New World 90gal Low Tech- a Pictoral Journey!! 2/23 Feeding Frenzy

[Tex Gal]

That was fun! Still have the Gold Nugget? He's a mess with the Kleiner bar!

[lauraleellbp]

Thanks, all. Yes, the GNPs are both still in there. I'm getting down to only a very few leaves left on that sword, though, so I do need to make a decision soon.

[rekles75]

Great recap, I forgot all about the GW. Tank looks great.

[cah925]

I forgot how bad your GW was, the water looks crystal clear now. Your patience was rewarded.

[Complexity]

I very much enjoyed seeing the tank's changes as time went on. What a great way to appreciate the journey the tank has taken!

I really do want to steal your idea. I'd love to see more people do this!

[lauraleellbp]

Haven't had a bit of GW other than that one time. For me, waiting it out was the way to go. My theory is whatever nutrients triggered it in the first place were all used up. Of course, I've also been very careful to always do a water change after any 'scaping work now, too LOL

I've got some more Hydrocoytle and E. 'vesuvius' to add around the driftwood and around the E. 'kleiner bar.' If I get around to planting them tomorrow I'll take some more pics.

The temps on the tank are staying lower, running 78-80F. Looks like the Rams won't be spawning with the temps this low, haven't seen a spawn in about a month now. I thought about cranking up my Hydor a little, but I decided that giving the male a "winter break" probably isn't a bad idea. So the tank has officially been "winterized"

Only other "major" change I'm considering is moving my Eheim 2217 over to this tank as I'd originally planned. The flow it's putting out on my 46gal is proving too strong for my P. weitzmani; they get all blown around the tank when they come out of their territories to feed. I'm thinking of getting another XP3 or possibly an XP3 and putting that on the 46gal instead... If I do that, I'll replace the AquaClear 110 with the 2217. We'll see.

[fishman9809]

how hot does the tank normally get during summer laura?

[lauraleellbp]

I don't think it ever got over 82F. But I did leave the lids off and ran the ceiling fan a few times. When I had PCs over this tank (VERY briefly, before I even put in the substrate) the water was up to 86F and that was still back in the spring before it really GOT hot.

[fishman9809]

oh darn, i was wondering how the xray's would hold up in really warm water at like 86, because here it gets quite warm in summer and i was wondering if the xrays could hold up what the rams can.

[lauraleellbp]

According to FishBase.com, 75-82F is ideal. I suspect that they would probably be OK for short periods. Rummies or Cardinals would take those temps best out of most of the tetras I'm familiar with, though.

[fishman9809]

well, maybe i should stick to a species tank then , cause the xrays can get caught in the Lllanos Plains (yes, still doing biotope), i'll have to do research on the cardinals tho, no idea if they come from there. the periods will not be short, my room has bad circulation, stays above 85-90 even during nights. but during day sometimes over 100, i dont know why the tank doesnt get that high though.

[lauraleellbp]

Black neons would be another to look into.

I think Cardinals are pretty wide-spread, so I'd be surprised if they aren't found there.

You need to plan to enter your biotope into next year's AGA for sure; need some more biotopes represented!

[fishman9809]

i hope it'll be ready by then.i think i may start a new thread. only thing is, im thinking they may not be found there, the admin of planetcatfish.com went there ona collecting trip and only found rams and a few dull colored fish, only grey and a few farowellas. the Llanos is a seasonal plain that has rivers that dry up in summer and fish get trapped there, rams just live there permanently. hatchets are found there, but get too big for a 60p.

[monkeyruler90]

man, ive been keeping up with your thread in TFH since the first post, it was pretty cool to see the progress. im not sure if you remember but we set up our tanks on the same weekend, i thought it was pretty funny, however your tank looks about 20292384209834 times way better than mine.

great thread, i really liked that you always kept us informed and took pics throughout the entire process. good job =)

[lauraleellbp]

Originally Posted by monkeyruler90

man, ive been keeping up with your thread in TFH since the first post, it was pretty cool to see the progress. im not sure if you remember but we set up our tanks on the same weekend, i thought it was pretty funny, however your tank looks about 20292384209834 times way better than mine.

great thread, i really liked that you always kept us informed and took pics throughout the entire process. good job =)

Yep, i do remember! Thanks for the compliment. Love to see pics of your tank, all the same!