Yesterday was April 15th and I added all of my goldfish into my above ground pond yesterday. Boy does that feel great... The pond now consists of....
One Red and White Ryukin about 6 inches
One Whitish Calico fantail
one longer dark red calico fantain
5 babies from the fish above. Probably the two callicos
4 of the babies are mainly gold calico
1 is all black.
These fish were all in my 29 gallon at work since December. So about 4 months of the year... Here's the best part. The few goldfish I left in the pond over the winter were bigger!
Gold fish wintering in Kentucky is a great testament to their hardiness, another reason to love them.
I also added 3 hand selected fancy goldfish (ok, so I always hand select, but these ones are sweet) that I have been keeping in my 125 with two angels,6 diamond tetras and 3 cory cats.
The goldfish in the 125 were doing a great job of eating the Algae I have.
Well they are all together now and are patrolling all over the pond slowly grazing.
Life is good. Glad to have them outside again.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Areal Advantage in the planted aquarium
One of most over looked aspects in the aquarium hobby is how do things actually grow in nature?
As you know, plants don't always grow underwater in the wild. Things happen and plants can grow up out of the water and up onto the shoreline ect.
But why should we concern ourselves with this if we are keeping plants in our tanks? The answer is that the plants will thrive given the opportunity to grow above the water line. This is called the Areal Advantage.
What do plants need a lot of? CO2. And guess where they can get a whole lot more of it? Yep, in that wonderful atmosphere. Heck, I'd go as far to say that your normal close up house probably has more CO2 in the air then being outside.
It is interesting to look at just how plants grow on there own in an attempt to climb up out of the water. As I type this I am staring at a 125 with Amazon Swords that have shot runners up and are heading to the surface. This can be seen with all kinds of other plants.
Bryan had a tank at the old fish store that had a piece of Anubias that was growing out of the tank. Though I have never witnessed it with my own two eyes, I believe that the major aquatic plant nurseries use this as well
As you know, plants don't always grow underwater in the wild. Things happen and plants can grow up out of the water and up onto the shoreline ect.
But why should we concern ourselves with this if we are keeping plants in our tanks? The answer is that the plants will thrive given the opportunity to grow above the water line. This is called the Areal Advantage.
What do plants need a lot of? CO2. And guess where they can get a whole lot more of it? Yep, in that wonderful atmosphere. Heck, I'd go as far to say that your normal close up house probably has more CO2 in the air then being outside.
It is interesting to look at just how plants grow on there own in an attempt to climb up out of the water. As I type this I am staring at a 125 with Amazon Swords that have shot runners up and are heading to the surface. This can be seen with all kinds of other plants.
Bryan had a tank at the old fish store that had a piece of Anubias that was growing out of the tank. Though I have never witnessed it with my own two eyes, I believe that the major aquatic plant nurseries use this as well
New Author Coming to Aquatic Jungles...
There is a new author coming to Aquatic Jungles. It's Bryan Campbell. He has been my ace with fish since I've moved to Lexington. He has been keeping tanks for several years and worked at Just Fish alongside some of the most knowledgeable people I've ever spoken to.
What he brings is a more sound technical knowledge then me. He is great with water chemistry and has built some very solid projects from scratch. (his two TV tanks are a testament to this.)
The best part about Bryan is that he has the passion for aquariums and I am excited to see what he'll unleash on here!
What he brings is a more sound technical knowledge then me. He is great with water chemistry and has built some very solid projects from scratch. (his two TV tanks are a testament to this.)
The best part about Bryan is that he has the passion for aquariums and I am excited to see what he'll unleash on here!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Top Three Starter Plants.
Top Three Started Plants.
When Starting to plant you planted tank it is important to have some success early. Early success in the planted aquarium or planted tank will give you momentum to push through some obsticals that are inevitable going to happen. With a healthy start you can feel good about the growth that you have and start working your way towards other more advanced aquarium plants and planted aquarium techniques.
The most important factor in having success in the planted aquarium is in the plant selection early on. With a little bit of plant knowledge you can start off your planted tank in the right direction. The following species are listed as I have personally kept them for several years and am confident in my knowledge of them. While I am sure other plants will do the trick, these are my top three.
The first aquarium plant that I recommend a newbie to use is the classic Amazon Sword. This Genius Econdodorus comes in several variations. These variations are all splendid and can be the next step in your aquascape. In the beginning, get your hands on some plain old Amazon Swords.
Amazon Swords will be great at helping you learn the ropes of the planted aquarium . You can pick these plants up at nearly any worthy pet store. We all so have well rooted Amazon Swords for Sale on Aquatic Jungles. Take a good look at the plant. Ideally we are looking for the healthiest species we can find. The leave should be a nice dark green and the roots should look white and healthy. Beware of rotted looking roots, this is a no no. We
Jungle Vallisneria is the another great plant. It grow long and skinny and is the fastest growing plant that I own. (besides duckweed) Tall in height and great for a background it is really a must have. I have tons of Jungle Val For Sale on www.aquaticjungles.com (with out the blogspot;) Great grower in your planted tank.
The last one is dwarf sagitaius or dwarf sag. It looks like grass and grows like it. It stays short and is a great tank filler. You will have to pull it out in clumps at some point, but it is better to have too many plants then not enough right?
Get you hands on these plants and give them a shot. Heck. Post a comment and tell me what you think are the best starter aquarium plants.
When Starting to plant you planted tank it is important to have some success early. Early success in the planted aquarium or planted tank will give you momentum to push through some obsticals that are inevitable going to happen. With a healthy start you can feel good about the growth that you have and start working your way towards other more advanced aquarium plants and planted aquarium techniques.
The most important factor in having success in the planted aquarium is in the plant selection early on. With a little bit of plant knowledge you can start off your planted tank in the right direction. The following species are listed as I have personally kept them for several years and am confident in my knowledge of them. While I am sure other plants will do the trick, these are my top three.
The first aquarium plant that I recommend a newbie to use is the classic Amazon Sword. This Genius Econdodorus comes in several variations. These variations are all splendid and can be the next step in your aquascape. In the beginning, get your hands on some plain old Amazon Swords.
Amazon Swords will be great at helping you learn the ropes of the planted aquarium . You can pick these plants up at nearly any worthy pet store. We all so have well rooted Amazon Swords for Sale on Aquatic Jungles. Take a good look at the plant. Ideally we are looking for the healthiest species we can find. The leave should be a nice dark green and the roots should look white and healthy. Beware of rotted looking roots, this is a no no. We
Jungle Vallisneria is the another great plant. It grow long and skinny and is the fastest growing plant that I own. (besides duckweed) Tall in height and great for a background it is really a must have. I have tons of Jungle Val For Sale on www.aquaticjungles.com (with out the blogspot;) Great grower in your planted tank.
The last one is dwarf sagitaius or dwarf sag. It looks like grass and grows like it. It stays short and is a great tank filler. You will have to pull it out in clumps at some point, but it is better to have too many plants then not enough right?
Get you hands on these plants and give them a shot. Heck. Post a comment and tell me what you think are the best starter aquarium plants.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Water Quality in the aquarium
Water Quality in the aquarium
Water Quality is the single most important element you have in maintaining a health aquarium of any kind. Weather you have a Salt water reef tank, a cichlid tank and yes, a planted aquarium. I like to relate water quality in the fishtank to a party scene.
Say you are at a house, (your fishtank) and in that house there are a bunch of people (your fish). The more fish you put in there the dirtier the house is going to become. Sometimes house parties get carried away and way too many people show up. This causes the house to get trashed. Note that while it might be a good time while you are there afterwards it is still a mess.
The same a holds true with an aquarium. The more fish you put in it, the more you are going to have to clean it out. Unlike the party scenario, these fish don’t leave after they make a mess. They stick around and make more and more of a mess. The mess or waste factors growth is exponential because there is never a break from making a mess. (You aren’t taking the fish out so there is constantly a mess growing)
So what is the solution to this?
There are a few options…..
The first option is to not have a big party or a bunch of fish in your tank. It sounds simple, but you have no idea how often people over stock their fishtanks There are rules that loosely say one inch of fish per gallon, but I live way under that rule. Personally I keep my tanks lightly stocked. The reason for it is simple. If you have less fish you have less waste production in your tank. Typically when you are dealing with a lot of fish you are running your tank at a “higher RPM” The tank can run, but you need to keep up with it. It pains me to hear about all of the novice fish keepers who try keeping fish but don’t stop constantly adding new fish.
Adding new fish to a crowded tank only adds more waste. It also brings on more stress to all of the other fish in the tank. There are exceptions, but most fish don’t like to be crowded. Adding other new fish might make your current tank mates unhappy. What happens when fish get unhappy, they get sick.
So by crowding your fish you are stressing them both physically and mentally. Physically, with more waste, and mentally with more fish to worry about at feeding time and when looking to rest.
There are options to keeping a heavily stocked tank however. One option is to get a bigger tank. You can’t go wrong with more water volume. The bigger the tank; the more room for error. I try to practice this with my tanks. I am fortunate to have a knack for finding larger aquariums pretty cheap. My average tank size is a 75. If you don’t have the space, then you don’t have the space. Then the option is to add another additional tank
The biggest thing you can do is water changes. The more fish you have the more water changes you are going to need to be doing. When in doubt, change the water out!
Water Quality is the single most important element you have in maintaining a health aquarium of any kind. Weather you have a Salt water reef tank, a cichlid tank and yes, a planted aquarium. I like to relate water quality in the fishtank to a party scene.
Say you are at a house, (your fishtank) and in that house there are a bunch of people (your fish). The more fish you put in there the dirtier the house is going to become. Sometimes house parties get carried away and way too many people show up. This causes the house to get trashed. Note that while it might be a good time while you are there afterwards it is still a mess.
The same a holds true with an aquarium. The more fish you put in it, the more you are going to have to clean it out. Unlike the party scenario, these fish don’t leave after they make a mess. They stick around and make more and more of a mess. The mess or waste factors growth is exponential because there is never a break from making a mess. (You aren’t taking the fish out so there is constantly a mess growing)
So what is the solution to this?
There are a few options…..
The first option is to not have a big party or a bunch of fish in your tank. It sounds simple, but you have no idea how often people over stock their fishtanks There are rules that loosely say one inch of fish per gallon, but I live way under that rule. Personally I keep my tanks lightly stocked. The reason for it is simple. If you have less fish you have less waste production in your tank. Typically when you are dealing with a lot of fish you are running your tank at a “higher RPM” The tank can run, but you need to keep up with it. It pains me to hear about all of the novice fish keepers who try keeping fish but don’t stop constantly adding new fish.
Adding new fish to a crowded tank only adds more waste. It also brings on more stress to all of the other fish in the tank. There are exceptions, but most fish don’t like to be crowded. Adding other new fish might make your current tank mates unhappy. What happens when fish get unhappy, they get sick.
So by crowding your fish you are stressing them both physically and mentally. Physically, with more waste, and mentally with more fish to worry about at feeding time and when looking to rest.
There are options to keeping a heavily stocked tank however. One option is to get a bigger tank. You can’t go wrong with more water volume. The bigger the tank; the more room for error. I try to practice this with my tanks. I am fortunate to have a knack for finding larger aquariums pretty cheap. My average tank size is a 75. If you don’t have the space, then you don’t have the space. Then the option is to add another additional tank
The biggest thing you can do is water changes. The more fish you have the more water changes you are going to need to be doing. When in doubt, change the water out!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Tank TV
I'm going to put up 500 videos on not only youtube but every other video site out there.
My goal is to be making money with my hobby in 5 years. I won't go into the details, but here are some topics for the quicky 1-3 minute shows.
Tour of my tanks = 15 shows right there!
Species sound off = I'm going to call this 20 for and easy start (my 20 plants)
Equipment Reviews= Call it 20 but this could be very ongoing.
Special Fish guests= probably about 8. but people are shy who knows
Favorite Fish Killing stories= I've got 3 i'm sure there are others
Dumbest things you've heard people do. Endless
Lighting reviews 4-5
DIY, figure CO2, lighting, ph tricks ect
Substrates 5
You get the picture there is PLENTY to talk about. I'm also going to be moving this blog at somepoint. (get us on something sexy)
You've been warned
My goal is to be making money with my hobby in 5 years. I won't go into the details, but here are some topics for the quicky 1-3 minute shows.
Tour of my tanks = 15 shows right there!
Species sound off = I'm going to call this 20 for and easy start (my 20 plants)
Equipment Reviews= Call it 20 but this could be very ongoing.
Special Fish guests= probably about 8. but people are shy who knows
Favorite Fish Killing stories= I've got 3 i'm sure there are others
Dumbest things you've heard people do. Endless
Lighting reviews 4-5
DIY, figure CO2, lighting, ph tricks ect
Substrates 5
You get the picture there is PLENTY to talk about. I'm also going to be moving this blog at somepoint. (get us on something sexy)
You've been warned
Sunday, March 28, 2010
The things we do for lush plants.
I messed up.
I put too much CO2 in my 220 without watching my water parameters. In another post I showed how to do CO2 at home. The problem is that I didn't watch my KH.
I lowered my Carbonated Hardness, stressing the hell out of my fish. Rainbows come from very hard waters with above 7 ph. I lowered my PH with the CO2 and the growing plants sucked all of the KH out of the water.
I lost 3 rainbow in the process. Oddly they were all female. I wonder why that is? Perhaps they were the ones getting chased around and were the most stress.
Learn it from me. Don't add CO2 with out watching your levels.
I put too much CO2 in my 220 without watching my water parameters. In another post I showed how to do CO2 at home. The problem is that I didn't watch my KH.
I lowered my Carbonated Hardness, stressing the hell out of my fish. Rainbows come from very hard waters with above 7 ph. I lowered my PH with the CO2 and the growing plants sucked all of the KH out of the water.
I lost 3 rainbow in the process. Oddly they were all female. I wonder why that is? Perhaps they were the ones getting chased around and were the most stress.
Learn it from me. Don't add CO2 with out watching your levels.
Monday, March 8, 2010
Gold Fish Love
Gold Fish Rule. Plain and simple. They are hardy and have great personality and colors. It's funny because I love my rainbows and they are skinny and fast. I've also always loved nice fat fantail goldfish.
When I was about 13 I bought my first big tank. (big to a 13 year old is a 29 ;) I kept my ever growing comets and fantails in there. I also had a golden dojo loach which I would like to get another of. (The loach and the goldies got along, who knew?)
So I pumped up because yesterday I was out poking around in my ABOVE ground garden pond outside. The thing with this pond is that it sits above ground. So theoretically the water could entirely freeze because it doesn't have the natural insulation that normal in ground ponds have. So why am I pumped?
Well I didn't take out one of my boys this year and yesterday I spotted him swimming around! I was trying to take him out in December but he was hiding. I said, "alright dude, good luck." He made it.
What is also even more encouraging is that I spotted a baby today as well! So I have a second generation of goldfish rolling into this summer. Actually, this would be the second generation as I had one make it of a batch I had last year as well. (though he isn't as sexy as the ones this batch.) This makes me unafraid of leaving them in, but my problem is myself... I wanna enjoy them in the winter!
I'd like to back up and discuss how this breeding happened. I would have to say that the heavy almost 90% water changes that I did early in the summer almost weekly helped. NOTE: I did these water changes to get the muck outta the pond. Not intending to breed fish. I am excited for this summer as I am going to attempt to breed for specific types of fish. RYUKINS. Oh yeah baby, ryukins are my style. I love their high bodies and red colors. So that's the plan....too bad it's March!
When I was about 13 I bought my first big tank. (big to a 13 year old is a 29 ;) I kept my ever growing comets and fantails in there. I also had a golden dojo loach which I would like to get another of. (The loach and the goldies got along, who knew?)
So I pumped up because yesterday I was out poking around in my ABOVE ground garden pond outside. The thing with this pond is that it sits above ground. So theoretically the water could entirely freeze because it doesn't have the natural insulation that normal in ground ponds have. So why am I pumped?
Well I didn't take out one of my boys this year and yesterday I spotted him swimming around! I was trying to take him out in December but he was hiding. I said, "alright dude, good luck." He made it.
What is also even more encouraging is that I spotted a baby today as well! So I have a second generation of goldfish rolling into this summer. Actually, this would be the second generation as I had one make it of a batch I had last year as well. (though he isn't as sexy as the ones this batch.) This makes me unafraid of leaving them in, but my problem is myself... I wanna enjoy them in the winter!
I'd like to back up and discuss how this breeding happened. I would have to say that the heavy almost 90% water changes that I did early in the summer almost weekly helped. NOTE: I did these water changes to get the muck outta the pond. Not intending to breed fish. I am excited for this summer as I am going to attempt to breed for specific types of fish. RYUKINS. Oh yeah baby, ryukins are my style. I love their high bodies and red colors. So that's the plan....too bad it's March!
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Home Made CO2 Injector.
I should have done a before and after with this because I am shocked how well the CO2 works. (ok not shocked, but I had forgotten how great it was).
FULL DISCLOSURE: I found a dead rainbow in my tank this morning.
Probably the heavy drop in the PH at night when the lights were off.
However my objective was great lush plants. I have succeeded there. I'm paying the price fish-wise.
Here's how it is done...
So I added a glop of molasis, just dropping it down in.
Slap on the top with the airline tubing glued into it, screw it on, and we are done.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I found a dead rainbow in my tank this morning.
Probably the heavy drop in the PH at night when the lights were off.
However my objective was great lush plants. I have succeeded there. I'm paying the price fish-wise.
Here's how it is done...
So I added a glop of molasis, just dropping it down in.
Slap on the top with the airline tubing glued into it, screw it on, and we are done.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Bryan's TV fish tank
I have to start by saying that Bryan is the complete package when it comes to fishtanks. He's uber knowledgble. He's smart but not in a considending way like a bunch of fish people I know. He'll look right at your tanks and tell you what the heck is wrong and he's usually right. He's also pretty much always down to help with whatever project I have brewing. If I had to pick one man to help me with my fish it would be Bryan...
My only real beef with the kid is that he hasn't gotten into putting dirt in the bottom of his tanks like he should. I can't blame the man for wanting to clean his gravel good with the siphon.
He's the only cat I know who can rock a school of glass cats and make it pop. But there isn't anything I can put into words to describe this kids game on his TV tank.
CHECK IT!
The kid has serious game. He's got a bunch of time wrapped up in it. But it is so worth it.
This is one of the few fishtank projects I have seen done that could actually be profitable. Much skills man. Nice Job Bryan.
(this tank had 40 views and a comment in less then one day on YouTube, the comment, "Badass"
Badass indeed
My only real beef with the kid is that he hasn't gotten into putting dirt in the bottom of his tanks like he should. I can't blame the man for wanting to clean his gravel good with the siphon.
He's the only cat I know who can rock a school of glass cats and make it pop. But there isn't anything I can put into words to describe this kids game on his TV tank.
CHECK IT!
The kid has serious game. He's got a bunch of time wrapped up in it. But it is so worth it.
This is one of the few fishtank projects I have seen done that could actually be profitable. Much skills man. Nice Job Bryan.
(this tank had 40 views and a comment in less then one day on YouTube, the comment, "Badass"
Badass indeed
Month to Month Coraline Algae Documentation
While I haven't always been the best at keeping corals. I am sweet at getting my rock to be purple. The trick is simple. Use Calcium. Use Calcium. Use Calcium. If you have hair algae. USE Calcium. Corals are made of Calcium. Use it. I first learned this when I started dosing a tank with Kalkawasser that had horrible hair algae. It cleared up in about a month or two.
But the Proof is in the pudding.
I added 75 pounds of live rock that was ugly with no coraline algae on it at all.
Here is a video taken February 1st.
Here is a video I took on March 2nd. (Pause both videos at 20 seconds to see a clear difference on the piece laying horizontally.)
I use Seachem's reef calcium 10ml about everyday or so. Every two weeks I do about a 16 gallon water change.
But the Proof is in the pudding.
I added 75 pounds of live rock that was ugly with no coraline algae on it at all.
Here is a video taken February 1st.
Here is a video I took on March 2nd. (Pause both videos at 20 seconds to see a clear difference on the piece laying horizontally.)
I use Seachem's reef calcium 10ml about everyday or so. Every two weeks I do about a 16 gallon water change.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Why Fish Tanks?
The Chinese believe keeping fish will bring you good luck. I am not a big believer in luck. I believe hard work and putting yourself out there creates luck. Never the less, keeping fish has always been something I have just flat out loved doing.
The roots of my fish keeping go way back. Like most I had the carnival prize goldfish that we took home and raised. Honestly I was too young to pin point exactly how or why we got the fish. I just remember that it's name was Dibloon. (like the gold coins you'd find in a treasure chest.) My dad named him and took care of the tank. I guess you could say he was the reason I got into tanks.
It's funny to think about it now. When I was probably 5 I remember on the weekends my dad would do water changes. I'm not talking about 25%. He would have me hold the door for him while he lugged the entire tank out the garage and dumped out the whole thing. Yep, 100% water changes that probably killed all of the good bacteria and certainly stressed out the fish. I do remember he always told me to make sure we used the Dechlorinator though...a lesson I have failed to remember on occasion.
I think I like the idea of raising something and caring for it. May be it is because I was born on January 24th, which make me an Aquarius. I've always loved water, lake and oceans.
Here's the main reason I keep tanks and have so damn many. They make me happy. I read in a book that you should try to do something you love for 20 minutes a day. I know I love fishtanks so that is how I spend my 20 minutes. Actually. I probably average about 20 minutes a day with them coincidentally. On the weekends, well that's another story. I don't feel like it's even a good weekend if I don't by something for my tanks.
But there is a great reward with the tanks. There are cumulative games. My work pays off. I have a buddy who keeps a pretty sick reef tank. He thinks I'm nuts and asks me how I keep up with all of them. I simply like keeping up with them. I can see the fruits of my labor when I am done messing with them. I started getting into this whole blogging thing so I can share them with more people who are in to them. Nothing is cooler then having a stranger come across your stuff and say it's sweet.
This might be out there to some, but. I am also a believer in Yin and Yang energy. I teach a Qi Gong class twice a week too. (its out of the scope of this blog, but Qi Gong is the balancing of one's Yin and Yang energy.) I burn up all of my Yin energy worrying about work, selling, cold calling and in general...hustling with my brain and mouth. Nothing creative about it.
With tanks I get to express myself in an artistic way. My Yang energy is working. I get my hands in my tanks and I almost instantly feel better. It is release I have found. Trust me, It's WAY healthier and safer then a few other hobbies I used to have.
So here's the bottom line. Fishtanks are something I love. If you dig what I'm posting let me know. If you have a question PLEASE ask away, I'll give you my best answer and if your lucky a video with some kind of example...
The roots of my fish keeping go way back. Like most I had the carnival prize goldfish that we took home and raised. Honestly I was too young to pin point exactly how or why we got the fish. I just remember that it's name was Dibloon. (like the gold coins you'd find in a treasure chest.) My dad named him and took care of the tank. I guess you could say he was the reason I got into tanks.
It's funny to think about it now. When I was probably 5 I remember on the weekends my dad would do water changes. I'm not talking about 25%. He would have me hold the door for him while he lugged the entire tank out the garage and dumped out the whole thing. Yep, 100% water changes that probably killed all of the good bacteria and certainly stressed out the fish. I do remember he always told me to make sure we used the Dechlorinator though...a lesson I have failed to remember on occasion.
I think I like the idea of raising something and caring for it. May be it is because I was born on January 24th, which make me an Aquarius. I've always loved water, lake and oceans.
Here's the main reason I keep tanks and have so damn many. They make me happy. I read in a book that you should try to do something you love for 20 minutes a day. I know I love fishtanks so that is how I spend my 20 minutes. Actually. I probably average about 20 minutes a day with them coincidentally. On the weekends, well that's another story. I don't feel like it's even a good weekend if I don't by something for my tanks.
But there is a great reward with the tanks. There are cumulative games. My work pays off. I have a buddy who keeps a pretty sick reef tank. He thinks I'm nuts and asks me how I keep up with all of them. I simply like keeping up with them. I can see the fruits of my labor when I am done messing with them. I started getting into this whole blogging thing so I can share them with more people who are in to them. Nothing is cooler then having a stranger come across your stuff and say it's sweet.
This might be out there to some, but. I am also a believer in Yin and Yang energy. I teach a Qi Gong class twice a week too. (its out of the scope of this blog, but Qi Gong is the balancing of one's Yin and Yang energy.) I burn up all of my Yin energy worrying about work, selling, cold calling and in general...hustling with my brain and mouth. Nothing creative about it.
With tanks I get to express myself in an artistic way. My Yang energy is working. I get my hands in my tanks and I almost instantly feel better. It is release I have found. Trust me, It's WAY healthier and safer then a few other hobbies I used to have.
So here's the bottom line. Fishtanks are something I love. If you dig what I'm posting let me know. If you have a question PLEASE ask away, I'll give you my best answer and if your lucky a video with some kind of example...
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Pictures found from 2007
These are some pictures I found from way back of my tank. I think this was probably at the best the 125 ever looked. You can see that I spent a decent amount of time in it.
I was playing with that moss in the bottom left. Let me warn you, once you put it in your tank, it is not coming out. Period. That was a move I regret.
I like where the dwarf sag is next to the moss. That plant goes like a weed once it hits the soil. While it is a simple plant and gets out of control, dwarf sag, along with jungle val (tall skinny plant you see to the far right) are two of my favorite plants because the grow so well. The really helped me see some results in the hobby which kept me moving forward with it. If you look closely you can see that the val has gone all the way along the back. Great plant.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
The 220 a few weeks rolling
I really like the amount of fish in the tank at this point. The contrast of the Emerald Rainbows and the New Guinea Reds is slick...
How to dirt a tank...yes...put dirt in the bottom of your tank and cover it with gravel.
People who are rookies think that putting dirt into a tank is nuts. There are pros who do too. But me. I love using dirt in my tanks. I've had great success. Here is a clip of how it is done.
PART ONE:
I love the way this clay makes my plants turn dark red...
PART TWO:
PART ONE:
I love the way this clay makes my plants turn dark red...
PART TWO:
Battling Ich in the 220....
The loaded nutrient bed under my gravel has probably fouled up my water. I only run two whisper number three filters on the back.
Last weekend I went snowboarding and didn't do my weekly 1/2 or 50% water change. I didn't have any good surface agitation. My Rainbows are hating it. (Surprise Surprise, they come from fast moving clean streams and are suffering in the stagnant cespool.)
I think I can battle it though.
I am raising the temperature slightly up from 68 to like 73.
As I type this, I am refilling it up from about 60%. I have the lights off for less stress.
We are shooting for a temperature around 76-78. The fish are swimming closer to the warm water so they must like it...
When I refill i will have to add slightly more ich guard. I'll keep you posted.
--just added 30 more drops of Quick Ich. That stuff was a pain to put in there.
This video was taken that next morning. I did another %50 and added more Ich medicine.
Hopefully the cure is coming soon
MONDAY NIGHT 2-15
I am convinced that the %50 water changes are doing me the most good. I am still using Ick medicine, but the better water quality is helping the most. I wonder why the females are getting it worse?
Thursday Night.
The Ick lost.
I did four days straight of 50% water changes and then left it alone for one day after a buddy told me I was probably not letting the medicine work. I am happy to say that the Ick is gone. It should be mentioned that I feel they loved the great water quality which helped strengthen them while I was dosing the tank.
Last weekend I went snowboarding and didn't do my weekly 1/2 or 50% water change. I didn't have any good surface agitation. My Rainbows are hating it. (Surprise Surprise, they come from fast moving clean streams and are suffering in the stagnant cespool.)
I think I can battle it though.
I am raising the temperature slightly up from 68 to like 73.
As I type this, I am refilling it up from about 60%. I have the lights off for less stress.
We are shooting for a temperature around 76-78. The fish are swimming closer to the warm water so they must like it...
When I refill i will have to add slightly more ich guard. I'll keep you posted.
--just added 30 more drops of Quick Ich. That stuff was a pain to put in there.
This video was taken that next morning. I did another %50 and added more Ich medicine.
Hopefully the cure is coming soon
MONDAY NIGHT 2-15
I am convinced that the %50 water changes are doing me the most good. I am still using Ick medicine, but the better water quality is helping the most. I wonder why the females are getting it worse?
Thursday Night.
The Ick lost.
I did four days straight of 50% water changes and then left it alone for one day after a buddy told me I was probably not letting the medicine work. I am happy to say that the Ick is gone. It should be mentioned that I feel they loved the great water quality which helped strengthen them while I was dosing the tank.
Friday, February 12, 2010
Quick tour of my tanks at work Green Thumb Marketing
There are some benefits to working for yourself. Having a company call Green Thumb requires having green tanks though....
220 gallon tank that sat in my garage for two year finally gets some love
This is the first week rolling of my 220 that I bought myself for Christmas in the winter of 2007. It got set up at Christmas time 2009. Some things are worth the wait.... I think it will be my best work, It's off to an ok start.
1st look at 90 Gallon moved into a 75...much better
This was taken in December about three months after I tore everything out of my 90 and moved it into the basement. Less IS MORE. The 90 was too big and deep to light, plus it was hard to do waterchanges upstairs. Now that it is in my basement, waterchanges are a breeze. See I have an RO unit down stairs and a few giant tubs. The old rule still holds true. The easier it is to do maintence, the more it will get done. That is no expection here.
When I moved into the 75 I asked one of the local Sensais of fishkeeping in town to help me and talk about it. He told me of a technique of just doing hardly any substrate at all. I asked him what he would do and he said just that. So that's what I did. I also really beefed up the amount of powerheads as well. You can see one pointing right off of the front glass. There are I think 4 total in the tank.
I like this tank because it has ZERO filter on it. That's right. All I do is 20% waterchanges with reef crystals salt every other week. I also add calcium every other day or so. I have been using Kalkawasser lately. Although I have also have great success with Seachem's Liquid Calcium. I think Kalkawasser is better, but its also more work.
One of the things I am most proud of with this salt set up is the PURPLE. I think I have found the formula for coraline algae. It's Calcium. The 20% water changes are huge too.
The big anemone looking thing is a Torch Coral. I bought it for 15 bucks when it was just two heads. It's an easy coral to keep and it's been rewarding. Too bad He-Ronnie (my 4 year old clown fish's name) always tries to lay in it...He and "Ronda-Pauline" are good buddies.
Krazy Man Kirt's 75
Kirt Might have as many tanks as me.... I say tanks...not gallons! He probably has done the most with me for the planted tank hobby so I'm giving him some props here.
Kirt and I went to the Mecca of Aquarium Plants convention. The AGA convention in Atlanta in 2008. WOW. Here is just one of my guys tanks...
Sick stuff bro..more of his tanks to come.
Kirt and I went to the Mecca of Aquarium Plants convention. The AGA convention in Atlanta in 2008. WOW. Here is just one of my guys tanks...
Sick stuff bro..more of his tanks to come.
125 gallon Planted Aquarium with 150 halid lights
This is an old video of my 125. I was collecting various rainbows for my 220. Those angels I have had for a long while. Emerald rainbows are probably my favorite. I loved the yellow ones (the Herbert Axelrodi) as well, but sadly those all died randomly right after one another. Thanks for looking...ask away...or share your videos!
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