Setting Up A 125 Gallon Malawi W/pics-going To 75 Usg Now

[kj23502]

The labs each have their own hidey spot!!! it's so funny. One hides in the blob of java moss, another under the left rock formation and the 3rd under the right rock formation. They are funny!

And then I have my surfing snail. I don't know how he/she was holding on with all those bubbles coming out!! I thought it was neat so I took a pic
I can't wait to get my other fish!!

 

[kj23502]

I decided that the labs were to terrified in the 29 gallon. They never came out, except when it was time to eat. Maybe the other two got stressed and that's why they died. I lost one more so I'm down to 2 yellow labs. The third one seems to have choked on something. It had black stuff in it's "throat". I could touch the black junk, but didn't too much as it was gross. Anyways, I pulled the labs and my snail outta my 29 and am now putting ammonia in the 29 gallon to "feed" the bacteria to keep it cycled until I get my next batch of fish in.

Here's some pics of the labs:

This last one was taken with the flash on.

They are still hiding alot right now. One occasionally comes out, but the other stays under my sponge filter in the back corner. (Because of how my giant rock is in the back right the filter sits about 2-3 inches off the bottom of the tank.)

I want to get more labs!!

 

[kj23502]

I haven't heard a darn thing about my package from drsfostersmith.com I think it got lost in the mail as I finally called and they have no record of receiving it. At least it was only $10 of stuff I was returning and no more than that

Anyways, here an updated pic of Ares. You can sort of see where he's starting to get a little red hint on the top part of his body:

I think he's getting picked on. One of his side fins are torn a little bit

And my new quarantine:

A pseudotropheus Crabro.

It's a little full right now, as my kids helped feed this morning. These were taking today prob about 30 seconds apart. Crazy how they can darken their stripes like that. Last night when I was reading TFF posts, my hubby said come quick look at this....I missed it He said it was almost all black...so weird.

I tried getting a pic of King also, but he wouldn't cooperate. He's the one in my avatar. I'm trying to get a pic of him when he has his stripes darkened.

 

[dthoffsett]

They're looking lovely kj. Don't worry, once you get some more, your labs will be a lot more active. It really is amazing how quickly the crabros can change colors, I used to stare at my girly for hours just to see here change back and forth. I can't wait until I get the new set up when I move, image 15 girlies changing at the same time.

 

[kj23502]

Well, for some reason all 3 remaining yellow labs died...don't know why. Except for one..had black stuff in it's mouth. Like it choked on something...really wierd

Well, since my package was lost, I went on their website and ordered the intakes. Hope to go rock hunting soon too! I just need bigger rocks. Especially since it's a tall tank, instead of the regular 125 gallon. It's 26 inches tall or (66 cm). After it's re-aquascaped, I'll start ordering some more fish

I did get some extra money from my paycheck ($1,000 usd) and was debating turn this tank into a saltwater reef tank. I've decided that with all the planning and effort into this tank already(and all the beautiful cichlids that are available in the hobby).....I'll eventually just buy another tank for that That'll be 3 tanks that I'd have. I told my hubby I'd be happy w/3 tanks and he said "No, you won't." He knows me too well
So first thing is first, I want to finish and perfect what I started, but I'll continue planning my sw on the side

 

[dthoffsett]

Well, for some reason all 3 remaining yellow labs died...don't know why. Except for one..had black stuff in it's mouth. Like it choked on something...really wierd

Well, since my package was lost, I went on their website and ordered the intakes. Hope to go rock hunting soon too! I just need bigger rocks. Especially since it's a tall tank, instead of the regular 125 gallon. It's 26 inches tall or (66 cm). After it's re-aquascaped, I'll start ordering some more fish

I did get some extra money from my paycheck ($1,000 usd) and was debating turn this tank into a saltwater reef tank. I've decided that with all the planning and effort into this tank already(and all the beautiful cichlids that are available in the hobby).....I'll eventually just buy another tank for that That'll be 3 tanks that I'd have. I told my hubby I'd be happy w/3 tanks and he said "No, you won't." He knows me too well
So first thing is first, I want to finish and perfect what I started, but I'll continue planning my sw on the side

I've had the same problem in this hobby, I always seem to convince myself not to get rid of what I already have,but instead get another tank. Thus full blown multiple tank syndrome is born. Looking forward to the progress of your tank(s). Sorry to hear about the labs, sometimes you just get bad stock.

 

[kj23502]

The labs just never really seemed comfortable either. As you saw in the pics above, the 3 remaining were always hiding in the QT tank(except for feeding time) and the same goes for when I put them in the big tank too

But, I'll keep trying!!! I'll probably mail order my next ones, as my lfs doesn't seem to want to do custom orders. They take your name and put it on a list, but tell you to come in every Thursday to check the inventory(fish come in on Thursday). They told me that they haven't seen albino bristlenose in a little while and I belive them on that one.
The one I DON'T believe them on are they haven't seen metriaclima estherea in a while....come on, it's supposed to be one of the more popular species.... or so I thought

Anyways, I can actually buy direct from some breeders on the net, so they won't be shipped multiple times. They'll only be shipped overnight to me LFS fish can get shipped quite a few times before it actually gets to them and then they make the trip home w/whoever buys them. No wonder so many don't survive it

On a happy note:
I recieved my clear intakes today!! and I bought an algea scrub thing with a longer handle (since I have a VERY tall tank). I'll start cleaning the back of my tank too. I don't like the look of all the algea. It is cool in a way b/c I see exactly where the fish have been picking at it. There are little bare patches here and there.


One more thing:
I got a 10 gallon tank from my bro in law. If my estherea, that I'll eventually get, start breeding I'll try and raise the fry. Surely my lfs would like to buy colorful red cichlids as they should be popular. The only popular ones that have their own tank in the store are ps. demasoni and the yellow labs. They can add an estherea All the rest are mixed together

 

[kj23502]

p.s. the Crabro is still doing great. Before I even put him/her (not sure what it is yet) in the tank I vacumed all the gravel to give the tank a thorough cleaning. It's dug a giant pit under the rock formation. its' the same rock formation as the first pic in the post at the top of this page (#181). It can get it's whole body tucked under there I always check several times per day b/c I'm afraid of the little gravel pebbles shifting and it getting pinned underneath. That would make me really sad

 

[dthoffsett]

p.s. the Crabro is still doing great. Before I even put him/her (not sure what it is yet) in the tank I vacumed all the gravel to give the tank a thorough cleaning. It's dug a giant pit under the rock formation. its' the same rock formation as the first pic in the post at the top of this page (#181). It can get it's whole body tucked under there I always check several times per day b/c I'm afraid of the little gravel pebbles shifting and it getting pinned underneath. That would make me really sad

I wouldn't worry about him/her getting blocked in, s/he would just dig his/her way out. (Sentences will make a lot more sense one it's finally sexed )

P.estherae are popular here, however, Petco here has started selling lab/zebra crosses. The mixed tanks are bad enough without selling known hybrids. I finally just stopped buying livestock from there all together.

 

[kj23502]

I'm sooo mad... ticked beyond belief right now

I went to do a wc, and my kids BROKE my python thing I'm NOT a happy camper. They broke the part that attaches to the sink....so I can drain it ok.

I just have to fill it w/buckets by hand

 

[kj23502]

Got done refilling it by hand

Did 40 gallons using a Culligan Man 3 gallon plastic jug. I did so much b/c it's been maybe 2 weeks since I did a change. Keep in mind that my tank is very lightly stocked atm and they are still juvies, so there's not as much waste as there would be if it was fully stocked adults. That's why I let it go a couple weeks between changes.

ok-kids are sleeping and I'm going to go take a nap now

 

[dthoffsett]

Oh man, I'd be angry too. Nothing is worse than having to fill a large tank with buckets. At least you can get a new attachment and the python isn't complete ruined.

 

[kj23502]

Oh man, I'd be angry too. Nothing is worse than having to fill a large tank with buckets. At least you can get a new attachment and the python isn't complete ruined.

Yea, that parts ok I guess. I never use the sink attachement for draining anyway. I run the end out into the yard and give the grass a drink

Well, I've decided that I'm buying another tank...omg someone stop me!!! A little mts going on here. And I'll be moving my cichlids to a 75 gallon tank and using the 125 as a saltwater/marine tank.
I have to have a dory(aka hippo tang, regal tank) and they can get up to 12" or so. That's why I made that decision. I'll still try to get better rock and a few more fish for my African tank, plus I'll be moving both my running filters over to the new tank so I won't have to deal with cycle again.

Now the only thing is.....FINDING A TANK. I'm watching for 2nd hand ones, as they are a lot cheaper. My big tank is second hand also. So it may be awhile yet, but I'll be watching

 

[aaronnorth]

http/ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=1678

 

[kj23502]

aaronnorth, why did you link the uk planted aquarium society?