Planned Fry Journal Just For Fun :)

[Ny82]

That's a really good find! It makes it all worthwhile. They only have small pieces at mine now as my landlady cleared them out of big pieces. I will need to check back, there's nothing wrong with having pieces on your windowsill, mantle, shelf...

 
I love their stuff, they have a little pink armchair with footrest, it's adorable! I love their wooden plaques too going to get my girl the "princess" one. 
Daize-he's named rusty! My girls thrilled. She's claimed him as he's in her tank lol. 

 

[Ny82]

Just observing the dynamics in the fry tank. The females seem to have turned on each other for some strange reason. I might just put them in the main tank, breeding the black babies was only for fun anyway. If I find any I could move them into the 30L the fighter cant move as fast as them so should be ok. Will get some more plants for the little tank and put the slate in.
I am both nervous and excited about overhauling this tank. Will look 10 times better once it's done it's just the initial starting it lol.

 

[Ny82]

Took the females out of the fry tank and almost immediately the fighter came out from under the filter and is swimming about happily! 
The females however are now being harassed in the main tank! The boys sure missed them!

 

[daizeUK]

Ha poor girls!  I have one female in my tank who won't mate with the alpha male and he hasn't left her side for a month now.  I'm getting some new girls in to try to take some pressure off her.
 
Here's a better shot of my new wood showing the hidey hole:
 

 

[Ny82]

Oh I like that! Perfect for fry to hide! You found a good one. My oto likes to sit in the ledge bit of one of the pieces I have, it's so cute!
I need to get another female platy. I have 2 half white/half black that's how many there were in that colour and I didn't think. I am looking for a vibrant red one to even it out. 

 

[Mamashack]

When I got there all the bigger pieces were gone if there had been any to start with. So I got 3 smaller pieces - 1 for the betta tank and 2 for the platy taznk which is twice the size. I'm going to soak them overnight - does it matter if it's hot or cold water?
I'll take pictures before and after I put them in the tanks.

 

[Ny82]

Ooooh can't wait for pics! It doesn't matter what water you soak them in. I personally don't soak them for long as I like the colour the tannins turn the water. 

 

[daizeUK]

I soak mine for ages!  I think hot water leeches the tannins faster but that might be my imagination.  I boiled my last piece of mopani in a stewpot and then found out you're not supposed to as it damaged the wood fibres.  Best bit is to pour over boiling water (I just run water from the hot tap and leave it for a couple of days then repeat).
 
Shame they had no bigger pieces - maybe try again in a week or two!

 

[Ny82]

I think I soaked mines for 4 hours for my main tank and half an hour for the baby tank lol. I remember my eyes got used to the tea colour and it's only when I was pouring the water down the toilet for water changes I saw the colour! 
Good luck mamashack can't wait for pics!

 

[Mamashack]

I already have IAL in the betta tank which makes it look a bit like weak tea! lol
I'll soak them tonight and check before going to bed tho I doubt I'll be rearranging the tanks tonight.
Have taken a picture of all 3 before soaking. They are about 7" long and a couple of inches deep.
They are looking more colourful for being in water and 2 of them are floating so I'll continue soaking til they sink like the other one.
Phone is in middle of updating so I'll post pics later if it will let me!

 

[Ny82]

They sound like decent sizes. I will go on friday as well as going to LFS for some sand. Exciting stuff!

 

[Mamashack]

Heck I just posted the pic on the wrong thread! lol
Anyhoo here it is again! They are all a simliar length altho they don't look it from the perspective on the picture.
Looks like it's going to be an overnight soak - 1 is sunken, 1 is sinking and the other is still floating! lol

 

 

[Ny82]

Lol I didn't even check if mines were sunken just dumped them in! I was too eager to get the colour lol. Can't wait to see them in your tanks ladies!

 

[daizeUK]

You might be waiting a while for mine... I already have a piece of mopani soaking for my MT, it's been in the wash basin for 3 weeks and still not done to my satisfaction yet

 

[Ny82]

You might be waiting a while for mine... I already have a piece of mopani soaking for my MT, it's been in the wash basin for 3 weeks and still not done to my satisfaction yet

3 weeks?!!! lol that's too long I just don't have the patience and had to put it in lol!