Question by Kaaos: I just set up my new aquarium and is it ok to change the outside room temperature from 60-65 down to 45- 50.?
I just set up my aquarium had it cycle for 2 days with the tetra safestart and chlorine remover. Had the water tested and it tested good. I just added 3 red platys and its at 75 F has held that temp steady for a while. I cant remember if I turned off my heat yesterday before I went to bed, it has a 100 watt heater. will this keep up with winter time in wisconsin if it gets down to 40 in the room the aquarium is kept in? its a 25 gallon tank.
is 75 too cool for platys I noticed you thought I had tetras. The heater has kept up and is dialed in so far, its at half on the dial. I will just keep the room heat on for now. i have the temp gauge on the opposite end of the heater which is in the middle of the back. so i figured it would be a degree or two off of what that side is. Darn I had read about the beginning cycle and it said you can do it fishless or with fish and to wait 2-7 days fishless. also I waited 3 days not two as I originally had thought. not sure if that makes a difference. I will be sad if they die. what can I do to minimize the chances they will die.
Well I found a website that should help more than the other one I had originally used. If they are not dead by the time I get off work I will test the water and change about 5 gallons out if the ammonia levels are high.
Best answer:
Answer by peetr
It’s about the right wattage, but if the room gets super cold you might want another heater as well for safety’s sake.
Oh, and that 2 day cycle, now that you’ve added fish, you should wait at least a few weeks before getting more fish. A proper tank cycle takes 6 weeks, not two days, and those products don’t always work as well as they say. Underfeed the fish for a while, because you will have a toxic tank if you don’t.
Add your own answer in the comments!
First Meal in Japan
Image by Wootang01
With my friend Paul, I spend five days in Osaka, Japan. The trip provided much refreshment, and excitement, not to mention many challenges. It was my first visit to the country, and, I feel, it certainly won’t be my last, as there are still many places left to see, and so many new things to learn.
We had several destinations highlighted on our itinerary, the foremost of which was Universal Studios. We spend an entire day there, going on rides and more often than not, queuing for them. The excruciating wait times were worth it, however, for such exhilarating fun, especially on the Hollywood Roller Coaster, my personal favorite. The next morning we followed up that successful endeavor with a trip to the Himeji Castle, a place which came highly recommended by my colleague, whose succinct description of the heritage site was, "awesome." Indeed, as a history buff, I enjoyed walking the storied grounds and climbing through the maze-like interior of the keep which was designed not so much to comfortably house the royal family as to confound the invading enemy. The castle is a must-visit. Other attractions of note include the Osaka Aquarium, and the Tennoji Zoo; both teemed with animals of every shape and size. We also at length ventured into several shopping districts inside of which were myriad stores, selling all sorts of fashion and gadgetry, countless restaurants and several gambling parlors – the Japanese, it seems, love their slot machines as much as the Hong Kong Chinese love their horse racing. Lest I forget, we frequented several video arcades to play the latest and greatest games; Paul played well, while I more often than not got 0wn3d. There is a lot to do in Japan.
Japanese culture, of which I’ve heard so much, really is distinct and separate from other Asian cultures. Their patterns of action and their peculiar artifacts certainly aren’t the same as those which feature prominently in Hong Kong. For one thing, the MTR culture was more civilized and less stressful: people queued up for trains and let passengers alight first before permitting themselves to board; cellphones never rang and cabin cars were as quiet as bedrooms at midnight; and to imagine all of these people enforce their norms without public service announcements, without any coddling, conspicuous signs – that’s amazing. What proved difficult was trying to find a garbage can. It was easier to find a vending machine, from which one could purchase a variety of drinks or cigarettes, than a bin in which to dispose of these delectable, perishable goods.
As for the general citizenry, they were most accommodating and hospitable, with several individuals going out of their way to help Paul and I find our way around the dense sprawl of the city. Language wasn’t a concern despite our limited Japanese; amazingly enough, our comfort was their concern! I won’t forget their selfless service, as one day, I hope, I’ll be able to return the favor. That the girls were quite attractive and that I demonstrated a propensity to ask attractive girls for directions go without saying; however, I understand now that their sexiness and sophistication stem not from comely faces but coherent attire. Rather than adorn themselves like a typical Mong Kok girl in a ridiculous neon rainbow palette, with jeans or unseemly spandex underneath dresses, skirts or other tops better left to stand alone, Japanese girls opt for more somber, sensible colors – black and cream-colored – and what’s more, they aren’t afraid to whip out the tasteful pantyhose or to show some skin, even. We had plenty of time to ogle the ladies, and to their credit, freezing temperatures weren’t enough to dissuade many of them from forsaking, icing their shorts, as we saw countless pairs being worn on the street. That’s what I call fashion professionalism!
Overall, Japan is a marvelous little land full of the eccentric, as well as the endearing. It was a fascinating place to explore, and I’m thankful that it was done in the company of my friend , with whom candor was not at a premium. We both learned a lot and look forward to the next trip!
