[INFO] online shopping aquarium stuff of Ebate BONUS OFFER

Ebate is a cash back website allow you to cash back online over 1000+ store:

The store I normally shop for:

6% cash back on Drs. Foster & Smith + coupon
6% cash back on PETCO.com + coupon

This may already save you 7-10% or more. Ebates normally pay $5 as a new referral, but if you are new to ebates and you use the below link as my referral you will get $5 + bonus promotion and total $10 as my referral.

Need to do:

1) newly apply to rebates

2) apply an account below link:

http://www.ebates.com/refer-a-friend/0809promo.htm?referrerid=qd7AZCKih9BMc1ZYDxZJCw%3D%3D

3) you need to make a purchase via Ebats's 1000+ store and the ebates amount need to beUSD $ 10+ to let ebates send you a check

4) BEFORE OCT 31

Ebates original promotional to my emails:

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It's fast, it's easy and there's no limit to how much you can earn.

Hurry, this offer ends October 31, 2008.

Refer your friends by filling out the form below or post your unique referral URL in emails, blogs or websites.
http://www.ebates.com/refer-a-friend/0809promo.htm?referrerid=qd7AZCKih9BMc1ZYDxZJCw%3D%3D

Restrictions:

This offer is non-transferable and only valid for select Ebates referrers, residents of the U.S. and Canada. Your friends must sign up through your email and make a qualifying purchase before October 31, 2008.

Qualifying purchases made on or after October 31, 2008 will be subject to regular Tell-a-Friend terms and conditions. Coupons Only and No Discount transactions do not qualify for Tell-a-Friend or Sign Up Bonuses. Only transactions at Cash Back stores qualify for this offer. Self-referral is not allowed.

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If you happen want to buy something online and has Ebates cashback, it helps you to get bonus $10 and help me earn $10 :)

[CARE] More information of UnderGravel Filter (UGF)

Here is the information talk about substract and UGF before
From the last article about substract(click above), there has some more to talk about UGF.

There has many different ways to keep CRS healthy and breed, you can learn from real experience or risking CRS life to try it.
If you are new to this hobby and don't want to risk your CRS to try, here I can suggest you a common method that I learn from Taiwan CRS forum to set up a tank by using UGF.
UGF can turn the substract into bacteria Bed for Bio Filtration.

How to handle the substract layer above the UGF?
Use ADA Amazonia I screen out the smaller substract by spinning on a mesh/ hole bowl (washing fruit /veggie/rices). So, only 1 bag can turn into "powder" and "normal" size soil, saving $ but take more time.

UGF > Pad cover guard > "normal" size substract 5-6 cm > "powder" size substract 3-4cm

Why setting up UGF in this way?
UGF (UnderGravel Filter) - will help the in flow more average, but the water go through the substract may shorten the life of substract. so, ADA amazonia I is better for solid form.

Pad cover - use thin filter pad/bio pad/laundry mesh bag to cover the UGF. to avoid the substract get into UGF for longer run of the undergravel avoid the flow going slower.

Normal size layer - give better flow of the UGF, and few chance to stuck the UGF.

Powder size Top layer- used because the CRS can easily pick on them for eating and prevent the frys dig into substract.

Which UGF is best for you?
1) Choose smaller size UGF of the tank.
eg. 2.5 feet tank use 2 feet UGF. (10 gallon UGF normally has 2 portion UGF, use half of it) to set up a balanced cycle for half tank for Aerobic bacteria bed and half anti-aerobic N-Bacteria.
2) strong joint between the gravel and the intake tube. I faced the UGF tube slip off and the substract all go down the UG plate. (become useless)

Thanks,
KH

[CARE] Substract / Black soil for CRS Diet

CRS eat almost 24 hrs, and 70-80% daily diet from water, substract/black soil, and bacteria.
Only 20-30% are actually from the feeding food.

A good stable(mature) tank with GOOD Substract they can survival very good, even you away for 5days or a week. good substract not only provide different elements, but also bacteria and shrimps love black soil.

If you use under gavel filtration, its better to use "normal' above undergravel and a "powder" layer above "normal", because this can provide more flow of the undergravel.

If you just normal filtration with sponge guard, you can use either, but many said top layer should be "powder" which they can eat easily.

Normally, I use only 1 bag 9L and choose the smaller substract by spinning on a mesh/ hole bowl (washing fruit /veggie/rices). I can use only 1 bag to get "powder" and "normal" size soil, but take more time.

ADA Amazonia I is better than II as many CRS breeder recommended. I think the same too. ADA I is hard to break into powder but ADA II can be easily push and turn to powder.

[CRS] CRS picture - Update

Today - Setp 10 -2008 changed name to http://kh2crs.blogspot.com/ more suitable and easily to remember address.
If you like it, give it a bookmark :)
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Call me a Spider: (White Body)

Pretty Female CRS (White Body)


Newly grown Flower Head

Newly grown White Body and Red Dot

Newly grown No Entry


Newly grown V brand

Mirror mirror



Camera: Canon G9 ,
Lens : .42 marco lens
Flash: No

August - 20 -2008 White Body
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One of my favorite picture ( to be my blog logo):

Sign of molt:







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DC: Canon 5D
Lens : EF 100mm f2.8 Marco
Flash: EX 580 II

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[Seller Review] Buyers Comments

Seller review:

AZI review thread : http://arizonainverts.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=140
PTF PTtrader thread : http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/itrader.php?u=16229



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Group #1,#2 sold to (HOLLYWOOD from PlantedTank)
Original : #1 #2

"Kelvin ... has successfully bred some of the higher end CRS from Taiwan. He has a very nice colony with superior redundant filtration and raising some of the best CRS USA has to offer. I look forward to purchasing more from Kelvin and watch for his high end CRS and white/golden CRS... I purchased several! Great guy to deal with, easy transaction, good shipper!"
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Group #4 sold to (Chrislynguyen from ArizonaInvert)
Original : #4

"just got the shrimp from Kelvin2go, well packaged fast shipping and beautiful shrimp, thanks for the extra (white/golden shrimp)"
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Group #5 sold to Job (from SFBAAPS and PlantedTank)
Original: #5
"kelvin2go, yes, eventually I will be adding CRS. Thanks so much for the shrimp, by the way.
People, if you ever want really super nice CRSs, buy from kelvin2go. I'm serious.
I got some CRSs from him yesterday and they are beautiful. I really wish I had a good camera to show you guys,
but just know that if you're interested in getting a higher grade CRS than is available in most stores
and don't want to spend a paycheck per shrimp, Kelvin's your man."
from 09-02-2008, 02:00 PM,
Job's picture of #5 CRS:
http://www.plantedtank.net/forums/planted-nano-tanks/69613-ada-mini-s-riven-16.html#post680293
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Group #6 is waiting for you

Original My seller Review post :
http://arizonainverts.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=140&pid=1583&st=0&#entry1583

[s][#6] 1 group of 12 CBS/CRS

Total of 12 pcs:
Golden White * 1 ( color is half golden half reddish white ) ,
CBS * 2 (2 tiger teeth 1 bigger has hino 1 smaller) ,
CRS * 9 (9 tiger teeth).
exactly show in below pictures inside the plastic cage

The whiteness of this group : 7/10
The vivid color of black/red : 8/10
The potential of this group : 8/10
Some are white body's offspring, Their next generation can be solid, and higher grade body pattern.

Top view:
The white bio stone around 1cm / half inch




Side:




Red/black tiger teeth Grade around the same with other in this group:





Pictures by :
Canon DC PowerShot SD1100 IS Marco mode,
under 2 x T5 (9w) aquarium light
no flash

My tank water :
Ph ~6.6
GH ~5
NO3 <5>

[INFO] Korden breathing bag

Kordon breather seem a must for shipping shrimps/fish.
I tried longest 10pc CRS can survive in the bag for 5days, some tested 1 week with no lost.

sharing a place for kordon breather bag with a great price.
I found kordon website link their own product to novalek and selling under their novalek shop online.
Novalek Shop web site

Kordon Breathing Bag 5.5" x 8" (25 pcs a pack ) for $3.75 only (15 cent each) 5.5" x 8" Click here All size click here

I already got kordan's package with thundering shipping in 3 business days with 4 dollars handling and shipping fee. It may be because they shipped from Hayward, CA.

[CARE] CRS vs. Temperature

Hatching Days VS. Temperature
CRS is best keeping in 22- 25 degree (72-76 F).
A higher temperature let them grow faster.
If a CRS with Egg, in 25 degree needs around 25 Days for hatching eggs -> frys , but lower 22 degree will give birth with longer days 27-28 days.
So, I think around 23-24 degree is suitable for CRS.

CRS VS. Hot wave
CRS can survive max 80-81 but 82 may be will cause of lost.
Because the high temp, it will give lower rate of oxygen dissolve in water.
The best solution is using chiller, or at least a / some cpu fans to blow.
And also, turn the air pump with white oxygen air stone higher to balance the loss of oxygen.
I tried my tank using a computer fan keep blowing and keep around 78-80 F in San Jose(90F +), and add lots of bubble for air.
No obvious death at all.