimination of odors and discolorations can all be accomplished with Opti-Carb resulting in sparkling clear aquarium water. Use as everyday filter media or for removal of specific toxic metals and organic compounds.
Does not affect pH, KH and general hardness. Treats up to 189 L (50 US Gal.). For larger tanks use multiple bags.
Formulated for reef aquariums, freshwater or marine environments.
Suggested Media Placement 105, 205, 305, 405, 104, 204, 304, 404, 103, 203, 303, 403: Mid, or Upper Level Media Baskets; FX5: Bottom or Middle Media Baskets


Im thinking if I fill my tank with nothing else in it but the driftwood piece, and load every cartridge in the filter with this carbon that would have to remove the tannins right? Call me lazy if u want, but it will waste a hell of a lot less water using this method, and if I have to leave it sit in the tank for a few weeks like that, its a hell of a lot less work than having to refill that tub sink everyday and let it sit in its own tannins for 24 hours at a time. At least this way, with this filter, it will cycle all the water in the aquarium through that carbon almost 12 times an hour. Which in turn means it will cycle the tank almost 288 times a day. I don't mind letting the tank sit for a few weeks like that and delaying the actual start up if it will do all the hard work for me.

Dave

[CLEVEsports420]

anyone alive? :confused:

[Tom]

was a busy weekend...so yeah...alive...but havent been around.

Same east 185th Dave...same one. My place s down kinda cattycornered from the Key Bank at Pawnee almost to Muskoka on the west side of the street. When you are coming on a saturday let me know...we are closed sundays but saturday works.

Your plan with the fluvals sounds workable.Larger is most often gonna work better....so worth shot. They make their carbon sound good...and it likely is decent. Carbon helps keep discoloration and out...but only lasts so long so monitor what ahppens.

[CLEVEsports420]

Tom,

My girl and I are gonna stop up this saturday, what time are u there, and what is ur shop called?

[Tom]

Usually there by 2 PM...often a hair earlier.

The big sign on top says the Marketplace. In the doorway itself it reads OZ Collectables. The number is 708. Its multi vendor, so there is tons of stuff in this building. I am all the way at the back, and I am shrinking down in size from a larger spot to small...cant afford to keep the big one...and all my stuff is in HUGE dissarray...so its a monster mess...but come on regardless. Be really glad to see you!

[Tc2]

Welcome Cleve. I've been waiting for the true plant people to respond, but it appears you're going to have to settle for me. I've never used the substrate you mentioned, but I do have a planted 29 with driftwood (since you mentioned 29). Personally, I like the amber coloration driftwood gives the water, discus look good in that IMO. The substrate for this tank (which has been set up for a good 15 years - same substrate, same driftwood, some of the same plants, but different fish) is peat moss/clay base covered with sand. The peat I placed in nylon stockings to rinse then soak before adding to the clay - I used about an inch of clay (clay kitty litter is nothing more than clay, just be sure there are no clumping agents nor "odorants" in it, package will say pure clay and it only costs around 2 bucks for 10 pounds), covered with approximatel a half inch or so wet sphagnum peat moss (again, be sure the peat has no fungisides or other additives) followed by a half inch or so sand. I planted cryptocorne before adding the water. There are two peices of driftwood in there, one has annubius attached, the other java moss, I also have java fern in there. Notice they are all low light plants. I use a sponge filter. Nothing fancy in this tank, very simple and easy to take care of. The fish in there now are angels, butterflies, cories, kuhli loach, and a ctennapoma acutirostre. Good luck.