[CENTER][B][U][SIZE=4][COLOR=blue]Posting Pictures from Photobucket[/COLOR][/SIZE][/U][/B][/CENTER]
[CENTER][COLOR=black]For Immediate Viewing[/COLOR][/CENTER]
[LEFT][I]Abstract[/I][/LEFT]
[LEFT]So, you have a photobucket account full of your very best aquaria pictures but alas...can't figure out how to post them on FTF. Well, you are in luck because the following article discusses exactly how to do that.[/LEFT]
[LEFT]Another option you have for posting pictures is to utilize the "Insert Image" tool by clicking on [IMG]http://www.fishtankforums.com/images/editor/insertimage.gif[/IMG] and pasting the image URL (web address) into the pop up box. You can find the URL to a specific picture in your photobucket album here:[/LEFT]
[LEFT][IMG]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l162/tommygunnz76/graphix/PIC_0208.jpg[/IMG][/LEFT]
[LEFT][B][U][COLOR=#4169e1]OPTION #2[/COLOR][/U][/B] (My personal preference - and what I used to make this article)[/LEFT]
[LEFT]The other option is to simply copy/paste the [IMG] Code of a specific picture into the post/reply box. You can find that Image Code here:[/LEFT]
[LEFT][IMG]http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l162/tommygunnz76/graphix/IMGCode.jpg[/IMG][/LEFT]
[LEFT]If you do not see that [IMG] code under the pictures in your album, you simply need to change your settings by following these steps:[/LEFT][LIST=1]
[CENTER][B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=red]Fishless Cycling[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/U][/B][/CENTER]
[I][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Abstract[/FONT][/SIZE][/I]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]The purpose of this article is to explain the benefits, strategies, and methods of fishless cycling an aquarium which, due to the advancements in understanding of water chemistry and how it applies to an aquarium over the past few decades, allows us to cycle an aquarium without placing any fish and subsequently their health and/or lives in jeopardy.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][U][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=royalblue]Step One - Understanding the Processes[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][/U][/B]
[I][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=blue]What do I need to know to successfully cycle without fish?[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][/I]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]While it may not be required, having a firm understanding of the processes of the nitrogen cycle will definitely help make sense out of the underlying principles of the following information and ideas...[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]which can be found by clicking [/SIZE][/FONT][URL="http://www.fishtankforums.com/fishtank/about"][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=#003366]HERE[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/URL][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3].[/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]You will also need to have, at a minimum, an ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate test kit; as well as an understanding of how to perform and read the tests.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[CENTER][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=red][SIZE=4][B][U]The Role of Nitr[/U][/B][U]i[B]te in Aquaria[/B][/U][/SIZE][/COLOR][/FONT][/CENTER]
[I][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Abstract[/FONT][/SIZE][/I]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Now that we are armed with a better understanding of The Nitrogen Cycle, the following information and ideas are intended to take a closer look at the specific role of Nitrite, the importance and challenges it brings us, and its affects on our livestock.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][U][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=blue]What is Nitrite?[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][/U][/B]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]As described within FTF's article regarding The Nitrogen Cycle, nitrite is created via the oxidation of ammonia by nitrifying bacteria. Nitrite is identified by the chemical symbol of NO2 - which means it is comprised of one nitrogen (N) atom and two oxygen (O) atoms.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[B][U][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=blue]How does Nitrite affect my Fish?[/COLOR][/FONT][/SIZE][/U][/B]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Nitrite is detrimental to our fishes' health because, after entering the body, the molecules will attach or bind themselves to red blood cells (or hemoglobin to be precise), reducing the ability for oxygen to be transported to vital organs. This can result in at least two problems:[/SIZE][/FONT][LIST=1][*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Even though oxygen is present and otherwise available, the fish suffocates[/SIZE][/FONT]
[CENTER][SIZE=3][COLOR=red][U][B]The Role of Ammonia/Ammonium in Aquaria[/B][/U][/COLOR][/SIZE][/CENTER]
[B][I][U]Abstract[/U][/I][/B]
Now that we are armed with a better understanding of The Nitrogen Cycle, the following information and ideas are intended to take a closer look at the specific role of Ammonia, the importance and challenges it brings us, and its affect on our livestock.
[B][I][U]What is Ammonia?[/U][/I][/B]
As described within FTF's article regarding [URL="http://www.fishtankforums.com/fishtank/nitrogencycle"]The Nitrogen Cycle[/URL], Ammonia is often a byproduct of life that can be found in many areas of our environment including air, water, and soil. It is also a nitrogenous compound signified by the symbol NH3 - meaning it is comprised of one Nitrogen (N) atom and three Hydrogen (H) atoms.
[B][I][U]How is Ammonia Created?[/U][/I][/B]
As it relates to our aquarium, Ammonia is most often introduced into water by our livestock (including via gill functions, and kidney function, among others), by the action of Heterotrophic Bacteria on organic manner (e.g. uneaten foodstuffs, dead plant matter/algae, solid fish wastes, etc...), or through the intentional addition of Ammonia by an aquarist (e.g. for use in fishless cycling).
[B][I][U]A Second Form of Ammonia --- Ammonium[/U][/I][/B]
[CENTER][B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]High Tech versus “Old Tech”: Under-Gravel Filters (UGF)[/SIZE][/FONT][/U][/B][/CENTER]
[CENTER][B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT][/U][/B] [/CENTER]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]In today’s world, it is extremely common to purchase almost anything one can think of on a given day only to have it become ‘out-dated’ in a relatively short period of time and in fact, based upon my observations and experiences thus far, the aquaria hobby is not the exception in the least. To prove my point, the next time you find yourself with a little bit of free-time, take a look at the new product lists of some major distributor of aquaria-related products and I believe you will notice that almost everything the company produces, from fish foods to filtration, has been ‘improved’ upon or updated for “optimum results”.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman][U]However[/U], there is also a lot to be said about older versions of many products…which has led to the common adage “they don’t make ‘em like they used to”. Case in point, Under-Gravel Filtration Systems, a.k.a. UGF’s ; which should NOT be confused with UFOs, although some people may understand both equally, which is to say a lot of confusion surrounds both. While your guess is as good as mine as it relates to UFOs, I have a relatively decent grasp on UGFs, so maybe I can help you understand them better as well. That said, lets start at the beginning…[/FONT][/SIZE]
[CENTER][CENTER][FONT=Times New Roman]Malawian "Mbuna" Guide:
[B][U]The Fundamentals of Keeping Mbuna in the Aquarium[/U][/B][/FONT][/CENTER][/CENTER]
[CENTER][CENTER][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]By Steven P. Parker[/SIZE][/FONT][/CENTER][/CENTER]
[B][I]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Local Background:[/SIZE][/FONT][/I][/B]
[CENTER][B][SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Welcome to the Wonderful World of [/FONT][/SIZE][/B][/CENTER]
[CENTER][B][COLOR=#365f91][FONT=Monotype Corsiva][SIZE=5][U]Cichlids[/U][/SIZE][/FONT][/COLOR][/B][/CENTER]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]By many accounts, the fascination with Cichlids – those fishes belonging to the family Cichlidae – reaches much further than their unusually bright coloration alone, but also centers heavily on their unique behavior which ranges from breeding to aggression. In fact, this family of freshwater fish is so different; a distinct separation has been warranted, creating husbandry techniques that differ from ‘community fish’.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]However, despite their reputation, cichlids are not impossible to keep, nor are they particularly “tricky” so long as a few considerations are made, and conditions are met. It is for this reason that FTF and its members have created the following family of Cichlid articles:[/SIZE][/FONT]
[LIST=1][*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][URL="http://www.fishtankforums.com/fishtank/Mbuna"]Malawian (Mbuna) Cichlids[/URL][/SIZE][/FONT][*][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][URL="http://www.fishtankforums.com/fishtank/dither/target"]The Use of Dither/Target Fish[/URL][/SIZE][/FONT][/LIST]
LED Lighting
LED lighting is relatively new technology, it has many benefits including variable spectrums, low heat output, uses less power the metal halide. Another benefit is the lifespan of the bulbs, LED's can have a life span of 10,000 hours or more which is far more then most other lighting types. The disadvantage is the cost, as it is new technology it is the most expensive option
Metal Halide ("MH"):
The most intense lighting available, and also runs very hot. Some information suggests that T5 High Output is just as, or even more intense however this has yet to be adopted in the mainstream school of thinking. There are many different MH setups available. In general bulbs are 150w, 175w, 250w, 400w, and 1000w and come in single ended (SE) and dual ended (DE) styles. Also in general a MH bulb with proper reflector can cover an area of 24-30" square - so you will most likely need 2 or more bulbs for your tank. MH bulbs require a ballast to start them; this can be purchased separately or as a kit. Bulbs generally need to be replaced at 9-12 months. MH will require a tall canopy due to heat output and may even require a chiller to maintain temps in the tank in warmer climates.
[CENTER][B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][COLOR=blue]The Role of Gas Exchange in an Aquarium[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/U][/B][/CENTER]
[B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=blue]Abstract[/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B]
[B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]After noticing that one or more of our fish are behaving abnormally, rather than coming to the immediate conclusion that some sort of illness or injury is to blame, it is always best to look at one of the factors we have the most control over – water chemistry. The following information and ideas have been compiled to help us better understand the role of dissolved oxygen within our aquarium water, how we can control gas exchange, and the benefits of doing so. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=blue][B][U]Wait a Minute…What exactly is Gas Exchange?[/U][/B][/COLOR][/FONT]
[B][U][FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=#0000ff][/COLOR][/FONT][/U][/B]
