What are you doing to your tank today?

Today I'm building hanging siphons to semi-auto drain my rack tanks to set levels, running the water straight into my flowerbeds. I might do a build thread on these but they're very simple.

Additionally I'm experimenting with the maximum solubility of CaCO3 in a soda stream. I do agree with the advice I got earlier about a DIY CO2 rig on a big bottle being better but this thing was found on presidents day in a thrift shop for a whopping $1.49, it even had a charged (40% by weight) CO2 bottle installed already. Cheap science

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It did come with the scary recalled soda bottle; the towel is my "just in case" blast circumference reduction device lol.
 

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I have to admit I was somewhat neglectful in water changes this weekend. Only did top off except the tank that has my baby angel fish on.

I did make plans for reduction and combining tanks. It's a hard reality but I need to start moving things around and make sure I'm being more efficient for a while.
 
Accomplished the scaping of my first tank - 8.5 gallon Fluval Vista tank 2 nights ago - all set up with timer for the light, let the cycling commence! Doing another aquarium salt treatment water change for Cyrus tonight and quarantining a fern.
 

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Shouldn't this picture be posted in your thread where you describe the building of it? I mean so folks can see the finished product after the instructions on how to construct it ?

The CaCO3 experiment was successful. I was able to dissolve up to .575g/l, huge step up from .0135g/l without the CO2.

While I did that I made my auto stopping 50% water change siphon attachments. Made them self priming with a couple old gravel vac parts too.

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Not a hard diy so I posted the how to:
John's DIY siphon system | Cleaning and Maintenance Forum | 489514
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Shouldn't this picture be posted in your thread where you describe the building of it? I mean so folks can see the finished product after the instructions on how to construct it ?
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It is(I think). The only photos I took to share in the what I'm doing to my tank today thread were photo bombed by siphon parts or carbonation experiments lol. Had a fun time trying to figure out how to post the right pictures to illustrate it in that build thread.
 
Filling the 75 up after WC and trying to decide what to do with the bare spaces. I think I’m going to just plant more crypts on the right front. They grow well so I might splurge on a pink flamingo crypt.
The loaches like their pvc tunnel on the left side so I’m thinking to build a rock formation around the tube, stick that piece of wood in the middle and attach some anubias or java fern on the rocks.
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Did it yesterday, but didn't post about it yet:
As I've decided to stop keeping Apistogramma in pairs I don't have to keep the sight barriers in the tank that mark territories. (Let's face it, without a second tank to move a male or female to in case of too great aggression my tank is not the right size.) As I also decided to go semi-Paludarium, lowered the water a bit so the Driftwood reaches out of the water and plants can go emersed on it, it's best to maximise the actual watervolume.

So I removed some rocks yesterday, giving me an extra water volume of maybe 6-8 liters. Pictures will follow some time later today.
 
Cool shrimp! What substrate are you using? & do you use bottled spring water? I had tried doing so at first for my betta tank, but the ph was just too alkaline.
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Thank you! Every day I wake up nervous, lol, the learning curve. Brightwell Rioescuro (sooo much less mucky than stratum, I wouldn't use that uncapped again)- I'm going to play with sphagnum peat, the long orchid strands, and see if I can lower the pH for my tetras etc in the big tanks (and collecting rainwater, etc), but bottled spring water below 7 seems to be fine, I wanted to keep it simple, and turning chemist with ro water and then trying to approximate nature remineralizing it didn't seem very simple to me- for a four gallon shrimp tank or two?
Maybe if I was this cautious with my cherries they'd do a well as my crystals, lol. I am not going to speak until they breed (although I've already had a good molt that scared me for a minute lol). I put a cuttlefish piece in the filter and so far that's all the tweaking I've done.
Did it yesterday, but didn't post about it yet:
As I've decided to stop keeping Apistogramma in pairs I don't have to keep the sight barriers in the tank that mark territories. (Let's face it, without a second tank to move a male or female to in case of too great aggression my tank is not the right size.) As I also decided to go semi-Paludarium, lowered the water a bit so the Driftwood reaches out of the water and plants can go emersed on it, it's best to maximise the actual watervolume.

So I removed some rocks yesterday, giving me an extra water volume of maybe 6-8 liters. Pictures will follow some time later today.
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Yes I'm in that process, I had a few excellent chonky rocks in my five gallons, they looked very fine, but I need the water volume up.
 

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Just added a waterchange on top before taking the pictures. The tint is a little weak, as I haven't added new alder cones yet. It's a bit mirky still, but that will be gone by tomorrow.

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After making general fun the other day on a YT video of the prices people ask of weak crappy tanks on CL, and then watching hex suggestions, and then realizing my 'challenging' hex tank cannot be replaced for love or money now (they only have plastic ones, and they are over $300! 20 gallon!!!), I actually looked on CL yesterday, and there was a beautiful planted one the twin of my current one, at a reasonable price! Full of red plants! So, today, I'm picking up my cycled, planted tank! Wish me luck! (Twin hexes! What a glutton for punishment I am : P , that and the BiOrb )
At least my new wavemaker came from Hygger, if I can ever figure it out- I find circulation in a hex to be the biggest hurdle, that and a bubbler hopefully will help. And I get two bonus cpds for my herd, and am assassin snail! (I like my bladder snails well enough, but balance, lol. They are a little thick on my water wisteria today.)
 
Did water change on my 40B about 4 1/2 hours ago. Here is a short video which shows all the lovely bubbles being generated by well - magical plants:

 
Today, other than watch the rams-watch me-watching them protect their eggs; I'm going to build the fill system counterpart to my recently built drain system. I'll probably post a thread on that later (if it works right) too. After I get it set up, I might give a try at a practice "flush" in my QT tank to see how it all works together.
 
Today, other than watch the rams-watch me-watching them protect their eggs; I'm going to build the fill system counterpart to my recently built drain system. I'll probably post a thread on that later (if it works right) too. After I get it set up, I might give a try at a practice "flush" in my QT tank to see how it all works together.
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I have three rams coming soon, I will be watching all the ram threads closely lol.
As for my day, a picture is worth a thousand words, lol- the cpds and assassin snail are good from the CL tank I got yesterday, now for these poor plants I uprooted! I have a thousand other tasks to accomplish, from bottling melted snow water to checking my fish pond with dread (it wasn't COMPLETELY solid when we picked ice holes for the shubunkins) to setting up betta barracks to a few minor water changes (for once I'm caught up on most, lol, with being snowed in, what else was there to do?), but my main project du jour is going to be plant shuffling.IMG_20210224_083436848.jpg
My shubunkin lives! There was only an inch of liquid water at the worst! (I was only sure with all the rocks and plants there was one to start with before the freeze, wildlife takes its toll, and there's no bodies, anyway.) I am so glad he made it, I'm looking forward to pulling him out and having a good look at him in a cool aquarium while I redo the pond (and set up the net I bought for the future).
 
Did the usual water changes on 29/29/120. The apisto decided to lay eggs on the sponge filter - why i don't know - but she has diligently been guarding them all day long and even chased off a mystery snail. We shall see if they are still there tomorrow. With all the caves and under-growth - why she decided to lay them out in the open on the filter - i don't know - but she tolerated my water change....
 
The tanks themselves, just feeding. The rams ate their eggs again, really in not sure I was ready to raise up a batch of fry this week so it's ok by me. Like my rasbora, the fun part is watching the nature, not so much ending up with a hundred fish you don't want to saturate the local market with, and can't use as feeders (like my current endler mut situation lol).

I did finish building this week's fish gadgets, the temp regulated easy fill system is done after a solid night of chasing a bad valve, made a thread on that one too, tomorrow I'll put a picture or two of my son draining and filling the tanks with me using the new stuff:
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John's DIY auto-temp fast/easy fill system | Cleaning and Maintenance Forum | 489926
 
Paired off and sold some Gardneri Killifish in SF today and picked up a beautiful pair of striped panchax, I have been looking for the wild types with actual striped for years ( versus the golden wonder killifish). Finally have them again! They were sold as banded killifish, but that adorable panchax face told me otherwise. Not taking pictures of them yet since they are still a little frazzled from traveling and need to get comfy and color up.
 

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Put my moss ball back into my tank today after cleaning it and putting it in the fridge for a few hours.
 
Water changes today I found the limit for my hot water heater and temp matching. Got to try the new system out.
2x29 gal 50%
1x20 50%
2x10 50%
2x 5 gallon 80%
~65 gallons across 7 tanks
55 minutes... It could have been faster, the 750 gph(before head) pump I use in the 5 gallon couldn't run the mineral stock solution fast enough to keep up lol.

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Sometime this weekend the betta tanks need water changes. Should rinse out the sponge filters while i am doing that, it has been awhile.

Also, need to do a water change on the 29. Think i may rearrange the plants to add another big sponge filter to seed so when i do get to set up my 45, both planned sponge filters will be good and seeded(the other one has been seeding since july lol). Also have extra media in the HOB seeding, so all 3 filters for that tank should be good and seeded when it gets setup.
 
Just finished water change on 29/29/120. Pulled a few snails to send out monday. got a phone call and made a mess. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.
 
I'm organizing random equipment and found out two cheap LEDs came broken, and get to send them back, oh joy- good thing I checked, they just came, and I've been so busy!
 
Researching hardscape options for my planned 20gal long that will eventually house my peacock gudgeons and Pseudomugil rainbowfish. Currently leaning towards some manzanita branches and black stone from manzanita-driftwood.com... I have a picture in my mind, but somehow I bet it'll become a pinterest fail
 

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Was sitting at the table reading one of the aqua scaping books I got recently when I looked up at the 75 g and became totally engrossed in watching the tiger barbs and Queen loaches. But we have our fish to watch!
No water changes today (have 3 to do on Monday) but I do want to get some potassium bicarbonate weighed out. I want to try that tor my KH source with my RO/DI water instead of Seachem alkaline buffer.
 
Was sitting at the table reading one of the aqua scaping books I got recently when I looked up at the 75 g and became totally engrossed in watching the tiger barbs and Queen loaches. But we have our fish to watch!
No water changes today (have 3 to do on Monday) but I do want to get some potassium bicarbonate weighed out. I want to try that tor my KH source with my RO/DI water instead of Seachem alkaline buffer.
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I do love watching a school of tiger barbs muck about. I find it quite relaxing
 
Researching hardscape options for my planned 20gal long that will eventually house my peacock gudgeons and Pseudomugil rainbowfish. Currently leaning towards some manzanita branches and black stone from manzanita-driftwood.com... I have a picture in my mind, but somehow I bet it'll become a pinterest fail
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I’ve just sketched about the fourth different idea for the hard scape of the 75 I plan to set up this summer lol!
I’m actually learning a ton from the books I’m reading and I think my scape ideas are definitely getting better. I’m not trying for anything particularly stunning but just a good but aesthetically pleasing scape tor my dwarf chain loaches and rasboras.
 
Water change done on the 29. Was eventful. Pulled everything out, found my missing mystery snail-dead as a door nail-added a 2nd sponge filter to seed and only put back in the natural looking plants. No more neon blues and pinks!! That substrate, however...
 
planning out some new tanks, feeding and doing a few water changes...
(I am also doing some sorta unplanned betta breeding)
 
I’ve just sketched about the fourth different idea for the hard scape of the 75 I plan to set up this summer lol!
I’m actually learning a ton from the books I’m reading and I think my scape ideas are definitely getting better. I’m not trying for anything particularly stunning but just a good but aesthetically pleasing scape tor my dwarf chain loaches and rasboras.
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Disclaimer - these are NOT my pics or tanks (found on the internet), but I'm using these as inspiration. Haven't attemped to sketch anything out though. Given my skillset, I'll be happy if mine looks half so good as these! I don't think I'm that artistic
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Disclaimer - these are NOT my pics or tanks (found on the internet), but I'm using these as inspiration. Haven't attemped to sketch anything out though. Given my skillset, I'll be happy if mine looks half so good as these! I don't think I'm that artistic
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Yeah, they are gorgeous and waaaay beyond my skill set and patience lol!
But I am attempting a working man”s version of something similar to that with the wood sticking up and surrounded by rocks and plants. We’ll see lol!
 
For the first time ever, i saw a piece of spider wood i like...and really have to have!! But the price tag....gotta let the sticker shock wear off a bit before i go back and get that piece.
 

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How large is that middle tank ? 600 gallons? 400 gallons? 2000 gallons ?
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Looks like it was 48x18x16”, so around 65 gallons. But it’s definitely hard to tell - looks massive!
Mine would look like a "nailed it" for sure. I don't have a very good eye for scapes. :cool:
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Oh yeah, I fully expect my tank to be a “nailed it” entry. Anything better, I’ll just be pleasantly/shockingly surprised.
 
Looks closer to 96x24x24 ? 240 gallons? Maybe 96x30x24 ?

Looks like it was 48x18x16”, so around 65 gallons. But it’s definitely hard to tell - looks massive!
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Just added some Monte Carlo toupees to the bald spots in my aquarium and it’s actually taking root finally! Looks like it’s going to work.
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Got my ammonium chloride, digital thermometer for temp tank & my crazy, long gloves (I get a lot of cuts on my hands & have been taping short vinyl gloves around my wrists, so seemed like a good investment!) in the mail... adding amm to 8.5 gall cycling tank (had been feeding it pellets, which got pretty nasty so I removed & switched to flakes, now this), and doing a 50% water change w/aq salt on hospital/temp tank for Cyrus. Also adding in the new thermometer to see how inaccurate the other two are.
 
Looks closer to 96x24x24 ? 240 gallons? Maybe 96x30x24 ?
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Sorry, meant that 48x18x16 were the official dimensions listed for the tank, so pretty sure around 65 gal. Looks like it was from an aquascaping competition.
 
Water changes in all 5 tanks and off to my LFS to find some more life food, some more dried tiny food, and maybe some plants and /or guppies for the new tank that is finally cycled.
 
Hi guys!
Sunday’s are water change and cleaning days for me so I’m just sitting back now and enjoying the fruits of my labor, so to speak LOL. Everyone is all nice and clean and water changed out. I actually caught “big red” (shrimp) out today enjoying the new water!

What are you doing with your tanks today? I’d love to see photos!
 

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Mine would look like a "nailed it" for sure. I don't have a very good eye for scapes. :cool:
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Mine are the "haphazard " look....I TRULY nailed it :rolleyes:
 
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