Atitagain Fish Room

[Atitagain]

Set up siesta light cycles on all planted tanks today, 4:30-9:30am then 4:30-9:30pm on the 29G darkwater tank. On 7 other tanks I have it set at 4:30-8:30am then 5:30-9:30pm. Initial was just wanting to set this up for 2 a day feedings. So I could feed around 5:30 both am and pm. But as I looked into more found out this could help with algae control and plant growth. Not really sure I understand how yet but researching it and trying to comprehend. 
In the 75G Oscar tank I clipped the pogostemon stellatus octopus that I have floating back against the back wall. Testing it out for nitrate control. Oscar seems to be leaving it alone so far. May need to add easy green to feed could be a difficult balance with so little plants in a big tank. It has some algae growth I will have to deal with but shouldn’t be a problem if things go well.

In the rummy/ cardinal tank I did a fairly through plant trimming. Will be doing this to atleast 1tank every day this week. Need to start algae clean up in a few tanks as well.

water tested all tanks today. Everything is right on par. Lowering temps in the 55G with the bristlenose 1st batch fry. Gonna be adding 2nd and 3rd batch fry as soon as temps match. Should be good tomorrow night. The 125G African cichlid tank that I was having nitrate troubles with are now to low. I added a arrowhead plant, pothos plant, some water sprite, and some duckweed have done the job it was down below 10ppm. I’m thinking I’ll need to remove the water sprite and duckweed because I do not want to fertilize this big of a tank. Just want fish waste to feed plants. 
need to get some calcium in the snail tank if I want to breed the mystery snails.

[Guppysnail]

Can’t wait to hear how the split light period does for you I am loving it. I know you just put in pothos and arrowhead.  I have been flipping my lights and use a sponge to prop angle so during down time the light shines on my pothos. They are taking off like crazy and crushing nitrates 

[Atitagain]

On 9/27/2021 at 5:21 AM, Guppysnail said:

Can’t wait to hear how the split light period does for you I am loving it. I know you just put in pothos and arrowhead.  I have been flipping my lights and use a sponge to prop angle so during down time the light shines on my pothos. They are taking off like crazy and crushing nitrates 

That’s a great idea. They don’t get much direct light now and would most certainly help them get established.

[Torrey]

On 9/26/2021 at 9:13 PM, Atitagain said:

May need to add easy green to feed could be a difficult balance with so little plants in a big tank.

I actually spot feed in some of my larger tanks. I mix my liquid fert with water (diluted so I don't accidentally cause a problem) and pour around the specific plant that is floating and needs food.

I discovered turning off water flow, and spot application of ferts works as well at preventing algae as turning off water and spot application of H2O2 is at killing algae.

Just takes a while to pinpoint exactly how much ferts to use.... and then the plant grows and it changes😅🤣

[Atitagain]

On 9/27/2021 at 5:12 PM, Torrey said:

I actually spot feed in some of my larger tanks. I mix my liquid fert with water (diluted so I don't accidentally cause a problem) and pour around the specific plant that is floating and needs food.

I discovered turning off water flow, and spot application of ferts works as well at preventing algae as turning off water and spot application of H2O2 is at killing algae.

Just takes a while to pinpoint exactly how much ferts to use.... and then the plant grows and it changes😅🤣

I was wondering if you could do that. I will start with 2 squirts in a spray bottle mixed with tank water. Shut flow down 10 min after soaking area of plant daily. See how that goes. Does that sound about right?

[Torrey]

On 9/27/2021 at 3:41 PM, Atitagain said:

I was wondering if you could do that. I will start with 2 squirts in a spray bottle mixed with tank water. Shut flow down 10 min after soaking area of plant daily. See how that goes. Does that sound about right?

That will probably work if you are doing a water change and plants are exposed.

My method (because I have 13 tanks running right now) is mix up one cap of liquid ferts (which treats 60 gallons) into 1 gallon of treated water.

I will either pour an ounce of the fert water directly onto a plant, or use a medicine syringe to apply directly to plants in my pico tanks (1 - 2 gallons).

I have learned to apply ferts just before the lights come on, for most effective use by plants.

Ever since I switched, I have seen better growth and healthier plants.

That being said, my grandboos dumped a full cap of AC Easy Green into my lighter planted 10 gallon tank (ie: 6x dose) and all livestock survived. (I did get a little bit of algae, though).

[Atitagain]

@Torreyyou have given me such amazing help with these plants. Thank you so much for taking time out of your day to do that. I want you to know I will be using these methods and putting your advice to work (I know each tank is different and I will need to find my own formula) and this is much appreciated.  

[Atitagain]

Nothing but 2 feedings today, life gets in the way sometimes LOL. But officially found name for my fishroom, “My Aquatic Vivariums” started a new journal page to highlight all tanks individually. Then this will be overview and special projects. 
Been thinking about all the bristlenose fry, if I add the 2nd and 3rd batch to the 55G with the 1st batch, then I will be putting all my eggs into one basket. If something were to happen I could lose all of them. I’ll need to figure something out.

[Guppysnail]

I felt the same. I’m dispersing a few to each tank so they have more biofilm to eat and just in case…..

[Atitagain]

On 9/27/2021 at 10:16 PM, Guppysnail said:

I felt the same. I’m dispersing a few to each tank so they have more biofilm to eat and just in case…..

Yea I’ll be selling or taking to LFS most of them then spreading some out in other tanks I can use them. So I need to be careful I think I’m gonna have to set the other 55G back up, and maybe both of the 10s and I guess while I’m at might as well get the 3G going again. 😬🙄😵‍💫 

lol just lol

[Guppysnail]

On 9/27/2021 at 10:31 PM, Atitagain said:

Yea I’ll be selling or taking to LFS most of them then spreading some out in other tanks I can use them. So I need to be careful I think I’m gonna have to set the other 55G back up, and maybe both of the 10s and I guess while I’m at might as well get the 3G going again. 😬🙄😵‍💫 

lol just lol

🤣🤣🤣😳😳😳😳😳😳😳

[Brandon p]

Go back to high school math and it should be easy🤣🤣🤣

[Torrey]

On 9/27/2021 at 8:31 PM, Atitagain said:

Yea I’ll be selling or taking to LFS most of them then spreading some out in other tanks I can use them. So I need to be careful I think I’m gonna have to set the other 55G back up, and maybe both of the 10s and I guess while I’m at might as well get the 3G going again. 😬🙄😵‍💫 

lol just lol

I need a reminder:

 

Were we supposed to be helping you downsize?

Or were we supposed to be helping you fit more tanks in less space, and streamlining maintenance so you had a relaxing hobby for self-care due to IRL taking on a life of its own 🤔

 

Contrary to popular belief, these things do not have to be mutually exclusive. 

 

😅🤣😳

[Atitagain]

On 9/28/2021 at 1:21 AM, Torrey said:

I need a reminder:

 

Were we supposed to be helping you downsize?

Or were we supposed to be helping you fit more tanks in less space, and streamlining maintenance so you had a relaxing hobby for self-care due to IRL taking on a life of its own 🤔

 

Contrary to popular belief, these things do not have to be mutually exclusive. 

 

😅🤣😳

Yes or yes lol. The downsizing isn’t really that important as long as I cut cost and streamline maintenance. And being the important word in that sentence. 
I’m hoping the bristlenose will be something I can trade for plants or substrate. Stuff that will help my tanks become more self sub-stained.  

[Torrey]

On 9/28/2021 at 3:15 AM, Atitagain said:

The downsizing isn’t really that important as long as I cut cost and streamline maintenance

Now that I can help with!

I had to go on disability in 2004. Free/low cost are the only ways I get to continue this hobby.

I save up to place my order with the Co-op, and then wait until everything I need is in to actually order.

Worth every penny. 

And due to my health, tanks need to be as close to self-sustaining as possible. I never know when I might end up in the hospital again. 

[Atitagain]

Another day of minimal work done in My Aquatic Vivarium, getting behind on a lot of projects I need to get moving on. Trying to make my best efforts to do well with the plants, they will be instrumental in cutting maintenance time down. Although will add time to maintain the plants. Lol 

TO DO LIST -remove sponge filter from 29G -add catappa leaves 29G -tea bag 29G -set 20G up for plant grow out -general clean 20G snail tank -set up 2 10Gs for bristlenose grow outs maybe do bare bottom 55G instead -finish planting 20G S/P tank 

[Atitagain]

Tested all tanks today with no surprises AC 125G tank nitrates going back up a lil bit which I think is a good thing gotta have something to feed them plants. 
29G rummy breeding tank running good. Was a little worried on Tuesday I only saw 5 of the 6 rummynose during feeding and observing time I spent on it. But last night saw all 6 schooling and bright red noses. They all still being a lil skittish even at feedings, might have to start troubleshooting that if it don’t improve next couple days. 
will have a big update tomorrow night have a lot to do in My Aquatic Vivariums. 

[Torrey]

On 9/30/2021 at 9:00 PM, Atitagain said:

Tested all tanks today with no surprises AC 125G tank nitrates going back up a lil bit which I think is a good thing gotta have something to feed them plants. 
29G rummy breeding tank running good. Was a little worried on Tuesday I only saw 5 of the 6 rummynose during feeding and observing time I spent on it. But last night saw all 6 schooling and bright red noses. They all still being a lil skittish even at feedings, might have to start troubleshooting that if it don’t improve next couple days. 
will have a big update tomorrow night have a lot to do in My Aquatic Vivariums. 

"Will have a big update"

**waits impatiently**

[Atitagain]

A lot done today finally got a few hours to put in work! Broke down and reset a 20G to be a plant grow out. Had to remove cichlid sand substrate which was very cloudy and will probably take another couple wipe downs to remove enough to start plants in there. There was a pair of guppies living in this tank along with 2 of their babies. During the substrate removal and 95% water change she dropped 5 more babies. All survived, I hope they make it through the night and I will either catch them and rehome or give them some hides/ fake plants.

Set up 2 10G tanks, had to be throughly cleaned as well as the equipment being used. So took longer than expected. 1st one is going to be a quarantine tank only. Left bear bottom, HOB, seeded with a sponge filter. 2nd will be for fish grow out. Has my 2nd and 3rd batch of bristlenose fry in it, minimum 50 but I think closer to 65 (too small to count in time I had). Had seasoned gravel, couple rocks, some wood, and a sponge filter that has been running in the 29G. So it’s cycled to and ready. 
 

 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@Atitagaini really like my 10 g plant grow out. Lots of light, snails and shrimp to keep the algae in check and I fertilize the heck out of it. The younger the guppies the better they adapt to conditions so I’m hopeful it’ll all go well! 

[Atitagain]

@Beardedbillygoat1975thanks i didn’t think to add snails and shrimp for algae control 👍

ive been waiting to ask (and I hope you don’t say I don’t even know who that is) is your name beardedbillygoat a bestieboys reference? There’s a line in one of there songs it either says “my man MCA is bearded like a billy goat” or it says “ my man MCA has a beard like a billy goat” “and the music goes woot whoop!” Lol I’m probably way off but that’s what I think of every time I see your name. FYI bestieboys one of my favorites

[Atitagain]

Got the plant grow out tank running with plants today. I found an anubias at box store split it up and took a root section from one I already had. Hung them on sticks with suction cups.

Then mounted some anacharis and wisteria on back 

I had a failed experiment with portable planter  because the bacopa caroliniana I planted was not rooted well enough and the corys and bristlenose in the tank up rooted most of it. So I replanted what I could and collected a few more plants and gonna grow out here.

[Torrey]

On 10/2/2021 at 1:28 PM, Atitagain said:

Got the plant grow out tank running with plants today. I found an anubias at box store split it up and took a root section from one I already had. Hung them on sticks with suction cups.

Then mounted some anacharis and wisteria on back 

I had a failed experiment with portable planter  because the bacopa caroliniana I planted was not rooted well enough and the corys and bristlenose in the tank up rooted most of it. So I replanted what I could and collected a few more plants and gonna grow out here.

1. You just gave me a new idea for plant propagation that might use up my accidental over order of bamboo chopsticks and skewers😅

 

2. Yes, strong root systems are necessary before putting the movable planters into tanks. With my turtle, the planter itself is 3" deep. The soil and cap are 1.5" and I have a few leaves under the plastic canvas. Fish (like goldfish, cichlids, etc) may destroy everything above the canvas, but I am guaranteed what's below the canvas will grow back. 

 

It's helpful. 

 

And of course, to offset the aggressive attacks on the plants, those tanks are higher in nitrates. Occasionally I can achieve a balance, where plant growth is on par with destruction. 

 

It never lasts more than a few weeks to a month, however 🤷‍♂️

Karma (the turtle) just ate the past month's growth of frogbit, overnight. 🙄

[Atitagain]

On 10/2/2021 at 4:33 PM, Torrey said:

Yes, strong root systems are necessary before putting the movable planters into tanks.

Besides putting them into soil to help growth rate, this was a big reason for these. Should of thought that out better…the old live and learn method in full effect.

[Torrey]

On 10/2/2021 at 3:12 PM, Atitagain said:

Besides putting them into soil to help growth rate, this was a big reason for these. Should of thought that out better…the old live and learn method in full effect.

At least you learned the first time 🤣

I am embarrassed to say how many plants were turtle food before I figured out this system. 😅