buying a tank

[JohnHuff]

1) I don't question it because it's not an issue for me.
2) Filters. cf my brother-in-law's tanks that I alluded to in my post above.

I thnk you SHOULD question it. If you want that much gravel because you like the looks of it, that is all well and fine, but it is NOT needed at all. The ONLY time I can ever remember a specific thickness of gravel was in regards to undergravel filters, and I cant even remember how many years it has been since we had one of those...


Filters are NOT actually needed as much as people think. Fish can do fine with NO filters, and no air pumps as well in most situations. Filters serve multi purposes, such as removing debris (large and fine), which a water change can also do ... and they mix oxygen into the water ... if a person chooses not to have filtration, they need to be concerned with their SURFACE AREA in relationship to their fish load.

 

[JohnHuff]

Good for you. To each their own. Glad it works for you.

How about it doesnt;-) Water flow and circulation keeps it moving, and up into the filters it goes.


I dont have anything to siphon since I dont have a thick bed of gravel for it to decompose into. Again, gravel in my view is a cleaning nightmare. Makes more work than it needs to be.


I am not sure what you mean by excessive water current. I get the feeling that when you think of 600+ gph you are convinced it could pump out or cause rapids or something. My parrots feather, a rather flexible plant, barely moves.

 

[capewind]

1) I don't question it because it's not an issue for me.

I really an not trying to be arguementative, but you are advising AT LEAST 1.5" of gravel in a fish tank, and I am trying to understand the positives in doing so. I can honestly only think of negatives after decor. What is the purpose of this depth?

 

[Troutredds]

I can only speak for myself, based on personal experience. The bigger the tank, the less water change (both frequency and volume) required. Of course, the frequency and volume of that water change will vary from case to case - dependent on both tank biomass and the resulting changes in water chemistry. I also know that investing in a filter far larger than supposedly required for your system is never a bad idea. I am reading a lot of animosity into these posts that has little to do with fish keeping. High flow rate vs. low flow rate? Gravel substrate vs. no substrate? What really matters is a healthy balance; how that is achieved varies from case to case and person to person. I must admit, however, that I thoroughly enjoy the debate. Cheers to JohnHuff, dieselplower and capewind for the spirited posts!

 

[JohnHuff]

Think of me as a middleman. I'm just passing on info I've read and collected from various forums and websites during the time I've kept fish. I haven't questioned it because it hasn't been an issue for me.

Likewise, today I learned that someone here never changes his tank water. It's a titbit of information I'll keep in my brain. I might regurgitate it in the future if someone asks. But if that persons asks me on the particulars, I won't have any to give. I was just passing on info I've seen.

I'm not trying to be argumentative here either. It's just that I have no dog in the fight. I don't have an issue with it either way. It's just what appears to be standard to me. I hope this explains my reasoning.

I really an not trying to be arguementative, but you are advising AT LEAST 1.5" of gravel in a fish tank, and I am trying to understand the positives in doing so. I can honestly only think of negatives after decor. What is the purpose of this depth?

 

[JohnHuff]

I totally agree with you. Likewise over information is better than no information. I'm not trying to turn their experience my way but it seems some people aren't satisfied until I hit the mat and slap the floor 3 times.

I can only speak for myself, based on personal experience. The bigger the tank, the less water change (both frequency and volume) required. Of course, the frequency and volume of that water change will vary from case to case - dependent on both tank biomass and the resulting changes in water chemistry. I also know that investing in a filter far larger than supposedly required for your system is never a bad idea. I am reading a lot of animosity into these posts that has little to do with fish keeping. High flow rate vs. low flow rate? Gravel substrate vs. no substrate? What really matters is a healthy balance; how that is achieved varies from case to case and person to person. I must admit, however, that I thoroughly enjoy the debate. Cheers to JohnHuff, dieselplower and capewind for the spirited posts!

 

[capewind]

I can only speak for myself, based on personal experience. The bigger the tank, the less water change (both frequency and volume) required. Of course, the frequency and volume of that water change will vary from case to case - dependent on both tank biomass and the resulting changes in water chemistry. I also know that investing in a filter far larger than supposedly required for your system is never a bad idea.

I agree.

I am reading a lot of animosity into these posts that has little to do with fish keeping. High flow rate vs. low flow rate? Gravel substrate vs. no substrate? What really matters is a healthy balance; how that is achieved varies from case to case and person to person. I must admit, however, that I thoroughly enjoy the debate. Cheers to JohnHuff, dieselplower and capewind for the spirited posts!

I was only trying to ask the why to a statement made. I am guessing John to be in a bad mood tonight.

 

[capewind]

Likewise over information is better than no information. I'm not trying to turn their experience my way but it seems some people aren't satisfied until I hit the mat and slap the floor 3 times.

I dont believe one can have too much info BUT to answer a question with "I read it" or simply going with "the flow" doesnt mean it is CORRECT info, You could be right, but I had never heard this, so was asking for more info. Whatever, the world isnt going to end tonight, hope your mood improves.

 

[JohnHuff]

Whoa there. This isn't really a pleasant side of you I want to see. Live and let live, pal.

I already told you why the statement is made. It appears to be standard. You can investigate all you want. I don't have an issue with it. If you really want to know, go ahead and Google it, spend a couple of hours reading about it, then you'll have your answer.

I was only trying to ask the why to a statement made. I am guessing John to be in a bad mood tonight.

 

[JohnHuff]

lol, passive aggressive much?

I didn't say anything was "CORRECT", you did. I said I didn't have an issue with it.

I hope YOUR mood improves or is that normal for you? Just joking! :cheerful:

I dont believe one can have too much info BUT to answer a question with "I read it" or simply going with "the flow" doesnt mean it is CORRECT info, You could be right, but I had never heard this, so was asking for more info. Whatever, the world isnt going to end tonight, hope your mood improves.

 

[capewind]

lol, passive aggressive much? I'm merely passing on observations, I didn't say anything was "CORRECT", you did. You can make all the judgements you want, but don't be putting words in anyone's mouth. I'm in a good enough mood, thanks very much.

Wow John, I dont know what your defect is tonight. Not putting words in anyone's mouth. You gave "instructions" when you wrote..."You need gravel and a good filter. I think 1lb of gravel to 1g of tank, but at least 1.5 inches of gravel at the bottom." ... LOL.