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LITTLE_FISH 125G Log | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | So Prime the crap out of it! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 16:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks Wings, more to this in a few posts, but now: Weekly Tank Update - Week 30 This week was marked more by talk than by action . Endless discussions on what should be done to reduce my algae ended with me deciding to maintain the status quo and see where the tank will go from here. Rushed action taken in the past never gave the tank time to settle, I think this approach is worth a try. I also believe to see the first improvements, although it may be wishful thinking. So, on to the photos: There will be only 2 full shots of the full tank as there are quite a few details of fish and plants, in particular fish, that I would like to share. Here is the tank last weekend after the water change: |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 23:33 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And here is the tank now this weekend, after the water change. As you can see, the Star Grass grows as strong as usual. It seems that a bi-weekly replant is becoming the norm for this group. ba No major trimming has been performed this weekend, only a few dying leaves of the remaining Helferi plants have been pinched off. I guess next week I will also hae to trim the Alternanthera on the right: Week 30 - Today |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 23:39 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a picture of the glass diffuser before I cleaned it. As you may be able to see, the top of the ceramic plate is pretty green. Cleaning was ba I also followed tetratech's example and angled the diffuser slightly by removing the bottom sucktion cup. The week will show if it makes a difference, but it looks like a little more of the bubbles are washed into the current. Diffuser |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 23:43 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is an interesting picture that shows one thing, algae on decline. I cannot identify why the algae is reciding in this spot as it may have to do with the fact that I dripped Excel over it during last weeks water change. Algae in the rest of the tank is at least not further increasing. Photo: left was last week, right is now: Yeah Baby |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 23:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now on to a few detail shots. Again tetratech served as an inspiration (I hope you see it this way as well tetratech, and don't brand me a copy cat ) and so I climbed on a chair and took some top shots of the tank. Given the size of my tank it is impossible to cover it all, not even front to back fits in one picture. I guess I will have to remove a piece of the floor on the first floor so I can look straight down to the tank in the ba Anyway, here is the left side - front area - of the tank from the birds-eye view. From left to right, you see: - A red Wendtii with Pearl Grass in front of it - One small stem of Wisteria - An open field with crypt Wendtii (small ones that never took off in the tank within the last 30 weeks), Lucens, and Lutea. - On the right back is an Anubias leave and in the front the end of the big driftwood: Left Top View |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 23:52 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the middle section of the tank. All across the picture is the wood and one can also see the rock that holds it down. Plants in the picture are: Narrow Leaf Java Fern with Anubias Nana Petite in front of it, a Red Wendtii, some dwarf sags, and Pearl Grass. Middle from Top |
Posted 22-Apr-2006 23:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the right corner of the tank from above. On the left side you can see the remaining tiny group of Glosso that slowly starts to settle again. Behind it is a row of 3 Isoetes Lacustris. All ovehanging leaves are from Helferi, Crypt Retrospiralis, and the rather new Hygrophila augustifolia. The right corner in itself is filled with Pearl Grass (can you tell I really like that plant? ), with a small stem of Wisteria to the left of it. Right Corner from Top |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:02 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well I'm glad alage didn't dominate your posts today. Just let the plants grow and I'll withhold and scaping comments for a few weeks. I'm confident your put this algae thing behind you soon. Yeah I like the overhead shots it gives a different prospective on the tank and it's interesting to see what's going on. The wisteria looks very clean and healthy so that should spread quickly and help out. Did your diffusor come with those suction cups? I only have mine attache by the tubing and it keeps breaking away. BTW - How come you haven't put the apistos in yet? My Scapes |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:03 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | On to some fish pictures You guys and gals have to let me know when you have enough of seeing the same fish over and over again as I just like to look at them. Here is a shot of 2 male Rainbows, unfortunately I couldn't get both with their full bodies in the shot. Male Dwarf Rainbows |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:04 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a nice one where the Pearls seem to follow the lead of the Rainbow. Where they are going though is beyond me Maybe you remember some older shots of the male Pearl, but I can tell that he is becoming a grown-up. His finnage is getting longer and his throat more and more orange-yellow. He also likes the company of the female more than he did in the past: Pearls and Rainbow |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:07 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now there will be two shots of the Apisto Pair. I assume that I will add them during this week to the tank, I am in no rush though. They also have truely bonded and I am sure that they would breed under the right conditions. Unfortunately I don't think that the 125 will be able to provide these conditions - too many fish Here is a shot that displays the difference in size between the male and female Apisto Pair I |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:11 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And here is the second shot of the pair. This time the female is either telling her man to stay away or she shows him how pretty she is. I cannot tell which one is the case as we males misinterpret female signs by definition Apisto Pair II |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:13 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Last but not least, a good old Oto picture. Today I saw 5 of them (I have 6) for the first time in at least 3 weeks at the same time. With these guys you never know how many are still alive. Here is one munching away on algae on my big piece of driftwood, just beautiful: Hungry Oto |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:15 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I'll withhold and scaping comments for a few weeksThanks tetratech Sorry, only now when reviewing my entries did I see your entry. I hope you are right about the algae issue being behind me at some point. The Wisteria in the top shots are small cut off pieces from the 20G, the ones that I bought at the store a little over a week ago are further in the back as they are taller already. The suction cups did not come with the diffuser. They are standard air hose cups and barely fit around the diffuser pipe. I also had the diffuser break away from the cups. If you look closely at the picture then you may see that I locked the bottom cup with a rubber band to the pipe, that seems to work. This cup is now on top of the pipe so the bottom can lean against the glass and angle the unit for a better of bubbles in the spray bar current. The Apistos will most likely be added this week, I am not in a rush with that as they are doing just great in the QT and I am not sure if I would like to add more fish any time soon. Although, 8 Cories may be nice Ingo |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 00:29 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | So Excel works great with a dirct hit to the algae. I found that out at work too! That algae in the oto picture is nice looking stuff! You grow it very well I must say! If you look at tetra's over head pictures compared to your what do you see? Way more plant mass in tetra's tank. I think that is probably his biggest differnce compared to your tank. Want me to mail you so Sunset Hygro? I have a tank full it floating right now. Grows like weed! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 01:10 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Hi Ingo I love your pics. I especially love the Apisto Pair. they should breed under the right conditions. Unfortunately I don't think that the 125 will be able to provide these conditions - too many fishThat might be right. I have on order 2 pelvicachromis taeniatus Moliwe, which I was told are a rarer cousin of the krib (at least in Oz). They are still on their way to Oz. They had to be preordered & bought as a pair. I was told not to add them to my community tank, as the goal should be breeding and that a community tank will be too busy for success. You know I'm inexperienced, so I don't know if LFS is right or not, but LFS said they should be in a tank with only a few dither fish to give them confidence. My QT will become their home. I will still have another small QT (you might remember my thread about that). My community tank is almost stocked (only ottos to go). Therefore, I shouldn't need a big QT any more. I'm looking forward to seeing if I can breed them. Cheers TW |
Posted 23-Apr-2006 02:52 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Robyn and Wings, I know we had talked about other stuff before, and I hope you remember the details, as I forgot. But I think it was mostly about your Krib cousins, Robyn. So I have a new question: Do you folks think it would be advisable to prepare some form of case, like flower pot or something, before I add the Apistos to the main tank? If so, I guess less current in that area would be better and as such it should be on the right side of the tank, right? Ingo |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 01:20 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Something you might want to try is sticking a flower pot in there but hide it under a bunch of rocks and plants. That way they have there hide out and you have more of a mound. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 04:12 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | and then cover that with anubias, java moss, or fern so you don't lose any of your plant mass. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 04:48 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Ingo, I think some posts have disappeared - you gave me some good articles & links about those krib cousins. Re: the flower pot. That's what I've read I should put in for my P.taeniatus Moliwe. Suggestions are to invert the flower pot, but firstly enlarge the water outlet hole to be just large enough for the female to enter. Cheers TW |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 06:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks guys, and gal, for the input Suggestions are to invert the flower potInvert as in upside-down? I don't think I am going to do that. My tank and its inhabitants are way too much of a gunk producing machine and I believe the living conditions inside that pot would deteriorate rather quickly. Instead I intend to (if I use a pot) place it sideways, about half of it buried in the gravel. Also the pot should not be too deep. Enlarging the hole is a good idea though, I read some posts here (a long time ago) referring to fish that got stuck in these holes. The next thought would have to be the exact position, meaning - where can I place this cave so that it can be covered with plants (as Matty said) without sticking out too much and at the same time allow me to look into the pot so I can see if there is anything moving in there? I still assume it would have to be on the right side, far away from the filter intake and in calmer waters. I will see what I can do. Thanks again, Ingo |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 11:04 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Instead I intend to (if I use a pot) place it sideways, about half of it buried in the gravel A clay pot in planted aquaria Guess I now know the difference between planted aquaria and aquascaping. Cichlid Central My Scapes |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 12:35 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Cichlid Central Well, I was using the clay pot more as a visual guide to a structure that is yet to be defined, if that makes any sense . Conceptually, I believe that I would need something that has walls and a top, basically a clay pot (and no, I didn't yet "borrow" a pot from my wife for the tank and neither did I buy one). Is that more scape like, tetratech? Ingo |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 14:23 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Here is another idea for you. Get the pot and silicon your gravel to it. Then suround it by other rocks and cover them with plants as Matt said. This might help it fit in more. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 14:42 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | What do cichlids do in nature? Do they use clay pots that old ladies threw in the lake after their flowers die. Arrange something more nature or do what Wings said. If I see a clay pot on it's side in the aquascaping or planted aquaria forums I'm going to insist that the mods move all your stuff to Cichlid Central My Scapes |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 15:34 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Well, I don't think LF wants rotting leaf litter on the bottom of his tank, so that throws out the "do it like nature" idea I think the clay pot can be pulled off pretty easily and effectively. Ya can't just leave it sticking up in the middle of the scape, that would look ugly. But if you lay it on its side with the mouth pointing towards the front of the tank or whichever area you want to view it from, and then bury half of it under the gravel so that only a "half moon" is sticking out of the bottom that should work. Cover it with moss or let Wisteria grow in around it. It'll be invisible in no time. Or just let them find their own spot, which may happen anyway |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 15:43 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well, I don't think LF wants rotting leaf litter on the bottom of his tank Sounds good to me There are many rocks you could use to create a honeymoon suite! Wisteria and clay pots. Talk about your "Weed Garden" My Scapes |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 15:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech Or just let them find their own spot, which may happen anywayWhich brings me back to the original question, which was like "do you think it is advisable to add a cave" (I wrote case, but that is what I meant) So I guess in the interest of not having my thread moved to Cichlid Central, and in the interest not to upset my AquaScaping friends, I may just let them find their own territory. In any way, what would be the chances of survival for any fry in this fish-invested tank ? Being really slow growers they run too many risks, being eaten, sucked into the filter, sucked into the drain during water change, and what not. Ingo |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 15:50 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | If they're first time spawners it's likely that the parents will eat the fry before the other fish get a chance to. After a couple swawns they may get the hang of parenting and a few might make it, but it's a crap shoot. I am of the opinion that when fish start breeding in a community tank it's best to just let nature take its course and work from there. If they spawn and none make it, be happy that WC is good enough for them to spawn. If a few make it, you have some nice additions to your tank or some nice fish to sell. If you really want to breed them and raise the fry then a seperate tank would be best |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 16:04 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | So I guess in the interest of not having my thread moved to Cichlid Central, and in the interest not to upset my AquaScaping friends, I may just let them find their own territory Well I certainly appreciate that. I was about to direct you a site that sells underwater neon lights and those little divers that circle around the tank with an airline tube attached. Hard to say if any wil survive. To be honest I think my rams might have given up after three attempts. Unless they are laying eggs in one of the seven la You could always cover the intake with a netting to help out. It also depends if your espei turn into little piranhas like my cardinals do when the see fry. My Scapes |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 16:16 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I was about to direct you a site that sells underwater neon lights and those little divers that circle around the tank with an airline tube attached. Oh goodie, yeah - I need that link. Are the neon lights blinking and moving around like a lighthouse beam? "Burn baby burn, disco inferno" Ingo |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 16:35 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Yeah the ones that burn the fish retinas so they spaz out and people think they are "dancing". I honestly don't think hiding a clay pot or other such formation would be very hard in a 125 tank. The pot or similar structure wouldn't have to be very big, just enough for them to fit into. It would easily dissapear into whatever aquascape you wanted. Add some plant mass to the structure and it can even be mostly buried. I would think that it would be less bulky and eyecatching than a "natural" formation to make a cave. That's all assuming that they could even find whatever you put in there for them. I'm not sure that apisto territories are as large as a 125. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 18:03 | |
illustrae Fish Addict Posts: 820 Kudos: 876 Registered: 04-May-2005 | A good alternative to a flowerpot is a more natural looking ceramic cave like the ones they have at www.cichlidbreeding.com. I just bought a bunch of them for an African tank, and they really do look quite natural underwater, and could just as easily be hidden by plants and hardscape. You could even dispurse several of them throughout the tank so that they would have more choice of territories. Hoping that there must be a word for everything I mean... |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 19:32 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Yeah the ones that burn the fish retinas so they spaz out and people think they are "dancing". They really aren't dancing to the disco lights? Dang it! I guess its time to get that out of my tank. I have been hiding it from you guys behind my "thing". Just remember LF this is your tank. You do what you want. I if you want to try to hide a pot then go for it. If you want it to have flowers coming out of it like a old lady through it in the river then have flowers coming out of it. Just make sure to use the old faded plastic ones. But really... I don't think it would hurt anything to put in some "breeding" structure. They may or may not use it or even want to breed. Who knows really.... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 19:48 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF already said he will "let nature take it's course" and not taint the courtship with an 1-800-FLOWERS BOUQUET. If you guys had your way he'd end up removing everything and have a bare bottom breeders tank with a bunch of knocked over flower pots. My Scapes |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 20:06 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | illustrae - thank you so much, that is a nice link. Some of these structures look kind of weird, but the first one of the Breeding Cave section would be suitable, I think. Wings - you are right, it is my tank. But I value your (your as in all FP members) input. If it wouldn't have been for you folks my tank would for sure not look like it does now. Come to think of it, maybe that would have been a good thing Ingo EDIT: Didn't see tetratech's input until I finished mine, so tetratech - |
Posted 26-Apr-2006 20:13 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Well, everyone got very excited about the flowerpot thing. I guess I'm still going to do it, but it won't be in my planted community tank, but in a separate dedicated tank for my P.Taeniatus Moliwe. I've found myself some aquarium safe clear silicone & I'm going to attach gravel in & outside of it & then tie some java moss to it. Or I might look around for a natural looking ornament cave that I can also hide with bunch of java moss tied to it. I hope it won't be too much of an eyesore, but the main goal of this separate tank will be for my P.Taeniatus Moliwe to breed. That should mean my 43.G log, without the contamination of a disguised flowerpot, should be allowed to stay in the planted forum. Cheers TW |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 01:02 | |
dan76 Big Fish Always Reading Posts Posts: 343 Registered: 08-Jul-2003 | i think you should get a large peice of wood and drill it out to create holes and caves of the right size , very easy to do and you can have small openings with large caves behind them. also another good place to look for realistic looking rock caves is in the reptile section at lfs , my lfs lets me look through all the supplier catalogues at my leisure and the available range is huge. cheers dan |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 02:03 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | dan, Nice idea with the drill wood idea. I like it! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 03:12 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | What do cichlids do in nature? Do they use clay pots that old ladies threw in the lake after their flowers die. Do I need to say anything ? Sure you already know my opinion on having a claypot in there. I do like the neon lights idea though And a disco ball Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 03:42 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks all for the input Robyn - quickly to your cave vision: I would not glue anything on the inside. What would that be good for? I would assume that the fish would rather lay their eggs on a flat surface. Dan - I know you are the handyman and I have had the pleasure to see quite a few of your tank constructions (mattenfilter and tank background). I - on the other hand - do not only not have the tools but also don't really enjoy making things myself (as I know that someone in my house is breathing down my neck for any extra time that I spend on this hobby). Bensaf - You made the 2000th post in this log. Sure not as spectacular than the number 1000 was, but still special. I would like to use this chance to thank all people that have contributed in one way or another to not only drive this log but also help me to get the tank where it is now. Does that mean I will slow down? No way, I still have miles to go before the tank is done, if ever. Algae will have to be defeated, an aquascape has to be created, more fish need to be added ( - first I have to sell another 30 Espei though), and what not. Thanks again to all of you, Ingo |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 11:30 | |
dan76 Big Fish Always Reading Posts Posts: 343 Registered: 08-Jul-2003 | ingo , when i was at high school i was very inept at practical things , but good at theory, didnt want to go to university so i decided to become a tradesman, best decision ever. i would encourage everybody to look into it , as manual skills are just something you learn and really do give a feeling of achievement when you can do stuff around the house that looks good and satisfys (sp?) the need . also in australia trades pay really well at the moment with the skilled labour shortage , i earn just on 6 figures a year for 40 hours a week and get to go home to have smoko and lunch each day . a pretty good wicket for 7 to 330 each day . if you want work pm me ha ha ha cheers dan |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 12:37 | |
dan76 Big Fish Always Reading Posts Posts: 343 Registered: 08-Jul-2003 | also dont forget the mattenfilter was a complete failure , 150 dollars aus for foam that doesnt last a month |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 12:40 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | What would that be good for?Ok, I won't do it then. I only thought to do it, in case I don't invert, but instead put it on it's side and in doing so, the inner would be visible. Thought it would be less noticeable if it matched the general substrate, instead of standing out with it's clay pot colour. Maybe I'll look around for some kind of cave ornament/s instead, & completely wrap them in java moss. I like the drilling holes in wood idea too, but don't think I have time to find or soak the wood, before I have to bring the fish home. Most of the articles on the fish I'm getting, including those links you gave me (thanks), talked about greater breeding success using the pots, but none mentioned the gluing bit. Have to decide soon, as my fish have arrived in Oz now & are currently in QT (either with Customs or the LFS - not sure which). And there'll be no pots or ornaments in my planted tank (just my natural rocks & plants). Edit - Oh, forgot to say congrats on the 2,000 posts Cheers TW |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 15:14 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | also dont forget the mattenfilter was a complete failure , 150 dollars aus for foam that doesnt last a month Hate when that happens! LF, 2000 post? is that counting the ones lost in action? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 15:27 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks all for the input. Dan - nah, physical work is nothing for me . At least not anymore. You sure make loads of money, it seems like, althoug 6 figures could be 100,000 or 999,999 Auatralian Dollars . Robyn - Don't worry about not having a cave in time for your fish to arrive. You can always get it later. Even if you would lose the first batch, there may be many to follow. Wings - During the site update Adam removed all counts that were ba New Topic: Does anyone already have the June TFH magazine? There is an article about Mr. EI himself, Tom Barr. It talks about his annual PlantFest trip and is very informative. There are also two shots that show the man himself, but I have to say he doesn't look like I expected. All shots are from far away and side or back, but he looks like a college kid (hope you see that as a compliment, Tom, if you should ever read my log). Bensaf, he has short hair like us, but he has more of it than we do together . Just thought I share that, Ingo |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 17:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Bensaf, he has short hair like us, but he has more of it than we do together You guys know what each of you look like. Oh I get it, one of those online dating services, right My Scapes |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 18:41 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | You guys know what each of you look like. Hey, we only know what you look like with goggles and snorkel. When do we get to see tetratech's identity? EDIT: LF, in the article are they critical of the EI method, or is it fairly unbiased. I know there is some opposition to it out there, but what is their take? |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 18:56 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Well how have to warm up to it. Here's a pic of my pup and my foot: A little bit of Scotland on Long Island My Scapes |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 19:09 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | What tetratech, you still have snow out there? Nice foot NowherMan6, the article doesn't mention EI at all, it is all about Tom's annual trip thing. And if it would have mentioned EI it could not have been unfavorable as someone in the trip is the author (I think) of it . Ingo Ah, and you all know that Bensaf's and my picture are public here at FP |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 19:53 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | What tetratech, you still have snow out there? I think it's a nuclear winter. You know from all the L.I. landfills. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 19:57 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | No way there's still snow in LI, except maybe on the very top of all those garbage mountains in the LI landfills. Cute Collie though... |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 20:24 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Sure glad I just have to live next to the great lakes and not that crazy stuff out east! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 20:34 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | No way there's still snow in LI, except maybe on the very top of all those garbage mountains in the LI landfills The pic is from earlier in the spring. Nowher's thanks for the comments on the pup. She's actually a shetland sheepdog (I know looks like a little collie) I think the breed was created by mixing a border collie and pomperian. This way they created a smaller dog that could herd on the ruggered hills of the Shetland Islands. My Scapes |
Posted 27-Apr-2006 20:39 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 01:30 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Tetra, thougt it may have been one of those. Hard to tell when they're laying down, collie's have longer legs. I'm sure your girl has shorter legs. TW, there is a thread in Recovery Room where many have posted their pictures - Bensaf and LF are amongst those brave enough |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 02:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks for the pup comments you two. Yeah Nowher, I knew your probably thought it could be a sheltie. Yes she has short legs about 15" at the hips. Since LF is going to turn this into Cichlid Central I guess anything goes. How does "Sheepdog Station" sound to you. My Scapes |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 03:12 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | Nice dog, they call them Shelties in Europe. That's your foot ? Seriously that is one girly foot It looks like the nails are manicured and polished ! My feet look like they've been beaten with a hammer everyday for the last 20 years !!!!.And they are hairy It's not that me and LF are brave enough to post our pics, we are simply too good looking to keep the good stuff to ourselves. Got to share and let others enjoy, appreciate and generally bathe in our glory Yeah, I know what Tom Barr looks like. He is quite young. For some reason people always imagine him as some old guy with a beard He's a pretty normal un-nerdy looking guy. He's into rock and plays the bass. Most of us plant geeks are surprisingly normal in the real world. Reminds me of a thread on APC for plant geeks to post pictures of themselves. I have to say generally that plant geeks are a fine looking bunch of men. The wife saw it - took her a few days before she finally stopped drooling Hotties apparently. Maybe we should do a plant geek calender ! You know standing around in Calvin Klein undies holding our planting tweezers between our teeth, is that a piece of driftwood in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me kinda thing OK, I think Robyn had to go lie down. Don't think too many of them paint their toenails though Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 03:54 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Last time I checked guy, fish were not sopposed to be fuzzy or fury! Edit: Wow Ben! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 03:57 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 05:36 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The FP Plant Nerd Calendar 2007 is coming out shortly. Each month features another good looking gentleman showing off his equipment (planted tank equipment ). Some highlights are June featuring Bensaf with his small tweezers, April with Wings and his "Thing", October with tetratch cracking his whip, January with NowherMan6 and his dwarf gouramie, and December with LITTLE_FISH and his retrospiralis. Ingo |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 14:07 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | LF, I don't think I have ever laughed so hard! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 14:17 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Let me know when copies are available. My equally nerdy marathon running girlfriends will all want a copy, so naturally, multiple copies will be required. Cheers TW |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 16:54 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Some highlights are June featuring Bensaf with his small tweezers, April with Wings and his "Thing", October with tetratch cracking his whip, January with NowherMan6 and his dwarf gouramie, and December with LITTLE_FISH and his retrospiralis Not just dwarf gourami - pygmy croaking gourami. That's right, pygmy. Also, shouldn't April feature Wings and his Giant Hygro instead? |
Posted 28-Apr-2006 17:11 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | pygmy croaking gourami. That's right, pygmy. It croaks ? That must be embarassing Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 29-Apr-2006 03:36 | |
jase101 Big Fish Posts: 345 Kudos: 273 Votes: 1 Registered: 06-Jul-2004 | hello little fish - i skim thru yr posts every now and again, and may have missed some stuff on yr apistos, but here goes - re: breeding caves... i breed a. cacatuoides regularly (in a community setup, so there's hardly ever surviving spawn) but i use film cannisters - as in the little black containers you buy film for your camera in. i drill a small hole in the ba anyway, good luck with whatever you choose to do. |
Posted 29-Apr-2006 23:55 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Bensaf - Jase - Thank you so much for the input, for two reasons. First of all your insight into breeding Apistos is very helpful. It appears that I would be able to add these film canisters at any point in time without having to mess with my aquascape at all, given their size. Secondly, I always like to hear from the people that usually just read (skim) through my log. It shows me that there is a greater audience than the people who normally post (although there is nothing wrong with them either ). Thanks Well - Weekly Tank Update, Week 31 This week did not see any changes to the tank, no additions and no removals. I maintained my light and fertilizer schedule, also with one day of not feeding the fish. It appears to me as if the algae is slightly on the decline, I may be wrong though and this is only wishful thinking. The weekly maintenance included quite a bit of trimming, which with the Star Grass is always worrysome as I have to remove them completely and replant the tops. This stirrs up quite a bit of gunk. A few other plants needed trimming as well, for example one major stem of the Alternanthera on the right tank side. Here it is before trimming: Alternanthera Growing Out Of Water |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 11:56 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | This is a shot from last week, showing that the Star Grass reached the top already in a few spots. This was only one week after it was last trimmed. Without a doubt this plant, given its speed and volume in my tank, is the major nutrient sucker: Tank Last Week After Maintenance |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 11:59 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now, this is a shot from yesterday BEFORE the water change and trimming. You can see how well the Star Grass has grown. It became so big that it shaded most plants in front of it, for example the Wisteria and the Crypt Wendtii. Also, the Hygro angustifolia has reached a significant height were large leaves started to float on the surface. Behind it you may make out that stem of Alternanthera: Tank This Weekend Before Trimming |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:03 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a closer look at the middle section of the tank with the Star Grass group before trimming. I have to say that it looks very nice. But just look at the bottom right corner of the shot, there you see how shaded the lower parts of the stems are. These areas receive no light anymore and lower leaves die off, creating lots of gunk for the tank. Also, do you like the Fish-Autobahn in front of the plants ? Star Grass Before Trimming |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:07 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now here is a shot from this weekend after trimming. The Star Grass was removed and quite a bit of the bottom were cut off. This should give me about 2 to 3 weeks before the next trimming of it. Also, the tallest stem of the Hygro was cut off and replanted, I cannot afford to lose the fast growers at this time so I stuck the cutting in the middle of the Crypt group to the right of the Star Grass (almost invisible in this shot). It shouldn't be too hard for you folks to see where I placed the Alternanthera top Tank After Trimming - This Weekend |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:11 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a close-up of the trimmed Alternanthera top. This picture could also be called "The Beauty and the Beast". The nice Alternanthera in contrast to the Thread algae on the driftwood and small amounts of BBA on the Crypt Retrospiralis leaves. Alternanthera Close-Up |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:14 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | This picture shows how I add water back into the tank, which are over 60G, BTW. I used to simply hang the end of the vacuum into the water and let it fill up. This had the problem that with rising water level the vacuum end also changed position (from vertical to almost horizontal), changing the angle at which the water shoots out. This caused various taller plants to be washed around in the fill current and also stirred up some gunk under these plants. Now I stick the end of the vacuum between the top of my thermometer and the glass of the tank. This way, the vacuum stays in the same position for the whole filling and no gunk is stirred up in the back. Also, and maybe even more importantly, I get the best reading of the temperature of the added water as it streams right by the thermometer. Refill Trick |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:20 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | All I have left to show for now are two shots of the Espei school. In this one you can see that one of the fishies seemed to show an interest of what is going on in front of the tank. All others do what they always do, swim from left to right and back . Actually rather often than not they just hang in the current and wait until something eatable is coming their way, lazy gang. Espei On The Run |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:24 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | This is a similar shot than the last one. The main exception is that there is a Dwarf Rainbow regulating the traffic on the Autobahn. Or maybe she wants to cross but cannot find the gap in the rush hour traffic. Can you find her? BTW, by now I am rather convinced that the loss of my duck weed can be attributed to the appetite of my fishies. I must have reduced its size too much and the remainer was not enough to outpace the speed by which they were eaten. I now see in particular the Rainbows (but also the Espei) nibbling on plants, lose leaves of the Star Grass are their favorites (also - the platies in the 29G much down all tips of a tall stem in less than a day). Have fun, Ingo German Autobahn At Rush Hour |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 12:29 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Great photos Ingo. My camera can't take photos of moving fish - everything is a blur. No doubt I'm wrong, but is your rainbow centre shot, facing the camera? If so, she looks a little cranky she can't find an opening to cross. jase101, I like your film cannister idea. I have one now that my hubby drilled about 5 tiny little holes in (too little for fish to swim though, like you said). I'll get some more too & when I put them in my black gravel - you'll hardly see them (what with plants & what not). Great idea. Cheers TW |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 13:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | No doubt I'm wrong, but is your rainbow centre shot, facing the camera?Right on Robyn, right on Yeah, the camera is a bit fancy NowherMan6 not only picked out the driftwood for this tank, he also was the one that suggested the macro lens for this camera. That is where the nice close-ups come from. Ingo |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 13:32 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Cool photos. I only have a kodak easy share - which was all I ever needed before fish. Still, I have too many other things on the shoping list before I can think about a camera. Cheers TW |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 14:07 | |
slickrb Enthusiast Go Gators! Posts: 238 Kudos: 47 Votes: 99 Registered: 19-Jan-2006 | Your tanks is looking great! Glad to see the algae is on the decline. Rick See all my pictures at Google Web Albums |
Posted 30-Apr-2006 15:10 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | LF, As always, super great pictures. I really wish I could take the close ups you do of your fish. I really like them. I also love the color of your Alternanthera. Is the lower part of the plant that same color red? If not I am going to say that light plays a major roll in red plants to color up. I might try the tetratech more iron thing but I am pretty much sold the light is the number one red color producer. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 01-May-2006 06:20 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Hi Ingo I know this doesn't really belong in your log, but because we did talk about them here & I'm a bit sad about this news, thought I'd share it with people who'd understand. My imported fish I've been waiting for arrived in Sydney & were meant to be in QT with the shop. I spoke with LFS on Saturday past & arranged to collect my pair next weekend. Just got an email to say the female was DOA. I was waiting so long for these fish Decided not to go ahead with the male alone, cause who knows when they'll get another female. I've asked them to let me know when they have a pair next coming in. Cheers TW |
Posted 01-May-2006 06:43 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks everybody for the input Rick - Yeah, it seems the algae is slooooooowly on the retreat, although I am still holding my breath. Wings - It is more the upper parts, but more accurately the younger leaves, that are red. I doubt that it is the light that causes this as the plant in the close-up was grown in the corner of the tank (back right). Robyn - Sorry to hear about the female. While I was reading your entry I was hoping that you didn't make a mercy purchase and got the male by himself. This post is actually very fitting for my log as I have asked myself this question many times over: "What would I do if the female Apisto dies". These fish in area are rare and usually only offered as pairs. So having a single male would either mean he has to stay by himself or I have 2 males and one female (if I would buy another pair) - not a good setup. I am glad that you decided to wait for a new pair to arrive. And you really haven't been waiting for such a long time, it just felt like that because you were so excited to get them. Sorry again, Ingo |
Posted 01-May-2006 11:01 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | You're right, it wasn't that long - just a few days over 4 weeks. You're also right that I was excited about them - so that did make it seem like ages. I thought I was going to be pressured into buying the male - as that was the suggestion in their email, but LFS accepted it when I said I wanted a pair only. Only fair really, as they told me in the first place I could only buy a pair. I hope there is someone out there in Sydney who has a lonely female, just waiting for a mate They told me to contact their importer, to find out when & what dwarf cichlids he'll next bring in. Waiting for him to get back to me now. So, it's back to the drawing board for that tank. It will definitely be a tank dedicated to a pair of rarer dwarf cichlids in the hopes of breeding. Also forgot to tell you - it's not the same tank - but a new tank, only slightly larger (about 3.7G larger - but a better shape - long, rather than high) Cheers TW |
Posted 01-May-2006 12:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Also forgot to tell you - it's not the same tank - but a new tank, only slightly larger (about 3.7G larger - but a better shape - long, rather than high)Awesome, MTS at its finest When will we find out more about that new tank? I know that you probably will not set up another high tech tank, but you could always go with low light plants (and even medium) for a "normal" tank. Honestly, recent events here might give me the chance to upgrade one of my tanks, so keep an eye open for a new thread here at the planted forum where I may ask questions about my options. Thanks, Ingo |
Posted 01-May-2006 14:25 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Honestly, recent events here might give me the chance to upgrade one of my tanks, so keep an eye open for a new thread here at the planted forum where I may ask questions about my options. Go LF go! Wings - It is more the upper parts, but more accurately the younger leaves, that are red. I doubt that it is the light that causes this as the plant in the close-up was grown in the corner of the tank (back right). But it was still probably getting more light than the rest of the plant right? 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 01-May-2006 14:45 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | I got this new 23.7G (long) tank because of issues with my QT 20G (high). See my thread http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/28748.1.htm?1# for the reasons & maybe you can give me some advice about sterilizing that tank. The last straw was a platy death, less that 24 hrs after introduction. Death was more than likely stress related due to his move, but I lost faith in the tank. It was to have been the home for the imported cichlids (that are no longer coming) & I didn't want to risk putting them in that tank. In some ways, it's good I have extra time to get this tank planted, since the cichlids aren't coming now. I knew I wouldn't be allowed to have another tank set-up (electricity & water usage issues about that) so I arranged with LFS to do a trade-in. However, when I came home with new tank & told hubby what I'd done, he bought the tank off me for the trade-in price, but said it won't be set up for time being (I'd love to be able to set it up - but it's going in the garage for now). So, now that it's emptied I'm cleaning it out & asking for advice in thread mentioned above. I know that you probably will not set up another high tech tank, but you could always go with low light plants (and even medium) for a "normal" tank.It will be low tech, flourish excel & low light plants. I'll start a new log, but do you think it belongs in cichlid central - it will be planted, but it will eventually be home for some sort of imported dwarf cichlid. For the 1st time, the LFS who were importing the fish for me, are also importing ADA aquasoil & there is some sort of ADA package / mixture which includes power sand & other stuff which Amano uses in his planted tanks. As the tank may go high tech one day (who knows) I may as well have the right substrate in there from the get go. Although I have some cycling fish (platys) in the tank now, it has no substrate yet, waiting for LFS to confirm availability of the Amano substrates. Hope to get it this weekend. I'll empty the tank temporarily to add substrate & plants. So, what do you think - cichlid central or planted aquaria. There'll be no clay pots but there will be some film cannisters. If it goes in planted aquaria, I'd mainly chat about the plants, but still mentioned the fish here & there. I definitely have MTS. I now have 3 tanks running, my hubby has my old one (but it will be stored for now) & if I were allowed, I run down to the shop & buy 2 or 3 small ones for fry grow out. I'm about to post in my log about some new fry. Can't wait for your new thread. Did you do some fancy talking or something? Cheers TW |
Posted 01-May-2006 15:19 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | So, what do you think - cichlid central or planted aquaria.- I don't think it would be too hard for you to guess my answer Can't wait for your new thread. Did you do some fancy talking or something?Fancy Talking - I don't even know what that is . No, that is for real Ingo |
Posted 01-May-2006 16:56 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi, Generally speaking, you ought to post in which ever forum you feel the "question" belongs. Tank Logs seem to change topics, not subjects, as the thread matures and the participants comment and question various entries. To decide where to post the first entry, decide what is the primary thrust of the Log. Is it going to be Cichlids (are you going to specialize in one, or breed one) or is it going to be aimed primarily at plants? Keep in mind that many visitors will go to the forum that pertains to their interests. For instance, I don't have any cichlids, and so rarely if ever, visit that forum. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 01-May-2006 20:03 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Thanks Frank, at the moment I don't even have the cichlids & I don't know when I will, so at least to start off, I'm getting it ready for plants. Cheers TW |
Posted 02-May-2006 07:51 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Hi all, Had some business to attend to in Florida and decided to take the kids to Universal for a few days. After riding the Hulk coaster 4 times I now know what a fish feels like when it get's sucked up the gravel wash. Tank is looking good. Glad to see the algae is somewhat subsiding even if it's only in your mind. Keep with a steady schedule, high co2, less food, more thick groups and I think you'll be fine. I really like the way the stargrass looks like a big mound in the BEFORE water change pic, can't tell if you've spread it even further from the center in the AFTER pic. I think that mound with stargrass, wood and foreground can really be an amazing center piece of your aquarium especially with all those espei running through it. I know you post alot of fish pics, but those last ones of the espei are REALLY beautiful. My Scapes |
Posted 02-May-2006 18:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | After riding the Hulk coaster 4 times I now know what a fish feels like when it get's sucked up the gravel wash.And you had to pay for it as well Keep with a steady schedule, high co2, less food, more thick groupsI am working on it I really like the way the stargrass looks like a big mound in the BEFORE water change picYeah, I liked it too. And you have no idea how tempted I was to place the Anubias in front of the Star Grass as they wouldn't mind being shaded at all (unlike the current plants in that spot). But I decided it is not the right time to mess with the tank again, instead I will wait until all is stable and then mess it up again . but those last ones of the espei are REALLY beautifulOh thank you, I appreciate the compliment . Wanna have some Espei? Ingo |
Posted 02-May-2006 20:11 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, I appreciate the Espei offer, but would have no place to put them with 17 cardinals holding tuff. If my cardinals start dropping I'll definitely take you up on it. Bensaf, Lighting can do wonders even for feet. Believe me my feet get no special treatment and have never had polish on them even in my college days when I was passed out in front of the "Porcelin Princess", but thanks for the compliment. My Scapes |
Posted 02-May-2006 20:27 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | LF, So was bored tonight so I went through and looked for your picture! All I have to say is you look like the blues guy that rides my bus! Oh and there are some cuties on this site. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 04-May-2006 07:03 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | |
Posted 04-May-2006 07:12 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | All I have to say is you look like the blues guy that rides my bus! This fella must be really handsome then Ingo |
Posted 04-May-2006 10:52 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | The post your picture thread ~ The recovery room This fella must be really handsome then Umm yeah.....and a little wierd. I think he works for WMU but I am not 100% sure. Anyways he is always on the bus with some really really big headphones(like the ones they would use in a studio) and grooving to the blues. I was really expecting to see someone much older when I found your picture. It is almost weird now knowing what you look like. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 04-May-2006 14:34 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I was really expecting to see someone much older when I found your picture. It is almost weird now knowing what you look like.I guess I will take that as a compliment. You know that I know what you look like (although it is a while ago that I saw the picture). You in a pond/river having a banana - eh, bandana - on your head. Ingo EDIT: Ah - I didn't see that you bumped that thread with your own picture, but yeah, that is what I remembered. |
Posted 04-May-2006 15:26 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | You know that I know what you look like (although it is a while ago that I saw the picture). You in a pond/river having a banana - eh, bandana - on your head. Bandana? Its a ball cap on backwards half folded under itself. When I hooked into that fish I had a bunch of junk hanging around my neck and I had all I could do to get it off so I could fight the fish. Man I need to get back in there and hook another one.... maybe this weekend. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 04-May-2006 18:28 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Are you looking to get rid of some espei again? I wouldn't mind taking some off your hands but I am moving in about a week and don't need to worry about anything extra. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 04-May-2006 18:33 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I would post my pic, but I currently still have more hair than algae so I don't want to anyone off and then they'll take it out on my tank I just want to be loved My Scapes |
Posted 04-May-2006 22:42 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | but I currently still have more hair than algae Well, you wouldn't need much hair as you have almost no algae Me, on the other hand Ingo |
Posted 05-May-2006 00:40 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | C'mon Ingo, fess up. That is you with the big headphones bopping away to Depeche Mode Check out the last post I made in this thread maybe of some interest to you guys. http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/28532.1.htm?0.09817231#259770 Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 05-May-2006 06:05 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | You found me out, bensaf I confess, it was me About your link, yeah - I read the "original" the other day, the one you refer to in your foot-note. I have to say it makes sense to me as well. Only problem is that you cannot see these tiny buggers waiting in yout tank for their chance to take over again . BTW, this week so far seems to have more algae decline, although I start to discover more BBA, this time the tiny black beard on plant leaves, even on the Hygro angustifloia. I attribute this to the change in water parameters that on one hand seem to drive out more and more thread algae but on the other hand open the door for BBA. At least this type I can fight off with Excel, but I will wait a while to see how it goes.\ Ingo |
Posted 05-May-2006 13:40 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | LF, Have you been useing Excel on this tank? I need to buy some more here soon that way I can use it once I move. I am getting a good amount of green spot on my plants. Not so sure the excel will help though... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 05-May-2006 14:33 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Wings, Yeah, I have been using Excel twice (for a week each) on this tank, to fight off BBA, quite a while ago. I doubt that it does anything for (or against) any other form of algae. I heard about people that frequently use Excel to avoid BBA in the first place, but I am currently not willing to try that out. There must be a way to stay BBA free without having to fight it with such extreme measures. On to the usual topic for this time of the week: Weekly Tank Update - Week 32 Not much, if anything at all, has happened during this week. I used the standard dosage of ferts that I am using for a while now. Further, I made it a consistent habit not to feed the fish on Fridays. Algae in the lowest regions has not changed, but interestingly the upper regions seem to have almost completely cleared up (with the exception of a few bushels of BBA). The maintenance besides the water change this weekend was easy, I just trimmed a few longer stems off the Star Grass. Maybe I don't even have to replant that group next weekend as I think I gave it a strong cut last week and it may last for 3 weeks now. I don't have many pictures to show this time, but here is a shot of the tank from last week, for comparison: Tank One Week Ago |
Posted 07-May-2006 12:51 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the tank now from this weekend. I have not trimmed the Ludwigia on the left at all, the fact that it hangs over the Anubias group is not a problem as these plants don't need that much light. The Hygro angustifolia on the right is beginning to seriously shade all other plants in that area, I guess next weekend I will have to make some changes in that spot. I am also considering of cutting part of my main driftwood block off. I figured I could easily remove a major section of the fat end of the branch. This way I creat more space for plants and also might gain something in the visual appearance of the tank. On the other hand, this means I first have to remove that monster and this scares me. Here is the tank now: Tank Last Night |
Posted 07-May-2006 12:58 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now here are two shots of the tank a little closer. I usually show the tank completely and real close-ups, so I thought some half-distance shots may be nice. This is the area of the tank that once (a long time ago) was known as Rock Valley. Now it is home to various plants that begin to crowd each other. Also, take your time while admiring the graceful Pearls Right Off-Center |
Posted 07-May-2006 13:02 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And this is already the last shot for now, the left side of the tank. It always seems like I have a particular unorganized plant collection on that side of my tank, like it is the repository for any plant that I don't know where else to put it . In this small section I have about 12 different plants, like 3 types of Anubias, 4 types of Crypts, Pearl Grass, Wisteria, Ludwigia, Helferi, and Alternanthera. Plus, this is where a lot of fish like to hang out (maybe because I feed in this section and when they see me they always come there, even if I fed them just 10 minutes earlier). Left Tank Side Plant Mix |
Posted 07-May-2006 13:07 | |
r0b3y Enthusiast Posts: 261 Kudos: 262 Votes: 41 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | hey looking really good!! love the log wats the brown plant behind the pearl grass?? /:' |
Posted 07-May-2006 15:59 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | r0b3y, Thanks for the compliment The brown plant behind the Pearl Grass is a Crypt Wendtii Red (mother plant). I have not been too successful in the past with my crypt wendtiis, I guess because I always bought tiny ones and never left them in one spot to grow out (I have the tendency too change to much too quickly ). But you see that there is a more reddish plant behind the Wendtii as well (just to make sure you know that this are two different ones). That is the Alternanthera. Thanks again, Ingo |
Posted 07-May-2006 16:26 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Ok guys, I don't have too much time right now, but if you are interested then details can follow later. I just came back from the North Jersey Aquarium Society's fish and plant auction. What a huge event (and the first auction that I have ever been at). It was very interesting and loads of fish and plant where sold. I hade also the chance to chat again with two of the guys from my Planted Tank Round Table meeting at the LFS. Here is a shot of the auction in progress. The stage in the back has tables all around, packed to the rim with mostly fish, but the right hand side were plants. The plastic bags you see in this picture is what was left after 3 hours of auction (about 30% I would guess). NJAS Auction |
Posted 07-May-2006 23:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Upon arrival back home I had to take out the Apistos from the QT to add them to the big tank (reason will follow). There were the easiest fish to net, they almost swam right into the net - or at least didn't run off. I wish the Espei were like that. Apistos being adjusted |
Posted 07-May-2006 23:43 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And they had to go because these 3 cuties moved in. 3 additional Neon Dwarf Rainbows, all male. I had to have them, and got them in the end for $16. Pretty much the price I pay for one at my LFS. More will follow later, got to go back and add water to the bags Here they are getting ready: Rainbows in Bag |
Posted 07-May-2006 23:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Ok, the Rainbows are in the tank now, I will continue the adjustment process for the Apsitos for at least another 15 min. Here are the Rainbows (2 photos): Rainbows in QT I |
Posted 08-May-2006 00:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And here they are again, I think the photos came out great (if I may say so). The Rainbows are slightly younger than the ones in the big tank, as such I hope their integration into the main group should not cause any major issues. Make sure to look at the updates on the previous page Rainbows in QT II |
Posted 08-May-2006 00:48 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And now the Apistos are in their new home as well. The male went right off on an excursion. Within 5 minutes he ate the first snail. I saw him pick it up and then munching around on it, then he dissapeared into the thickets and I got a little worried I may have to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on him . But he seems fine now. Apsito viejita II Male |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:12 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is another shot of him a little closer. What I find amazing about this fish is his ability to turn that black stripe under his eye (actually through his eye) on and off at will. I haven't figured out yet when he turns it on, I assume it is when he is showing off. Apsito viejita II Male Closer |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:13 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The female Apisto has her black stripe turned on the whole time, I only saw her without it when I got them initially. Interestingly, within the rather short time in the plastic bag for acclimatication all her yellow color went to a dull gray, but within minutes in the tank it all was back to normal. Apsito viejita II Female |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:15 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the female again, this time showing you one of the plants that I bought at the auction. An Anubias Hastifolia. Looks very nice, for the time being I wedged it between wood and rock in front of the Star Grass. Another plant I bought was an Anubias Barteri, but I am not going to show you a picture of it, I have too many of these already anyway Crypt Hestifolia |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The last plant I would like to show is the final purchase I made at the auction, tetratech's Blyxa Japonica. I got 6 of them, most with 2 plants per stem, for $10. The only problem I have with them is that the stems are really short and there seem to be no roots below. Anchoring them in the substrate was quite a hassle, I hope they stay down. Blyxa Japonica |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:21 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Last but not least, a new full shot of the tank. You can see the new crypt and if you look carefully you may be able to count all 6 Blyxa Japonica spread out along the front glass. Oh, and no, the fish are not all at the surface because the Apistos chased them into that area, it simply was feeding time Full Tank With New Plants |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Yes, the pics are beautiful So let me get this straight, your going to "remove that monster" and you've just added 5 fish of substantial size to your tank. Either you don't believe that your heavy load is contributing to your algae situation or you really are a "Protist Collaborator" Sorry to sound like a party pooper, but I really think you need to add another filter to your tank if you want to be so fish heavy. I would even think about getting a wet/dry or a sump. EDIT: Didn't see last pic, very nice full tank shot. My Scapes |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:26 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Gee, thanks tetratech for bringing me back to reality I actually added only 2 fish, the Apistos. The 3 Rainbows are in QT for a few weeks. I am usually pretty good about maintaining the QT routine and have yet to fail it. And the female Apisto is barely any larger than one Espei . Yeah, the male is a little bigger, but hey - I seem to be getting my algae a little more under control and I also added more plants . Thanks for the compliment on the pictures, Ingo |
Posted 08-May-2006 02:34 | |
r0b3y Enthusiast Posts: 261 Kudos: 262 Votes: 41 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | |
Posted 08-May-2006 03:06 | |
slickrb Enthusiast Go Gators! Posts: 238 Kudos: 47 Votes: 99 Registered: 19-Jan-2006 | Ingo, I don't have much to add on the new plants, but your tank is looking very nice. Your apistos are also very cool. Good Job! /:' Rick See all my pictures at Google Web Albums |
Posted 08-May-2006 04:14 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | r0b3y - Good idea, I will have to read more about these filters to identfy their distinct advantage over a canister, if there is one. The one problem I have with adding any additional filter is the increase in current in the tank. I would not like to see my fish having to swim for their lives 24/7. That is pretty much the main reason why I haven't done anything about that yet. slickrb - Thanks . Yeah, I like my Apistos as well, I am glad I got them. I hope they will have a nice life in this tank. BTW, it seems like they are zooming in on finding a new house in that tank. I made out two spots that they both visited multiple times last night. One happens to be the area under the driftwood chunk on the left. So much about cutting that part off . The other area is a small gap between a rock and a small piece of driftwood to the right of the main group, just big enough for both to fit in, but it doesn't have a roof so it may rain in (). Thanks to both of you for the input, I appreciate it, Ingo |
Posted 08-May-2006 10:52 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | |
Posted 08-May-2006 12:53 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Good observation on the color, Robyn It is a combination of the "rainbow" effect of their sides (which usually are blueish at the right angle, otherwise silver) and the fact that I put my old 2x20W All-Glass T12s back over the tank. That was done because the existing bulbs are at the end of their live span (I see the tenellus not doing to well) and I haven't had the chance to get new bulbs yet. So the color spectrum of these lights and the shimmering effect of the fish both contributed to this color effect (and maybe the camera settings as well), but I did not retouch the image. Thanks for the compliment, Ingo |
Posted 08-May-2006 13:36 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | Great pics, LF Very very nice I also just planted a few stems of blyxa in my 4G, in ADA substrate - we'll see if the substrate makes any differencein growth. I know what you mean with the roots though, they were hard to keep down. |
Posted 08-May-2006 13:44 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | also just planted a few stems of blyxa in my 4G, in ADA substrate - we'll see if the substrate makes any differencein growth. Makes sure that Blyxa get's lot's of light. It will not tolerate shade. I'm still deciding whether I want to add a foreground light to my tank. BTW - Nowher when do we get to see this nano-paradise. I did scrap my plans or a scaped nano in lew of the reef I am planning... My Scapes |
Posted 08-May-2006 14:31 | |
dan76 Big Fish Always Reading Posts Posts: 343 Registered: 08-Jul-2003 | ingo, a FBF would be supplimentary to you rexisting filtration , you could have it in the return to your tank if the pump in your existing filter is strong enough. they need to have water that has already been mechanicly (sp?) filtered first or they will clog up. i have mine setup on my sump. are neon rainbows really $16 us each. they are $3.50 aus or something like that over here, you must have thought i was showing off when i bought 20 |
Posted 08-May-2006 14:58 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks guys for the input NowherMan6 - I don't know about ADA and Blyxa, but the guy I know who uses ADA soil says his Hair Grass really took off (he only uses the soil, not the power sand). And thanks for the compliments on the pictures, courtesy of your suggested macro lense . tetratech - I know a foreground light would be a pain in the neck, but it may be worthwhile. I am sure your Riccia would profit from it as well. I guess this is one of the very few disadvantages of a bowfront. Dan - Yeah, Rainbows are rather expensive in the LFS where I usually buy fishies. For that, their live stock is in much better shape than any store in the whole area. Adult Neon Dwarf Rainbows cost $20 (US), young ones, like the ones I have, $13 (US), and that does not include tax yet. Thanks again, Ingo |
Posted 08-May-2006 15:39 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I know a foreground light would be a pain in the neck, but it may be worthwhile. I am sure your Riccia would profit from it as well. I guess this is one of the very few disadvantages of a bowfront. My situation is further complicated by a tall center and the thick wood. When the center is short I see better growth from the riccia, but yes you are right definitely a disadvantage of the bow in terms o direct light contact. My Scapes |
Posted 08-May-2006 15:55 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | I guess this is one of the very few disadvantages of a bowfront. And don't forget the inability to take pictures from certain angles with certain lenses because of diffraction - my next tank will NOT be a bowfront tetra - has your blyxa taken off at all in your 12G with more diretc light? don't want to go too off topic in LFs log but I think the info is beneficial to both of us |
Posted 08-May-2006 16:01 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | tetra - has your blyxa taken off at all in your 12G with more diretc light? don't want to go too off topic in LFs log but I think the info is beneficial to both of us Nope, samething comatose. The 12g only has 2.2wpg so maybe it's just not enough on a small tank even though direct. One good thing is it doesn't die, it just doesn't grow, but you won't get that rich spectrum of color when it's really in optimium conditions. My Scapes |
Posted 08-May-2006 16:07 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Nice pics there Ingo, nice fish too. I should upgrade my camera, but that's definitely not in the budget, especially since I'm thinking of upgrading both plant and reef tank soon. Glad to hear the algae seems to be diminishing. I wouldn't worry about the extra current from another filter. Cannisters have pretty slow flow due to their ability to do more filtration at once. I don't think your fish would suffer from another, maybe smaller, cannister. That's your call though on what you think was/is/has been causing the algae. I wouldn't add a wet/dry though due to the amount of aeration that usually causes. You'd have a hard time keeping CO2 up IMO. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 08-May-2006 16:48 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Talking about right conditions of the light: At the NJAS auction I also met someone who has the same tank than I do and also the 4x96W light unit. I forgot the details (silly me), but his schedule is sonewhat like running the lights for a total of 9 hours per day, during 6 of which all lights are on, and the earlier part he has one half only and the later part the other half only. That is the guy who auctioned off my Blyxa, so maybe in order to keep it happy I will have to shorten my overall light period (currently still 11h) and lengthen the intense ligh period (currently 3h). Ingo |
Posted 08-May-2006 16:48 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Matty, Sorry, I didn't see your entry until I posted mine. Thanks for the compliments on photos and fish Yeah, I was never considering a wet/dry as I know about its CO2 removing abilities. The current of my Eheim 2028 is pretty strong, this becomes more obvious when I feed the fish and the food drops down. I was thinking of creating a counter current from the other side of the tank (with a secons filter) but that would most likely mean (I guess) that I also need a second diffuser on that side as the current generated there would not let the bubbles from one side come over there. Maybe I have to sell way more of my Espei to solve the problem. Thanks Matty, Ingo |
Posted 08-May-2006 16:55 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I wouldn't add a wet/dry though due to the amount of aeration that usually causes. You'd have a hard time keeping CO2 up IMO. Matty you know more about sump mechanics than I do, but couldn't your put a diffusor under the return pump of the sump (wet/dry) to return any lost co2 to the tank. So in effect you would have an inline reactor as well as an in tank diffusor. My Scapes |
Posted 08-May-2006 18:11 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | Looking at the system this way: Return(CO2 in) ---> display(High CO2 Conc.) ----> overflow(CO2 Diffusion due to aeration) ----> sump(low CO2 Conc.) That might appear to work. If the flow through the wet/dry was slow enough it might in fact work, meaning that after the reactor in the return line CO2 rich water stays in the display for a greater period of time than the wet/dry, creating differential. However, that would mean that water is in the display for a longer period of time, and not in the wet/dry, thus making the filtration pointless because no water is being filtered. Sometimes refugiums are set up this way so that water flow is only 1X or less turnover through the fuge so the DSB and macroalgae can pull out every bit of nutrient from the water. Dirty water in, clean water out. The fact that there is a large difference helps the cause. In this case it seems to work because the goal is extraction of waste to plant or algae or anaerobic bacteria mass. The opposite of trying to add carbon into the system and a completely different method of filtration. Water can only be on the bioballs for a certain amount of time, no matter the flow....gravity here. I suppose if you had a huge column of bioballs it might work(fully extracting ALL ammonia in one pass). However it doesn't work that way in a small system, and unfortunately you can't look at the system in its components, the difference in composition of water anywhere in the system is very very small, given there are no dead spots(which is what the wet/dry or fuge would have to be called in the above hypothesis). You have to look at the system on the whole generally and therefore you will most definitely have to increase CO2 to balance out the diffusion due to the amount of surface area exposed to the air in a wet/dry. No matter how you do it, more CO2 in the display or more at the return of the sump, way more CO2 will need to be put into the system. A large system is a different story. There probably will be differentials in water composition between the sump and display if you have a thousand or two gallons in the display and the sump is remote and large as well. Heck, there would probably be slight differences in water composition on the left and right and top to bottom of the display. Flow would probably have to be slower through a system like that and would mostly rely on the huge amount of water to stay clean. I think I managed to even confuse myself there a bit. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 08-May-2006 20:58 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Matty you know more about sump mechanics than I do, but couldn't your put a diffusor under the return pump of the sump (wet/dry) to return any lost co2 to the tank. So in effect you would have an inline reactor as well as an in tank diffusor. If you look around on the planted forum there is a guy with a 200 some gallon tank running a system like what you are talking about. BTW I leave for the weekend and all this happens! I am so far behind. I guess I should probably take a little brake from this place any ways. Never get things done! Great pictures! Your fish look quite happy in their new home. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 08-May-2006 23:18 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | If you look around on the planted forum there is a guy with a 200 some gallon tank running a system like what you are talking about. I'd wonder if he could possibly get 30ppm of CO2 in his tank. Maybe, but I'm sure that he's wasting a lot of CO2 to do so. If it's not a high light setup then there's really no need to have so much CO2, and you can get away with whatever filtration you want. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 08-May-2006 23:27 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks Matty for all these details I am not surprised that you even cofused yourself on that one . Basically, I am not into the sump idea anyway. There are too many reasons (even besides the CO2 issue) that stop me from seriously considering such a filter, for example maintenance, cost, water evaporation, and space. Being in the process of setting up yet another tank I would like to not overcomplicate this one anymore. Maybe for the time being I can just wing it and later throw about 20 of the Espei into the new 40G (and start the same problems there, ). Thanks again, Ingo |
Posted 09-May-2006 13:15 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Matty, Makes alot of sense. I never said it was going to be efficient, but it sounds like it would supply the tank with enough co2. LF, If you don't want a sump I would go with this. I think it's the largest canister on the market. http://www.hagen.com/usa/aquatic/product.cfm?CAT=1&SUBCAT=107&PROD_ID=01002180020101 My Scapes |
Posted 09-May-2006 23:14 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks tetratech for the link, that sure is some monser filter, for up to 400G tanks. I couldn't find it at Big Al's and I wonder how much it costs (and quality). Anyway, I think I first will try to see if I can reduce my stocking somewhat. Maybe that is all that is needed. Hey tetratech - I bumped into somebody who says that the Eco in her tank caused the ph and hardness to climb (from ph 7 to 8), did this happen to you as well? Thanks again, Ingo |
Posted 09-May-2006 23:37 | |
goldfishgeek Fish Addict Posts: 667 Kudos: 412 Votes: 38 Registered: 27-Oct-2003 | Been reading Brain hurts pretty fish not dead plants (see my tank) all Good LF! love GFG Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself. Harvey S. Firestone |
Posted 10-May-2006 01:46 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | GFG Thanks for the compliment, and sorry about the brain hurting Haven't seen you in a while, and where would I be able to read about your current tank issues. Ingo |
Posted 10-May-2006 14:00 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Hey tetratech - I bumped into somebody who says that the Eco in her tank caused the ph and hardness to climb (from ph 7 to 8), did this happen to you as well? I don't remember that happening, but then again I've been running co2 heavily so I probably wouldn't have noticed. ph 7 to 8 sounds pretty drastic to me. My Scapes |
Posted 10-May-2006 14:04 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks tetratech, In the meantime I read a few posts where people claim to have rather significant increases in their ph, but other posts completely dismiss this notion. I guess it is one of these things where opinions are wide spread. I have a tank issue: I notices what appears to be a much slower growth on the Star Grass. In addition, last night I noticed some leaves on new growth turning thin and melting. Now, I have read that this is caused by a sudden lack of Nitrate (On the APC site in the plant profile). I haven't measured my Nitrates, guess I will have to do that tonight. I would be really surprised to find my tank having low nitrates, although I haven't increased my dosage, but 1.5tsp every other day should be enough, I thought. Maybe the overall number of fast growers causes it to be sucked up much quicker. Does anyone have any idea what else may cause this problem? Thanks in advance, Ingo |
Posted 11-May-2006 13:32 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Sounds like no3 deficiency. If the light and co2 are up to speed I would dose even more especially if mass is increasing. I learned the hard way when that happened to my stargrass. The wildcard in my situation was that I was cutting the tops all the time, but in your case your replanting them. For the longest time I was dosing 1/2tsp no3 and when I felt the mass was really full I starting dosing 5/8 to 3/4 tsp. I believe Amano increases dosing as plant mass increases. My Scapes |
Posted 11-May-2006 13:56 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | I believe Amano increases dosing as plant mass increases. Only really makes sense. I am wondering if that is why I am starting to get some green spot. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 11-May-2006 15:08 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks you two, I will make sure to measure tonight. It would really surprise me though. What I think I may find is an unproportionally high amount of Phosphate as I have been doing it now for a few weeks in the recommended dosage (1/8tsp 3 x per week). Last time I did this I ended up with 10ppm. So, maybe it is more of a proportion issue than a plain lack of Nitrate. Will keep you posted, Ingo |
Posted 11-May-2006 18:02 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, Just measured the N and P: - solid red in the N, meaning 40++ppm - dark blue in the P, meaning way more than 5ppm Now, as I said earlier I expected the P to be rather high, but the N is a big surprise. Of course I have no idea what to make of this, as usual. Ingo |
Posted 12-May-2006 00:35 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | Of course I have no idea what to make of this, as usual. LF, You are not the only one. I tested my N today too and it was in the same ball park as you with 40ppm. I am not even sure I want to dose tomorrow being the tank is going to be taken down in on Monday. I think we need Ben to let us know whats up. Chances are he will yell at us first for using test kits! 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 12-May-2006 00:43 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I went and took a comparison shot of the tank to actually see if there is any growth. And I do have growth, but there are these two Star Grass tops melting. I also see some black tips on them which supposedly is from a lack of micros. Here is a shot with Today at the bottom and 5 days ago: Comparison |
Posted 12-May-2006 01:18 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, Did you dose macros today? If yes, your probably looking at the peak of buildup for NO3 as well as the test kit being off by as much as 20ppm. I've contacted several attorneys about class action lawsuits against test kit providers. So your no3 could be averaging 20ppm and your po4 2 or 3. The idea behind EI is that it doesn't stay high for long, because the whole system get's flushed anyway every week. From the pic your stargrass looks O.K. Maybe a closeup would be more revealing. My Scapes |
Posted 12-May-2006 02:51 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | The high numbers in and of themselves are not an issue. They'll be reduced when you do water change anyway. The real question is why are they that high ? Sounds like something else is limiting the uptake of N and P. Don't forget if one thing is limiting then uptake of all others stop until the limiting nutrient becomes available again. Do the usual, check Co2, up the micros in case one of them is short. Especially check GH. GH is one that's often overlooked when it comes to plants and is very vital. Really needs more attention then it gets sometimes. Calcium and Magnesium are vital. Especially Mg , which can cause some funny problems. It can tricky sometimes. A plant can show a symptom of a lack of a nutrient, even though you know you have plenty of that nutrient there. I.e the Stargrass showing like N dificient, this usually indicates that something else is lacking and preventing the plant from utilising the available nutrient. Usually something like a Mg deficiency will appear as something completely different and send you off on wild goose chases. A close up of the affected Stargass would help a lot. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 12-May-2006 04:09 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks for the input, Sorry, a close-up will have to wait until tonight as all is dark now in the tank (4:30 AM). I had a feeling about having another nutrient being a limiting factor (I guess I am beginning to understand) and even without your advice I added 50ml of TMG instead of 40ml (yesterday it was micro day, so macros have last been added the day before). Over the last few weeks I also increased my weekly input of Equilibrium, from formerly 1/2tsp to almost 2tsp. I haven't measured the GH though ever since doing this. Neither have I measured KH or CO2, I guess KH is around 4, but I will measure tonight. Thanks for the input and thoughts, Ingo |
Posted 12-May-2006 10:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well guys, On with the Star Grass Saga: The photo below shows one of the two effected stems as good as possible. The red arrow points to the yellowing (dying) stem, the yellow arrow shows you how thin the leaves are. I also measured some values: It appears as if my KH is almost 5 (upped the baking soda dosage over a few weeks) Also, my GH seems to be close the 5, that is at least when the test liquid turned from a pale yellow to a pale green. Here is the shocker, my ph seems to be 7, giving me a CO2 of 15ppm. I have cleaned the diffuser for the last time almost 3 weeks ago (tomorrow), can that be it? The bubble count appears to be the same as always, now I went ahead and cranked it up a notch. Star Grass |
Posted 12-May-2006 23:37 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Here is the shocker, my ph seems to be 7, giving me a CO2 of 15ppm That would explain uptake limitation, but I defer to my master EDIT: LF There is a good discussion on APC concerning the trend toward higher C02. There are many advanced aquarist discussing the whole fishload thing as well. I must admit I never saw this tread until now, but I feel like it supports my argument about fishload and algae, especially when there is abundant light. co2.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/general-aquarium-plants-discussions/16678-why-trend-towards-more-more-co2.html My Scapes |
Posted 13-May-2006 00:33 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks tetratech for the link I didn't see it until now as I assumed there were no new entries in my thread for the last almost 2 days and as such didn't open it. I will read up on the link content after I do my weekly thing (as I have done something towards higher CO2). Weekly Tank Update - Week 33 The last week had no major events, my focus was mainly on the order of items for the soon-to-be-coming 40G tank. Only on the side did I notice that 2 stems of the Star Grass were withering away and when I finally dug out the test kit I noticed a very low CO2 concentration, and going with it a high level of nutrients. There are multiple options of why that would be, one of which is that the diffuser - which hadn't been cleaned in almost 3 weeks and also loses a lot of bubbles that bypass the spray bar and reach the surface straigh up - is not working as expected. I decided to tackle this as the cause and the following pictures will show my changes. Another thing that needed change was the right tank side where the Hygro angustifolia started to shade all smaller plants in the foreground and the heavily water rooted Alternanthera in the background (which had been trimmed a few times before). Here is the tank last weekend: Week 32 |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now here is a picture of the tank from yesterday before I made any changes. One observation I thought I made during the week was a reduction in growth, but when comparing the shot from last week to this one it seems that growth is actually pretty good. The Star Grass and the Hygro both have gained a few inches, and so did the Ludwigia on the left: Tank before Changes - This Weekend |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:20 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the tank now after my changes. I completely removed the Alternanthera (2 stems) from the right way back, you couldn't see it there anymore anyway. I cut off a few shoots from that root mess and planted them all over the tank so they can grow out in better light. Next, I moved the Hygro in the back on the right, I had to redo it once as the left stem cramped the right stem too much. I separated them with a Helferi that I placed between them. Furthermore, I removed the Pearl Grass from the front right and gave it a good trimming (bottoms cut away) and replanted them in that spot. Given that this process for sure stirred up some gunk I decided not to further upset the tank and left all other plants alone, hoping the Star Grass can handle one more week before it needs trimming. Week 33 - Yesterday |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:26 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The next two pictures show you the tank in halfs. First, the "new" right half with the set-back Hygro. Its shade is over a grouping of Green Wendtii and I think it will not hinder that plant's growth. I noticed that the Espei like to hang out in the stems of the Gygro now, usually they did not mingle on the right tank side too much. In the right front you can see some of the Alternanthera cuttings, I know I will have to replant them somewhere else once they grow taller. Also, you can see some of the Blyxa in the foreground. All week long I had to re-root at least 2 of them every day as these suckers really love to float up. Right Tank Side |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:31 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | See full tank shots and more on bottom of last page This is the left sideof the tank, basically untouched in a while with the exception of the addition of Blyxa stems and cutting from the Alternanthera. I really like the look of the overhanging Ludwigia, creating some shade for the Anubias below and developing some nice water roots that look like a curtain. This picture also reveals my action towards CO2 improvement. Besides cleaning the diffuser (not visible on the left) I added a very small Rio power head (Rio 50) just below the spray bar and straight up from the diffuser. A lot of bubbles now are actually sucked up into the power head and pushed to the right side of the tank. From the ones that bypass the power head most are caught by the spray bar and pushed over as well. The percentage that reaches the surface right away had been greatly reduced. Left Tank Side |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:36 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a close-up from the output of the Rio pump. You can see the large amount of bubbles being washed over the Ludwigia Hanging Garden. I finished my water change yesterday at around 1PM. By 8PM I measured some tank values (remember that I cranked up the CO2 a little the night before): - A ph of about 6.6, if not less (but not 6.4) - A KH of around 5 Now, this gives me at least 38ppm of CO2. I guess I will have to keep a close eye on the tank today as it is the first day where I add CO2 in this fashion for the full time. CO2 over Ludwigia |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:42 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now a change of topic Yesterday afternoon we had to go to Petco and buy some kitty litter. Of course, as usual I was perusing the fish isle, usually not really a delightful event. Well what can I say, I came across one tank, looked at it for a few minutes, and ended up with this: New Fish |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | In this tank were a bunch of German Rams (plus other fish), all on the smaller side. In the center, in the hole of the one rock that was in the tank, was a female. The male was behind the rock and chased away any other Ram that came near. I typical chain store fashion, when I started to explain to the sales person which 2 fish I would like she already ripped open the top cover of the tank, causing the female to flee to the group of rams and losing almost all color instantly. Got me rather mad, I have to say. I think I was able to identify her again, but I cannot be sure. They seem to get along well though. I am not really scared that this experiment may not work out (some may remember that I failed with German Rams once before) as I paid much less for both of them together than I paid of one in the LFS. Also, I think I know more about SA cichlids now (see my Apistos). Nevertheless, it is a major gamble Here is a close-up of the male a few minutes after the 2 hour transition phase: Male German Ram |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:51 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | He had never completely lost his colors, but didn't stay like this either while being transported. Compared to the last pair I had these are rather small. Here is another shot of the male, forgive me for not cleaning the side glass pannel of the tank, I didn't expect visitors. Male German Ram II |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:53 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a shot of the female. She lost all her color during the transport, became a dull gray with black spots on the sides that almost formed a completed line from head to tail. At that stage I wondered if this is even a Ram. I also thought that she may be a Bolivian. Once she was released she started to regain some color: Female German Ram |
Posted 14-May-2006 12:56 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Last but not least, here is another shot of the female. One can start to make out the dots in the finnage at this picture. I find it very interesting how these fish, including my Apistos, can turn coloration on and off. I doub't that they have the ability to trigger different colors on demand, but the involuntary changes are a good way to communicate what is up with them. My male Apisto, for example, turns the black bar through his face on when he is not secure. That is it for now, Ingo Female German Ram II |
Posted 14-May-2006 13:00 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Good luck with the rams this time around. They both look like nice specimens. Cheers TW |
Posted 14-May-2006 14:33 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Tanks is looking good I think your on a good path. I particular like the left size. You didn't mention algae so I'm hoping it is being minimized. Hopefully this time around the Rams will do better. My Scapes |
Posted 14-May-2006 17:32 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | I really hate to say that, but as far as I can see from the pictures both are females but I hope I'm wrong. Cheers. |
Posted 14-May-2006 23:04 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks everybody for the input Yeah, I totally forgot to mention the algae. In that department it seems like the BBA is a little advancing while the thread is stable to less. Untitled No. 4 - Nice to hear from you again . I have a thread going HERE where I actually question the male/female issue as well, but my spin is that both appear male as the smaller one chases the larger one away. What makes you believe they both are female. I seem to identify the 3rd elongated dorsal ray in the one I labeled male (above), but not in the other. Also, both are small and the "potential" female is even smaller, maybe 3/4 to 1 inch. Thanks for any info you can provide. Ingo |
Posted 14-May-2006 23:43 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | There are few ways to identify male rams from female rams and the ray extension is one of them, but it doesn't mean that it is the only way or that it's 100% accurate. A picture of a female ram That one fish is a good example as by the ray extensions point out to it being a male while it is actually a female. I'm quite sure as I've seen her spawning a few times. The pink belly can also be helpful to sex them as males will never have a pink belly, but it doesn't mean that females have them 100% of the time, so if a fish has a pink belly it means it's a female. If it doesn't, it doesn't say that it's 100% a male. Same with the blue specks on the black spot. A male will never have them, a female will usually have them. Moreover, when the there is a group of males only, the dominant male will supress the rest of the males and they in turn will acquire female traits. When only females are present, the dominant female will chase the other female and will acquire male traits. In any case, I think that both are females just because it looks like a female. It's hard for me to explain exactly what about it looks like a female but it's something with the head and the body shape. But still, I might be wrong. And for comparison, a picture of a male ram. |
Posted 15-May-2006 00:28 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Untitled No. 4 Thanks for the quick reply. I spent the meantime with taking more shots of them and maybe this can shed more light on the situation. I am utterly confused by now and lost all faith in sexing them, your entry supports that with the male taking on female trades and vice versa. Here is the situation, the smaller and less colorful chasing the larger and more colorful Ram. The chase is on |
Posted 15-May-2006 00:43 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now here is the best shot I could get of the more colorful one (also bigger), formerly identified as male. The first 3 rays of the dorsal fin are shortest, shorter, and normal. The black dot on the side shows in its outer parameter blue speckles, maybe indicating a female. Also, maybe the rounded end of the dorsal could indicate a female. Overall, I have no clue More Colorful one |
Posted 15-May-2006 00:46 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the smaller and less colorful one. Dorsal fin tip similar to the other, although length difference in the rays is more ounced. This one also displays blue speckles in the outer perimiter of the black spot, and the rounded end of the dorsal fin. Somehow I was under the impression that: - If both fish are the same sex than the dominant would be the more colorful one - If the are of different sex then the dominant fish would be the male My latest logic implies (and I may be waaaayyyyy off) that the small one is a male and the larger a female. The Other One |
Posted 15-May-2006 00:52 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | * The dominant fish would be more colourful unless genetics make it duller. * Dominant fish can be female too, especially with cichlids. The female might challenge the male's strength to see if he's a good breeding material and if it's weaker than she is she will chase him out of her territory. One thing female rams can't stand at all are weak males. * I'm still pretty much convinced that both of your fish are females though. |
Posted 15-May-2006 08:00 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Untitled No. 4, Thanks again for the reply. I think I could handle 2 females better than 2 males, as this always allows me to add one male later on (no space right now). Let's hope that any fighting will not conclude in one being so stressed that it would die, the 20G should leave enough space for both, I hope. I guess that is why Apsitos give you much less trouble, there is no way to confuse a male with a female . Thanks again, Ingo |
Posted 15-May-2006 10:53 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | They both should be fine in 20 gallons, especially as it's well planted and the submissive one will have enough places to hide. They also should calm down when they realise they living in autpian tank without males and will form an alternative community for female rams only. Apistos can be confusing as well, by the way. I've had a few sent over to me from a breeder a long time ago and he sent me two males and four females. I've divided them into two tanks with one male and two females per tank and only after a while I found out that what I thought was a male was actually a female. Sometimes when they come from a good brood the females are so colourful and nice that when juvenile it is easy to confuse them for being males. Also, I just remembered that it's being said that rams bred in the far-east are being given hormones to appear more colourful which might make males look like females, so you still might have a male in there somewhere. I wonder if that makes your fish transvestite (assuming it is a male)? |
Posted 15-May-2006 16:59 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I don't know, guess I will have to wait until he undresses himself to find that out. Untitled No. 4 - thank you so much for the input, you know that I have always highly valued your comments (and that since almost one year now) Ingo |
Posted 15-May-2006 18:21 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Untitled No. 4, It's been a long time since you've joined our friendly little discussion group. You seem to have alot of experience with both fish and plants, but I realized I've never seen one of your setups. Can you treat us with a pic of one past or present? My Scapes |
Posted 15-May-2006 22:56 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | Tetratech, There are a few things that I have quite an experience with and one of those things are rams. I have kept rams for a while now and I know a serious breeder and everything I know comes from him. Regarding the male/female situation, I look at a fish and tell myself "oh, nice male/female" without even thinking about it. They just look different. As for plants, my first planted tank was when about 16 years ago or something but I was a kid and it was just a tank with plants. I only took it seriously about two years ago. Unfortunately, experience doesn't necessarily equals success. Actually, in my experience experience equals failure. I have been very successful about a year and a half ago and then I started reading more and since then it's all gone down hill and the lowest point of my planted tank experience was about two weeks ago when I decided to give up and also went on holidays for 12 days. When I came back my tank was the best it has been for a while and i decided to take it slowly again. In other words, the more you know, the more you can mess up. At the moment my tank is recovering very nicely albeit slowly and I'm very optimistic. As for pictures of my set up, my grandmother always told me that you don't show a half baked work and my new tank has never even been quarter baked! That's why you have never seen any pictures of it and never would until I thought it was 6/9 baked. But then you've asked specifically and I will oblige, but only later today as the last picture on my log (which is supposed to be for personal use only -- for me to be able to follow my "prgoress" ) was taken about three weeks ago, just before the "big flop" and I want to take another one today before I present it for the world. I also would like to find a picture of my other tank when it was at its best and as it is now (which is not bad, in my opinion) to ease my embarrasment. I also promise not to hijack Little Fish's thread and start my own, and with the time zone difference you should have something to read at just about those dead hours at work. To be continued... |
Posted 16-May-2006 09:20 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Untitled No. 4, See, that is where we are different. I have no shame () showing my tank at any stage. I may bug my fellow planters too much when I go on and on about algae issues and what not, but on the other hand I also believe that I show "the world" that not all tanks look like Amanos. We all know that even the grand masters of Planted Tanks had loads of failures before the mastered the art. And yes, somehow they don't present these failures in a visual form. But why not? What is the worst case? Others see/hear you ranting about your miserable tank and this makes them feel better about themselves as they a) know they are not alone or b) their tanks actually look better (but are not master pieces either). In my opinion, I am not in a competition with my fellow planters. Sure do I envy tetratech and bensaf for their very nice looking tanks, but in a positive way. And I strongly believe that my tank would look worse now if I hadn't shown all the issues I had so far and these visual clues allowed others to advise better on what to do. I don't mean this entry to state that all people should open up their "ugly tank vault" if they feel uncomfortable with it, but think about it. It is just a hobby Ingo |
Posted 16-May-2006 10:52 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | See, that is where we are different. I have no shame Of course you have no shame, your from Jersey Untitled, I could certainly appreciate those comments, everyone has had issues at one point or another. It's the only way to learn. You were there when I first started my log and whoever goes thru it will see some of them. In fact I created a "Horrific Tank Thread" for people to show some of their problems and as LF has pointed out even Amano had problems. My Scapes |
Posted 16-May-2006 12:30 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Of course you have no shame, your from Jersey Well, albeit I am a resident of New Jersey, I am actually from Germany (and we got no shame either ). Another topic: The rams don't seem to do too well, when I came home last night they were simply hanging out in different, more or less hidden, parts of the tank. Their breathing was rather heavy. I made a 50% water change right away, but even an hour later it was the same. The 24 hours following the purchase they were swimming through the tank and picked out some goodies from the moss. Now they don't even eat when I feed anymore. Doesn't look good And another topic: Last night I measure the big tank ph as I had not done so after adding the power head and having the CO2 on for the full day. It seems like I have a ph of around 6.4 , which - combined with a KH of around 5 - should give me 60ppm of CO2, and that 2 hours before lights out. Am I pushing it? Ingo |
Posted 16-May-2006 13:13 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Rams, What tank are these in and with what? Big tank, I think if your fish look fine leave it. My Scapes |
Posted 16-May-2006 13:29 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | tetratech, The Rams are in the 20G Long QT, with 3 platies and 3 Dwarf Neon Rainbows that I aquired a week earlier. All other fish are as spunky as ever. Fish in the big tank look and behave normally, thanks for the advice on leaving the current CO2 flow. Ingo |
Posted 16-May-2006 15:38 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 | Hi LF, Yes, I think that with those readings you are "pushing it." I'd back off on the CO2 by a bubble or so and let the pH climb a bit more and get the CO2 down to around 30. Frank -->>> The Confidence of Amateurs, is the Envy of Professionals <<<-- |
Posted 16-May-2006 15:40 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, What's the no3 level about in the 20g. Unfortunately when you buy these rams from stores they aren't used to any planted tank conditions and I know they need to adjust to no3 levels. I personally would check that and keep doing water changes to keep the water pristine. Back to the PH, Frank taking the cautious road (fish frist) so I understand where he's going. Truth be told we really don't know your exact co2 range. If your PH is really 6.6 and not 6.4 and your kh is really 4 and not 5, than your co2 is really 30ppm that's why you have to see the reaction of the fish. I constantly have a ph of like 6.0 with a kh of 2/3 and I have absolutely no problem with any fish, only when I acclimate new fish to quickly. My Scapes |
Posted 16-May-2006 15:52 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | Little Fish, Rams, what you're describing is a typical problem with Rams (and some other cichlids, Discus, for instance) and it's a matter of internal bacterial infections, or hexamita. Being on the sensitive side of things they are e to it and it might result from poor water conditions, continuous bullying, unstable water conditions and so on. In your case I guess it's mostly because of moving to a new home, and perhaps an acclimation period which was too short. Usually the first sign of the disease is that the fish stop eating, sometimes they try to eat but spit it back (always pay attention to their eating habits!) and becoming shy. Then they usually have white and long excrement and usually they darken (which most people think is a good thing as it looks as if they colour up). Later it might develop into hole in the head disease and so on. Bottom line: you must act now or they will most likely die. Treatment: well, I've had good experience with Waterlife's Octozin and JBL's Furanol. I prefer Furanol as you can give the fish a dip for half an hour instead of dosing the whole tank. Anyway, I don't think this information will be of any help as I don't think either products is available in America. You'll have to ask American aquarists for recommended medications available to you. Try asking someone who has Discus fish or looking up Discus information as it's something most Discus keepers keep just in case. I'll stress again that you have to act as soon as possible as the longer you wait the less chances they have to recover. Hope this helps. |
Posted 16-May-2006 21:38 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Untitled No. 4, Thank you so much for the advice, you were right on (you sure know your Rams). When I came home I went straight to the ba Both are dead, seemed to have died not too long ago or the other fish didn't feel like eating them. I guess the forumla "Ingo + Rams = Happiness" does not apply. Thanks for all the effort on the gender identification and behavior issues, Ingo |
Posted 16-May-2006 23:10 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | I'm sorry to hear about the rams dying. It happens in the hobby, and it definitely happens with rams, especially shop rams which are bred in on a production line without any thought of their well-being after they're sold. I wouldn't give up just yet if I were you. When you decided to buy another couple just make sure the salesperson get you the fish you want. If he does that trick on you again, tell them to go away and call them again when you're ready and warn them you know what fish you want and that you will get them sacked (and not to mention castrated) if they don't get you those two fish. Then when you come back home take your time acclimating them. About an hour. There are two methods to do that: The first one is the dripping method: you put the fish in a container and with an air tube with a flow restrictor (can be a tie in the tube) you drip water from the tank to the container, about a drop every couple of seconds. When the container is full, empty some water and continue. Remove from the stove after an hour and place in the tank. The method I'm using is to float the fish in the bag in the tank and add about 20ml of tank water every five or so minutes. When the temperature in the bag and the TDS are the same as in the tank, I set it free. Mind you, I know my rams breeder and I know his fish are healthy and strong and that he picks his best fish for me, so I'm not too bothered. Finally, remember: rams are not only stunning fish, they are entertaining two and no two fish have the same personality, so it's really worth trying to keep them again. Again, sorry. |
Posted 16-May-2006 23:24 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks again Untitled No. 4, Yeah, I acclimated them for 2 hours, beginning with about 30ml every 10min and after 1 hour shifted gradually to 50ml every 10min. I guess the mistake was that it was a purchase in the spur of the moment. Not to mention the fact that I neglected the reason why I usually don't buy fish in a chain store. And I should have prepared the QT more to make the transition easier (if I had known that I was buying them). Lesson learned, yet again. At least I don't have to worry about who is male and who is not. Ingo |
Posted 16-May-2006 23:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, I don't think your ready my threads. I had a whole thread here on German Rams and there propensity for getting internal infections. Mine usually got them between 2 and 6 months. I didn't thing they would succumb as fast as yours did. In addition to acclimating slowly (which I'm sure you did) they need very pristine water with no perceived threats to their well being. Did they show any syptoms of an infection? Perhaps a UV would help to rid the tank of any pathegons before attempting to add more. My Scapes |
Posted 16-May-2006 23:46 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | No tetratech, Neither when alive nor dead did I see any damage by looking at them. And yes, I read your threads , it probably is more that I get a little too confident after being successful pretty often (recently). BTW, did you see Untitled No. 4's Thread already? Ingo |
Posted 16-May-2006 23:57 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | No disrespect for UV, but I think it's a bit unnecessary. I for one have had rams for ages without any problems and without UV. The internal infections that they have is something that they come with and will alway have and live with, but it will only become a problem in poor conditions but in my unprofessional opinion in most cases it is a problem of fish that are poorly bred, then poorly housed at shop and the shock of moving to new premises (regardless of how good they are) just finishes them. For instance, I get my rams in the post after they've spent a night on the infamous routes of the Royal Mail and have never had the slightest problem with them. They come out of the box and start looking for food immediately. Usually, if it's a couple, they will start breeding within a week. Is it anything special that I'm doing? No, it's what the breeder is doing. So if you do want to give them another chance and you can be bothered, start researching now. I had to wait 3 months before I got my first fish from the breeder (although since then I'm always the first in queue. There's nothing you can't achieve in the fish world without a bribe of some nicely chosen plants...) |
Posted 17-May-2006 00:07 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Ingo, so sorry about the german rams. That's so sad. I've never had the german ones, but have some bolivians instead. They aren't quite as pretty, but I've read they're easier to keep (more forgiving of conditions) & that the german rams are very sensitive to water conditions. I've been nervous to try them at this early stage in my career, but I'd like to give them a try one day. You should try again though, as they are really pretty looking fish. Cheers TW |
Posted 17-May-2006 00:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks, Yes, I believe I will try again sometime, but not now. As I said, I wasn't planning on getting Rams at this point anyway and I will now hold off until I am ready (whenever that is) and a tank is ready. Ingo |
Posted 17-May-2006 13:46 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | OK, new topic: Nothing spectacular, but tetratech - you use Greg Watson's KNO3 as well, right? We once compared the time between our tanks that it took 5l of CO2 to run out and I learned from this that I used less CO2 then you (not good). Well, last night I finished the 2nd pound of KNO3, where are you in that department? And - man, this Blyxa is for sure a floater. Yesterday was the first day in about 10 days where I did not have to re-root at least one Blyxa stem. Ingo |
Posted 18-May-2006 10:09 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | - man, this Blyxa is for sure a floater. Yesterday was the first day in about 10 days where I did not have to re-root at least one Blyxa stem. You've really gotta shove it down there good. The good thing about it is, it has a nice firm stem part so getting it in the gravel is pretty easy. Once it roots you should be fine, but I know what you mean about the floating |
Posted 18-May-2006 15:56 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Nothing spectacular, but tetratech - you use Greg Watson's KNO3 as well, right Actually for KNO3 I use Greenlight Stump Remover which is pure potassium nitrate. From my original 16oz container I have aproximately 2 ounces left. I purchased it at LOWES Home Improvement. The only thing I purchased from Greg Watson was the po4 and the so4. The so4 I never used, so I'm selling it cheap. My Scapes |
Posted 18-May-2006 16:32 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Greenlight Stump Remover which is pure potassium nitrate Does that mean that it is more N and K per tsp? Also, help me out - is 16oz = 1 pound? In any case, it seems like you used much less than I do, given that I went already through 2 pounds . Ingo |
Posted 18-May-2006 16:36 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Does that mean that it is more N and K per tsp To be honest I'm not sure. Well your tank is abour 45% bigger than mine and you've used more than double what I've used. But of course things are never that black & white, Take two 125g one with lower light and not as many plants, I don't think one would dose the same way. As with my tank I was dosing 1/4, than 1/2 now 5/8 as mass increased. My Scapes |
Posted 18-May-2006 16:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, this thread hasn't seen any new entries in 3 days, I think it is time to close it. Just kidding . Instead, I will celebrate my 1 year FP membership with 18 pictures, so get ready for more plants and fish. Weekly Tank Update - Week 34 This week's focus had been mostly on the delivery of the products for the 40G Breeder and as some of you know - this was/is not going too well. The plan was to set up that tank this weekend and the plants for it should have been coming out of the 125G. For that reason I let the plants grow rather tall and I may have caused some problems while doing so. Loads of plants cause loads of shading, which in turn may cause loads of die-off on the lower leaves. For some reason or another, the BBA is really taking off. Certain leaves of slow growers, and even some fast growers, really have a beard at the leaf edges by now. As I absolutely cannot wait any longer with the trimming, I cut down the Wisteria, Hygro, and the Ludwigia, whereby the first two have replanted tops and disposed bottoms. The Hygro angustifolia grew so nicely that I had a few stems left for the 29G. Pictures: Here is a close-up of the Ludwigia before trimming. It's horizontal growth was soo strong that it started to grow over the Star Grass far to its right side Ludwigia before Trimming |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now, going back to week 31, which was only 3 weeks ago. This was the last time the Star Grass group had been trimmed. You can see the few stems of the Ludwigia on the left, at that time, they pretty much reached their final height and the horizontal growth is just about to start (being pushed to the right by the current from the spray bar). Also, the Hygro on the right is about 2/3rds of the tank height. Tank 3 Weeks Ago |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:27 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | One week later, in week 32, the Hygro has grown just a little taller, not by much. Also, the Star Grass hasn't improved a lot, but the Ludwigia was on its way to the right. I did not realize it at that time, but there seems to have been some growth slowing limitation in the tank. Most likely it was the CO2 which had not been efficiently distributed through the tank and loads of it left the water immediately after rising to the top. Tank 2 Weeks Ago |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:30 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | One week ago, at week 33, the growth was measurable again, but maybe only because the last gap from plant top to tank top had finally closed for some of the Star Grass. Also the Hygro reached the top and had been replanted at that point. It wasn't trimmed though as I planned to do that this weekend to add the cut off stems to the 40G. That weekend, I added the small Rio pump to diffuse and re-direct the CO2 bubbles to the right side of the tank. Tank 1 Week Ago |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:35 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Which brings us to this weekend. Here is the tank before trimming. Growth had been tremendous during that week. The Star Grass and the Hygro really took off. I assume this validates the assumption that my CO2 was not working too well in the weeks before. On the other hand, BBA also took off, which I find strange as it is supposed to do better in less CO2. Check out the Ludwigia. The few stems had many branches on them that started to form a dense carpet over the Anubias group and into the Star Grass group, which in turn became so full that it even shaded parts of the front section of the tank. Not to mention the jungle the Hygro created. Tank This Weekend - Before Trimming |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, as mentioned earlier, it was time for a major trim of all fast growers. The Ludwigia had been cut back to start the horizontal growth anew. All the Star Grass had been removed, botttoms trimmed away, and replanted. The Hygro angustifolia also had been removed, this were actually only 2 stems (a third one, created from a trimming about 4 weeks back, had been left in place and is now the tallest of that group). Out of these 2 original stems I created maybe 8 new ones, 4 smaller ones of them ended up in the 29G. Here is the tank now: Tank This Weekend - After Trimming |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:45 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Having a hard time getting the camera focus on the BBA, here are 2 shots to show you some exampled. First off, this is a section in the tank that is formed by Crypt Retrospirals and Narrow Leaf Sags. One can clearly see how nicely lined up the BBA is along the edges of the individual leaves. I believe to have observed that most leaves affected are a) slow growers and b) shaded. Any ideas about that? Sag and Crypt with BBA |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:49 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is another example, a close-up of my beloved Isoetes Lacustris. Off topic, this plant is very interesting. If you have some time then peruse the web and learn more about it. For one thing, it is a "very old" plant that does not have the structure of most things that we call plants now. Having seen how badly affected this plant is, and knowing that I rarely can get my hands on them, I decided to do another Excel treatment. I added about 60ml after the water change and will add for the rest of the week daiyly 30ml. Let's see if this will have any effect. So far, the Excel treatment had worked once very well and the second time around just a little. Isoetes Lacustris with BBA |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:53 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Please make sure to check the loads of pictures (and a question or two) on the previous page Ok, here is a fish picture now, in an attempt to distract myself from any algae related issue. My Neon Dwarf Rainbows are doing very well in the tank, actually - it seems like all fish do well . Here is a male showing off his beautiful red finnage in comparison to his blue body (actually, blue reflection, but you knew that anyway). It is hard to get a shot of them showing color as they hang out mostly in the top left corner of the tank when I come closer, thinking it may be food time. In that section, the light is not shining on their sides and they are mostly shaded. Male Neon Dwarf Rainbow |
Posted 21-May-2006 12:58 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | For the same reason, and the fact that he is a rather shy fellow, here is a rare shot of the male Pearl Gourami. Besides him fleeing the tank if I approach it without food, and hanging in the top left corner during feeding, he spends a lot of time on the surface. This is a bad angle for me to take a picture of him as my tank is usually filled very high and the black top rim gets in the way. BTW, this weekend I was a little slow removing the hose from the tank and I actually filled the tank to the bottom of the top rim, about 1/2 inch below the glass . Should I lower the water level? Male Pearl Gourami |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:03 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The "out-of-focus" streaks that you can see behind the Gourami in the last picture are not bubbles that have been created by the water change, they are the output of the Rio pump that pushes CO2 from left to right throughout the tank. Here is another shot of it. You can also see the trimmed group of Ludwigia and a lonely stem of my Alternanthera. This is one of quite a few stems that are distributed through the tank, all trimmings of one tiny stem I added to the tank when I started 34 weeks ago. And that stem lived for quite a long time in a shaded spot and didn't grow at all. CO2 Distribution Contraption |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:12 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The major trimming performed this weekend also gave me the chance to account for all of my 6 Otos. I am glad to see that none of them had died as the jungle that is provided by my tank usually allows me to see maybe 3 at most. Here is a shot of 3 of them. To me, it always looks like they are singing a song when they attach themselves to the glass. Very graceful 3 Of My Otos |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:16 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Good Morning. We're up early for a Sunday. One can clearly see how nicely lined up the BBA is along the edges of the individual leaves. I believe to have observed that most leaves affected are a) slow growers and b) shaded. Any ideas about that? Same thing was happening in my tank. BBA on mostly hardscape and slow growing plants. It got worse on my Blyxa when it was more shaded, maybe because it was a bigger target because it was growing even slower. On the otherhand BBA was growing on the inside of the diffusor right where the co2 comes outs. Maybe it's opening is inconsistency. I mean it could be inconsistent light/co2/growth. This seems to open the door. My Scapes |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I also had a chance to make this shot of 5 of the Otos, but not all are in focus, sorry about that. These guys became extremely active after the water change, zooming through the tank from left to right and back, regrouping on the glass, then swimming around each other, and occasionally even chasing a little Espei once in a while . Maybe this weeks changed got them in the mood, although the chance for Oto fry is slim to nothing. How About 5 Otos? |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:19 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | And, while showing off the fishies in the tank, one cannot forget the Apistos that I added 2 weeks ago. These fish are the most trusting of all, followed by the Rainbows. When I approach the tank glass and tip with my finger at the glass right in front of them they don't even blink (well, they can't blink as they don't have eye lids, but you know what I mean). The Rainbows take flight first, but then return to my finger. Here is a shot of the male Apisto. Male Apisto |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:23 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I don't know if it is noticable, but I played with the camera settings for some of the shots. One particular element was switching from "flourescent" to "Tungsten" which seems to make the pictures more green. Anyway, here is the female Apisto. I like her very much and during feeding she occasionally lets me pet her side. I really have to make sure that she gets her share as the hyper-active Rainbows tend to snatch any food away. The stalking behavior of Apistos is sure a dis-advantage when it comes to competing with Rainbows and Pearls. Female Apisto |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:28 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | The last section of pictures is plant related (bare with me - only 3 more shots). Here is a close-up of the Wisteria I planted in the front left of the tank. It was once a small clipping from my 20G tank but has developed into a beautiful little bush. If I could manage to keep it that size then it would make an excellent foreground plant. But on the other hand, that would make my tank look too much like tetratechs Wisteria |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:32 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a shot of the Anubias that I purchased 2 weeks ago at the fish auction. To my surprise, it hasn't developed any algae yet. That Anubias was labeled as "hastifolia" but I have serious doubt (actually I am pretty sure) that this is not what it is. Anyone wanna tell me what you think? When looking at this picture I also remember that I trimmed about 6 to 8 leaves of the Anubias Nana and Barteri group on the left. These had dark brown alage coverage over almost the entire surface, at least the parts of it that were exposed to light. They had a hard time as I once had them out of the water for way too long. Anubias ? in front of Star Grass |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:37 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | On to the last photo for now, the area formerly know as Prince - eh, Rock Valley. It probably now could be called "the beauty and the beast." While some of the plants in that section look very nice and are doing rather well, other spots are just ugly, like the thread algae covered small piece of drifwood, the substrate which begins to have a carpet of algae (probably food and gunk related), and some Anubias leaves growing a beard of BBA. That's it for now, hope you liked the pictures, Ingo Tank Section to be Named |
Posted 21-May-2006 13:41 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | LF, I don't know if you saw my post in the middle of your pic upload about BBA. Pics are great, my favorite the femail apisto (don't know who's nice looking the male or the female) and of course the Wisteria. My Scapes |
Posted 21-May-2006 14:06 | |
slickrb Enthusiast Go Gators! Posts: 238 Kudos: 47 Votes: 99 Registered: 19-Jan-2006 | Great Pictures Ingo. And Congratulations on one year! /:' Rick See all my pictures at Google Web Albums |
Posted 21-May-2006 14:30 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I don't know if you saw my post in the middle of your pic upload about BBA.No, I actually did not see that entry. I was in a frency when writing this weeks update. Can you believe it, it took me 1 hour and 20 minutes just for the update, not to mention the time to select, trim, and resize all the photos. Interestingly I do not have any BBA on anything else but plants and wood. Nothing on the heaters, glass, and filter parts. Inconsistency, that would for sure be true, in particular with the increased shading of the last week. Thanks for the info, glad that I am not alone with this issue, Ingo EDIT: Rick - didn't see your entry until now. Thanks for the congrats and comment on the pictures. Yeah, 1 year at FP, somehow I did manage to add quite a few posts in that time. I wonder how much time I spent on FP during that year |
Posted 21-May-2006 14:31 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Just a quick update: As of today, I reduced the light period to 10 hours, one hour less than before. This means the new cycle is from 11AM to 9PM. Darn, I forgot to change the high light period to be later, this is still 1PM to 4PM. I will have to set it more to the middle of the overall cycle. This rule will have to be broken though on Saturdays as I will have to start earlier with the tank maintenance to keep my afternoon as free as possible (hard thing to do with the 40G coming soon). I would assume there should not be a problem with turning on the lights earlier one day a week, right? Ingo |
Posted 22-May-2006 13:18 | |
mattyboombatty Moderator Tenellus Obsessor Posts: 2790 Kudos: 1507 Votes: 1301 Registered: 26-Mar-2004 | I would assume there should not be a problem with turning on the lights earlier one day a week, right? I work right through the light cycle on my tank. Which means that plants don't really get any light during that time. I'd turn the lights on earlywhile you work, but leave them on until they would go off at 9pm. It wouldn't be a problem. Critical Fertilator: The Micromanager of Macronutrients |
Posted 22-May-2006 17:21 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks Matty That is what I assumed as well. The water change days are messed up tank days anyway. You shut down the CO2 for a while in the middle of the day (in my case for about 1.5 hours until 60G of water are drained and refilled), your ph changes because of the new water, so does the KH and GH, lights are different because you may chose to have only half of them on while trimming takes place, gunk is stirred up from the trimming, and what not. Update on the Excel treatment: I have added 60ml on Saturday, and over 30ml on the following two days, so far there is no difference in the BBA, not even a color change Ingo |
Posted 23-May-2006 13:29 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I would forget the excel treatment. It's only preventing your plants from pearling at this point. Keep moving toward the direction of a little more co2 and keep it stable. Keep reducing feeding, fishload and if possible the surface area of your biofilter and your tank will be more centered and your algae problems will be history. I could honestly say even the BBA is gone in my tank. It was getting on the Blyxa but has stopped since the shading issue has been improved. My Scapes |
Posted 24-May-2006 21:37 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | It's only preventing your plants from pearling at this pointWell, I actually opened my log today to report the first stage of success on the Excel treatment, some of the BBA is starting to turn red and a few spots are already bright red. So I will keep on doing it for at least this week. Nevertheless: tetratech - what do you mean by "if possible the surface area of your biofilter and your tank will be more centered" ? Like I should add more bio filter? Centered? Please explain. My CO2 is for sure high, I have CO2 bubbles all over the tank, tiny ones. But you know what, except for water change day, and during injuries or on Anubias flowers, I never have pearling. Me wonders if my light is too low. Ingo |
Posted 25-May-2006 10:24 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | If the excel is working great, I just meant what's the point if it's not doing anything. Nevertheless: tetratech - what do you mean by "if possible the surface area of your biofilter and your tank will be more centered" ? Like I should add more bio filter? Centered? If your still getting algae, than something is too far off center for the plants to make up the difference. Forget that your lights are too small, don't even thing that. I would probably have to run 4.5 wpg on my tank to equal your intensity. I think we pretty much eliminated that it's the EI program causing algae. As discussed before your doing the same thing many others are doing without algae problems. And the "center" with EI can be as much as 3 times off it's target. I feel very stongly as you know it's in your waste/light combination. There's simply too much light and too much available waste for the algae spores to stay dormant. Yes a large filter (more biofilter) would help. If the plants aren't growing well than more co2 as well. My Scapes |
Posted 26-May-2006 04:18 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | May I rock the CO2 boat a bit? Now I'm no expert on plants or chemistry but I have some experience with planted tanks and this is where this is coming from. Until a few weeks ago my 200L tank (not the one I posted pictures of) was miserable. Growth of some plants wasn't so great and I was getting some algae. I was more worried about the growth than the algae, to be honest. I was also reading everywhere that pushing the CO2 up would help so I passed the 30ppm mark and went higher, much higher, "it's okay until the fish show signs of stress" higher. Then I went away for 12 days and so shut off the CO2 and left only some of the lights on for 5 - 6 hours a day so the plants don't die, but not expecting any growth. When I came back I had a pleasant surprise. The plants that I had problem with have recovered -- they didn't grow much due to the lack of CO2 and no light but the growth that they did have was healthy. On top of that, 95% of my algae has gone. I decided to take it slowly from there regarding the CO2 and have only started with 15 - 20ppm (<1 bubble per minute compared to about 4 - 5 bubbles per minute before). I thought that later I could bring it up a bit more if I feel the plants need it. The light intensity has gone up again to what it was before and then a bit higher. It's been over two weeks now since and I haven't touched the CO2. Results? Plant growth is better and faster. Plants that were struggling are now flourishing. The algae I still have is less than the 5% that I had after coming back and it's only on wood, not on plants. Although I put less CO2 than before I have much more pearling (if that's an indication). And the best thing is that I'm happier with the tank than I have been for months. By the way, my fish seem happier too. Although they have never shown signs of stress like fast breathing or gasping at the surface, they have become more active and all the shrimps that I have are now all over the tank while they used to be very shy before. I don't want to sound like an evangelist preaching for a new belief and I don't think I'm in a position to start theorising and analysing. All I'm saying is that this experience has made me think a lot about what has just happened to my tank. By the way, the last time my plant growth was as good was several months ago before I bought the current diffuser I'm using. I bought it because I felt that the one I had added insufficient CO2 levels to the tank and wanted to push it a bit higher. Again, just my humble experience. |
Posted 26-May-2006 08:08 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | May I rock the CO2 boat a bit? I don't know about rocking it, but you would be alone in it. You tell an interesting tale, but I think more details are needed. You don't really say how heavily planted you were or what kind of plants, etc you had in the tank. If you were achieving 30ppm in a 100L tank with 4 or 5 bubbles per minute you couldn't have had much in there. It's not really debatable the benefit co2 has on plants given sufficient light and nutrients. I can't even count the bubble rate I'm running, but it's at least 4 or 5 per SECOND. My plants pearl everynite. My water literally looks like carbonated soda and the fish are as healthly as can be. As I mentioned earlier, IMHO it's all about balance and haven't the tank centered (within a range.) My Scapes |
Posted 26-May-2006 12:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Wow, Now here are two people on opposite ends of the opinion meter First of all, thanks to both of you for sharing your experience. I am sure that Untitled No.4 meant seconds, BTW. Also, I don't think he would be the only one who has the opinion that higher levels of CO2 are not necessairy. We actually don't know (or at least I have not read about a pin-pointed analysis yet) why we achieve better results on such high levels. Maybe these levels have some secondary impact on things (just thinking out loud) that help in most situations but not in all. I can for sure say that CO2 in itself is not a guarantee for success. My levels are high, no doubt, but I have no pearling of the plants, ever . Ingo |
Posted 26-May-2006 14:50 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Now here are two people on opposite ends of the opinion meter I don't know if it's really two opposite opinions, because in Untitled's case it wasn't a permanent solution. Untitled himself said that he turned off some lights and ran the others for 5 to 6 hrs. He saw none or little growth in his plants. That really doesn't sound like a permanent solution to what appears were algae problems prior to his "soft blackout". If his plants were getting algae and the fish weren't happy then something was out of whack. I'm constantly pushing 6.0 ph and kh of 2 or 3 and my fish are all fine. If untitled wants to report back to me that he ran a highlight tank with no co2 and his plants grew great and it was free of algae for a long-time than I'll eat my words My Scapes |
Posted 26-May-2006 18:31 | |
NowherMan6 Fish Master Posts: 1880 Kudos: 922 Votes: 69 Registered: 21-Jun-2004 | I know I'm late but yes, that soft black-out has a lot to do with the disappearance of algae. And I can trace my algae PROBLEMS back to when my CO2 cannister ran out and I had to go a few days without. The point is, there's so much at play here that we can't just pin it on one thing or another and generalize about eachothers' tanks. It appears that Untitled switch over to a non-CO2 tank, cutting back on lights and nutrients and letting the tank balance itself that way. Now Untitled and tetra, if you can't resolve this with words, may I suggest Irish bare-knuckles fisticuffs out back? |
Posted 26-May-2006 18:37 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | It appears that Untitled switch over to a non-CO2 tank, cutting back on lights and nutrients and letting the tank balance itself that way. Very nicely said. See that wasn't hard. Want to hear something really weird, I just looked at my regulator and it appears I'm out of co2. I don't remember when I got my refill, but it definitely went much faster the second time which makes sense. My Scapes |
Posted 26-May-2006 19:00 | |
Untitled No. 4 Big Fish Posts: 488 Kudos: 452 Votes: 33 Registered: 07-Nov-2004 | No, no, I'm afraid there has been some misunderstanding. The "soft blackout" as you call it was due to me being away and having no way/no one to dose my tank while I was away. When I came back I switched the CO2 back on and returned the lights to normal. This is really when the tank took off. Some more details: The tank volume is 200L (50G). It's medium planted, about the same plant mass as yours, Tetra. Plants are a combination of fast to medium growing plants. Lights have are the same as before. Fertilising is the same as before (a little bit of macros and micros every day). All other parameters (KH=2, GH = 3) are as before. Can't say I test too often but NO3 is around 10ppm, PO4 is 0.5 - 1ppm. And I did mean 4 - 5 bubles per second (again, something which is hard to really count). The tank has been running with the high CO2 for about 4 months and was rubbish. It has been with low CO2 for the past 2 weeks. I know 2 weeks is not a very long time but I think that when adding CO2 2 weeks are enough to get a feeling of whether things are okay or not. The reason I shared this with you is not because I belive that non-CO2 or low-CO2 tanks are better. I don't believe anything, I'm not into theorising anything and I'm definitely not trying to preach anything. I did share this because I thought it would give you something to think and discuss about which I think has some relation to what you're already discussing (CO2 levels, that is). That's all. I come in peace! |
Posted 26-May-2006 21:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I did share this because I thought it would give you something to think and discuss aboutAnd it sure did I for one would like to hear about different approaches and success stories while doing so. The more options are given that lead to equal results the better it is, IMHO. As tetratech said, there are loads of parameters that determine the outcome of a successfully planted tank, and with Untitled's medium planted tank, water conditions, ferts, and what not, he may have found the settings that suit him well. I, on the other hand, am still searching for the right conditions. I can report that more and more of the BBA is turning reddish, but I also have to say that my thread algae is advancing again (slowly increasing since about 2 weeks now, becoming noticably more recently). Ingo |
Posted 26-May-2006 23:34 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | Why ? Run with high light Co2 = things go bad, cut back light, stop Co2 return but back on Co2 and lights = things go well. What does that tell you ? Running with good light and Co2 the nutrients have to be there, constantly, even a temporary shortage will cause issues or stunting. Seems like something was missing or too low. Switch off for a while and everything slows down, less nutrients are required and waste builds up naturally. So when you come back and switch everything back on you are a little better off nutrient wise and everything goes better. The sudden lack of light and Co2 tells the algae to stop reproducing. Adult algae has a very very limited life span compared to plants. A life span of a few weeks compared to a life span of many many years for plants. That would be my take on it. Nothing wrong with going against the Co2 grain, we've become a bit obsessed with it. A lot of people see it has a cure all when in fact it can cause a lot more issues then it solves if the nutrients aren't right. The interactions between the nutrients are often forgotten. Nothing wrong with , say high P or K but these will both drive up N consumption. If the extra N is not supplied there will be more then likely issues, especially in tanks where there's a lot of fast growing stems. These will always be the first to be hit. There's a reason why Anubias/Ferns/Mosses are so easy to grow. It's a lifestyle choice Fast growth lots of work against the steady patient waiting game. There's a lot of pondering about Amano's Co2 habits. Some say he runs a bit lower and only has the co2 on during his mid day burst of MH lighting. I guess nobody knows for sure. But his stem plants are never the fullest looking so maybe he does run low, but steady. His choice of stem plants are usually fairly simple. I do believe the stability is just as important as the level. Certainly my own experience is that the high level 20-30ppm does work better but it has to be stable and the nutrients absolutely must be right. Having said that, I've said before that lower light and NO Co2 is the best bang for your buck in the long term. Yes the plant choice is limited and it's painfully slow but there are very rarely issues and it's a lot less work. I had a low light no co2 set up for quite a while. Never had to dose ferts and I was very very happy with it. Looked good too, won the aquascaping contest here. When I changed to more light and co2, yes I could grow more plants, they were fuller and lusher but I also had a lot more headaches. Lower light and lower Co2 seems to be less problematic too. As I've said before it's the norm here in Asia to run with a lot less light and lower Co2. But the plant choices are different. Not so many stem plants used here, and usually it's fairly simple ones. Lots of Ferns, Mosses and Anubias,Crypts,Swords and Grasses. Hardscape is of equal importance to the plants so high growth rates are not necessarily desirable.The slower plant types put less demand on nutrients. As I said it's a lifestyle choice. It's also balance, and as is often forgotten plant choice is part of that balance as well as the nutrients, light and Co2. As far as Ingo's issues - well I wouldn't worry about the Excel stopping pearling, that's just due to the de-oxygenating properites of the chems , doesn't mean the plants are doing less better. If the plants aren't pearling now it's not a light issue. You had heavy pearling before with the same lights, so that can be ruled out. It may be low Co2 or nutrients. It may simply be you now have more fish consuming more oxygen therfore saturation of the water which will lead to pearling is more difficult. If the gas and nutrients are good I wouldn't worry about the lack of pearling at all. Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 27-May-2006 04:25 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah Bensaf - nice balanced entry stating the advantages of low and high tech approaches, and even offering a middle path (which I believe is what Untitled has found) I never had strong pearling, ever . I have no idea why that was the case, I guess some parameter is always off, no matter what I do. Or, pearling depends on other factors as well, like fish load, but I didn't even have it when there were only 15 fish in the tank (but then maybe other things were wrong). What can I say - I am just not a pearler Tankwise, the whole thing is starting to become upsetting. I don't even have a chance to truely scape this sucker, I am afraid that any removal of plants (fast growers) would instantly cause another algae bloom and as such I leave things mostly as is, besides the trimmings. This is for sure not how I would like the tank to look like in the end. Yeah - it may not be ugly, and yeah - algae may be limited, but just not what I want. Soooo much to learn, Ingo |
Posted 27-May-2006 12:20 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | What can I say - I am just not a pearler LF, I'm pretty sure I remember some of your beautiful pics that showed pearling. By the way before I got the ceramic diffusor my plants never pearled but their growth was excellent, so as Bensaf pointed out it's really not an indication of plant health. Bensaf is right when he says it's a "lifestyle choice". I notice the difference between my 12g and 72g. The 12g does o,k, but nothing grows fast not even the wisteria and I'm dosing excel everyday with EI. There isn't alot of algae under the 27 watts of light so there is very little to do maintenance wise, which is a good thing because of the 72g. Here's a couple of points: 1. Maybe your lifestyle doesn't blend with a high-tech planted tank. I know you do weekly water changes, but maybe not seeing your tank enough doesn't allow you to "see" certain things before they become a bigger problem. I'm also starting to think constant trimming is a really good thing (if you have time to do it, which you might be, because of algae-infected leaves), because it drives uptake and makes the plants grow fuller creating even more mass. 2. If you step back from your tank (go ahead do it)and really think about it, why should you have these algae problems. As discussed many times, your doing what the "Master" and I "his humble apprentice" are doing. Light my Dear Jersey Friend, LIGHT. Now I'm not implying that your light is bad, because it's not. But just like in the bigger ecosystem called Earth, light (the sun) is the driver of life and decides what happen in your little ecosystem. We all know that when you have high light every changes, you need more co2, more ferts. In the same vein you provide more opportunity for life, which of course includes more algae spores joining the fun. Look what happens when a tank is near a window in sunlight. The most intense light of all. Your light even though your only doing a midday burst is very strong. As I said it would be like Bensaf and I running 4 to 5wpg. With that light on my tank I might be posting right now in a thread titled "Chaos Maximus II" So after all this time, IMHO you need to take a step back and take a larger approach. You must reduce your lighting or do a combination of more water changes, less fish, less food and add more biofilter mass. I would also push the co2 as far as it can go and don't go light on the ferts. Remember it's a &*^% estimative index - Tetratech out. My Scapes |
Posted 27-May-2006 13:46 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Deep thoughts tetratech, Yes, you did mention all these points before, and I guess a reminder once a week is a good thing The pearling pictures of my tank were mostly post-water-change shots from a time when I didn't know about the corelation between pearling and new water . About the light: although I hear you, and although I am close to try not turning my second row of lights on at all (as may be indicated by last weeks change of cutting down on the overall lighting period from 11 to 10 hours), I am not so sure that your evaluation of my light is proper. Remember that I have to light 2 more feet of tank than you do, that's 50%. Albeit the amount of wattage over the tank is larger, it is streched rather thin when looking at inches of lenght (and depth). Your light is focussed on a much smaller area. I am with you on the fishload, one reason why I can't wait to have the 40G set up and thin out the crowd a little. Food has already been greatly reduced. CO2 is way up. Cleaning my filter more often may also be a good thing, I have cleaned it maybe 3 times in the last 40 weeks (not good I guess). Ingo out |
Posted 27-May-2006 14:25 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I have cleaned it maybe 3 times in the last 40 weeks (not good I guess). In some tanks that might be fine, but not in yours. I am not so sure that your evaluation of my light is proper I certainly respect your opinion about the light, but please remember your light is twice as strong as mine and your tank is the same depth. I don't want to turn this into a technical breakdown of lighting, but that's a lot of light. Again the light isn't a problem in itself, but it needs a lot of support. My Scapes |
Posted 27-May-2006 15:05 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah, maybe the problems are filter cleaning related as well, I will have to work on that About the light, after re-evaluating your light (1/2 of mine) compared to tank size, I guess you are right, I have more than you do. What is your current light schedule? Another option would also be that I still have some shortage on something, most likely Iron. I only use TMG for micros and never add a product like Flourish Iron on top of it. Do you guys think that would be a god idea? I have an Iron measuring kit, but identifying such small quantities by means of a sliding colored comparison chart is anything but accurate. Thanks tetratech , Ingo (PS: my 4000'th post) |
Posted 27-May-2006 15:22 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I wouldn't worry about FE. The only reason I'm using Flourish Iron was to bring out some more red, but I never used a dedicated FE fert prior to that, only what little I got from dosing regular Flourish. You do know when I started my tank I purposely bought a 36" light even though my tank is 48" because I didn't want 3.6wpg. My current lighting is 96 watts from 9:30 to 12:30, 192 watts from 12:30 to 6:30 and 96 watts from 6:30 to 8:30. So I only have 1.3 wpg for 5 hrs a day and 2.7 wpg for 6 hrs. I really thing you should stop worrying about all the micro and macro levels. Just make sure they are in there your dumping them out once a week anyway. That's fine-tuning maybe you'll see slightly fuller grow or reddier plants, but I don't think they are the cause of your algae. Reduce light a little more, less food and try to maybe do 2 water changes a week for a while and see if there's any improvement. I bet there will be. My Scapes |
Posted 27-May-2006 18:22 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks tetratech for all the tips Well, just to finish that light chapter, your light is on at 2.7wpg for 6 hours, mine is at high gear for only 3, or I better say it was as I changed it (more later). I doubt that I will find the time to throw in another water change during mid-week, at least not in the next two months as work is a little crazy. Anyway, Weekly Tank Update - Week 35 Most of this week was back to my favrite (or most hated) topic, algae and its roots and control . The Excel treatment that I started last week began to show effects after a few days, but progress of these effects is sloooow. During this water change I trimmed quite a bit on the left side, the Pearl Grass reached a height that made it not so pretty anymore. Also, I shortened the left side stem plants as they were starting to redirect the flow of the CO2 bubbles. All this talk (or writing) here finally got to me , and I am willing to try things: - Filter cleaning will be on a 3 week schedule. I cleaned it this weekend and boy, it was dirty. May explain where all my N and P come from. - I shortened the bright light period to 1 hour, with 10 hours lights-on overall. Let's see what that does to the algae and to the light hungry plants As I don't have too many pictures of the tank from this week, let's start with a short review of the tank ever since the driftwood was added, in week 19. Here is the tank at that stage, a rather small plant load has survived the major overhaul at that time. Tank in Week 19 |
Posted 28-May-2006 11:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | By week 24, things showed signs that this was all not working too well. The one plant that did really great was the Pearl Grass, I guess I could have planted the whole tank with it. The other plants started to have major thread algae attachments, and all my tall "grassy" plants (helferi, sags, and retrospiralis) had a hard time to re-settle after being moved. Tank in Week 24 |
Posted 28-May-2006 11:51 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Week 29 was pretty much the beginning of going back to square one and stuffing the tank with fast growers, or at least the back of the tank. Nevertheless, algae still made its mark and could not be eliminated. The reasons for this are probably a combination of all the things tetratech ever mentioned to me . Tank in Week 29 |
Posted 28-May-2006 11:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the tank now from last week, as a comparison to the next shot. Many areas in the tank became fuller (compared to the previous shot from week 29), in particular the foreground needed more plant because the bare gravel was/is an algae magnet, mostly for threads. That week (34) the tank had just received a major trimming. Tank in Week 34 |
Posted 28-May-2006 11:57 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the tank now this weekend. I think one can clearly see that growth in the tank is at least great, if not exceptional . Star Grass and Hygro have gained quite a few inches and probably will need some trimming next week again if this continues at that pace (or two the longest). You can also see the trimmed left side with the little mound of green plants in the foreground: Tank This Week - Week 35 |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:00 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now some shots that mostly focus on the fishies, all tanken at low tide during the water change. This are the times when the best schooling in the Espei group happens. Here are "some" of them in the middle section of the tank. Also, I trimmed the Pearl Grass in that area and cut off some algae infested leaves of the Wendtii behind it. Espei in the Middle |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:03 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | May I say "Paludarium" Sometimes I think I should convert the tank into a half-filled paludarium as emersed branches are always appealing to me. On the other hand, I guess I need a little more water for the 100 fishies Paludarium |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:05 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a (nice) shot of the tank Autobahn during water change. I don't know why, after so many weeks of doing this water change, the Espei always seem to worry that all the water will be gone. As such, they peruse the tank from left to right and back again, over and over. This picture also shows you an overexposed look at the Wisteria foreground mound on the left of the tank with the trimmed Pearl Grass to its left. The Wendtii begind it also had its leaves trimmed (algae). Autobahn |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:09 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a close look at the Espei group, hovering around the Wisteria mound. Never ever did I see a situation in which all Espei swim into the same direction, at least one of the gang always appears to have a different opinion on where to go and what to do next. Wait a minute, isn't that how we work here as well ? Espei Closer |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:12 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here are now a few pictures of some fishies other than Espei. Here is the male Apisto viejita II telling the surrounding fish to stay away from him. The rainbow looks like he is wondering why the Apisto doesn't want to play with him. Oh, rainbows - I think I will add the 3 that are in the QT since 3 weeks a little later today. I hope the existing 5 (3m and 2f) will welcome them into their school, but new hierarchy "games" can be expected. Apisto |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:15 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here are two of the 5 Rainbows in the tank, a male and a female. I think it is this female that sometimes worries me a little. She occasionally (so far 2 times within the last 3 weeks) seems to be on the onset of Dropsy, with her scales slightly sticking out. I don't know if it is something in the water, or maybe she is egg-filled at these times. But the last time it went away within a few days by itself. Any guesses? Male and Female Rainbow |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Last shot: An exceptionally rare good photo of my Pearl Gouramies. Tetratech - aren't they cute? Maybe you should think about getting these as your center fishies. Oh, and if you wonder about my current Avatar, look at my entries in This Thread Have fun, Ingo Lady and Sir Pearl |
Posted 28-May-2006 12:22 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, With regards to setting up the new tank and the shovelling of fish between tanks, nothing is going to well I still don't have wood and there is none in sight, but that is not the reason for this entry. As announced in one of the texts above (I guess the one with the rainbows), I was plannning on adding the 3 from the QT to the main tank. And what do I see when I get ready to fish them out? ICH All 6 fish in the QT have ich. I immediately did a 60% and then another 60% water change, but I haven't added any med yet. I am not sure what to do, treat and risk plant and fish health or let them try to fight it off? I will think about it until the afternoon. I assume it came in with either the Rams (from animal super store ) two weeks ago or with the Rainbows (from fish auction) 3 weeks ago, but I did not see it until today. This messes up the moving plans for at least 4 weeks for this tank as there is no way any fish would go somewhere else before that Here you can see the tail of the Platy. The white dots are Ich, in case you didn't know. Grrrrr, Ingo EDIT: This was entry 2222 in this log, maybe this is a lucky day after all. Platy Ich |
Posted 28-May-2006 16:40 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Hi Ingo Sorry to hear about the ich. What a pain. I'm far from an expert as you know, but I'll share my white spot experience. It always happens with new fish. I brought home a sailfin mollie & a plain white mollie & had them in QT. I noticed the sailfin acting strangely, funny shimmering movements & finally just laying on the bottom. I examined him as best I could and found the white spot. Shops were all shut on this Friday night & my LFS did not reopen until 10.30am next day. When I returned with the meds, the sailfin mollie was already dead, but clearly the remaining mollie was also sick. It was showing the spots & just laying on the bottom. Thought it was dead more than once. I followed advice given to me via this thread http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/threads/27831.1.htm?15#& also advice in a pm Keith sent me. Basically this meant immediate 30% water change & treating with whatever white spot meds were available in LFS. Re dosing every three days, preceded by another 30% water change. The advice was to keep treatment up for minimum of 2 weeks (to make sure the disease was completely eradicated). During this time, the lights were to remain off, only minimal feeding, raise the tank's temperature & increase aeration. The recovery was so great, that this mollie gave birth while in the green murky water & has since gone on to have another lot of fry. Depending upon what you use, be aware that some of the meds for white spot stain the silicone sealant in the tank, but plants usually cover that & it's in the QT tank anyway. So that's what worked for me. I've heard others say they use a salt treatment, but I don't know the details. If you're interested, I can dig up Keith's pm & send it to you (it's on my work PC). if Keith reads this, I'm sure he send it to you himself. Good luck with curing the ich. Cheers TW |
Posted 28-May-2006 17:16 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Robyn, Thanks for the input. I do have ich med at home, one of the best from what I heard in the past (I used to have ich twice in my 29G when that was my only tank), called QuickCure from Aquarium Products. This means that I pretty much know how I would have to treat, the question is only "should I treat?" None of the 6 fish (3 platies and 3 rainbows) shows any signs of distress or slowing down. I will think about it over lunch. I guess to be on the safe side I will add it. My "therapy" is a 1/4 of the dosage, half because of sensitive fish (yeah - they are not tetras, but better save than sorry) and half again for plants, every other day for two weeks. In between 50% water changes. I guess I have my work cut out for me. Also, I was thinking about redoing the QT this weekend (bored and not much else to do with the 40G just not getting set up). You know, other substrate and what not. But all has to be scratched as I assumed the only fish I had to take care off during the change would have been the 3 healthy platies . Thanks Robyn , Ingo |
Posted 28-May-2006 17:29 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | I've always used coppersafe at 1/2 dose with great success, but I would use what has been working. Could be another reason why a UV is a good investment. Nice pic of the pearls. Ya know what, my rainbows have calmed down since putting them in and I'm starting to really enjoy them in the tank. The fence off once in a while, but otherwise swim together nicely. Maybe because there are now females they aren't going crazy. Like the the Baby Duck. I usually get a couple landing in pool this time of year. My Scapes |
Posted 28-May-2006 18:36 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks tetratech Yeah, I started treatment after we came back from the pool. This means the QT is off limits for any new fish for about 4 weeks (2 weeks treament plus 2 just to make sure). Yeah, the pearls are nice, but so are your rainbows. Except - pearls do well as a pair while rainbows need a gang . So - go get more Have fun, Ingo |
Posted 28-May-2006 20:42 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Hey Ingo, I forgot to say how good the pictures were. Thinking more about your sick fishies, although it seems like you've caught it early if no-one is showing any signs of slowing down or distress, unlike mine who by the time I realised what was happening, it was too late for one of them. I agree with tetratech that you should use what worked before. I dosed at half strength, as there were rasboras in the tank too. Maybe that's why the fry survived the treatment (though I didn't even know they were there until I removed the meds after treatment - couldn't see a thing in there for 2 weeks). Anyway, as usual the tank looks beautiful - your pics are always great. Cheers TW |
Posted 29-May-2006 00:05 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Robyn, Didn't even notice that you didn't say anything about the photos/main tank . I was too busy thinking about the Ich myself. Yeah, I am glad that I caught it in time, actually I am even more glad that I caught it BEFORE adding the Rainbows to the main tank. Lesson No.329: when transferring fish from tank to tank at home, first check the fish for an illness. Yeah, I am confident that the fish in the QT will be fine (keeping fingers crossed though). What bugs me is all the extra work (bi-daily water changes) and the fact that I felt like really changing the tank today . Ingo |
Posted 29-May-2006 00:57 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Lesson No.329: when transferring fish from tank to tank at home, first check the fish for an illness.Yep - for sure. Here's the next lesson:- Lesson No. 330: when transferring previously sick fish, delay transfer for at least 2 weeks after recovery from treatment, in case of relapse.As you know, I just learnt that one myself over the weekend. But I know from your earlier post, that you already knew this. Anyway, good luck. Cheers TW |
Posted 29-May-2006 01:10 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | There has not been much new to report about this tank in the last few days. I seem to identify a slight decrease in thread algae on the upper levels of the branches though. I cannot tell if this would be already the effect of the changes light period, or the cleaned filter, or the Excel that I sprinkled on them The one thing that worries me a little is the fact that one of the female rainbows shows signs of dropsy. I mentioned this earlier as something that seems to come and go, but the last 2 days have been "blown up". She is still eating well, and also has the power to swim through the current of the spray bar, but she hangs more often by herself in less turbulent waters than she used to. Otherwise, check my 40G Tank Thread for setup issues. Ingo |
Posted 31-May-2006 14:56 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Ingo, sorry to hear about the rainbow. I think I lost 2 guppies to bloat. I removed them to QT (as I'd heard it is contagious - don't know if that's true though). I lost them both, as I didn't really know how to treat them. Tried a few treatments, but nothing worked. If yours do end up having bloat, I'd be interested to hear your treatment. Good luck with them. Cheers TW |
Posted 01-Jun-2006 01:48 | |
bensaf Fish Master Posts: 1978 Kudos: 1315 Registered: 08-Apr-2004 | The one thing that worries me a little is the fact that one of the female rainbows shows signs of dropsy. I mentioned this earlier as something that seems to come and go, Could be just constipation. Can look a lot like bloat but will disappear in a couple of days. Try feeding them a couple of thawed frozen peas, but remove the skin. Rainbows love these and will devour them , they also help keep the fish "regular". Remember that age and treachery will always triumph over youth and ability. |
Posted 01-Jun-2006 03:52 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Try feeding them a couple of thawed frozen peas, but remove the skinI think what I should try is to get the resulting frenzy on camera. No doubt all my fish in the 125G would go crazy over peas and I would probably have to spend 1 hour to remove the skin of enough peas so that the "sick" rainbow for sure would get her share. I don't really want to separate her (additional stress) but it may be the best option in the long run. In particular because I currently treat the QT for Ich, she should probably better stay where she is. Thanks, Ingo |
Posted 01-Jun-2006 18:51 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | LF, Being I have been gone for some time. Whats the word on the Rams? I have kind of looked a few pages back but didn't see anything.... 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 01-Jun-2006 21:07 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Wings, - didn't make it, died within 3 days. Probably left me some ich as a reminder, treating the QT right now. Ingo |
Posted 01-Jun-2006 23:08 | |
bratyboy2 Big Fish Posts: 355 Kudos: 340 Votes: 1 Registered: 21-Apr-2004 | just wondering are the apistos showing signs of breeding yet? their such a great looking fish u should get them to breed... |
Posted 02-Jun-2006 16:04 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | bratyboy2, No visual signs of breeding yet. I think I mentioned it on my last weekly update, both male and female are out and about way too often to maintain any potential brood somewhere hidden in the tank. With this many fish (about 100) in the tank there is no way the fry would survive too long while the parents are gone. Maybe a few would, but as much as I know these fish grow very slow and as such would serve as "food" for a long time. Thank you on the compliment on these fish, I really like them as well. I mentioned way back that the female with her yellow ba Ingo |
Posted 02-Jun-2006 16:53 | |
Wingsdlc Fish Guru What is this? Posts: 2332 Kudos: 799 Registered: 18-Jan-2005 | LF, Sorry about the rams.... We just got a batch of them in yesterday that look really nice. Might have to bring some home and try out my luck with them. 19G Container Pond [IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric |
Posted 03-Jun-2006 14:36 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Wings, Just be careful. I would almost assume that your tanks will have to go through some settleing phase after the big move. Maybe you should wait until all has been identified as stable. Question regarding my tank to all: I just came back from the welding supply store and, needing a new CO2 bottle for the other tank anyway, I bought a 10lbs one. It will be hooked to this tank and the previous 5lbs will go on the 40G. The next choice I have to make is regarging the regulator. The new one I bought is supposedly better and more accurate (great needle valve) that the current one. Initially I thought about using this one on this tank, but I believe that a more accurate and stable setting is more important on the 40G, as mistakes would lead quicker to disaster. Do you guys and gals agree? Ingo |
Posted 03-Jun-2006 14:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, Lucky me. Good that I decided to buy a bottle for the other tank, or this tank, as shortly after lights on in the ba Anyway, here is the bigger bottle in place. Fits nicely. Oh, and btw, the color of the bottle is gray because the welding store distinguishes gases by the color of the bottle - CO2 = gray New 10 Pounder |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:00 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Another thing that happened even before the water change was an attempt to feed the female rainbows (yes, both of them) some peas. By now both show signs of dropsy, and the one with less severe signs is actually behaving more "sick", being close or at the survace at all times. So - how do I feed 2 rainbows with 100 hungry fish in the tank? I decided to capture them and place them in a plastic container and feed them there. All worked out except they didn't eat. Here they are: 2 Female Rainbows in Container |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:04 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | As you can see, in particular the left one has some major pine-coning going on. I thought about what to do and decided to add them to the QT. In the worst case, I would lose 8 fish, these two, 3 males rainbows, and the 3 resident platies. This decision was made even more difficult as the QT is currently undergoing Ich treatment. By evening, they looked and behaved the same, but they were eating flake food just as eagerly as usual. Could it be that the problem is egg-load related? Here is a close-up of the worse one: Dropsy |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:08 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | OK, let's move on Weekly Tank Update - Week 36 Not much has happened during this week, plants have been growing and algae seems to have been stable. This was a full week with the new light schedule, 10h total with 1h high light. I only trimmed one stem of the Hygro angustifolia, all other plants are planned to be pruned next weekend so I can add them to the new tank (keep an eye open for a new log then). For comparison, here are a series of shots spanning the last 2 weeks since the last major trimming. Here is the tank in week 34: 2 Weeks Ago - After Major Trimming |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:13 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | One week after the previous shot, growth had been good, but nothing special though. I guess during the first week after a major trim the plants need to re-settle first before they can focus on growth. Here is the tank last weekend: Tank One Week Ago |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:15 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now here is the tank as of last evening. As you can see, growth has been strong. The Star Grass reaches the top in quite a few spots, and the Hygro is threatening to shade the whole right area even after I removed a major stem (is for now in the 29G). I also cut off a runner from the Wisteria, it was growing into the Blyxa, and placed it next to the Nana Petite. I might take the Petites out as well and add them to the 40G, will see. This Weekend, After Water Change |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:19 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Now here are a few closer shots of plants and fish. To start off, this is the worst spot in the tank, with regards to gravel algae coverage. This happens although I weekly vacuum the front of the tank. I cannot remove the algae threads as they are attached to the gravel and I basically would have to remove the entire top la |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:22 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a close-up of the Star Grass on, and close to, the surface. This picture was taken a while after the water change, so the bubbles can be attributed to the change and not "natural" pearling in my tank. I hope the plants will be able to grow for one more week without killing each other. Star Grass |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:27 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a picture of the Narrow Leaf Java Fern. This plant has been doing nicely, maintaining a constant growth rate, albeit rather slow. This weekend, I separated one of the young plants onone of the leaves and planted it to the left of its mother at the spot where the main ranch of driftwood is splitting. Also, you can see the nice green carpet of threads on the driftwood and the rock behind it. If it would be static only on these entities then I wouldn't mind at all, it would be the shortest foreground plant one could wish for. Narrow Leaf Java Fern |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:31 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a close-up of the Hygro angustifolia forest on the right side of the tank. These plants are growing very nicely, in just a few weeks I creates enough material for this section and another 4 or 5 stems that are currently in the 29G. In this picture you can also see a few of my other plants, from anubias over crypts and pearl grass to the Alternantheras. Hygro Field |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:35 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Make sure to look at the pictures on bottom of previous page Now here is a shot of the area just to the left of the Hygro. The gravel is the same area as the close-up shot a few pictures back. The Alternanthera in this picture is also growing strong, and so is the Star Grass and the Wisteria. For some reason, ever since I did the major change when adding the wood - the Narrow Leaf Sags, Dwarf Sags, and Pygmy Chain Swords have been sub-par, to the point where they are dying off. Only a few seem to be able to maintain their size and keep on growing new leaves. Alternanthera in Green |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:40 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is a shot showing the entire middle section of the tank. In itself, this part would make a nice tank, maybe I should close off the sections to the left and right of it and only use this part. Without even trying, I am sure that there are at least 10 different plant species in this picture. Some day I will have to start scaping that mess. Mid Section Of Tank |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:44 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Ok, now to a few fish pictures. The first one is actually from the QT, this is the boss rainbow over there. I am curious how these two groups of 3 males each (3 in main, 3 in QT) will work out the hierarchy once I move the QT group. This is the current boss rainbow fish in the QT. Male Rainbow |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:47 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | As you can see from the last picture, no sign of Ich. All visual spots on the rainbows were gone within 3 days, the Platies needed a day or two longer. Nevertheless, treatment will go on for one more week, and then I will maintain them for another 2 weeks in the QT before considering to move them to the big tank. I have to be patient although I imagine a group of 6 males as a very nice formation. Here is the Boss Male again. Boss Male |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:49 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Next, and second to last, is a close-up of the male Apisto in the greens of the tank. With the green background and the effects of the 6,700k lighting, it seems like his ba He is a beauty and I am glad I got the pair, even if there would be no breeding ever. I have seem no aggression from this fish to any other in the tank, although the younger Espei tend to stay further away from the male, just to be sure they would not end up as a snak. Male Apisto |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:53 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the last shot, of the male Apisto again. This time he is swimming in front of a background that shows his natural coloration a little better. I find his fins to be very graceful, and so is the entire behavior of this fish. There is never a situation where he darts around, he always swims slowly and is on the lookout for foor (either on the substrate or from me). All other fish in the tank take flight when I come close (they may return later though), but not the Apistos. I always pet the glass in front of them and they seem to respond by coming even closer (I know - I lost it ). That's it for now, Ingo Male Apisto Again |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 13:58 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | Beautiful shots as usual Ingo. Always like to check them out. Glad the ich treatment is going well, but sorry to hear of the rainbows with suspected dropsy. I'll be interested to hear how you treat them. I lost 2 guppies to dropsy (I think - no pine coning though. They looked heavily pregnant, but being males, that wasn't the case). I tried a broad spectrum treatment and later tried sulfa, both to no avail. I hope you have better luck and that I can learn from your treatment. Cheers TW |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 14:38 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Good that I decided to buy a bottle for the other tank, or this tank, as shortly after lights on in the ba I don't know if you noticed, but I mentioned I think about 10 days ago that I had to refill my cansister on my 72g again. I also think I messed something up, because my low pressure gauge which usually reads around 10 to 20 psi is now all the way to the right at like 120 The 10lb is a good idea considering now with increased co2 I'm going thru 5lb bottles, what every 4 months or so. Anyway, you probably don't have to take the fish out to feed them. Here's a pic of what I do to feed my rams who never get any food with the 40 or so tetras swimming around, plus two rainbows: I simply put some food ( I usually do this with frozen bloodworms) right in the net and they swim into it. They seem to be more trusting than the cardinals My Scapes |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 14:50 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | This is an awesome shot tetratech Your rams swim right into the net for feeding, I love it. See, in my tank the male rainbows and Apistos would probably be in the net, while the females would not get a chance. every 4 months or soIn my tank, the first 5lbs botte lasted about 23 weeks, this was when I was injecting less CO2. The last 5lbs bottle lasted only 13 weeks to reach the "almost empty" stage. Robyn - I am not an avid fish treater. Dropsy can be cause by so many things that identifying the right medicine is a question of luck rather than symptoms. If the females will not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, then they will have to go to fish heaven Ingo |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 14:59 | |
tetratech Ultimate Fish Guru Posts: 4241 Kudos: 1074 Registered: 04-Nov-2003 | Thanks LF! You could see the male is completely inside the net and if you look closely you could see the bloodworms thru the netting. Getting back to your tank, I like the shot on top page 91 and of course the male apisto. Not to sound like a pitchman for UV, but your spending alot on your tanks why not add a UV. Not necessarily for GW, but to rid the tanks of pathogens that might be adding to the stress of new fish. Look what happened with my cardinals when I added the UV. I have a survival rate of like 95% as opposed to 50%. I'm pretty sure many fish carry these internal bacterial infections, etc but you would'nt know it until the fish is stressed. I haven't had any ich or other visible illnesses since adding the UV. My plants are obviously not hurting over it. I once posted a forum/poll about UV usage at APC and one Greg Watson replied that he uses one 24/7. My Scapes |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 15:08 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | and one Greg Watson replied that he uses one 24/7- One Greg Watson I will have to think about that. Basically I understand the profits, but so far the only fish to get ill in the tank are all 3 female rainbows (one a few months back that is euthanized by now). That seems to specific to be a coincidence. I wonder why that would be? Is there maybe some issue with female Dwarf Neon Rainbows? Oh, when you get a chance, PM me your APC screen name as I forgot it a long time ago. Bensaf's and mine are not that hard to figure out. Ingo |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 15:36 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Well, the fist female rainbow has been put down. After lights on this morning I noticed that she still was close to the surface at all times and rather often than not went up for air. Also, there were two noticable spots on each side that seemed odd, lighter in color with little to no texture, about 1/2 inch in diameter. She didn't put up a fight when I captured her, she must have been really weak already. The other one seems to be doing a little better, she is interacting with the male rainbows once in a while. Interestingly, she is the one with the more distinct cones. Ingo |
Posted 04-Jun-2006 18:09 | |
TW Fish Master * * *Fish Slave* * * Posts: 1947 Kudos: 278 Votes: 338 Registered: 14-Jan-2006 | If the females will not improve within a few days, or if they get worse, then they will have to go to fish heavenSadly, that's where mine went. Sorry about your Rainbow. Cheers TW |
Posted 05-Jun-2006 01:18 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks Robyn, I guess that kind of stuff happens, and we can only go so far when trying to "save" one or the other of them. Maybe the other one will pull through, she certainly is way more active now and eats well (although she did not like the peas that I tried to give her today again, one bite and she had enough of it, just like my son). Ingo |
Posted 05-Jun-2006 01:22 | |
slickrb Enthusiast Go Gators! Posts: 238 Kudos: 47 Votes: 99 Registered: 19-Jan-2006 | Ingo, I don't blame it with the peas. Yuck . Sorry to hear the other one didn't make it. Hopefully this will be the end of your fish troubles for a while. You have enough to worry about with setting up the new tank. They tank pictures look great as usual. I still can't get over how cool that apisto is. Rick See all my pictures at Google Web Albums |
Posted 05-Jun-2006 15:25 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Thanks Rick for the input, Yeah, the Apistos are very nice, but I think your 10G would be too small for them (in case you wondered), for two reasons: - The 8 fish you added this week - The territory that a male Apisto requires to claim his own All you have to do now is show these pictures to your wife very often until she likes them as much as you do. Once hooked it is easy to convince her that you would "have to have" a larger tank for them Ingo |
Posted 05-Jun-2006 15:49 | |
slickrb Enthusiast Go Gators! Posts: 238 Kudos: 47 Votes: 99 Registered: 19-Jan-2006 | I've shown her pictures of a lot of tanks. The problem is she wants new furniture in the living room. So she is effectivly holding any large tanks hostage until she has a whole living room set. Rick See all my pictures at Google Web Albums |
Posted 07-Jun-2006 04:41 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Yeah, I know how that goes. I had to promise to move out of my office in order to "squeeze" in the new tank for the ba You give some and you get some, in fish tanks and everything else in life. Ingo |
Posted 07-Jun-2006 10:38 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Weekly Tank Update - Week 37 Gang, I don't have too much to report on the tank this weekend as I was very busy yesterday setting up the 40G Breeder. That tank has now It's Own Log, in case you haven't seen it yet. The biggest thing besides trimming was a dicovery that happened in connection with the other tank. When setting up that tank I thought that the light looks so much whiter than the one on this tank. I thought they may have given me the wrong bulb for the 40, but it is a 6,700K. So I assumed my light in the big tank may be buring out or something. I looked at the lights and what do I find: I have the 5,000K lights on as the main lights for 10 hours a day but added the 6,700K only for one hour midday. Could that be the reason for my algae problems? I think 5,000K is not bad, but could it be that it favors growth of algae more by not being optimum for plants? Let me know what you think. On to the trimming: The tank was in serioud need of a trimming as I did let it grow so I have clippings for the 40. Unfortunately I don't have a before picture, but I will show the shots of the last 3 weeks and you can estimate on how tall the Star Grass and the Hygro angustifolia must have become. Here is the tank 3 weeks ago, after its last trimming: 3 Weeks Ago |
Posted 11-Jun-2006 11:54 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Just a week later, growth had already picked up again. I sure cannot complain about the speed with which my fast growers shoot up. If it should be the case that they grow even faster with 6,700K all day then I will have to trim soon every other week. Here is the tank 2 weeks ago. 2 Weeks Ago |
Posted 11-Jun-2006 11:57 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Last weekend was the time when the tank should have had a trim, but I decided to wait until this weekend. This is always risky as, in particular with the star grass, very little to no light reaches the bottom anymore and the lower parts of the plants start to rot. This, of course, is not good for the water condition. Here is the tank last weekend, the Star Grass is already on the surface in various spots. Last Weekend |
Posted 11-Jun-2006 12:00 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Here is the tank now after this weekends trimming. The process was a bit unusual as I first went in and cut off some nice looking tops from the Star Grass, Hygro angustifolia, and Wisteria to add them to the new 40G. After that tank was set up I uprooted all star grass, weeded out the bad stems, and replanted the shortened stems. I did not trim anything else as the day was winding down, when all was said and done I had spent 12 hours on the two tanks. As such, the tank doesn't look its best. I already switched which lights are on for the full day, to the 6,700K. Here is the tank last night: This Weekend |
Posted 11-Jun-2006 12:04 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | I also only have 2 detail shots. The first one is of the Espei. Because I was messing around all day in the room (setting up the other tank), they must have been "a little worried". I have never seen them school so nicely for such an extended period of time and not only during a water change or when someone bangs at the tank. Let me tell you, 70 fish in formation is a beautiful sight that cannot be captured in a picture. Here are some of the Espei in a colorful aquascape. Espei in Scape |
Posted 11-Jun-2006 12:08 | |
LITTLE_FISH ***** Little Fish ***** Master of Something Posts: 7303 Kudos: 1997 Votes: 670 Registered: 20-May-2005 | Last picture already: This is the upper middle section after the trim. The Star Grass is not even really visible anymore, the bright green comes from a huge Wisteria stem that eventually will need trimming itself. I took this picture because I like the color contrast between plants and wood. Colors |
Posted 11-Jun-2006 12:10 | |
FRANK Moderator Posts: 5108 Kudos: 5263 Votes: 1690 Registered: 28-Dec-2002 |