[Plump Otocinclus/Breeding]

OK! I'm learning something new today. Hope I got right now.

[Plump Otocinclus/Breeding]

 This was first thing in the morning when the lights just came on. I have never seen anything like this in my tank before so i grabbed my phone and took some video. From what I have read i think this is there breeding. Never found egg or saw fry, but wow i thought.

[Plump Otocinclus/Breeding]

https://youtu.be/u7mtr7ru9V8  OK never posted to you-tube, hope this works

 

[Plump Otocinclus/Breeding]

I woke to some crazy oto activities one morning. I think they were breeding. I took some video i wish i could share. I tried to google oto breeding and didn't find any video of them in the act. The male wraps its self around the females head. its rather crazy. here is a still shot of my plump happy female and the 2nd is what i think is otos in the act.

I could be wrong but i think that what i got on video. if there is a way to share the video id be happy too. i just don't know how.

[Planted Tank - cleaning / maintenance random thoughts=questions!]

Depending on how fine the substrate is you could try siphon with 1/4 inch airline tube or one of the meany other sizes hose out there. I do this on fry tanks to allow for max control. but may work here.

[Good plants for an 80 gallon with a fluval aquasky light]

I like the aquasky light I own two. Here is a picture of a tank with a aquasky 4' the plants do well. I agree with @MickS77 that the plants co-op sell would do great regardless of where you have to get them.

[All About Sump Filters]

The under gravel filter idea i got from Cory. I think his 800 gallon sump he did it on. Saw it one of this videos anyways.

 

[All About Sump Filters]

Almost forgot. this is the tank it runs.

[All About Sump Filters]

So here is my first ever attempt at a DIY sump. Its a 55 gallon tank with 6 baffles installed. 6 inch 3 inch 3 inch spacing on each end. i have pond filter mats filling the 3-4X 3 inch openings topped with 20 micron sponge the center of the sump has a under gravel filter with 2X-400 GPH power heads and a bubble tube. For the gravel I have Top fin clay balls and florite black. The six inch openings will house 2X heaters, a green killing machine, CO2 reactor. currently i'm using a FX4 as the pump to seed the sump. will be using a 940 GPH pump in the future.

I am thinking ill add filter socks to the intake. and have added some filter floss to one of the 3 inch openings.

I am doing this protect mostly for the added water volume, and to use the space under my tank stand. My hopes are to use the middle part of the tank to house excess plants and maybe as a fry grow out. 90% of the stuff needed for this i had on hand so why not.

Note. if needed ill will buy some bio media to replace some sponge..

[Let's see those tanks]

So a shout out to the CO-OP! I have never tried growing plants until I found a Aquarium CO-OP video that got me thinking why not. I started growing in 55 gallon at the start of Covid and just had to get a 75 gallon. And this is it! i think you will see meany plants and ideas inspired by the endless hours of watching YouTube videos.   I have never done a sump. thought id try a DIY made from what i had laying around. This is where its at, just starting to install it today.