A winterizing checklist for backyard ponds in Wichita, Kansas & Midwest Great Plains Should I leave my pond pump on in the winter? If ice on your waterfall will cause water runoff or freeze-thaw damage to rocks, you must shut off your pump. If you shut off your pond, you must add a heater or…
As your skill level in this hobby increases, you will learn that properly acclimating your fish can often be one of the most important steps in creating a healthy community aquarium. There are 3 methods, and for the average fishkeeper, the most important to learn is the float method. While acclimating your new fish, consider…
The Aquarium Nitrogen Cycle The nitrogen cycle is the process by which organic waste is decomposed, oxidized and then converted into gases by living organisms. Every aquarium begins with what is called “new tank syndrome”. The aquarist is feeding his fish on a daily basis, and in doing so, adds proteins, fats, lipids, cellulose, and…
Every aquarium needs 3 types of filtration to function: Mechanical, Chemical, and biological. Mechanical Filtration- mechanical filtration separates out free-floating particles from the water column. Chemical Filtration- is a filter that forces water through a chemical compound to bind, break, or oxidize impurities and organic compounds Biological Filtration- a filter that is designed to…
After heavy rains and during the summer heat, the Wichita Municipal Water utilities add ammonia to the tapwater. This is done to keep the chlorine more stable, but it forms highly toxic CHLORAMINE! For example, I tested water from the faucet on September 8th, 2013 to find lethal ammonia levels between .25ppm and .5ppm! …
Quick Reference: All Aquarium Test Parameters I use and recommend API test kits for 3 reasons: They are simple to use They are cost-effective They are accurate enough for the average hobbyist Critical Parameters are the ones that are most important to check frequently because they can change quickly and have a drastic effect…
Procedures notes on testing In order to achieve the best results with SPS, there are only two factors that matter pertaining to water quality. Stability and Ionic Balance. To achieve both, you need two things: 1) to be diligent about testing and dosing 2) Reliable tests (and I don’t take these big companies at their…
