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  L# LITTLE_FISH 40G Breeder Log
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SubscribeLITTLE_FISH 40G Breeder Log
LITTLE_FISH
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Last but not least, here is the other one in the open. I treated the tank with metro again after yesterday's water change and I will spend the next day and a half thinking if I should treat one more time.

That's it for this tank and this update, I hope you like to time travel, have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Other Female



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Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2006 13:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
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This tank is really coming along nicely LF, I can't wait to see how it looks 3 months down the road, I think it'll be a stunner.

That pearl grass is one of the few plants that truely respond well to trimming their tops. The one thing I'm really enjoying about my tank right now is how nice a carpet that stuff makes by just hacking off the tops every couple weeks. Cool plant.



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Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2006 17:02Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
FRANK
 
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EditedEdited by FRANK
Hi LF,
In looking at your logs, and your comments about algae,
I'm having a thought or two on the causes/cures for the
problem.

We all know that algae is an opportunistic critter. By
that I mean that if it finds a niche, it takes advantage
of that niche and fills it. Now that niche can be an
over abundance of some element, say iron, or nitrogen,
or it can be a lack of some element as well. Or, it can
simply be the lack of a competitor (too few plants).

In your cases, you are adding fertilizer regularly, and
changing water regularly. But, in looking at the plants
in your pictures, specifically the close up ones of your
foreground, carpet, plants, I'm wondering about
the circulation between the leaves, and down near the
substrate. The same thought with the mosses on the drift
wood. Despite being up in the water column, they have
grown so thick, I wonder about the circulation through
the individual leaves.

I'm beginning to think that they might be
"nutrient sumps."
Places where the lack of circulation could
cause concentrations of nutrients and thus, the
growth of algae.

Just a thought. It seems to happen whenever the carpet
plant becomes too thick. Then, when it becomes unsightly,
we tear out the carpet plant and a few weeks later the
algae is back under control, or gone.

Frank


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Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2006 18:06Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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Hi LF

Enjoyed watching the 5 week transition snapshots of the tank. Thanks for sharing that.

Don't know whether I should say this LF, or not. But I will & ask you to remember what an amateur I am with apistos, put that together with being being a worrier after my recents deaths and then add a grain of salt before you even start to take any notice of me. I spend a fair bit of time looking at the belly shape of my dwarfs now & I looked closely at your 2nd apisto female. When I trace along the underside of her belly from her anal fin, to me she has an ever so slight bump where her anus is. It is bearly there and is probably nothing at all - just the angle of the shot & what not. But I mention it only so that you can watch what is happening there. I's sure she is fine & I hesitated to mention, as I didn't wanted to worry you for no reason. Matty didn't mention it, and he would have spotted it if it were a problem.

Apart from that, you have a pair of really nice looking girls there.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 29-Oct-2006 23:53Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Thanks all for the input

Matty - yeah, I hope that the tank will just keep on improving. I am glad that it gives me so little trouble and that I am able to change little bits here and there without upsetting the whole system.

Frank - I assume you are talking more about My 29G Tank, right? Your pointers are for sure correct, but I guess my issues there are related more to none or very irregular fertilization as this used to work in the past with gravel and laterite and now just doesn't fly anymore with Eco. This stuff is too good to be neglected

Robyn - good point, and ever since you described the symptoms on your Apistos I am keeping an eye open for similar issues on mine. I have to say that I have not noticed anything on the females in this tank until you pointed it out (and it really seems strange in the picture), but I guess the fact that I treat the tank now should help.

Thanks to all yet once again,

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 30-Oct-2006 00:34Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
jase101
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hey ingo - i just want to point out (because i'm a glass half-full kinda guy) that there is a lot more good going on with that second female than bad - clear eyes, great colouring, open, clean finnage, good red colouring of the flesh visible near the gills (highly oxygenated). i hardly think you need worry about that bump - it could be that she's hungry, has just aborted eggs, or a dozen other benign problems.

no disrespect to robyn, but i think when we worry TOO much about our babies, and treat them with kid-gloves, we actually have more troubles....

justin
Post InfoPosted 01-Nov-2006 10:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Thanks Justin,

You know, I was wondering myself how the females will fare now with regards to egg production. They must have gotten used to the idea that having eggs is ok, given that the male was present.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 01-Nov-2006 11:52Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Weekly Tank Update - Week 21

Not much has happened during this week, I am still debating with myself when and if I should get another male Apisto. I treated the tank with Metro 3 times, I think that should be enough.

Here is the tank before the water change:

Attached Image:

Just Before Water Change



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 21:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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And here is the tank after the water change. As you may notice, the hygro is still there but I trimmed it down a little (cut off the bottom). I just did not have any other plant that I could place there.

Do you have an idea what I could use in its place?

Attached Image:

After Water Change



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 21:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Here is the tank straight from the back. I removed some more of the micro swords on the left (added them to the 20G) and added some more Pearl Grass:

Attached Image:

Back View



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 21:30Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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And here is, for the fun of it and to interest Matty in my tank, the back view in an angle.

You can see how crowded the way right side is, with the hygro being blown by the current over the micro sword group.

Attached Image:

Back Angle



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 21:32Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
And here is another closer look at the Bolbitis. As you may notice, there are quite a few bubbles under the leaves. These are obviously from the water change, but during the week in the evenings I have even more bubbles there as well. Unfortunately, I think they come from the CO2 that is being blown throughout the tank and collects there.

Anyway, that's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 21:35Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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OK,

I saw them already last week in the LFS, but they are labled Double Red. So this afternoon I went back and asked, and without me giving a hint I was informed that they are Orange (I guess Flash).

Should I treat the tank with Metro?????

Here is the male

Attached Image:

Male Apisto



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 23:37Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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And here is the female. Should I worry about having 3 females now? I could not resist. But that's it, all better goes well.

That's it for right now, more later.

Ingo

Attached Image:

Female Apisto



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Post InfoPosted 05-Nov-2006 23:39Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Here is the last shot of the couple in the bag. As you may notice, she has lost all yellow and now has an almost white base coloration. I am sure that once she gets settled the color will come back.

Attached Image:

Apisto Couple



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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 00:39Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Please Look At Previous Page For Weekly Tank Update

And here is a shot of her after she has been released into the QT. She was exploring the tank and the smaller male Platy actually swims onto her side once in a while and seems to make mating attempts

Attached Image:

Female I



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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 00:40Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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And here she is from the side. I hope that the experts amongst you (Justin ? ) will ok her as healthy. She seemed not shy in the tank at the LFS and so far she is not shy in this tank either. But, she is smaller than the two in the 40G. Should I worry about her as the third female in that tank?

Attached Image:

Female II



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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 00:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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And here is a first look of the male after release. I have to say that now his fin coloration seems more red than it did at the LFS and in the bag. Maybe it is a double red after all?

Attached Image:

Male I



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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 00:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Last shot of tonight, male from the side. Again, could the experts please tell me if they think the fish is ok?

And one more time:

Should I treat the tank with Metro???

That's it for now,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Male II



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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 00:46Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
Tainted Glory
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Ingo you dog! Way to resist the urge
Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 01:43Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Thanks Mike,

Yeah, I could not resist, what can I say

I sure hope it doesn't come back to haunt me. I don't know how many additional setbacks I am willing to take with Cacs. Somehow I thought they are easier than viejitas, but they never gave me trouble (ok, having 3 males where 2 should be females is not the fish's fault )

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 02:33Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
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That's nice that they finally gave you a female along with your male. I'm not sure that I'd treat with metro or not. Since it can't hurt anything, and you already have it, why not right? They do look a bit skinny, but it could be that they just need to be fed a bit. It's nothing drastic or indicative of parasites IMO. They look pretty healthy by my eye.



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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 03:03Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Thanks Matty for the heads up on the Apistos. I think I have seen another male/male pair of other Apistos in a different tank at the LFS as both fish looked totally alike . Well, maybe they had 2 pairs in the tank and I only saw the boys, but usually they don't do that.

So, what do you think about the 40G being able to handle 3 females and the male?

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 14:38Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
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LF,

1.) Yes, treat with metro

2.) 1m, 3f - That sounds perfect, actually - that's a real harem now Nice pick up!


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 14:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Thanks NowherMan6

Yeah, I know that 3 is a good number, but I am wondering:

2 hills and 3 girls

That might lead to some fighting as previously both girls had fry within one week and each needed a hill for protection. So, what if that happens now with 3?

Well, maybe I should be more concerned with the health of the new pair in the first place.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 15:12Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
jase101
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gorgeous looking pair, ingo!

as already stated, 3:1 is a great ratio FOR THE MALE - you may find a bit of bickering between the two lesser-ranked females. and, they definitely need more potential breeding spots. i always try to have one more nest than there are females. so, get those film canisters out!!! hehehe.

good luck with them all - a couple of feeds of live food if you've got it to beef them up and all should be well.

justin
Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 22:14Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Thanks Justin,

I was wondering when you will peek in

Glad to hear that you think they are ok. Now, where do I get film canisters from? I haven't bought a conventional film in quite some time.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 22:28Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
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EditedEdited by NowherMan6
I have a ton that I could mail to you but they smell like chemicals. I dont think I'd use them.

Maybe get one of those coconut caves and cover it in bolbitus? Just disguise it. It's more natural than matty's PVC pipe paradise...


Back in the saddle!
Post InfoPosted 06-Nov-2006 23:37Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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Very nice LF

He still looks like an orange flash, rather than a red to me. I can see nothing that looks unhealthy, they look really nice & the male should enjoy his harem.

Re the metro. Who really knows the answer to that. Like Nowhere said, it can't hurt. I think you said the great Bensaf once said to treat apistos every 6 months as a precaution.

BTW Justin, no disrespect taken. Yes I may worry too much, but all 4 of my apistos died in short order - 3 of them with parasites (at times you could even see the tip of the worm hanging out). They weren't even in the same tank & never had been together. The 4th had suspected TB It has left me a bit nervous of them.

Cheers
TW
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mattyboombatty
 
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*Shakes fish at nowherman*



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Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 00:14Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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Has someone gotten a little offended?

Anyway, no space for coconut huts in the 40G, would look somewhat out of place. I will use the Metro tonight, for 3 sessions until Friday. Then I can clean it out on Saturday with the water change.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 00:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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OK,

Ready for your daily dose of Apisto News?

Here is the female tonight. She has colored back up quite a bit. Her finnage also looks like she is in good shape.

Attached Image:

Female Hunting For Food



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Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 01:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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And here is the male. He seemed a little picky during feeding. He neglected almost all freeze dried brime shrimp and freeze dried bloodworms. Eventually he had eaten a few bites. I see him roaming the tank quite frequently and picking up stuff, so I guess he doesn't like what I have on the menu

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Male



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Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 01:58Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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Offended, Hope you didn't mean me. I am happy as larry at the moment, with about 30-40 krib fry in my tank

Hope that once your harem is joined up, you here the flipper, flapper of little fins too

All looks to be going well for you. Nice looking apistos (and tank too)

Cheers
TW
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mattyboombatty
 
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No, he meant me, shaking fish. I'm not really offended, it's all in good fun



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Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 05:54Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
Tainted Glory
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Ingo I really regret not getting that pair myself. I must have walked past that tank a dozen times and peeked in everytime. Ah well!!! Seriously PM me for my number. Next time you're at the store, let me know. I've got friends that will take care of you. Retail prices are for the insane!
Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 07:58Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
LITTLE_FISH
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I've got friends that will take care of you
Now that sounds scary

Will they make me an offer that I can't refuse?

I will keep your connections in mind, thanks Mike. Oh - btw - I am actually fooling myself into thinking that I got this pair for free as I bought it with my store credit. The fact that I received the credit for the males that I purchased a while back (thinking they were females seems to slip my mind

Robyn - Thanks for the compliments, when can we see more about your fry and the lost fin?

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 07-Nov-2006 14:37Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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I'm going to update the 23.7G tank now. Thanks for asking.

Cheers
TW
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LITTLE_FISH
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Robyn,

Your fry looks good, there must be at least 20 of them.

With regards to the new Apisto in my QT, the male makes me worried a little. He seems to be a picky eater. During the last two days he barely touched the food, maybe eating 3 bites of whatever I feed (last night was flakes). I know how it looks when a fish is sick and does this "pretend eating" in order not to be detected as sick by the other fish in the tank, but he does not do that either. He is picking "stuff" of the ground and eats it, but that is - as far as I can tell - not part of the food I add to the tank. Maybe I have so many little critters in there that he is too full to eat. Or he really does not like my offerings. I would hate to have to go to a special menu just for him.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 08-Nov-2006 11:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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EditedEdited by TankWatcher
Yeah, the special menu is a pain. I had to to that for my bitas. No matter how I tried to disguise the pellets or flakes (by soaking first in blood worms) they would never eat them. If one accidentally went in their mouths, they either spat it out or expelled it out their gills.

For some strange reason, my female krib is doing the same. I cannot get her to take flake or pellets. The male will take them, but not her. All the nigerian reds take pellet with no problem. These finicky eaters are a pain.

I hope you don't have to go the special menu route, but if you do, I found frozen easier than fresh. Others swear you can wean them onto pellets, by soaking the pellets or flakes in defrosted bloodworms. Maybe give it a try. Didn't work for me, but apparently worked for some others. Good luck.

Cheers
TW
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LITTLE_FISH
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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
My problem with food that is frozen, or even still alive, is called "my wife" . I probably would have to buy my own freezer for it (which I have been thinking about, some small mini freezer).

Ingo

EDIT: how do you feed frozen food in the first place? Do you put it in the microwave to defrost?


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Wait - you've never fed frozen food?

Well I take out the amount I am going to use for feeding and put the rest back in the freezer, then defrost in some warm water. Once thawed I like to strain it out. Along with my own concerns, I've read an article in one of the more popular fish related magazines about how the juices contain nasty fish killing bacteria sometimes, even in the major brands of frozen foods. My other problem is the amount of nutrients in that liquid which obviously goes uneaten can lead to problems, especially in the SW tanks, but also in the FW planted setups. So after I strain and rinse with tap I either put it right into the tank or put it back into some water to feed intermittently.



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Wait - you've never fed frozen food?

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Well, tetratech had at least something to say.

Sounds like a major hassle for some frozen worms there,

I will see for one more day if he eats or not.

Ingo


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It's no hassle whatsoever.

You take the frozen block of whatever then place it in a plastic cup. Run some warm water into the cup. Slosh the block around until it's all broken up. Drain out the water so that only the worms/ brine shrimp/ larvae or what have you remain. Suck them up in your aquarium designated turkey baster and feed to fish.

The water is a nutrient broth that only harms WQ. Frankly, there will be enough nutrient broth coming out the rear ends of our fish friends after they gobble up all those yummy frozen foods - no more is needed!


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EditedEdited by TankWatcher
It's really not hard.

I take a cube out & while still frozen cut some off, as a whole cube is far too much. I put it in one of those little measuring cups that sometimes come with fish medicines. For brine shrimp & daphnia, I don't rinse these at all. I think you would probably wash away some goodness too by doing that. I do rinse blood worms in a net first, just because I don't like red liquid that comes out. Takes about 20 - 30secs to rinse away, so it's no biggie. Incidently, before you wash the red liquid out, this is what you can soak your dry foods in, to try to wean them back onto them. Anyhow, I then add some tank water to the little cup & wait until it is fully thawed & at room temp. If you use tank water, you don't need to drain it again, as the water is safe. Plus for the next step in feeding process, I need a little water in the mix.

You could just dump it in the tank, but I have less waste if I take up a small portion of the mixture in a child's medicine dropper & release the food in controlled amounts. Once they have eaten the 3 or so pieces, I squirt out some more. Takes longer, but I'm also interacting with them & I enjoy it really. They recognise the dropper & come running when they see it being lowered into the tank. They even yank food out of the dropper. They become used to my hand & don't run from it, especially when I have to lower the dropper deep in the tank to feed fry near the bottom. So I can put my hand right up close to mum & bubs & they aren't bothered at all.

About the freezer issue. I wrap each package tightly with gladwrap (I have 3 varieties) & then they all sit inside one tupperware container of just the right size. The container is labelled. If you packed it up this way, are you sure you couldn't put it safely in the freezer?

Cheers
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EditedEdited by tetratech
Well, tetratech had at least something to say.

Go to Matty's planted tank log for Round II of:


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In this corner we have.....

I like conversating...I hope nobody takes it the wrong way(especially the Protist Destructonator ) It's all in good fun right?



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It's all in good fun right?
Of course. LF and I have had a few over the 8,000 or so posts we both share.

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Actually,

I enjoy it once in a while when I am only on the sidelines of such discussions. Unsually I am right in there . And yes, of course it is all fun and games

Anyway, thanks all for the additional info on frozen food, I am sure it will come in handy. In the meantime, the male Apisto decided that he is ok with freeze dried blodworms. After having denied them once before, it was the third course that I served two evenings ago, after flakes and freeze dried tubifex (turned down, as usual). Last night he tried one flake first , but then went on to eat quite a load of bloodworms. I have to say, he is not the smartest entity in fish land. He expects the food to be exactly where I add it to the tank. If the current carries it away then he is not going after it. Lazy bum

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Wow,

I have quite a few pictures to post, so on with the show.

Weekly Tank Update - Week 22

Not much to report, except that I continued with the gradual replacement of some of the plants.

Here is the tank last week:

Attached Image:

Last Weekend



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And here is the tank today.

As you may notice, the hygro is gone by now and the middle section had been opened a little more.

Besides the hygro, additional bushels of micro swords have been removed.

Attached Image:

Today



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Here is a closeup of the corner to the short end that housed the hygro before the makeover. As you may see, the whole bottom area is pretty dark. When the plants were lower a female Cac used to hang out there once in a while, but with this growth she didn't do this anymore.

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Hygro



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And here is pretty much the full short end before the changes were applied. Again, all is pretty dark back there and not a fun place to be

Attached Image:

Old Short Side



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And here is the same area after the redo. Hygro and micro swords are gone and Bylxa has been put in its place. The plants have been created by separation of the one that I had in the middle of the tank (in the unplanted section).

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New Short Side



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Blyxa is a very graceful plant, I think. Here is one of the plants, the one that is in the corner of the short side. It even has bubbles tonight but I don't know if they are CO2 or O bubbles

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Blyxa



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As I mentioned bubbles, this is how the Bolitis looks every evening. Here again, I don't know if the plant collects the CO2 bubbles that are blown around the tank or if it actually creates oxygen. In either case, it looks nice.

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Bolbitis



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A plant that will need some trimming rather sooner than later is the Pearl Grass in the front of the tank. Now with the left side so low it seems odd that the right side is so high with all the tall Pearl Grass there. Maybe next weekend.

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Pearl Grass



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Here is the only real trouble spot in the tank, the area behind the open spot in the middle of the tank. This spot seems to be the toilet of the tank and it host quite a bit of hair algae.

This shot has been taken before the cleaning and trimming.

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Trouble Spot



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And here is the same spot after I removed most of the hair algae. It is hard to reach.

By now it served as meeting spot for snails to have an orgy . Or maybe they just play cho-cho train.

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Snails



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Here is a closer look into the open spot and the anubias that is behind it. That plant was previously not visible as it was blocked by a blyxa that I removed. This anubias was pretty much dead and lost all leaves, but now it has quite a few new ones.

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Anubias



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Here is another shot of the full front of the tank, in an angle to hopefully show you better the improved open section.

I guess the blyxa on the right of the open area could be thinned out as well.

Attached Image:



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And here is the tank from the back head on. As you may notice, I also added a few more blyxas to the left and did not only modify the right side.

I guess you will tell me that the blyxa is too lined up, right?

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Back View



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On to the fish.

Here is one of the two resident Cacs. They both seem to be doing ok, although there is always a chase going on when the bossy one comes close to the other one. Interestingly, the weaker one was the one the previous male selected for mating first.

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Female Cac



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And here is the new female hanging out in the QT. I don't know why, but she is mostly whitish and not any longer displays any yellow. She doesn't seem ill and eats well, so I don't really understand this. Even the females in the 40G are somewhat yellowish.

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Female Cac



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Check Out The Loads Of Pictures On The Previous Page



Here she is again, this time checking out if I may be having some food in my hand

She is very cute though, right?


Attached Image:

Female Again



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Here is the male now, hanging out in the front left corner of the QT. He is most of the time somewhere between the plants and looks for some food. Oh, one reason why he may not have eaten in the first few days was maybe because he was full. I found some platy fry in the filter and none in the tank. I wonder where they went ?

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Male Cac



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And here he is checking out the girl.

Every day I am worried that he will not make it. This would be my worst mightmare, as I would end up with 3 females and no male. But so far so good.

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Check Her Out



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Last but not least, here is a shot of something I have no idea on what was going on

In any case, it is one of the females in the 40G hanging with her friends, the Otos.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Strange Group



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I won't tell you that the blyxa looks too lined up anymore cause I think I know where you are going with it. It just needs some more time to fill in and it will look great. I like how this tank is evolving. It seems to be getting a bit simpler compared to right after you changed it, but not quite as simple as before you changed it from all the microswords.

I still think the one female looks a bit skinny, but as long as she's acting ok, she looks healthy otherwise.



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Your male looks more colourful here, than the pic in the other log. I love the front on shot of your girl, and yes, she is very cute.

I got very excited when my blxya was 1st ready to separate into 2 plants (particularly as it shouldn't even grow in my low light) but that is probably all pretty "ho hum" & common place for you. Still, a 2nd plant for free is good. Blxya is hard to find & expensive here (I have seen it for $30 a plant in LFS).

I don't mind you blyxa lined up like that at all. In the front, I really like the opening too.

Interesting shot of the snail, plus the strange playmates in your final shot.

Cheers
TW
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This tank is looking better, but there are a few things I would change.

The mound on the left with the Bolitis looks great, but the mound on the right looks alittle messy and not as defined. I still think in this type of setup you should have the two mounds very similiar and let the Bolitis be the dominant plant on both sides. Doesn't mean you can't have another species as support, but the same plant should dominate.

The Blyxa is too tall and distracts from the mounds. IMO the front foreground should be a low moss or other plant that will add some color but allow you to see the hardscape of the defined mounds.

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I really hope the male makes it for you! It is a really nice fish.. as was your last one too!

You have done a really nice job with the Anubias and ferns in this tank. I love the feel of it.

How long did it take for your African fern to take off? Mine hasn't done anything in the week or two I have had it.

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... cause I think I know where you are going with it
Well Matty, then you know more than I do . Maybe I have some vision for it in the back of my head, but I cannot pull it forward into my conscious thinking area

Yeah, I like where the tank is going as well, in particular because all can be done slowly and in simple processes. No major upset is needed to keep on going.

Robyn - You should commit a tank to grow out Blyxa only. At $30 you should be able to finance your whole hobby . Yeah, the male looks better here, that is because I post better pictures here than in the QT section .

Tetratech - complain, complain, complain . Now the nitpicking came full circle . Anyway, you are at least somewhat in sink with me. I completley agree that the right mound does not look defined. But I believe it has more to do with the tall Pearl Grass group and the plants on the right short side of the tank. Next weekend I will trim the Pearl grass there and then I will have a better idea on how defined the mound is.

I also don't know if I am into the idea of having two equal mounds, with regards to general structure (wood/rocks) and plants. Somehow I think it may make the tank a little more boring as in "when you have seen one mound then you have seen them all."

I don't think my Blyxa is all that tall . Actually, it never grew tall for me, even if I tried. Mosses on the substrate are too dangerous for me, too high of a chance to get gunk underneath and as such algae issues. Plus, let's not forget the spreading into undesired areas.

Ingo


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Wings - didn't see your entry until right now, thanks for the friendly comments.

2 weeks seems to be nothing for Bolbitis, it took quite some time for that plant to finally settle. I don't think it is really taking off yet even now. After 2 weeks I had mostly dying old leaves and I trimmed them away, the new growth was much healthier. Also, keep in mind that Bolbitis likes current.

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Tetratech - complain, complain, complain

Don't worry you'll have a chance soon to rate my 72g revision. You better be nice

I also don't know if I am into the idea of having two equal mounds, with regards to general structure (wood/rocks) and plants.

Just for the record, I don't mean two "identical" mounds just ones that the main elements are the same but are flavored with different supporting plants.

I don't think my Blyxa is all that tall . Actually, it never grew tall for me, even if I tried.

I guess I'm still trying to get you to show us your hardscape . The original premise was mounds with those nice rocks. I don't think the height of the blyxa lends itself to that.

Moss on rocks

Moss on rocks is pretty easy to maintain. You pick up the rock trim and put it back. Am I missing something here?

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You better be nice
I will try , but I am most certain that it will look pretty good anyway.
but are flavored with different supporting plants
The problem is that there is not much space for supporting plants. The only other plants besides ferns that I know would lean themselves to be anchored on wood/rock are anubias, and as such they would be the same
The original premise was mounds with those nice rocks. I don't think the height of the blyxa lends itself to that.
Agreed, but take another look at the picture on the previous page showing the new left short side after I removed the hygro. Can you see the rocks? Once the plant mass on top of the mounds has grown some more I will leave gaps in the surrounding territory to show off these rocks.
Moss on rocks is pretty easy to maintain. You pick up the rock trim and put it back. Am I missing something here?
Maybe that the rock would block the view onto the main groups as well, just as some of the Blyxa does. Or do you mean using moss on the existing rocks there? That would be impossible as these rocks hold the wood structures in place.

Ingo


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Moss on rocks is pretty easy to maintain. You pick up the rock trim and put it back. Am I missing something here?


Remember LFs big christmas moss rocks from the 125, filled with gunk? Once bitten, twice shy...


I can certainly see where tetra is going with the bolbitus though. Especially in an apisto tank. Territories need not be just hardscape along the ground. Bolbitus is a big fern plant, and letting it grow larger from both ends into a canopy of sorts can help break up sight lines and create mid-water territories.

Remember, this is basically a species tank, being built for the apistos - it may be nice to add elements to it with them in mind and their needs and habitat. A denser look would be very good for them, it would allow them to hide when they want and show themselves when they want. I think the bolbitus can help with that. If you have Amanos first Nature Aquarium book, check out the tnak on pages 122-123 for inspiration.


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Well OK,

I will check out that tank on the mentioned pages.

In order to stall you all on the Bolbitis issue: It still has some growing to do before I would even be able to attempt a re-settlement of parts of the plant

And it really grows slooooow. I know at some point it will just take off, but that has not happened yet.

Ingo


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And I'm sorry if that came off as pushy at all I didn't mean to tell you what to do with the tank or anything like that Just bouncing ideas etc...


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Remember LFs big christmas moss rocks from the 125, filled with gunk? Once bitten, twice shy...

Well that was the old LF, now he's "leaner and meaner" in terms of feed and stocking. Speaking of Amano, LF what is your hesitation of adding amano/yamato shrimp to the mix. Moss and shrimp are just so good together. Not only to watch but for cleaning out the gunk. They do wonders in my 12g in which I have only 2 and 3 CRS. They also ate the monkey skull clean of any BBA tufts that were appearing. It was quite amazing. I also have about 8 in my 72g and watching them crawl along the riccia is really sweet.

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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Don't worry NowherMan6, I did not think you are pushy, I just ran out of arguments
Speaking of Amano, LF what is your hesitation of adding amano/yamato shrimp to the mix
That would be called Apistos

And that for two reasons:

a) maybe the Apistos will eat the shrimp, or at least their legs, or
b) the shrimp will eat the Apisto fry/eggs

Ingo


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And that for two reasons:

a) maybe the Apistos will eat the shrimp, or at least their legs, or
b) the shrimp will eat the Apisto fry/eggs


a)Amanos are quite large and I don't have a problem in my 72g with a bosemani, apisto and dwarf cichlids. Legless shrimp

b)That I'm not sure about, but as I said before sometimes fishkeeping and algae free planted aquaria don't mix, espeically breeding fish (flower pots)

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NowherMan6
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If the apistos aren't afraid to shoo off another fish the same size as them when guarding eggs or fry, I can't see why they'd shy away from some shrimpy... err, shrimp.

I understand your uneasiness about them, but they really are great for nipping hair and thread algae in the bud.


Back in the saddle!
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I understand your uneasiness about them, but they really are great for nipping hair and thread algae in the bud

Nowher, to be honest I didn't know Amanos ate BBA, but I had several tufts on my monkey skull and they are all gone since putting the amanos in. Probably the less you feed and the limited supply of other algaes have forced them to eat the BBA?

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Hi LF, I understand perfectly why you'd be concerned about the shrimp eating the eggs. I agree apisto would not be scared to shoo off shrimp or other fish, but the fry hunters are opportunist. At some point of time, the parents will leave the fry (even for a few seconds) for food. It only takes a second for a creature (fish or shrimp) to knock off a fry. Before you know it, over a period of two weeks - there may not be too many left.

Just my 2 cents.


Cheers
TW
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Yeah,

Thanks all for the input, I will keep the Amanos in mind (actually more likely for the hair algae infested 29G).

Anyway, thought you may want to know that the Apistos in the QT are eating pretty well by now, they accept freeze dried foods of all kinds, like tubifex and bloodworms. They also eat some flakes.

The female, nevertheless, still looks pretty skinny.

This weekend they will have been 2 weeks in QT, do you think it would be time to move them "home"?

Ingo


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Wait until the female beefs up a bit IMO. She might have a hard time with the other two.



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Ok,

I don't have a lot of time, so on with the important things.

Weekly Tank Update - Week 23

Being very busy with stuff and the 29G this weekend, I didn't do much to this tank. Only some minor changes.

Here is the tank now:

Attached Image:

Tank Full Frontal



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Here is the tank in a Matty-Angle from the front, showing off some of the changes to the right side and the center. More to these details in additional photos.

Attached Image:

Angled



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Here is the tank in a Matty-Angle from the front, showing off some of the changes to the right side and the center. More to these details in additional photos.

Attached Image:

Angled



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Here is a closer look to the new right front section. A blyxa from the center has been split into 3 and one ended up here all the way to the right. In addition, my mini crypts from the 125G have replaced the Pearl Grass that used to be in this corner:

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New Right Front



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And here is the new, and most likely temporary, middel section of the tank.

Yes, that's HC

I got it as a present from one of my local plant guys and just placed it there to see if it even sticks.

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HC



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Here is a closer look at the HC after the water change. I would not have thought that such a tiny plant can pearl, but it does (at least right after the water change).

I will see how it goes and if it is working great then I will try to create a lawn with it. If not, no loss.

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HC Again



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
And here is one of the two resident Apisto females. I followed Matty's advice and did not add the new pair yet, although I doubt that the new female will catch up with Matty's fat girls any time soon. Eventually I will need to add them though, probably next weekend.

That's it for this weekend, on to the 125G.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Female Apisto



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LF,
Tank is looking great. I think the HC will look nice in the middle if you can get it to fill out. I also think that some sort of moss rock or wood would look nice as a border around the Anubias.

http://www.aquabid.com/cgi-bin/auction/auction.cgi?liveplants&1164128978
or Riccia or Pella.

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
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I really like the look of the two mounds and the contrasting leaf shapes, but I'm gonna stick to my original statement from a 11/13:

The Blyxa is too tall and distracts from the mounds. IMO the front foreground should be a low moss or other plant that will add some color but allow you to see the hardscape of the defined mounds.
.

Which it looks like Wings has echoed the other day:

LF,
Tank is looking great. I think the HC will look nice in the middle if you can get it to fill out. I also think that some sort of moss rock or wood would look nice as a border around the Anubias.


For example the wisteria on the left front takes away from the mound defintion on the left.

Overall the tank looks great

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Thanks guys
For example the wisteria on the left front takes away from the mound defintion on the left
- What did I say? Small changes slowly!!!

tetratech - the wisteria is only there as a filler until I have more of the permanent plants. Better an ugly filler than not enough plant mass, right? Not even the Pearl Grass on the back side will be there in some time, but not now.

Ingo


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hey ingo -

as always i am delighted and amazed by the growth and change in your tanks. mine is a far more settled tank!! i've just added four more ozelot swords, though, making nine, plus 14 amazon swords and about 8 tiger lotus - the bloody things won't stop sending off pups!! and in cacatuoide land, my beta female has just laid her eggs on the top of an ozelot sword leaf, and on the bottom of a leaf which drapes over the first!! it's right at the front of the tank, so i can see the whole process - but i don't think she's going to be able to defend them against the sturisoma panamense. i hadn't read of cacs laying on leaves, nor so high in the water column (about 8 inches). the alpha female has a brood of about ten babies, from about 30, (layed and hatched and protected in a film canister - hehehe!!)and the gamma female is just moping around looking grey and a little put out. my boy doesn't like her and her superiors just chase her around. poor thing. even in a six foot tank she can't find many places to call her own...

hope you and the fish are well,

justin
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Justin,

Thanks for the input and I am glad to read that you have babies en masse.

But if I interpret your input right, with reference to my Apistos, then you basically say that I will see at least one female being "left out" and not so happy? Currently, the male in the QT seems to be getting along with the female just well, I hope he doesn't forget about this once they are in the real tank.

Ingo


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hi ingo,

as with all situations involving other living things, we have no real idea as to the outcomes or posibilities - there are too many variables, and we are only ever theorising, then reporting things as they come to be. your three females and your male all have hard-wiring which is going to make them entirely different to mine. i think if i had three boyfriends in my house i might have favourites from time to time too - and i'm pretty sure their status would change depending on an infinite variety of things.

just get your pair into the tank and see what happens. i for one can't wait to see what goes on!

regards,

justin
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Love the current look, Ing; the bolbotis looks imposing .
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I for one can't wait to see what goes on
Me neither Justin

I will add the fish on Sunday, if nothing bad happens in between. Both are eating well by now and seem to get along just fine, although I think the female may even be still too young to breed.

Cup - Thanks for stopping by and for the nice comments. The bolbitis is just beginning to show some nice and speedy growth, I can see various new leaves coming straight up. Actually (supposedly), at some point this may cause a problem as I have heard that once the plant is settled it reaaalllly takes off. As such it may require very frequent trimming in form of thinnning out.

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Weekly Tank Update - Week 24

Nothing much has happened during this week with the tank, it just keeps on doing what it is doing best, growing slowly.

Before I get into the tank details of this weekend, here is a preview of what I want to do today, add the pair of Apistos.

If you think it is a bad idea, speak now

Attached Image:

Apisto Pair



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Here is a closer look at the female. She has grown a little, but one cannot label her as "fattened up" just yet. She may have a hard time in this tank, but I don't want to leave her behind in the QT either. Right now the male knows only her so I hope he takes a little care of her once he established the tank as his.

Attached Image:

Female Apisto



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And here is the male, screaming "get me outta here"

He for sure is ready for the main tank. He is not quite as handsome as the original was, but still pretty good. If he dies then I don't know what to do anymore, I cannot continue to buy new pairs and may have to make a special "male only" order at the LFS.

Attached Image:

Male Apisto



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On to the tank in itself:

Here is a comparison shot from 4 weeks ago, with some temp plants (hygro and pearl grass) still in place. Since then, small changes have been made every weekend:

Attached Image:

4 Weeks Ago



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And here is the tank now last night. It shows nicely how much the bolbitis has grown. I think it will reach the point where it really takes off very soon.

Also, based on tetratech's special request, the Wisteria on the left has been removed and some Blyxa was put in its place.

Attached Image:

Tank Last Night



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Here is a look at the tank from the left side, without Wisteria. BTW, I used the plant to fill in the left side of the 125G some more.

Before I forget, this tank, like the 125G requires weekly thinning out of the duck weed on the surface. That stuff currently grows like mad in my tanks.

Attached Image:

Left Side



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And here is the front again, in the classic Matty-Angle.

The Anubias seem to form a W in this shot, from the top of the left island, down to the foreground, then lining the open space, and back onto the top of the right island. That wasn't planned, but could have been

Attached Image:

Angled



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If you were wondering about the small specs next to the HC in the tank center, well - here is a closer look at them before I added them into the tank.

Yup, I finally broke down and payed some $$$ and got me 7 Amano Shrimpsters.

Attached Image:

Amano



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Here is one of them floating in the bag. I selected the 7 largest they had in the store and I would assume they are all adults. In length they are larger than my Otos in the tank.

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Amano I



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Here is the first shot I took after adding them to the tank. They immediately went to work and started eating away. I acclimated them for 2 hours and I am pretty sure they didn't need any longer. Or, at least that is what I hope for as I haven't checked on them today yet.

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Amano II



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Here is another one of the group, labeled "The White Ground Diggers" by my daughter. Even the wife came downstairs and looked at them for a while (and seemed rather pleased with them).

Anyone knows what the white speckles on his/her back are?

Attached Image:

Amano III



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Of course it did not take too long before the resident female Apistos became aware of the new entries to the tank. Here is one of them peaking through the leaves and checking out the situation, probably thinking "Can I eat them?"

Attached Image:

Apisto Looking Out



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
PLEASE VIEW MORE PICTURES AND INFO ON THE LOWER HALF OF THE PREVIOUS PAGE FOR MORE ON THIS WEEKLY TANK UPDATE

And here is one of these "Close Encounters"

I observed quite a few of them, with the female Apisto looking at the shrimp, moving back and forth, and eventually coming so close that the shrimp makes a fast withdrawal. I guess that settles the hierachy


Attached Image:

Close Enough



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Here are a few more shrimp shots, sorry about that but I had never shrimp in my tanks so it makes me very excited and I could not stop myself from taking pictures. Actually, you can be glad that I am posting only a few of the over 200 I took this weekend.

Here is one observing a snail

Attached Image:

Amano IV



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And here is another shot, probably the clearest that I have gotten so far. But you be the judge, I am sure I boring you to death already with them, but hang in there, just a few more

Attached Image:

Amano V



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Here is one climbing around in my Anubias/Crypt/Bolbitis hill. He is more pinkish then some of the others. Does anyone know why that is? I assume it is caused by different stages of the molting process, but what would pinkish mean - pretty new in its current shell?

Attached Image:

Pink Amano



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Ok,

Last Shrimpster shot for now. Here is one climbing around one of the tallest pieces of wodd and muching away on the small algae that can be found on it. This shows me that these guys are not shying away from the light. Maybe he even enjoyed being up there as he most certainly spent about one hour up there:

Attached Image:

Last Amano For Today



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Now, I have shown you how the Apistos reacted to the shrimp, but you may wonder what the other cleaning crew, aka Otos, had to say about such an intrusion. Well, they became a little more active.

Here are 4 of them discussing what to do about this new animal type.

Attached Image:

4 Otos



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
PERSONAL POST No. 6000

And here are the other two, on the opposite side of the tank. I believe they are "holding hands" although it is hard without hands to do so . That's why the fins touch. Just Cute


Attached Image:

2 Otos



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And eventually they all came together and formed a Union, called "The United Ground Crew" and decided to sing their newly composed union song (ok, maybe not all that funny).

Anyway, for real, they seem to have been very busy last night playing chase or something. For sure they were moving around more than usual and seemed to hang tighter as well.

That's it for now, let me know what you think,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

All My Otos



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Post InfoPosted 26-Nov-2006 14:56Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
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Hey LF, the tank is looking better every week. You'll definitely have to start pruning back that bolbitis soon. The angle from the left and the matty special were great shots.

Actually, you can be glad that I am posting only a few of the over 200 I took this weekend.


Dang. I bet that was a good time though. I enjoy shooting the shrimp in my tank, though the SW ones are a bit more difficult to get, as they like to hang out in under rocks and in holes when someone is around. I thought all the pics of shrimp were very clear, except that pink one, which I would guess is pink because of just having molted. I've never seen that with mine though*shrugs*. My SW shrimp are bright red right after they molt.



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 01:08Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
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Thanks for the input and comments Matty,

I guess the color must have something to do with the molting. Just about 30 min ago I checked on the tank and tried to account for all shrimpsters. At best, I counted 5 out of 7 , one of which is hanging below a high piece of wood since pretty much midday. He/she is moving a little, but I don't see the feeding motion. It happens to be the largest, I believe. Either it is sick or getting ready to molt (or release babies as there is some undefined thing along the underside of the belly).

Then, to my shock, I found one tangled up in the plants, all bent out of shape. But, it wasn't all that bad as when I removed him it was only an empty shell. Molted!

Attached Image:

Shell



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 01:20Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
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I wouldn't get worried, I never see all mine at once either. Kinda like the otos. I'm sure they are doing fine. Nice molting BTW.



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 01:41Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
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Kinda like the otos.
Just look two images further up, there are all my Otos

But I know what you mean, Matty. Actually, I was rather surprised having been able to count them during the first day. I actually assumed that they all would dissapear into the plants as soon as I released them.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 02:02Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
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Also, based on tetratech's special request, the Wisteria on the left has been removed


Oh yeah The tank looks much better especially the right side with the pearlgrass reduced. Now you could see the rock under/in front of the anubias. It would be great if you could get a rock to show on the left more separating the blyxa from the anubias. The constrast is much better with the rocks showing and it defines the mounds better.

I'm glad you added the shrimp. I'm not sure how many I have in the 72g probably around 6 or 7. I'd like to have more like 20. They definitely will put a dent in some of the algae. In my 12g there are 2 Amanos and 3 cherries and they completely cleaned off the big rock of bba and gda. It's really funny when they grab the algae or bottom feeder wafers and make a run for it.

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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 02:13Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Thanks tetratech for the input

I will take it slow until I am more certain that there would be enough healthy plant mass even if I remove one or the other Blyxa that is currently blocking the view.

I am also glad that I added the shrimp, they are eating machines.

I almost forgot, this is what else happened yesterday:

Attached Image:

Apisto On The Move



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 11:41Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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As announced a few times, I moved the Apistos into the tank. Catching them in the QT wasn't all that hard. Here they are in the bag and you can see the alpha resident female already coming for an inspection:

Attached Image:

Oh Oh



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 11:43Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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As soon as I released them from the bag into the tank, the alpha female was busy following the male. He seemed rather interested, although this picture does not quite reflect that notion:

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In the Tank



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 11:45Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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This one is more representable of the situation within the first hour of release. A female, yellowing up for the occasion, somewhere around the male. I thought that they may lay eggs right then, but I believe that didn't happen.

Also, I don't think the male looks all that healthy, even my 6 year old daughter identified that he is rather "skinny" when compared to the last male.

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Follow Me



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 11:48Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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I couldn't resist, I had to smuggle another Shrimp shot into this set. In this non-edited shot the shrimp looks almost like having a blue hue to it. We have seen them slightly pinkish, but blue is new to me.

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Shrimp



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 11:50Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Here you see the Beta female Apisto, in between yellowing for the guy and darkening as a defensive dress for the other females. She in particular is giving the new girl a hard time.

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Beta Female Apisto



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The male, on the other hand, is showing to any female that is close to him. Here he is with his original female, from now on Gamma.

Attached Image:

Showing



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And here he is with the Alpha female again, although you can only imagine that he is right behind her. But as you can see, there is no blackeing left in her lower body as she is all show.

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Show Off



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Another shot of male/female interaction, this time showing how bright yellow the females can get if they want to. Again, I think the male doesn't look his best though

Attached Image:

Another Showing



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The Gamma female sometimes makes me sad, she is being chased away by the Betta female quite often. She still has enough space in the tank to venture into, but in this shot she looks really sad

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I am sad



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Last but not least, another shrimp shot showing an Amano head on. He is sitting on a Bolbitis leaf and eats away on whatever stuff he may find there. Very nice!

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Eat Away



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 12:00Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Congrates on the 6000 post LF! Some day way done the road I might catch you! A cammera might help the situation a little. That might happen this spring though.

The shrimp are quite nice. I really enjoy mine too. I found that mine tended to hang out with each other for the first month or so. Now they seem to have there own areas in the tank.



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Post InfoPosted 27-Nov-2006 15:17Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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I always thought the W (or at lest the V section of the W) was planned. In any case, I like it - it leads you in.

Loved all the shrimp & apisto shots. So shrimp (amanos & cherry in particular) are good for algae. Maybe I should get some for my 2 smaller tanks - but my guarding female krib would not be happy. Justin, congratualtions on all your babies. Tell me, I know you live in Sydney. Have you seen any amanos or cherry shrimps around? I have only ever seen really large looking shrimps that I don't think would suit.

Ingo, are shrimps egg stealers - or do they like algae & other vege things best?

It is amazing how quickly the apisto girls can change dress. Your gamma female does look sad in that shot, but if the male shows off to both girls, then just watch her change looks if she has eggs to guard.

Cheers
TW
Post InfoPosted 28-Nov-2006 00:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Robyn,

The V was on purpose, the W a coincidence,

I don't know if they are egg stealers/eaters, it was one of my concerns. But the gang thought that an energetic protecting mom should be able to chase them away and so far the shrimp wouldn't dare to challenge the Apistos in the tank.

In general, last night all inhabitants are still around and the male likes to display to all females, none of which seems to be protecting something, aka no eggs yet. The Alpha female is currently not so receptive to his showings and actually chases him away.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 28-Nov-2006 11:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
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My head is spinning from all the pics and posts you and matty and tetra and TW and Wings have been putting up over the past few days. At least the forum is alive again

Anyway, very very nice LF, the tank does look better and congrats on picking up the shrimp. You'll want more, trust me. And I know I'm late on this, but I notice my Amamos are sometimes pink as well, and as you noticed, it has to do with molting. Keep those apistos well fed so they don't decide to have shrimp cocktail one day for an appetizer


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Post InfoPosted 28-Nov-2006 16:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
mattyboombatty
 
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I gotta say that those 2 females I sent you are looking VERY healthy. The yellows are unreal and they have nice full bellies. Great job, and nice pics LF. I sure hope they get along with the new pair.



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Post InfoPosted 28-Nov-2006 17:24Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
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I gotta say that those 2 females I sent you are looking VERY healthy
And that is mostly of flake food, can you believe it? Well, they probably eat small snails in the tank like mad, too. But they are for sure some big girls (relative to the male, the viejita is actually longer and bigger than they are).

NowherMan6 - "At least the forum is alive again" And it would be even more so if you would write more
Thanks for the compliments on tank and shrimpsters though.

Ingo


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NowherMan6
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I will surely do my best, but the past few weeks have been dreadful:

1.) In the 8 days before Thanksgiving I worked 4 all-nighters (22 hour days), plus late nights on the nights i was able to sleep

2.) Then thanksgiving with the family etc

Not too much time for posting... or doing water changes etc.

And what's going on with NJAGC? Changing websites?


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Post InfoPosted 29-Nov-2006 00:07Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
TW
 
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Everyone is so busy. Wasn't the technology at all our workplaces supposed to make life easier for us all. Seems everyone (including me) is having to work extra long hours.

Cheers
TW
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LITTLE_FISH
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In the 8 days before Thanksgiving I worked 4 all-nighters
I don't envy you for this, but I am not too sorry either as I am still sitting in my office right now and I am nowhere (pun intended) near from going home Darn!!!

Yup, the site is being upgraded to a new forum software, be patient. I have seen it tonight as Jay was testing it and I was still here and he asked me to step through to find some errors (or not). But it will be worthwhile for you to find out when and where the next meeting is.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 29-Nov-2006 08:15Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
jase101
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a quick note for robyn:

i just saw some very &nbsp; (cherry? blood?) shrimp at slippery little suckers in randwick, but at $50 each i wasn't gonna be buying!! michella told me she expects the price to drop as more are imported, so maybe hold off a while... they were so cool looking!!! or if you think you can breed them, maybe it would be a lucrative purchase....

sorry to hijack, ingo! oh, i just bought a pair of apisto. agassizii - they're settling into my 40-litre cube nicely.

justin
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jase101
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how funny!!! i just got censored!!!! hehehehe!!! it was just the word s then an e then an x then a y....
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mattyboombatty
 
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The funniest thing is that there really is a shrimp in SW named the &nbsp; shrimp. It does this little dance with it's tail raised up. Pretty &nbsp;.



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jase101
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my my, a &nbsp; shrimp. who would think of calling a shrimp &nbsp;?

justin
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Wow,

What has my log become? A record of censored entries

Kind of funny that even a legitimate name of an aquarium animal would not be able to be mentioned here.

Ingo


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What has my log become? A record of censored entries


What do you expect from a log titled "40G Breeder"
Sounds very &nbsp; to me.

My Scapes
Post InfoPosted 03-Dec-2006 16:34Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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hahaha

Thanks Justin for the shrimp update. I will wait to see if prices drop - otherwise, these shrimp won't be for me. Did you get your agassizii from SLS? Someone told me they weren't importing them anymore?

How are your shrimp doing LF?



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How are your shrimp doing LF?
This, and more, will be revealed in:

Weekly Tank Updates - Week 25

For the same reason than the one for the 125G (work), I was not able to do the same fert schedule for this tank this week. The weekend maintenance has not seen much action, a little trimming on the back Pearl Grass was all that I did.

Here is the full tank:

Attached Image:

Full Tank - Main View



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And here is the tank from the same direction, just a little angled to reveal the open area a little better.

By now, it is getting very green in there.

Attached Image:

Angled Front View



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And here is the tank from the other side.

I will probably start soon with replacing this group of Pear Grass with some more Blyxa, although the Blyxa doesn't grow tall it for sure creates quite some side shoots.

Attached Image:

Back View



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Here is a closer look at the one small group of Pearl Grass that I still have in the front of the tank. Interestingly, at least for me, is the growth pattern of this group, with stems growing in all directions like the crown of a tree.

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Pearl Grass



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The 3 pieces of Java Fern (narrow leaf) that I purchased for this tank when I moved towards the current setup are becoming quite bushy. Unlike the NL Java Fern from the 125, these leaves seem way more compact. Maybe because they are closer to the light.

Attached Image:

NL Java Fern



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The HC that I have in the open is still there, but it is not doing to well. Besides the fact that a few pieces have been floating up, the rest looks like it barely can hang on. I doubt that it will make it in this tank, bummer.

Attached Image:

HC



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Post InfoPosted 04-Dec-2006 01:57Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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The Bolbitis, on the other hand, is doing just great. I am glad that I decided to trim the ugly and algae befallen leaves of it quite a while back instead of removing it completely. It now is a solid arrangement, with tall leaves of a Wendtii peaking through in the back.

Attached Image:

Bolbitis



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All fish in the tank are doing fine as well, including the new female. She is not confined to the worst spot either, but if she comes to close to another female then she is being chased away. Her time will come later

Attached Image:

Bad Shot of Younger Female



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Here is a shot of one of the older females. The other one is squeezing into some gap of the right hill most of the time, usually a sign that she has eggs or fry. But then again, she is coming out too often.

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Older Female



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The male also seems to get his act together, I think he is looking a little better now. Or maybe I just go used to his looks. He is still smaller than the first male was, so maybe he will perk up as he gets older.

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Male



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
VIEW MORE OF THIS TANK UPDATE ON PREVIOUS PAGE

Here is the male again, this time flaring off a female that is not in the picture. He seems to try to protect that gap in the right hill where the second female is. But he also is not consequent enough in this routine.


Attached Image:

Male Flaring



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The shrimpsters are doing fine as well, although I am never able to count more than 5 instead of the 7 that should be there.

Here is one sitting right on top of a small bushel of BBA on one of the woods. I thought he may go and eat it, but he kept on marching over it and ate something else instead.

Attached Image:

Shrimpster



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And here is another shrimp, eating on top of a bolbitis leaf. Note the bubbles on the bottom of the leave as this plant is pearling every night (shot taken tonight, one day after water change).

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Amano on Bolbitis



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LF,

I think your younger female is starting to fill out a bit, same with your male. If you give them the food they need I think they will be just fine.

Were you planing on adding any other fish to the tank? School of something?



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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Were you planing on adding any other fish to the tank? School of something?
Actually, not really. Although I sometimes think about it, I find the tank interesting enough as it is right now.

I already have 17 critters in there - 6 Otos, 4 Apistos, 7 Amanos.

In addition, what if I ever have Apisto babies? They need their space as well.

Ingo


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Yeah simple is often much better. I am always tempted to add some other fish to my tank but I kind of like how it is. Plus who knows where I will end up after next semester.

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Oh,

Every day I think about an entry that I want to make here, and every day I either forget or get way too busy at work:

One female has manned the right hill, defending it against any intruder, male or female, fish or shrimp. The breeding has started.

At the same time, the male is supporting the defense of the hill.

Ingo


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EditedEdited by TankWatcher

Keep us posted

EDIT: Forgot to say, nice pics too.

Cheers
TW
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yay!! great news! i, on the other hand, have just lost my beautiful cac male, (i think he shagged himself to death) but i have about 20 fry still between the alpha and beta female...gamma female missed out! also just took delivery of some bolbitus fern, which i'm very keen to get growing - my sturisomas love lying on the wood under it already. wait till you see your first brood, ingo, you'll fall in love with them - but it means less cleaning and less fiddling in the tank too - can you control yourself? justin
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Sorry to read that your male died, but if your reasoning for his death is proper then it is a nice way to go

I will still have to do water changes, but replanting is limited anyway these days because most plants are pretty stable right now. The male is perking up as well and his body color is way more yellow than the old male ever was.

Ingo


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Gang,

As mentioned in length in my 125G log, I didn't find a lot of time to stay on top of things concerning the logs and tanks.

I have been very busy getting all ready for an NJAGC meeting at my place (see siggie).

So quickly,

Weekly Tank Updated - Week 26 and 27

Not much has happened to this tank anyway, so here is last weeks shot:

Attached Image:

Week 26



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Growth is good, and I am very tempted to do the first trimmings of the bolbitis (but not in the mood).

The one thing the club suggested was to remove the tall Crypt from the tank, I am thinking about it for a while before I make up my mind.

Here is the tank after water change this week:

Attached Image:

This Weekend



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As a side result from our meeting I got a little more HC and planted it this weekend. Some of the older HC seems to have settled and I think I see some tiny new growth on it. But it may be wishful thinking.

Here is the HC field now:

Attached Image:

HC



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I have been quite concerned with both of my older Apisto females in the tank, I barely get to see them. Actually - one of them I haven't seen all week (wasn't home too often either) and I thought she died. But finally she came out from the right hill last night.

The males seems to chase both of them as soon as he sees them. I don't know why . Justin - any info on this being normal?

Here is the "lost" female:

Attached Image:

Apisto Female



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The male is all over the tank, and currently seems to seriously court the younger female. She seems receptive, but I don't know if she is ready to breed yet.

Here is a not-so-good shot of the male:

Attached Image:

Male Apisto



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Oh - forgot to mention, he is much more yellowish that the previous male ever was. Not in the fins, but the body. The other male was either pale or dark (when threatened).

Here is the tank from the back:

That concludes it for today,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Back View



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TW
 
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one of them I haven't seen all week (wasn't home too often either) and I thought she died
Could she be guarding, either eggs or wrigglers. Not seeing them for a week will sometimes mean that she is busy providing care.

This happened with mine & also with krib mum too. In the case of the krib, even the dad remained hidden during that period.

Cheers
TW
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i agree with robyn - whenever i don't see my females it's usually them guarding eggs or hiding their young. your male will court whoever is ready for him and will chase other females in an effort to show off his size/strength - treat 'em mean, keep 'em keen. well, that's how i interpret it. i've never had a male who had just one favourite - his favourite happens to be whichever female will have him!!

hope you see babies soon - i just bought a new triple-red boy - he's young but so hot!! he's gonna colour up beautifully, and my females are chasing him all over the tank.

note for robyn - have you been to B and C aquarium in matraville?? i'm in love - best range of dwarf cichlids i've seen in sydney.
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EditedEdited by TankWatcher
note for robyn - have you been to B and C aquarium in matraville?? i'm in love - best range of dwarf cichlids I've seen in Sydney.
Grrr, I have no room now. But maybe I will go and have a look anyway. Maybe I could squeeze a pair into my community, at least until my krib fry are big enough to do something with. Then I could transfer them to the breeding tank.

By the way, that's where my bita came from (see my aviator)

Thanks for the heads up Jason

BTW, who is Jason
I guess my error (sorry Justin). I jumped to some silly conclusion that jase101 was somehow derived from the name Jason.

Cheers
TW
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Thanks for the input

I think it could be guarding of something, but it is different than it was the last time around. It never took that long for the females to come out with the wigglers to another spot.

BTW, who is Jason ?

Thanks again, Justin and Robyn,

Ingo


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This tank has really filled in beautifully, it's my favorite of your tanks. I especially like your use of the bolbitus. I may borrow your usage of it when i set up my own big tank


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Thanks NowherMan6,
I may borrow your usage of it when i set up my own big tank

This can be done, if you show up at one of the meetings

I appreciate the comments on the tank, albeit there is still work that needs to be done to it. The NJAGC gang suggested to use Nana Petites instead of the Nanas, but that would be $$$

Ingo


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I appreciate the comments on the tank, albeit there is still work that needs to be done to it. The NJAGC gang suggested to use Nana Petites instead of the Nanas, but that would be $$$
Didn't I say the same thing a while back? The Nana does however look much better than the normal Anubias Barteri.

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The NJAGC gang suggested to use Nana Petites instead of the Nanas, but that would be $$$

So you have a whole team working on your tank First Jeff Senske and now Jay Luto.



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Jay took the pictures during our second meeting, the one at my house. One can see these when clicking the link in my siggie (as I assume tetratech did) and then simply click on "Second meeting was held" (as long as it is still available there).

I would have asked tetratech to join as well, but he is living maybe a little too far away, he doesn't like the Jersey water, and he would have to give out his real name

NowherMan6 is a member, or should I not have mentioned that

Ingo


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EditedEdited by tetratech
Actually I hadn't seen that. I just saw Jay's name listed as a member. So Nowher is a member. What's the first name. My guess is Cosmo.

Nice pics, I didn't see my name (Wisteria Wizard) mentioned as the Wisteria expert/influence.

BTW the 40g looks much better without all the ground cover. Take out the Blyxa and put it somewhere else.

Looks like a nice bunch of guys. I might be willing to reveal my identity. Would the group make a road trip to L.I. to see "Two sides of Paradise"?

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LF,

I just checked out the NJAGC site with your tanks. I really like the picture of your 125G from the left that also shows your 29G. It sounds like you guys had a good time!

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Post InfoPosted 18-Dec-2006 21:16Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
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Yes, I am proudly also a member of NJAGC I just haven't made it to any meetings yet. I'll have to check when the next one is, hopefully I can make that one. Partially I'm embarrassed to show my face, since I've no clippings to give anyone

I'm waiting for the official FP meeting in LFs basement. if we all chip in can we fly bensaf in from overseas?


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if we all chip in can we fly bensaf in from overseas?
I guess I am on my own coming from MI?

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Post InfoPosted 18-Dec-2006 21:34Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
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I really like the picture of your 125G from the left that also shows your 29G.

I am glad it is a little dark, that picture, as I am the dude sitting between the tanks.
I might be willing to reveal my identity. Would the group make a road trip to L.I. to see "Two sides of Paradise"?

Not certain, we have members in NYC and Brooklyn, but not any further out in the depth of the Island. You most likely would have to come to Jersey about once a month if you want to be in the meetings (and that is what this is all about, more so then the forum part of it). I thought of you, but then considered the feasibility and didn't come up with a conclusion.
Partially I'm embarrassed to show my face, since I've no clippings to give anyone ... I'm waiting for the official FP meeting in LFs basement.

Any time my friends, any time.

Ingo


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Well, as mentioned in the 125G, work is keeping me away from the forum for two weeks now already.

Anyway, quick update on the tank:

Weekly Tank Update - Weeks 28 and 29

Not much has happened, tank is doing ok, fish are fine, although the Apistos are all over the place, as sign of non-successful breeding (but that's cool too).

Here is the tank last week:

Attached Image:

Week 28



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And here is the tank today, week 29. As you can see, pretty much looks the same. I did some minor changes, but they are mostly visible on the back side.

Here is the full-on front:

Attached Image:

Week 29



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Here is an angled look, showing the remains of the HC a little better in the center of the tank.

Some stuff seems to have started to grow a little, but it is really tiny, almost as if it is missing something. I would say it is the lack of light. We will see.

Attached Image:

Angled



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Here is a look at the tank from the back, one cannot see all that much as it looks pretty dark. The change I made is that I removed the last group of Pearl Grass, not because I didn't like it but because less (species) is more. Instead, I planted some Blyxa in its place that has been grown in other sections of the tank.

Attached Image:

Back



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This is a really bad shot, but while I actually tried to get a closer look at the new Blyxa group I noticed during the review that there are 3 Otos being followed (or looked at) by a female Apisto,

Here it is:

Attached Image:

Otos - Apisto



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And here is a better look at the new Blyxa group.

Well, that's it for now anyway, hope you like it and hope to have more time soon,

On to the 29 Log,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Blyxa



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I like this tank better than your big tank. I think it's the fuller look I like plus the archway you have in the middle of this tank.

Just sharing my personal preference.
Post InfoPosted 01-Jan-2007 23:29Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Tank is looking really nice, even though you continue to be so busy. BTW, I hope you had a nice Christmas and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you.

Cheers
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Really love how the bolbitus has grown in. Looks great LF.

Good luck with work (I read the other log), hope you get a break soon!


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Hi folks,

As mentioned in my 125G log, I have been really busy so far this year. Just like that tank - this one has seen some neglect as well. Nevertheless, things have been pretty good with the tank.

Here it is this weekend, week 33 I think.

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Tank in Week 33



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Well,

I guess it doesn't matter that I am busy, nobody has anything to say about the tank anyway

So, here are some more pictures, from this week and some shots from some events over the previous weeks.

First, I got about 10 Cherry Shrimp at our NJAGC meeting and added them to the tank:

Attached Image:

Cherry Shrimp



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One evening in the week after the addition, I came to the tank to feed the fish, but unlike all other days, the male Apisto was a no-show.

Eventually, I found him:

Attached Image:

Darn!!!



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The Apisto survived, but for sure not the shrimp. It took me 30 min to catch the fish, and by then the shrimp was 2 halves, LOL.

Once in a while I kept on seeing one or the other shrimp, but not lately.

Last week, I saw eggs at the edge of my tank, but two days later all were gone. Here they are:

Attached Image:

Apisto Eggs



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The Apistos in the tank are doing fine, and so are all other fish and the Amanos.

Here is the boss of the tank, the eater of fry and shrimp:

Attached Image:

Male Apisto



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Here is the tank from the back as of this weekend, sorry about the glare but the plants are so tall by now that they seem very bright in the shots. Last week I removed the crypt that used to be in the right hill (in this view), it got too tall:

Attached Image:

Back View



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And here is the main view, as you can see - there is not much left of the valley between the hills, the Bolbitis and the NL Java Fern have grown pretty big.

I think I will need to mess with the tank in not too far of a future:

Attached Image:

Main View



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Last shot

Here is a closer look at one of the 3 NL Java Ferns that I attached to the driftwood. It has grown very well and if I judge the situation right then it is about to take off and get out of control.

I just cannot get my act together these days (aka no time) to trim it.

Anyway, have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

NL Java Fern



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Nice pics LF. Good to see you back in action. Other than being a little extra hairy, the tank looks really good. If it weren't the dead of winter I'd ask you to send some of your clippings my way.

Too bad about the cherry shrimp. I wouldn't trust apistos with them or amanos really. Like any other cichlid, they'll eat whatever they can.

Neat egg shots. I'm sure they'll get it right eventually. They seem to be learning anyways.



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Post InfoPosted 04-Feb-2007 16:09Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
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Thanks Matty for the input.

I am sure I will still (or again, probably) have some clippings left that I can send your when once it gets warmer again.

The Amanos seem to be too big for the Apisto, I guess buying only the ones that were already grown up was a good call.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 04-Feb-2007 17:25Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
coop
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i love this tank and the male apisto. do you think an angelfish would eat an amano or cherry shrimp?
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Seeing the shot of the Male Apisto with a Cherry Red hanging out of it's mouth brought back memories of my Kribs scarfing down my Cherries. Their colors went nuts after eatting them though....

The tank has really filled out for you. It is almost out of control but it still looks good.

Did you happen to get a batch of both male and female shrip? If so you might be able to keep them going in there just by breeding.

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Post InfoPosted 05-Feb-2007 15:15Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
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Thanks coop for the compliments

Hm, I would not know and answer to your question for sure, but I would say "why not?"

A grown-up angel can eat fish the size of neons, so a cherry shrimp should not be a problem. And as such, younger Amanos fit right in (pun intended, LOL). An adult Amano may be around 2 inches though.

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Wings - didn't see your reply until now, so here are some comments to what you wrote:

The tank has really filled out for you. It is almost out of control but it still looks good.


Yeah - my feeling as well, almost out of control. I hope I find some time soon to think about how I can whip it back in shape without destroying the scape.

Did you happen to get a batch of both male and female shrip?


I don't know what I got, I didn't inspect them before I added them to the tank (got them at an auction). And by now I cannot find any anymore anyway (lots of any here, LOL).

Thanks for the comments,

Ingo


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Week 35

Not much has happened during this week, with the exception that I saw a female cherry shrimp with spasms as she was bouncing on the substrate, filled with eggs. Do the mothers die when they release the babies?

Here is a shot of one of Matty's Apisto females:

Attached Image:

Female Cac



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And here is the tank straight on. As you can see, the jungle is becoming larger and larger. Maybe next weekend I will find some time for some more serious trimming.

Attached Image:

Tank Now



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And here is the tank in a slight angle. As you can see, the valley between the hills is barely noticable anymore. But there is some HC left in there, but it doesn't grow quite well. I assume the light is not strong enough, not to mention the deeper parts of the valley are for sure too shaded.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Now Angled



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Wingsdlc
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Do the mothers die when they release the babies?
Nope. It should take about 28 days for the eggs to become babies. Soon you may have many CRS. How cool would that be?

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Post InfoPosted 12-Feb-2007 03:48Profile AIM PM Edit Delete Report 
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Here is a shot of one of Matty's Apisto females


I'm super glad these are doing so well for you. They look terrific.

I almost want to disagree about the needing of a trimming. Has anyone been in an old growth forest, that's got a little walking trail? It gets really dark, the plants are creeping in on the trail and you feel like sumpin's gunna JUMP out. Yep, it looks alot like that. I like it a lot.



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Soon you may have many CRS. How cool would that be?


That would be quite all-right, although I think that the Apistos would see them as a nice variety in their menu.

Has anyone been in an old growth forest, that's got a little walking trail?


In the words of "The Cure" : "Lost in the forest, all alone"

- If it wouldn't be for the shading that is generated by the tree-covers I would not mind it, but the lower plants, like Blyxa, HC, and even the Anubias, will soon be shaded way too much for their own good.

Ingo


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NowherMan6
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Stunning LF. By far this is my favorite of your tanks. I know I've mentioned this before, but I love that the layout allows the apistos to be themselves, giving them tons of broken sightlines and hiding spots.

You've turned me on to bolbitus big time as well!


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You've turned me on to bolbitus big time as well!


Well, if you manage to make it to next weekend's meeting then I promise you that I will bring in some Bolbitis just for you

There is actually one downside to Bolbitis:

Removing part of a rhizome is rather hard when the fine roots off it are attached to wood/rock/other plants. This plant sticks like glue and one has to be careful not to rip the whole hardware apart (as in destroying arrangements).

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 12-Feb-2007 17:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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It's looking really beautiful and natural

><>
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Thanks superlion,

I appreciate the comment, not only because it is positive () but also because it is not happening too often that someone justs pops into my logs and makes an entry.

Feel free to criticize as well,

Ingo


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NowherMan6
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Well, if you manage to make it to next weekend's meeting then I promise you that I will bring in some Bolbitis just for you


Where in the world would I put it?!? I only have a little 4G running at the moment. Plus, at the risk of getting kicked out of the club, I'm going to Cooperstown NY this weekend - if it doesn't get destroyed in this week's blizzard, that is Thanks for the offer though

Removing part of a rhizome is rather hard when the fine roots off it are attached to wood/rock/other plants. This plant sticks like glue and one has to be careful not to rip the whole hardware apart (as in destroying arrangements).


Same thing with Java fern. Tried to thin it out in the 4 last week and I almost tore the DW out of the tank. Those rhizomes can really hang on.


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I'm going to Cooperstown NY this weekend


Sure, the baseball Hall Of Fame is much more important than seeing a rimless high gadget ADA tank being set up

But you are right, the Bolbitis would be way too big in a 4G, at least once it settles in.

Ingo


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Sure, the baseball Hall Of Fame is much more important than seeing a rimless high gadget ADA tank being set up

Hall of Fame baseball Players or Hall of Fame N.J. Aquascapers, well that's a toss up. I guess it depends on how big the rimless tank is. If 120cm or larger I would go to the meeting

Who would have thung it? So much money for rimless tanks. I'm holding out for "Force Field Tanks" Don't tell the boys at ADG.

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If 120cm or larger I would go to the meeting


Yup, 48x18x18 - I think, or even deeper and higher

I'm holding out for "Force Field Tanks"




Ingo


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Who would have thung it? So much money for rimless tanks. I'm holding out for "Force Field Tanks" Don't tell the boys at ADG.


I ran into this problem last fall. I wanted a larger tank but I wanted rimless and clear seals. ADA was the only option, but their version of a 65 gallon is over 300 dollars, and I just can't justify spending that on a tank, no matter how beautiful - especially when you add in the cost of filter, lights, substrate, stand, DW and let's not forget - enough plants to fill the thing from the start, which could easily be another 300!

And it's not so much about the HoF, it's more about visiting the GF's family up there, so i don't realyl have a choice...


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tetratech
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I ran into this problem last fall. I wanted a larger tank but I wanted rimless and clear seals. ADA was the only option, but their version of a 65 gallon is over 300 dollars, and I just can't justify spending that on a tank, no matter how beautiful - especially when you add in the cost of filter, lights, substrate, stand, DW and let's not forget - enough plants to fill the thing from the start, which could easily be another 300!

I hear ye! ..And I don't think the $300 includes shipping which almost doubles the price. You did buy a 60g from Glass Cages didn't you?

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Yeah, it's acrylic, but it's the shape and dimensions I want. It was pretty cheap too, even including shipping. And it doesn't scratch as easily as I thought it would, I've put it through some rigors already. They can make rimless glass tanks custom but 1.) for pick up only, somewhere upstate NY I think and 2.) maybe for a small tank, but if I'm going to put 700 lbs of water in something without top bracing I damn well want the best quality I can get, and ADA tanks are proven. Not sure about glass cages.

Have you been looking at upgrading, or changing styles?


p.s. apologies to LF for thread hijacking...


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EditedEdited by tetratech
I was just about to say something about thread hijacking, but you beat me to it. I think we all have been through enough here and have respect for each other that gives us some leverage to hijack alittle here and there. Please let me know if I'm out of line LF.

Have you been looking at upgrading, or changing styles?

Well I'm definitely looking into doing an ADA style open top tank. It will not replace the 72, but be added. That's one of the reasons I took down my 12g. Also the saltwater tank and equipment is in the garage and will hopefully one day be placed in the den (sorry Matty), but the open top can definitely go in the bedroom. I'm deciding whether it's worth it to go all out and do 100% ADA (tank, ferts, substrate) or should I just get the open-tank style and go ECO & EI within.


My Scapes
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DeletedPosted 16-Feb-2007 14:55
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EditedEdited by TankWatcher
Really great looking tank - really liking the "walk in the forest look".

The apistos must love being in charge of such a home. Shame about the male snacking on fry & shrimp, but that sure was an interesting picture of the last moments of that poor cherry red

Sorry LF for joining the hijack. I guess rimmless means no black edges anywhere to be seen? If so, my 2 new tanks I'm planning will be rimmless - but I will have a middle brace in them.

Cheers
TW
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Gang,

Don't worry about the hijacking thing, it's all good. Hey - who says that it doesn't have anything to do with this log anyway? How knows if I one day may decide on ending this log to start a new one because I replace the tank with a rimless one? I don't.

Robyn, haven't read anything from you in a while . Usually, when we talk rimless it means a tank that has an all open top and the upper limits of the tank are the side panels of the glass (or acrylic), no braces either. Have you seen the ADA tanks - that's it.

The male Apsito is giving me trouble these days, he has started to "eat" the CO2 bubbles from the diffuser. I know it sounds funny, but it is serious as he seems to eat less and to be more static (as in not moving around and hanging in one spot) that before. I think he likes the buzz that he gets from the CO2.

Ingo


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NowherMan6
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The male Apsito is giving me trouble these days, he has started to "eat" the CO2 bubbles from the diffuser. I know it sounds funny, but it is serious as he seems to eat less and to be more static (as in not moving around and hanging in one spot) that before. I think he likes the buzz that he gets from the CO2.


An apisto that gets high? Far out man

Only in LF's tank...


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Post InfoPosted 16-Feb-2007 17:04Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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EditedEdited by LITTLE_FISH
Oh,

Just now did I see that this post would make it 1000 entries, so here it is.

Congratulations to myself and all participants to help in the creation of this tank and associated log.

Thanks all,

Ingo

EDIT: AND WHILE I TYPED, NOWHERMAN6 STOLE NO 1000


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hello ingo,

long time, no post - i think the tank looks great!! i am sure the apistos just love living in it.

i've recently set up a new tank (600mm x 400mm footprint, 100 litres) for a pair of rams, 20 cardinals and 2 sturisoma panamense, all doing well.

and i've also diversified, with a trio of the most magnificent fish i think i've owned - triple red agasizii. even the females are so pretty, but the boy really is special. first batch of eggs hatched but were eaten. hopefully better luck next time.

hope all is well in your life and in tank-land.

justin
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Justin

Hey - 100 liters - that's like 26 US gallons, right? That is quite some fish load that you have in there

But if you say all is well then so be it

I think tetratech has the triple red agasizii (or double?). They sure are nice, but from what I have heard a little more aggressive than the cacs and for sure more than the viejitas.

All is well, basically, in my life and tanks, thanks for asking,

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 18-Feb-2007 14:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Weekly Tank Update - Week 36

Not much to report on the tank this week, all is pretty much the same than it was last week.

The only thing that happened was that I was really low on CO2 and got a refill on Saturday. Upon hooking up the bottle I could not get any bubbles to flow. I was concerned that I broke the needle valve but when I opened the bubble counter the bubbles started to flow again. Long story short, the diffuser was so dirty that it stopped the bubbles from coming out. I have never cleaned it in all 36 weeks. I took it out, put some Excel on top of the ceramic plate, and let it sit like this for about 20 min. Then I placed it back into the tank and all is good.

Here is a full tank shot:

Attached Image:

Tank Now



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Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2007 14:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Here is a closer look at the right group in the tank, mostly composed of Narrow Leaf Java Fern.

I am thinking about removing this group entirely and instead just have a small group with rocks and Anubias Nana.

Attached Image:

Right Group



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Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2007 14:24Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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And here is a closer look at the Bolbitis group on the left hill. During the water changes I usually clip one to three leaves of this plant as they are either too long and grow out of the water or they are old and get a layer of brown on top of them (I think it is algae, but nothing bad).

That's it for this week,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Left Group



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Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2007 14:26Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Looks good LF, congrats on the >1K posts in this thread.

What's flaotin in the top right?



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Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2007 14:39Profile Homepage PM Edit Delete Report 
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Thanks Matty,

The floating plant on the top right is a group of duck weed. The current filling of the tank and its resulting current pushes all these plants to the area just above the spraybar.

I used to have the duckweed also in the 125 (and still have some left), but the Water Lettuce there is more efficient in eating nutrients and doesn't leave much for the duckweed.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 19-Feb-2007 14:49Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Weekly Tank Update - Week 37

Not much to report except to show a full tank shot from this weekend. I tried to make it a little lighter than last weeks shot, maybe one can see the plants below the tree tops a little better.

I am still contemplating when and what I should do to trim these tops a little more than the occasional removal of a leaf or two.

Here is the tank,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 37



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Post InfoPosted 25-Feb-2007 18:22Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
tetratech
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It's hard to make out the tank. Have you tried throwing more light over the tank just to take a pic.

From what I can see it looks like the two main plants compete to much with other. One one the left, one on the right. IMO let one be dominate, probably the fern and reduce the othe one and make sure it's not lined up side by side with the fern. Again it's hard to see.

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Post InfoPosted 25-Feb-2007 18:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Have you tried throwing more light over the tank just to take a pic


Actually, I am considering more light over the tank in general. I am wondering if I should get the double unit and have the 2 lights on for maybe 2 hours to start with.

IMO let one be dominate, probably the fern


Hm, I am thinking about removing the entire right group, keeping there only the rocks with Blyxa focussed in and around them. Then, I hope the HC would get more light and become a better ground cover. The problem I could see with such an arrangement would be that I don't have enough plant mass left for a healthy tank.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 25-Feb-2007 19:04Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
NowherMan6
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Hm, I am thinking about removing the entire right group, keeping there only the rocks with Blyxa focussed in and around them. Then, I hope the HC would get more light and become a better ground cover. The problem I could see with such an arrangement would be that I don't have enough plant mass left for a healthy tank.


I see what you're thinking about here, but I think the same problem would still apply. It still may give the impression of one tank on the left, one on the right. What tetra suggested - growing out the bolbitus on the right as well as the left - may give it a more cohesive appearance overall. Unfortunately it may also mean that this tank may not be right for HC. They're your tanks of course, and I don't want to sound too pushy or anything, but maybe try the HC carpet in the 29? I'm having great success with HC in average light but high CO2. As long as there's CO2 and direct light, it will do well.

and sorry for taking post 1,000 by the way I think I ruined someone else's log that way too, by saying some stupid thing or another in the 1,000 or 2,000 post...


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Post InfoPosted 28-Feb-2007 20:39Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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No problem NowherMan6

Hey, the 29G is low tech, no CO2 is added

That eliminates the option to put the HC in there. Also - I think the Platies would take it as food.

If I had bolbitis on both hills then the tank may be too boring for words, but I see what you mean with 2 tanks. I guess I will have to think about it a while longer then.

Thanks for the input NowherMan6,

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 01-Mar-2007 00:23Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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If I had bolbitis on both hills then the tank may be too boring for words, but I see what you mean with 2 tanks. I guess I will have to think about it a while longer then


Just for the record, I wasn't suggesting having the fern on both hills, just leaving the one fern as your main plant and supporting it with other plants and hardscape.

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Just for the record, I wasn't suggesting having the fern on both hills, just leaving the one fern as your main plant and supporting it with other plants and hardscape


Sounds good to me, so I should remove one hill?


Anyway:

Weekly Tank Update - Week 38

Again, not much change since last week, except for additional growth in the forest. I really have to take action soon as the shading for the lower level plants is getting too much.

That's it,

Have Fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Week 38



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It does look like a very nice healthy forest in there - with heaps of hiding places for apisto & shrimp (I think you have shrimp in this tank???).

How do your apistos go now. No breeding action - or is it just that someone keeps eating the eggs?

Cheers
TW
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Robyn,

The tank has breeding action, I even show pictures of eggs on page 39. But I am certain all is eaten.

Yes, the tank has shrimp, 7 Amanos (counted 6 the other day). I also added Cherry Shrimp a while back, but they have become Apisto food

The male Apisto is strange these days, he is still eating CO2 bubbles.

Ingo


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Yep, I think it's definitely time to trim now. The pic is too dark to make out a lot of the other plants. I'm not sure that I would like the tank with only one hill, but I'd have to see to find out.

If you do take out a bunch of NL fern, keep me in mind



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I think I would have to take a whole day off from work in order to properly redo the tank, in particular if I should decide on removing one of the hills.

Matty - I will keep you in mind for the NL Fern, I had no idea that it is so hard to get up there where you live. I will try to add a shot sometime soon that shows the fern a little closer as I am not quite certain that it is NL Fern in the first place. I added some from my 125G and placed it in the middle of the hill. It is much narrower than the ones growing on the sticks but it could be because their roots are closer to the light.

Ingo


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It's hard to get any plants up here that haven't been established in the hobby for quite some time. Blyxa, nana petite, NL fern....just anything that's new. I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the western new york that's seen nana petite in person. Our supplier is great for everything that's been around a while, though. My boss just doesn't want to order through anyone else, I would guess because he's lazy or doesn't want to fix what isn't broken or somesuch. So anything interesting and new I have to get online. I can't afford the real internet stores on my poor college student budget, so I have to bug other hobbyists like you, sorry LF. Oh, and that doesn't mean I'm not willing to pay.....I do have some fish money set aside.



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It's hard to get any plants up here that haven't been established in the hobby for quite some time. Blyxa, nana petite, NL fern....just anything that's new. .... I'm pretty sure I'm the only person in the western new york that's seen nana petite in person
I didn't realise some of you guys in US suffer from lack of availability as well. These plants are rarely seen here. I've never found NL Java fern in LFS, on-line or on ebay. Found blyxa in LFS once (at $30 a plant & broke the budget & bought 2). I've seen blyxa listed on-line, but if you try to buy it, it's always out of stock. Riccia - I've only ever found that on ebay and it's pricey. Example, here's a batch recently sold http://cgi.ebay.com.au/RICCIA-8x12cm-on-glass_W0QQitemZ290084674964QQihZ019QQcategoryZ66794QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemIt's a 4" x 3" patch @ $9.95 + postage $8.50). Now that's why I'm so excited that my blyxa & riccia have multiplied - no need to buy more (unless I kill it during my tank move). I've never seen nana petite in person either.

Until I read your post Matty, I thought how lucky you guys in the US are, with everything fishy at your finger tips & cheap (compared to Aus anyway).

LF, I wish I lived somewhere you could sell / post me some NL Java fern, even if it was just to see the plant in real life - but our customs wouldn't like that idea much

Cheers
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Matty,

Once when you have a tank in which not everything dies then I will send you some NL Java Fern

Robyn,

The patch of Riccia does not seem that expensive to me. It should be enough to cover a few smaller rocks and then you grow out the rest yourself. The Blyxa, on the other hand, seems outrageously expensive to me, at $30 one plant. Now here is your opportunity to convince the hubby completely that your hobby is profitable. You are doing really well with your blyxa so go ahead and auction some off. You should make enough money to buy some lights or a canister filter, or a present for the husband's reef tank

Ingo


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So riccia costs about the same for you in the US too? Seemed dear to me (although without the postage costs, it wouldn't be so bad).

I have thought about the whole selling on ebay thing, but that means having to time the trimming to when someone wins the auction - then finding the time to go to the post office the very next day. Life is just way too busy for that hassle.

Like you, my work keeps me up all hours (it's 12.21am & I'm still working). The only good thing is that I can sign on remotely from home into my work's computer system - so at least I am at home & my planted tank is sitting next to me). The replies to threads email advice goes to my work email address - so while I was working here at home - I received the email advising of your post - so I'm taking a quick break to read what you say & reply.

If ever I find more time in my life, I might do it though, as in theory, it is an excellent idea

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If ever I find more time in my life, I might do it though, as in theory, it is an excellent idea


I hear you, and I am in the same boat, way too busy (or lazy, LOL) to pull something like this off. But there is a problem with waiting. You are probably not the only one with success in Blyxa culturing. I would assume that rather sooner than later the marked will go down as more and more Blyxa is homegrown Down Under. And then I would wish I had taken the chance when it was there to make at least some money.

Ingo


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Weekly Tank Update - Week 39

Before I talk about the tank I will spend a little time on the male Apisto. I think he is not gonna be around that much longer. He still eats CO2 bubbles once in a while, but mostly hangs in one or the other spot, motionless, for longer durations. He prefers dark places. Today, I found him like this:

(sorry, bad focus)

Attached Image:

Apisto Tail In Center



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I didn't even think he can get out of this narrow ap between rock, plants, and wood by himself, but after turning off the light briefly he came out.

Here he is afterwards, and bad focus again.

Attached Image:

Apisto



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On to the tank:

Just to have a good comparison, and because I don't remember if the shot from last week is right above or on a previous page, here is the tank last week:

Attached Image:

Last Week



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And,

With the explanation coming in the next entry, here is the tank from this weekend.

Attached Image:

This Weekend



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So,

For one thing, I trimmed off some Bolbitis and some Fern that was approaching the middle of the tank, this made the gap a little more visible again.

As another measure, and as a result of me not using the PC on the 20G anymore (see that thread for details), I added a second glass over the top, placed the 96w PC closer to the one side of the tank (the front in this view) and added the 65w PC from the 20G more towards the other side of the tank.

I don't know how well this will work out, but it is worth a try.

That's it,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Do You See The Light?



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Sorry to hear about your male. I hope all turns out well.

The tank looks much better with the trim.

I don't think you will have any problems with the extra light. After running 5.26wpg on my tank I don't have much fear of high light any more. My next step is going to be MH lights. Some day down the road.

55G Planted tank thread
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[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
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EditedEdited by TankWatcher
So sorry to hear the male apisto isn't doing so well. I hope he comes good for you. These seem to be such sensitive fish (I've had several deaths, tetratech lost his & your beautiful male orange flash is in fish heaven now too. I may have shared this quote I found on another forum before, but it seems to me so true of these fish.
I may be more cynical than most but certain generalities seem to apply to Apistogramma. One partner of a pair always dies if you have spawned them and not salvaged any fry. One partner of a pair often kills the other, because no replacements are available. Something they eat disagrees with them and some die. If you really like a certain species and lavish it with the best of everything, it will die. These fish are perverse; sometimes those you ignore the most live the longest.

I like the tank so much better after it's trim & especially like the tunnel that has formed in the middle.

Good luck with your light experiment.


Cheers
TW
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Thanks Wings and Robyn for the comments on the tank

Yeah, I am not certain what I will do when the male gives up. I am somewhat reluctant to search for another male and keep this cycle going. On the other hand, I feel sorry for the 3 girls. I doubt that I could put them with the viejitas.

Ingo


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EditedEdited by TankWatcher
You won't know if putting the girls with the viejitas would work or not, without trying. I looked them up here http://www.cichlid-forum.com/profiles/species.php?id=416 The Temperament is described as

Temperament toward other tankmates that are of a different species: Peaceful
Conspecific Temperament: (describes overall demeanor toward other tank-mates of the same species - mildly aggressive

I think it would depend if the female cac's look sufficiently different to the female viejita, so that they recognise each other as a different species.

But still, lets hope it does not come to that and your male pulls through. Is he still eating?

BTW, forgot to mention that besides liking that tunnel through the middle of the tanks, I also like how your rocks are much more visible now, since the trim.

Cheers
TW
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Thanks Robyn,

I did not see him eat last night, instead he was all the way inside one of the hills for the entire time of feeding and staring at the tank (like 10 to 15 min), almost motionless. I had to shine a flashlight in there to even make sure that he is still alive. I can tell you one thing - if he dies in there it is going to be really hard to get him out

Ingo


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I have to say it does not sound good for the poor little guy. This not eating & being motionless usually brings nothing good with it.

Cheers
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Looks good with the increased light LF. Sorry to hear about the male, but we all know what eventually happens to substance abusers.



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but we all know what eventually happens to substance abusers


So true Matty



Maybe the girls were too much for him, and their constant bickering drove him to succumb to the CO2 hell.

Ingo


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I know I couldn't handle 2.....1 is tough enough (hides post from gf).



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Same here


Aaaaaanyway - last night after feeding the male came out from the darkest cave and his first trip was straight to the diffuser. He took in a few bubbles and then went to look for any food that was left (although the 3 females ate most already).

He is a nutcase

Ingo


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This is a very attractive tank and I think it could be really amazing if your up for a makeover (I know you like them).

I like the right mound because I could see more rocks, but on the other hand I like the wood and the bobitus, so I think you need to cut back the fern more to expose more wood. For the bigger part of the makeover I would add more rock to both mounds enough to hold back the eco. I would then remove everything from the foregound. Everything, the eco, the plants, everything. I would then fill with sand. A few random placed rocks mabye some with moss and possibility. This would give really good contrast to the green. Right now I think the Blyxa and the other foregrounds distract from the beauty of the mounds.
Just the way I see it from New York

My Scapes
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He is a nutcase
That seems so. One minute, he has no energy to do anything, but stay near the bottom almost motionless. That is until his next fix of C02

Anyway, you guys have so much energy - always talking of makeover's & what not. Yet, your tanks are all so nice as they are

Cheers
TW
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Yet, your tanks are all so nice as they are


And so is yours. The difference is:

The owner of the tank sees it in 3D, with all the ugly sides exposed. And he/she sees the tank 24/7 and as such the tank looses its interest much faster.

Thanks tetratech for the suggestion on what to do - basically you ask me to do a major makeover, something I haven't done on the larger tanks in quite a while. Once concern of removing the surrounding plants is the removal of plants per se, meaning the reduction of plant mass to the point where the tank becomes less stable. And right now it is pretty stable.

The current light construct cannot be a permanent installation either. It does not look great, it is a pain in the neck to get water out of the tank to mix ferts (just a small gap on one side left, the rest is covered with glass), and overall the light is not even. I may go with a Teck light afterall, just hanging it a little higher should reduce the intensity. Will see ...

Ingo


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EditedEdited by imrandy85
Hey LF, I try to keep an eye on all of your logs but this is my first time posting I think. Looking at your tanks a couple of months back is what has made me want to try keeping plants. I really hope your male apisto gets better. Apistogramma seem like really great fish and the pair in your other tank has made me want to get some but they're VERY hard to find around here. But all around many to you.
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Looking at your tanks a couple of months back is what has made me want to try keeping plants.


Oh thank you so much, imrandy85

I am always happy when I can help in any shape or fashion with getting someone into this side of the hobby. It is not easy, but it for sure extends the activities someone performs with his/her tank(s) and as such is an enrichment in experience.

Have fun,

Thanks for the input with regards to the tank as well,

Ingo


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Weekly Tank Update - Week 40

Nothing special happened with this tank during this week. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but since weeks I am down to 2 fertilizer rounds per week, from the initial 3. So far so good, but I can imagine that with the additional light I may need to go back up to 3.

Here is the tank this week:

Attached Image:

Week 40



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Oh - did you spot the male Apisto in the top left corner of the tank in the last shot? I have not seen him perusing the tank in at least two weeks, so this was a surprise to me.

Here is the last shot of this tank for today, showing the change in coloration of the Blyxa in just one week of direct light. The new leaves are a nice orange/brownish color.

That's it,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Blyxa Changes Color



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Beautiful as always LF.
The new leaves are a nice orange/brownish color.
So is that how blyxa is meant to be with sufficient light. Mine are all bright green?

Cheers
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Here is the last shot of this tank for today, showing the change in coloration of the Blyxa in just one week of direct light. The new leaves are a nice orange/brownish color


Nice LF, I forget are you just dosing TMG for FE, or are you adding something else. I don't understand my Blyxa. It's got 3.6wpg on a 72g it's in open space and I could barely get the stuff to grow. I'm not dosing alot of FE, I'm wondering if my water is to acidic or soft.

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tetratech,

my water is very soft, with 0 Dh for KH and GH naturally. I add some baking soda and equilibirum to get these values up a little, to maybe 3 or so (don't know exactly as I don't measure ).

I only add TMG, or its new replacement (plant nutrition or something) by Tropica, and only twice a week about 15ml each.

The difference in color came when I moved the light pretty much directly over the blyxa, so about 16 or less inches away from it, vs. the maybe 20" it was before.

Ingo


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Thanks LF. Well the Flourish only gives me about .10ppm FE at 10ml, but I do that 3 times a week, so I should be alright. Maybe the 65watt bulb is too weak to reach the 22" or so to where the Blyxa is. I swear this stuff grow better with the two 96watt bulbs at 2.7 then at 3.6wpg.

My aromatica is also not well and does coincide with me changin the light. I might try putting back the 192watt 3ft strip and see if anything changes. Very strange. Also I have two very deep thick groups of rotala and they are looking good all the way down, no melting or blackness on the steams even though the groups are very thick, which doesn't make sense if the light wasn't penetrating.

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Hi LF

Sorry, this is a question for tetratech - hope you don't mind.
too weak to reach the 22" or so to where the Blyxa is
How deep is your tank?

Cheers
TW
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How deep is your tank?


Hi Robyn, the 72g is 22" deep.

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Weekly Tank Update - Week 41

No major action this week with this tank either, except for some "above normal" trimming of the Bolbitis during maintenance this weekend. I took quite a few leaves out that were beginning to show some brown algae coating, that happens to them in my tank once they are around for a while.

Here is the full tank:

Attached Image:

This Week



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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 14:42Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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And here is a look at the tank from the other side, the one that has only the 65W lighting over it. You may notice the much greener color of the Blyxa.

Also, the male Apisto is on the left in one of his favorite "non-hiding" spots.

Attached Image:

Back View



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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 14:44Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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He like to be in that area as it is only a short swim to get his fix, aka CO2 bubbles.

Granted, this shot is not the best, but the light in that area is not favorable for taking photos.

Attached Image:

Drug Addict



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Here is a shot of one of Matty's hostages, eh female Apistos

I don't think that any more breeding is going on in the tank as the females have taken over the role of aggressors against each other. This used to be the case when there was no male in the tank (when the first male died and the second was in QT).

And - there is an Oto as well

Attached Image:

Apisto and Oto



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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 14:49Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Last shot for now, another close-up of the Blyxa that is getting the most light in this tank, the one on the right entry of the gap between the hills.

I am most sure that light is the key ingredient to Blyxa coloration, as simply the fact of moving the light and maintaining all other tank parameters made the difference.

That's it for now,

Have fun,

Ingo

Attached Image:

Blyxa "Light"



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LF,
Your tank looks, good. Almost makes me want to try a fern-type tank. I could see the discussion now with my wife.

Me: Can I do another tank?
Wife: &#$%
Me: But it's going to be a fern tank
Wife: I'm calling the doctor
Me: You'll never understand will you
wife: I'm calling my attorney


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Thanks tetratech for the compliment on the tank. I find the right group too strong, btw, and I am considering making it much smaller.

Your conversation with your wife should be more like this:

tetratech: I found a great way to make money
She: let me hear
tetratech: we could sell load of easy to ship aquarium plants on the internet
She: really?
tetratech: yeah, and the best thing is, all we need is a grow-out tank



Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 17:54Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Ah,

Albeit of not-so-good quality, I finally caught him in the act. Here he is, the crazy guy, eating his bubbles

Attached Image:

Bubble Mania



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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 19:03Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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EditedEdited by FRANK


I already tried that one...
Susan instantly asked, with some hesitation in
her voice.. "How big a tank?"

Oh, not big.. maybe 240 gallons.

And Susan looking at my 30 gallon tank and instantly
doing the math, and knowing how manipulative the three
boys had been.. Instantly responded with "NO!"

Maybe I was thinking too big?

Frank


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And here he is again, chasing the youngest female away as she got way too close to his source of free dope.

All girls in the tank are clearly showing interest in him, but he has nothing else in mind than bubbles, mad man!!!

Attached Image:

Go Away



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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 19:05Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Frank,

Just saw your entry.

Yeah, you may have pushed it a little too far, with the 240G

You should have said 50G, and then worked your way up reasoning that a 125G is more profitable, and then showed up with the 240 claiming the 125 was no longer in stock

Ingo


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Frank


Beautiful tanks, and it sounds like the
cories are going to settle in quite nicely..


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Post InfoPosted 25-Mar-2007 19:09Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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The drug addict seems quite recovered from his sickness?

Cheers
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The drug addict seems quite recovered from his sickness?


I don't know, it really depends on the moment. Some time I think he is doing all right as he peruses the tank, other times he has me worried again as he is hiding or eating bubbles. I am most certain though that he doesn't make a good "male" anymore, I see zero courtship behavior from him although all females show willingness when he gets near them (or they get near him, which is more often the case).

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 26-Mar-2007 13:17Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Hi,
I was just wondering... What would happen if a competitor
suddenly appeared on the scene? Or, perhaps it is time
to put him "out to pasture" (a different tank) and bring
a younger bull into the field?

Perhaps a shift to a different tank for a month or two
and then returning him at a later date?

Frank


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Post InfoPosted 26-Mar-2007 16:07Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Perhaps a shift to a different tank for a month or two and then returning him at a later date?


I was thinking about that, like sending him to Rehab

But the problem is that all other tanks would not allow me to re-catch him when trying to put him back, and the QT is housing new fish, plus Platy fry.

I saw a fully grown male of his species in the LFS this week and I have to say that he most certainly would "eliminate" the current male, so that is not an option either.

In addition, I don't know how many more times I would like to go through the cycle of buying "replacements" for failures or fish that died off

Ingo


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EditedEdited by tetratech
Thanks tetratech for the compliment on the tank. I find the right group too strong, btw, and I am considering making it much smaller.


Duh! I believe that's what I was telling you.

Your conversation with your wife should be more like this:

tetratech: I found a great way to make money
She: let me hear
tetratech: we could sell load of easy to ship aquarium plants on the internet
She: really?
tetratech: yeah, and the best thing is, all we need is a grow-out tank



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Post InfoPosted 26-Mar-2007 17:49Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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I finally convinced my girlfriend to let me buy a 20 gallon tank for our apartment so we went out to the local fish stores looking at 20's and stands and all the equipment. We got to one store and acted unsure about the 20 and then he told us the 29 was only $15 more and then he gave me a really good deal on a 38 so we ended up bringing the 38 home.

LF, could you take a look at my post in the cichlid forum about sexing apistos. I know you had some trouble with yours a while back so I thought maybe you could offer some insight. Hope your male keeps getting better.
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Nice story on how to double the original size of a tank there, imrandy85

We all know that the best tanks are the largest one can afford (in size and cost).

I also added an entry to your thread, but I am not sure if it helps.

Ingo


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Post InfoPosted 26-Mar-2007 20:16Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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Looking at the front and back pics, i have to say i'm not sure which side is better looking. Which is a good thing. I would just send the apisto to quarintine after the new fish have left, so that he can experience a CO2 Free zone.

-Vincent
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Vincent,

Thanks for the comments and compliments on the tank and fish. I personally prefer the front view as I like the valley opening between the hills and the fact that all equipment is on the other side. Overall, I am rather pleased with the fact that not even one side of the tank is really ugly.

Thanks,

Ingo


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LF,

The tank really looks nice. This is by far my favorit tank of yours. The Flash looks like he is doing better but still looks a little funny. Kind of thin looking I guess.

Hope all is well.=!

55G Planted tank thread
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[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
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Thanks Wings for the compliment on the tank.

Yeah, he is rather thin (not skinny yet) and rather small for the time that I have him already. Actually, the female I bought with him (the pair) is also smaller than Matty's females, by quite a bit.

Ingo


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Maybe you should start feeding frozen food or even live black worms. That will thicken them up!

55G Planted tank thread
19G Container Pond
[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
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Weekly Tank Update - Week 42

Nothing at all to report about the tank, all is the same bla bla, meaning fish eats bubbles, growth is good, considering redo, ergo nothing new.

Here is the one and only shot for this week:

Attached Image:

Week 42



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Post InfoPosted 01-Apr-2007 23:11Profile PM Edit Delete Report 
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ergo nothing new.


Looks good though , eh? I'm a big fan of this tank I've decided.



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I'm a big fan of this tank I've decided

Oh no, , just in time when I decided that it needs change

During the water change I only had the 96w unit on in the middle of the tank. It seems sooooo dark now as the tops are really tall and wide.

Ingo


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It's ok, It will live on in the pictures.

I think it's neat because it's really contrasty. Super bright green, almost black in the dark areas. Just neat. It would probably bug me though if I had to take care of it. Just knowing that the darkness keeps encroaching on everything else.



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Like the tank too, but still want to see the right side reduced

My Scapes
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I seem to remember a couple/three years ago commenting
about what one does when a tank reaches this point.

You and Tetra seem to have postponed the dilemma by
simply putting your energy into creating more and
more beautiful tanks rather than having just one.

If the scuttlebutt holds true that some of these plant
friendly substrates wear out over a year or two, then
you guys are all set. About the time the tank reaches
maturity and you grow "bored" with it, it would be time
to tear it apart and start anew.

Actually, you are probably right. As the tank unfolded
over these months, I personally lost track of the fact
that it is supposed to be a "Breeder Tank" and not just
another beautiful show tank. If you were to breed some
fish in this tank that eventually required you move the
parents to another tank, rear the fry, and then you had
to catch the fry to sell them, or move them, you would
have the devils own time trying to net any fish in that
beautiful, planted tank.

Frank


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Like the tank too, but still want to see the right side reduced


That's what I would be going for, but it is a major undertaking. The ferns on the 3 main branches, plus the NL Fern that I just tossed into the middle between them, plus the various Anubias Nanas in there have all formed one major major major net of rhizomes and roots. If you pull on one end the whole hill comes alive with movement, all interconnected.


Frank, Breeder is just the name of the tank shape, like Long for another shape. I am not too much hung up on the idea of using it specifically for this purpose, although it would be nice if the Apisto would show some productivity. I selected this tank shape because it has the greates depth compared to the lenght and height of an standard tanks that do not cost a fortune. Depth is very important for scaping, just think about front- middle- and background. The fact that this tank is a walkaround makes the depth even more important as each side (at least the long ones) is a front. This would have been impossible to do in a 55 with its lousy 12" of depth.

If I had a choice, I would have a tank of 36" long, 24" deep, and 18" heigh. That would be awesome

Ingo


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I would have a tank of 36" long, 24" deep, and 18" high
I know it's on the dark side, a place where we usually venture not - but that is almost the size of hubby's marine.

It is 36" long, 24" deep, and 24" high - perfect for building nice coral reefs - although we are not as talented as Matty & the others, it still looks quite nice.

Cheers
TW
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I should try and take a picture of our reef tanks from work sometime. LxWxH : 48x36x18 I would love to have them take one down so I could set it up as a planted tank! Odds of that happening any time soon?

55G Planted tank thread
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[IMG]http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/Wingsdlc/Ric
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You guys are too much, trying to get me to get a bigger tank, aren't you?

Anyway:

Robyn - your husband's tank is too high for me, 24 inches don't lean themselves to pruning maintenance etc. Plus - you need quite some light over that baby.
Wings - that is a whopping 135G, . 36" deep is awesome though, but overall way too large.

Ingo


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Yes, but his corals don't need pruning & the height & depth mean that a nice reef reef could be built on a gentle slope, ensuring good light to all the corals.

Still, I may go 22" in my 3ft planted (not yet ordered - still undecided). Yes, yes, I know - not your favourite height. But that's the height of tetratech's 72G & his tank always looks pretty darn good to me.

Decisions, decisions - I hate them.

Cheers
TW
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If I had a choice, I would have a tank of 36" long, 24" deep, and 18" high. That would be awesome


LF, check it out:

http://www.glasscages.com/?sAction=ViewCat&lCatID=2

It's called the 65 wide, 36 X 24 X 17, available in glass or acrylic. It's pictured with euro bracing, but I'm sure you could get it with standard bracing. About $300 will get the acrylic shipped right to your door, the glass would have to be picked up somewhere.

Now I'll be on my merry way...


Back in the saddle!
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Oh NowherMan6,

Now you get me fantasizing about a new tank again

I have seen that site before and looked at several of their tanks, but never could convince myself that going to some pickup place is the right thing to do.

Plus, the tank in the picture is really ugly, with that glass bracing being in the way like mad, .

That is Eurot**** bracing,

I am very concerned about an Acrylic tank though, it is like owning a new car and getting the first scratch in it, just horrible. And I will get scratches, with kids and stuff (the cats died).

Also, I didn't find a stand for this tank on their site, I guess I would have to call Matty down from the mountains to help me with the handy work and built one myself (BTW, an object that is wider than 20" in its narrowest dimension would have to be assembled in the basement, the walkway - and door - would not permit larger stuff).

I noticed that some of their dimensions seem to be off when referring to their supposed volume. Like the one they call 40 Long with 36 x 18 x 13. That doesn't seem right at all as my 40 Breeder is 36 x 18 x 16. And what exactly would make theirs a 40 Long? I find it rather short

Ingo


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Their volumes are off, for the most part they're approximations (my 65 is technically 63.6) - they mention at the top of the page to go by the dimensions, not the listed volume.

And yes, that eurobracing is god awful But I don't think it's standard, thankfully.

As for the acrylic, it's not as bad as some make it out to be. It's VERY clear for one thing, and whatever kind they use to make their tanks, it's better than the stuff those little 2.5 G bowfronts are made off. I've been tinkering around in my tank with driftwood for a few months now, without a scratch.

Anyway, it's just an idea - the tank of your dreams is out there.


Back in the saddle!
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Anyway, it's just an idea

It is a great idea, NowherMan6

I didn't want to give you the impression that it did not strike me as an option, just have to get my act together first.

Ingo


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