xXInkedPhoenixX

I wasn't technically in the UK but close enough and yes it was a good time, and thanks, he's a good boy.

HA! Thanks I'll probably need that.

@TheSwissAquarist, you would think that and yes the glass is rather clean, however, due to the high volume of bottom feeders (Otos, 1x Pleco, 1x Mystery Snail and 7 Julli Cory) this is the dirtiest tank I have- wiith food debris and wood debris all over the gravel and landing on the plants. This is temporary however, once the 200 gallon tank is set up they will all live there.

Been busy, then briefly out of country as well. Don't tell my fish friends I tried authentic fish & chips for the first time and I really enjoyed it (I don't typically eat fish, don't really like it). Fish tanks did ok with only one feeding in 9 days from a relative stopping by. Sadly I lost 4 White Guppies in the Medieval tank and not even sure why (never found any bodies/evidence either)- everything is good in there and the shrimp seem to be doing very well (I've counted at least 20 from orginal 5). Since I've been home I lost another one to a tank jump so down to only 3 White Guppies. Anyway, as I said otherwise everyone else well. In the Accidental Tank since Serket was gone and I was down to 2 lone Endlers (and the Hillstreams that hide) I got 8 mixed male Endlers from a local fish keeper/breeder. So that tank has been much more lively with 10 active inhabitants. No pics of them right now since it was kind of a last minute addition prior to my leaving. They all did well though when I was gone. My centerpiece fish, Invictus (the rescue Betta), Punk and Industry all doing very well. I think Punk was a bit mad at me for the absence. He turned his fins on me: I will leave you with Industry in the Angry Man tank, she's starting to hold her own with Punk or they're just getting along a bit better- though he still chases her off it seems she has a bit more bravery. She isn't so quick to swim away from my presence or finger to the glass either as she has been doing. She even posed for this picture. I think she's getting lessons in spunk from Punk....

I mean....c'mon with all their cute bellies. (Otos in background too, lots and lots)

We thought about that too but we both love Punk and Industry so much we are thinking we would love to know that's him and that's her. If we had more we wouldn't be able to tell who is who. 😞 If they were more like Betta fish with more individual looks we'd probably do it. We'll see, it could change

Yes of course potenially water can, however you should make the mat or have a mat that is wide enough that normal water changes would not effect the wood underneath. You could put the furniture movers under each of the feet to move the aquarium when there's a water issue or put it on a rolling stand, however it should be a small tank with stops so that kids can't move the stand intentionally or accidentally. This would be much harder to do though.

Get yourself a mat of some kind. Then put the stand on it (and I'd go with a footed stand you can see under so water can be checked for). The mat could be for a kitchen, desk chair, or a cut to fit piece of linoleum or even some fake wood flooring to match or contrast with what you have cut to a mat size.

I'm often bummed that my current work schedule doesn't allow me the time to see my fish in their lights in the morning before I leave. Yes I could change their schedule but I just prefer not to. I still turn on the kitchen lights where all but one of my tanks is so I can feed them. Typically I turn on some small lights first and while I get ready for work let them get used to it. By the time I turn on the main lights they seem ready for their food. It's hard to get pics because of the lights being off. But here is Invictus, the last of my rescue Betta (don't worry Zaggi, aka Purple is still kicking at my Mum's but I'm not counting her since she's no longer at my house). Invictus is one of my joys. Recently there was an invasion of Ramshorn snails (I didn't RR some new plants from another fish keeper, but I'm ok with it) and I've caught him flaring at them pretty frequently. He feeds in the morning in the Dragon tank from a blue feeder ring. His color is dull due to the lights: Then we have Punk, who continues to reject his offered girlfriend Industry but she seems unfazed by this. I often see her in the middle of the tank just above the plants but because she is so small she is SO hard to find. Neither seem too stressed. I'm really looking forward to putting them in my future 200 gallon tank and seeing if that helps their relationship. I am hoping it does! If not at least they'll have SO much more space to themselves. Anyway, here's Punk, hunting flake this morning:

I did a dry start and got mold on my wood too (white mostly) and I spot treated with Hydrogen Peroxide (because I wasn't going to move the wood once placed. Poof! Gone!

I know Repashy is expensive so I understand your hesitation. I feed the stuff too.

Sounds like a decent compromise. Keep us updated!

I'd scrap it personally. Way better safe than sorry. Cooked veggies we would eat left out overnight could easily grow bacteria.

Very glad your HOB fail didn't cause yet another disaster with your fish stock! You've had more than your fair share of those! I'm glad to see Fish Wife is participating, that makes our hobby more fun. :-)

Plant experts? @Seattle_Aquarist? @Mmiller2001?

Hi, sorry for the trouble, any time you change something in a tank this can happen, it takes time for tanks to adjust. I think just per the pictures you have you might actually have blue-green algae which is actually bacteria and not algae. It's not hard to get rid of. Here is an article: https://www.aquariumcoop.com/blogs/aquarium/blue-green-algae And welcome to the forum.

Personally I'd only be concerned about the shrimp since they're so finicky IF I was concerned at all. I think the fish would be absolutely fine and it would be a bit cleaner for them if you rinsed the substrate. What you've pulled otherwise that you won't be rinsing (filter, plants) will have the bacteria you need. I just wonder if resetting it that much would mess with the shrimp.

@dasaltemelosguy and @Odd Duck thanks for your kind words about my aethetics. Intrepid Partner also likes a little quirk with the tanks so I'm hoping to find some things to place that will be a bit of a surprise here and there. I also want to get at least a couple undergravel caves for fish to get away from the hubbub or accidental breeding purposes, I especially like this cave: At least so far I think I'll be building up around the end of the tank and coming down ending in it's own scape peninsula as we both like that idea a lot. We'll see though, it's all organic and changes as I go usually- but some ideas stick- if I end up with a theme in my head I will stop at nothing to achieve it.

Yes, typically when people think PVC for whatever reason they think not durable- not really sure why that came about since I've never been able to break a piece of it. Intrepid Partner was not surpirsed about your set up either when I excitedly told him about it. This is the stuff, afterall, that we put underground to carry water to and fro and it doesn't fail very often and if it does, it's probably at least partially human error (like when you accidently miscalculated their placement, this happens!). I am though- relieved that you were able to remedy that without having to disassemble the entire set up!

I really appreciate that! I might! They are sending their own sump tubs/pumps with this tank. In fact they sent him a youtube video where they converted another brand's tank to their system so he could see how it is set up. Looks simple enough. This will be the first sump I've ever done but I understand the principal behind it- basically like running water through an HOB or something like a Fluval Flex with all it's sponge and media just on a much larger scale. I just hope we set it up correctly the first time! I absolutely don't disagree with this, however, I usually sit sideways on this couch so I will still have a view. He, however will likely see the mistake eventually. The other side of the tank is going to be a sitting area that isn't quite mapped out yet. So hopefully we'll figure out a nice way to make it so you can just sit and stare at it. I'm thinking a small table and 2 chairs in the middle of the rug facing that direction. Morning coffee spot. Ha! Good idea, I mean it is thoughts about a water environment..... I will do this.

Aco stuff good excuse to buy a new tank when they go on sale.

It's hard to get rid of, especially if you have wood. Siphon what you can then do these two other things: Use a turkey baster or coral feeder to fine tune any areas of mulm build up. When filling your tank get some sort of baffle so the mulm doesn't get disturbed. On my small tanks I just use my hand.

@Eric G you absolutely can do that, many people "hot rod" their filter systems (no matter what they are using), tuning it to their needs. The Fluval pads from what I can see are like the ACO water polishing filter pad. What the finer filters do is take out all the small particles that get past coarse filter sponge. Finer sponge does tend to clog a lot faster than coarse. Depending on what you are keeping/how often you clean/what kind of debris your tank might have changing out types of filter media can really help. I never hurts to try. P.S. Coarse pads last a whole lot longer and are easier to clean than fine pads- so if you can make the swap I recommend it.

OK! Got a chance to talk to Intrepid Partner about the SPECIFICS of the tank he decided to order from Custom Aquariums. Thanks @Cory for pointing us this direction- at first we thought- geez that's a weird/obvious name for a custom aquarium company but looked into as well as many other companies (glass, acrylic) during this process, and they have been nothing but helpful and professional according to Intrepid Partner. They were aware what this build would be from the beginning (gigantic nano fish tank) and have been helpful with recommendations and build ideas. Information I have so far is as follows: Should arrive around the first part of December. Tank will be 7ft long x 22 wide (narrower for the space) x 24 tall this will equal 196 gallons....this is 2ft shorter than we had discussed before which is perfectly OK for me, that's 2ft less I have to scape! The other 2 dimensions are as we had discussed before. It will be low iron Starfire glass. The tank will be a framed version- he decided not to do the seamless/mitered glass look because well, we live in earthquake country and the frame will help keep it all together. They are painting the end that will be facing the wall and drilled for plumbing (sump), they are also leaving the bottom of the tank "rough" which is fine since we are using substrate. It will come with 2x MP40 wavemakers to help circulate the water since it's peninsula style- they are adjustable and since operate magnetically- easy to move - hopefully we aren't going to be blowing away the fish! He also got 2 corner sump pumps. Tank will come with its own lights and a lid. He also got the heater. They like to try and sell you substrate but Intrepid Partner passed on this and told them we would find our own. He was given max dimensions so he says he'll be ordering metal to start the cabinet. I can't wait to see what he comes up with. Admiration of Intrepid Partner's skills is a great understatement, he is not only an amazing car builder he's super crafty and artistic. Whatever it is - it will be awesome. He designed and made me this birdhouse for Christmas to give you an idea of the skill level: I'll be starting work on fish species and parameter requirements. Similar to @dasaltemelosguy and his massive tanks- considering all needs and trying to find a happy medium. Thankfully it shouldn't be too tricky for me- most of my dream fish are similar in needs just never had enough space to get them. Now it looks like I will!

Wow! What amazing tanks! I would have to echo @Shadow about the pvc but knowing you from here I HIGHLY doubt you didn't engineer it out prior to this even being set up. I admire your skill my friend. They are absolutely stunning. That along with trying to make sure everyone is as optimal as they can be is definitely science and magic all at once.