FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Here we go with this New York/New Jersy thing!

Can't wait to see what's next!

Matty,
Quite nice shots. The shrimp look good on black. I will have to keep that in mind with the next Cherry Shrimp tank I might do.

These guys really colored up for you pretty quick or did you get some others.


55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Weeeeell.....I got me some little 'uns. I also took some really poor pictures of them. Heres a picture with something that might look a little bit like a baby shrimp:



As to your Q wings, no I didn't get any new shrimps, they did color up very quick for me.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I am pretty sure those aren't baby shrimp. I think they are rocks in an out of focus shot!

Congrates on the baby shrimp. You will have many more in no time flat!

How is the tank looking?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Hehe, you got me wings .

Here's a shot of the tank, you can see by the tannins that the tank has been neglected a little. I also have yet to get a background, and the paper I have up there now is currently falling down. Ah well, more pressing matters to attend to .

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Finally got a black background. I think it looks sharp. I also added some more crypts and I got the pellia in safely from Malaysia. Some of that went in here, but most of it is in the 50. It wasn't as big a bunch as I had hoped, so it will be a while before it can make an impact I guess.

I haven't attempted to get any better pics of the babies yet. I'll probably give them a week or two. Here's the tank as of now though, it's getting better.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Is it just the background that makes the plants on the left so much more "shiny" ?

Also glad to hear that your plants from Bensaf's neighborhood (well, in relative terms) arrived well. How long were they on the road for?

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Must be the plastic ones....really though, I dunno which ones are more shiny than the others....I'm lost. Maybe it's the light?

The plants shipped Monday last week and arrived on Saturday.

No comments/crits on the layout? I was hoping for some.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Plant size it too large for this small tank. I think you need something smaller...

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

No comments/crits on the layout? I was hoping for some.

- I didn't know there was a layout -



Well then:

- What's up with the 2x4s that hold down some plants and serve as an anchor for the moss?
- The moss is getting a little untidy.
- All plants seem to float over the substrate, as if the substrate had no connection to the rest of the tank.
- The yellow sponge is also a nice attraction (Sponge Bob?). I would suggest replacing it with some stocking over the intake.
- A few nice smaller rocks on the substrate may look good as well.

You asked for it, so don't blame me

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

No comments/crits on the layout? I was hoping for some.

We'll the shrimp obviously like it.

What's up with the 2x4s that hold down some plants and serve as an anchor for the moss

LF, don't be so quick to judge. I think Matty's in the process of building a sun porch for his shrimp.

My Scapes

*shakes fish at LF*

Thanks, I'll try to play with some of the non-utilitarian stuff you noted. (rocks for algae, sponge necessary, trimming moss = trimming my first baby shrimp ) Eventually I won't mind trimming back the moss though, when the population of scrimps are higher. Rocks will be exchanged, and I'm not sure why the shrimp people don't recommend stockings...the guy I got them from said he had problems and had to use a sponge.

Wings...the crypts are emersed grown and are shrinking a bit, the new leaves are small and narrow. They should end up similar to the ones on the right, I think, cause they are the same wendtii from the same guy. I really like how the ones on the right look, no? I just got some pellia and the other petite nana should be moving over soon. So that should help bring plant size down a bit.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I think Matty's in the process of building a sun porch for his shrimp.

*shakes fish at LF*

- Well, you asked, I replied

So this is rock and not wood, my mistake then, but darker colored rock would have been better, I assume.

I will ask our shrimp guys during this weekend's NJAGC meeting about sponge vs. stocking and let you know what they say. Don't they have dark gray sponges available?

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Hi,
Yes they do make dark sponge filters:

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/NavResults.cfm?N=2004+113424

Click on the lower three sizes of sponge filters to
see their specs.

Frank


-->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<--

I was shaking my fish in reply to this comment:

- I didn't know there was a layout -

Not any of your actual critiques. I wouldn't ask for them and then shake my fish at you for responding. That would cause undue damage to my fish.

So this is rock and not wood, my mistake then, but darker colored rock would have been better, I assume.

I will ask our shrimp guys during this weekend's NJAGC meeting about sponge vs. stocking and let you know what they say. Don't they have dark gray sponges available?

Yep, rock, but I'm not sure that darker rock will show up on black sand, but maybe I can find something. I'd appreciate you asking them. The filter is a bit overrated BTW, an AQ 150, turned all the way down. It's what I had laying around. So I dunno if that has any affect. I do like the darker sponge idea, and thanks for the link Frank. I'll see what we have at the store this weekend.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

That would cause undue damage to my fish.

So, if a rather dark rock would not stick out enough to be visualized in the scape, how about something more on the line of the rocks that I have in the 40G, some gray rock with white marble patters (they called it Picture Rock at the LFS, but I don't know its real name)? Or, some darker brownish rock, like tetratech's petrified wood?

The AC 150, that is now the 50, right? I have two of them on my 20G, also all the way down. How is the current in your tank?

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yeah, maybe if I can find some gray rocks like your marbley stuff, that would be good.

The 150 is the 30 now I think. I know I wouldn't put only a 150 on a 50G tank. I'm not sure I'd only put a 150 on a 30G tank either. Either way the water is moving around really good in the 5.5, but not too much as to move the sand around or blow the shrimp away. I would feel comfortable with the 150 on the 5.5 on a little mini reef if it were turned all the way up.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

The 150 is the 30 now I think

You are right, I checked the Hagen web site. Here is the complete "conversion" list:

Was: Is:
100 - 20
150 - 30
200 - 50
300 - 70
500 - 110

I liked the original numbers better as they represented the max flow.

Anyway, I think the new 30 is no overkill for your tank, and from your description it seems to work well for you. Again, I have 2 new 50s on my 20G long and once in a while set the flow to about half way up, also with no fish blowing sideways .

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Yeah, I agree LF. We're used to our cannisters and whatnot, and me, my reef tank. That 30 probably has about 1000 gph of water movement.

So I got a somewhat respectable pic of one of the babies. They have easily doubled in size, and are getting easier to photograph. In a couple weeks I may get a good pic . At least it's not mistakable for a rock .

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

This is a very nice shot of the baby, the few bright spots in the front don't really bother me that much. Interesting though to me is the color, as it is already pinkish/reddish. Do I recall this right that at some point it was said that the color kicks in when the shrimp matures?

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

The older the shimp gets, given its a female, the redder they become. Though I have found some pretty small shirmp that are bright red. Probably depends on food and such...

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Yep, I was thinking the same thing LF. When I got mine they were larger than the one in the photograph, and were completely clear. I've been feeding them as much algae as I can find, but the main diet is probably flakes, and I know they put a lot of color pigments in the flakes. I've been meaning to get some veggies, but fish and stuff are on the back burner for a little while. I think it might also have something to do with population density and ratio of males to females.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Come to think of it. the Cherries in my little 2G hex have just started to color up. They nomally only get what algae is in the tank and also some chuncks of wafers every once in a while. My large females who have eggs have never really turned that red. A couple of times this week I feed them some of my Omega One flakes that the rest of my tanks get. Could they color up that fast with a pigment in a food?

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

I guess I never saw your question wings. My shrimp started coloring up really fast when I got them on flakes too. I think it can happen in a matter of a few days or so, sure.

So here's another update before vacation. Shrimps are doing well. I think maybe 4-5 made it from the first batch, and a similar from the second so far. I just now saw another VERY pregnant? female. I also added the last bit of leftover nana petite from the 50, as it was pretty algaefied. They were on it like white on rice....flies on honey....stink on a hog....dog on a bone....

Anyhow here's a full tank shot for ya, still gots the 2X4's, I haven't had a chance to go looking for better rocks.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Nice to see some scaping going on here. Looks good, excellent wood placement. Yep those "rock" have to go.

My Scapes

I like that crypt at the right, that is Wendtii green, right?

Otherwise, I find the tank shot a little too dark to judge the details. Hey - who said I am a judge anyway,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I love that tank....& the pic....darkish & elegant looking.

I also like that plant on the right.

Matty,

The tank is looking nice. Even though some of the plants have a larger leaf size, the smaller leaves make it look right. Good luck with the young!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric

Thanks all, yes the plant on the right is a green wendtii. Which happens to be melting a little at this point.

I have a few pics here of the "life cycle" of a shrimp. Please refer to the java moss "leaf" size as a size reference to the shrimp.

First, very small just a few leaves large:


Middle sized next:


Adult female:


And a pic to show off my new pelia:

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I never thought I'd say this, but those shrimp are actually kinda cute . Pretty tank as well

Nice life cycle pictures, Matty . In particular a great shot of the baby, given its really small size.

So pelia, hm - what are you planning on doing with it?

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

Thanks guys Nice to see ya Dr. Bonke!

I have no real plans for the pelia....though it may try to replace the java moss, maybe. It grow slower, looks nicer IMO and affords the shrimp all the same protections/benefits.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Just a short update here, a full tank shot:



Shrimp are doing well and the plants are growing nicely. No complaints.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

No complaints

Me neither, looks nice and green and seems to be a great adventure playground for shrimp.

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club

I got some new friends:



My intel states they will not crossbreed with cherries. I saw the evidence and am convinced I can put them together.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matty - If your interested in a cannister filter for your 5.5 AGA give a look at the Zoo Med 501.

[lihttp://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=11302&Ntt=zoo%20med%20501&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1nk]

Am using one on my 4 gallon Finnex tank and am very happy with it. It is marketed for a Turtle set up. Claims to have a 80 gph flow (I highly doubt it. My guess is closer to 40gph w/ media) and be suitable for up to 30 gallons. In my experience I doubt its much use on anything over 10 Gallons. Using the spray bar that came with it, the flow was a tad too much, but without it, just perfect. Flow control can also be regulated with adding or subtracting filter floss.

Neat Baz.

I'll keep it in mind for future projects, but I'm pretty happy with my aquaclear right now. That cannister would just be a little too expensive for a project like this one.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Yes, cost was my only complaint. The cheapest I found it was on ebay from a seller in NY.

BTW, your tank looks fantastic. It is also my understanding that Crystals and Cherrys will not crossbreed. At least its very unlikely.

Thanks Baz, very kind

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Matty

I love your shrimp tank, it looks really nice and has given me ideas for my 10 gallon planted tank also. Thanks and again the tank looks great.

Thanks for your input as always, Shane
http://thetanklog.blogspot.com/ - [ Thanks to ScottF ]
http://www.natureaquariumclubofutah.com/main.html

It's been quite a while, and I did a bit of an overhaul. Just the round pelia, petite nana, and fissidens now. Rocks, no more wood. The pelia will serve as my baby shrimp refuge, the rest is for looks. It was stuffed left to right, top to bottom with crypts, moss, pelia, and everything else. I couldn't see the fact that I have over 50 shrimp in there. something had to be done .

Weeeell, here goes. Starting with the baby fish:


Crystal red:


MTS and fissidens:


Just one large MTS:


And a fts:

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Well I guess some of ya have been missing out on my fw updates in my sw tank log (that one gets some attention) so I'll drop a few pics here. I hope I don't overload it.

FTS:


MTS:


Male furcata all growed up:


Shrimp pics:














And the new residents:

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Hey There!

I really like the tank Matty. The shrimp are coming along nicely, and the tank is a great sucess! I like the substrate. Is that black sand?

The plants are coming along nicely! Could i suggest a tallish plant to be in front of the intake? It would add a nice sense of depth, and would not let the tank look so flat. I guess flat is a style, but its just my preferences to have an "skyline" so to speak. Also, maybe a quick cleanup of the MTSs in there, as there are a lot of them all around....

I want to start a Nano tank, but i am absolutely clueless really. Never had any experience with planted small tanks! YOur tank is my inspiration, and i will use the black sharp theme, if you dont mind? I like the idea of a nice slick look.....Not so much tranquil.

What fish is that? It looks to be a Cichlid of some sort?

Thanks for the update!

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

Matty , Stunning tank , love the new look as well . Apisto's if I'm any judge ...a pair I presume . With all the shrimp , Snails etc... thats a lot of lifeforms for a small tank. Must be quite busy in there .

Garry

Hey goby fan thanks for the reply. I had some crypts in there over by the filter intake, but they got too big and really spread quickly. I like the setup I have now partly because everything grows so slowly that it's mostly on autopilot. As for the MTS it was feeding time, so they were all out getting what they could. Unfortunately to feed the shrimp, I have to litter the ground with whatever I'm feeding them and the snails always get their share. I don't mind them though. Adds to the action, and they help stir the sand. I surely don't mind you getting ideas from me. I'm sure you'll add your own flair to it. And nano tanks are pretty easy as long as you keep up with the water changes and stock lightly and slowly. Same with the feeding. Plants, shrimp, and snails obviously help out a lot in keeping the tank clean.

Hey Garry. You are right. Those are apisto. trifasciata. Pretty immature right now. I'm hoping they will grow up quick for me, and maybe breed. That's what the live food is for that you see in one of the pics.....blackworms. They love that stuff. Live bbs too. Fattened them right up.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

OMG, that is a fantastic tank. Any healthier plants and they'd be up walking around. Lovely shrimp, snails and fish and gorgeous photos as well. Thanks for sharing. /:'

Hi again!

Thanks for letting me use some of your ideas. I love the black theme!!! I know what you mean about "autopilot" plant growing. Its like the "Set it and forget it" rotisseries. My very low light (<1wpg) 20g is too auto pilot, and i rarely have to mess around with it, although i do move things around. Im sure that when everything grows a bit more, the tank will look as good as gold, if not better.

Ah ok, so it was feeding time...Thats good. I have MTS snails too, and mine are always hogging up one of the algae pellets in the tank, meant for BNs and Kuhlis. Great job!

PS: Are apistos crustacean eaters? I thought they were. I had a bad experience with a krib a while back. I tried to put some ghost shrimps as cleaner uppers, but they were devoured in one day! The gluttonous krib had eaten 8 shrimps!!! Now i know my lesson....

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

thanks brengun

Gobyfan, the apistos are known to snack on shrimp, though I have quite a few and lots of hiding spots for them. They had a head start and I'm feeding the apistos well, not like I normally would in a high light planted tank. I think they might do well, but I'm prepared for the fact that they might get eaten.

Kribs are bigger than apistos though, so they can take 'em down easier.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

I like this new scape as well! It's different. I like different.

I especially like the pic with all the shrimp & snails. With that black gravel it gives kind of an eerie feeling to the whole scene.

Awesome tank you have there Matty



The Amazon Nut...

Hey matty, i was just wondering....

What type of substrate did you use? Just regular sand? Or Small black gravel?

Thanks

><> ~=!Vote Today!=~ <><
-----> View My Dragons <-----

Very nice & interesting posts & pictures. Very informative & i really liked them.

Well done & keep the good work you're doing.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/corydoras/
Member of the Malta Aquarist Society - 1970.
http://www.maltaaquarist.com

Thanks guys

It's just black sand gobyfan

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

wow i really like that tank matty and it is amazing to see how it has grown...

i love the black anf flat look and had it in my 55 for a while, but i added a more natural look when i changed stocks...

a few questions:

what is the complete stocking in that tank?

what plants do you have in there?

and what matinence do you do with tank like that?

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

thanks brandeeno.

I have lots of cherry shrimp, some crystal shrimp, a couple amano shrimp, 1m/1f furcata rainbows raised from eggs, and 1m/2f apisto trifasciata. Oh and lots of MTS.

Plants are fissidens, pelia, and petite nana. Easy slow growers.

As for maint. I just do 50% once a week. It's as easy as a couple of pitchers full. And obvious filter maint once a month or so. Recently I've been doing more frequent water changes because I've been feeding heavily. I'm going to be away for a couple weeks very soon.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

oh how do you raise ths fish from eggs? are they the kind you buy dried or did you purchase or trade for some after a spawn?

and i was just asking as i was interested in doing a similar thing...

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

Ah, I had some furcatas that spawned for me in my 50. They got transfered over to the 5.5 as eggs.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

o ok... sopunds like fun... those are the little ones right???

your MTS are very pretty too! i love their color...

\\\\\\\"an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure\\\\\\\"

yep, the little yellow rainbowfish.

---

Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients

Tank looks very nice Matty, although the number of MTS on the sand make it look a little untidy

I am most certain that the Apistos would go at least after the smaller shrimpsters, so I would assume that raising new generations will take a while or not work at all.

I like the size you created with the tank, larger than life!

Your fissidens looks like the American form, which seems to have longer strands than the Asian version and does not form the nice bushy appearance. A closer look could help.

Enough for now,

Ingo

---

Proud Member of the New Jersey Aquatic Gardeners Club