I just wanted to update you guys on my tank. I tested the water today with the strips and the ph is aroud 7.5 The nitrate and nitrite are both around zero and teh hardness is around 60. The fish seem to be doing well, I have been feeding them two times a day. I have only been leaving the light on for a few hours a day. That WAS heating my tank up! the water temps are 76-78 now. The heater still is set lower but seems the temperature is more constant.
One question for you guys. How often do you clean the gravel out in your tanks? and what do you personally use to clean it? I had this cheap siphon and the diameter of the tube was so small that there was no suction on the pump and it wouldn't pick anything up. The water would slowly drip out of the other end. It was the type that you use gravity and allow the suction of water pull the water above it out. didn't work too well.
Here are a couple pics!
http://www.fishforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4079&stc=1&d=1253586097
http://www.fishforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4080&stc=1&d=1253586097
http://www.fishforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4081&stc=1&d=1253586097
One question for you guys. How often do you clean the gravel out in your tanks? and what do you personally use to clean it? I had this cheap siphon and the diameter of the tube was so small that there was no suction on the pump and it wouldn't pick anything up. The water would slowly drip out of the other end. It was the type that you use gravity and allow the suction of water pull the water above it out. didn't work too well.
Here are a couple pics!
http://www.fishforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4079&stc=1&d=1253586097
http://www.fishforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4080&stc=1&d=1253586097
http://www.fishforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4081&stc=1&d=1253586097