Atitagain Fish Room

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@Atitagainyep huge Beasties fan. Not many peeps know that line. 
In my plant propagation tank I try to make sure there’s a little current to keep from having build up on the leaves and circulate the ferts - hang on the back helps. 
I’ve had a fair amount of success with putting anubias and Java fern in the ridges of my sponge filter. Looks like a great start. 

[Guppysnail]

I love the use of the stick to attach multiples.  If that is anubias I see watch the tops of the leaves they don’t care to have the flat surface to direct with light. I tilt mine or put in the front so the light is indirect. Lowering in the tank will help if you see the leaves are not appreciating the extra light. GREAT JOB!

[Odd Duck]

On 10/2/2021 at 2:28 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.

Very interesting and thinking outside the box!  I like it!

[Atitagain]

On 10/2/2021 at 8:57 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

In my plant propagation tank I try to make sure there’s a little current to keep from having build up on the leaves and circulate the ferts - hang on the back helps

Thanks so much for the input much appreciated, I will definitely do this I have a small HOB in storage I’ll hook it in the AM.

On 10/2/2021 at 8:57 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

I’ve had a fair amount of success with putting anubias and Java fern in the ridges of my sponge filte

Interesting, do you have a pic? I’m envisioning the some roots tucked in where the top meets the sponge or some roots just tucked into the sponge?

On 10/2/2021 at 9:15 PM, Guppysnail said:

I love the use of the stick to attach multiples.  If that is anubias I see watch the tops of the leaves they don’t care to have the flat surface to direct with light. I tilt mine or put in the front so the light is indirect. Lowering in the tank will help if you see the leaves are not appreciating the extra light. GREAT JOB!

Thank you, I did not know this, I will lower/ rearrange in the AM. I’ll probably need to move some in my 29G as well.

On 10/2/2021 at 9:40 PM, Odd Duck said:

Very interesting and thinking outside the box!  I like it!

Thank ya, I tried to do this with some stem plants didn’t work out so well but works good with anubias. 

[Atitagain]

In reality I don’t need to downsize just need to cut my budget. In the last couple weeks been planning, rearranging stock, breaking down tanks (5), and implementing cost saving strategies. Im happy with it, I'm all good, no worries, this is gonna be fine, it’s about quality not quantity, …there’s a knock at my fishroom door, who could it be? I answer like Mister Robinson from SNL.

”It’s me MTS!” The 29G really never got broke down. I almost immediately set back up a 55G for my bristlenose fry grow out. Got an idea to have a plant QT to propagate my own plants to save money, so converted my 20G QT into a plant QT. So then obviously I needed a QT so I needed to set back up a 10G. My 2nd and 3rd batch of bristlenose fry needed somewhere to go, another 10G back in the mix. If your keeping count (and my wife is 🥴) I’ve set back up 4 of the 5 tanks I’ve “downsized”. Wife… not happy at all😬😖🤔 I explained to her I have MTS, I need help it’s uncontrollable, a force that can’t be contained, I even showed her the thread

 

 

Now she understands and I can set the other 55G back up and order is restored!!!

[Torrey]

On 10/2/2021 at 9:53 PM, Atitagain said:

Now she understands and I can set the other 55G back up and order is restored!!!

Yay!!!!!!!

Behind every great MTS aficionado, is a loving and supportive spouse.

Or, in my case, two divorces and now a loving and supportive spouse😅

[I solemnly swear that MTS had nothing to do with the first divorce, and technically nothing to do with the second divorce... except that when my fave custom build got broken in a fit of anger, I realized that our kids weren't any safer than the fish, so...]

[Atitagain]

Got me thinking about my 55G that is empty and I want to do a planted tank. Jungle concept, I will need to do this as cheap as possible and here is a way I can go from 4 Amazon swords to 8? This tank will be a long term plan because I want to do this aquascaping with a lot of plants that I don’t have and it’s gonna be expensive. So it will be bought pieces at a time. Will have to come up with a goal to be done but it’s gonna be in the year range maybe even longer. But I got started tonight with my first plants for it.

I was a little nervous but I knew @Guppysnailhad my back, @Torrey and everyone else here would/ will be able to help me get back straight if anything goes wrong with (to me) such a risky move. I mentioned those two by name because of all the extra time they have given to me to help get me comfortable enough to try this.

I pulled 4 swords from my tanks, one of them had a runner I couldn’t see behind som Val bonus! And went to work.

 Could be an expensive mistake. But I’ll never know if I don’t try.

[Torrey]

On 10/2/2021 at 10:13 PM, Atitagain said:

Could be an expensive mistake. But I’ll never know if I don’t try.

You'll never know unless you try, AND it doesn't have to be super expensive. 

1. Find the closest local club, and see who has plants you want and ask if they sell or trade

2. Buy on sale, or save up for the free shipping sized purchases, so not a penny is wasted

3. Propagate, propagate, propagate

[Guppysnail]

Looks like you did a great job with those swords. I love the upside down bucket very creative. I’m excited for you. Experimentation keeps it fun. Most of my plant different ideas came because I didn’t have the internet telling me you must do this or this plant will not do well.  I would just buy a plant say I want you here and figured out a way to get it there. Or I really want two of you but can only afford one..let’s cut a piece off and see it it will grow. It’s very rewarding to do things your own way. I’m glad you are very excited about plants. The new methods I’m learning on here I’m more excited than I’ve ever been about them. Looking forward to seeing your lush 55 jungle. 

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

I can usually induce my swords to spawn off new plants with a bunch of root tabs and a big trim. Hope this works @Atitagain! Can’t wait to see your jungle scape 55!

[Atitagain]

Been a couple days since I’ve updated, not much been going on tho. Feedings, tending to plant grow out (swords starting to melt back), put a pair of platy in QT trying to breed, and been working another idea for the mobile planter. The last idea where I used suction cups and framing to keep it suspended works fine. Wanted to make adjustments easier.

I have a heavy duty suction cup and attached a arm with a split in the middle that I could hang a plant sling through. I make adjustments by a zip tie on the main lines and when I’m ready to move down I can cut zip tie and install another where desired. Idea is to keep plant as close to light as possible to get faster growth. I didn’t take a lot of pics because I was worried this wouldn’t work. And it will need a redesign to use long term but I like this for a start. 
Weight testing-

Then I figured out where I wanted to start at and installed first adjustment zip tie. And you’ll notice in next couple pics I designed so it can be rotated every couple days to evenly spread light.

I started with PSO because it’s such a fast grower and does well in my water. Im using eco-complete planted substrate. 

[Guppysnail]

This is fantastic.  I may have to borrow this idea a few times 😁

[Georgiapeach88]

On 8/18/2021 at 7:13 PM, Atitagain said:

I’ve been keeping fish off and on nearly 30 years (hence the name Atitagain) never had more than 2 tanks until now.  Now that I’ve done some actual research and learned some important facts about aquariums, like what the nitrogen cycle is and that I need to do more maintenance than topping off the water when it gets low. I finally figured out why I couldn’t keep fish alive except Oscars that always seemed to get to big for the 29 and 55G tanks I would keep them in.

After about a five year gap between tanks my wife bought me a 60G tank for Christmas in 2019. I had been watching a lot of YouTube videos about fish keeping for around 3 months before x-mas and she thought it would be a good idea to hook me up.Little did she know what it would start. African cichlids was what I always was interested in and after mixing mbuna and peacocks I soon talked her into another tank. Another 60G to flank each side of ourTV. Got interested in breeding ACs and it was almost like a tidal wave: 4-20G, 2-10G, 2-55G, a 75G then someone gave me a 29G. I was so hooked, had tanks all over the house and wanted more. Finally got a Linear Piston Air Pump and took over the living room.

We moved to a new house about 3 months ago and I got a fish room 😃and a 125G. Never thought I’d be able to accomplish anything close to this. The joy and amazement I feel is overwhelming sometimes. This hobby has brought so much peace to my life. 

Goals. With that tank tv wall. Beautiful tanks 

[Atitagain]

In this tank I have claimed/ said I have 150+ cherry shrimp (even said probably closer to 200) that started from a group of 12 bought at my LFS. Tonight I noticed a good gathering of them, not the most I’ve seen at one time but a good bunch. I did a count and got 110. Ive got the dragonstone set up with housing them in mind. With caves, crevices, hides, and openings all around both structures. I know I will one day but I have no intentions too but I would love to take it apart and get a total count. It’s so hard to say how many are in there. And from that same group of 12 I have atleast 100 others scattered throughout my other tanks. 

this is the first pic I have of them Oct/ 13/ 2020. It where they spent 6 months I took 10 that started the 100+ I have in other tanks. Then probably 3 months later I moved the big colony from this 20G into the 60G. I can see 5 of them in there. So it’s been almost exactly a year. 12 to 250+

[Atitagain]

It’s a sad day for “My Aquatic Vivariums” but it’s what has to happen I knew 8 weeks ago this day would come. Although it’s not a total break down it will be a major cut back. It all comes down to time. With caring for my 3 grandkids all day every day, 2 older kids that live with me, a son who is expecting his first, a son who…(did I mention my 3 grandkids), a daughter who’s a newlywed, my wife, 2 dogs, and then take care of 14 tanks. 😬🤬😵‍💫

Even if I had enough money, which I don’t I wouldn’t be able to buy anymore time. My relationship with my wife, kids, grandkids, and dogs are all suffering. On top of all that my fishroom is suffering as well. Routine maintenance, algae control, cleaning, plant care, extra feedings for fry, and much more are all behind and there’s no time to catch up without damaging my family more than what I am now. There has been way to many days here lately that I just swoop through dropping food in tanks and saying I’ll do “that” tomorrow. That’s is not even close to why I built this fishroom. 1st I wanted to learn then feel the passion that kept me pushing forward in this hobby. Im learning a lot here lately (this forum is amazing) but mostly so I can cut corners, I don’t want to cut corners I want to put in work and enjoy that work. Right now i don’t.

I know i just said this 2-3 weeks ago but I let MTS get the best of me and cloud my judgment. I have already started shutting down a lot of tanks and transferring stock. Gave away 2 tanks fully stocked with equipment and fish. Going to be listing other tanks for sale locally. I have to get them out of my house. If their gone I can’t reset them. And my wife is certainly not letting me get my hands on $ to buy new.

I have currently:

125G, 75G, 2-60G, 2-55G, 29G, 4-20G, 2-10G, and 3G =14 tanks

(I think) going to keep:

125G, 75G, 2-55G, and 29G

plan is 125 tetra community tank, 75 African cichlids, 55 shrimp+something, 55 no set plan, 29 plant QT/ grow out, and honestly will probably keep both 10G for emergency QT (only will be in deep storage) 

would you keep same tanks? Why? Why not? Trying to think this through wanna see angles I’m not looking at!

[xXInkedPhoenixX]

It's a bummer, but I get it- I don't have all the things going on for you and my 5 small under 20 gallon tanks take enough time. I think your choices on tank sizes is right, I've never kept tanks that big but everyone is always saying how much easier larger tanks are. They say the parameters are more stable, maintenance is less, and when you have those bigger filters less to clean compared to my sponge filtered little tanks. (though I don't have any hard issues with my little tanks). If that's all true- then those are the tanks you should keep, because time is what you're aiming for.  

[Torrey]

On 10/10/2021 at 9:23 PM, Atitagain said:

It’s a sad day for “My Aquatic Vivariums” but it’s what has to happen I knew 8 weeks ago this day would come. Although it’s not a total break down it will be a major cut back. It all comes down to time. With caring for my 3 grandkids all day every day, 2 older kids that live with me, a son who is expecting his first, a son who…(did I mention my 3 grandkids), a daughter who’s a newlywed, my wife, 2 dogs, and then take care of 14 tanks. 😬🤬😵‍💫

Even if I had enough money, which I don’t I wouldn’t be able to buy anymore time. My relationship with my wife, kids, grandkids, and dogs are all suffering. On top of all that my fishroom is suffering as well. Routine maintenance, algae control, cleaning, plant care, extra feedings for fry, and much more are all behind and there’s no time to catch up without damaging my family more than what I am now. There has been way to many days here lately that I just swoop through dropping food in tanks and saying I’ll do “that” tomorrow. That’s is not even close to why I built this fishroom. 1st I wanted to learn then feel the passion that kept me pushing forward in this hobby. Im learning a lot here lately (this forum is amazing) but mostly so I can cut corners, I don’t want to cut corners I want to put in work and enjoy that work. Right now i don’t.

I know i just said this 2-3 weeks ago but I let MTS get the best of me and cloud my judgment. I have already started shutting down a lot of tanks and transferring stock. Gave away 2 tanks fully stocked with equipment and fish. Going to be listing other tanks for sale locally. I have to get them out of my house. If their gone I can’t reset them. And my wife is certainly not letting me get my hands on $ to buy new.

I have currently:

125G, 75G, 2-60G, 2-55G, 29G, 4-20G, 2-10G, and 3G =14 tanks

(I think) going to keep:

125G, 75G, 2-55G, and 29G

plan is 125 tetra community tank, 75 African cichlids, 55 shrimp+something, 55 no set plan, 29 plant QT/ grow out, and honestly will probably keep both 10G for emergency QT (only will be in deep storage) 

would you keep same tanks? Why? Why not? Trying to think this through wanna see angles I’m not looking at!

I've been there.

If you are trying to make life easier, I would probably get rid of one more tank: either the 75 or one of the 55 gallon tanks.

Personal experience is the more heavily planted tanks take the least amount of maintenance, unless you are going for an aquascape / specific look.

Same thing for bigger: the bigger the tank, the less overall maintenance. 

When I had a house full of kids (mine, plus fosters), I found the ideal set up for good time management was 4 tanks: water changes once a month meant 1 tank a week. [I obviously didn't have AWC system]

The kids earned the privilege of helping out with the tanks. Each kid had one day a week that they could spend with me, one on one, talking [or not] and working in the tanks together. They learned good animal husbandry, how to identify plants, and how to be still and just **listen** to identify what a tank needed.

Always keep 2 easy to set up QT. If you will be tempted to set up the 10 gallons, invest in buckets or tubs instead.

Take some time to just sit in your fishroom, and talk with your fish. Maybe invite one of the grandkids in at a time to sit with you. Ask the grands what the fish / fish tanks say to them, too.

It's a very responsible thing, to recognize the need to downsize. 

It's also very normal to mourn having to adjust our expectations of what we wanted, into what we are actually capable of doing **and** enjoying. 

Just because less will be easier to enjoy, doesn't mean we don't mourn what we have to let go.

The biggest game changer for me, was turning the fish room into a reward, instead of allowing it to become a chore.

Rewards are much more enjoyable when they are a little more scarce.😉

[Guppysnail]

On 10/11/2021 at 4:02 AM, Torrey said:

Take some time to just sit in your fishroom, and talk with your fish. Maybe invite one of the grandkids in at a time to sit with you. Ask the grands what the fish / fish tanks say to them, too.

I’m sorry you are here again. This is valuable advice. 

 

On 10/11/2021 at 4:02 AM, Torrey said:

more heavily planted tanks take the least amount of maintenance

I would consolidate plants. Even if it pushes the look you want a bit it will make it easier. 
thoughts are with you. 

[Atitagain]

@xXInkedPhoenixX @Torrey @Guppysnail thank you all so much! The advice is wise, thoughtful, and very much appreciated. And the support means alot as well, it really helps keep everything in perspective. 
even tho it will affect what types of fish I keep, the projects, breeding, ect. I feel a lot of relief right now. It’s been crazy trying to make all this work and now that I know I will only have -X- I can put more focus into each tank and that feels good. 
Again thank you

[Flumpweesel]

Wow your life sounds busy, you sound like your making good choices. Once it's down to a manageable size you'll find yourself enjoying it more.

Maybe sneak a comfy chair or two in there and have a family quiet room. It would be great to tell bedtime stories to the littles in there. 

We can still get a lot from fish without maxing out we just really dial into what we have instead. With your passion for the hobby and ingenuity you'll come up with some amazing tanks and hobby solutions. 

And remember to avoid low tanks I have set my tank in the fireplace quite low down and the stooping to maintain is horrid and yep the gravel vac flow is not great.

[Atitagain]

On 10/11/2021 at 7:09 PM, Flumpweesel said:

Wow your life sounds busy, you sound like your making good choices. Once it's down to a manageable size you'll find yourself enjoying it more.

Maybe sneak a comfy chair or two in there and have a family quiet room. It would be great to tell bedtime stories to the littles in there. 

We can still get a lot from fish without maxing out we just really dial into what we have instead. With your passion for the hobby and ingenuity you'll come up with some amazing tanks and hobby solutions. 

And remember to avoid low tanks I have set my tank in the fireplace quite low down and the stooping to maintain is horrid and yep the gravel vac flow is not great.

Thank you, that’s the idea get it to a manageable level. It really has become something else on the to do list rather than something I look forward to. The story time chair is a great idea! I’m sure the kids will love it.

[Streetwise]

One way to slow down is to keep wet houseplants: aquatic tanks with plants, but no fish.

[Atitagain]

On 10/11/2021 at 9:03 PM, Streetwise said:

One way to slow down is to keep wet houseplants: aquatic tanks with plants, but no fish.

👍didn’t think of that, would give me more experience with plants. And a totally new and different thought process. 

[Streetwise]

[Odd Duck]

On 10/11/2021 at 7:51 PM, Atitagain said:

The story time chair is a great idea!

I want a story time chair!  This sounds so awesome!  Consolidating should give you more room to do a super comfy chair, maybe even a loveseat!  Great idea @Flumpweesel!

Edited October 12, 2021 by Odd Duck