52 replies to this topic

[Den]

Craig a reading of 8.2 would have me worried if its more alkaline than the water you put in, which I would say is unfortunatley yes. If a section has been missed with the pond sealer then you will have Alkalinity problems which can last many years on and off.

I would guess that your background is leaking from where it was cut and maybe Cobby is not having the same problem because his has been kept in one peice? Also you have to be careful there are some sealers out there that are not suitable for these kinds of constructions, I will explain at the bottom about this.

My parents have had alot of problems with their pond because of the construction style, it has been pond sealed(with an unsuitable sealer), but over time minor cracks form in the cement (which also cracks the unsuitable sealer) and allows it to leach and cause PH problems. The worst part about it is that it is intermittent, as old cracks seal up with gunk or whatever and the problem goes away, then all of a sudden, bang, time to get some new goldfish. Then again its only a few goldfish, it only has to happen to you once to cause a devastating loss.

Cement backgrounds are usually fine for Rift lake fish but for Amazon I would not recommend the use of cement because of the alkalinity issues. Using buffers when your water parameters are swinging in my books in not a healthy way to keep fish as you will never keep the water stable.

I am sorry for my negative post, though I do have a remedy that will fix it if you do have leaching problem. There are a few pond sealers on the market, not sure of the one used on your tank but the one I use has an elastic finish so even if cement gets cracks the sealer stretches and holds a tight seal.

Cheers
Den

[cobby]

Hi Den

My background has more joins in than Craig's

The joins were sealed up after and left for the specified time

The sealer says it is suitable for all rendered surfaces in contact with water and is designed to be used on rendered fish ponds as i said mine has been fine with no change in ph

I'm not sure you would get any movement as it is fixed to the glass

as opposed to a below ground pond which i would suspect would be prone to a lot more movement and hence cracking

But your point is taken

Cheers Neil

[Scat]

Hey Den

Ive had some very high ph readings from just my tap water lately on and off, Im confident that when this settles in the fish producing waste and the driftwood will settle this down.

Your point is taken under consideration and your advice is always welcome so please dont feel negative as i will be more dilligent in taking my ph readings from now on.

Thanks for your input Den as i will be keeping a very careful eye on the Ph over the next week i will take your advice and hold back in putting any fish in untill next weekend.

Cheers
Craig

[Den]

No worries guys, points taken, I hope it works out fine and wish you much success!

Cheers
Den

[Scat]

Hey Guys

We got some pebbles this morning to make it look more natural, all credit goes to Christine for the aquascaping

This is the finished product, Im running a Eheim 2028 on each side which cleared the tank up veru quickly ( these are also seeded filters )

Added some acid buffer earlier on and my ph is at 7.5 now , but will be checking daily until the weekend then can let my catfish loose

The full shot.





The left side.





The right side.






The middle.





All opinions welcome

Cheers
Craig

[Mintox]

I think it came out quite nice.

[Den]

Catfish heaven, would look nice with a school of tetras and marbled archers.

[Scat]

Thanks Guys

Am going to add some rainbows for colour and to act as a dither fish also

Cheers
Craig

[Scat]

Hey Guys

I moved my Sturisoma panamense pair into the tank 2 nights ago along with my Corydoras sterbai`s and this is what i found on the front glass this morning !!





I guess they like the new tank

Cheers
Craig

[Cicolid]

Hat's off to you Mate, well done.

You certainly beat mine, but mine are not adult yet.

The nearest I can get to that is my Bronze Cory's have 3 clutches of eggs.

I will just have to learn to be more patient. They say that patience is a virtue, well I must be the most virtuous person in WA

Col

[jack]

well done mate lots of fish for you to raise

[Scat]

Thanks Guys

Col i think once your Royals reach sexual maturity they will spawn, as ive read that they will now spawn every two weeks for awhile then the female takes a break for about a month then they start up again ( i will find out soon enough!)

The trick is raising the fry !

Cheers
Craig

[jack]

hope all goes well 4 ya

[cook1e]

update pretty pretty plzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz im hanging for some more shots

[johniep3e]

very nice tank (like i said before)
and nice pics you took

john.

[Scat]

Hey cook1e

I took this photo last night ( its difficult trying for a full tank shot 8O )



I overhauled this tank last weekend,caught out 21 juvie Cory`s and moved some other Cory`s out ( which are going back in soon )

The pebbles went because although it made the tank look nice it was harder to gravel vac efficiently, snails couldnt be vacced out and juvies couldnt be caught between them.

The tank now houses

13 peppermint bristlenose`s
8 Corydoras polystictus
4 Corydoras concolor
6 Corydoras blochi
5 Corydoras aenues " gold shoulder "
3 Sturisoma panamense
4 marbled lizard whiptails
4 clown loaches
2 Hypancistrus L333
2 Hypancistrus inspector
1 albino longfin bristlenose

Looks empty though still from that pic 8O 8O

Cheers
Craig

[keenas]

Looks empty though still from that pic 8O 8O


Craig

Thats easy fixed Craig, add more fish.

Aaron give the man a call and get him some more cory's

[Scat]

Too late hes already trying to hurt me John 8O

Will be adding another 17 Cory`s back into the tank this weekend which will help but will be awhile before anymore fish are added unless its to increase existing numbers

Cheers
Craig

[cobby]

MORE CORYS 8O 8O

COR blimey Mate

[cook1e]

i am satisfied for now hahaha its lovely, has me thinking *sighs*