New Tank Build Thread

[Gerryd]

Wow its more amazing now than before you sold it! One of the best tanks I've seen

Thanks Mark...You realize that I did not in fact sell it and was just playing a practical joke, yes??

[ShadowMac]

Great tank Gerry! that thing is a beast.

[Gerryd]

Great tank Gerry! that thing is a beast.

Thanks much... I forget sometimes the size becuase I see it all the time...

It is looking as I had hoped/envisaged for all of these years...

Thanks again Tom for a great scape...

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

With the introduction of the eheim NW pump and the extra flow it provides to the tank as well as the large number of surface dwelling small surface fish....

I have removed the MP40 for the time being today and will see how that goes. It was on it's lowest setting anyway...

I will keep an eye on things and can put back if needed.

The pencils think it is a cave and shelter there..I don't want any to be harmed or killed when the pump turns on....

When they mature a bit it will not be an issue. I have had many of these adults in the past and they have no issue with flow.. they can swim better than you may expect. also, it is important for them to have places of calm and quiet....

Will post developments...water change and pic day today...

I trimmed about 10 of the largest lotus leaves....Beautiful coloration and just huge...Looks nice now with lower leaves and they are multiplying rapidly....Caused quite a bit of shade there before trimming

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

Vortech is still in, but I turn it on manually for now

I am going to install another of the 1103 (I think) with the other canister to boost the flow a bit. With one on each canister, I hope to eliminate the need for the vortech and get it out of the tank....

The pencils are okay with the flow, but I can see they shoal differently when it is off. I have played with it while c02 was off as well, so have a good idea what they like so far..

Anyway, I know it needs a big trim but some company is coming in < 2 weeks, so would rather them see it this way than freshly pruned...

Fish are pretty healthy and when they get bigger I hope to have better pics of the shoals..I asked Rachel to order another 150 diptails and she expects them the first week of Feb. So I should receive around the end of Feb...That will do it for fish for this tank.

I think the bio-load will be fine. I do regular large water changes, the eheims have large bio-media, the fish themselves are small, and thus the food does not produce such a load as beefheart or large earthworms

The tank is really huge in comparison to the fish. The rummies pretty much hug the lower third but will come to the surface to feed...So, the pencils will dominate the surface....

Enjoy! Thanks for listening and following along....

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[Gerryd]

Hey all,

Many of the pencils do not spend as much time if any at the surface. I find plenty down among the lower 6" among the plants. Feeding and doing well. I also see a ton among the java and the intakes, so they are really all over. A great many live among the Blyxa where they are well hidden.

I expect over time for them to come out as my others over the years have. However, I never had a tank as large or as well planted while having them.

They absolutely love my ferns and a good many live among the huge bolbitus....

If I could get them to breed in here.........that would be an accomplishment...I think the water needs to be very peaty and soft for them, but with enough fish in there, you never know...

Need to get them some small live food to help fatten them up. They can eat sliced/diced blackworms, but could use some daphnia and such....Not sure how much infusoria and such is found among the plants for them...

Great fish though and I am thrilled to have them again....

Be really nice when I get the others and another 3-4 months for them to grow a bit and mature....Then we will see..

Later.

[Gerryd]

Hey all,

Well, I came home at lunch today as normal and the rummies were breathing quite rapidly....I turned off the c02 immediately and pointed the mp40 and the canister outlets at the surface...Left it that way all day so far. Lost 2 large rummies that I can see..

I hope the smallest of the pencils made it but I don't see as many...

*************

I had been reducing c02 recently due to fish stress but noticed I am at the end of this 5 lb tank. I have been observing closely due to the switch of NW pumps as I expected the eheim to be more efficient and it seems so. The eheim head was also replaced so getting better flow INTO the NW than before and that may help as well.

However, the rate was the same as yesterday and c02 was on all day and I did not see the same gill rate???? And this was now just 1 hour into the c02 on period.

I will swap out a spare tonight and reduce the c02 more. I will run it manually tomorrow when I am at lunch as I can watch for 60-75 mins or so...then I will be home @ 5:30 or so....

I think the NW is much more efficient than my old DIY job so am going to start over again from bubble rate 1

ALWAYS keep observing fish when you play with c02. It is too easy to gas them by accident....slow and easy does it...

Will keep you posted...

[jerrybforl]

Sorry to hear that Gerry! Maybe your new pump is working better than the other...

[feh]

Thanks Mark...You realize that I did not in fact sell it and was just playing a practical joke, yes??

Ya got me with it.

[Gerryd]

Sorry to hear that Gerry! Maybe your new pump is working better than the other...

Hey JJ,

That is exactly what I think and expected. I noted this above:

I think the NW is much more efficient than my old DIY job so am going to start over again from bubble rate 1