79 replies to this topic

[Anka]

Thanks for the kind words

Here are some better quality pics.

Edited by Anka, 23 December 2012 - 05:26 PM.

[slink]

Tank is looking really good anka

[Leigh]

Loving the tank setup....assuming you got the water parameters right now.

What is the gravel? Vebas midnight black?

[Anka]

Thanks guys

assuming you got the water parameters right now.

Ammonia is reading 0.10 ppm but I'm doing all I can to get it lower. Tank has been running for 5 weeks now so don't know why it's still showing ammonia

What is the gravel? Vebas midnight black?

Correct - 2mm gilbet midnigh

[chocobikies]

Nice looking tank :-)
Although I noticed that the bichir is already getting darker due to the substrate colour. Adult senegals are pretty hardy and they're great for cycling fish tanks. A little ammonia shouldn't be a problem.

[scottyhooton]

Ammonia is reading 0.10 ppm but I'm doing all I can to get it lower. Tank has been running for 5 weeks now so don't know why it's still showing ammonia

Did you stock it at all while cycling ?

[Anka]

Thanks Chocobikies

Although I noticed that the bichir is already getting darker due to the substrate colour

I wouldn't mind if he went completely gray I've noticed substantial variations in the colourations of senegals - the dark grey ones are amazing!

Yes I did scotty. I started off fishless using ammonium chloride for a week and a half. Then I added 5 medium sized congo tetras and the butterfly fish. A week after that I added 4 medium sized congo tetras. A week after that I added the adult elephant nose.

Throughout the process I've been using seachem stability with an extra dose of vigilance. 2 x water tests a day and water changes where necessary (sometimes 10% a day!)

Edited by Anka, 23 December 2012 - 06:59 PM.

[Kleinz]

Nice pix. All looking very pretty . I like the darker bichir. The little bugger looks like he is smiling in the photos.

[Anka]

thanks Kleinz, he is full of character

I followed Bowdy's recommendation and bought some kribensis (1 largish one, and 3 small ones) from Vebas today. Didn't realise how small they were until I put them in my tank. I was confident that the bichir wouldn't be interested as he hasn't shown any interest in the smallest congo tetras. However, he has been lazily following the small ones around the tank but they manage to dart off into places he can't get. I worried a little when he started forcing himself through a gap but then he gave up and wiggled out.

Kribs are awesome looking fish, so thanks to Ray for the recommendation. Hopefully the little fellas don't get eaten - if they do I'll just buy larger ones next time. I saw Aquotix had two large ones today so I might go pick them up tomorrow.

[Anka]

I bought some petricola from Aquotix on Saturday. Amazing fish - awesome to watch.

The bichir made a few dashes after the catfish when they were first put in but now largely ignores them.

SamJohns was nice enough to swap a bag of massivore delite for a bag of carnivore pellets which the bichir (and the congos) are smashing.

The bichir is such an amazing fish - it's a pity they aren't more readily available as it would be great if more people had the chance to keep them.

My tank is currently devoured by algae so I won't take any updated pictures. It's really disheartening after putting so much effort in and the tank isn't looking 100%. I'll keep fighting it though and will take some pics of the petricola when the algae clears up.

[sandgroper]

Anka why don't you wack in a algae eater, i don't think whip tails eat plants. It's better to work with nature rather than fight it all the time.

[Bowdy]

Throw some bn in there to deal with the algae
Whip tails are awesome cleaners far better then bn.

Edited by Bowdy, 21 January 2013 - 11:21 PM.

[Anka]

I'm trying to keep it 100% African (plants and livestock). The petricola and the kribs should nibble on the algae.

The water chemistry is the cause of the algae. If I can get that sorted, then I'll be fine. But it's been a very long and expensive lesson

[Bowdy]

petricola and kribs won't even scratch the algae. Snails bn or whips are the go.

How is your water chem causing the algae ?

[Anka]

High phosphates. I might also now have the correct CO2 dosing, incorrect kH, inappropriate fertilization regime and my lighting may be too much or too little.

So many elements to learn and master.

[dazzabozza]

Good job on the photos Anka.

[SamJohns]

How those smaller pellets doing for you mate?

The packet I swapped you is almost gone. Pigs of fish!

[Anka]

The bichir, kribs and congos love them! Thanks again.

Jesus - that's a lot of food! Now I know why you buy them by the kilo!

[SamJohns]

That's good man!

Yeah the Bass, Snooks and Rays pound the food! Motto mention the rest...

Yes Kilo is much cheaper. Doesn't work out to exe that way.

[Peckoltia]

Hikari carnivore- the best pellet on the market for TB's, accept no substitute.

Edited by Peckoltia, 24 January 2013 - 10:32 PM.