|
Post by sdboers on Sept 24, 2014 10:39:22 GMT -5
Ok - lets see if I can accomplish this... Here is my first attempt to share my tank... Tank Description: - 135 gallon at 6' x 1.5' x 2'
- Substrate is a mix of Aragonite and crushed coral
- Decorations are combination of drift wood and rocks
- Plants are plastic with some live floating hornwort
- Heating provided by a 300w Eheim Jagr
- Filtration provided by 2 Eheim Pro II 2028 canister filters with a third on standby
- Circulation provided by two MaxiJet 1200s (adapted with filter floss for additional mech filtration)
Inhabitants (some names could be wrong): - ? Peacock (not sure which kind) -1
- Blue Dolphin (Cyrtocara moorii) - 1
- Bristlenose Pleco - 1
- Daffodil (Neolamprologus Pulcher) - 1
- Demasoni (Pseudotropheus Demasoni) - 1
- Strawberry Peacock - 1
- Electric Blue Ahli (Sciaenochromis fryeri) - 1
- Electric Yellow Lab (Labidochromis caeruleus) - 4 (2m, 2f)
- Giraffe (Nimbochromus venustus) - 1 (large)
- Jack Dempsey - 1 (large) - removed to his own tank to think about what he has done...
- Kenyi (Maylandia lombardoi) - 2 (1m, 1f)
- Livingstonii - 1
- OB Peacock - 1
- Power Blue Zebra - 1
- Red Empress (Protomelas taeniolatus) -2 (2f)
- Red Zebra (Metriaclima estherae) - 1
- Sailfin Pleco - 1
- Snow White (Pseudotropheus Socolofi) - 1
- Sunshine Peacock (Aulonocara baenschi) - 1
- Spotted Pictus Catfish - 2
- White Lab or White Zebra (not sure) - 2
- Wiliamsi - 1
- Zebra Obliquidens (Astatotilapia latifasciata) - 4 (3m, 1f)
- Elongatus Chewere - 1
- Deep Magunga (Metriclimia Msobo) - 1
- Red Fin (Copadichromis Borleyi) - 1f
- Peratheraps Melanurus - 1 (large)
- Pseudotropheus Elegans - 1
Don't *think* I forgot anyone...
Now - if I've done this right - here is a short video of the tank and inhabitants. Don't mind the barking in the background... As mentioned elsewhere, we run a rescue for Giant Breed Canines - www.birchhaven.org if you are interested... Comments and suggestions on the tank are welcome. At worst I'll ignore you if I don't like what you said...
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Sept 24, 2014 13:05:31 GMT -5
Thanks for sharing! You have quite the mix of Lake Tanganyika and Lake Malawi Cichlids for East Africa as well as at least one American Cichlid (I am not sure what it was that I saw, but not a Jack Dempsey that you moved for punishment. A little commentary, as your tank makes a good point: Your mix also included a Pictus catfish and helps reinforce the point that as per water parameters, it is not necessary to chase low pH, GH, & KH conditions for you fish that come from this biotope (such as the pictus), as you likely have high numbers for the pH, GH, & KH based on your substrate yet your catfish and other American Cichlid are thriving. Thanks for sharing this web site too. I looked around on this website as well . Carl
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Sept 24, 2014 17:54:34 GMT -5
Sure a eye catching tank. That many fish, with so many colors is great to see. Your pleco looks very similar to mine! Same size too. everythingaquatic.proboards.com/thread/3516/40-gallon-upgradeI thought my eyes where playing tricks on me, the tank would go from yellowish to blueish. That must be the hit of yellow color you were talking about. Thanks for sharing. It really it is a wonderful set up!
|
|
|
Post by Ameenah on Sept 24, 2014 22:02:39 GMT -5
Hello Sean Your tank looks real nice. I like that you do a "time out" for bad behaviour - I happen to have my Albimo Oscar on "time out" right now too - and it seems that he/she likes being alone. She/he is rearranging his/her tank decor every day. I am looking forward to your posts in Tank Blogs - remember to share the good, the bad and the awesome of your aquarium experiences. Even the small incidentals could help someone else going through the same challenges. ~~ Ameenah Ameenah's 150 G Monster Tank Blog
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Sept 25, 2014 8:09:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the comments folks... Carl: - I have an american cichlid in there? If you can describe it to me - I can tell you the name that I *think* it is, and post a better picture... Large or small?
- All mixed up... Yep - the tank is quite the messed up mix. Kinda like me! lol...
- Jack Dempsey - he was moved out for biting a pictus in half. Although he is assumed guilty without evidence. I'm not 100% positive it was him. I'm nervous about moving him back in though. He's absolutely stunning, I'll have to post a pic of him later.
- Pictus - they were original inhabitants in the tank when I bought it. They seem to be doing quite well with the water conditions, very active. My pH runs about 8.0 in the tank. GH and KH are both > 200. Of course, one of the pictus is a replacement given the statement above about Jack...
Devon: - I took a look at your tank photos - very nice. You put a lot more thought into aquascaping than I have done to date. My thought process consisted of ummmm... rock, sand, sand, rock, plant, wood, sand! ta da!
- Nice pleco. Saw one at the LFS the other week that was easily 20 inches long and would look crowded in my tank!!
- I think the colour changes you noted are more about my iPhone adjusting itself than the tank itself. I think you are referring to the portion of the video with my Venustus in full view. Incidentally - I consider him the prize fish in the tank. He is easily 8-9" tip to tail and has fantastic colour. He turns his spots on and off as quickly as a freaking lightbulb. And without fail - every water change - he tries to mate with the Sunshine Peacock.
Ameenah:
- Thanks for the encouragement to start a tank blog here. Can't promise I'll stay up to date on it, but I'll do my best!
- I read your entire tank blog from start to finish. In no specific order I'd like to give you my applause, condolences and respect.
- FSB... Ugh... I'm disheartened to read all the trouble you have had getting your running properly. I am seriously considering one even though my current filtration is quite acceptable. I wonder if the Filter Max sponges would be more effective at keeping the mulm out than the integral filter in the pump you have? For that reason only, I am considering a pump that could utilize an external sponge through an input. If I go FSB, it is to simplify things - not make it more complex!
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Sept 25, 2014 8:29:53 GMT -5
Carl - ok - got it. The other american cichlid is the Paratheraps Melanurus - origin is Mexico. Good eye!
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Sept 25, 2014 9:27:33 GMT -5
For others, here is the cichlid I was referring too (from video screenshot): American cichlids have a different look than the African counter parts, which is how I spotted him/her Carl
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Sept 25, 2014 10:26:29 GMT -5
]FSB... Ugh... I'm disheartened to read all the trouble you have had getting your running properly. I am seriously considering one even though my current filtration is quite acceptable. I wonder if the Filter Max sponges would be more effective at keeping the mulm out than the integral filter in the pump you have? For that reason only, I am considering a pump that could utilize an external sponge through an input. If I go FSB, it is to simplify things - not make it more complex! Sean. Sean, Thanks for taking the time to comment back to me. Thank you for the nice words about my tank. I like mine, but I would trade for yours. As for the filter max you were talking about above. I actually made the switch from the volcanic rock, like Ameenah is using, to the filter max and it does a great job of keeping the mulm out. I did this just to see what the difference was. The hard part for Ameenah was that the pump she was using, had no way to hook a filter max up without serious modifications. It had the gph she needed thought. So, she worked with it and found the best way. Putting it in the container helped a lot from my understanding. When it comes to the volcanic rock, if there is any way water can by pass the rock from the smallest opening, it will and it will pull mulm into the filter. This is why burying it in a container with v-rock works so well. The filter max is another great option though.
|
|
|
Post by Ameenah on Sept 26, 2014 19:42:59 GMT -5
- FSB... Ugh... I'm disheartened to read all the trouble you have had getting your running properly. I am seriously considering one even though my current filtration is quite acceptable. I wonder if the Filter Max sponges would be more effective at keeping the mulm out than the integral filter in the pump you have? For that reason only, I am considering a pump that could utilize an external sponge through an input. If I go FSB, it is to simplify things - not make it more complex!
Sean.
Hi Sean i am humbled that you managed to read my entire tank blog. Thank you regarding the many issues I experienced getting my FSB Filter set up..... It was a learning process that I almost gave up on for sure. But now I think it is working out just great. In the final trial, I placed the SunSun 1542 water pump into a plastic food container that left room around all sides to be filled with volcanic rock and Matrix and topped it off with a few slabs of sandstone to keep the fishes from removing anything (my species enjoy remodeling tanks). With the high bioload of my tank a sponge filter of any size would not work for over a couple minutes and be clogged which would lead to burning out the pump - not a good think for my tank at all. The media surrounding my water pump is preventing mulm and other debris from clogging the pump or flowing through the water pump to clog the FBS Filter. there truely is no better bio filtration than the FBS Filters the awesome folks on this forum and at AAP have helped me so much. All my filtration was purchased online at AAP. All the suggestions for getting my filtration tuned in came from the EA forum. when I mentioned that I think tank blogs are awesome for posting the good bad and awesome I hope that from my tank blog you will not need to go through such trial and error that I went through. So, when you opt for an FBS Filter you will be much more educated on what it does and how to best set it up for your tank. I went through all the bad steps LOL And yes, I do look forward to reading your tank blog - even if you post only once a month. What you post may help your tank blog readers too.
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Oct 1, 2014 8:28:37 GMT -5
Ok - cue dramatic music please... It's time for - the water change... Wish me luck. Water changes are not supposed to be a source of stress. This will be the first water change in the house since my son's disastrous water change that I posted about earlier. Tank parameters are actually pretty good right now, so I'm going to keep the change small, about 20% (26 gallons / 135 gallons). Tank parameters before the change are: Ammonia: 0.1ppm Nitrite: 0.0ppm Nitrate: 30ppm pH: 7.8 Kh: 150ppm Gh: 220ppm I will post the parameters of the tap water after treatment and sitting, as well as the post water change tank parameters. If I ever encounter another disaster water change - I need to be able to isolate the cause. Sean.
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 1, 2014 18:34:04 GMT -5
GOOD LUCKEverything looks pretty good, so there shouldn't be an issue. You are doing it right too. Keep us posted.
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Oct 5, 2014 7:50:55 GMT -5
Ok - finally got around to that water change... All is well - everyone is swimming. Yay!
Some notes... All parameters were fairly equal between the tank water and the replacement water with the following exceptions: Tank Ph was 7.8 - replacement water was 7.4 Tank Ammonia was 0.1 - replacement water was 1.0
As with all my water changes - ammonia rises slightly after a water change and gets eaten by the filters.
Now the one thing I have a question about is Hydrogen Sulfide gas... I noticed this time - more than previously - that there were a lot of bubbles escaping from the sand as I moved things around and vacuumed. My assumption is Hydrogen Sulfide. My sand bed is around 2" when flat, but ranges from 0" to 4" as the cichlids redecorate. While I don't see the telltale black layering in the sand - I did see black on the bottom of a least one rock.
I've read your articles Carl, but I'm not sure I really retained all of it. When I clean the tank, should I be stirring up the sand to release this gas - so that it doesn't build up further, or should I be as careful as possible not to disturb it? I should have shot a video of the quantity of gas escaping, but I wasn't thinking that way at the time... I do have snails in the sand that are supposed to help sift it - but...
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Oct 6, 2014 9:38:11 GMT -5
Sean; The Cichlids are doing part of the work for you with their re-arrangement of the substrate. And yes, vacuuming at least part of the substrate is a good cleaning routine.
The bubbles could also be nitrogen too, especially if other telltale signs of hydrogen sulfide are not present.
BTW, the pH difference of .4 between tank and replacement water is not at all a problem. Assuming a 25% water change, the math would then make this only a .1 pH change which is not at all a rick for pH shock.
Carl
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Oct 6, 2014 12:08:57 GMT -5
So I added some fish to the tank this weekend as well. We will see how it goes... First - I added Mr. Jack Dempsey back into the mix. I'm a bit nervous in doing so as he's got a pretty big mouth. If he can behave - he's a lovely addition. If not - I'm going to have to re-home him. I don't want him forced to hang out in his own 15 gallon with no friends... That being said - I don't want him eating his "friends" either... That is a huge social faux pas. Next - I had a friend who was shutting down her tank with 2 lonely cichlids - so I have added them to mine. She didn't know what kinds they were, but they look like a mature Maswa, Wide Yellow Band (Tropheus Duboisi) and a Convict Cichlid (Amatitlania nigrofasciatus). So far so good on those two guys... I'll see if I can post another video with these 3 in the mix... Sean.
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Oct 6, 2014 12:35:14 GMT -5
The other thing I'll mention - is that I put the water bottles filled with filter floss back on the powerheads. I had pulled them off, but it doesn't take long (less than a week) before I start seeing visible debris floating around the tank. In my quest for a clear tank, I put them back on and the water cleared up in less than 24 hours. So - slightly less than visually appealing, but the effect on the water clarity is significant.
I will also be trying out a more cost effective method. Rather than buying filter floss at the pet store (cha-ching) - I picked up a bag of 100% polyester quilt batting at Walmart. Less than $20 for 110" x 110". At that cost I can simply replace frequently as opposed to rinsing and cleaning.
There is one more added benefit to this approach... My Pleco loves it. He treats the filter floss as his own personal feeding sludge-cicle. He is frequently chomping on the bottom of the floss - noticeably cleaning it.
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Oct 6, 2014 17:20:28 GMT -5
And here is the quick video I promised. Lousy view of the one new guy - Tropheus Duboisi - stage fright I guess... Got a good shot of Jack. Sure hope he behaves since he sure is a nice specimen. Convict seems to be settling in ok, although he's done a bit of lip locking with the Demasoni...
Gotta run... The horse fence needs fixing. sigh...
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 7, 2014 0:08:45 GMT -5
Glad it all went well. Looks like everything has been covered They all look great!
|
|
|
Post by Carl on Oct 7, 2014 18:40:39 GMT -5
Beautiful tank, thanks for sharing! And yes I see your SA Cichlid too Nice DIY way to clear up much in the water with the water bottles! Carl
|
|
|
Post by sdboers on Oct 8, 2014 7:22:31 GMT -5
The one thing I still need to figure out - is where the fish park the backhoe during the day. The amount of digging they do over night could only be accomplished with the assistance of machinery! I'm pretty sure the Venustus is the chief architect and landscaper. I had once considered constructing an under gravel jet system, but I think it would spend more time being exposed and looking stupid than otherwise. So folks - your opinions please - what would you improve with the tank? I'm not dissatisfied with the tank - I'm just always tinkering... If I had more money than brains - and some would argue a nickle would get me there - I would consider changing \ adding the following: - Lighting: The lighting is currently a 4 foot and a 2 foot LED - Marineland Double Bright. Expensive lights, but I'm not all that impressed with them. Love the moonlight aspect of it for night, but I don't find the brightness to be all that great for the white lighting. I've been considering building a hood for the tank and encapsulating LED RGB flood lights in it - 3 x 30watt. Like these: www.ebay.ca/itm/10W-20W-30W-50W-LED-Flood-Light-RGB-Cool-Warm-White-Outdoor-Landscape-Lamp-Light-/130949424249?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&var=&hash=item1e7d31a479
- UV Sterilizer: I can't see how this could be anything but beneficial to the tank... I'm thinking the Vecton-6; V2 600 25 Watt.
- 3D background: Love the look of these 3d backgrounds, but not one that takes up much space in the tank. I find with a background on the outside of the glass - you're always looking through a glare at it. I like these ones: www.universalrocks.com/aquarium-reptile-pet/backgrounds/rocky-style/various-sizes.htm
- SeaChem Matrix: Why not replace the media in my canisters with Matrix for better denitrification? 20 liters can be obtained for $129 CDN. That would fill all 3 of my Eheims... Filters currently run ceramic rings in the bottom tray (with coarse foam), followed by bio material (eheim) in the other 2 trays with a layer of filter floss on top. Doing a good job on ammonia and nitrite.
- Caves: My guys absolutely love the hollow log in the tank as well as the makeshift cave from a couple of rocks I lean on each other. A 10 pack of "cichlid caves" is not ridiculously expensive... www.amazon.com/Underwater-Galleries-AUG6753-10-Pack-Rock/dp/B0055KZ83O/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_text_y
- Substrate: I'm thinking of moving to a more coarse aragonite. The stuff that came with the tank is fairly fine. Vacuuming the substrate is difficult as some of the substrate is also vacuumed off with the waste.
So what would you do with the tank?
Sean.
|
|
|
Post by devonjohnsgard on Oct 8, 2014 8:41:20 GMT -5
Looks like some neat things to do. Nice cheaper LED option, not bad. I'm not a huge fan of the cheaper LED options, but I've seen plenty of set-ups were there working. The RGB should be used as little as possible, cause you want 6500K. Yes, the sterilizer is a nice addition. With that many fish, you would want some insurance. I'm thinking this one would come in time. Background would be great. There's a member here who does DIY. There great www.everything-aquatic.com/2014/07/diy-styrofoam-aquarium-background.htmlMatrix is good. For a cheaper, but very good way too is volcanic rock. The more caves the better Try substrate that would be easy to vacuum. Small little pea size rocks work best.
|
|