|
 |
 |
|
July 12th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Had to implement plan B. 29gal tall tank is definetely too small for one young 6" Tiguer Oscar (yes Moon gained an inch already!), never mind two. So I placed a fake dritwood (kind of big) in the opposite corner of Moon's favourite spot, and another ornament with "cave", to provide cover for the six young Convict Cichlids (who fear no-one or nothing, but the fishnet: hard to catch fellows!). Guess who owns the spot now: Moon and his friend, the smallest African Hybrid Cichlid. We named the new Tiguer Oscar "Luna" (Moon in Spanish).
Actual stocking:
10gal -Way Overstocked: one 2" Female Betta "Edda", one 1" Male Fancy Guppy "Mumu", two 1.5" Female Fancy Guppies (one of them named "Rayita" -Stripe), The School of eight -1 to 1.5" Zebra Danios (four of them Glowfish) among them "Elmo" (the odd-looking who is growing beautifully long fins), and "Charly" and "Princess". Five 1 to 2" Apple Snails (there's one missing since two days ago, nowhere to be found, yet).
pH 7.7, Temp 29C, Ammonia: Zero; Nitrites: Zero, Nitrates 10-25ppm, GH 12, KH 7
5.5gal -The new kid: 4" young Tiguer Oscar "Luna", by himself with the rescued from the beach freswater snail (resembles a zebra nirite snail but brown)
pH 7.7, Temp 28C, Ammonia: Zero; Nitrites: Zero, Nitrates 10-25ppm, GH 10, KH 6
29gal bow (equivalent to 20gal in surface): young 6" Tiguer Oscar "Moon", three -2 to 3"-Hybrid African Cichlids, six -1 to 1.75" young Convict Cichlids.
pH 7.7, Temp 28C, Ammonia: Zero, Nitrites: Zero, Nitrates 10-25ppm (Still doing everyother day 30% water changes, just in case)
The 145gal should be cycled in three or four days, but I might need an extra day or two to lower pH a bit, by filtering through peat. I would like pH of 6.8 for the Green Severum that's coming home.
Pepe
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
|
July 13th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Update: Last night a "crack-noise" happened in the 145gal tank. I thought it was the glass, but it was the styrofoam underneath. The tank tilted forward (the bubble in the leveling instrument went towards the rear extreme). So this morning I went out and got two 36"x24" corksheet of 1/2" thick. Bought a new garden hose of 25', stopped the filters, lamps, canopies, drained the tank (by the old method of mouth-syphoon), placed as much sand as I could in a bucket, remove the driftwoods and plants. It took 90+ minutes to empty.
So I placed it over the corksheets, check the leveling, and refill with the same method and help form my wife as the day we set it up. It took around 45 minutes to fill. I let the water rest, and nitrates drop to 0.48ppm. So I added Ammonia solution and will see how bad this event affected the fishless-cycle. It will take the time it takes, and it's OK. Good thing this happened now and not with the fish in it.
Pepe
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
|
|
July 15th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Update: 145gal fishless cycle going well. Within 24 hours of water change and leveling of the tank, the Nitrite Spike hold steady; but today, it began going down! (it's less than 1.0ppm but greater than 0.48ppm); and Nitrates are now present! showing in the 10 to 25ppm range, probably closer to 10. The cycle could be done within 48 hours, IMO.
Peat is really expensive here, but at least it's aquarium safe: Fluval Peat Fiber costs around 15USD for 70grams. Since I cannot trust constant availability, I will purchase enough for a year, once I figure out the quantities. My goal is to lower the pH to 6.8, keeping a KH at 3dH or slightly higher. Once I reach that, I will consider using EasyBalance (without nitraban, the only available here) to stabilize the whole deal, and take it from there. I won't place any fish in that tank until I'm sure I have pH stability under control. The drawback of peat, is that once it becomes innefective -reportedly in a month or so, pH will rise, but at least will do it gradually; the KH seems to be the key to avoid pH crashes. As for the other drawback, I will try without activated charcoal, I might like the stained tea-coloured water (Oscars and Severums like it, as I have read around).
Got another tank mate for the Oscars, a Golden Severum, 3.5", left him/her at the LFS. Today I was got ready to move Luna (the 4" Tiguer Oscar) in the 29g bow with Moon (now 6"), and Moon's behavior has been drastically different: For the first two hours, it was like they were long time buddies; swimming together up and down the current flow from the AquaClear 110, hiding together behind a "cave" formed by an ornamental "clay-driftwood", even eating pellets side by side. I tried this at noon, and left to my office a little worried (I had a piece of translucent plastic -those used for cover of ceiling fluorescent lamps- ready to use to separete two sections of the tank, but didn't use it). Upon my return, there has been some chasing, but no one is hurt. Moon is definetly dominant and Luna is being submissive. So far, so good.
Pepe
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
|
|
July 16th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Update: 145gal tank cycled!
pH 7.7, Ammonia ZERO, Nitrites ZERO, Nitrates 10ppm.
After measuring the pH in the LFSs tanks where the 5" Green Severum (7.6) and the 3.5" Gold Severum (7.4) have been kept, I just decided to drop the pH down project (peat filtering) for a while.
So I did a 50% water change, and introduced both Tiguer Oscars, the three Hybrids African Cichlids (by noon time, with the encouragement of... yes, my wife, who tested pH for the first time today and helped in acclimating the guys/gals); and now, as I just returned from office, I introduced the Green Severum. Hope to bring the Gold Severum tomorrow.
This is beyond words for me. I can't believe I have these beautiful silent creatures with me. My wife called me at evening -I was in session with a patient- to share with me the free swimming, side by side, of Moon and Luna.
I left the lights off, for their sake.
Back when I can... I'm staring at this tank while the All-Star Game (MLB) is on TV.
Pepe
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
|
|
July 16th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Keeper
|
Those are some beautiful fish you picked out. Congrats! When will we get photos?
On a side note, regarding therapeutic fish keeping, I have been suffering many troubles in the last year and if it were not for my fish, I would be in a very bad way right now. I was going through a very dark time when I got my betta fish David Bowie, and he has made all the difference in me. It's wonderful to have these quiet, intelligent, intuitive animals near you to remind you to take life more lightly and to never forget how to laugh and relax.  |
|
|
|
|
July 16th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Hi Devon. I hope to get a camera (I don't have one, believe it or not) soon. A friend of mine offered to lend me hers last weekend but forgot it. Hopefully on Friday I'll get it for the weekend.
Thanks for your side note. Fishkeeping brings me a lot of peace of mind, and the maintenance/research at least distracts/diverts some of the worries of situations I can't control that will take time to work out. Glad to hear your doing better, and taking care of Ziggy and the crowd.
I wonder, by looking into your aquarium info, that the Apple Snail that disappeared from my 10gal tank about a week ago might have left with Major Tom and landed in Edgar's tank...
Pepe
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
|
|
July 17th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Keeper
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by pepetj
I wonder, by looking into your aquarium info, that the Apple Snail that disappeared from my 10gal tank about a week ago might have left with Major Tom and landed in Edgar's tank...
|
 Maybe he did! Sometimes I think for sure Edgar is gone, only to have him turn up stuck to something or other in the tank. Though I have been reading from other people that snails can become a really big pest in a tank, but so far I have just seen him, and I don't mind him there at all. He does his housework and minds his own business... actually he's really cute!  |
|
|
|
|
July 17th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Helper
|
Pepe,
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your ongoing MTS saga. I also have MTS -- traded in one addiction for another! -- and PTSD and have found my tanks to be extremely good therapy.
I would LOVE a large tank like your 145g but I won't drink water from my well so I surely won't use it in my fish tanks...I have to haul my water from town in 1 gallon and 3 gallon jugs. With one 5g, 2x 10g, a 29g and a 30g to do water changes on every week, this gets extremely tedious!
So all I can do is dream...Or live vicariously through your adventures! Thank you for sharing (and keep the photos coming!)
Kelly
|
|
|
|
July 17th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Keeper
|
Quote:
|
After measuring the pH in the LFSs tanks where the 5" Green Severum (7.6) and the 3.5" Gold Severum (7.4) have been kept, I just decided to drop the pH down project (peat filtering) for a while.
|
That's a good decision. Trying to change your water chemistry usually results in fluctuations which are worse for the fish than a steady, higher pH.
Tank-bred Severums are quite tolerant of higher pH. |
|
|
|
|
July 19th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Update: I live and I learn, and sometimes its my beloved animals that pay the ultimate price.
a) Don't let the lid open in a tank with ghost shrimps. I turned the 5.5gal into a ghost shrimp tank, brought 6 adults (two are carrying females). One of the males went out to explore and I found him dead on the floor upon my return from office.
b) Dont't leave Convicts, even if young, without enough caves to hide. I went to the office yesterday, after performing partial water changes in their temporal home, took some plants out to work on them, left only a bundle of Anacharis and a single cave-ornament. Two Convicts were dead at my return from office, horrible scene of body parts all around. 4 Convicts left. Had to perform another water change (50%) to prevent toxic spykes. I finally placed them, today at the big tank, with plenty of coverage.
c) Don't leave your allready paid for fish at the LFS for too long. I lost one of the Red Salmon Rainbows (a male) at the LFS that was holding them for me. Someone introduced a bunch of corydoras to their tank. Brought them home today, they are striving at the 29g bow (their tank is being cycled).
So, I got the camera today! I'm taking some pics and hopefully will be loading them in while!
Actual stocking:
Tank 1 (10 gal moderately planted): Edda (female Betta), School of 8 young Zebra Danios (4 Glowfish), 3 fancy Guppies (1 male, 2 females). 2 Apple Snails, 4 Ramshorn Snail. Intended for Edda and friends (will try to form a group of 5 female bettas)
Tank 2 (5.5 gal, heavily planted): 5 Ghost Shrimps. 2 Ramshorn Snails, 1 wild non-ID'd Snail.
Tank 3 (29 gal, bow, moderately planted): 8 Rainbow fish (7 Red Salmon, 1 Lake Kutubu), 3 Apple Snails.
This tank is intended for Angelfish (pair), a School of 8 Harlequim Rasboras, and a School of 6 Panda Corydoras.
Tank 4 (145 gal, slightly planted): 2 Tiguer Oscars, 1 Green Severum, 1 Gold Severum, 3 Hybrid African Cichlids, 4 Convict Cichlids. -School of 9 Silverdollars allready ordered! (2nd trial)
Tank 5 (40 gal, moderately planted): In fishless-Cycle (Home of Red-Salmon Rainbow Fish Breeding Project)
This tank is intended to be at my office (if my wife lets me!)
Tank 6 (55 gal, still paying for it): Intended for Discus Breeding Project (School of 9 -4 red, 5 green, at the LFS in a "rented" species only tank)
Tank 7 (28 gal, wide, in project -they're holding it, first payment next week) Intended as community tank.
Tank 8 (In project, for the office, another six footer)
Pepe
Santo Domingo
Let me charge the battery of the camera...
|
|
|
|
|
July 19th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
Hi everyone
The camera is really good, but the photographer (me) is not.
|
|
|
|
|
July 20th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Keeper
|
Great pictures. Apparently true beauty shows through no matter who is taking the photo.
|
|
|
|
|
July 20th, 2008
|
|
|
Master Of Fish Poo!
|
Those are some beauties!  |
|
|
|
|
July 28th, 2008
|
|
|
Fish Addict
|
I guess I will end this thread, with a final update:
Tank#2, the intended to be quarantine/hospital tank is now the home of Ghost Shrimps! I finally found freshwater shrimps in Santo Domingo!
Tank #6, a 4footer, 55gal still at the store, 1 payment pending, will go to my office.
Tank #5, the 4footer, 40gal, Home of Red-Salmon Rainbowfish, completed the fishless-cycle today, it took 9 days, the shortest so far, -Trick: I used seeded sponges, and a ton of sand that was seeded from tank #3
Tank #3, 29g bow, which will be home of a school of eight Harlequim Rasboras and a pair of Angelfish -either 6 young to form a pair or I will get a stablished pair.
40gal tank readings. Temp 29C, pH 7.7, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates >50ppm. Will do the water change tomorrow.
Pic 1: the 6footer, 145gal (tank #4), with some mess around (4WD oil, bucket, at right side, a smashed computer speaker on the left side -a "casualty of war" while the tank was placed in the room. Note the corksheets that supports the weight of it).
Pic2: the 4footer, 40gal (tank #5) while I was setting it up -nitrite spike at that thime, taken from a side of the tank. I added gravel to the sand today, more plants tomorrow.
Thanks for helping me out living MTS this far. I joined Fishlore in April 2008, adquired Tank #1 (10gal) by May1st, had it fishless cycled by May 13th or 14th, then went for a quarantine tank, just in case, you know, something went wrong in the 10gal... The moment I purchased that 5.5gal tank (#2) I knew MTS had hit me, as with other things in my life, acceptance is essencial, so I surrendered to MTS, one day at a time, and here we are ('cause you fishlorians are part of this!), I wouldn't be able to do this by myself, as happens with essential things in my life.
I know I count with all of you for the rest of this just re-started journey. I guess as for home tanks, the wide tank -don't think I forgot that one- AND a quarantine tank are pending (in short-term emergencies, I would rearange stocking as needed).
My office tank (tanks) is (are) waiting... I have an internal patio where a pond would look incredibly nice, of course one with a huge tempered glass wall... I know I won't be able to provide propper care for all the fish I happen to want to have, being responsible in fishkeeping begins with being honest with myself, as essential things in my life. (I was going to suggest Iridiscent Sharks for that dreamed huge pond).
Pepe
Santo Domingo
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Similar Aquarium Fish Forum Threads
