New 46 Gallon Bowfront Build

[neitherman]

I got another Oto today (I was hoping to get 5 more but alas the LFS doesn't get their shipment until next week) and learned a very valuable lesson. I will never again use a net to catch an Oto. Mine somehow got its mouth STUCK to the mesh on the net when I poured it out of the LFS bag. Thankfully I was able to help it get loose and it seems okay (looks to be merrily munching algae) but that was a terrible experience! I love Otos and never want to cause harm to one!

Edited May 18, 2023 by neitherman

[Galabar]

On 5/17/2023 at 5:24 PM, neitherman said:

I got another Oto today (I was hoping to get 5 more but alas the LFS doesn't get their shipment until next week) and learned a very valuable lesson. I will never again use a net to catch an Oto. Mine somehow got its mouth STUCK to the mesh on the net when I poured it out of the LFS bag. Thankfully I was able to help it get loose and it seems okay (looks to be merrily munching algae) but that was a terrible experience! I love Otos and never want to cause harm to one!

I had the exact same thing happen to me.  It took me a long time to try to very carefully pry it out of the net, but even then, I was worried that I had injured it.  It ended up being fine.

Edited May 18, 2023 by Galabar

[nabokovfan87]

They have little hooks on their skin.  I use fine mesh nets and make sure the seam is on the outside of the net to keep the oto from getting stuck.  It's definitely the type of thing where the easier the fish gets into the net, the easier it will get out. 

Best of luck.  Hopefully no issues next time!!

[neitherman]

On 5/17/2023 at 5:44 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

make sure the seam is on the outside of the net

That was my folly. It got completely tangled up in the stupid seam!

[neitherman]

I found some tissue cultured Buce in great condition in a Petsmart far from home over the weekend. I glued it to my driftwood and am excited to see how well it grows:

And a little Oto friend as a bonus:

Edited May 22, 2023 by neitherman
More Pitchers

[neitherman]

On 3/22/2023 at 10:23 AM, neitherman said:

Jeez I didn't realize until just now how much the monte carlo on the top section has grown!

Edited May 23, 2023 by neitherman

[neitherman]

I found a little stowaway on a piece of driftwood yesterday:

Very excited for the inevitable "pest snail" invasion to swing into action.

Caught this chonky pig lurking near a big rock:

This fish has to be at least 5 years old at this point. Super proud of that fact.

Decided to make a new tank video since I've recently added more plants:

 

[Chick-In-Of-TheSea]

It’s not often I hear someone say…

On 5/25/2023 at 2:06 PM, neitherman said:

Very excited for the inevitable "pest snail" invasion to swing into action.

🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌🐌

[neitherman]

Did a water change yesterday and did some trimming, replanting, and burying of root tabs. Tank looks good, fish look healthy. Here are a few pictures:

This big red sword plant I got from Amazon is doing very well indeed! That leaf is huge!

Barbs photobombing:

The coffefolia keeps growing new leaves:

Anyone know what this plant is? It was labeled as Lobelia Cardinalis but based on some Googling this seems wrong. It arrived with bright purple and green leaves but unsure if the purple color will return as those leaves are all melting off:

The photo from Amazon looked like this:

It looked like this when it arrived but acclimating seems to have made it lose the color.

Finally, I basically killed my scarlet temple. Shoved it in the foreground into some aquasoil in an attempt to give it light and nutrients to revive it but I'm not holding my breath:

Edited June 1, 2023 by neitherman

[nabokovfan87]

On 6/1/2023 at 4:19 PM, neitherman said:

Finally, I basically killed my scarlet temple. Shoved it in the foreground into some aquasoil in an attempt to give it light and nutrients to revive it but I'm not holding my breath:

I agree. No idea what the issue is with that plant but it hates water. So confusing to me. It must need some intense light and CO2 or something.

The tank looks great. Very clean and well kept. That moss is doing its thing, looks perfect.

[neitherman]

On 6/1/2023 at 7:21 PM, nabokovfan87 said:

I agree. No idea what the issue is with that plant but it hates water. So confusing to me. It must need some intense light and CO2 or something.

So it isn't just me!

Posting water params for today for my records:

[neitherman]

Silly snail, how'd you get way up there?

[nabokovfan87]

On 6/9/2023 at 4:54 PM, neitherman said:

Silly snail, how'd you get way up there?

"Effort is between you and you..."

[neitherman]

My tank experienced some nutrient imbalance and had a nasty algae bloom that I'm still fighting off. In the meantime one of my anubias plants decided to bloom:

That's the first time I've had it happen and it made me happy to see it.

[neitherman]

It has been a long time since I've done a photo dump so I've decided it's time for that again. Today I traded a fair amount of plants for an absolute unit of a bristlenose pleco:

My plants have been growing like mad though so I'm sure I'll replenish my supply soon enough:

(FYI this scarlet temple is all new growth from the tiny nubbin I saved last June. Who woulda thought it just needed root tabs and tons of light!)

Edited March 30 by neitherman