New 125g Community - "Stump" Driftwood Planted Build

[TexasDomer]

How many angels do you have now then?

I regret not getting the FX6 during black Friday!

 

[tyguy7760]

I love that driftwood

 

[Jamieson22]

How many angels do you have now then?

I regret not getting the FX6 during black Friday!

I have 4 angels.

Current stock:

• 4 Angelfish
• 2 Platy (to be rehomed)
• 12 Cory (Albino and Bronze mix)
• 3 Pearl Gourami (lost 1, plan to add 1 or 2 more when LFS gets them back in)
• 1 Red Lizard Pleco (L010a)

I am definitely glad I grabbed the FX6 for such a good deal. It is a beast and using/maintaining it is really easy.

I love that driftwood

Thanks! I can't wait until it stops floating and I can remove the thick zip-tie straps and all the rocks holding it down! Have actually become accustomed to them as part of my tank!

 

[Thurgood11]

FX6 flow is 563 gph, so roughly 4 times the water turn over a hour.

I believe the recommended is 6 times with a canister filter(from the stickies on this site)

HOB would be an easy way to get more turn over.

I just was watching some reviews for my sunsun 304bs. Actual flow on them may actually be ~325 gph with media and filter pads. So I might not even be getting 6 times an hour.

 

[tyguy7760]

Yeah...I usually shoot for 10x flow regardless of HOB or canister simply because the canisters actual flow is never as advertised.

 

[Al913]

Plant looks like bacopa, I have bacopa in my 40 breeder!

As for the plants I would just worry about the plants growing and multiplying first before doing anyhing! Once the plants start growing then you have a better picture of what you want to do Feel free to move the plants now but just know that when they start to get bigger your most likely gonna move it again , I know this a lot from when I started my 40 breeder 5 months ago! It has changed a lot from new plants to removing old, plant multiplying, getting a large piece of driftwood added then cutting it and only keeping 1/2, **** there was a lot of change! But change is good

 

[Jamieson22]

Irony = Your magnetic algae cleaner being covered in algae

 

[Thurgood11]

where is the picture of the new angels?

All the tanks mates doing fine?

 

[Jamieson22]

Here's best I can get for now. Anytime I get too close to glass with camera my big gold veil cruises up looking for food!

These two look very close to my existing two. Think from same breeder son may be related.





Oh and as far as a friendly community the little angels get chased now and then by the larger blue veil but nothing major.

Ever since I lost 1 pearl gourami, 2 of the remaining 3 seems to face off quite a bit each day. No injuries or anything just not sure why. Believe they are all male. Was planning to up their numbers by 1 - 3 next time I see them at LFS to see if that helps.

 

[Thurgood11]

Sounds like a good idea.

My 6 angels seem to be doing well. I see them occasionally chase the smaller marble angel that is mostly black.

Trying to decide what will be the next fish to get. I'm working on getting my QT tank setup.

 

[Jamieson22]

Took the kids to Disney for a week and came home to a dead red lizard whiptail

The good news is that the diatoms seem to have stopped spreading. Did a major glass and driftwood scrubbing today followed by a 50% WC. Water looked like a dirty pond after the scrubbing but much clearer now. Hopefully problem is resolved!

Also thinking of adding another Beamswork DHL light so I get better coverage.

 

[Jamieson22]

And these two still seem to be facing off all day! There haven't been any pearls in stock at LFS to up them from 3 to 6 in hopes of easing this "aggression".

Doesn't appear to be any injuries and they only lock for fraction of a second. Anything to worry about?

 

[Brian Rodgers]

Sorry about the Whiptail. It was very cool looking fish. Will you try another?

 

[Jamieson22]

Sorry about the Whiptail. It was very cool looking fish. Will you try another?

Yeah I'd like to get a pair in the future. Just don't think they will be super easy to find!

 

[DoubleDutch]

And these two still seem to be facing off all day! There haven't been any pearls in stock at LFS to up them from 3 to 6 in hopes of easing this "aggression".

Doesn't appear to be any injuries and they only lock for fraction of a second. Anything to worry about?

I'd keep an eye on it. Two gouramis (looks like a male and a female) aren't a couple in an instant. Some will never be btw. Give them some time..

 

[max h]

Sorry about loosing the whip tail, it was a unique looking fish.

 

[Anders247]

Sorry for your loss. I wouldn't worry about the pearls right now. I would have added all of them at the same time but it should be OK since they aren't very aggressive.

 

[Jamieson22]

I had added 4 pearls originally which was my planned stock but lost one so now have 3. Didn't notice any issues with 4. Was hoping an increase to 6 might help.

 

[Jamieson22]

So, my LFS order 25 rummy nose tetras and 12 sterbaI cory for me and they are coming in today. Plan is for me to take the bags direct from the shipment to minimize two tank acclimations.

While I understand this many fish at once is not ideal the hope was that due to their small size they should not put too much stress on my tank's cycle.

My plan is to do a "drop and plop" acclimation due to the time they will have spent in a shipping bag. Basically float bag to acclimate temperature, then net fish as soon as bag is opened and add fish to tank. Thought behind this is once bag is opened, ammonia will increase as CO2 off gasses. Have seen conflicting reports on this vs. drop acclimation for shipped fish. Thoughts?

 

[Thurgood11]

You can float and add a cup of water or so every 10 minutes. Do this for an hour or so and that should be fine. Use binder clips or something so bag stays put and doesn't drain into your tank. Then net the fish to place into the tank. Best of luck! Pics are a must

 

[TexasDomer]

I've always done the normal acclimation (maybe over an hour instead of 2) for fish shipped to me (I've done it three times now) and it has worked out every time. But that's just my experience, maybe it'd be different for you.

 

[Jamieson22]

Well, winter storms have caused an unexpected delay in the LFS shipment from FL to IL. The fish are routing their way through unexpected airports instead of being delivered today.
Hopefully they arrive tomorrow :/

 

[TexasDomer]

Hopefully they'll make it! I've had a shipment for work delayed as well.

 

[Thurgood11]

Dang! I was looking forward to seeing the new additions. Hopefully their health is not being compromised due to the weather.

 

[Jamieson22]

Well the shipment arrived a day late - without any heat packs - to Chicago in winter. Ugh.

Apprently all fish looked dead in bag and the rummynose indeed were. LFS floated cory bag and all but 2 resurrected.

So 10 sterbaI cory starting to acclimate in my tank:

 

[Thurgood11]

Glad at least you got some alive fish.

Crazy that they didn't have heat packs! So you should be getting more of the rummynose tetras from the seller on them?

 

[DoubleDutch]

Well the shipment arrived a day late - without any heat packs - to Chicago in winter. Ugh.

Apprently all fish looked dead in bag and the rummynose indeed were. LFS floated cory bag and all but 2 resurrected.

So 10 sterbaI cory starting to acclimate in my tank:

Awwwww
Succes with the Sterbai

 

[Jamieson22]

Glad at least you got some alive fish.

Crazy that they didn't have heat packs! So you should be getting more of the rummynose tetras from the seller on them?

Yeah the lack of heat pad was oversight. And this was from a wholesaler who should know better! The good news is my LFS just gave them to me - I told him I'd pay him if they survived a few days in my tank as that only seems fair.

The reason I got rummy and sterbaI in one order is my LFS let me know he is closing. Apparently he just isn't making any money after 3 years so he is closing shop soon. Next week is his last fish order, so we was trying to get me everything I needed before that. I know he said he wouldn't order from that wholesaler and he has had some bad luck with rummynose from other. He is doing a local pickup on Monday and will look for me. Not sure if I'll get them or not.

On a different note, I have read some mixed opinions so just want to ask: Are electric blue acara plant destroyers or not?

 

[Jamieson22]

One other note: My current 12 cory are old and fat and aren't the most playful/active gang anymore. Fun to wake up this morning to see a pile of baby sterbaI zipping around the tank like crazy! There is a set of 5-6 all glass surfing and top-zipping like the Blue Angels. They are such fun fish!

 

[vikingkirken]

I haven't had EBA's (yet), but I've been reading everything I can find on them in preparation for getting one of my own. Looks like they trash plants when they are breeding, but normally don't do much damage.

 

[DoubleDutch]

One other note: My current 12 cory are old and fat and aren't the most playful/active gang anymore. Fun to wake up this morning to see a pile of baby sterbaI zipping around the tank like crazy! There is a set of 5-6 all glass surfing and top-zipping like the Blue Angels. They are such fun fish!

How old are they? They can easily get 20-25 years.

The zipping is more or less adapting behaviour but a great sight.

 

[Lchi87]

On a different note, I have read some mixed opinions so just want to ask: Are electric blue acara plant destroyers or not?

Just read through your thread and you have a seriously awesome tank.

In response to your question, my breeding pair will uproot smaller plants that haven't had a chance to root properly and chew on the ones they can't pull up. If you're okay with your plants looking a little battered it's no big deal; they have yet to actually destroy any plant.

 

[Jamieson22]

Just read through your thread and you have a seriously awesome tank.

In response to your question, my breeding pair will uproot smaller plants that haven't had a chance to root properly and chew on the ones they can't pull up. If you're okay with your plants looking a little battered it's no big deal; they have yet to actually destroy any plant.

Thanks, glad ya like the tank! Has been stressing me lately as I seems to be deep in battle with diatoms and foggy water.

So my tank has a LOT of plants. Do they just terrorize some plants near eggs or would they be a menace to all plant life in tank? Also need to look into how well they do with angels and the rest of my planned community. Something larger like a pair of EBA might be nice instead of my planned GBRs. Thanks much for the advice Lchi87 !

 

[Jamieson22]

How old are they? They can easily get 20-25 years.

The zipping is more or less adapting behaviour but a great sight.

They aren't really "old" just meant that they are full grown so not quite as "cute" in behavior like the new tank additions.

 

[Thurgood11]

Thanks, glad ya like the tank! Has been stressing me lately as I seems to be deep in battle with diatoms and foggy water.

So my tank has a LOT of plants. Do they just terrorize some plants near eggs or would they be a menace to all plant life in tank? Also need to look into how well they do with angels and the rest of my planned community. Something larger like a pair of EBA might be nice instead of my planned GBRs. Thanks much for the advice Lchi87 !

Thoughts on a HOB filter addition?

 

[Lchi87]

Thanks, glad ya like the tank! Has been stressing me lately as I seems to be deep in battle with diatoms and foggy water.

So my tank has a LOT of plants. Do they just terrorize some plants near eggs or would they be a menace to all plant life in tank? Also need to look into how well they do with angels and the rest of my planned community. Something larger like a pair of EBA might be nice instead of my planned GBRs. Thanks much for the advice Lchi87 !

Ah diatoms. I always seem to have a lot of that happening as well. They eventually do go away on their own but reducing the photo period and having a UV built into my canister filter seems to help the most.

They definitely have specific plants that they target and yes, its usually by potential spawning sites. Providing them with "toys" to use instead keep them from always going to the same plants. These "toys" are usually a loose stick of driftwood and a few java fern leaves that I leave unattached on the floor of the tank so that they can grab onto those and move them around as they please when the itch to chew up my plants strike lol.

They will be fine with angels unless they're defending their eggs/fry; then all bets are off. They have gone head to head with a pleco twice their size in length and in bulk so I imagine something like an angel would be shredded. But if they're not spawning, they are incredibly peaceful and have great personalities.

 

[Jamieson22]

Thoughts on a HOB filter addition?

I am certainly open to it but don't think my issues are filtration related, more "new" water related. I just cleaned filter and gave everything a good rinse as last week I had scrubbed diatoms off everything in tank - so there was a lot of "muck" in there. I added a bag of Seachem Matrix in addition to the bio-rings it came with for additional bio-filtration. Replaced the poly-fill and added another two layers on top of the Matrix in upper drawer of second tray for mechanical. Also bagged and added 250ml of Purigen for chemical. We'll see how it does.

Also know my son's betta tank (Fluval Spec V) took a very long time before teh battle with diatoms ended. Then one day everything flaked off and is now crystal clear.

On side note - have you grabbed any aquascape tools yet? I picked up long wave scissors (10") and curved tweezers (15") to help trim plants. Will let you know how they work once I get them. Were pretty cheap on Amazon (IDS brand).

Ah diatoms. I always seem to have a lot of that happening as well. They eventually do go away on their own but reducing the photo period and having a UV built into my canister filter seems to help the most.

They definitely have specific plants that they target and yes, its usually by potential spawning sites. Providing them with "toys" to use instead keep them from always going to the same plants. These "toys" are usually a loose stick of driftwood and a few java fern leaves that I leave unattached on the floor of the tank so that they can grab onto those and move them around as they please when the itch to chew up my plants strike lol.

They will be fine with angels unless they're defending their eggs/fry; then all bets are off. They have gone head to head with a pleco twice their size in length and in bulk so I imagine something like an angel would be shredded. But if they're not spawning, they are incredibly peaceful and have great personalities.

Thanks for all the info, much appreciated! I think my next step will be to get my large tetra school and see where to go from there. I have been considering skipping my second school (was planned to be rainbows or similar) and increasing size of the tetra school but want to see how 25 rummynose look before considering 40

I ordered some Seachem Phosguard to add to canister to see if it helps defeat my diatoms. Hope to have it in next week. Diatoms in a planted tank SUCKS.

 

[beau]

Diatoms in a planted tank SUCKS.

I couldn't agree more!! They're driving me nuts.

 

[Thurgood11]

I have purchased these aquascape tools(5 piece set) -

This 2' grabber -

The grabber works as it should. I have yet to try the cutting attachment but don't expect great things from that.

 

[Jamieson22]

Now acclimating:
25 rummynose tetra
3 pearl gourami
2 sterbaI cory

Also grabbed 6 or so more bunches of plants.

 

[Jamieson22]

25 rummynose doesn't seem like much in a 125g!

 

[Al913]

Yeah they are tight schoolers! I love rummy nose probably should up them to 30-40!

 

[Jamieson22]

Yeah they are tight schoolers! I love rummy nose probably should up them to 30-40!

Funny you should say that... My current stock is:

25 Rummynose tetra
12 Aeneus Cory (6 albino/6 bronze)
12 SterbaI Cory
6 Pearl Gourami
4 Angelfish
4 Nerite snails

If I upped the Rummynose to 40-50 total how will my stock level be?

I have considered potential of adding the following and not sure if a BIG rummy school would finish my stocking or not:
2 more angelfish
10 bosemanI rainbow
4 GBR

 

[max h]

A school of 30-40 Rummy Nose would look awesome. I'm working on getting my Neon's up to around 25.

 

[Jamieson22]

A school of 30-40 Rummy Nose would look awesome. I'm working on getting my Neon's up to around 25.

I know, I keep thinking 25 isn't enough. I think I want 50!

Had to go to different LFS for these as the one I always go to had bad luck with them and is closing soon New place is having a 50% off all fish sale next few days. Their prices seem steeper than I am used to, but the 50% off helps.

Rummy are normally $3.99, I paid $2/per.
Pearl Gourami normally $3.99, I paid $2/per.
SterbaI Cory normally $11.99 (OUCH?!), I paid $6 per.

Makes me appreciate the "free" 10 sterbaI my normal LFS gave me even more. Since they survived in tank (after arriving near DOA) am going to give him money, though he only asked for $20.

 

[Thurgood11]

From Trin's I paid $5 each for the Sterbai

 

[max h]

I have a supplier about 20 miles down the road who has great prices when ordering fish, just over wholesale if you pick them up.

 

[Jamieson22]

From Trin's I paid $5 each for the Sterbai

Yeah that seems about right. Not sure how they got to $12 regular price here!

 

[Thurgood11]

Yeah that seems about right. Not sure how they got to $12 regular price here!

Cuz it was a half price sale... Lol

 

[Jamieson22]

Deja vu! Once again, acclimating 25 rummynose tetra. This will make a school of 50.
Fingers crossed they do well!