My Riffle Shrimp And Tanks!
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TallTree01
Coo, Man
Dang, ich sucks mate. Kuhlis are tough though. When my tank had ich a few months ago, I made the mistake of adding meds. It cured the ich but the kuhlis couldn't handle it with their sensitive skin. I lost maybe half of mine. They have recovered now and are big fat stripy worms again. 
Ghost the Betta is taking the next step is the adventure that is his life, today I found him building a nest! It's his first one so its still quite small, it's so cute. Whenever a shrimp gets too close he flips out and goes nuts at it.
My Axolotls are doing well, they've grown quite a bit. I've started giving them a bit more food as they were getting quite thin. They're happy at the moment cos being winter, their tank is at a ideal 15 degreees
I've found a filter I'd like to get. An eheim pickup internal 2006. I plan to chop out the filter in the betta tank and put in an internal so I can fit a proper light unit on it. I'll have to cover the back though so ghost doesn't try to jump out. I'll get the soil for the new tank at the same time.
Ghost the Betta is taking the next step is the adventure that is his life, today I found him building a nest! It's his first one so its still quite small, it's so cute. Whenever a shrimp gets too close he flips out and goes nuts at it.
My Axolotls are doing well, they've grown quite a bit. I've started giving them a bit more food as they were getting quite thin. They're happy at the moment cos being winter, their tank is at a ideal 15 degreees
I've found a filter I'd like to get. An eheim pickup internal 2006. I plan to chop out the filter in the betta tank and put in an internal so I can fit a proper light unit on it. I'll have to cover the back though so ghost doesn't try to jump out. I'll get the soil for the new tank at the same time.
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
So, about a week ago I placed my order for 40kg Aquasoil ( don't even ask about shipping ) and a internal filter for the shrimp tank. It arrived on Friday! Having heard no word from the company I placed the order with I nearly Aqua-Soiled myself ( ) . Anyway, the soil looks real nice, beautiful color, small size and is smooth too. I have no hesitation with using catfish on it now I've seen and felt it.
With the shrimp tank, I did some work yesterday. I sawed out the pitiful top filter that it came with so I could fit a light on it. It went more or less ok despite having lost my hack saw and having to use a massive toothed one. With the big bulky filter gone I also had more room in the tank so I've had a bit of a redo. It's very cloudy at the moment so pictures will have to come later.
The flow with the new internal is far greater than with the old filter and ghost is getting blown around a fair bit so today I will put some gauze over the intake to slow it down and stop shrimp getting filtered. The flow is around 50-180 liters an hour on the box and the tank is about 20 liters.
Also, because the light unit only covers half the tank, I've had to cover the back half to stop ghost jumping out ( He's never jumped before but better safe than sorry ). I want to put mesh over the back as the current solution ( a garbage bag ) is less than elegant. How is it best to attach the mesh? I'm guessing tape won't stick so well?
) and a internal filter for the shrimp tank. It arrived on Friday! Having heard no word from the company I placed the order with I nearly Aqua-Soiled myself ( ) . Anyway, the soil looks real nice, beautiful color, small size and is smooth too. I have no hesitation with using catfish on it now I've seen and felt it. With the shrimp tank, I did some work yesterday. I sawed out the pitiful top filter that it came with so I could fit a light on it. It went more or less ok despite having lost my hack saw and having to use a massive toothed one. With the big bulky filter gone I also had more room in the tank so I've had a bit of a redo. It's very cloudy at the moment so pictures will have to come later.
The flow with the new internal is far greater than with the old filter and ghost is getting blown around a fair bit so today I will put some gauze over the intake to slow it down and stop shrimp getting filtered. The flow is around 50-180 liters an hour on the box and the tank is about 20 liters.
Also, because the light unit only covers half the tank, I've had to cover the back half to stop ghost jumping out ( He's never jumped before but better safe than sorry ). I want to put mesh over the back as the current solution ( a garbage bag ) is less than elegant. How is it best to attach the mesh? I'm guessing tape won't stick so well?
Sounds good. Hope the gauze helps in reducing the flow a little as too much flow can be stressful.
It all sounds great and pics would be good to explain what you mean about sawing out the old filter. Was the filter actually part of the tank? I have never come across this so thats a little unsusual.
The aquasoil should be good for the plants, bear in mind it will probably have nutrients for plants like ammonia and nitrate types, so keep an eye on water parameters as this may make reading go haywires for a while.
And I would recommend at least 2 weeks without any livestock when the soil is added to the tank to ensure the balance of tank parameters is restored.
Kepp up good work
It all sounds great and pics would be good to explain what you mean about sawing out the old filter. Was the filter actually part of the tank? I have never come across this so thats a little unsusual.
The aquasoil should be good for the plants, bear in mind it will probably have nutrients for plants like ammonia and nitrate types, so keep an eye on water parameters as this may make reading go haywires for a while.
And I would recommend at least 2 weeks without any livestock when the soil is added to the tank to ensure the balance of tank parameters is restored.
Kepp up good work
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Ok, finally took some pictures and got them uploaded to the net. This post might be lengthy but probably mostly pictures.
Charlie, with the shrimp tank, it was made in a way that it's a glass panel on a plastic frame. The plastic frame couldn't be removed without completely destroying the tank and being left with a glass pane. Attached to the frame was the annoying filter. Thankfully, it was not made all to well so it was not too difficult to simply saw it off.
I've gotten the flow under control, turns out there was a very effective switch that alters whether the flow comes out the top or the front, now most of the current is directed at the surface. Highly reccomend the eheim internal by the way, although only having it operating about a week I'm very happy so far. Breezy to set up and maintenance is simple for an internal. The flow adjuster is darned useful too.
Here it was a few weeks ago, as you can see the light is a no good yellow color and the premade filter made it difficult to scape.
The whole operation on the tank took about an hour all up, I lost my fine toothed saw so I had to use a larger toothed saw for logs and such which was not easy to say the least. I transferred the media across, took out the decor and did a large water change, then sawed the filter out and put in the new eheim internal. Here it was directly after the operation on Saturday:
Very foggy.
Here it is today, looks miles better than before and cleaning is a lot easier.
Happily, despite the massive changes there has been no spikes thus far! All things toxic come back a reassuring 0.
In other news, axolotls! Because they're cute and are doing very well at the moment.
The 90 liter has been heavily trimmed down as the plant were getting ridiculous, this is the most recent shot I have of the pre rescaled tank:
It was far more overgrown than that at the time of the rescape.
In that rescape I replace the airpump, switched the driftwood, plants, rocks and moss balls around and added some cryptocoryne species.
Here is a recent picture of it;
It's a lot less busy looking now and the fish are enjoying the extra space, also the kuhli loaches come out far more now than before the rescape despite less plant matter.
And finally in my little world is the progress on my new tank, the juwel vision 180. As mention a few posts earlier I got in some bags of aquasoil, which looks really nice. I haven't set up the tank yet but I am frequently planning and working on getting decor for it.
Here is a bag of aquasoil.
Sorry for rubbish quality of some of the pictures, phone is getting old and worn out.
Charlie, with the shrimp tank, it was made in a way that it's a glass panel on a plastic frame. The plastic frame couldn't be removed without completely destroying the tank and being left with a glass pane. Attached to the frame was the annoying filter. Thankfully, it was not made all to well so it was not too difficult to simply saw it off.
I've gotten the flow under control, turns out there was a very effective switch that alters whether the flow comes out the top or the front, now most of the current is directed at the surface. Highly reccomend the eheim internal by the way, although only having it operating about a week I'm very happy so far. Breezy to set up and maintenance is simple for an internal. The flow adjuster is darned useful too.
Here it was a few weeks ago, as you can see the light is a no good yellow color and the premade filter made it difficult to scape.
The whole operation on the tank took about an hour all up, I lost my fine toothed saw so I had to use a larger toothed saw for logs and such which was not easy to say the least. I transferred the media across, took out the decor and did a large water change, then sawed the filter out and put in the new eheim internal. Here it was directly after the operation on Saturday:
Very foggy.
Here it is today, looks miles better than before and cleaning is a lot easier.
Happily, despite the massive changes there has been no spikes thus far! All things toxic come back a reassuring 0.
In other news, axolotls! Because they're cute and are doing very well at the moment.
The 90 liter has been heavily trimmed down as the plant were getting ridiculous, this is the most recent shot I have of the pre rescaled tank:
It was far more overgrown than that at the time of the rescape.
In that rescape I replace the airpump, switched the driftwood, plants, rocks and moss balls around and added some cryptocoryne species.
Here is a recent picture of it;
It's a lot less busy looking now and the fish are enjoying the extra space, also the kuhli loaches come out far more now than before the rescape despite less plant matter.
And finally in my little world is the progress on my new tank, the juwel vision 180. As mention a few posts earlier I got in some bags of aquasoil, which looks really nice. I haven't set up the tank yet but I am frequently planning and working on getting decor for it.
Here is a bag of aquasoil.
Sorry for rubbish quality of some of the pictures, phone is getting old and worn out.
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Drawn up another tank plan, now with updated substrate and rocks. I bought some cool red and white rocks, seem inert, but we'll wait and see.
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Not sure If anyone is still watching, but I've been doing some thinking about the new tank. I think I'd like to have a pleco of some kind in there as I love their reclusive, curious nature. I don't want to do bristlenoses again, I've had them several times before and want to expand my plecostomus horizons.
Does anyone know of an attractive ' stripy looking ' pleco that could live out its life happily in a 3 footer?
Does anyone know of an attractive ' stripy looking ' pleco that could live out its life happily in a 3 footer?
Am still watching 
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Some things are bubbling. 
I've found a way to silence hang on back filters. I found that with mine in my axolotl tank, the water would always trickle and make lots of noise when the water got low. I have added a mesh ' slide ' for the water to go down so there's no splashes. So long as the mesh is in the water, the operation is silent bar the pump itself.
I've also placed an order for some live plants for the new tank. I've ordered vallis, mayaca, marble queen sword, duckweed and chain sword. I think that's it, might be something else. I'll fill the tank on the plants arrival and then start the cycle.
I've unpacked the tank and its sitting in its spot. The substrate is in and looks real nice. Haven't laid down any hard scape yet and no water till the plants arrive. The package of the substrate says not to rinse it. Not too sure about that but I will follow the instructions.
Lighting works a treat and the filter is more discreet than I'd expected.
I've been looking into some of the more bizarre varieties of plecoes, nothing too big or expensive. I think I'll end up going for an unusual ancistrus variety like longfin, marble, peppermint, albino or any combination of the four. I never realized how much bristlenose variants have been ' invented ' .
I've found a way to silence hang on back filters. I found that with mine in my axolotl tank, the water would always trickle and make lots of noise when the water got low. I have added a mesh ' slide ' for the water to go down so there's no splashes. So long as the mesh is in the water, the operation is silent bar the pump itself.
I've also placed an order for some live plants for the new tank. I've ordered vallis, mayaca, marble queen sword, duckweed and chain sword. I think that's it, might be something else. I'll fill the tank on the plants arrival and then start the cycle.
I've unpacked the tank and its sitting in its spot. The substrate is in and looks real nice. Haven't laid down any hard scape yet and no water till the plants arrive. The package of the substrate says not to rinse it. Not too sure about that but I will follow the instructions.
Lighting works a treat and the filter is more discreet than I'd expected.
I've been looking into some of the more bizarre varieties of plecoes, nothing too big or expensive. I think I'll end up going for an unusual ancistrus variety like longfin, marble, peppermint, albino or any combination of the four. I never realized how much bristlenose variants have been ' invented ' .
Lace Fern - Large (Piece Plant) - Livefish.com.au
This stuff is great, I have some in my 2 foot tank its grows fast and my Betta loves it.
This stuff is great, I have some in my 2 foot tank its grows fast and my Betta loves it.
You have something like CaribSea Eco-Complete 20-Pound Planted Aquarium, Black ? Then that is correct you would wash out all the good stuff.
guppiegirlie
Fish Fanatic
Wow loved reading this thread! I can't wait to see your new set up, it sounds great
I've been sat reading this with my two year old (he's been enjoying your pics) he went mad crazy when we got to your axolotl pics!
I think we may have to look into that....
Look forward to reading more!!
PS. your Betta is a beauty
I've been sat reading this with my two year old (he's been enjoying your pics) he went mad crazy when we got to your axolotl pics!
I think we may have to look into that....
Look forward to reading more!!
PS. your Betta is a beauty
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Thanks for the reassurance nick, I do indeed have substrate similar to the Eco complete.NickAu said:
i believe I'll be ordering most of my fish from livefish.com,au in a few weeks when the cycle is done. Ill order a lace fern at the same time upon your reccomendation.
Thanks guppy, glad to hear you enjoyed it. I've certainly gained a lot from having a diary which I can look back on to see how the tanks have progressed over time.guppiegirlie said:Wow loved reading this thread! I can't wait to see your new set up, it sounds great
I've been sat reading this with my two year old (he's been enjoying your pics) he went mad crazy when we got to your axolotl pics!
I think we may have to look into that....
Look forward to reading more!!
PS. your Betta is a beauty
The plants I've ordered will be here either next week or the week after according to the shipping information on the website.
AmtotheBurr
Fish Crazy
Gorgeous set up
OP
OP
TallTree01
Coo, Man
Plants are on the way, I love the modern era. I can get a parcel from anywhere in Australia and get live updates on its progress. Amazing stuff AusPost. They are currently at Chullora NSW for processing.
I've been trying out some hard scape positions in the new tank to see which one I'll go with. I think I overbought on hard scape! The Rock and wood looks great against the substrate. I can't wait til the plants arrive and I can fill her up and get started on my cycle.
I've been trying out some hard scape positions in the new tank to see which one I'll go with. I think I overbought on hard scape! The Rock and wood looks great against the substrate. I can't wait til the plants arrive and I can fill her up and get started on my cycle.
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