Basil’s Tanks

I have no plans of shutting the African tank down any time soon, but I might upgrade the Barb tank to a 90 - 120.
Filament Barbs & the altus Tinfoils grow pretty big.
Definitely pick up some Platinums & look for Filament Barbs as well. Adults are truly awesome & they go well together with Tiger Barbs. Here's pics of my juvenile Filaments.
View attachment 720292

Very cool! I think with 20 tigers, 6 Queen loaches, and the 2 flying fox (although I know I might have to rehome one if they get too territorial as they mature) the 75 will be well stocked.
So I’ll have 6 normal, 1 glow, 5 green including the harlequin, 6 platinum green, and 2 albino tiger barbs.

 

Added some plants to the 10 g bedroom tank yesterday. Added bucephalandra Catherine in the front center, crypt walkeri on each side of the buce, and anarcharis to the back corner around the cave. The shinnersia rivularis from vishaquatics is in the center and is doing great. Had a bit of a diatom outbreak this week. Meh. But the wood is staying put. Yay!
For not having a plant plan, I’m quite happy with it. And I’m loving being able to take my time setting it up and changing things here and there.

 

I think I’ve mentioned before that my
hubby is a total enabler.
So, at some point, he wants to refinish the oak hardwood floor in the kitchen. And he wants to do under the 75 g, which is in the kitchen.
So we were discussing how to move tank etc. Just throwing ideas around.
Then I’m doing the WC last week and an idea comes to mind; what if I combine my one 40 b and the 75 into the 125 that I want. An extra two foot of tank will easily fit in that space.
So I asked hubby who replied “yes, that could be doable if I added some more floor support,”. Love this guy!

 

Ha! Meant to get back to the 125 g idea. If it happens, won’t be until probably next fall. So I have plenty of time to change my mind a million times lol!
The two tanks combined would be tiger barbs, Queen loaches, dwarf chain loaches, brilliant rasboras, and flying fox. I think that should work.
To stay cheap, I could just run the filters off the 40 and 75 and call it a day. Or, I could splurge on an FX4 and stuff it with all my cycled media.
For scaping, I love the look of both tanks.
So I’m thinking set up 4 feet of the 125 exactly as the 75. Then set up the last 2 feet similar to the 40 with all black sand and the driftwood piece with some of the rocks around it. I have vals at the right side of the 75 and vals in the 40 which should nicely tie the two scapes together.

 

Looking good! My Vals have slithered their way all the way to the front of the tank this week. Going like mad right now.

 

Looking good! My Vals have slithered their way all the way to the front of the tank this week. Going like mad right now.

I actually have some runners in all tanks! Not going gang busters or anything but look good. I placed some in the front as the fish love swimming through them.

 

I actually have some runners in all tanks! Not going gang busters or anything but look good. I placed some in the front as the fish love swimming through them.

I was just going to leave mine for now and see where to travel to...lol

 

I was just going to leave mine for now and see where to travel to...lol

I’m going to try to do that in the new 10 g. Going for the jungle look!

 

Before committing to the 125, look at the 5 ft. 120 long. It's a more boxy tank. I bought mine at Petsmart 8 y.o.
No complaints. I'm considering replacing my 22 y.o 65 gal Oceanic tank with an identical 120 long.
IMO, The wider tank allows for more hardscape options & turn around space for the fish.

 

Before committing to the 125, look at the 5 ft. 120 long. It's a more boxy tank. I bought mine at Petsmart 8 y.o.
No complaints. I'm considering replacing my 22 y.o 65 gal Oceanic tank with an identical 120 long.
IMO, The wider tank allows for more hardscape options & turn around space for the fish.

I will! Thanks!
ETA I looked up the dimensions of the 120. Still think the 125 will suite both the fish I have and the room space better. I see it’s a bit taller. And although I’m not short at 5’7”, I still have to stand on a stool to reach the very back center of the 75.
But I’ll still check it out next time I’m in Petsmart.

 

Look what I discovered in the new bedroom 10 g. Must have hitchhiked on a java fern that I pulled from the snail/quarantine tank. I’m so excited as he looks like a blue leopard. Weird thing is I had just plain blue in that tank.

 

Hey jinjerJOSH22, do Gouramis bother snails?
Found what I think is a tiny blue ramshorn in the quarantine tank so added it to the new 10 g. Hoping to keep a nice colony of the blue ramshorns in that tank along with the blue eyed sparklers.

 

Hey jinjerJOSH22, do Gouramis bother snails?
Found what I think is a tiny blue ramshorn in the quarantine tank so added it to the new 10 g. Hoping to keep a nice colony of the blue ramshorns in that tank along with the blue eyed sparklers.

I’ve never noticed them bother snails but others have mentioned it.
Super helpful I know

 

IMO, Dwarf Gouramis might be able to eat baby snails, but once the snail develops a hard shell, probably not.
Gouramis don't have the long pointed snout like Botia Loaches.
Botias turn snails over & use their snouts like a scalpel, scraping out the meat. Pretty gross, but interesting to watch. Lol

 

IMO, Dwarf Gouramis might be able to eat baby snails, but once the snail develops a hard shell, probably not.
Gouramis don't have the long pointed snout like Botia Loaches.
Botias turn snails over & use their snouts like a scalpel, scraping out the meat. Pretty gross, but interesting to watch. Lol

Yes I’ve witnessed that! I thought that I might be able to keep a group of large ramshorns in the tank with my sidthimunkis. Ah, nope.
I even tried placing the snails on the upper plant leaves. The sids swam up and bonked the snails off and then dove after them. Snail fail.
However, I now know what to do with the plant hitchhiker bladder snails that are also in the new 10 g.
Thanks all!

 

Picture of the 10 g bedroom tank today. Trimmed a couple shoots off the Shinnersia Rivularis from vishaquatics and stuck it in the substrate where I had some gaps. This plant is really doing well!
Since I’m not trying to cycle this tank as I’m planning to just move the fully cycled Aquaclear filter off the 10 g quarantine, I haven’t bothered to check water parameters.
Decided to check today and was surprised to see the ph at 8.2. Huh.
Other readings were ammonia 0.25 (but even my RO/DI water reads 0.25!) 0 nitrite and about 7 nitrate.
I make the RO water at a ph of 7.4 so I’m surprised at the high reading. Guess that’s why the snails are thriving.
I’ll monitor it over the next few weeks. I’m wondering if those white “cave” stones might have limestone in them. I have more so I guess I’ll throw one in a bucket of prepared tank RO water and see what the ph does.
Then my dilemma is do I take them out and drop the ph and then possibly have the snails not do as well? Or just leave them and hope that the sparkling gouramis (which I’ve read are mostly tank raised) do ok? Or decide to stock another kind of fish? That’s why I wanted to set this tank up way in advance of stocking so I could address any issues!

 

I've successfully raised Discus and numerous other soft water loving fish in my 8.2 PH water.
IMO, no need to alter the water unless you are set on a breeding operation.
btw, pretty tank.

 

I've successfully raised Discus and numerous other soft water loving fish in my 8.2 PH water.
IMO, no need to alter the water unless you are set on a breeding operation.
btw, pretty tank.

Thanks! And that’s good to know!

 

A couple pictures just because.
The bedroom tank from across the room and the 40 g black.
Wasn’t sure about the water trickle from the hob or the “night light” from the Finnex light in the bedroom.I have the light on custom 24/7 mode so there are white and blue indicator lights that stay on all the time. But we’ve gotten used to both light and trickle now.
Really happy with the 40 b black right now. The vals are spreading a bit and the crypts are growing nicely if slow as I’ve learned are par for them in a low tech tank.

 

Hi Basil!

Farm? You have my attention. I’m a horticulturist by trade. What do you grow?

Also, good-looking tanks! Going to offer an idea for the next time you decide to redo a scape. I pretty much always make the substrate a few inches higher in the back of the tank, even more so in the back corners, and let it slope down in the front. Creates a really nice illusion of depth.

I’m by no means an expert, but it’s a neat trick, even if it’s only a slight slope.

Here’s a pic of a 10G I just set up. Water column is still fouled from the Oil Dri, and the plants are tiny, but it’s a new project.

 

Oh and I treated myself to a Finnex 24/7 planted light.

I love ‘em. Which one did you get? I have an ALC, and couldn’t be happier with it.

 

I love ‘em. Which one did you get? I have an ALC, and couldn’t be happier with it.

I now have three of the 24/7 cc V2. I think? Lol!
And the one on my 10 g is whichever one has the full spectrum light and is customizable.
I know that’s terrible but realized the lights don’t have the model on them and I finally threw out the boxes!

 

Hi Basil!

Farm? You have my attention. I’m a horticulturist by trade. What do you grow?

Also, good-looking tanks! Going to offer an idea for the next time you decide to redo a scape. I pretty much always make the substrate a few inches higher in the back of the tank, even more so in the back corners, and let it slope down in the front. Creates a really nice illusion of depth.

I’m by no means an expert, but it’s a neat trick, even if it’s only a slight slope.

Here’s a pic of a 10G I just set up. Water column is still fouled from the Oil Dri, and the plants are tiny, but it’s a new project.

Thanks for the tip. That’s a good one to remember. Makes total sense that visually it would make things more appealing and give the background plants plenty of substrate in which to root.
We only grow pasture and hay. And only a few acres of hay at that. And I don’t even use it. A neighbor round bales it for his cattle.
I don’t live on the farm; my mom and sister do but I’m 5 minutes away.
I have my 3 horses there and my sister keeps her llamas and alpacas there.
Thanks for reading!!

 

Llamas, alpacas, and horses.

Oh my.

 

A couple pictures just because.
The bedroom tank from across the room and the 40 g black.
Wasn’t sure about the water trickle from the hob or the “night light” from the Finnex light in the bedroom.I have the light on custom 24/7 mode so there are white and blue indicator lights that stay on all the time. But we’ve gotten used to both light and trickle now.
Really happy with the 40 b black right now. The vals are spreading a bit and the crypts are growing nicely if slow as I’ve learned are par for them in a low tech tank.View attachment 727883View attachment 727884

Looks really good! Don't plants need dark for a few hours every night?

 

Looks really good! Don't plants need dark for a few hours every night?

Thanks! Yes, I believe both plants and fish need darkness every night. I do also!
I’ve added a photo of the lights. These stay on when you are using the custom program. So it’s just a small amount of light but more than we were used to.

 

Thanks! Yes, I believe both plants and fish need darkness every night. I do also!
I’ve added a photo of the lights. These stay on when you are using the custom program. So it’s just a small amount of light but more than we were used to.View attachment 728019

Oh ok I see. lol hilarious

 

Oh ok I see. lol hilarious

That’s ok. I probably didn’t explain it very well lol!

 

Everything going good at present
I did have a tiger barb in the quarantine look like he was being bullied and develop a few ich spots. Treated and haven’t seen anything for a week so hopefully all is ok now.
I’ve definitely had issues with tiger barbs being bullied in the small 10 g quarantine which is why I have decor in it. But it still happens. However, this is my final planned group.
But now it’s off schedule and will delay stocking the bedroom tank. Oh well. If I can’t find the sparkling gourami locally, I still have a couple months left for safe shipping.

Meanwhile, I did another thing I think it’s a direct result of my only rideable horse (out of three) being mostly unridable for most of this year which makes me sad.
I went down the rabbit hole of philam’s betta breeding thread and before I knew it, I’ve reserved this guy.


I’ve wanted a betta for a while now. Was going to do one in the bedroom tank but decided he wouldn’t get enough attention and thus stimulation. I was also going to use the quarantine tank but I decided against that after the ich outbreak.
But in a haze of un-adulting this weekend, I found an aqueon 10 g for $12.74 at petco. Not the $1 per g sale but close enough.
This tank is going on my kitchen island. Hubby didn’t even blink when I stated this lol! I think the betta will enjoy the house plants as a background.

 

I also was once a multi horse owner. After years of being kicked & bit, I sold them. I do miss riding.
Keeping tropical fish isn't quite as demanding. Lol.

 

I also was once a multi horse owner. After years of being kicked & bit, I sold them. I do miss riding.
Keeping tropical fish isn't quite as demanding. Lol.

True that!
Although all three of my horses are wonderful. One is retired and it’s a long story about the other two. Let’s just say breeding thoroughbreds run faster and faster has turned out to not be a good thing as far as long term soundness is concerned.
And yes, as you can tell, I’m totally enjoying my fish!

 

I raised an XL quarter horse gelding & breed stock paint gelding from colts.
They sure knew how to tear up fences & hurt themselves.
I know all the benefits & pitfalls to being a horseman. Lol.
Here in Oklahoma, horses are currently very cheap, but feed is high. A good five year old, broke to ride, ranch horse might be priced as low as $2000, when they once went for $5000 or more.

 

I raised an XL quarter horse gelding & breed stock paint gelding from colts.
They sure knew how to tear up fences & hurt themselves.
I know all the benefits & pitfalls to being a horseman. Lol.
Here in Oklahoma, horses are currently very cheap, but feed is high. A good five year old, broke to ride, ranch horse might be priced as low as $2000, when they once went for $5000 or more.

Oof. I purchased my youngest horse 4 years ago for $2000. That’s still about what a green horse off the track sells for. Knock on wood, mine only aspire to self inflicted booboos on occasion lol!

 

T. breds aren't all that popular here. Cutting & quarter horses are the main attractions.
You really have to love horses to keep them. Lol.

 

T. breds aren't all that popular here. Cutting & quarter horses are the main attractions.
You really have to love horses to keep them. Lol.

Really have to love horses to keep TBs or horses in general?
Or just be insane!

 

Horses in general. Lol.
My wife would consider me insane to start over with horses.
My field is now green, almost weed free again. No trips to the feed store & no stalls to clean out.
If I feel "cowboy", there's a horse operation just across the field, run by friends. It's just as rewarding to ride someone else's horses for free. Lol.

 

Horses in general. Lol.
My wife would consider me insane to start over with horses.
My field is now green, almost weed free again. No trips to the feed store & no stalls to clean out.
If I feel "cowboy", there's a horse operation just across the field, run by friends. It's just as rewarding to ride someone else's horses for free. Lol.

I’m kind of feeling the same way. Although I’m not yet sick of cleaning h stalls (3 are not that bad). My sister moved her 2 plus a pony to the farm next door that she purchased. So my pastures are beautiful and I’ve saved a ton on hay this year. I’m still going to try to manage my 10 yr old as just a trail horse. He loves to ride out. But I know he’s not going to hold up to fox hunting.
I need to make a decision on my old man Basil. He’s 28 and just not thriving. I hate to try to manage him through what might be a real winter this year. But it’s a hard decision to make.

 

I think with horses, there are more pros than cons & I will always like them. I'm still surrounded by them, Lol.
Probably 30 horses within a 10 minute walk from my back door.
Two millionaire doctors bought the 15 acres next to me for $165,000. They are currently building a barn mansion with planned luxury living quarters for themselves & their horses. Maybe more money than sense. By the time its completed probably a million dollar property. There's been a big population explosion in my neighborhood. Wealthy out of state people escaping big cities & buying up the old ranchers places, sometimes site unseen. Thankfully most in our neighborhood have good sized acreages & is still a country setting. The city has finally caught up to us.

 

Wow! I guess that can be good or bad....depending.
I’ve dreamed about one building with stables and living space. In the Carolinas it’s called a hunt box.
And my friends did it here when they purchased a farm through foreclosure and the house was in poor shape.
So they converted the garage part of the barn into a 1200 sq.ft. living space. Yes, it was a huge garage used to repair school buses.
And it’s quite nice!

 

So I went to set up my betta tank yesterday and found a small corner crack in the new tank. Grrr. I inspected the silicone seals when I picked it up but didn’t notice the small crack. And I don’t think I did it as I didn’t bump it on anything.

Still undecided if I’m going to do a simple scape with just the gravel, driftwood, and rocks or try to be fancy. I was envisioning a sand “trail” going through the middle of the gravel with a curved piece of wood that I have going over it. Yeah, I know the sand and gravel will probably eventually mix. That’s ok.
Here’s the tank placement. I don’t think I’m going to bother with a background as I rather like the houseplants on the one side.