Showing posts with label cheap aquarium fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cheap aquarium fish. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Hagen Marina Ecoscaper Variety Pack including Echinodorus Silk Plant, Nupar Japonicum Silk Plant, a

Hagen Marina Ecoscaper Variety Pack including Echinodorus Silk Plant, Nupar Japonicum Silk Plant, and Lobelia Silk PlantThe plants are decent, but the way they are packaged causes them to be crushed and twisted.

You really have to re-work the plants to get them to look right.

Good color and movement in tank.

I bought this when I was setting up my first 5 gallon aquarium. I didn't really like it. The plants seemed too big for a 5 gallon, and looked a bit fake. Removed and don't use them. Why 3 stars and not two? Well, they are what they say they are... fake plants...they didn't lie. Hard to tell from a picture on the internet what something really looks like, unfortunately have to buy it to find out, but felt it was a waste of money.

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These plants are very soft, and therefore very good for delicate betta fish fins. However, they look kind of cheap. The tops of the plants look great, but the bottoms are not painted, and the plastic parts stick out. They still look better than most plastic plants, but they still are not convincing.

Read Best Reviews of Hagen Marina Ecoscaper Variety Pack including Echinodorus Silk Plant, Nupar Japonicum Silk Plant, a Here

To be honest, I've seen better silk plantsmore realistic movements, better at hiding plastic. I've also seen much, much worse. This looks realistic enough to not be visually jarring.

The package contains three plants: a broadleafed light green plant, a bladeleaf medium green plant, and a very, VERY leafy dark green plant. The broadleaf came with the leaves nested like spoons, which I'm still struggling to correct; it looks decidedly unnatural, though I do like the color and shape of the leaves themselves. The positions of the leaves on the bladeleaf is much more natural and easier to shape. The dark green one is by far the most natural, but really needs to be in a tank larger than 1 gallon because it literally covers the entire inside of my betta's tank. You can get around this by sliding all the leaf segments all the way to the top, but it doesn't look as good that way.

Like I said, not super-duper awesome quality, but passable enough that I'm going to keep them for my tank setup.

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Marina Betta Kit Plastic Plant, Amazon Sword

Marina Betta Kit Plastic Plant, Amazon SwordI actually suctioned this sideways at one end of my betta's tank and turned the leaves a certain way so that they look like little hammocks. She loves sitting on the leaves this way. I also have a betta leaf in the tank, but she prefers to lay on this plant.

As a plant it is just so-so. My betta has not hurt itself on it and liked to rest on the leaves but what bumped me from 3 stars to 4 is the suction cup base. Even if the tank gets bumped or the rocks move that plant is staying put. And to clean it the plant pulls out of the base-but i still usually just pull the whole thing up.

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This plastic plant is pretty small but works great for our Beta. Since it has a suction cup, I hung the plant on the side of the tank so that the leaves can serve as little places for our Beta to rest. It looks great in the tank with our other plants.

Read Best Reviews of Marina Betta Kit Plastic Plant, Amazon Sword Here

i bought it originally for my other betta Larry as an alternative the Zoo Med hammock...i stuck it to the side of the tank. He slept in his tree next to it. Its kinda flimsy. Larry has since passed and my new betta, Fish Sticks, doesn't even go near it...he hangs in the feather trees next to it as well lol. Maybe it'll look better if it's used correctly, in the upright lol

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This product is just as described and "Fred the Fish" loves it. Looks nice and is soft as to not scratch up Fred

Monday, November 17, 2014

Hagen Nutrafin Phosphate 0.0 to 5.0 Mg/L for Fresh and Saltwater, 75 -Tests

Hagen Nutrafin Phosphate 0.0 to 5.0 Mg/L for Fresh and Saltwater, 75 -TestsThis is great for testing the PHOs levels in your aquarium. It is easy to use and the instructions were easy to follow. Would recommend and buy again.

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Saturday, November 8, 2014

Lee's 24-Inch Tube, w/Cleaning Claw

Lee's 24-Inch Tube, w/Cleaning ClawArrived in nice packaging and it does what it is suppose to do and no troubles yet. Though you'll need an external pump or use your filters pump for suction

Monday, October 27, 2014

SPONGE SOCCER BALLS 4 PACK

SPONGE SOCCER BALLS 4 PACKMy Female Siamese Cat loves only these balls. She actually gets spastic when she plays with it. My Male Siamese, her brother, actually kicks it like he is a professional soccer player.

So Cute!

Monday, October 20, 2014

API Ammonia Test Strips

API Ammonia Test StripsGot a new tank and was trying to cycle (with Tetra SafeStart), using these strips to check for ammonia. But, scale resolution is not fine enough, but worse give very inaccurate results it was indicating nothing, but was actually 1.0! Test strip color changes dramatically depending upon what light you are looking at it under (especially fluorescent vs incandescent looked green vs light brown).

Skip this and go for the real dropper test kit it about the same price and waaaay more accurate.

It is not as accurate as a TEST KIT such as API Freshwater Master Test Kit.

Not always easy to read the strip.

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Thursday, October 16, 2014

Pressure-Flo Filter

Laguna Pressure-Flo 1400 UVC FilterI purchased this model for my small pond, which is partly in the shade most of the day. I have read that the pond water clears up after several days of use. This is true. My pond was completely green, and I can only see my fishes, when they come up to feed at the surface. After about 2-3 days of constant use, the pond started to show clarity in the water. I'm able to see a few inches below the surface. Today is the 5th day of usage and now I'm able to see at least 10" down. The water in the pond is not as green any more. Of course, I removed and rinsed off the water pump filter everyday. I also took the opportunity to use the backwash feature to clean the UV filter as well. This was very easy to do. I use the collected backwash water to water my flowers and garden. Just note that when you use the backwash, water from your pond is lost. So it needs to be refill to the same level as before. I'm quite happy with the way the unit is working. I love the locking and quick release (in/out) nozzles. However, this unit will only fit 3/4" to 1 1/4". I wished the nozzles extended to 1/2", which would have made installing extremely easy. My small pond has a small water pump, which can only fit a 1/2" hose. I have a coil of 1/2" hose, but I can't use. I had to stop by Lowe to buy a roll of 20' 3/4" flexible hose and a 3/4" to 1/2" adapter. For this reason, I only gave this product a 4 stars instead of 5 stars. Also, I was surprised to see the unit is quite bulkier than I had expected.

Update: Just want to let everyone knows that after about 10 days, my pond is clear all the way to the bottom. I can see all the fishes hiding at the bottom when I approach. I'm able to spot out debris, such as leaves, etc. which helped with the cleaning. I'm glad I got this unit, and now I'm enjoying my pond immensely.

This is a really nice filter to have on my pond, about 1000-1500 gallons. I claims its only good for 1400, but that depends on what you actually have in the pond. When I first established my pond I put in Pond Zyme, and Marble chips. The marble chips left a white cloudy water, however this filter took the cloudy out in about 24 hours.

After opening it up, I do not believe that the self cleaning back wash system will work as good as it claims. They are using two arms that scrap the sides of the foam inside to knock off the sediment, which then you can dump somewhere else, instead of the pond. This concept seems good, but without actually taking out the filter, there is no way to get this anywhere near clean enough. But it does do a good job once the pond has some bacteria.

I do wish the filter had its own pump. This is because I purchased a separate pump to go with this at 1800 GPH, of course my flow restrictions are blocking me down to 1400 or so. The 1800 GPH pump is really small, it could have easily fit inside of this filter.

Next, I really wish this had screw on pipe nipples instead of these clip in place version. Yes its nice when you need to take it appart, but it is one pain to find the right connections for setting up the back wash system.

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Having studied the various options on how to build my own KOI pond for the last 3 years, I am now settled on a very comfortable 300 Gallon tank with a design that will allow me to add a little more fishes as needed.

Here are the components and my reviews for each of them

300 Gallon Rubber Maid stock tank (bought from ZOROTOOL.COM ** because it is $100-$150 cheaper for the unit with free delivery. sorry Amazon !!)

Laguna Pressure-Flo 700 UVC Filter (ASIN: B001BOBPBM)

TotalPond PF850 Pressurized Biological Filter (ASIN: B004DL0Y4O)

Danner Mag Drive Pump Model 9.5 -950 gph (ASIN: B0002568G8)

(1) Rubber Main tank

Well, it is a nice size tank for KOI. I now have 7 KOI's sizes between 6 12 inches. I plan to have may be 2-3 more in the next few months. I know that 300 Gallon may not be a good size for them after they grow to >24 inch but I intend to make it work with over filtering design. To me, this will be several more years, as I am not the "over feeding" owner :-)

The tank is made with good strong and "fish safe" material. It is quite sturdy in design and able to handle the load of water (completely filled up) without a doubt. it just happened that it rained a lot once I got this tank, so I tested to full capacity with rain water (from down sprout) for a few days. by putting it on my backyard concrete patio. So far, no sign of bending or cracking. The drain plug (included) comes with threaded (1.5 in OD PVC adapter) was very handy to drain out those water when I was ready to move it for real installation.

(2) Danner Mag Drive Pump

This is the first component of my "over filtering" design. The pros recommend that the whole volume of the pond be completely circulated through filter at least twice in an hour. In my case, a 600 GPH pump should be enough, but I compensate for the smaller pipe and some flow rate loss etc. I estimated that my actual flow rate out of my system will still be somewhat 700+/-50 GPH from this pump. The pump is made with good quality material, the only moving part is that impeller. Having Magnetic drive technology is extremely important, because it will be running 24/7 for 365 days a year. I want to make sure that the pump will not pumping money out of my bank as much as it does for the water. Having checking calculation from may reputable web site, this thing will cost me around $3-$5 a month in electricity. Not bad at all. I gave it 5 stars.

(3) TotalPond PF850 Pressurized Biological Filter

In my design, I am looking for some kind of enclose trap. Such that, the unwanted debris of leaves, fish drops etc. will be collected here first. This way there will be much less of this stuff that will go to the next filtering stage. It turns out, this thing come with it's own sponge and bio balls so it serves as an extra bio filter to my design. This filter is made of some okay type of plastic. The connectors to the water pipe will have to be tighten from the inside of the filter I found this to be a spot where I need to pay a little extra attention. The lid also comes with extra O-ring to prevent leakage but still it has to be really tighten up real good. In my design, my MAG DRIVE pump will push the water straight from the tank into this filter, hence there will be high a pressure for this filter. So, tighten things up really good is very important. This is where I take 1 star from it I found this to be a little tricky to get it just right.

(4) Laguna Pressure-Flo 700 UVC Filter

This is where I expect my real action for my bio filter and algae prevention. Having inspect the unit, I am quite convinced that I have made the right choice. Material is well made with good quality kind. It has a well design bio foam with cleaning blade and back flush if you are the first timer to having back yard pond. Trust me, you need this feature for your filter. It also comes with built-in UV light. Althogh only 11 Watts, I was not quite sure if it will hold. But again, with over filtering design, I hope it will. Only time will tell. Installation and testing was easy to do no big deal for DIY at all. So far, it works well for me I gave it 5 stars.

In my design, it connects like this Rubber Maid tank -> 3/4 pipe -> MAG DRIVE PUMP -> 3/4 pipe -> Total Pond ->3/4 pipe -> Laguna Filter -> Rubber Maid Tank

I'm in GA, our winter is not that cold but there are days where it gets below freezing. So, with helps of my kid, I decided to bury 1/3 of the tank into the ground. The filter + pump are at ground level. When filling it up, I can still get the benefit of gravity to help flow the water. Digging + Installation to me 1.5 days. I filled it up and run it to check for leaks by the end of the second day all leakages were fixed. That when I start to add the enzyme (same thing I used with my earlier aquarium tank) / salt and stuff to prepare the water. Then I let it run for 8 days to make sure the good bacteria are well adjusted. Testing pH it was perfect.

My KOI's have been living in this system now for 2 weeks. The location of my pond is such that it has some shade most of the day from near by trees. Only between 11am 2pm that it will be in full sun. I build a floating basket (24 in diameter) that I plan to plant water lily this thing is a perfect shade for the fish during full sun. I noticed that between day 3-5 the water was a little less than crystal clear but it is still clear. After that, it slowly return to crystal clear I guess the bacteria was adjusting to the increase amount of nitrate and stuff that my KOI's dumped out.

So far, I am pretty happy with this design. Well, it seems to be working for 2 weeks now (fingers' crossed). My neighbors like it and asked that I share the design. I will do some drawing and pictures when I have a moment.

Total cost (excluding the fish), my system costs me

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Monday, August 4, 2014

Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling Fan

Zoo Med Aqua Cool Aquarium Cooling FanThis item works well with my aquarium, I have a 20 gallon saltwater aquarium. I just set up my aquarium about 6 weeks ago and the temperature has been 2-4 degrees too high. When I placed the aquarium cooling fan on the back it reduced the temperature 2-3 degrees. This fan works as a cheaper alternative to a chiller which can cost $200-$400 unless a dramatic decrease in temperature is needed. The only complaint is after a week of daily use when turning it on in the morning it tends to make a loud buzzing sound. If you tap the back of the unit with your hand once or twice it will stop.

Product works great, cheaper than buying a chiller system for my 34 gallon Red Sea Max 130g tank. I must run this fan during the summer even with the A/C on because the tank gets so hot. It generally cools my tank down by 3-4 degrees. Definitely worth the money. I'm very happy with this purchase and I have had no problems with this product. Definitely would recommend this product for those you can't afford or do not have room for a chiller system.

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The water temperature was definitely controlled, but after less than three months, the internal rattling sounds became unbearable. I will replace with a different type of fan.

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I have a nano reef tank and this is the first summer it was set up. The water temp was going over 82+F even when the house temp was 75F

I bought this and it works great. It is quiet and cools the tank to mid to low 70's even when house temp is now 79F. I have it on a multiple setting timer and it turns on and off throughout the day. This way I can keep the temp consistently around 75F

Awesome product and great price compared to a chiller!

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This is a great buy. I bought this for my saltwater 20g set up to bring the temp down after installing a power head which raised the temp several degrees. Within the first hour after installation, this fan brought the temp down a full degree!! Quiet, efficient and cost effective I strongly recommend this fan. This uses evaporative cooling to bring the temp down so be prepared to add water to your tank on a semi regular basis. No complaints about the product, does just as described and I saved over $12 buying this on Amazon vs my LFS. After two 48 hrs this fan brought the temp down a full 5.2 degrees in my tank. My fish seem much more comfortable and I'm not as nervous about stressing them out due to water temp being too high. Now, if only I could get my snowflake eel to leave my blenny alone. :) super fast shipping too would do business again with this seller!!

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Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Exotic Environments Rock Arch with Plants Aquarium Ornament, Small

Exotic Environments Rock Arch with Plants Aquarium Ornament, SmallThe decor was exactly as described. Not too big or too small, and very nice looking in my aquarium. Great place for my fish to hide out!

This is a beautiful addition to my aquarium, it's a great filler for the corner and gives the little fish a great place to hide. I own a 10 gallon and it is perfect!

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This aquatic ornament is the centerpiece in my tank. It enhances the beauty 10 fold!! Colors look brilliant under white light. The price savings is huge when compared to local pet store. Definitely recommend!!

Read Best Reviews of Exotic Environments Rock Arch with Plants Aquarium Ornament, Small Here

I bought this for my 5gal betta tank. It's decent looking and the fish likes it but I wish it was better quality. For example, the cloth plant on the left was all crinkled, the plants aren't well made and are oddly placed, glue holding the plants on is visible, paint is sloppily placed. I think I would recommend looking in stores first

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My betta fish Rexy loves this. He likes resting on the plastic plants near the top of the water. He's pretty lazy so it works for him.

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Thursday, July 17, 2014

API Calcium Test Kit

API Calcium Test KitAPI is the bargain end of SW testing equipment. Typically good for fish only tanks, soft tanks, and occasionally LPS tanks. However, since calcium needs only to stay constant and in a certain range, the test doesn't necessarily need to be as accurate as a Nitrate test where you need to be able to monitor nitrates between 0-5ppm. So long as you occasionally have your calcium tested using Salifert or other higher end brand by your fish store or friend, this test works well for week to week testing.

I ordered this test kit for my Saltwater Fish Tank. The test was new and works fantastic!! Thanks!!!

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It's true it does take up to 25 drops to get a reading, however the first 15 or so can be added in batches of 4 or five. Espically if you already kinda know what your reading should be. You can just add up until that point, then slow down for the most accurate reading. It normally doesn't take more then 3 minutes or so.

Read Best Reviews of API Calcium Test Kit Here

I have been using an API Calcium Test Kit to test water in a reef tank.

As the test kit began to be depleted I ordered a new one of the same test kit.

Too my surprise where as the first kit indicated 380ppm the second indicated 520ppm.

Same test performed within mins using two API Calcium Test kits!

Shame on API for selling such poor products!

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The trick is for a coral reef tank, I start with 17 drops that would put my calcium at 340 then i go 2 drops at a time, very easy, best one i have used yet and inexpensive.

Nate

Colorado

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Sunday, June 8, 2014

Hydor 7.5w Slim Heater for Bettas and Bowls up to 5 gal

Hydor 7.5w Slim Heater for Bettas and Bowls up to 5 galGreat heater, easy to hide, very reasonable priced. If you have a small tank this is the way to go. I have a 1.5 gallon tank for my betta and its keeping temp at 76-78...he's happy as can be!

I was a little afraid about getting this heater due to some of the poor reviews, but I've had it for over 2 weeks now and so far it works just fine. I know most heaters require circulation via filter to work properly, I wonder if that was some people's problem? It was a fair price, hides easily under gravel, and keeps my 1.8 gallon betta tank around 80 degrees at all time. My betta seems much happier since I got it. Would recommend!

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I have a small 1.5 gallon Betta tank which I needed a heater for but most heaters are way too powerful for such a small tank. This heater is excellent it only raises the temperature 5 to 10 degrees which is perfect for this size tank. So in the winter when my home temperature is 68 the heater will raise the temperature at a maximum 10 degress which brings the temperature to 78. You can also bury it under the gravel so it remains hidden. Would highly recommend this heater.

Read Best Reviews of Hydor 7.5w Slim Heater for Bettas and Bowls up to 5 gal Here

I have a one gallon fish bowl and there arent really any heaters made for that size. So because this heater is made for heating tanks up to several gallons, the water temperature of bowl needs to be monitored at all times if using a bowl as small as mine. Otherwise the water will get too hot for your fish. I usually plug mine in in the morning for a bit and then take it out when the temp is around 80, and I plug it in a bit before I go to bed and unplug it for overnight.

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This works well for a 3 gallon half-moon and keep it at 78 in a 72 degree room.....I read a lot of reviews on here, but never could get this information specifically,so I am putting it here for others. Fits nicely under the gravel. Fish a bit afraid, but it does the job. I also cleared a little gravel away from the top of it so it helps radiate more heat. Heavy, thick gravel may make it function a little lighter, in my opinion, but you can assemble a safe pile of gravel on top.

Friday, June 6, 2014

Small Economy Corner Filter

Small Economy Corner Filtergreat for filtrating carbon in a small fish tank or turtle tank

I use these for QT tanks or for an impromptu breeding or spawning tank. You can fill them with floss, carbon, or ceramic media...they do their job, and they are cheap as anything!

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I wanted a charcoal filter to supplement my under-gravel system and could not find a filter in any store that did not use a proprietary cartridge. This little guy is inexpensive and i can use bulk filter materials to refill it. I could only find it online.

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I breed tropical fish and bought this filter to go into a fry tank. It works great, just as expected. I could not find any filters of this type in my local pet stores and was surprised to find it so cheap on Amazon. I will be buying more!

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I ordered one of these corner filters, which arrived with a broken piece to it which happened in the mailing. I sent an email to them notifying them of this and they sent a replacement out immediately, no questions asked. Will definitely order from them again. Perfect filter for my 5 gallon beta tank too.

Friday, May 23, 2014

Perfecto Full Recessed Hoods 30in Oak

Perfecto Full Recessed Hoods 30in OakI bought a Perfecto wood grain hood for my 29 gallon tank 35 years ago. It was used continuously for many years and then sat unused for over a decade, until just recently when it was called back into service. I plugged the hood in, the bulb lit and we're in business. To be honest I would get a plain black hood if I were to buy one today, but no need!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002Z7SQC/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title

The hood I purchased for the fish tank was perfect. It was everything I expected. Installation was easy with minimal effort. The only issue I had was two weeks ago the light bulb that came with it stop working. I know the seller has no control over that item. In all fairness I would purchase from this seller again.

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I originally bought this hood for an older 29 gallon tank that my grandparents gave me (the tanks from 1990). Unfortunately the tank was damaged but I was able to get it repaired and cleaned up to its former glory and this hood was the missing piece! Looks like it did my they first bough it over 20 years ago!

Read Best Reviews of Perfecto Full Recessed Hoods 30in Oak Here

Monday, May 19, 2014

Deep Blue Betta Tank 2.3 Gal 5 Way

Deep Blue Betta Tank 2.3 Gal 5 WayThis tank has a couple flaws to take into consideration. The first is that the glass dividers do not sit directly against the walls of the tank, and within hours, one of my bettas learned he could stick his face into his neighbor's compartment. My other issue is the lack of space to put a filter. Deep Blue's website recommended their nano power filter, which I purchased, but the glass lid has no plastic cutouts of which to fit a filter into. Other than that, I am very happy with the tank. It is extremely well made, looks wonderful set up on display, and if the bettas don't manage to "meet" one another through the gap, will considering purchasing another tank.

I just put my betta Huxley in his new tank today, and he seems happy with it. I didn't install the two end dividers, so I have two larger compartments separated by a narrow compartment. I placed some greenery in the middle compartment and plan to buy another betta to put on the other side of the tank. The middle compartment and greenery will prevent them from seeing each other, but I'll still get the benefit of having two fish in one tank.

The glass lid can be a bit difficult to lift off because it sits in the inner frame of the top of the tank and doesn't have a handle to lift it off. However, it's not perfectly flat so pressing on one side makes one corner lift up enough to get your fingers underneath.

The tank looks great on my bookshelf with a couple of halogen battery-operated lights (the press on, press off kind) situated behind the tank to light things up.

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wish the divider glass is black ,so betta won't anger with each other ,will buy again ,very very nice ,

Read Best Reviews of Deep Blue Betta Tank 2.3 Gal 5 Way Here

I have 5 Bettas and this is the perfect tank for them. I added a water filter, heater to it and made it a mini tank which is so cool. Very good Idea

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Received this tank, yes its 2.3? gallons, so keep that in mind. It is really great on construction as far as the quality! EXCEPTIONAL customer service and fastest shipping too. Easy to use all the dividers or only a couple too! Thanks! I hope this is helpful to another! Buy with confidence IMO!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Zoo Med 511 Mechanical Filter Sponge Coarse

Zoo Med 511 Mechanical Filter Sponge CoarseNot bad it last a good amount of time but once it's time to give it a clean.. Well it's not something i look forward on doing. But it works and keeps the water clean.. I'm happy amazon has it for that price. It's worth it to buy if you do have that filter..

I was reusing the old filter and washing it over and over again this replacement has been EXCELLENT! well worth the money and has cleaned the tank up again.

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I bought and received the outside filter for my daughter's 34 yr old turtle, for the 150 gallon tank..Sad to say, it cannot keep up with keeping the water clear. She still has to change the water and clean the filter once a week. Her tank is only 80 gallons too. That's why we purchased the large filter to save the horendous work of cleaning by hand, buckets, etc.

Read Best Reviews of Zoo Med 511 Mechanical Filter Sponge Coarse Here

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Danner Mag Drive Pump Model 7- 700 gph

Danner Mag Drive Pump Model 7- 700 gphUPDATE: I used to love these pumps and I probably still would if they would just stop breaking. the impeller on them is cheap die cast plastic that will break if you look at it wrong.

I have bought 7 of these pumps and only 1 still works. 5 of them broke in less than 3 months. sure I can buy a new impeller for >15 dollars. the last impeller I bought broke in less than 12 hours. I also stated below that I haven't been using the filters. I did not have much of a choice though because every filter, in the last year, has arrived broken. the impeller is made from a plastic that will shatter rather than bend. in all honesty the loss I took on these pumps was enough to make me stop using hydroponics.

MY ORIGINAL REVIEW:

great hydroponics pump!!

I've bought seven of these pumps and I absolutely love them and I've never had any reason to complain. most of the negative stuff I've read on other reviews seem really hard to believe. I do not use the filters and I will not be commenting on them. the pump is very solidly built and there is nothing about that can come loose. the kind they sell with the foam pre filter has a shorter power cord than the rigid filter version.

they sell replacement impellers in case you are sucking something through that could break it. without using a filter I've never had anything get stuck in it. I need a pump that can pump at least 7 feet into the air and only so many of these magnetic drive ones can do it. I bought a 400 GPH Active Aqua pump because it was about half the price and these 700 danners seem like overkill. the 400 could not handle the head feet and seems really cheaply made. but are useful if you don't need to pump more than a few feet off the ground.

I messed up one of the first danner pumps I bought by using it to drain a hole i was digging. the hole kept filling up with muddy water and I used the pump on a timer to keep it drained. it worked well for weeks. even with mud drying inside the pump. and then after a few weeks it stopped but that was a pretty ridiculous thing to put it through.

Very, Very loud external pump. It's louder than my two cooling fans and chiller together. Also this thing is very hot.

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Beautiful in application on filtering aquarium! Water is crystal clear and debris is non-existent. Will purchase another for other applications!

Read Best Reviews of Danner Mag Drive Pump Model 7- 700 gph Here

Great pump. Really quiet and reliable so far. Had it running continuously for a couple of months now. The o ring and impeller are easy to replace.

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Pump can be a little loud but other then that it works great for my 20 Gallon reef with a 10 gallon sump.

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Sunday, February 2, 2014

Fluval Self Primer Assembly, 104-404, 105-405 Polybag

Fluval Self Primer Assembly, 104-404, 105-405 PolybagI have a Fluval 305 which for the first year worked great. Now every month it seems like a part is breaking and I'm constantly replacing things. All I can say is it fits the model filter I have but I'm going to search for a new filter because this is getting crazy!

Literally it's snap and go. Very easy to use and assemble. Lasted longer than the life of the motor in the filter.

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Very pleased I could get parts for my pump online. It was exactly the part I needed and was very simple to match part numbers.

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ive had to get a few replacement parts for my fluval 404 and i notice the parts are made of a better, stronger plastic. i wish they would have used those to begin with so maybe they wouldnt strain and break so easy in the first place.

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Thursday, January 30, 2014

Petco Bookshelf Freshwater Fish Aquarium

Petco Bookshelf Freshwater Fish AquariumThis tank is great for small spaces, and because it's so narrow (front to back) it really CAN fit on a bookshelf. The included filter has an adjustable flow, so you can dial it back for fish that don't like strong currents.

The tank LOOKS much bigger than it is because of the length, and it also has more surface area than many 6 gallon tanks. The surface area is important for gas exchange, so this is a big plus.

The bulb that comes with the tank isn't the best for live plants, but it's a size and type that is readily available at any big-box DIY store. I replaced the original bulb with a 6700 Kelvin (daylight) one for about $7, and the tank looks much better for it. The plants are much happier, too!

The only flaws are that the plastic is VERY easy to scratch, and the tank tends to leak from under the top trim. Lift the trim off the tank, lay down a bead of silicone sealant and replace the trim this will stop the leaking.

Overall, this is a good deal and a very nice tank. I would recommend this to a friend.

Shipping time: Great as this arrived aprox 4 days from Amazon purchase date

Packaging: Everything was either boxed or plastic wraped or both.

Dimensions: as it is 24 long by 8 deep and 12 high, it has alot of floor surface area. This was ideal as my tank inhabitants are bottom dwellers. MUCH more space than other small gallon/desktop tanks.

Price: Super for what you get. I did add filter media (5-10 gal sponge and white ceramic bio)from my local pet shop, small heater, bubble wand and my own decorations.

Cover and light: There is a small lid for feeding in the front. The clear acrylic topper has lots of punch outs for addition needs ( like air tubes and heaters). The light works just fine and has a bluish glow. This is easily upgraded.

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First off, this is a good tank. Well packaged, good construction and components. Very attractive, excellent shape for 6.5 gallons. Looks bigger than it is. The acrylic is nice and sturdy and in my experience was not easily scratched. The filter seems to work well, pretty quiet and can be dialed from low to high depending on your fish needs. The light works fine and the hood has a convenient door for feeding the fish. In order to access the inside of the tank, you must first lift off the light fixture and set it down somewhere. Then underneath there is a clear plastic lid that your remove and set aside and then you can access the inside of the tank. I recommend this tank as a good value and it's unique dimensions for a small tank are very attractive. Don't plan on putting much in this tank however, at 6.5 gallons it is only suited for maybe 1 betta and a bottom dweller or two.

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I received this tank as a Christmas present for my betta. I really adore it! You can't fill it up above the rim because the rims actually pop off. Because there isn't an actual seal the water leaks right out if you fill it above the rim. While it's slightly annoying, I appreciate that in the future I could run this as a rimless tank if I could furnish a different sort of lighting (the rim is required to support the light fixture). It's difficult to find nice rimless tanks in this price range so I'm pretty happy about that.

While my betta lived in a 10 gallon tank before so this may seem like a downgrade, he actually has much more usable space and loves to zoom from one side of the tank to the other. :) The dimensions are just lovely for bettas and really pretty much any fish. It has the same proportions as a 20 gallon long, just mini. I put it side by side with a 10 gallon tank and it's 2-3 inches longer, but of course much shorter and thinner.

I cant comment on the filter because I just used the filter I already had running in my 10 gallon-an Aquaclear 20.

There was some cloudy-looking whitish substance on the glass when I filled it up (it wasn't visible when the tank was empty) [***EDIT: I figured out what was going on with that-I was using a sand substrate and the residue from it left a film on the walls of the tank. I discovered this once I used the same sand in a completely different, old tank I had lying around and the same thing happened. So this is NOT the fault of the manufacturer of this aquarium.***] but it rubbed off easily with my finger. I didn't rinse the tank, though, so that might have prevented it. Once I removed the cloudy-looking stuff the tank is crystal clear. It is acrylic so you should only use micro-fiber on the outside and an algae scrubber made for acrylic on the inside-glass scrubbers WILL scratch this aquarium. Luckily there are products on the market that remove scratches (I can't vouch for their effectiveness, though, as I haven't used them) if you have a slip up. I really like that acrylic tanks like this one have no seams on the edges like glass tanks do, where they were bonded with silicone.

Also, this is a bowfront tank but because it's so long the bow is very slight, so there is literally no distortion. Which is awesome.

The light fixture isn't the best. At first it kept going out and turning on again like the bulb wasn't staying in correctly. I haven't had a problem in the past couple days though. I'm also going to change the bulb to a daylight bulb (6500 K) because it is better for growing plants. I really like the fact that the piece supporting the light is clear throughout, because it allows you to stick another light fixture behind it (I will post pictures explaining what I mean by this) for greater watts per gallon (only important for live plants). The second fixture I used, which is the same size as the one that comes with the tank, was for an 10 imperial gallon tank (this is about 12 US gallons, but the proportions are different for UK and US tanks).

Overall I am very very happy with this tank. Best gift I got this year. :D

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I think I figured out the deal with the hood/light. When I changed the bulb I realized that the one that comes with the aquarium is a few centimeters smaller than a standard 15 watt, 18 inch florescent bulb. If you buy a new bulb it will have a tighter fit (but not too tight--the light it comes with is too loose) and it will stay in place better. It kept turning off on me because the old bulb would slip slightly out of alignment. I have no idea why they would include a non-standard size bulb in what appears to be standard size hood, but that seems to be what's going on. A new bulb (which can be easily found at Wal-Mart) does the trick. [EDIT: Two weeks with the new bulb and no problems at all. It cost me $8 at Wal-Mart, but cheaper ones can be bought if you don't have live plants.]

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I purchased the Petco Bookshelf aquarium through Amazon and I am THRILLED with it. I did it in an Asian theme and it is beautiful. Aqua colored gravel, a pagoda, bridge, bamboo and grasses. My blue Betta thinks he is in heaven! I love the long syle of it. At 6.6 gallons, it gives fish lots of horizontal room to swim the whole length of the 24" tank and plenty of room for plants and decor. The flourescent light brings out the colors of the ornaments and makes the betta glow with beauty. The pump and filtration system work nicely and my pump is quiet. It was shipped VERY quickly, I got it within 2 and a half days, and it came double boxed. Inside the main box it was packed really nice. The tank itself was inside a plastic type bag to help minimize scratches. For the price, it is better than anything I have seen at local pet stores. I'm thinking of getting another one I like it so much. If you are thinking of getting an aquarium, don't let this one pass you by. I think you will more than happy with it. Thanks for reading my review and hope it helps!

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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Marineland filtration PR2002 Bio-Wheel Pro Assembly for Eclipse 3 and Magnum 350 Pro

Marineland filtration PR2002 Bio-Wheel Pro Assembly for Eclipse 3 and Magnum 350 ProGreat product but gets smushed easily if packed with other items when shipping. Also the filter slips off the nubs that hold the accordion folds in place if the end caps are not firmly pressed down.

The BIO wheel was fine now that I finally recieved it. The company that it came from, UNITED PET GROUP has horrible customer service. I have a 100 Gallon tank and no one locally in my town sells these, so I needed it quickly. They sent it to an old address.

Anyway, glad BIOWHEEL

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Saturday, January 11, 2014

CoralVue Technology BH-1000 Octopus with External 1000 Pump for Aquarium Filter, 100-Gallon

CoralVue Technology BH-1000 Octopus with External 1000 Pump for Aquarium Filter, 100-GallonI just finished putting this skimmer together and placed it on my 37 gallon column aquarium. First of all the positives. This skimmer is very quiet for a hob protein skimmer. I have my aquarium right next to my couch, and it doesn't distract from watching television. Very little microbubbles are released back into my aquarium, which should get even better with time. Since my aquarium is newly setup with no organisms yet, there is nothing to skim. However, there is a storm of bubbles in the skimmer column, and I know that this will do its job well when the time comes. And finally the pump doesn't sit inside the tank, saving you space and preventing excess heat entering your aquarium. You also don't have to worry about wandering anemones or small fish getting sucked up by this powerful pump.

Now onto the negatives. If you are unfamiliar with how skimmers work, you might have trouble putting this together. Mainly the included directions are to blame, which are very little help to the user. Be sure that your o-rings are placed properly and the seals are screwed tight. Fill the skimmer with water before putting it in place and turning on, to check for leaks. The surface skimmer sits very low in the aquarium and if you like to fill your tank to the brim, the surface skimmer will not skim from the surface. Half an inch higher and it would be perfect.

Overall I'm very impressed with this skimmer, but there's a worry in the back of my mind that I'll come home to a wet floor.

This is my first skimmer (Efficiently speaking), It is a little bit difficult to adjust properly buy if you simply observe, there is no problem.

I installed it, started the engine and moved sand sediments on my Tank and immediately i saw how the organic matter was expelled by the bubbles.

The major problem was the assembly as it did not include a manual installation or use. ONLY It just comes with a sheet with the explosive party. It was very useful to watch videos on sites like assembly on youtube for this model or the BH2000.

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As soon as I bought this and put it together it started leaking from the connections. When I tightened it, the connector broke. Then the impeller packed it in. The seller was defensive and difficult. His response was "well nobody else seems to have these problems", and threatened to start adding on restocking charges if I left a bad review.

The distributor was nice enough, and they sent replacement parts but the unit still leaked. They eventually sent me a new pump, but that leaked too. 6 weeks later I finally cut my losses. It's now a boat anchor and it's on Craigslist AS IS. Went out and bought an AquaC Remora which was up and running in under an hour.

I bought this because it has good reviews. I apparently got a lemon, but in all honesty, there are just way too many pieces. Too many O rings, joints, connectors to break. This thing was cracking when I was assembling it. And I'm supposed to take it apart on a regular basis to clean it? Forget it. I wouldn't trust this not to leak all over my expensive wood flooring.

The only reason I gave it one star, was because for the 3 hours it did manage to work, it was skimming pretty good before it started leaking again.

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We just purchased this skimmer from a local pet shop. Within ten minutes of getting it running it was pulling stuff out of my water column. I have had skimmers before and this one rocks. I had a 55 gallon, but had to sell that one. Everybody told us for a 30 gallon just do water changes. My nitrates are always a little high, even with weekly water changes. I am hoping this will improve my water quality. Happy shopping!

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I am using the BH-1000 skimmer on my 75 Gallon tank and it works great. I am also impressed at how well the "defoaming divice" works at preventing micro bubbles. It produces skim well and as far as performance and construction it's the best skimmer I have ever owned.

The only complaint I have is the intructions are lacking but thanks to the pluthera of You Tube videos on most Reef Octopus Skimmers this wasnt much of an issue.

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