Trade Secrets - Fish keeping

I've been down the pub. I suspect this will show in my response. I
shall re-read and re-comment in the morning when sober.

Toni wrote:
> "George Thompson" <dontposthere.DeleteThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:M4lDb.3656$FN.212@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
>
>>In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>>
>>Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
>>be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
>>and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>>
>>Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
>>
>
>
> Coal?
> Too ambiguous- what kind of coal?
> Use a substrate made for aquariums.

didn't say what type

>
>
>>When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
>>with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
>>
>
>
> That's ok.
>
>
>
>>Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
>>discard it!
>
>
> I've heard that one also. Again I wouldn't put anything into one of *my*
> tanks without knowing exactly what it was.
>
>
>
>>When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
>>towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
>>
>
>
> I use my hands, keep 'em upside down with their heads in the water.
> What is a baby changing mat made of??
>
They're talking big fish. Changing mats are made of special material.
It could be plastic, but it's soft.

>
>
>>Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
>>
>
>
> Plenty of cheap filter media around- who has hair rollers anymore??

English people from yorkshire?


>
>
>>When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
>>squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
>>
>
>
> Ok.
>
>
>
>>Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
>>off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
>>
>
>
> And do what with it??

Suck up the crud from the gravel. A siphon thingy...

>
>
>
>>Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
>>weeks to fertilise plant
>>
>
>
> Heard this one also.
> Parasite city.
Do rabbits carry fish parasites? I thought they ate grass. I think the
tank they had was only planted... They're vague in details like that. I
paid special attention then forgot to type it!

>
>
>
>>When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
>>
>
>
> Of course!
>
>
>
>>When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
>>windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
>>
>
>
>
> Only if it is brand new and made of an inert plastic.

When you say inert, do you mean without motion? I'm confused. I'll
re-read my doc E.E.Smith lensman series now...
>
>
>
>>Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
>>a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
>>
>
>
> OK.
>
>
>
>>Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
>>to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites
>>
>
>
> Needlessly cruel IMO.
> Most "feeder" fish are too high % fat to be a decent feed anyway.
I believe these were already dead... but I appreciate they were alive at
some point...

>
>
>
>>During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
>> This helps the fish keep warm.
>>
>
>
> OK.
>
>
>
>>Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
>>above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
>>hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
>>(Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
>
>
> Too lazy and ridiculous.
> Half the fun of having fish is watching them eat and respond.

Well, lazy is my middle name (G.L.Thompson) but it's also quite fun to
break clocks, make holes in the middle and watch the hands push in food.
I think the point was "if you're out and you're really worried the
fish will die of starvation during the four hours you're out and you
have too many clocks around the house. I like the idea of someone
trying this and using cardboard. I wonder how long it'd take to go soggy?

>
>
>
> That was fun!
>
>

Indeed. Now when I re-read my notes in the morning, I'll probably sit
there & think "why, god why!"
 >> Stay informed about: Trade Secrets - Fish keeping 

George,

My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
point and will be marked with ******** .
"George Thompson" <dontposthere.RemoveThis@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:M4lDb.3656$FN.212@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
> In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>
> Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>
> Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal has a
lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black will
show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to get
some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
----------------------------------------
>
> When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
********I have transported thousands of fish over the years and mailed
hundreds of fish and have never had this problem.
------------------------------------
> Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> discard it!
*******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
around the 9 level.
--------------------------------
> When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
********Keeping the fish's head in the water so it can breath is probably a
better tactic for keeping the fish calm. This can be done easily with a
soft net and keeping the fish in water and inspecting the fish while it is
still in the net. The fish can be raised high enough to get scapes and
inspect the gills with out a lot of flopping around. Even with wet towels
on the head and tail the fish will still have a tendency to flop around if
it is not anesthesized.
-------------------------------------------
>
> Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
*******Yes, hair rollers are a cheap bio-filter material especially the
sponge ones. The only problem with a sponge hair curlers is that they are
not meant to be constant contact with water and they will deterioate over a
short period of time. Personally I just gave up and bought the bioballs.
----------------------------------------
>
> When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
**********Yes, this will work, especially if you getting your tanks cycled.
-------------------------------------
>
> Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
*********Don't know what you are doing here?????
---------------------------
> Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> weeks to fertilise plant
*********This can be done, but if you don't know what you are doing and have
a cycled tank, you can be asking for problems. Let your fish ferfilize you
plants. Once established your plants will work in conjunction with your
bio-bugs and keep things stable. I would leave this technique for people
dealing with plant tanks and not Goldfish.
----------------------------------------
>
> When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
**********This is a helpful sign and usually a good sign, but not always, so
also look for wounds, frayed fins and spots.
---------------------------------------

>
> When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
************Personally, I have found one of those large bristled cylinder
hair brushes meant for assisting in blow drying hair a lot more effective at
getting blanket weed off the sides of my ponds.
---------------------------------
>
> Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
********Tying strips of nylon tulle to a cork or a styrafoam ball is a lot
more effective in my opinion since the tulle strips provide a lot more area
for the eggs to adhere to and allow for greater water circulation through
the eggs mass. Plus if you move the spawning mop out of the breeding area
the tulle doesn't hold water that could causes isolated pockets of air/water
sufficating the eggs once it is put back into the water.
----------------------
>
> Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites.

**********Yes, this can be done. Most small fish are usually too fast for
large Ornamental Goldfish. If you are culling your spawns if it always
convenient to have a large Cichlid or Arowana to dispatch your culls.
--------------------------
>
> During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> This helps the fish keep warm.
************This can surely help out during the outset. Many times though
what heats the water may also be affected by the power outage, depending on
where you live, and whether it is the heater itself or the water supply
mechanism.
-----------------------------
>
> Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)

**********This is a good idea, but you have to make sure the motor of the
clock is substantial enough to move the food to the holes and surfaces are
sufficiently smooth as not to hang up the hands of the clock. It is good
idea, though but will take some work to refine its action. Making sure all
surfaces are plastic is also a very good idea. The only other problem is
making it so it is easily clean because the humidity from the tank will
probably effect the feed and make it stick to the surface it is setting on.
---------------------------

HTH

Tom L.L.
 >> Stay informed about: Trade Secrets - Fish keeping 

*******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
around the 9 level.

---->
I thought usually the problem with Goldfish is low or crashing PH, acidic
water,
I would think this type of rock would be beneficial for goldfish? I even
have to
on occaison add a bit of baking soda or more water changes to bring PH back
up.

....Kodiak


"Tom La Bron" <tllabron.TakeThisOut@cimtel.net> wrote in message
news:bs1sav$al9$1@news.mannford.ok.mbo.net...
> George,
>
> My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
> point and will be marked with ******** .
> "George Thompson" <dontposthere.TakeThisOut@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:M4lDb.3656$FN.212@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
> > In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
> >
> > Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> > be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> > and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
> >
> > Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
> ******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal has
a
> lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black will
> show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to get
> some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
> ----------------------------------------
> >
> > When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags & secure
> > with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
> ********I have transported thousands of fish over the years and mailed
> hundreds of fish and have never had this problem.
> ------------------------------------
> > Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it does,
> > discard it!
> *******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
> getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
> environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
> buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
> calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
> Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
> Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
> around the 9 level.
> --------------------------------
> > When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with wet
> > towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
> ********Keeping the fish's head in the water so it can breath is probably
a
> better tactic for keeping the fish calm. This can be done easily with a
> soft net and keeping the fish in water and inspecting the fish while it is
> still in the net. The fish can be raised high enough to get scapes and
> inspect the gills with out a lot of flopping around. Even with wet towels
> on the head and tail the fish will still have a tendency to flop around if
> it is not anesthesized.
> -------------------------------------------
> >
> > Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
> *******Yes, hair rollers are a cheap bio-filter material especially the
> sponge ones. The only problem with a sponge hair curlers is that they are
> not meant to be constant contact with water and they will deterioate over
a
> short period of time. Personally I just gave up and bought the bioballs.
> ----------------------------------------
> >
> > When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> > squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
> **********Yes, this will work, especially if you getting your tanks
cycled.
> -------------------------------------
> >
> > Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping. Chop
> > off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
> *********Don't know what you are doing here?????
> ---------------------------
> > Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> > weeks to fertilise plant
> *********This can be done, but if you don't know what you are doing and
have
> a cycled tank, you can be asking for problems. Let your fish ferfilize
you
> plants. Once established your plants will work in conjunction with your
> bio-bugs and keep things stable. I would leave this technique for people
> dealing with plant tanks and not Goldfish.
> ----------------------------------------
> >
> > When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
> **********This is a helpful sign and usually a good sign, but not always,
so
> also look for wounds, frayed fins and spots.
> ---------------------------------------
>
> >
> > When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> > windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
> ************Personally, I have found one of those large bristled cylinder
> hair brushes meant for assisting in blow drying hair a lot more effective
at
> getting blanket weed off the sides of my ponds.
> ---------------------------------
> >
> > Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie on
> > a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
> ********Tying strips of nylon tulle to a cork or a styrafoam ball is a lot
> more effective in my opinion since the tulle strips provide a lot more
area
> for the eggs to adhere to and allow for greater water circulation through
> the eggs mass. Plus if you move the spawning mop out of the breeding area
> the tulle doesn't hold water that could causes isolated pockets of
air/water
> sufficating the eggs once it is put back into the water.
> ----------------------
> >
> > Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> > to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites.
>
> **********Yes, this can be done. Most small fish are usually too fast for
> large Ornamental Goldfish. If you are culling your spawns if it always
> convenient to have a large Cichlid or Arowana to dispatch your culls.
> --------------------------
> >
> > During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot water.
> > This helps the fish keep warm.
> ************This can surely help out during the outset. Many times though
> what heats the water may also be affected by the power outage, depending
on
> where you live, and whether it is the heater itself or the water supply
> mechanism.
> -----------------------------
> >
> > Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend it
> > above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> > hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> > (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
>
> **********This is a good idea, but you have to make sure the motor of the
> clock is substantial enough to move the food to the holes and surfaces are
> sufficiently smooth as not to hang up the hands of the clock. It is good
> idea, though but will take some work to refine its action. Making sure
all
> surfaces are plastic is also a very good idea. The only other problem is
> making it so it is easily clean because the humidity from the tank will
> probably effect the feed and make it stick to the surface it is setting
on.
> ---------------------------
>
> HTH
>
> Tom L.L.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Trade Secrets - Fish keeping 

Kodiak,

Like I said, it is/would be beneficial unless you have a high pH situation.
Baking Soda can be added to bring KH up and help bring up pH, the only thing
is that the Baking Soda must be added frequently because the bicarbonate
part of the ion is used up faster by the biobug action in the cycling of the
tank than just the carbonate ion of calcium carbonate.

Tom L.L.
"Kodiak" <nospam RemoveThis @nospam.com> wrote in message
news:bu1Fb.41705$7S3.628673@weber.videotron.net...
> *******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
> getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
> environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
> buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
> calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
> Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
> Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle pH
> around the 9 level.
>
> ---->
> I thought usually the problem with Goldfish is low or crashing PH, acidic
> water,
> I would think this type of rock would be beneficial for goldfish? I even
> have to
> on occaison add a bit of baking soda or more water changes to bring PH
back
> up.
>
> ...Kodiak
>
>
> "Tom La Bron" <tllabron RemoveThis @cimtel.net> wrote in message
> news:bs1sav$al9$1@news.mannford.ok.mbo.net...
> > George,
> >
> > My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
> > point and will be marked with ******** .
> > "George Thompson" <dontposthere RemoveThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > news:M4lDb.3656$FN.212@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
> > > In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
> > >
> > > Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
> > > be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
> > > and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
> > >
> > > Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
> > ******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal
has
> a
> > lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black
will
> > show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to
get
> > some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
> > ----------------------------------------
> > >
> > > When transporting fish in polythene bags, twist corners of bags &
secure
> > > with rubber band to stop small fish being trapped in bag's corners
> > ********I have transported thousands of fish over the years and mailed
> > hundreds of fish and have never had this problem.
> > ------------------------------------
> > > Pour vinegar on rock and if it fizzes it has calcium in it & if it
does,
> > > discard it!
> > *******Yes, Vinegar will cause this reaction, but the only reason for
> > getting rid of the rocks though is if you battle already high pH in you
> > environment (high 8's nearing 9). Calcium carbonate acts as a very slow
> > buffer and your water has to sustain a significant drop in pH for the
> > calcium carbonate to react. If you were caring/breeding for Discus,
> > Cardinel Tetras or neons I wouldn't put the rock in the tank, but for
> > Goldfish it shoudn't hurt, unless, like mentioned before you are battle
pH
> > around the 9 level.
> > --------------------------------
> > > When checking fish use a baby changing mat, cover head and tail with
wet
> > > towel to stop it damaging itself & keep it calm
> > ********Keeping the fish's head in the water so it can breath is
probably
> a
> > better tactic for keeping the fish calm. This can be done easily with a
> > soft net and keeping the fish in water and inspecting the fish while it
is
> > still in the net. The fish can be raised high enough to get scapes and
> > inspect the gills with out a lot of flopping around. Even with wet
towels
> > on the head and tail the fish will still have a tendency to flop around
if
> > it is not anesthesized.
> > -------------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Use hair rollers for cheap filter material
> > *******Yes, hair rollers are a cheap bio-filter material especially the
> > sponge ones. The only problem with a sponge hair curlers is that they
are
> > not meant to be constant contact with water and they will deterioate
over
> a
> > short period of time. Personally I just gave up and bought the
bioballs.
> > ----------------------------------------
> > >
> > > When setting up new tank, take the sponge from an existing filter and
> > > squeeze it to reduce the waiting time
> > **********Yes, this will work, especially if you getting your tanks
> cycled.
> > -------------------------------------
> > >
> > > Use a pop bottle with bottom cut off and 2 yards of plastic piping.
Chop
> > > off the bottom and attach the plastic piping to the pop bottle.
> > *********Don't know what you are doing here?????
> > ---------------------------
> > > Use rabbit or guinea pig droppings in gravel next to plant every 4-6
> > > weeks to fertilise plant
> > *********This can be done, but if you don't know what you are doing and
> have
> > a cycled tank, you can be asking for problems. Let your fish ferfilize
> you
> > plants. Once established your plants will work in conjunction with your
> > bio-bugs and keep things stable. I would leave this technique for
people
> > dealing with plant tanks and not Goldfish.
> > ----------------------------------------
> > >
> > > When buying a fish check dorsal fin is erect.
> > **********This is a helpful sign and usually a good sign, but not
always,
> so
> > also look for wounds, frayed fins and spots.
> > ---------------------------------------
> >
> > >
> > > When blanket weed is taking over the sides of your pond. Use a car
> > > windscreen ice scraper to remove it.
> > ************Personally, I have found one of those large bristled
cylinder
> > hair brushes meant for assisting in blow drying hair a lot more
effective
> at
> > getting blanket weed off the sides of my ponds.
> > ---------------------------------
> > >
> > > Take lots of lengths of nylon wool (the stuff you knit with) and tie
on
> > > a cork. Float in tank for fish to spawn in.
> > ********Tying strips of nylon tulle to a cork or a styrafoam ball is a
lot
> > more effective in my opinion since the tulle strips provide a lot more
> area
> > for the eggs to adhere to and allow for greater water circulation
through
> > the eggs mass. Plus if you move the spawning mop out of the breeding
area
> > the tulle doesn't hold water that could causes isolated pockets of
> air/water
> > sufficating the eggs once it is put back into the water.
> > ----------------------
> > >
> > > Nutritional treat - feed small fish to your big fish. Salt water fish
> > > to freshwater and visa versa so you don't introduce parasites.
> >
> > **********Yes, this can be done. Most small fish are usually too fast
for
> > large Ornamental Goldfish. If you are culling your spawns if it always
> > convenient to have a large Cichlid or Arowana to dispatch your culls.
> > --------------------------
> > >
> > > During power cuts fill a plastic bag or bottle of water with hot
water.
> > > This helps the fish keep warm.
> > ************This can surely help out during the outset. Many times
though
> > what heats the water may also be affected by the power outage, depending
> on
> > where you live, and whether it is the heater itself or the water supply
> > mechanism.
> > -----------------------------
> > >
> > > Take a clock face (With mechanism) & cut three holes in it. Suspend
it
> > > above the tank or under the hood resting on the ledges. As the hour
> > > hand moves round it pushes the food through the holes into the tank.
> > > (Watch out for cardboard faces - replace with plastic)
> >
> > **********This is a good idea, but you have to make sure the motor of
the
> > clock is substantial enough to move the food to the holes and surfaces
are
> > sufficiently smooth as not to hang up the hands of the clock. It is
good
> > idea, though but will take some work to refine its action. Making sure
> all
> > surfaces are plastic is also a very good idea. The only other problem
is
> > making it so it is easily clean because the humidity from the tank will
> > probably effect the feed and make it stick to the surface it is setting
> on.
> > ---------------------------
> >
> > HTH
> >
> > Tom L.L.
> >
> >
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Trade Secrets - Fish keeping 

Tom La Bron wrote:
> George,
>
> My response will be incorporated within in your message addressing each
> point and will be marked with ******** .
> "George Thompson" <dontposthere DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:M4lDb.3656$FN.212@newsfep4-winn.server.ntli.net...
>
>>In the UK, we have a program called "trade secrets"
>>
>>Today, whilst relaxing on my sofa, "fish keeping" was the topic. It'd
>>be interesting to hear your views on the following! I was transcribing
>>and editing at the same time, so ignore spelling and grammar please!
>>
>>Instead of using gravel, use coal (Sets off fish colours)
>
> ******* This is very suspect in my opinion. It sounds good, but coal has a
> lot of sulfur in it and Antricite is hard to crush. Admittedly black will
> show off the colors of your fish, but a better alternative would be to get
> some black lava sand, and just make sure it is the finer sand.
> ----------------------------------------

They did not so much crush as plonk the coal in. Ie leaving it as large
lumps. This gave the tank far more texture and was much better looking.
Plus large lumps are harder to get in the fishes mouth.
 >> Stay informed about: Trade Secrets - Fish keeping