What are you doing to your tank today?

[BPSabelhaus]

What were you thinking?!? You should have known an independent young lady would want to decorate her room herself.
She probably wanted the burrow on the other side,lol.

lol That she is. All this digging means she is indeed a young lady, not a little girl anymore. Certainly not at 400 grams lol

 

[BigManAquatics]

Water change done and other maintenance for the platy tank. Time to start the process again in a few days.

 

[StarGirl]

Water change done on the 55g. Boy does it get dirty when you just do a WC without a vac. The pre filter sponge was so gross. All clean now.

Put a small HOB with some floss on the 5g to see if the cloudiness will go away.

Moved the large sword into the 9g. Not sure if I like it there yet.

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Taught myself how to weave a palm frond. I’ll make another when they start to regrow in a few months (It’s Feb in Seattle, this plant is way out of its happy place lol) The last few are almost perfect. Next one I make will have full coverage for her.

 

[Leeman75]

Did a WC in my 55 and decided that after almost 2 years with no plants in it, I would take all my unused fake plants and put them in. I much prefer live plants but my EBAs and Rainbow Cichlids devour any live plant I've kept in there.

So, here it is. Better than nothing, I suppose.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Think tomorrow, time permitting, i am going to start cleaning mineral buildup from the remaining 2 tank hoods. Just to spruce things up a tad.

 

[Wendybrass]

Did a WC in my 55 and decided that after almost 2 years with no plants in it, I would take all my unused fake plants and put them in. I much prefer live plants but my EBAs and Rainbow Cichlids devour any live plant I've kept in there.

So, here it is. Better than nothing, I suppose.View attachment 872510

That looks amazing! And no ferts required!

 

[Leeman75]

That looks amazing! And no ferts required!

Thanks...you've got a point there!

 

[BPSabelhaus]

Contemplating what to do with my brackish ten gallon when I got to see just how persistent genetics can be. That’s a French blue Endler developing his colors. The larger male is his father, one of my crosses with a cobra female and French blue male. He is the only one of this type in the tank. The rest are black bars, half black black bars and one Cobra male (the X maternal grandfather)

Some how that French blue pushed through.

Edit: plus a happy Alex pic

 

[Wendybrass]

Well I did it. Changed my scape up. I was determined to have a finer substrate area for when move the cories in. I wanted like a clearing in the woods or a river bed or that type of thing. Everything I read talked about what a chore it is to change substrate and re scape with fish in the tank. Did I listen? Absolutely not. Plus I didn't buy enough of the fine gravel and I got the wrong colour. I don't hate it, don't love it, but I can see that I'm going to be tweaking for the next couple weeks. Also I pushed a lot of the gravel to the sides and back , as well as taking a bunch out. But there's a lot on the sides and back. Can you have too much? 3" at the thickest. I have stratum underneath in the back which is now very very capped. It's very cloudy but here's a pic. Before and after. Oh well, no going back. I can make it work.

 

[Linda1234]

I'm not doing much today but my crypts are getting ready to bloom (again)

 

[Wendybrass]

Moved the 6 panda cories from QT to the big and newly scaped tank. It's been 21 days in QT, probably a week early but we're going out of town next week. Too many fish in QT to leave it unattended for 5 days so the pandas got the tap on the shoulder. So far so good! I didn't realize how fast those little guys are! The Betta has major FOMO, squeezing herself into every nook and cranny the pandas are finding. Pic of the new scape with out all the muck. So far everyone is getting along.

 

[Motherlovebetta]

I have only slept 4 hours in the last 2 days and Somehow managed to do two water changes today. My Pearls are impatiently staring at me waiting to be fed.

 

[BigManAquatics]

I have only slept 4 hours in the last 2 days and Somehow managed to do two water changes today. My Pearls are impatiently staring at me waiting to be fed.
View attachment 872846

I told you, NEVER copy my sleep schedule, i am knowingly insane!!

Despite my busy day, the fish got fed and watching them now, more or less. Probably better do a water change for the betta tomorrow.

 

[Blacksheep1]

Trying to figure out if she’s holding eggs or not … it’s not quite clear enough.

 

[Wendybrass]

Spent too much time watching my tank. I have a super bowl party to prepare for. I know I'm over sharing, but, honestly, this morning's breakfast in the clearing was like a street party. And everyone's copying the cories. I wish I had better pictures, with all of them. I'm obsessed. Okay I'll stop now. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

[jewelpets]

I did my weekly 80 percents water changed today in the 20 gallon tank for my platies and mollies

 

[aquanata]

Spent too much time watching my tank. I have a super bowl party to prepare for. I know I'm over sharing, but, honestly, this morning's breakfast in the clearing was like a street party. And everyone's copying the cories. I wish I had better pictures, with all of them. I'm obsessed. Okay I'll stop now. Have a great weekend everyone!

Wendybrass ... who is that stunning betta? What kind? And who is he living with so peacefully? Blew my mind for the morning.

 

[Wendybrass]

Wendybrass ... who is that stunning betta? What kind? And who is he living with so peacefully? Blew my mind for the morning.

Thank you! I love her. He's a she, Bella, and she is just lovely with everyone, except snails. She's eaten a few. She's a plakat crown tail I believe. She was more marbled with black when I got her in November but has since become very blue with white patches on her fins. I've got guppies, platies and panda cories in there with her. The juveniles follow her like groupies. I've had no problems at all with this lot - everyone is happy it seems. Having said that with the exception of a couple females, the guppies were all very young when I added her. They're now mostly grown with beautiful tails so I spend a little time watching her reaction to them and the males with her. I've seen no interactions at all thus far. She'll flash at things in the tank, never flare.... just a sweet girl.

 

[Cara]

So I have a small tank that had only 2 f guppies that I acquired as fry from PC over a year ago. And I have a WHOLE slew of mollies in other tanks. A month or so ago I put what I thought was a couple of female mollies with the guppies, aiming for female cause I read guppies and mollies could breed and if female was Guppy birthing could be fatal cause the frys might be too big. Lately though, I've been thinking one of the mollies was male and slated to move him out today

Last night I found 2 newb frys in the tank. Ugh. Can't tell who was pregnant but so far my guppies seem fine.

 

[Motherlovebetta]

Trying to figure out if she’s holding eggs or not … it’s not quite clear enough. View attachment 872876

I actually think that’s a male……

 

[BigManAquatics]

Still need to creep inside and do water changes, but for now, the nice weather is distracting me so i am grilling and doing some bike chain/gear cleaning.

 

[Leeman75]

Still need to creep inside and do water changes, but for now, the nice weather is distracting me so i am grilling and doing some bike chain/gear cleaning.

Oh, grilling...I remember that joy! We're not there yet.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Oh, grilling...I remember that joy! We're not there yet.

I grill no matter what the weather is doing. Got called out on it in fact on sports radio the other day.

 

[Debbie1986]

I did all 6 water changes yesterday morning before work, because today I had to work 6 am to 12 noon. ugh

38 gallon had 20 gallons replaced - no plants and far too many guppies. I felt 50% wc was the way too go! everyone looks fine

My featherfin catfish in the 55 says hi!!!! He was in super cute pose but moved as I got my camera. little stinker

 

[aquanata]

I grill no matter what the weather is doing. Got called out on it in fact on sports radio the other day.

Canada. Three feet of snow we won't likely be shut of till April. I cleared the shed doors to open after the last snow, but still need snow shoes to get to it. The sliding glass doors to the back porch have been iced shut for many days now. No grilling here.

 

[Motherlovebetta]

Water changes on my last two tanks today. That guppy is maybe two weeks away from being big enough to be released into the 20g. CPDs are getting so much color I keep trying to take a picture but they are turning out to be harder to photograph than my zebra loaches! My clown plecos were actually out today i dont know what go into them! I know they aren’t super rare but this one (I think guy) is so pretty to me!

 

[Leeman75]

I grill no matter what the weather is doing. Got called out on it in fact on sports radio the other day.

Ha! I wish i could but I only have a charcoal grill/smoker and can't keep it hot enough to cook if the weather is below 70.


In fish news, I did WCs on all tanks except the big one today. Now it's just watching and trying to scheme on what my next fish purchase will be. I no longer have a pair of Apistos Caucatuoides in my 20 hex, so am trying to figure out a centerpiece for that tank. Maybe a pair of Borelii...

 

[Wendybrass]

Water changes on my last two tanks today. That guppy is maybe two weeks away from being big enough to be released into the 20g. CPDs are getting so much color I keep trying to take a picture but they are turning out to be harder to photograph than my zebra loaches! My clown plecos were actually out today i dont know what go into them! I know they aren’t super rare but this one (I think guy) is so pretty to me!

That's a fabulous frameable photo!

 

[bumblinBee]

I'm not doing much today but my crypts are getting ready to bloom (again)
View attachment 872772

I've seen the species at the bottom there in my LFS show tanks, but they never seem to be selling them! What are they called?

 

[Blacksheep1]

Added some course sand to the medaka tank. Silly play sand just shows up every single piece of anything ever, hate the stuff and wish I’d never used it. Still have a 5kg bag of it left though … the sand and plants are always super dusty . Even the mts don’t like digging in the stuff.

You can see in the back left how stuff just accumulates, I can’t even call it mulm and be ok with it. This is less than 24 hrs after a wc. I guess it’s still a new enough set up to not be mature yet, I’ll see how it goes. If I can’t come to love it i can always switch it out at a later date.

added the 2 crypts in the photo today too . Can’t wait to watch those melt

 

[Wendybrass]

So between vacuuming and party prep I tested my water on the main tank. No changes in parameters after adding 6 cories 2 days ago so I made the decision to go ahead and move the 5 platies over. It was either move them or water change in the QT. Let them float in a container for a bit while I finished my house work and just released them. Bella the Betta is being quite interested. Mostly with the tuxedo. I'm guessing the bigger size has her feeling territorial? So I'll be watching them for a bit.

 

[SamMe]

Did a big water change and had to trim back the roots of my Java Fern and remove some. They were getting kind of thick. My Rainbow immediately had to go around tasting everything to make sure I didn't change TOO much in her salad bowl. This is her mean mugging me.

 

[aquanata]

Today I'm recovering from water changes on all the tanks & savouring how persistent & surprising marine life is. A couple of these tanks haven't had a water change in over 4 years - just top ups - but setting up a new tank for a wayward betta motivated me.

Marine life always amazes me for its unforgiving savagery. There's been no creatures or settings on land or in the air that I've observed that match it - especially in our tanks. It can be unnerving at times.

Then there's today, reminding me that persistence & hardiness is part of that world too.

Pea puffer tank nearly drained, refilled & restocked with snails I sat back to tank watch. And from out of the caves paddled a 1/2" ghost shrimp & minuscule young. I've only had ghost shrimp reproduce in my tanks once - only for the shrimplets to be eaten by a betta immediately - as the PP had eaten all the small ghosts earlier. And all my ghost shrimp in 2 tanks, monster sized, had died in December during a water softener disaster. I was sure.

Yet here was a quarter grown ghost & little ones, none of whom should have reasonably survived, eyeing me with interest whilst on their way to a wafer feast. Sure hope they continue to avoid detection by the PP.

Amazing & worth the bucket hauling.

 

[Wendybrass]

Did a big water change and had to trim back the roots of my Java Fern and remove some. They were getting kind of thick. My Rainbow immediately had to go around tasting everything to make sure I didn't change TOO much in her salad bowl. This is her mean mugging me.

Hahaha that expression says it all. What a beautiful tank.

Today I'm recovering from water changes on all the tanks & savouring how persistent & surprising marine life is. A couple of these tanks haven't had a water change in over 4 years - just top ups - but setting up a new tank for a wayward betta motivated me.

Marine life always amazes me for its unforgiving savagery. There's been no creatures or settings on land or in the air that I've observed that match it - especially in our tanks. It can be unnerving at times.

Then there's today, reminding me that persistence & hardiness is part of that world too.

Pea puffer tank nearly drained, refilled & restocked with snails I sat back to tank watch. And from out of the caves paddled a 1/2" ghost shrimp & minuscule young. I've only had ghost shrimp reproduce in my tanks once - only for the shrimplets to be eaten by a betta immediately - as the PP had eaten all the small ghosts earlier. And all my ghost shrimp in 2 tanks, monster sized, had died in December during a water softener disaster. I was sure.

Yet here was a quarter grown ghost & little ones, none of whom should have reasonably survived, eyeing me with interest whilst on their way to a wafer feast. Sure hope they continue to avoid detection by the PP.

Amazing & worth the bucket hauling.

4 years..... that's incredible. I love the way you described the shrimp survivors. I could just picture it. I'm cheering for them!

 

[Linda1234]

I've seen the species at the bottom there in my LFS show tanks, but they never seem to be selling them! What are they called?

The fish are panda gara.

 

[Wendybrass]

Added some course sand to the medaka tank. Silly play sand just shows up every single piece of anything ever, hate the stuff and wish I’d never used it. Still have a 5kg bag of it left though … the sand and plants are always super dusty . Even the mts don’t like digging in the stuff.
View attachment 872992
You can see in the back left how stuff just accumulates, I can’t even call it mulm and be ok with it. This is less than 24 hrs after a wc. I guess it’s still a new enough set up to not be mature yet, I’ll see how it goes. If I can’t come to love it i can always switch it out at a later date.

added the 2 crypts in the photo today too . Can’t wait to watch those melt

I like the look though. Hopefully it works out for you.

Canada. Three feet of snow we won't likely be shut of till April. I cleared the shed doors to open after the last snow, but still need snow shoes to get to it. The sliding glass doors to the back porch have been iced shut for many days now. No grilling here.

Ouch.... I'm at the West Coast - it's just wet.

 

[BigManAquatics]

Looks like just a feed n watch type of day, since i gotta be at work in a couple hours. Hope the tetras ready for some frozen foods!

 

[SamMe]

My favorite LFS finally got in some more Rainbow cichlids, so I picked up a couple. I maaaay have also had to pick up a magenta striped Mystery snail that caught my eye for a different tank.

 

[Thunder_o_b]

Enjoying watching the spawn of one of our mated angel pairs. The babies became free swimming today

 

[BigManAquatics]

Managed to do a quick water change and re-arrange of the betta tank.

 

[bgarthe]

Got to add more QTed fancy male Guppies to 60g tank today.

 

[StarGirl]

Couldnt find my Rabbit snail......

Found him.

 

[Wendybrass]

WC. Replanted the crypts that I did a terrible job replanting the other day. Added root tabs and crossing various fingers. I do not have a green thumb, or any other digit for that matter. Oh and told my guppies how very happy I am with their nibbling on the BBA on the tips of my vals. I think they appreciated the praise. Bella the Betta on the other hand is having an identity crisis. She went from being a diva and waiting for me to feed her specifically to now hanging out at the bottom with the cories and staring at the gravel. Such a dork.

 

[Blacksheep1]

Large wc on the 180. Chopped a bunch of plants, moved Anubias about. Removed all floaters again cuz the duckweeds back with a vengeance. Added some more leaves too, trying some Jack fruit for a change. Still not sure what the mystery plant is but it’s doing well and I found another mystery out of water plant .. this is fun !!
Ideas on a postcard or just as a reply. Whatever works !

 

[aquanata]

Large wc on the 180. Chopped a bunch of plants, moved Anubias about. Removed all floaters again cuz the duckweeds back with a vengeance. Added some more leaves too, trying some Jack fruit for a change. Still not sure what the mystery plant is but it’s doing well and I found another mystery out of water plant .. this is fun !!
Ideas on a postcard or just as a reply. Whatever works ! View attachment 873155View attachment 873154

The 2nd photo looks like my milfoil - myriophyllum guyana. Wee evergreens!

 

[Blacksheep1]

The 2nd photo looks like my milfoil - myriophyllum guyana. Wee evergreens!

Oh it does a bit ! It’s a mystery how it got there . No new plants added and the woods been in months. Tanks are mysteries sometimes.

 

[Wendybrass]

Freaked out about the white spot on Bella and spent half an hour trying to get a picture so I could take a better look. Then learned it's her egg spot. Oh well, had a nice photo sesh that she seemed totally up for.

 

[bgarthe]

Just got my half dollar sized orange Koi Angel today from UPS and into QT. So glad to get this guy. I requested a fish w heavy orange and black. His color is still a tad faded from shipping and should also darken up when growing. Now the wait. At least I can enjoy him from my recliner. He will be the center piece fish for my 60g.

 

[aquanata]

Setting up a hospital tank for a spunky pop eye affected betta & trying to coax the cory stung betta to eat.

Just finished tying mesh over the sponge filter outtake that 2 corys in succession have decided is a fine place to lodge head down.

Contemplating the wisdom of a LFS staffer who
advised submersing a new, adjustable heater, cranking to full heat with fish in tank & slowly reducing heat until an external thermometer reads the desired temp. They were not well pleased when I declined advice to buy a handful of green spotted puffer to join my "social" pea puffer either. The goldies there had pox too. Sigh.

New Eheim heater in place with no fish boiling involved, now I get to tank watch for a while before beginning to bag plants for sale. Wondering how fat is too fat for the current batch of kuhlis carrying off full sinking wafers to their caves to confound the shrimp.

Happy days! I can detect signs of spring despite the snow, which means I'll soon be into washing-sand-&-soil-season for new tanks.