Dan's Tank Of Mistakes

Well..Water Change done Oscar left me alone didn't bite me. I changed a few of the rocks around to give my little bn more hiding places. Wish he would grow....

 

I am raising BNP and they are pretty slow growers in all of my experiences .
I had to grow out my second group of 6 for maybe over a year before males were cleary noticeable and still then they were not sexually mature .
My fry from December 2018 are 1 - 1&1/2 inches and still not showing any bristles for the most part ..So slow growers is how I would consider them .
I thought my rams were slow but my super red BNP triple or quadruple maturity timing .

 

Wow.. That is slow! I hope that I can keep this little critter alive long enough to be able to mature all the way. Am feeding it driftwood, shrimp and algae tablets and cucumber. He seems to love all that!

Have to share this with you all. The other night, Tuesday, I think, in the evening. Oscar was so mean that he sucked a full piece of krill out of the Pleco's mouth!! Got away with it for about day. He didn't try it as of last night again, but today..Coco, my common pleco, When oscar tried to get some cucumber, coco just broke out a can of woop butt and sent him back to the corner!! Never saw that before!! Good for Coco!!! That will teach him!

I've seen others do a video of there pet babys. I think I will try that this weekend. Wish me luck!

I have been looking at where I want to put my next tank. After measuring the one wall, If I move the train layout to the wall where the 55 is I can put in a 60 inch tank. I will be looking for one but one issue, Can a Oscar live alone in a tank that measures 5 feet across without any grow out issues? I know most say a 6 foot or better but I am kinda short of space. Getting rid of the train layout is not a option. This room is odd in size, as well as the way it is laid out. Windows and closets kinda screw the open spaces I will need for the tank. I think I will be looking for a 60 inch by 24 inch by say 24 high tank. Any other ideas that might work with the 60 inch tank?

 

I think a 60 inch tank would be ok for one Oscar.
60x 24x24 is aprox. 150 g..I think finding one 24 inches wide is more important then length for an Oscar .
Most 72 inch tanks don't go 24 inches wide until 180g so I think your idea of 60x24x24 if you can find it is better ..

 

Found several that size they are drilled but that can be fixed with pvc plugs. Now if I can get this one guy to let me have it.

I was thinking that a 90 gallon might work but still am looking at the 150 gal. tank.

Here we go again. Oscar has started trashing the tank and the other baby's in the tank. I am thinking of getting rid of him. He is beautiful but he is a terrorist. If I do that I only need the current tank. I don't know for sure what is going to happen yet....

He is a hand full!! Still angry, don't know why. He bangs everyone including the fish tank itself. I know some are oscar traits but don't know why he is chasing the other fish around the tank. If I didn't know better, I would say he has had a mental break! I am testing the water to see if anything is amiss. Water change is tomorrow. Going to do a 50% change as I am getting a slight film on the water surface. Will let you know what I find.

 

Dawn Michele Keeps her Oscar alone and he is quite the character ..Maybe she can offer some Oscar insight 'big boy ' has shared with her ??

 

I have enough room for one tank. If I trade for the 150, or for that matter a 90, It will be the only tank. I am not sure which fish I want to keep. The oscar or all the other fish.

Did my water change today. I did a large water change, 25 gallons. that's roughly 50%. The most I have done since I started adding fish. Its really hard on me to do it. Temp went up 2 degrees but fish seem ok. Should cool back down tonight. I haven't used the water heater in over a month. Normal is about 76-78 degrees. Will check the water this evening. See what I have for readings.

One other observation today is that the Oscar likes Cucumber!! Never saw a Oscar go after it like he does!! Water is clear and fish are very active. They love Shrimp and Krill. And my Plecos and Oscar love that but they both seem to like the cucumber too. Strange Oscar....

Well, I will be doing a big water change again. I got the nitrates back down about half of what I had. Ph dropped a bit after the water change.Went from 7.6 to 7.0. That's not to good . Fish look good but will be on the lookout for any issues. Weird the ph dropped After I did the water change.Nitrates at 40ppm so I will half water change in a few days to help to keep them down. With most Cichlids live plants don't fair well so the only thing alive is the Potmos. Its floating not planted. The water here must have changed. even with ro water it dropped on the ph. Weird. I know some of the areas around here have water low or almost out. so far they say we are ok but I bet its getting low. I guess it could drop the ph.

Sorry Dawn, I hijacked your thread. But I think I have it here now.

 

Sorry Dawn, I hijacked your thread. But I think I have it here now.

Cool.

 

My tests are looking good. Everything where its supposed to be.PH7.0, Ammonia0.5, Nitrite0.0, Nitrates10.0 Not bad for the middle of the week. Will check it again Tuesday. Weds, water change day...

Water Change done. Nitrates were on the high side so did a 75% water change. Keeping a eye on the tank for any issues. If that don't drop the nitrates I don't know what else to do. Had 80 ppm last night will check again this evening.

Quick one, Ph 7.4 and Nitrate was 10ppm. That is the only thing I checked. Think about testing Saturday...will see.

Ok, I have been wondering what to do with the BIG rock on the right side of the tank. The only one who used it was the convict cichlid. Oscar would go over there but always left for the other two thirds of the tank. so.. I took the rock out yesterday while cleaning out the tank. I ended up cutting up the rock up into 3 pieces. I planned on two but I goofed and ended up with 3 pieces. Got shots of the three "new" rocks and the tank right now. Will look back to see if I have a good shot of that Big rock. Now if I can get my hands to quit hurting so I can do this...

Here is a few of the new layout. Oscar is a show boat! Will try and get a few good ones later this evening. I think you can see the difference. Later

Not sure why this happened but my little BN is dead. The Convict got him. He is the only one who messed with her. I got her back out of his mouth but to late. This makes me mad at a certain fish!!! Now I need to find another Blued Eyed Yellow BN! I am on the hunt.

 

Not sure why this happened but my little BN is dead. The Convict got him. He is the only one who messed with her. I got her back out of his mouth but to late. This makes me mad at a certain fish!!! Now I need to find another Blued Eyed Yellow BN! I am on the hunt.

That's so sad.

 

If I get another one it needs to be full grown. Let see if that convict can stick that in its mouth.

 

Okay I'll look for some more.

 

I decided to go another direction. I found a 3+ inch Jack Dempsey and like her colors so I got her. With luck it will take a dislike of the convict! So far so good. It has taken a home in one of the rock caves and has pretty much chased everyone away. Looks really good, good color! She is about the same size as my Convict and Firemouth.

Nitrates are the only thing that needs attention. 40ppm. Everything else is good. These Poop Machines are doing there thing....

I finally got a shot of the new baby! She don't like to sit long for any pictures. So far the Firemouth and the Oscar seem to be buddy up. The convict is his usual self, Mean!! He will chase the red tail out of his rock! I have a feeling that she will clock the convict right out of the tank! That is after she gets older

Tests show 20ppm of nitrate. Everything else looks good. I think a 25% water change will work this week. Tank looks great, fish very nice with all there colors. Even my big pleco is looking good. Happy! wd

From above, I just did a 75% water change anyway. Looked better so I guess it was a good thing. Today is Saturday and tests are 7.6 ph, 0,25 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 ppm of Nitrate. Will check it again Tuesday. Weds. water change again. Spin the wheel..How much to change...

I think a 50% change should do it. Nitrates were 20.0 ppm. everything else is fine. Bed time. nite

Oh man am I stupid!!! I did my water change today. I was adding water and one of my babys started acting weird and the oscar started acting weird and came to realize that I forgot to add prime and aqua safe!! My baby was the red tail shark. he died... Dumb!!!!! Very Dumb!! The Cichlids are ok so is my pleco. I am not adding anymore fish to this tank. can't make up my mind what I would want to add anyway. So this will be it. That was so stupid....

 

We have all done that before I think ...

 

Yep, but I still should have remembered as long as I have been doing this.

I am still here but am having to change all my personal information on my computer and tablet. I have been hacked!! Basically starting all over. This sucks !! I have changed my user name and avator to help me out

What to keep...what to keep... Do I keep the Oscar or the rest of the fish??? I can't make up my mind. The oscar is right around 6+ inches long now. He and the Pleco are the tank busters! The others are around 4 inches. If I get rid of Oscar the Pleco will go with it. That leaves me 3 cichlids in the tank. Now if I could make up my mind....ops:

hehe.. I did a massive water change today. And took out all the rocks and driftwood and after royal cleaning I put things back totally different. Before the convect would stand guard of his rock and no one but the pleco could go there. Now the Jack Dempsey has that and JD and Firemouth both chase the convect around. JD has really started to give back all the that Firemouth gave him. It kinda looks like the Firemouth has claimed the rock on the left side so the only one not claimed is the smaller rock in the center of the tank. I also turned the driftwood around and is leaning the other way. I haven't placed the plants back in the tank yet. I have them in Clorox to get the algae off.I will cover the filters back up with the plants when they are clean. Can't believe my eyes! Oscar and firemouth just locked Jaws!! First time I ever saw the oscar do that! They are a feisty bunch! That's Cichlids for you!! Never a dull moment. May try and get shots of them this evening. Let them settle down a bit. I don't know why but the Oscar is scared of the camera. He is the only one. Weird Oscar....
Next week I will do a water change on weds and Saturday. I go in for surgery on the first. That way I can leave the water change till after I get back...If...

Well...That didn't last long. Now the firemouth and Jack Dempsey are fighting together. Oscar is fighting with Both of them and the convict is back to his rock. Oscar is getting mad it seems all the time as my pleco and oscar are always rubbing each other all the time. Coco is swimming to where the Oscar is and this goes on back and forth all the time.
Ok, can't find anything so I will ask here, Can a Oscar and Pleco mate? My pleco is a female and Oscar is a male.Wonder what that mix would make them look like?? I am thinking about rehomeing the smaller gang so the oscar and pleco can figure out what they are doing. Should maybe give me less work to do each week.

 

That would be a quite strange looking fish. No way they could breed. Then again if they do successfully you would become quite wealthy overnight i'm sure " Introducing Dans Plec-oscar-mus"

 

hehe, That would be something for sure!!

Well, three days till I find out how this surgery goes. The tank is clean but I only did a small water change. Gonna do another one today. Nitrates are low so my new feeding habits are working. Feeding once a day now. Monday night will be busy. I have to get prepped for the surgery by taking a bath with some kind of special soap and then again in the early morning Tuesday. Then to the hospital.... My nephew will see to feeding the babys for me. I hope this doctor knows what he is doing. One way or another, I will let you know, Dan

 

Well, three days till I find out how this surgery goes. The tank is clean but I only did a small water change. Gonna do another one today. Nitrates are low so my new feeding habits are working. Feeding once a day now. Monday night will be busy. I have to get prepped for the surgery by taking a bath with some kind of special soap and then again in the early morning Tuesday. Then to the hospital.... My nephew will see to feeding the babys for me. I hope this doctor knows what he is doing. One way or another, I will let you know, Dan

TMI on the "special" soap bath ... Good luck with the surgery! Get well soon

 

Well, A sinus cold has put the surgery off for a bit. So I need to get over this cold and then I can rescheduled. Gonna do a waterchange instead.

 

Water change done. Filters cleaned and plants watered. It only took me about 2 hours so that's not bad. Oscar is pouting about me cleaning the tank. I guess he likes swimming in a sewer!!ead:

 

One other observation today is that the Oscar likes Cucumber!! Never saw a Oscar go after it like he does!! Water is clear and fish are very active. They love Shrimp and Krill. And my Plecos and Oscar love that but they both seem to like the cucumber too. Strange Oscar....

Well, I will be doing a big water change again. I got the nitrates back down about half of what I had. Ph dropped a bit after the water change.Went from 7.6 to 7.0. That's not to good . Fish look good but will be on the lookout for any issues. Weird the ph dropped After I did the water change.Nitrates at 40ppm so I will half water change in a few days to help to keep them down. With most Cichlids live plants don't fair well so the only thing alive is the Potmos. Its floating not planted. The water here must have changed. even with ro water it dropped on the ph. Weird. I know some of the areas around here have water low or almost out. so far they say we are ok but I bet its getting low. I guess it could drop the ph.

Sorry Dawn, I hijacked your thread. But I think I have it here now.

Very cool tank! amazing combination of species in there. I think the oscar really really REALLY wants the firemouths hidey hole but the redtail is kind of the firemouths right finned man but when the oscar goes on the offensive the redtail is like " what oscar boss? I don't see any oscar" hahahaha very cool!!! My vote is keep em all and add them to the 150 you were talking about

 

If I can. If the surgery's don't go good I will be getting rid of all of them, Tank and all.

 

On another note, there are only 5 fish now. The Oscar (Mr. Pig), The Jack Dempsey,(J.D.), the Firemouth, ( Hot Head), The Convict, ( Clyde), And Coco the Pleco. I need to do a newer video of them.

 

I did do a video. It kinda shows the oscar being pushed around by the pleco. And oscar has been moping around that left side of the tank. He really didn't want to eat so, I guess he's having a off day. Now if I can remember how to get here from you tube....

 

OK, Now I know there is something wrong with the Oscar. He turned down Gulf Shrimp!! That's his Favorite, His Chocolate! His eyes are clear. No damage to him but Coco still messes with him. I see no damage to him anywhere. If this keeps up I may have a sick puppy... If he don't start eating by Monday I will have to remove him to the Quarantine tank. I know they can Mope but not eat? Weird Oscar...

 

Still off his feed. I even tried a piece of Cucumber to no avail. Coco finished that. I have tried 3 different foods. the others eat but for him... I am getting worried...

 

I know that the Pleco has been banging on the oscar and I noticed that the plecos tail and dorsel fin is missing a few pieces. I am wondering if the oscar bit the pieces of fins and when he tried to eat them or spit them out they got stuck in his mouth. I can't see anything but that don't mean he didn't. If this is it, how do I get the splines out? I have heard of using a needle nose pliers and get them out that way. How do I get him to stay calm when out of the water? I can't even get close to him without him taking off on me. He goes and hides in the rock. Can the splines work themselves out?? Help!

 

Day 3, still off the feed. Still moping around. Tomorrow I am going to be taking a bath trying to get him out of the tank so I can check out his mouth. I hope I can fix this....

 

Day 4, Still off his feed. I took him out of the tank and checked him out real good. He has a small scratch on his upper forehead. His mouth is clear. Nothing stuck in his mouth. Seems healthy and is allowing me to pet him. The only one bugging him at all is coco. I never heard of a pleco beating up a oscar before. The only other thing happening in the tank is JD and Firemouth mouthing each other. JD seems ok but firemouth has many marks around his mouth. That's normal in a cichlid tank. He can't be hurt to bad as he will do this many times in a day. I guess there is nothing else to do with the oscar but let him mope around and I guess he will eat when he feels like it. Tomorrow is water test day and Weds is water change day. Later all, Wd67

 

I tried some peas split and thawed. The first he spit right out and the next he took it in. I did a few more and he took them from my fingers. Maybe he is getting a bit better.

 

Things are Great!! Oscar is eating like he used to!! All is well again. Water Tests and getting new water ready for water changes tomorrow. Going to go for a 50% water change. That should give them some fresh "air" to breathe. WD

 

Well, I told you about the Oscar and Pleco kinda making some kind of weird Love/Hate thing? It got worse. My pleco went nuts!! Didn't ever hear of a bad pleco, but I had one! This one went crazy and would chase the Oscar, my J.D, fire mouth and convict as well. She would zoom all the way across the tank just to get in there way or bang them till I took her out of the tank. Never seen a pleco do that before. She was a bit bigger than the Oscar. She damaged the sides of the convict and the firemouth. I can't seem to get the JD to come out to see what he has in damage. Oscar seems ok. don't see any damage on him. He is nervous when swimming around the tank. He jumps if he just brushes one of the plants or even the driftwood!! They are really stressed out right now. I always heard that plecos and cichlids get along just fine! I have had them together before and no issues. Not this one... I hope they calm down now and the tank can get back to calm again. Its just Dan's tank of regrets...

 

Last night oscar has finally started to make "his" home. Funny he has picked a spot right close to where coco stayed. Only oscar is up against the front glass. All the babys are coming out. All four this morning. First time firemouth came out to eat since Friday. For a switch, no fighting and chasing right now. That, I am sure will change. Just glad to be able to see them all out and about again.

 

Last night oscar has finally started to make "his" home. Funny he has picked a spot right close to where coco stayed. Only oscar is up against the front glass. All the babys are coming out. All four this morning. First time firemouth came out to eat since Friday. For a switch, no fighting and chasing right now. That, I am sure will change. Just glad to be able to see them all out and about again.

They are happy their neighbor left!

 

Could be. He was busy about it again last night and he likes that one spot. He can't remove the rocks so I will help him out tomorrow when I do the cleaning.

 

Ouch, 80ppm Nitrate. BIG water change tomorrow!!!

 

80% water change!! Fish healthy looking all are kinda hiding, but the Convict and Oscar showing themselves off. I am going in for the neck surgery so that is Tuesday. I will have to do my next one Sunday or Monday. Don't know which but well see.... Also had new prefilters installed on both the HOB and Canister. They were getting really bad. And just for kicks I added a water polisher pad to the canister. All good!

 

Its not so good. Sorry about background noise but I can't seem to find a mute for the video. I know...rookie...

 

I tried this one yesterday. Not having much help from the JD or Firemouth. I went for the camera this morning and when I got back Oscar had already broke up the Mouthing between them. So I got the Convict and Oscar together. The Oscar is a bit camera shy. He don't like it when I get to close but will move around when I am farther away

 

I got it!!! He finally played nice and let me film him!! Enjoy this one dizzy Oscar