Delapool

Somewhat busy day. The perspex cover had a bow in it so I thought I'd straighten it out. Result was I snapped it, (old I guess), and had to cut another to size from the hardware store. Also replaced the larger CO2 bottle so stocked up there again. Will leave the smaller one on for a bit.

Pretty rainy day to go to stores.

All the relatives thought the tank looked good so I didn't mention the mid-week clean

Got rid of some val, re-planted some other plants that escaped and generally tidied up tank. Ran out of time to make it to the fish store for filter sponge so maybe next week.

Cleaned out the small tank as well which had some weird sort of algae on it. Sadly the snail wouldn't touch it or couldn't get to it as it was on the filter pump. Cleaned rest of filter pump and working much better now. (The filter pump is part of the hob filter but sits submerged as part of the inlet pipe.)

Interesting read, thank-you. I'm not a fish breeder at all but was wondering on any thoughts where people say the fish were so much stronger 20 years ago. Could that tie in with point 2 or just old blokes talking so to speak?

Congratulations!!

A pet peeve for me is America hasn't converted to the metric system.

I can roughly think in gallons and Fahrenheit now but any conversions I find diabolical.

And how did Australia end up with 4 teaspoons to a tablespoon ? 🙃

http://www.asknumber...ToTeaspoon.aspx

I think the tetras have more colour to them but not sure if the photos agree? They are way more active - stealing food from the angelfish and getting around the tank quite a bit.

 

Second water change completed for the week. Next weekend I'll clean the internal filter and tank should be back to normal.

 

GH around 8, KH around 5 (same as January).  








A meeting of minds -

Hi all,

 

Don't think I had posted these (apologies if have). Betta pics from a month or so ago.

 

He can recognize the food container from a yard away I suspect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Congo tetras are schooling this morning but still exploring and settling in. A few snaps before work.

 

 

 

 

 

Tank is still very blah after 3 or 5 hours work. Added Seachem Clarity yesterday but I think that means I just see larger particles floating around. The left side has been largely re-planted. The right side got a few extra plants.   Can't reach the centre so that mostly escaped replanting. The val is growing up through the centre of the plane which is strange but should be nice in a few months.   I've noticed the angelfish have spread out more but also can see each other better (not always a good thing perhaps).   Last PAR reading two months ago was 41 and tonight is 37. So this could be bulb decay or just the water still needing to clear. Picked up some more bulbs on the weekend anyways (could of spent way longer in the shop).    

Things I have learnt so far this weekend. When disconnecting hoses on canister filters it is best to concentrate on which side is pressurised rather than dashing off to do it between the TV ads...

Dull stuff on tank readings as I'm really bad at recording. Nitrates has sunk to 5ppm (I think it was 20ppm last test a few weeks ago) and phosphates are 3ppm (up from 1ppm as lifted dosing to correct). Lifting nitrates dosing. The underwater lights are doing well. A small bit of green algae which needs cleaning off this weekend. But no algae explosion so going well there. Latest plant list: Ambulia. Hygrophila polysperma. Vallisneria. Alternanthera reineckii (red alt). Melon Swords and Java Ferns.

A repeat photo below but fairly recent and shows most of the tank.

 

 

 

 

Equipment list below:

 

1 x quad t5ho light (with 2 x underwater lights). 

 

2 x canister filters (with internal filter / powerhead).

 

2 x heaters and 1 x UV unit.

 

1 x CO2 injection with ph controller.

 

1 x Seneye Reef monitor (mainly for light levels).

 

 

Below is a very shy bumblebee catfish picked up last year at auction. Coming out here to check out the bn catfish (don't think he was impressed).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hi all,

Figured I might start a journal to chart progress on this tank. Plan to take some photos to see if plants are really growing over time.

Tank is a 4ft x 2ft x 2.5ft high planted, tropical community tank. At the moment has angelfish and schooling fish like rosy barbs, along with yoyo loaches and catfish on the bottom.

Just a share of a wider shot on the tank with all equipment running (really need to consolidate to one thread).

 

.

Great night. Thanks heaps for the presentations - very nicely done and interesting.

Also picked up a claw grabber thingy (should be good for plants), a water siphon (excellent as broke one on weekend for small tanks) and an extra heater for winter (I'll probably pinch that for me )


Craig

this is probably not what you meant but I have been using under water  all blue led tube lights (shaped like a heater) for night/moon lights - just a couple of hours at night.

you can get a nice effect with the rocks/outlines etc.

 

pretty happy with them.

they come in all white or blue/white too.

I got an all white one to use on a tank on a bottom rack where there wasn't going to be enough room for a light above, but in the end haven't used it yet cause I ended up with a shallower tank.

you can use them under water or out of water.

 

cube.jpg

 

6x14.jpg

 

6x18.jpg

 

http://www.ebay.com....=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

don't buy their heaters - they have very short leads  tho they have said they are fixing that, but the listings still have no lead length spec.

 

Thanks for the link again on this. I've ordered two of the 2 ft white LEDs to try out. Will try out the PAR meter when they arrive.

 

For that price they were too tempting. Will see how they go and if they make a difference.