New 125g Community - "Stump" Driftwood Planted Build

[Thurgood11]

Dang man! You fought that driftwood for a couple rounds but looks like you got the win now!

Your water parameters are already good for fish?

 

[Jamieson22]

Dang man! You fought that driftwood for a couple rounds but looks like you got the win now!

Your water parameters are already good for fish?

How about it?! Hope you have better luck than me with your driftwood!

It is a terrible feeling filling tank and watching it shift as it starts to float a new way. Took 3 rounds of filling and driftwood adjustments to get it to work at all but was concerned with anchoring using unsecured/stacked rocks in case a shift happened and flipped one into glass. Fishing line has too much stretch to hold much weight down and is to hard to manage/tie underwater. Zip ties FTW!

Tank is way under stocked and have all media from cycled tank in the new filter. Plan to slowly increase stock to give BB time to catch up.

Someone was saying "Thanks!" after first night with 105 extra gallons of space

 

[max h]

You'll enjoy it a bunch, especially when you get the stocking up.

 

[Thurgood11]

That Angel looks great!

 

[Jamieson22]

Been busy while the forum was down.

Added 4 bronze cory and 3 tiny albino cory a few days ago. Also a blue veil angelfish which is much smaller than my existing angel, but they seem to be doing well together.

Also grabbed a java fern mat, red ludwigia and hygro pinnatifida.

Today I added 4 pearl gourami. Is funny as they are all schooling in a tight group near the top. Can't wait to see them color up!

For plants, added hygro angustifolia (willow), crypto wendtii, a potted amazon sword and a clump of vesicularia ferrie (weeping moss).

 

[Thurgood11]

pics or it didn't happen

 

[Jamieson22]

pics or it didn't happen

The new plants are still floating, other than the weeping moss which I stuffed in a nook in the driftwood. The rest are in just to grow until driftwood sinks and I can rearrange.

 

[Thurgood11]

Nice. It is a pain to get things attached to driftwood while in the tank with water.

 

[Jamieson22]

Nice. It is a pain to get things attached to driftwood while in the tank with water.

Ha, tell me about it! Especially sucks when the things you are attaching are 10lb rocks! LOL
That is why for now I just stuffed the moss in a nook. Will break it up and tie it on driftwood another time.

Here is tank after spending 20 min with water up to my armpit. Also added Osmocote Plus root tabs in the sand near each group of plants and will dose with Excel as soon as it arrives. Water has a fair amount of plant material floating around now after splitting up bunches and loose leaves/roots.

 

[Jamieson22]

Nothing too exciting since last update, just a new pic of my gold veil angel which might be pearl as well based on the sparkle (?), my new blue veil angel, and two of the four pearl gourami.

I am reconsidering if I don't want to change stocking plan from two to four angelfish. They are really fun to watch.

I also found some baskets that sort of fit the shelves in the stand to help organize food and equipment. Was hard to find storage this size, so if anyone else has same setup I ordered these from Pier One.

 

[max h]

It's coming along nicely, it should look great when the plants start growing out.

 

[Jamieson22]

LFS had posted that they got some of the plants I asked for two days ago in so stopped by and grabbed the following (I am lucky to have a great LFS 2 miles away). Will start dosing Excel once I add them as well:

• Jungle Val (5 stems)
• Micro Sword mat
• Java Moss (2 big chunks)
  
• Rotala Indica bunch

Also did my first PWC since tank was set up, probably took 30% out. Pre-change water parms were:

• PH 8.2 - 8.4
• Ammonia 0.25 - 0.50ppm
• Nitrite 0.25ppm
• Nitrate 5.0ppm

Wasn't quite sure how well the sponge and biomedia from old cycled Aquaclear 50 that I added to the canister would do but seems okay. Won't be adding any more fish for a couple weeks so should catch up by then.

Need to figure out best PWC strategy as well. Left canister on for this one which made the outlet splash like crazy and oxygenate the water. Looked like sprite when all was done and my blue angel lost all its colors, stripes included. Will see if they get used to it after a few weeks or if I turn canister off. The Python Hook is well worth the money, BTW.

 

[max h]

I normally leave my filters on line while doing water changes, especially when it's around 30%

 

[Al913]

Sorry if you mentioned this already but what is your stocking plan?

 

[Jamieson22]

I THINK this is still my plan. Love the looks of SterbaI Cory but also not sure if I should put a different kind of bottom dweller in tank.

Will probably add tetras next.

6 Albino Cory > DONE
7 Bronze Cory > DONE
2 Platy (all males) > DONE
2 Angelfish > DONE
4 Pearl Gourami > DONE
12 SterbaI Cory
4 GBR
20 Rummynose Tetra
15 BosemanI Rainbowfish

 

[Brian Rodgers]

Wow wow This looks so nice.

 

[Lenn777]

Great looking tank.

 

[Thurgood11]

I THINK this is still my plan. Love the looks of SterbaI Cory but also not sure if I should put a different kind of bottom dweller in tank.

Will probably add tetras next.

6 Albino Cory > DONE
7 Bronze Cory > DONE
2 Platy (all males) > DONE
2 Angelfish > DONE
4 Pearl Gourami > DONE
12 SterbaI Cory
4 GBR
20 Rummynose Tetra
15 BosemanI Rainbowfish

The GBR's always look great at my LFS. Waiting on my tank to get established more.

 

[Jamieson22]

Did another water change today. Water Parms looked pretty good but want to get more experience with the Python water change system while I am off work for holidays. Have a horrible fear of overflowing the sink it expels into in bathroom while siphoning.

Tank seems a bit cloudier past few days so assume bacterial bloom.

Did I mention how amazing this Python system is??

 

[Thurgood11]

Which python do you have? Link please. I have one just wondering if it is the same

 

[Jamieson22]

It is the Python No Spill Clean 'N Fill System:


And I added the 24" gravel tube (no wet hands):


And this hook makes filling WAY easier. No pressure build-up between turning sink adapter to fill and turning fill end valve to open, and it stays in place without holding:


Only issue is that the 24" tube takes more water pressure to start siphon than my sink can easily drain, so anytime I turn it off I need to go back to sink and back off the pressure once it starts siphon. I'm sure I'll figure an easier way with some more experience using it.

7 Albino Cory > DONE
6 Bronze Cory > DONE
2 Platy (all males) > DONE
2 Angelfish > DONE
4 Pearl Gourami > DONE
12 SterbaI Cory
4 GBR
20 Rummynose Tetra
15 BosemanI Rainbowfish

TexasDomer Anders247 - Based on you previously being so helpful with your stocking expertise: What should my plan be for finishing this stock above? My thoughts...

• Next step of adding 10 Rummynose
• Pausing a week or two then 10 more Rummynose
• Add 7 BosemanI after 1-2 weeks
• Pause for week or two then 8 more Bosemani.
• After that either would 12 sterbaI all at once be okay 1-2 weeks later? Would likely need special order from LFS so would be easier to do in one shot.
• Final piece will be all 4 GBR - believe they are most sensitive to water so by the time they are added tank should be smooth sailing as far as water parms.

This stock was set when I had 4 Platy, but now only have 2 (lost prior to migration to bigger tank). Am I fully stocked with the above? Tank is currently at 80 degrees which is a bit high for the platy. Am torn on a rehome (back to LFS) or keep but at a sub-optimal temp. Platy are kind of a dime-a-dozen fish so I worry about their chances back at LFS and have had these for some time.

What would I need to change if I wanted to do 2 more Angelfish (4 total)? Really like them in this big tank.

 

[Anders247]

I don't think you'd have to change anything to add 2 angels. I think your plan is good.

 

[Jamieson22]

I don't think you'd have to change anything to add 2 angels. I think your plan is good.

Excellent, so will most likely add 2 more angels to existing stocking plan. Love the two I have now as they have a lot of character!

Any worries of the angels eating rummynose tetra?

So my LFS got some rummynose in and said they are no good. Apparently he has issues with them. Has also mentioned hit or miss luck with cardinal tetras.

What other options would I have for a school? Really like looks of rummy nose so hoping for some color. Celestial Pearl Danio? They seem to top at 79 dgerees and my tank is at 80.

What are best looking rasbora/tetra/etc in a school of 20 or so?

Or do I switch to a second school of rainbowfish (dwarf neon)?

 

[Thurgood11]

So my LFS got some rummynose in and said they are no good. Apparently he has issues with them. Has also mentioned hit or miss luck with cardinal tetras.

What other options would I have for a school? Really like looks of rummy nose so hoping for some color. Celestial Pearl Danio? They seem to top at 79 dgerees and my tank is at 80.

What are best looking rasbora/tetra/etc in a school of 20 or so?

Or do I switch to a second school of rainbowfish (dwarf neon)?

The Bloodfin Tetras have the red fins on them as well if your looking for red and silver.

 

[Anders247]

CPDs would need a temp under 75 permanently. 79 is too warm long term.

 

[Jamieson22]

The Bloodfin Tetras have the red fins on them as well if your looking for red and silver.

Thanks! Those are on the short list as are neon dwarf rainbow which are silver body/red finned. Think I will stop by LFS and scout out what is available. I think I saw diamond tetra last time which are really nice looking as well.

CPDs would need a temp under 75 permanently. 79 is too warm long term.

Thanks! What would you do if you needed to scratch rummynose from my stock plan?

Would neon dwarf rainbows work? How many?

Or for tetras:
Diamond
Congo
Bloodfin/red eye tetra be a good replacement?

 

[Anders247]

Diamond, congo, or dwarf neon rainbows would be fine. Do around 12-15.

 

[Jamieson22]

Well that was expensive.

Took all the Dwarf Neon Rainbows my LFS had. They looked very healthy and he had them for a bit so they had adjusted well from shipping. Figured better to get them all now than have to try to wait to finish stock later. As he doesn't always have them.

Gave me all 14 for price of 12. Still a kick in the pants at $7.99 per.

 

[Thurgood11]

Nice!

Are you quarantining?

 

[Anders247]

Nice! Yeah, the price for rainbows has always been a bit obnoxious.....except for australian rainbows.

 

[Jamieson22]

Not quarantining. Living dangerously. I'm in the edge. I also don't know how to explain to my wife that my new giant fish tank needs its own fish tank.

DNR are all in tank now and are actually eating so a good sign. Gave crumbled freeze dried spirulina brine shrimp.

Also grabbed another piece of driftwood that looked similar stump I have. Already attached to some slate. Plan to add it to the right side of tank where it is wide open to break things up a bit.

 

[max h]

A QT tank would be nice, we have no room for one in our house. We had to move 2 3 bedroom houses into one when I got laid off of work.

 

[Thurgood11]

I have room in my tank stand to do a QT tank. I think that's the only way i'm going to get away with it.

Also, you have a very nice looking kitchen lol

 

[Jamieson22]

Also, you have a very nice looking kitchen lol

Ha, one of the few benefits of leaving city life for suburban a few years ago

I hate my stand with only the single middle cabinets and shelves for the rest. Wish it was all enclosed!

 

[Jamieson22]

And we have algae! Mainly closest to the light in my driftwood. Turned them down from on 10 to 8 hours a day to see if that helps.

Any other advice?

 

[Jamieson22]

Lost one of my female DNRs today Noticed her when I went to do a water change - parms were all good. Nothing obvious as to why but did notice one or two not quite schooling with rest when I added them, but with 14 at once it is rather hard to identify them. Dwarf Neon Rainbows aren't affected by Seachem Excel, are they? Only thing I am using at this time.

Cleaned FX6 for first time today as well. Added 2 bags of Fluval zeo-carb to bottom tray as I had them leftover from a previous tank. At some point will switch to Purigen, just wanted to run some carbon as I have a lot of plant material running through filter.

Added my new driftwood today as well. It is attached to slate but still wanted to mildly float. Sunk when it buried in substrate so hopefully it will be okay, if not a rock may be in order.

Split up the micro-sword mat I got previously and put it around the new driftwood to see if I can get a carpet started. Rearranged a few other plants and added planted the new plants I got on NYE: Myrio Green, Ambulia and 3x Anubias Nana. Probably time to halt the plant additions

 

[max h]

Let the plants grow in some, as they get bigger you could trim some and replant trimmings. The tanks looking great.

 

[Jamieson22]

Let the plants grow in some, as they get bigger you could trim some and replant trimmings. The tanks looking great.

Funny thing is I mainly just buy a single bunch of stem plants, normally $3 at my LFS. I just have a ridiculous variety of them right now. I was thinking at some point some would fail and I'd yank them but so far all is doing well. Except for my jungle val which is supposed to be one of the most foolproof!

 

[max h]

I had bought a 5 bunch of Temple plants and have some where around 10 or so and I need to trim a couple here soon. I moved a pair of trimming into the old 55 with some wisteria and a bunch of fry. They fry go to the store soon.

I was in a smaller chain store the other day and they had DNR for about $6-7 a piece. This place has a big aquarium section both fresh and saltwater. They even sell Coral frags there.

 

[Jamieson22]

So saw another female DNR upside down at bottom of tank. She righted herself and is swimming around again.

Also should have 13 DNR but am only counting 11. Kinda hard to see with driftwood and they move quick making it hard to count. Not seeing any near filter intake or on substrate but hard to tell with rocks holding wood down.

 

[Thurgood11]

Did you apply any API stress coat when you added them and did your water change? Just throwing suggestions out to help them turn around

 

[AquariumX]

Your pH is a bit high?

 

[Jamieson22]

Your pH is a bit high?

Yes, but same as it has always been and have not had problems with fish acclimating. Figure will cause more harm trying to adjust it.

Did you apply any API stress coat when you added them and did your water change? Just throwing suggestions out to help them turn around

I use Prime when I do water changes. I don't add anything when adding fish.

Hopefully the rest pull through!

 

[Jamieson22]

So since adding the 14 Dwarf Neon Rainbow on 12/29, I have lost 4 - one each on 1/2, 1/3, 1/4 and 1/6. Only seems to be females though last one my wife found while I was at work so not 100% sure. Behavior seems normal, they all look good, water parms are excellent and all other fish seem fine. Just not sure. Hopefully it stops.

Current stock is:

• 6 Albino Cory
• 7 Bronze Cory
• 2 Platy (males)
• 2 Angelfish
• 4 Pearl Gourami
• 10 Neon Dwarf Rainbow

"Plan" to add:

• 12 SterbaI Cory - Maybe replace?
  
• 4 GBR
• 15 BosemanI Rainbowfish

Now, I love cory but am wondering if another species would work on the bottom since I already have 13 of them. What small pleco and/or loach group work be good in this community @ 80F? Any thoughts Anders247 / TexasDomer or anyone else? Dwarf Loach look really nice, maybe Dario, Tiger or Striata? Pitbull or BN pleco - or too warm?

Also 15 BosemanI still good number? Or lower them to 10 and up the Dwarf Neon Rainbow school in future as they are a bit smaller?

 

[Anders247]

Clown pleco? As far as loaches go, how about kuhlis?

 

[TexasDomer]

In a 125 gal, you should be fine to add a school of sterbaI with the bronze cories!

I wouldn't add a school of loaches personally since you want two schools of cories, but a warm water pleco like a clown pleco or a Peckoltia would be fine!

For the rainbows, your choice!

 

[Jamieson22]

In a 125 gal, you should be fine to add a school of sterbaI with the bronze cories!

I wouldn't add a school of loaches personally since you want two schools of cories, but a warm water pleco like a clown pleco or a Peckoltia would be fine!

For the rainbows, your choice!

Was thinking of doing loach school INSTEAD of adding the sterbai. Mainly for something different on bottom since I already have 13 cory.

Guess I'll see how the bosemanI look when LFS gets them in and decide on 10 or 15.

Clown pleco? As far as loaches go, how about kuhlis?

Will look into clown pleco.

The snake-like look of kuhlI kinda of creeps me a bit so no go on those

 

[Anders247]

Yoyo loaches?

 

[TexasDomer]

You could do a large school of kuhlis then! You'd just need to make sure they get fed as they're not the most competitive

I'd worry the yoyos may nip the angels. Or would that not be as much of a concern in larger tanks?

 

[Anders247]

You could do a large school of kuhlis then! You'd just need to make sure they get fed as they're not the most competitive

I'd worry the yoyos may nip the angels. Or would that not be as much of a concern in larger tanks?

I wouldn't think it would happen in this large of a tank, yeah.