Guppysnail Aquarium Journal

[ARMYVET]

On 9/11/2021 at 9:40 AM, Guppysnail said:

I texted my niece this morning to get 3 more 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I just text my niece just now myself😂🤣😂

[Guppysnail]

[Guppysnail]

All the new filters are on the tanks except 1. I was running 2 aquaclear 50 on the guppy community and a coop large sponge. I replaced one aquaclear but want to let it establish before adding the second. The guppies now stay on the Marineland side so that tells me the change of flow was great for them. Mom and dad pleco tank was too close to the wall and on a 300 lb oak stand so no option for moving it out 😒 but that one is just there to start other tanks main filter is a fluval 307 with 2 coop air sponges so when it throws a tantrum no big deal

Funny thing the biowheel make a slight whirring noise I quickly came to enjoy. I listen as I walk past each tank and know it’s working as it should..unlike the lid rattling of aquaclear 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I redid the pleco tank to remove the substrate because the babies still in there go into the crevices making it impossible to vac.  I hate substrate but always use a little because of its benefits. This redo was inspired entirely by advice on Val plant and their 75 gallon journal from @Odd Duck Thank you so much I am in love with the new scape. My CPD in that tank are loving it  they started spawning in the elodea planter witching 2 hours….and have every morning since. Mom and dad seem to enjoy it too but they are so infatuated with one another who knows  As you can see in the pic dad is missing an eye and has a brown spot on his tail  Mom has a brown spot to  they incurred these all in transport to me when I got them. But I love them all the more they are unique 🥰 first pic zucchini in the middle whenever I work on this tank I put it in mom hangs on the underside and allows me to pick her up and move her around this way  quite convenient! They are both hand tame I love them  

I loved this planter idea so much I redid my boy and girl guppy grow outs this way too so I could grow out a few baby pleco in them as well.  If I need to change them to 20longs as well I just pick up the planters and done…I like easy. These are not complete so look sloppy but here is the starts. I don’t know if I want backing or not…probably not so it is hanging half on/off 🤣🤣🤣

made more repashy on a stick

pleco babies on a stick 😁

HAPPY ADVENTURING!

 

Edited September 14, 2021 by Guppysnail

[Keeg]

On 9/14/2021 at 2:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

 

 

😂 Family photo! I freaking love this and I dunno why, but I do 😂

[ARMYVET]

You and your tanks are adorable!!

[Atitagain]

Just got done reading through your journal, didn’t read every post but I have to say I love the way you document your journey. All the pics and detailed explanations are easy to read and understand. I only wish I could articulate my experiences when speaking to someone let alone in a journal. I won’t have time to be very active on here next couple weeks because all my extra time will be spent rearranging and downsizing my fish room. I was thinking I would do a journal entry at the end of each day at least. I’m so glad I finished reading through yours before I started. 

[Guppysnail]

On 9/14/2021 at 7:16 AM, ARMYVET said:

You and your tanks are adorable!!

When I was working in casino management in Vegas and then corporate business management and traveling a lot, I became hard core cynical and all business and never got to slow down to enjoy things. When I retired early thanks to that stress the one thing I promised myself I would change is that. Now I slow down and appreciate and enjoy every moment and nature with childlike wide eyed wonder.  It is one of the things I am most grateful for and it makes life remarkably enjoyable.

[ARMYVET]

On 9/14/2021 at 9:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

When I was working in casino management in Vegas and then corporate business management and traveling a lot, I became hard core cynical and all business and never got to slow down to enjoy things. When I retired early thanks to that stress the one thing I promised myself I would change is that. Now I slow down and appreciate and enjoy every moment and nature with childlike wide eyed wonder.  It is one of the things I am most grateful for and it makes life remarkably enjoyable.

I hope my day for that comes soon!! 

[Odd Duck]

On 9/14/2021 at 4:38 AM, Guppysnail said:

All the new filters are on the tanks except 1. I was running 2 aquaclear 50 on the guppy community and a coop large sponge. I replaced one aquaclear but want to let it establish before adding the second. The guppies now stay on the Marineland side so that tells me the change of flow was great for them. Mom and dad pleco tank was too close to the wall and on a 300 lb oak stand so no option for moving it out 😒 but that one is just there to start other tanks main filter is a fluval 307 with 2 coop air sponges so when it throws a tantrum no big deal

Funny thing the biowheel make a slight whirring noise I quickly came to enjoy. I listen as I walk past each tank and know it’s working as it should..unlike the lid rattling of aquaclear 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I redid the pleco tank to remove the substrate because the babies still in there go into the crevices making it impossible to vac.  I hate substrate but always use a little because of its benefits. This redo was inspired entirely by advice on Val plant and their 75 gallon journal from @Odd Duck Thank you so much I am in love with the new scape. My CPD in that tank are loving it  they started spawning in the elodea planter witching 2 hours….and have every morning since. Mom and dad seem to enjoy it too but they are so infatuated with one another who knows  As you can see in the pic dad is missing an eye and has a brown spot on his tail  Mom has a brown spot to  they incurred these all in transport to me when I got them. But I love them all the more they are unique 🥰 first pic zucchini in the middle whenever I work on this tank I put it in mom hangs on the underside and allows me to pick her up and move her around this way  quite convenient! They are both hand tame I love them  

I loved this planter idea so much I redid my boy and girl guppy grow outs this way too so I could grow out a few baby pleco in them as well.  If I need to change them to 20longs as well I just pick up the planters and done…I like easy. These are not complete so look sloppy but here is the starts. I don’t know if I want backing or not…probably not so it is hanging half on/off 🤣🤣🤣

made more repashy on a stick

pleco babies on a stick 😁

HAPPY ADVENTURING!

 

Loving the look of the shallow trays of plants!

[Guppysnail]

Something exciting today…

I went to the pharmacy today and my long time pharmacist saw my guppy t-shirt. We started chatting and she told me her BN pleco passed away a few weeks ago. She went to big box and found nothing. I showed her my baby pleco pics and offered her one. She was so excited! She wanted to pay for it but I said no. I am so delighted to be able to gift one of my first baby pleco to someone who is always so sweet to me 😁. 
My baby CPD Scooter started eating BBS!  Look at his little fat pink belly!

I expect him to start growing quick now. Basic maintenance and monitoring to make sure I didn’t disrupt anything with all my changes. 
 

off topic my garden bell peppers are getting ripe! They are HUGE and thick meated this year 😁

Edited September 15, 2021 by Guppysnail

[Guppysnail]

So I made a decision! In for a penny back in for a pound. Goodbye pain in my butt funny tank. I’m putting up a 20 long tomorrow.  I have everything I just needed a stand for it. Hubby is using the original as an actual chest of drawers for clothing with a tv on top as it is a clothing chest o drawers 🤣. Why use a great fish tank stand for something so mundane huh?🤣🤣🤣

I ordered a stand and go pick it up tomorrow just a metal big box one. So bye bye funny tank

 

I AM SO WEAK!  Yesterday I seen a lone guppy fry in the community tank. First fry in that tank it was during water change and it wiggled right over to my hand with those huge eyes. I swore I would let nature take it course but well.. I fished it out and saved it. Then 6 more today until I realized I had 50+ fry and 3 more girls dropping right now 🤣. I love me some guppies! Great timing as two batches are headed out so two empty grow outs plus most will get eaten as I’m not feeding anything tomorrow but the Cory wafers which guppies will try but pandas and snails hold their own when the dinner bell rings. 

pleco babies are getting big. I had to put 9 halves of green beans in so they could all fit to munch.

spent most of the day just snooping the 🐟🔍👀

HAPPY ADVENTURES!

[Atitagain]

Surprise babies might be the best! Congrats BN looking good as well.

[Patrick_G]

On 9/15/2021 at 3:46 PM, Guppysnail said:

I’m not feeding anything tomorrow but the Cory 

[Guppysnail]

On 9/15/2021 at 7:15 PM, Patrick_G said:

OMG too funny since I am making tacos tomorrow 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[Patrick_G]

On 9/15/2021 at 4:16 PM, Guppysnail said:

OMG too funny since I am making tacos tomorrow 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I’ve been waiting a while to use that pic! 

[Guppysnail]

So plans got switched up. I picked up the big box stand today for my 20l to replace the funny tank. Instead I replaced the guppy girl grow out with the 20l and used that 10 for the guppy boy grow out to replace the funny tank. So they both got an upgrade 😁 I definitely need more plants so neither one is really set up the way I want. I was more worried about getting it done before hubby woke up he works third. I love my husband but he hates change and abhors the chaos that goes with tank flips.  So I do big tank projects when he sleeps or watches football.  He is my safety net and his hating change keeps my exuberance in check 🥰 

don’t look at the egg crate I’m waiting on fedex to deliver my lid 🤣

all the redos I am now ready because mom and dad are doing the courting again.  She has a big egg belly

I swear the babies get much bigger each day  I feel like if I watch long enough I can actually see them grow!

off to order plants 🥰🥰🥰

HAPPY ADVENTURES!

 

Edited September 16, 2021 by Guppysnail

[Guppysnail]

Fed ex dropped off my tank lid. While I was putting the handle on I wondered if everyone had an impossible time getting them to stick with the silly command sticker on them. My husband got me this stuff awhile ago and I use it on all my glass tops to stick the handle. I remove the sticker foam first. I do it in a separate room as fumes are toxic until dry. But once dry on a lid handle it has always been fine. Thought I would share. 

[Hobbit]

I love the scape with the terra cotta saucers! Babies are looking great too!

[Guppysnail]

I placed my plant order last night. Found my local place did have scarlet temple. They had pogostemons broadleaf so I got some. I just want to try some different plants. I have had the same plant line up forever and two days. I know narrow leaf ludwiga does great so I got some super red, broadleaf and oval. I wanted some more pennywort for the baby pleco tank. They seem to love those leaves. 
I worked on the 29 today. I removed all the frogbit and all the sprite because the guppy fry are hiding too effectively.  I chose to move 30 more fry out. I also removed the resin things I attached my swords to. I felt they have gained enough height to not need the boost.
Before

after

The new plants will get attached to the walls near the light until they settle in then I’ll decide where I am going with them  

I also pulled the two anubias that have gotten too big and started shading everything I put them in the back 2 corners of the girl guppy grow out for now

Of course I couldn’t get the Aqua clear to start without pulling it and fiddling so I went ahead and replaced it with the other new magniflow because the magniflow just starts right back up with no assistance it’s so darn nice.

after I put the other new filter on and freed up floor space I became complete PANDA-monium for the rest of the day. All 11 pandas all over the tank and for whatever reason two if my juvenile guppy girls started schooling with them for about an hour 🤣 So the new filters have the panda seal of approval and the guppies are now using both sides of the tank 😁

My CPD were being cute today but bid daddy was too busy in back with the girls to get a pic

I guess I don’t need to clean sponge filters in baby tank

HAPPY ADVENTURES!

 

 

[Guppysnail]

mom just minutes before egg drop

mom seconds after coming back out
Today stunk! It was one of those days where I did not feel good about anything I had to do and felt like anything I did just was not good enough. I’m going to share all this so maybe if someone else has a day like this they won’t feel so bad. I also said at the beginning of this journal I wanted to keep it real and not sugar coat a day in the life. Reality is none of us are perfect. In fishkeeping not everyday is sunshine lollipops and rainbows.  Even I who tries her very hardest to view the world through a child’s rose colored glasses gets bummed out.
 My pleco laid another clutch.  I was prepared for a once a month large spawn like the internet says may happen.  Mine are 2.5 weeks apart three clutches in a row.  I got some great advice from @gardenman on how to remove the eggs so I could dispose of them.  I knew it was a possibility I may have to do this to stager the offspring so I can provide optimal care to them. 
I tried flushing them out dad protected them too well.  So I used my hose from my python to try and suck them out around dad. NO GO. I sucked dads tail up and it split.  My wrist with the non union on one bone and titanium plate on the other just doesn’t bend enough.  While pulling the hose out I sucked onto a pennywort leaf and well…nice round hole.  So I lifted the cave to try again and dad came out. I removed all but 4 eggs so he had something left…he kicked 2 out fanned 2 for about an hour then kicked those out. As the last batch had three that got tossed but hatched laying beside the cave I just left them. 
dads split tail thanks to me 😫

he is regrooming his cave and mom is oddly hanging out there I feel horrible like they are both looking at me now as a monster and murderer instead of mom food lady they adore 😫

my one guppy gave birth but she was a balloon I think she was gorging on other newborn fry ive been greatly limiting food.  She seems to have a split that is raw. She doesn’t seem to notice and is active

my mystery snails are all elderly except 3 new babies. I knew two weeks ago they were slowing down. Also two of my girls 3 days ago laid humongous clutches. I have no scientific data to back this just observation time and again. When they start to slow of old age and are near passing they lay a clutch double the normal size. My theory is it’s the last so they utilize all the milt they can to ensure as much gene survival. My two girls have just sat still staring at their wafers all day and won’t even attempt to eat or move 😢. I found one of their brothers passed away in the pleco tank today😭. I have 4 others from that clutch. All the other snails are fine and I tested my water seven ways to Sunday with every test api makes. It’s old age. I feel so helpless I added some extra liquid calcium and magnesium as well as a banquet block with spirulina a green bean and their favorite repashy. 
 

I bought 9 terra cotta pots I need 5 figured I screw up at least 4 to make bridges for baby pleco and corydora to hide under. Got some great advice from @ARMYVET and @Keeg and others on how to shape. Two attempts and hubby stopped me. Said he would use the grinder this weekend. EPIC FAIL! Of course I was suppose to soak them for 24 hours. I didn’t make it to 24 minutes. I’m like 5 years old when it comes to waiting on something I want now 

The rest are soaking

i did spend time watching the Pygmies to cheer me up

Gratitude for the time I get to spend with the adorable gifts in my tanks makes it all worth it. 
 

HAPPY ADVENTURES!

[Atitagain]

@Guppysnail sorry to hear about your day, if it makes you feel better you really helped me out tonight, I had been trying to figure out that plant type for months. When we first got it was part of a 6 way multi pot. A gift from a family member, I tried to figure them all out but only got 2 both spider plants. 
that mama BN all swelled up like that is so cool, I’ve never seen one do that. I have an albino one too. I would think it to be much easier with them. I’ll keep a closer look out now. 😊

[Guppysnail]

On 9/18/2021 at 11:11 PM, Atitagain said:

@Guppysnail sorry to hear about your day, if it makes you feel better you really helped me out tonight, I had been trying to figure out that plant type for months. When we first got it was part of a 6 way multi pot. A gift from a family member, I tried to figure them all out but only got 2 both spider plants. 
that mama BN all swelled up like that is so cool, I’ve never seen one do that. I have an albino one too. I would think it to be much easier with them. I’ll keep a closer look out now. 😊

She gets bigger each time and the number of eggs go up. I hated doing it as I value all life but understand completely the reality of responsible fish keeping and ecosystem management.  There were two huge clusters this time both the same size as the first two single cluster ones. I took a picture of one but didn’t the other because as soon as I took it I thought it morbid. It’s in a red bucket this is half what she laid. 

[Hobbit]

Wow that’s a lot of sadness in one day. I’m sorry. It’s so so hard to cull eggs or fry. I hate doing it too. I’m also sorry about your mystery snails. The end of life is never graceful for any species and it breaks my heart to think of them just sitting there, not eating their food. 😞

I’d love a link to the thread about shaping pots! That sounds like useful information.

And I can’t believe how round your mama pleco was 😳 Even if she’s mad at you for taking the eggs, I’m sure she feels more comfortable having gotten them out of her body!!

[Guppysnail]

On 9/18/2021 at 11:32 PM, Hobbit said:

Wow that’s a lot of sadness in one day. I’m sorry. It’s so so hard to cull eggs or fry. I hate doing it too. I’m also sorry about your mystery snails. The end of life is never graceful for any species and it breaks my heart to think of them just sitting there, not eating their food. 😞

I’d love a link to the thread about shaping pots! That sounds like useful information.

And I can’t believe how round your mama pleco was 😳 Even if she’s mad at you for taking the eggs, I’m sure she feels more comfortable having gotten them out of her body!!

I bet she feels a million times better. The after shows how far she was stretched and how compressed her insides were. 
here’s the thread

 

[Guppysnail]

My terra cotta adventures…

New plants are in I’m waiting to see how they adjust and do before I give them permanent homes

HAPPY ADVENTURES