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June 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Trading Spaces (Aquarium Style) :)
I was getting a little bored with the way that my tanks were looking. My 75 gallon planted tank was looking very empty with my angels missing from the tank. I didn't really like the aquascape either. I wanted to change the substrate in my mbuna tank to sand. My fish are growing, and I also felt that the tall tank wasn't benefitting them and that they could use the additional foot of footprint......soooo......I decided to swap out the tanks! It was a full day of work, and a huge hassle, but now that its over, I think it was soooo worth it!
Here are the before pics: | 
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June 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| After pics... after pics......
I bet they will be beautiful! | |
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June 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| 75 Gallon: I added play sand and removed all of the gravel. I moved all the rocks over and the water was so cloudy that I couldn't see where I was stacking them. Luckily when the water cleared, I realized that I liked where I had randomly put them all, lol  It took about four days for the water to clear up, but its almost back to normal now. I also added 4 new africans to the tank that I got off of craigslist. I added a female kenyi, a rusty cichlid, an acei, and a red top zebra. So far they are very mellow and are getting along great with the other fish. 70 Gallon: I decided to go with a soil layer of substrate under my gravel. Diana Walstad uses Miracle Grow Organic Soil in her aquariums, so I decided to try the same. I did about a 2.5 inch layer with an inch of gravel over the top of it. Then I moved my plants into the tank. Most of my anubias and driftwood got tied to various pieces of decor. It really helped to fill out the tank! I also added some jungle vals into the tank as a background plant. They are still small, but I think they will look great when they start growing. I also ordered some new fish for this tank, that I will be receiving tomorrow. I'll post pics when they get here.
All fish adjusted to the new tanks very well! My Africans and Rainbows started breeding like crazy when I switched them over.
Here are the after pics. Let me know what you think! I am completely open to suggestions  | |
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June 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Great job... beautiful!
If they are breeding, I wouldn't change a thing. | |
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June 9th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Here are some pics of the fish in the 75 Gallon | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Here are some pics from the 70 gallon: | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Beautiful!!!!!!!!  | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| Fabulous looking tanks. Well done!
Beth | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| WOW, what a difference! I really like what you have done with both of the tanks Kate. Your Mbuna will certainly love all that rockwork. Excellent work!!!  | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Keeper
| absolutely lovely! I especially like the extra plants in the redone 70g. Your fish sure seem to be enjoying their redecorated home too | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks for all of the nice comments everyone Its funny because I didn't really add anything extra to either of the tanks (besides the vals to the 70, but they are hidden behind the driftwood atm), but I just think everything fits better now that I switched it over.
Angela, darling.....would you mind id-ing a couple of my mbuna for me? I want to make sure that the first is actually a female kenyi and that the 2nd is actually a red top zebra. | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Great job Kate! 
I also love changing things up a bit.. its a great way to really do a good cleaning. I recently changed out all the decorations in my 125, and wow... what a mess things were under the driftwood and plants ugghh...
Now I know the sand and everything around it is totally clean again.
I love your 70g tank and plants decor... It really looks fantastic!  | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks Kate Its amazing how different everything can look just by moving things around. I know what you mean about cleaning everything.....BOY did I have a mess on my hands! It was worth it though. Now both tanks are spic n' span I had a rubber mat under my rocks in the 70 gallon because I had heard that it was easier on the glass when you are doing rock piles. There was so much fish poop and muck under there, I couldn't believe it  Needless to say, I didn't move the mat over into the other tank  | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| The tanks look beautiful!! I hope when I plant my 55 it looks as good!! Do you have special lighting? | |
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June 10th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks Amanda I have 2 WPG of light on the tank. Some of the plants such as the anubias and java fern will grow fine under a normal flourescent light. | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Yes, your id's are correct def a Kenyi on left and Red Top Zebra on Right.
Beautiful fish! | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks Angela! That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. Its funny, I hear how mean kenyi's are, but mine is really mellow. | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMTS  Thanks Angela! That's what I thought, but I just wanted to make sure. Its funny, I hear how mean kenyi's are, but mine is really mellow. | I honestly think that its a myth... my kenyi's are friendly. | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| That's good to know. I am hesitant to add any more of them though, because a breeding group might change things pretty quickly She'll just have to be happy being a single lady | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Moderator
| Those tanks are beautiful. I love the fish, too. Good work | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks so much | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| wow kate!!!! what a great job you did and I cant imagine all the hard work invovled...they look amazing! | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks Shawnie You should have seen how much water got spilled an how wet the carpet in my room got  My husband came home from work and tot in the shower, and wasn't happy to find out that all of the towels were wet from soaking up dirty fishtank water | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| ive been switching up tanks all day...my towels are where yours are LOL !!! but its awesome....although when the bf comes home and see's new fish, and a tank in our bedroom, im hoping I can still sleep in my bed tonite and not in the shed!!!
you did an amazing job and they really look awesome! | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Thanks Shawnie
What new tank are you setting up today? And these fishies you speak of? Do share | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| haha...just moving tanks and adding a few newbies...im weirdo because when my week is bad, I go shopping as most women do...but I dont buy shoes and purses, I buy fish!! | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| How absolutely beautiful! I need to make my 55 a planted tank for the teenagers! | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawnie haha...just moving tanks and adding a few newbies...im weirdo because when my week is bad, I go shopping as most women do...but I dont buy shoes and purses, I buy fish!! |  I do the same thing (can't remember the last time I bought clothes). It give "Retail Therapy" a whole new meaning You should post some pics when you get everything situated. Quote:
Originally Posted by Martinismommy How absolutely beautiful! I need to make my 55 a planted tank for the teenagers! | Thanks Karen Oh yes, you should deffinetly do that with your 55 gallon! I think that would be my dream tank, lol....A 55 gallon full of your girlies  | |
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June 11th, 2009
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| | Fish Master
| Quote:
Originally Posted by MissMTS .
Thanks Karen Oh yes, you should deffinetly do that with your 55 gallon! I think that would be my dream tank, lol....A 55 gallon full of your girlies | meeeeeeeeeee tooo!  | |
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