135 gallons transformation

[Dechi]

It turns out my LFS did order the EBA and it arrived today. So EBA it is. I’m giving it 6-7 days to settle (and disease to show) before I go get him.

Still looking for the last fish. 4 inches, colorful, peaceful and will do nice with the others.

 

[TClare]

I’ll give it some more thought! I saw the video you mentioned, I did wonder if the lemon tetras would be ok long term, but the acara he had was already a fair size. There was no follow up unfortunately, but hopefully all worked out ok.

Have another look at Wallaciia regani, I read on another forum somebody kept them successfully with lemon and serpaes tetras but they ate ember tetras. It might still be sold as Crenicichla. The females are smaller than the males but particularly attractive as they have the ocelli on the dorsal fins.

Or you could get some more juvenile colourful angels but be prepared to rehome some later.,,

 

[Dechi]

Have another look at Wallaciia regani, I read on another forum somebody kept them successfully with lemon and serpaes tetras but they ate ember tetras.

Thanks so much for helping me ! I’ll look into those.

Here is my latest wish list : no more cories and 3 or 4 Rineloricaria sp. 'Red' instead. This will leave more space for the two acaras and will give a calmer atmosphere to the bottom and tank in general.

And, as the last cichlid, I’d like 1 mesonauta insignis, if I can find it. They are beautiful, not too big (4 inches) and will not occupy the same territory as the acaras. Only problem is they are constantly confused with the mesonauta festivum and both are called flag cichlid. I’ve even seen a festivum called insignis. So chances are I might end up with either.

I’ going to call my store tomorrow and ask if they can get those two species.

 

[TClare]

Thanks so much for helping me ! I’ll look into those.

Here is my latest wish list : no more cories and 3 or 4 Rineloricaria sp. 'Red' instead. This will leave more space for the two acaras and will give a calmer atmosphere to the bottom and tank in general.

And, as the last cichlid, I’d like 1 mesonauta insignis, if I can find it. They are beautiful, not too big (4 inches) and will not occupy the same territory as the acaras. Only problem is they are constantly confused with the mesonauta festivum and both are called flag cichlid. I’ve even seen a festivum called insignis. So chances are I might end up with either.

I’ going to call my store tomorrow and ask if they can get those two species.

I don't think it really matters which Mesonauta you get, except some are bigger than others, I actually thought insignis was one of the bigger ones, but maybe not. Anyway you have quite a bit of room as they use mainly the top part of the tank. I have thought about Mesonauta for your tank several times before, they are normally kept as a group, and I wasn't sure if they were colorful enough, but yours can hang out with the angelfish I suppose (often seen together in the wild). Its a good choice, they are among my favourite cichlids and very peaceful. I have 5, had them a few years and they are 4-5", mine are mirificus.

I like the Rineloricarias, that is a good idea too, I have the normal colour ones, I like them as unlike most plecos they come out by day and are often quite visible. Sometimes they hang off branches and will always appear for an algae wafer. I think they may help to clean the glass as well, at least I have seen mine on the glass occasionally, and in that tank I never have to clean the front glass (I also have a blue phantom pleco who helps as well). I am sure they helot clean branches and bigger leafed plants. But they eat anything and I think need some protein food as well.

 

[Dechi]

TClare that’s great then ! I am glad my plan makes sense.

I received all my co2 injection gear at the same time today, from 3 different suppliers. What are the odds… I went to the only place near me to get the tank filled (drove 30 minutes) but they were closed. I supposed it’s for summer vacation and they might be closed for 2 weeks.

I made some calls but couldn’t find any other place. Bummer !

 

[Dechi]

I put the gravel on top of the sand today. I can’t say I really like the color but hopefully it will grow on me.

I liked it better before but the fish seem happy and might be coloring up a little more. The plants are also rooted a lot better and as a whole I think it looks more natural.

Sometimes things don’t go as planned and it’s better not to fight it. Sigh. At least tomorrow I’ll get my co2 tank back. They have to freeze it to fill it (small shop).

 

[TClare]

It’s looking really good. Be careful setting up the CO2 as you already have fish in the tank.

 

[Dechi]

It’s looking really good. Be careful setting up the CO2 as you already have fish in the tank.

Yes, I will. I’ve read and watched videos about it. I’ll start with one bubble per second, maybe even less.

I removed some rocks in the front, fixed the slope from front to back and added some details. It’s better but I’m still not super happy about it like before.

 

[TClare]

It looks quite natural with the different size stones and the colour of the gravel. It’s fine!

 

[Dechi]

It looks quite natural with the different size stones and the colour of the gravel. It’s fine!

Thanks for your encouragement but it felt so wrong I had to do something about it. I’ll show you when I’m done. I’m so obsessed, lol !

 

[Dechi]

I am not done yet with the substrate. Pic is just a teaser .

Tomorrow I’m setting up my co2 system. Crossing fingers I have no problems.

Today I received my Kamoer X1 proV2. It was the only missing piece of my fully automated water change system.

Here’s how it works : at 10 am everyday the X2SR starts the 8 gallons WC.

This takes 30 minutes and water goes in and out at the same time, the clean water coming from downstairs and dirty water leaving from the sump and going into my utility sink downstairs. I set it so the incoming water is a little faster, so the ATO doesn’t go off and add RODI on top of the new water.

At 11 am, the Kamoer ATO One 2 RO kicks in and adds cold water from the tap to fill the 32 gallons brute with the 8 missing gallons after the WC. At 1108, the brute is filled again and the ATO One Ro shuts off. The heater and pump in the water will bring the temperature back to 25 C.

At 1115, the new piece of equipment, the Kamoer X1 Pro V2, will kick in and dose 2 ml of Fritzzyme Complete water conditioner to remove chlorine and chloramine from the new 8 gallons added.

And we start over the next day. I’m very proud of this setup and I can’t believe it’s real. After decades of dreading water change day, I have to pinch myself to believe this is happening. Truly a game changer for me. I’m not DIY at all and I’ve had lots of help from wonderful people.

 

[Dechi]

Soooo…. Lots going on today. First I finished my sand repair. I had bought 2 x 20 lbs bags of Caribsea torpedo beach sand to fix it. First I removed as much gravel as I could and a little bit of sand along the way. Very tedious and aggravating job I must say.

I also removed the added stones for detail. Then I rinsed the sand (again - I have rinsed 155 lbs of sand in the last 2-3 weeks) and proceeded to put it on top of what was left of the gravel. I moved the big rocks, redid the slope and put the detailing rocks and pebbles back in.

Now, at last, I think I am very happy with it ! Maybe a few little touch ups here and there tomorrow, but that’s it. Phew… Here is a picture. There is a little bit of gravel showing here and there but I think it looks natural and I like it.

Then I worked a bit on the Co2 system. Not much to do but I wasn’t used to it and didn’t have a wrench to screw the regulator on the Co2 tank. I used some other tool and it scratched the metal on the regulator. Sigh. It’s also probably not tight enough according to my leak test so I ordered a wrench and should get it tomorrow.

Then I made some calls to see what store could get the fish I want. There was no way of getting the red lizard whiptail and mesonauta insignis together so I had to make some compromises.

I found a beautiful Mesonautona insignis (they sent me a picture) and I really wanted it. They also had some red lizard whiptails on their website but when I called there was none left. I had decided I also wanted an ancistrus and they had a sp. L-144 Gold (short fins) that I liked so I bought it.

I reverted back to my cory plan, since the whiptails weren’t available, and since the sand I have now is better for them than the gravel. We went through what they had in stock on the phone and my favorite was the melini. So I bought 8 of them.

This should now be my full stocking, at least until all fish have grown to adult size and I can see what they all look like together. Maybe a utility fish or invert along the way if needed.

The sand before (below) and now (above). Plants are definitely melting.

 

[TClare]

Nice, Hoplisoma melini are very attractive, i almost got some once, but changed my mind as the tank I was thinking of for them didn’t really have enough open areas for them. I believe it is a blackwater species so will like soft water, good for your other fish too. I think you said you are using partly RO?

 

[Dechi]

Nice, Hoplisoma melini are very attractive, i almost got some once, but changed my mind as the tank I was thinking of for them didn’t really have enough open areas for them. I believe it is a blackwater species so will like soft water, good for your other fish too. I think you said you are using partly RO?

I use exclusively RODI water for top offs, so the mineral content is my water is always stable (tap water TDS is 72 ppm).

 

[Dechi]

I’m having second thoughts on the cories. I bought melinis but the store also has CW-010 (orange laser). If you look at this video from 2 days ago, which ones would complement the tank better, knowing the angel, EBA and aequidens diadema are the stars ? I’m only asking about aesthetics here.

I only have the day to decide and try to change my order tomorrow before it ships.

 

[TClare]

Personally I like the melini, but either would be fine, depends if you prefer colour or pattern!

 

[Dechi]

Personally I like the melini, but either would be fine, depends if you prefer colour or pattern!

I keep going back and forth betweem them. I don’t know what I want.

 

[TClare]

You could always get some of each, though I think a bigger group
of one kind would look better..,

 

[Dechi]

You could always get some of each, though I think a bigger group
of one kind would look better..,

If I get the orange laser, since they are 29$ each instead of 9$ for the melini, I’ll only be getting 6. I’ll pick one. Leaning towards the orange laser tonight but they might not even be able to change my order. If they even answer the phone when I call.

I’m still trying to adjust my bubble rate on the co2 system. I was at 110-115 bubbles per minute today but the color on the drop checker is not changing. I tested my PH and it has barely dropped 1/10 th. Tomorrow I’ll raise it to 160 or 180 bubbles per minute.

Seachem badge is still yellow and I tested nitrite and it was 0, and so are nitrates. Kind of strange since I have been feeding 3 times a day since getting the EBA Sunday. Little guy is a bit skinny and eating helps him adjust and be more tolerant of his other rommates (especially the diadema). This guy is fearless.

 

[TClare]

Your fish are still small and you have quite a lot of plants, that’s probably why no nitrates. I have no experience with CO2 so can’t help there.

 

[Dechi]

Your fish are still small and you have quite a lot of plants, that’s probably why no nitrates. I have no experience with CO2 so can’t help there.

That’s what I figured but I am going through the food container fast…

 

[Dechi]

I went with the orange laser and got 7 of them ! I can’t wait until tomorrow…

 

[michiganarm]

I’m having second thoughts on the cories. I bought melinis but the store also has CW-010 (orange laser). If you look at this video from 2 days ago, which ones would complement the tank better, knowing the angel, EBA and aequidens diadema are the stars ? I’m only asking about aesthetics here.

I only have the day to decide and try to change my order tomorrow before it ships.

Very nice I like that piece of wood. Hope you get what you're after.

 

[coralbandit]

When I ran CO2 on my 180g I used a pH controller to avoid any issues and get right to the levels I wanted.
Using a controller eliminates EOTD concerns but allows you consume the whole tank.
With the controller it was as easy as setting it to 1 degree lower pH and that reached my desired levels.

Tank looks great~!

 

[Dechi]

When I ran CO2 on my 180g I used a pH controller to avoid any issues and get right to the levels I wanted.
Using a controller eliminates EOTD concerns but allows you consume the whole tank.
With the controller it was as easy as setting it to 1 degree lower pH and that reached my desired levels.

Tank looks great~!

I plan on getting the Milwaukee MC120 Pro PH Monitor eventually but right now I’ve busted my budget by at least four times so it’s going to have to wait…

What does EOTD mean ?

Very nice I like that piece of wood. Hope you get what you're after.

Thanks !

 

[coralbandit]

I plan on getting the Milwaukee MC120 Pro PH Monitor eventually but right now I’ve busted my budget by at least four times so it’s going to have to wait…

What does EOTD mean ?

Thanks !

EOTD means end of tank dump.


End-of-tank dump (EOTD) happens when a CO2 tank’s pressure drops below the range a single-stage regulator can control, causing all remaining gas to be released suddenly. This can overwhelm your aquarium’s CO2 injection system, leading to rapid bubble bursts and potential fish stress or death

I would not trust any regulator single or double stage, beside a digital one to prevent this.
I eventually got a digital regulator. It is called the Carbon Doser.

I used a Milwaukee controller and it worked great with my first regulator.

 

[Dechi]

End-of-tank dump (EOTD) happens when a CO2 tank’s pressure drops below the range a single-stage regulator can control, causing all remaining gas to be released suddenly. This can overwhelm your aquarium’s CO2 injection system, leading to rapid bubble bursts and potential fish stress or death

That’s why I bought the Co2 Pro regulator, as it’s supposed not to do that because of its dual chamber. You’re saying it doesn’t work ?

I received my last batch of fish this morning. All very lively and excellent quality. The ancistrus and cories are acting like they always lived in this tank, just going about their business.

The festivum (insignis) is… well, it’s huge ! It did not occur to me to ask about size on the phone, as the fish on the picture they sent seemed of a medium size. Maybe they sent me another one, or maybe the picture was deceiving.

It must be about 4 inches, not including the tail, and probably adult sized or close to. It looks disproportionate compared to the rest of the fish. Right now it’s got stress colors on and it’s hiding. I’ll make sure to feed him well so he leaves the little ones alone. I’m not worried about the lemons as they are too big already but maybe one or two smaller diamonds could be dinner. I’m sure hoping it doesn’t happen.

 

[TClare]

Yes, it sounds as though the festivum is pretty much fully grown, that's a shame, it might be harder for it to settle in than if it was a juvenile, hence the hiding and stress colours, but fingers crossed the festivum and all the tetras will be OK.

 

[Dechi]

Yes, it sounds as though the festivum is pretty much fully grown, that's a shame, it might be harder for it to settle in than if it was a juvenile, hence the hiding and stress colours, but fingers crossed the festivum and all the tetras will be OK.

My fault for not asking. I don’t know if it’s wild caught or not. Should I call them and ask ? Would it help me or change anything ?

 

[TClare]

If it’s wild it’s more likely to be nervous initially, and I suspect it probably is as I would expect tank bred ones to be sold at a smaller size. I could be wrong though. In any case it’s probably best to give it some time to settle down, make sure it’s feeding ok etc.

 

[Dechi]

If it’s wild it’s more likely to be nervous initially, and I suspect it probably is as I would expect tank bred ones to be sold at a smaller size. I could be wrong though. In any case it’s probably best to give it some time to settle down, make sure it’s feeding ok etc.

It is too fearful to eat now and very nervous when I approach the tank. I had a wild caught yellow tang that was 7 years old and he never completely got over his fear. Hoping this one does better. Sigh.

I bit the bullet and ordered the Milwaukee C122 ph controller. My tank is too big and it’s just impossible to dial in the co2. It’s been 4 days of trying and the drop checker hasn’t even changed color a bit. I’m fed up.

 

[TClare]

It does sound like the festivum is wild, being the only one won’t be helping, but give it a while and hope for the best. Can you get hold of any live food to tempt it?

Sorry about the C02 issues, but I’m sure you’ll get it sorted soon…

 

[Dechi]

According to their website, both the orange laser cories and festivum are wild caught. It should be fine but they’ll need a lot more time.

The contrast with the others is striking. They are gone if I even just move a little.

 

[TClare]

Hopefully they will settle after a while but its annoying I know. I have 3 Bujurquinas that have always been very shy. They were wild caught but at a very small size, about 1". Initially I kept them with my Guainacaras of about the same size and they were fine though definitely more nervous than the (f1) Guianacaras. At one point, after about a year I think, I tried to put them in a tank on their own, I had put in a lot of rocks for hiding places. I literally never saw them. The would come out for food only when (they thought) I wasn't looking, and even then they would dash out, grab the food and dash back into hiding again. I left them like this for about a month then gave up looking at an apparently empty tank and moved them to the larger angelfish tank where they were happier immediately in the presence of other fish, but even now a couple of years later they will still dash into hiding if I make a movement near the tank..it is strange as they were tiny babies when I got them....

 

[Dechi]

TClare it’s not very encouraging but there is still hope.

I started feeding frozen yesterday, like I’ve done for years and this morning, although still hiding, the festivum took one bite.

 

[TClare]

I mean I have had other wild caught cichlids that have been totally fine, not shy at all, so yes it’s early days so far, hopefully all will be well before too long.

 

[Dechi]

Today for the first time I achieved a PH drop of 1.0. But the co2 levels and pressure had to be really high and I finally understood why I was having so much trouble. I had a pump aimed at the surface for oxygenation and while I was injection co2, this pump was degassing the tank. So it’s like having your air conditioning at the highest speed while your windows are wide open and it’s 40C outside…

I hate the bubbles flying everywhere in the tank so I ordered a large Ista CO2 reactor that will take care of that and save me lots of co2 so I don’t have to refill the tank as often.

 

[coralbandit]

I ran 2 Ista reactors in series in the sump of my 180. They did a good job IMO. Are you also using a drop checker for another reference?

 

[Dechi]

I ran 2 Ista reactors in series in the sump of my 180. They did a good job IMO. Are you also using a drop checker for another reference?

I am but it is not ever changing color so I can’t rely on it. I was really nervous about adding too much co2 so that’s why I got the Milwaukee c122.

 

[coralbandit]

Look up how to properly fill a drop checker. IMO you need to have the 4dkh solution. With that I could use Aqueon pH tester drops. I did the same with my controller setting it for 1 degree less than normal pH and it worked fine. My DC would be green during the day blue at night.

 

[Dechi]

Look up how to properly fill a drop checker.

I did before buying. I got one from Amazon that was well rated and liked for its sensitivity. I added 20 drops of the solution.

 

[Dechi]

I’ve been working really hard for the last weeks to get the co2 system running perfectly. Ista co2 reactor was a nightmare to figure out. Lots of issues but the main problem was that my 400 GPH return pump was not strong enough. I replaced it with a 800 GPH pump that I had on hand. It’s noisy but acceptable. Maybe I’ll get a DC one later as need this one sometimes for moving water.

Lots of noise issue as well so I removed the top impeller (kept the other one so the central part would hold in place) and filled the container with small ceramic biomedia. The goal was to dissolve the co2 without the noisy moving parts. After lots of adjustments and testing, it works better that the original one as far as co2 injection goes. For cutting bubbles, it works 80% as well but the bubbles are few and very tiny. Only noticeable if you look very close.

I could try to get rid of them by adding coarse sponge to the Ista but it would be a real pita and take a long time. I’m tired of fiddling with it and it’s going to stay how it is. I’m satisfied for now.

Fish are doing well. The festivum is very shy and only starting to come out a bit. He ate with the others yesterday for the fist time but sudden movements will send him flying away. I went back to my twice a day feeding routine and I alternate frozen and pellets, as I realize feeding frozen to 40 fish twice a day will require a whole different budget…

A few days ago I noticed the royal acara had a few ich spots so I turned on the UV. I waited 2 days but he was starting to have more (7-8 spots instead of 3-4) so I researched medications that wouldn’t stain the silicone in the tank but could not find any that was available in Canada. So I called my LFS and they recommended Korden Ick-attack that was a natural, non-staining product.

Spots were significantly less the day after the first treatment and there are none today, after the second treatment. I’ll treat 3 more days as per instructions and keep the UV on for month.

TDS was 149 today (starting TDS was 106 but I’m dosing Thrive + now) so I measured nitrates and they are still 1-2 ppm. I’m surprised they are staying low with all the heavy feeding but I guess the 6.7% daily WC is doing its job.

I’m happy to finally be catching a break with the co2 system and hoping it stays this way.

Now I need to figure out the plants…

 

[TClare]

It’s good that things are working out, even if with a few issues. I would definitely try the festivum with flake food, some of the time, to spread out the frozen food a bit, maybe feed frozen just every other or every few days? My festivums love any flakes but are not keen on pellets. They do like frozen shrimps and live food of course, but those are more as treats..

 

[Dechi]

It’s good that things are working out, even if with a few issues. I would definitely try the festivum with flake food, some of the time, to spread out the frozen food a bit, maybe feed frozen just every other or every few days? My festivums love any flakes but are not keen on pellets. They do like frozen shrimps and live food of course, but those are more as treats..

I saw him eating pellets at least once. I just bought him a bigger size bug bite pellets that apparently cichlids love. It also has salmon in it.

I definitely won’t be feeding frozen everyday. Maybe 2-3 times a week. I dislike flakes as I find they really mess up the water so hopefully he can go without it. I might have some flakes left that would be suitable for use as an occasional treat.

 

[A201]

Flakes tend to clog up my prefilter sponges rather quickly. Most of my fish, big & little, tend to like small grain sinking pellets.

Omega One Cichlid & Goldfish pellets are more readily eaten than the New Life Spectrum pellets that I occasionally feed.

I haven't tried the Bug Bite pellets yet. Think I might start feeding it as a supplemental food.

I agree that most frozen foods should be fed as a treat, although frozen foods (Blood worms & Brine shrimp) were the only food my Discus would eat. They grew huge, Lol.

 

[TClare]

Most of my fish like pellets or granules or wafers of different sizes and types, just the festivums and Angefish turn their noses up and wait for the flakes, the festivums worse than the angels… Ive not really experienced any problems when using flakes.

 

[Dechi]

The festivum really likes the bug bites ! He ate a bunch this morning and later this afternoon ! I’m very happy about that.

Here are the EBA and royal acara a few minutes ago. I just noticed the royal acara is very bloated (video doesn’t do it justice) so I’ll skip one feeding tomorrow and will only feed at the end of the day.

 

[Dechi]

Today I added some Peace lilies on top of the tank, as was my plan. I’m not sure if I like it yet. I don’t like the sight of the white roots but I suppose they will change color and blend, with time.


20 days later, the royal acara and EBA bromance is over. The royal acara is being a jerk to the EBA and chasing it wherever it sees it and even going out of his way to look for him.

Can this just be a phase that they outgrow, just to establish dominance ? If not, at the rate the royal acara is growing, it’s going to become unsafe for the EBA. And I might have to rehome it.

 

[TClare]

Probably not just a phase, you’ll have to keep an eye on the. And remove the EBA if it’s getting badly stressed.

 

[Dechi]

Probably not just a phase, you’ll have to keep an eye on the. And remove the EBA if it’s getting badly stressed.

Yep, I sure will if it becomes necessary. Funny thing is they can eat side by side no problem. I make sure to give lots of food to keep them busy.