The continuation of my goldfish journey.

[Fishfur]

I think I can see how Smudge came by his name. They’re awfully cute.

 

[3Fishnight]

Just be glad we don’t get Didymo diatoms in aquariums. They’re huge and they are, and I am not being unkind, incredibly ugly. They form mats as much as 8” thick and up to a half mile long in rivers and streams. Gives a whole new perspective to the small ones we encounter in our tanks.

I think i slipped on that stuff once when going through a spillway. When walking on it it felt like walking through slippery cheese because it was about an inch thick. My friend was able to slide down the side of the spillway because the algae was so thick. It was all growing on top of concrete. He slid down it like a slip n slide without any cuts and very minimal scrapes. It was nuts because the slide down was like 80-100 feet and he picked up tons of speed. But that dang algae made it feel like slipping down a slimy cheese slide.

 

[fishywoo]

Me: ok guys, stay still for a photo!

Misfits: No.

That's ok, here's another video. Lol
Pipkin and Smudge look about the same size as baby Brisby now!

Meanwhile baby Brisby looks like the size that Nepheli was when we first got him. Yikes! Can't wait to see what they all look like in a year. ^_^



Going to wait until WC day to take these two out for more photos. Best one I could get:

 

[fishywoo]

Going to try to keep things short.
(Nevermind, it's long, lol)

Decided on a temporary solution for the baby Ranchu.
They're still small, so I decided to split them up and put one in the 40 and the other one in the 29.
No more tub

Upon doing this we renamed them.
Little Silver is now named Nico and Runt is now named Pico.




They joined the group immediately!
Very happy about that, they're all swimming together in a group without issue.

So I'm officially overstocked in both tanks by one. I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on the water levels. Luckily I have plants eating the Nitrates and with weekly water changes I think it will be ok, albeit controversial. =/

But, at the same time I'm really happy to have them out of the tub and reunited with their other siblings



Edit: I almost forgot to add that my Goldies in the 29 have already started digging up the Creeping Jenny so I've just been adding those pieces to Andromeda's tank (my Betta).

Plants still growing slow in the 29, but making a tiny bit of progress each month. Adding root tabs every one to two months and haven't been using liquid fertilizer for a couple months or so on account of it not seeming to make a difference other than growing excess diatoms. I didn't mind the algae as it's feeding my population of MTS, but the diatoms I can do without. I tried to scrub it off the back, but missed the bottom half. Much harder for me to reach in this tank. I have to set up my sponge cleaner that had a long handle for reaching with a new sponge.

Another thing, I put up the shelf above the 40, mounted the lights, turned the wallpaper background around and used the sticky part to attach to the tank (I had left the back paper on it before), and it created an interesting effect like textured water color and looks more pond like.



I'm fully aware that the picture isn't centered, lol. It's where it is because it's covering a modem thing on the wall for land line phones. It's just hanging off of that. I'm going to try to inch it over so it's still covering it, but more center.



^_^

 

[fishywoo]

Update!

Checked the levels and did 80% WC on both tanks.

The 40 had .25 Ammonia and 10 ppm Nitrates.

Didn't expect the increased bioload to make that much of a difference. Unfortunately I didn't test the water in the beginning of last week, but will check it again this week.

After the water change Ammonia went to 0 and Nitrates 5 ppm.

The 29 also had .25 Ammonia and the Nitrates appeared to be 20 ppm (though the picture made it look darker).

After the water change Ammonia went to 0 and Nitrates also 5 ppm. (The lighting in the picture makes it look green still, but it was definitely yellow for Ammonia.


So not sure if the tanks just needed a nice good large size WC to help reset and help the bb along or what, but will see how much they climb after these big WCs.

Other than that though they were really happy with the WC and have been doing good all week swimming together. Took videos last night. ^_^

29 Pipkin, Smudge, and Pico

Cleaned the glass finally, removed the rest of the Creeping Jenny since half of it was dug up. Letting it float for now then going to put some in my Betta and maybe Shrimp tank.

40 Nebula, Nepheli, Brisby, and Nico.

Of course they were all cutely swimming together in a line before I got my camera, but then Nico went off to do (his or her) own thing. I still don't know the gender of any of the babies yet.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Took me about 7 years to figure out some of the genders in my pond lol Mating behavior gives it away. The females maybe look side heavy, not sure. The males become obvious around 68 degrees lol Yeah, it's crazy the bioload a few babies makes. I only have two more from last year, but I can tell the water color and smell is off right now. I had the pond grass removed for a couple weeks in preparation for spawning. That stuff is a major consumer. Got one strawberry from the outflow water / filter last year. It was bitter lol
Between that and the willow, the filter plants barely got anything.

 

[fishywoo]

Took me about 7 years to figure out some of the genders in my pond lol Mating behavior gives it away. The females maybe look side heavy, not sure. The males become obvious around 68 degrees lol Yeah, it's crazy the bioload a few babies makes. I only have two more from last year, but I can tell the water color and smell is off right now. I had the pond grass removed for a couple weeks in preparation for spawning. That stuff is a major consumer. Got one strawberry from the outflow water / filter last year. It was bitter lol
Between that and the willow, the filter plants barely got anything.

I wish I had room for strawberry and a willow, lol. That's really neat. Other than the underwater plants I've got a pothos with it's roots in the tank that has been stunted and barely growing, but since I raised the lights the pothos will get more light now so maybe it will start feeding off the Nitrates more and finally grow!

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Plenty of room for a willow in that tank lol
My solution to a lot things is throw willow at it lol

 

[fishywoo]

Plenty of room for a willow in that tank lol
My solution to a lot things is throw willow at it lol

Do you just stick branch cuttings in it? Or do you use saplings? I wouldn't even know how to do any of that, but would be cool.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Do you just stick branch cuttings in it? Or do you use saplings? I wouldn't even know how to do any of that, but would be cool.

I use cuttings of fresh growth. Best success comes around this time of year with fresh root growth (pinkish red) and harvesting as close to water as possible. But with time a lot of cuttings eventually root regardless. I have a few going in a tub outside and moved one into the 30g swamp tank a few weeks ago that's doing well. I'll grab a few pics of the cuttings when I collect breakfast for the Bettas


Green and black willow cuttings from about 2 months ago. Just make sure the new growth nodules are there and eventually it starts growing lol. Strip off all but the top 2 leaves which will eventually die off. I think I started with 6 and two did not form any root modules or new top growth. Red willow (dogwood) is used the same way, grows the same, is considered simply another willow by indigenous cultures. That is frequently used in landscaping since it's easy to propagate, grows everywhere etc...


The bog lol

Edit: Forgot about these ones.
Red willow / dogwood. Stems / growth leaf shape similar, but with indentations.


Thought this was a goner. Collected in mid winter, grew then died back. Tossed in the yard in the stick pile. Saw growth a few months later, now it's going to be the centerpiece bonsai for the 60g pond likely to get rice fish.

All that on top is root growth dimples. Eventually the roots will cover and surround the stick allowing me to plant moss, violets and strawberries.

 

[fishywoo]

I use cuttings of fresh growth. Best success comes around this time of year with fresh root growth (pinkish red) and harvesting as close to water as possible. But with time a lot of cuttings eventually root regardless. I have a few going in a tub outside and moved one into the 30g swamp tank a few weeks ago that's doing well. I'll grab a few pics of the cuttings when I collect breakfast for the Bettas

View attachment 905149View attachment 905150View attachment 905151View attachment 905153View attachment 905154
Green and black willow cuttings from about 2 months ago. Just make sure the new growth nodules are there and eventually it starts growing lol. Strip off all but the top 2 leaves which will eventually die off. I think I started with 6 and two did not form any root modules or new top growth. Red willow (dogwood) is used the same way, grows the same, is considered simply another willow by indigenous cultures. That is frequently used in landscaping since it's easy to propagate, grows everywhere etc...

View attachment 905152
The bog lol

Edit: Forgot about these ones.
Red willow / dogwood. Stems / growth leaf shape similar, but with indentations.
View attachment 905155

Thought this was a goner. Collected in mid winter, grew then died back. Tossed in the yard in the stick pile. Saw growth a few months later, now it's going to be the centerpiece bonsai for the 60g pond likely to get rice fish.
View attachment 905156View attachment 905157
All that on top is root growth dimples. Eventually the roots will cover and surround the stick allowing me to plant moss, violets and strawberries.

That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing this and pictures. I'd definitely like to try this. We've got a few willows around here and neighboring towns that I've often seen and photographed before, but I'm not sure what kind they are. Definitely going to investigate each one now. ^_^

 

[BPSabelhaus]

That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing this and pictures. I'd definitely like to try this. We've got a few willows around here and neighboring towns that I've often seen and photographed before, but I'm not sure what kind they are. Definitely going to investigate each one now. ^_^

It's willow lol

Many varieties, sub varieties all basically the same. Different colors, forms etc... Buy all pretty much the same.

 

[Fishfur]

That is so awesome! Thank you for sharing this and pictures. I'd definitely like to try this. We've got a few willows around here and neighboring towns that I've often seen and photographed before, but I'm not sure what kind they are. Definitely going to investigate each one now. ^_^

If push comes to shove, a lot of florists and nurseries stock relatively fresh willow stems in quite early spring - pussywillows are popular, curly willow too and in the case of the pussywillows, they’re intended for forcing for the furry flowers they produce.

If you can’t find any trees you can discreetly prune a few branches from, get some of these nursery willow stems and just cut the bottom 6-10” off ( depends on how dried up up the bottom stem is) and do it under the

Dried up xylem will be removed and because the new cut is under water it can immediately allow the stems to begin to take up water freely and go from there.

I used to make my own rooting hormone by stuffing a bucket with as many willow cuttings as possible and just let them all root. Topped up but never changed the water - it will get a tad, umm, what’s a good word, fragrant maybe?

But once that bucket is jam-crammed full of roots the water will be full of auxins and can be used to dip cuttings in or diluted some to water in transplants.

 

[fishywoo]

If push comes to shove, a lot of florists and nurseries stock relatively fresh willow stems in quite early spring - pussywillows are popular, curly willow too and in the case of the pussywillows, they’re intended for forcing for the furry flowers they produce.

If you can’t find any trees you can discreetly prune a few branches from, get some of these nursery willow stems and just cut the bottom 6-10” off ( depends on how dried up up the bottom stem is) and do it under the

Dried up xylem will be removed and because the new cut is under water it can immediately allow the stems to begin to take up water freely and go from there.

I used to make my own rooting hormone by stuffing a bucket with as many willow cuttings as possible and just let them all root. Topped up but never changed the water - it will get a tad, umm, what’s a good word, fragrant maybe?

But once that bucket is jam-crammed full of roots the water will be full of auxins and can be used to dip cuttings in or diluted some to water in transplants.

Thank you! ^_^

 

[fishywoo]

All the Goldies are doing good!

Added more root tabs to the 29. The Purple Knight Sword is still taking a long time to grow. Put more root tabs around the three in the center. The older leaves are covered in algae, but the new leaves are still good. Cleaned algae off the back glass, hopefully that will encourage the MTS to clean the leaves. The agate is also covered in algae which is perfect to make sure they're getting foods.

My little fish babies aren't as big as the big specialty fancies, but I'm hoping that just means longer life since they aren't getting power fed in high temperatures. They've grown a lot to me!

(⁠ ⁠◜⁠‿⁠◝⁠ ⁠)⁠♡

 

[fishywoo]

Finally got the other shelf up over the 29 and added another photos vine to this one as well that I had been growing out of the pot. ^_^

 

[fishywoo]

Hi all! Been a long time. Wanted to drop by and show how the kids are doing. They have been growing steadily and have now been with me for a year since last November. Parents are growing too and have mated out of season again. No floating plants and impulsive egg saving this time! I've got my hands full. =P

Here's videos of the tanks from early January:

I tried adding a red flame sword in with the purple Knight sword in the 29. I had a theory that it would help it all grow, but neither is happy and I'm not sure why.

And here's the 40:

 

[Fishfur]

All the Goldies are doing good!

Fwiw, both the Red Flame & Purple Knight do better with brighter light than a lot of the swords do. Probably more light than the Java ferns would really appreciate.

Adding a lot more food won’t make them grow faster - it is light that drives plant growth, not food. So the extra root tabs aren’t the best idea.

 

[fishywoo]

Fwiw, both the Red Flame & Purple Knight do better with brighter light than a lot of the swords do. Probably more light than the Java ferns would really appreciate.

Adding a lot more food won’t make them grow faster - it is light that drives plant growth, not food. So the extra root tabs aren’t the best idea.

I should have done better research! Is there a sword type that would live well with the Java ferns? I really wanted a tall center plant in this tank, especially with the tank being on the tall side.

 

[fishywoo]

Quick update, I finally got a sword plant that's happy in this tank and it has already doubled in size. Really looking forward to watching this grow.

I'm quite certain this tank is a girl's club, especially Pip, so I renamed Pipkin (formerly freckles) Piper, but still Pip for short. Smudge is Smudge, and I can't seem to call Pico Pico so she's staying Runt for me. Lol sorry the naming is so confusing. These three ranchu kids are doing well.

Unfortunately though the same can not be said for Nico (little silver). The little guy was developing tumors that would appear and disappear. I found a name for it before, but can't think of it off the top of my head. It was so weird. At first he was fine, he'd have them, then they'd go, but eventually it got to the point where a very large one formed, wasn't going away, and he could no longer swim and was developing dropsy and struggling. Because of how quick he was worsening I ended up making the decision to euthanize. So the 40 gallon is just the two Ranchu parents, Nepheli and Nebula, and their other fish kid, Brisby (originally big silver). I'm going to be making a few minor changes to their tank soon, switching out the glass potted plants for terracotta, and will update on them after that.

Sorry I haven't frequented the site as much as I use to. I'll try to stick around a bit more though.

 

[Fishfur]

Sorry to hear that. Was it carp pox by any chance?

 

[fishywoo]

Sorry to hear that. Was it carp pox by any chance?

Thank you, and I don't think so. I did think that at first though. Here's the pictures I was able to get of it:

 

[Fishfur]

Thank you, and I don't think so. I did think that at first though. Here's the pictures I was able to get of it:

Don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like that. But I think you did the right thing.

 

[fishywoo]

Don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like that. But I think you did the right thing.

First time encountering this as well. I did a quick search to find what I found before. I think it was neurofibromas. I guess it's tumors that grow, fall off, then regrow. Says they're usually benign and it seemed to be that way for some time until the last one grew and lethargy with dropsy started. I'm grateful at least that it wasn't something contagious as my other guys never got those symptoms so I think it's was something genetic that just couldn't be helped.

 

[fishywoo]

I finally got around to taking a quick video of my 40 gallon.

Now just the three, Nepheli, Nebula, and Brisby.

Not sure I mentioned this before, but Brisby has a lifted gill flap on one side that has only gotten more apparent as he grew.

My motley crew of unplanned fish kids all have some sort of oddity, but this has not been an issue with him, thankfully, and he's still the biggest out of the others.

His mom, Nebula, came to me me with a slight curl and deformed tail so I can only guess that those genes effected her kids. I know in breeding she would have not been an ideal choice, but as you know, I impulsively saved the unexpected eggs. =P

As for the tank, I added some stones, spread the Java fern out, repotted the struggling crypt I hope to nurse to better health and the two little pots were supposed to be anubias striped. They dug up the good one that's somewhere in there that I've had for awhile, and the other one I had recently got arrived melting, but I was still trying to give it a shot. When I get around to it I'll glue them to a river rock and bury it in the pot. That should keep it anchored.

Here's a pic of the good plant before it was stolen and hid, lol.

This is the new unhappy one =P

Think it can recover over time?

I wanted to switch to terracotta for better water/oxygen flow in the pots and more beneficial bacteria. I came across these ones and love the lighter clay mix so I added the lighter stones in too.

I had wanted this tank to be bright with light color and am very happy with it, especially with spreading the plants apart. Doing so gave the fishies more open room in the front and plenty of places to weave around everything and not get stuck in a corner and what not. Making the tank aesthetically pleasing while also being functional and comfy for it's inhabitants is my goal. =)

 

[3Fishnight]

Beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I like the music in the video. And the fish seem very happy to be alive.

Quick update, I finally got a sword plant that's happy in this tank and it has already doubled in size. Really looking forward to watching this grow.

I'm quite certain this tank is a girl's club, especially Pip, so I renamed Pipkin (formerly freckles) Piper, but still Pip for short. Smudge is Smudge, and I can't seem to call Pico Pico so she's staying Runt for me. Lol sorry the naming is so confusing. These three ranchu kids are doing well.

Unfortunately though the same can not be said for Nico (little silver). The little guy was developing tumors that would appear and disappear. I found a name for it before, but can't think of it off the top of my head. It was so weird. At first he was fine, he'd have them, then they'd go, but eventually it got to the point where a very large one formed, wasn't going away, and he could no longer swim and was developing dropsy and struggling. Because of how quick he was worsening I ended up making the decision to euthanize. So the 40 gallon is just the two Ranchu parents, Nepheli and Nebula, and their other fish kid, Brisby (originally big silver). I'm going to be making a few minor changes to their tank soon, switching out the glass potted plants for terracotta, and will update on them after that.

Sorry I haven't frequented the site as much as I use to. I'll try to stick around a bit more though.

The music in this video is really cool too.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Looks lovely, fishywoo! Is that big pot ceramic or some kind of plastic?

 

[goldfishbeginner]

Your java Fern is looking really good. Mine hasn't seemed to take off like yours. I suppose it may just need some more time.

Nice fish too! I like ranchus..

 

[fishywoo]

Looks lovely, fishywoo! Is that big pot ceramic or some kind of plastic?

It's a terracotta clay mix. I came across it looking for terracotta and had to get it. I felt it looks better with the light substrate.

Thank you!

Your java Fern is looking really good. Mine hasn't seemed to take off like yours. I suppose it may just need some more time.

Nice fish too! I like ranchus..

Oh yes, just give it time. It's been growing even slower for me too since I had moved. I had cut it back a couple years ago and now I have a little forest. ^_^

To give you an idea here's a picture from 2023. This was when Nepheli was much smaller and before I got Nebula and they bred. That's my Oranda I had in the photos. Got serious swim bladder and is no longer with us, but was a very beautiful and silly fish.

 

[Fishfur]

Amazing how different plants look after they grow for a year or more.

 

[kansas]

I finally got around to taking a quick video of my 40 gallon.

Now just the three, Nepheli, Nebula, and Brisby.

Not sure I mentioned this before, but Brisby has a lifted gill flap on one side that has only gotten more apparent as he grew.

My motley crew of unplanned fish kids all have some sort of oddity, but this has not been an issue with him, thankfully, and he's still the biggest out of the others.

His mom, Nebula, came to me me with a slight curl and deformed tail so I can only guess that those genes effected her kids. I know in breeding she would have not been an ideal choice, but as you know, I impulsively saved the unexpected eggs. =P

As for the tank, I added some stones, spread the Java fern out, repotted the struggling crypt I hope to nurse to better health and the two little pots were supposed to be anubias striped. They dug up the good one that's somewhere in there that I've had for awhile, and the other one I had recently got arrived melting, but I was still trying to give it a shot. When I get around to it I'll glue them to a river rock and bury it in the pot. That should keep it anchored.

Here's a pic of the good plant before it was stolen and hid, lol.
View attachment 918598
This is the new unhappy one =P
View attachment 918599
Think it can recover over time?

I wanted to switch to terracotta for better water/oxygen flow in the pots and more beneficial bacteria. I came across these ones and love the lighter clay mix so I added the lighter stones in too.

I had wanted this tank to be bright with light color and am very happy with it, especially with spreading the plants apart. Doing so gave the fishies more open room in the front and plenty of places to weave around everything and not get stuck in a corner and what not. Making the tank aesthetically pleasing while also being functional and comfy for it's inhabitants is my goal. =)

If I had the space and somebody else would change the water, I'd like to have a goldfish tank.

 

[fishywoo]

After some time I finally acquired the anubias striped that I wanted and finally got a good batch. I added the new ones to the pots (glued them to rocks and stuck those in it). The crypt I'm trying to revitalize has sprouted new leaves so I'm hopeful. I also added root tabs to the pots so that's probably helping.



My little Ranchu family is doing good. I know they're not monster sized like some get them to be, but I still can't believe how big they are already. Not doing anything special with extra food, water changes, and heat. Everything just normal. I hope what they say is true that this will increase their life expectancy.

If I had the space and somebody else would change the water, I'd like to have a goldfish tank.

They are lots of fun! Like little water pups. Extra waste producers though and need the water changes. I use a water pump attached to an aqueon python type thing. That makes it so much easier.

 

[fishywoo]

So I decided I wanted to add a little something to the substrate. I want to add more Carolina Creek for the MTS since I discovered they are breeding. They're not coming out during the day which is just as well. If a nosey Goldie comes around they'll just think they're a pebble and spit them out, but it would probably be good for them to be able to burrow deeper.

As for making the color pop a little more apart from the light green background and plants I spent a little money on this:



(This is to add to the Carolina Creek)

My tank looks almost nothing like it does in person so I took a bunch of shots at different angles.







I just ordered a 5 lb bag of Carolina Creek to add.

I thought the small pebbles scattered on top would bring the color of the Jaspers and connect the colors together. Do you think this will work well?

 

[fishywoo]

I keep buying rocks!
Today I got these dark cherry red stones for the 29.
It's like MTS, but MRS instead.
(Multiple rock syndrome)

Anyway, I was looking at my gal pals and wanted to get them something that might liven up their tank. The bottom gets dreary after awhile though I still love the substrate. The girls being so bright and colorful helps them stand out so I'm sticking with the darker colors. It's a burgundy tissue paper background so I'm thinking these rocks will fit nicely with the color scheme.

 

[fishywoo]

Set up the rocks. They're more brown than red, but I still like them and think it goes with the color scheme. I wanted to add a little something more to the substrate and tried to arrange them best I could. They're kinda symmetrical while still kinda looking natural to me.

Not sure I did a good job, but I like it. =)
Feels like this these rocks were just the thing that was missing.

 

[fishywoo]

Water change and filter clean today. Added root tabs to the 29 and the itty crypt in the 40. No liquid ferts. Don't need them in the 40 and every time I used them in the 29 the algae turns hulk. Seems it's not needed any way, though a couple of the crypts are still small. They haven't died at least.

I took pictures of the fishies before and after I realized Runt's fin got bent. Right after the WC she rested on the bottom and was gasping. After finishing with the 40 and went to feed them all brine shrimp she was swimming around eating, but I can only imagine she had been in pain before and still might be. Her coloring near her tail seems pinker too, but maybe that was normal and I'm just anxious

Anyway I took a video of her with her right pectoral bent. I know I can't unbend it and I won't trim it, but any idea how long that might hurt her? She seems to be swimming around no issue eating the food, but that might just be because there's food. =\

No idea what caused it, worried it happened while tinkering with cleaning the glass, adding root tabs, or maybe she got caught on the water pump while it was emptying and filling.

Here's the pictures I got of everyone. This should be my last with this camera. I'm getting an upgrade soon and will hopefully take better pictures.

Smudge and Piper


Runt



This was the picture I took after the WC and giving them food.



This is my 40 at night. The tank is much brighter in person. Photo on the wall is my son when he was a baby. He's all grown now. Looks like he's looking at the fish. Lol
Peaceful view in my kitchen.

 

[fishywoo]

Well there's a chance I'm going to need surgery and with recovery times I may have to shut down the 29 g, (the one I had just gotten rocks for...).

I would have to move everything into the 40 g. That one is easier to change and it will be less work and easier for getting help from others. Goldies are all still small and not monster sized so I will just have to do largest water changes every week. Gotta figure out how to handle my other two tanks.

This is going to be a pain.

 

[Rose of Sharon]

Well there's a chance I'm going to need surgery and with recovery times I may have to shut down the 29 g, (the one I had just gotten rocks for...).

I would have to move everything into the 40 g. That one is easier to change and it will be less work and easier for getting help from others. Goldies are all still small and not monster sized so I will just have to do largest water changes every week. Gotta figure out how to handle my other two tanks.

This is going to be a pain.

So sorry fishywoo!!! Hope you are ok!!!!

 

[fishywoo]

So sorry fishywoo!!! Hope you are ok!!!!

Thank you! I'm alright. Just something they will probably have to fix for long term with my knee.

Combining the two tanks will make things more doable for now. I'm not sure what to do long term. Heal time is up to 6 months. =\

 

[Fishfur]

Thank you! I'm alright. Just something they will probably have to fix for long term with my knee.

Combining the two tanks will make things more doable for now. I'm not sure what to do long term. Heal time is up to 6 months. =\

Sorry to hear that. I am always hoping I won’t ever need knee surgery - no fun at all. Already had arthroscopic procedures on both knees & that was bad enough but not horrible.

Hope all goes well.

 

[fishywoo]

I've been obsessing over the game plan for merging these tanks. It's a nice distraction from realizing I'm going through with this life stuff in the near future.

I made a thorough step by step plan to make sure I don't make any mistakes. I want it to be as smooth as possible.

It dawned on me about the bioload though, so I decided that temporarily I'll run the two filters from the 29 in the 40.

***Any suggestions on how to phase them out over time will be helpful. I've never increased the bioload on a tank this much before. ***

I made a little shotty doodle of the layout plan in the 40. It's very doodley.


Not sure the plan makes sense, but at least I know what I was trying to draw. Lol

I'm going to be doing the thing that is frowned upon. Especially with goldies. Over stocking. Very over stocked stocking. The thing I tell others not to do.

On one hand they are still not full grown. It wouldn't be that much different from a quarantine situation or grow out tank.

On the other hand it's still over stocked and what to do long term I have no idea. Possibly rehoming, but last time I tried that I couldn't find anyone to take in these quirky kids.

So I made at least one decision. My updates for this tank will be link only and only shared here. I don't want to mislead or offend people on YouTube with my over stocked tank. Especially don't want anyone new to the hobby to stumble on it and think, oh I can do that. I'm aware of how not good of an idea it is. It just is what it is for now. Feel like I'll have to say don't do this everytime though. =\

 

[Fishfur]

I've been obsessing over the game plan for merging these tanks. It's a nice distraction from realizing I'm going through with this life stuff in the near future.

I made a thorough step by step plan to make sure I don't make any mistakes. I want it to be as smooth as possible.

It dawned on me about the bioload though, so I decided that temporarily I'll run the two filters from the 29 in the 40.

***Any suggestions on how to phase them out over time will be helpful. I've never increased the bioload on a tank this much before. ***

I made a little shotty doodle of the layout plan in the 40. It's very doodley.

View attachment 919836
Not sure the plan makes sense, but at least I know what I was trying to draw. Lol

I'm going to be doing the thing that is frowned upon. Especially with goldies. Over stocking. Very over stocked stocking. The thing I tell others not to do.

On one hand they are still not full grown. It wouldn't be that much different from a quarantine situation or grow out tank.

On the other hand it's still over stocked and what to do long term I have no idea. Possibly rehoming, but last time I tried that I couldn't find anyone to take in these quirky kids.

So I made at least one decision. My updates for this tank will be link only and only shared here. I don't want to mislead or offend people on YouTube with my over stocked tank. Especially don't want anyone new to the hobby to stumble on it and think, oh I can do that. I'm aware of how not good of an idea it is. It just is what it is for now. Feel like I'll have to say don't do this everytime though. =\

Why bother phasing out the second filter? Having a second one running can be extremely handy.

 

[fishywoo]

Why bother phasing out the second filter? Having a second one running can be extremely handy.

The 40 has got two aquaclear 50 filters and a 50 sponge already. Going to add an air stone under the rocks too.

The 29 has 1 aquaclear 50 and a 30 sponge

So combining them will make 3 aquaclear 50s, 1 50 sponge, and 1 30 sponge.

Not sure about keeping them all running, but I sure don't want an ammonia spike so that's why I'm putting them all in.

I thought maybe over time I can remove 1 aquaclear and the 30 sponge?

 

[Fishfur]

The 40 has got two aquaclear 50 filters and a 50 sponge already. Going to add an air stone under the rocks too.

The 29 has 1 aquaclear 50 and a 30 sponge

So combining them will make 3 aquaclear 50s, 1 50 sponge, and 1 30 sponge.

Not sure about keeping them all running, but I sure don't want an ammonia spike so that's why I'm putting them all in.

I thought maybe over time I can remove 1 aquaclear and the 30 sponge?

I’m sure you can - don’t think any tank needs that many filters full time !

 

[fishywoo]

So aside of wanting to eliminate the two extra filters I've come up with a long term solution. Crazy how cloudy things can get when you're stressed and then a thought hits you. Lol

I figured out where to store the 29 gallon and that spot is where it can live and I can have it up and running again as soon as I'm able to. So far less than a year from now.

The spot is on the floor, but I mostly started out (having an idea of what I was doing for the first time) with a 55 g on the floor and I actually loved it. You get the pond effect from above and can see them from the side too. So that's what I'm going to do!

It's literally going to be right there waiting in my room and be out of the way at the same time until I'm ready to start it again.

I'm so relieved at this thought. Changing things around, moving the 10 and 5 to the stand it was on, and won't have to worry about getting another stand. Using their prior stands for other needed things. The 10 and 5 being side by side will be easy for me to get help with too.

My little fish, who will have a long time before they get any kind of super size, will be just fine in the 40 for about half a year.

I'll just call it a temporary grow out and update it as usual.

I'm feeling so much better about this whole thing now.
I really felt horrible about it at first.

Yay! Obsessive thinking paid off.

I’m sure you can - don’t think any tank needs that many filters full time !

True! I'm just nervous about the bioload increase. It's going to be double the fish in there when I move them.

 

[fishywoo]

I managed to do everything for the 40 gallon. I also ordered a dimmable light to hit those crypts at the bottom. So I'll have three lights. =S

Decided to keep the background. It compliments the algae. Lol

Also decided not to add the extra filters. I have seachem stability on hand and decided to check parameters daily and WC extra when necessary.

Fish are all thick as thieves together. First thing they did is all gather together on the right front of the tank where I give them food. =)

One light is off. Just took a quick snap with the new camera.

Surprisingly when I added them their colors just popped immediately. The lighter substrate and background compliments their flashy colors.

I thought they'd stand out more with the darker colors. I remembered though that I had a panda gf before whose black coloring instantly changed to light gray when I took her out her tank to change things around. The floor below the clear bin was light. Once back in her tank with black substrate her black coloring came back.

 

[fishywoo]

Mini update. All fishies are still getting along, but I noticed a problem with Runt bottom sitting. There's some redness on her tum too. I didn't see her and her mates in the other tank as much so I think there was something going on prior that I didn't notice before. I was worried she injured her fin in the other tank, but that doesn't seem to be an issue anymore.

Daily checks on water, 0 ammonia (surprise) 0 nitrite (thank goodness) 20 nitrate (what?)

I promptly checked my tap and it's 0. Been doing large water changes and did so before adding everyone else. Did another large, like 80%, water change again. Will be checking the parameters everyday for the next week at least.

Added stressguard, aquarium salt, and using stability. Hopefully things will improve.

Could adding extra substrate raise nitrates? Or using that bio packet they give? I'm just confused.

Runt is still getting up to swim around, play and eat with her pals, but then eventually gets tired and goes back to the bottom to rest. Breathing normal at least.

...
Oh and I forgot to add, I also decided to stop giving them Fluval bug bites just in case it's a problem for her and maybe the cause. Just Repashy super gold and frozen brine shrimp.

 

[Fishfur]

Could adding extra substrate raise nitrates? Or using that bio packet they give? I'm just

What kind of substrate?

Runt is still getting up to swim around, play and eat with her pals, but then eventually gets tired and goes back to the bottom to rest. Breathing normal at least.

As Runt grows, whatever made her a runt could potentially cause some problems but let’s hope for the best.

 

[fishywoo]

Got another aquarium light today. I'm new to lights having settings. I didn't want it as bright as it was. I set blue light to 0 and red and white are together so I put them on 5%. Still using the two soft lights.

Took a little video of them all together. Runt is still having issues. Her tum looks a lot better, but she's still frequently bottom sitting. Everyone else is fine though.

I'm not sure there's anything else I can do.

Been doing daily 80% or so water changes. Ammonia was .25 yesterday before the wc. Beneficial bacteria should catch up within a week I think.

Nitrate was at 20 ppm again. About last week or so it was only 10 and I've been doing large water changes. My best guess now is the removal of a chunk of the Java ferns to make room for other plants from the 29 I wanted to keep. I think the plants just need to get situated to intake more nitrates. Not sure that makes sense, but something similar to this happened before and I remembered it was when I cut back on the Java. And I only had two fish in the tank at the time.

 

[fishywoo]

Another update. Ammonia .25 again and nitrates finally at 5 ppm. It was staying 20 ppm after large water changes for days. Now it went from 20 - 5 in 24 hours of testing. I'm not sure how .25 ammonia build up after 24 his translates into nitrates.

Did another large wc tonight after testing and hopefully when I test the nitrates tomorrow it will be 0. Then I can see better how much nitrates build up in a week with all those fish.

I got around to testing kh/gh a few days ago.
Tap and tank PH is 7.8
Tap KH is 4 and GH 6
Tank is KH 4 and GH 7

I still use crushed coral. I have a fear of ph fluctuations in tap water. The Coral is like a safety net to me. It's reliable at keeping the PH where I want it with the amount I use. Also I literally only need to top it off once a year at most. That's probably why though the GH is one degree higher in the tank than the tap. Keeping it at 7.8 is a good range for goldies too.

Still using stability and stress guard.

Issues with Runt is really disappointing, she almost didn't make it as a fry. She was smaller and slower than the others, couldn't complete for food, and became weaker. I had to separate her to make sure ate. She ate, she grew, she recovered and was put back with the others and had been continuing to grow and keep up for over 1 and a half years until the swim bladder issue she's having now.

Everything else with this tank seems to be doing really well. The other fish, plants, and snails. The goldies seem to swim around the the snails when they're on the substrate. I hope it stays that way. If not I'm sure they'll learn to only unbury themselves at night, but I'd like to continue to see them during the day