Pet Forum / Aquaria / Freshwater / August 2004

Greetings all,
I have an established 10 gal tank with plants. I currently have 5 neon
tetras, 1 silver molly, and 1 ghost crab. I was wondering if I could
possibly add more fish to this tank. I was wanting to add some more of the

I have a decent plant tank that has been running for over a year now.
In there, I have mostly tetras and one 3-inch clownloach that I enjoy.
The loach grows slowly and has been no digging activity so far.
However, upon visiting Loaches-On-Line (http://www.loaches.com/) I saw

I've read (some) about growing plants (thanks Charles for the links),
and I have some follow-up questions:
first, If my tank is over a year old, and has signs of algue do i HAVE
to take care of ALL algue before buying plants ?

Good Morning! (afternoon/evening)
Got a quick one, I hope.  
45 gallon real and fake plants, tropical freshwater community, mostly
livebearers, a few cories, danios, 2 clown loaches and 1 common pl*co.

After about a year of perfect service, my Fluval 404 has started
making a rattling kind of noise.  I'm sure it's the impeller, but I've
taken it apart and put it back together a couple times and can't
readily see the slop.  Is there a part that I can replace?  Something

The juwel compact filter has four compartments.
The first one is the thin blue sponge, then there is a gap, then the coarse
blue sponge, then another blue sponge and then carbons and a white layer on
top. Is this correct?

i've bought another shmerale (This is the only name i know for it, a
white, narrow, spotted/stripped cleaning fish) a week ago, it died.
this is the second shmerale that dies in my aquarium in a week time,
while my tetra's, guppies and neon thrive (tetra's and neons grew 2.5

Saw one at the pet store the other day in with the ADFs, and though it'
would make a way cool addition to my menagerie.    Before I take the plunge,
I want to find out more.
Are they social, solitary, or indifferent?  Should I get one, or two?

I recently moved and now have well water. The pH runs 7.6 (and reads 8
in the tank), hardness 150, alkalinity 120 and nitrates 20 ppm!(right
from the tap). I have started using Amquel Plus to help with the
nitrates along with NovAqua. My Betta seems fine (though I did lose