Atitagain Fish Room

[Streetwise]

Cheers for your persistence!

[Guppysnail]

Anacharis elodea densa. It is one of the few true aquatic plants. I’m glad you got the mopani tea going and glad it got super dark for you. Keep the broken pieces. As long as the stem is bright green even if the leaves are not it will grow new shoots. I love the floating containment idea 😍

[Atitagain]

On 11/27/2021 at 6:16 PM, Guppysnail said:

Anacharis elodea densa

TYVM!

[Hobbit]

On 11/27/2021 at 6:16 PM, Guppysnail said:

Anacharis elodea densa.

I have a TON of this plant and it’s a powerhouse once you get it going!

Oddly enough, I have one tank where this plant does not thrive. In all my other tanks it goes crazy, but in my 5g it struggles. I haven’t quite figured out why. If I do I’ll let you know. The stems are pretty strong if the plant’s healthy.

I love the fishing bobbers! Great idea!!

[Atitagain]

Made a new planter for my plant QT. Wanted something more permanent and close to the light. I found a refrigerator tray similar to @Dean’s Fishroom fry trays. Used Fluval stratum as soil base 2”. Then a sand layer 1/2” and a light gravel cap. To get it close to the light I used a piece of tank divider egg crate. With extra suction cups and finally 4 wooden post.

 

[Atitagain]

Been having a lot of trouble with my African cichlids this week. The red shoulder has been brutal, he’s usually very aggressive but not to the point of injury’s on other fish. He caused/ put a big wound on a raspberry OB my wife’s favorite fish. And he has been tormenting the whole tank for two weeks. So I decided to change things up moved the red shoulder, a white lips, and an otter point Jake to another tank. And now the OPJ has a wound on his eye. Both the OB and OPJ are in separate 10G  QTs and both treated with salt 1tbls per 3G. I guess I can’t 100% say it was the red shoulders fault but 100% it was the red shoulders fault. So wait and see on both of them.

reworked my plant grow out tank. I have removed about 80% of the plants in a short period of time and there was still a lot of liquid ferts in the water column so…hair algae. Did a lot of cleaning then added a bunch of plants back in. All basically stuff I can remove if needed.but that can allow me to keep a high level of ferts to grow out the plants I need to grow. I’m really wanting my bacopa caroliniana to grow but it is such a slow growing plant. But it’s probably my favorite so I’ll be patient. I’ve also put a red melon sword in there I’ve had it probably 9 months or longer and just can’t get it to grow. Although I have moved it around a lot. So I’m gonna try and keep it put in here and get good growth from it. 

[Brandon p]

On 11/29/2021 at 7:39 AM, Atitagain said:

Made a new planter for my plant QT. Wanted something more permanent and close to the light. I found a refrigerator tray similar to @Dean’s Fishroom fry trays. Used Fluval stratum as soil base 2”. Then a sand layer 1/2” and a light gravel cap. To get it close to the light I used a piece of tank divider egg crate. With extra suction cups and finally 4 wooden post.

Is this last one dirt. Crushed coral or something else.

I removed one past weekend he was getting to crazy after they knocked everything down. Right before he goes back in I’ll reset the rocks in a new layout, to maybe confuse everyone in there for a while.

[Atitagain]

On 11/30/2021 at 2:00 AM, Brandon p said:

I removed one past weekend he was getting to crazy after they knocked everything down. Right before he goes back in I’ll reset the rocks in a new layout, to maybe confuse everyone in there for a while.

I have tried this multiple times, they have even moved tanks twice. He has been the tank boss for about a year and always too aggressive for my liking. But I’ve found ways to keep it at an acceptable level until recently. He is just to much I’m gonna rehome him. Probably will just get rid of him for free.

[Guppysnail]

On 11/29/2021 at 7:39 AM, Atitagain said:

Made a new planter for my plant QT. Wanted something more permanent and close to the light. I found a refrigerator tray similar to @Dean’s Fishroom fry trays. Used Fluval stratum as soil base 2”. Then a sand layer 1/2” and a light gravel cap. To get it close to the light I used a piece of tank divider egg crate. With extra suction cups and finally 4 wooden post.

 

I’m sorry you have a bully. It stinks when that happens. Your planter is MARVELOUS 😍😍😍😍😍 My brain is already working out how to have myself a me style one of these 😁

[Brandon p]

I work up the this morning and the whole AC were dead. The heater stop working but I forgot to turn the heat to the house on. I ordered a heater yesterday to have it in here today. Now a heater with no fish. Never lost every-fish at the same time. 

[Atitagain]

On 11/30/2021 at 8:41 AM, Guppysnail said:

I’m sorry you have a bully. It stinks when that happens. Your planter is MARVELOUS 😍😍😍😍😍 My brain is already working out how to have myself a me style one of these 😁

You already have a mini version in the planters you have the red AR in. Lol

i just came up with this to try and get stem plants growing as fast as possible.

On 11/30/2021 at 9:21 AM, Brandon p said:

I work up the this morning and the whole AC were dead. The heater stop working but I forgot to turn the heat to the house on. I ordered a heater yesterday to have it in here today. Now a heater with no fish. Never lost every-fish at the same time. 

Oh wow so sorry to hear this. I have never lost a whole tank at one time either. How cold did it get had to be very. For them to go overnight like that. What a tragedy, ACs take so long to grow out I’m sure they were special to you.

[Brandon p]

I did find three buried under rocks thses were still a live it a that few are lost but still upsetting 

Edited November 30, 2021 by Brandon p
Misspelling

[Atitagain]

☹️☹️☹️

[Brandon p]

On 11/30/2021 at 12:29 PM, Atitagain said:

☹️☹️☹️

It was 68 degrees. There is the issue that can get you you in South Florida. It can be 85 one day and that night drop to 60 and back up to 80 in the next few days but it be 60 3 to4 day an shoot back up. I had a heater fail, ordered and extra. I did not have two Replacements.  I though the will make it one I turn the heat on to 80 but it wasn’t enough to change the water temp over the 10 hours. I may not keep the AC in that tank. I have a 200 custom build that need a new stand and am planning on a getting 120-125. I think AC’s would look great in one of those. I’m not sure what is going to go on.

[Torrey]

On 11/29/2021 at 5:39 AM, Atitagain said:

Made a new planter for my plant QT. Wanted something more permanent and close to the light. I found a refrigerator tray similar to @Dean’s Fishroom fry trays. Used Fluval stratum as soil base 2”. Then a sand layer 1/2” and a light gravel cap. To get it close to the light I used a piece of tank divider egg crate. With extra suction cups and finally 4 wooden post.

 

ORD🥰

Is that the washed river pebbles from Home Depot? I love that coloration enough to want another tank to display fish against that gravel!

I also really like how you see things, get a little information, and scaffold your ideas so as to improve on existing/readily available materials.

Speaking of scaffolding:

My acupuncturist took my curtains on rods idea, used PVC pipe and elbows to build frames, and covered the front of her open shelving unit with "doors". She got fabric from JoAnn's with the current sales that looks like a forrest trail. Top 2 shelves lift up on hinges from the chainlink fence department, and she got fancy and covered them in fabric, too.

Lower shelves open from the center, like more traditional "doors", and magnets mounted underneath the cloth, directly to the PVC corners hold the "doors" closed. None of the doors stick out more than ⅝".

I didn't have my phone with me in the office on Monday, I will try to remember to ask permission to take pictures at my next visit.

If wood working is soothing for you, I found a video with a **very** gorgeous design that looks way more complicated than actually required. You would want to practice some of the skills on scrap wood, first, since woodworking does take a specific pressure and flick of the wrist to get consistent notching. 

Made me wish for a house and my woodworking tools, lol.

Let me know if you want the link. It's a traditional, simple. Japanese rice door style, and works well (based on experience from long ago) with fabric (least expensive), oil cloth, or even backed with bamboo blind msterial.

 

 

On 11/30/2021 at 2:47 PM, Brandon p said:

It was 68 degrees. There is the issue that can get you you in South Florida. It can be 85 one day and that night drop to 60 and back up to 80 in the next few days but it be 60 3 to4 day an shoot back up. I had a heater fail, ordered and extra. I did not have two Replacements.  I though the will make it one I turn the heat on to 80 but it wasn’t enough to change the water temp over the 10 hours. I may not keep the AC in that tank. I have a 200 custom build that need a new stand and am planning on a getting 120-125. I think AC’s would look great in one of those. I’m not sure what is going to go on.

Brandon,  I am so sorry!

I have lost entire tanks of stock before and I have to say it's one of the worst experiences in our hobby.

I like using a pymeter for 2 devices and put both in any of my favorite stock tanks. Anything over 20 gallons automatically has 2 heaters on pymeters. Redundancy is our friend. I agree with you moving the remaining fauna to a larger tank. 200 gallons, especially if you insulate the back and sides, will take a week or longer to drop from 80° to 70°, even if you have multiple heaters fail at the same time. 

Again, so sorry for your loss...😔

[Brandon p]

On 12/1/2021 at 9:17 AM, Torrey said:

ORD🥰

Is that the washed river pebbles from Home Depot? I love that coloration enough to want another tank to display fish against that gravel!

I also really like how you see things, get a little information, and scaffold your ideas so as to improve on existing/readily available materials.

Speaking of scaffolding:

My acupuncturist took my curtains on rods idea, used PVC pipe and elbows to build frames, and covered the front of her open shelving unit with "doors". She got fabric from JoAnn's with the current sales that looks like a forrest trail. Top 2 shelves lift up on hinges from the chainlink fence department, and she got fancy and covered them in fabric, too.

Lower shelves open from the center, like more traditional "doors", and magnets mounted underneath the cloth, directly to the PVC corners hold the "doors" closed. None of the doors stick out more than ⅝".

I didn't have my phone with me in the office on Monday, I will try to remember to ask permission to take pictures at my next visit.

If wood working is soothing for you, I found a video with a **very** gorgeous design that looks way more complicated than actually required. You would want to practice some of the skills on scrap wood, first, since woodworking does take a specific pressure and flick of the wrist to get consistent notching. 

Made me wish for a house and my woodworking tools, lol.

Let me know if you want the link. It's a traditional, simple. Japanese rice door style, and works well (based on experience from long ago) with fabric (least expensive), oil cloth, or even backed with bamboo blind msterial.

 

 

Brandon,  I am so sorry!

I have lost entire tanks of stock before and I have to say it's one of the worst experiences in our hobby.

I like using a pymeter for 2 devices and put both in any of my favorite stock tanks. Anything over 20 gallons automatically has 2 heaters on pymeters. Redundancy is our friend. I agree with you moving the remaining fauna to a larger tank. 200 gallons, especially if you insulate the back and sides, will take a week or longer to drop from 80° to 70°, even if you have multiple heaters fail at the same time. 

Again, so sorry for your loss...😔

I will when I get everything set up. I have the fish in about 1/2 the tank water and have slowly filled the QT. I want to get out any Malaysian trumpets nails and may just get new substrate. I have the heater in Qt 30gal tote. 

[Atitagain]

On 12/1/2021 at 9:17 AM, Torrey said:

Is that the washed river pebbles from Home Depot? I love that coloration enough to want another tank to display fish against that gravel!

Yes I really like the color as well. It holds plants ( stems or rooted) really well. And it was less than $5 for 50 pounds. I took cup size scoops on top of a piece of plastic canvas to wash off. Took about 20 mins per bag and work really good. 
I would like to see some pics of what your acupuncturist did with the PVC. I’m still trying to come up with something. I won’t be needing that link right now, I’m gonna be doing a couple things then figuring out doors to do. Thank you so much 

[Atitagain]

My Aquatic Vivariums is going through more changes. I will be adding tanks and some new species of fish, shrimp, and snails. Plants as well, lots of new plants. Want to get a bowl up and running, wet plants, and a couple projects I’ve been thinking about. Breeding projects will include rummys, SnP corys, a new species of bristlenose, pea puffers, German blue rams, and some varieties of mystery snails. These will not be instant changes but most certainly are near-ish future. 
it’s weird how life and plans change, I was on a very apparent path for atleast the next year. Then in the matter of 12 hours everything, like life altering everything changed. Beyond anything I could control, to feel so helpless and to be so vulnerable ☹️. Everyone gets knocked down, some never get up, I WILL, my family will, and we will be stronger and more united than ever.

This hobby is very therapeutic to my mental state. To be connected to nature is the ultimate goal. That brings such a peace to my soul I truly believe it helps everyone I’m in contact with. 
 

Nature in my home helps put nature in my soul.

[Guppysnail]

I’m glad recent events have not discouraged you passion for the hobby. Redirecting my energy to life affirming activities keeps my mental state positive. 😁

[Beardedbillygoat1975]

@Atitagainglad the hobby can bring you some solace. Exciting projects. Looking forward to following. Let me know how I can help with the bowl project and anything else we can do for you. 

[Atitagain]

On 12/3/2021 at 2:10 PM, Beardedbillygoat1975 said:

@Atitagainglad the hobby can bring you some solace. Exciting projects. Looking forward to following. Let me know how I can help with the bowl project and anything else we can do for you. 

Thank you, I probably will need to get a couple more details on your filter system for the bowl. 👍

[Atitagain]

Another planter system, designed to get plants closer/ further away from lights. Will be using small cichlid stones (5) as pots planting ludwigia repens in them. I have planters from ACO (9) using small pots planting water sprite in them. Probably will change small pots in planters to peat seeding pots when possible. Idea is to get these plants to grow fast so I can propagate, spread, and float. Also stacking cichlid caves and some natural rocks to make hides for whatever fry will be in this tank. (Undecided) 

 

[Guppysnail]

That is extremely creative. Looks good too. The plant bug has ahold of you now. 😂

[Atitagain]

On 12/3/2021 at 5:54 PM, Guppysnail said:

That is extremely creative. Looks good too. The plant bug has ahold of you now. 😂

I’m actually starting some of my tank builds where 1st thought is what plants? Not what fish/ design? 🤷🏻‍♂️🤔😁

[Streetwise]

Choosing plants is one of the best parts of building an ecosystem!