300 Gallon
- Thread starter Bmgrocks
- Start date
Had a minor leak in the plumbing that needed to be addressed with some plumbers tape. It required me turn off the pump which allowed the tank to sit with still water for about 2 weeks - plenty of time for the reef sand die off to saturate the water column - and with out testing, I’ll assume there was a large ammonia spike. So I followed up with a 75% water change to just pull whatever pollutants were there.
Once the leak was addressed I refilled the tank, threw the pump back on and let it run for about a week.
Spent some time researching the finer points of biomedia and beneficial bacteria. Forum stickies, the infamous “pore wars”, and sump hack pages inspired me to go with a hybrid approach - looking to maximize whatever potential exists within a wet/dry filtration system
.
The mechanical media is the filter floss placed within the drip tray followed by the wet dry portion with 2” 30ppi aquarium foam that can serve as both mechanical and aerobic beneficial bacteria media, suspended by a layer bioballs.
The biggest concern was the porosity of the filter foam - but “unclogged” the flow is even and consistent. Any issues and it’s an easy rinse.
I have two layers of additional foam to serve as an anaerobic media for beneficial bacteria.
The reviews between varying porosity aquarium foam and scrubbies seem to be pretty consistent when compared to other bio media. If at the end of the day it’s about providing space for bacteria colonize - where the overall population is limited by the existing amount of ammonia and nitrite - I think we have it covered.
For good measure I might run some chemipure blue - as it’s served as phenomenal chemical media in all my saltwater applications.
We’ll see where the cycle is in about two weeks as the biomedia begins to take hold - likely followed by a partial water change depending on my nutrient levels
Once the leak was addressed I refilled the tank, threw the pump back on and let it run for about a week.
Spent some time researching the finer points of biomedia and beneficial bacteria. Forum stickies, the infamous “pore wars”, and sump hack pages inspired me to go with a hybrid approach - looking to maximize whatever potential exists within a wet/dry filtration system
.
The mechanical media is the filter floss placed within the drip tray followed by the wet dry portion with 2” 30ppi aquarium foam that can serve as both mechanical and aerobic beneficial bacteria media, suspended by a layer bioballs.
The biggest concern was the porosity of the filter foam - but “unclogged” the flow is even and consistent. Any issues and it’s an easy rinse.
I have two layers of additional foam to serve as an anaerobic media for beneficial bacteria.
The reviews between varying porosity aquarium foam and scrubbies seem to be pretty consistent when compared to other bio media. If at the end of the day it’s about providing space for bacteria colonize - where the overall population is limited by the existing amount of ammonia and nitrite - I think we have it covered.
For good measure I might run some chemipure blue - as it’s served as phenomenal chemical media in all my saltwater applications.
We’ll see where the cycle is in about two weeks as the biomedia begins to take hold - likely followed by a partial water change depending on my nutrient levels
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Here’s a few photos of how the tank has progressed
Water Quality began to get itself together by the first week in December.
I added one 4” Male Star Sapphire P.Phenochilus Tanzania as the first fish.
I also looked into light mounting options. Will go with a light rail on the ceiling with 3 par38s
Water Quality began to get itself together by the first week in December.
I added one 4” Male Star Sapphire P.Phenochilus Tanzania as the first fish.
I also looked into light mounting options. Will go with a light rail on the ceiling with 3 par38s
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I was able to connect with some local cichlid enthusiasts and added
A.Baenschi
A.Reubescens
P. Steveni Taiwan
S. Fryeri White Knight
A. Stuartgranti Flavescent
three of the recent additions turned out to be female and were removed this week - which were
P. Taeniolatus
O. Lithobates Z Rock
S. Fryeri
A.Baenschi
A.Reubescens
P. Steveni Taiwan
S. Fryeri White Knight
A. Stuartgranti Flavescent
three of the recent additions turned out to be female and were removed this week - which were
P. Taeniolatus
O. Lithobates Z Rock
S. Fryeri
I appreciated the open space - and knew that I was keeping open water predatory fish, but felt the tank was lacking depth.
Was able to connect with a local hobbyist who had an abundance of Tanganyikan Vallisneria. Naturally I had to give it a shot. My biggest concern is the acclimation period it’ll require. Maybe in about a month or so it’ll really settle in and I can begin root tab supplementation.
I think the par38s will be sufficient. They’ll be mounted to a sliding light rail and will be angled if need be.
Was able to connect with a local hobbyist who had an abundance of Tanganyikan Vallisneria. Naturally I had to give it a shot. My biggest concern is the acclimation period it’ll require. Maybe in about a month or so it’ll really settle in and I can begin root tab supplementation.
I think the par38s will be sufficient. They’ll be mounted to a sliding light rail and will be angled if need be.
A few holiday orders worth of fish and my current stock list sits at
P.Phenochilus Tanzania
A.Rubescens
P. Steveni Taiwan
S.Fryeri White Knight
A. Stuartgranti Flavescent
P. Milomo VC-10
Otopharynx Tetrastigma
P. Spilonotus Insignis
A. Lwanda
Buccochromis Nototaenia
special cases*
A. Stuartgranti Ngara Flametail Yellow (low man on the totem pole - catching heat from the Lwanda and Flavescent, but eating well)
O. Lithobates Black Orange (had a really hard time acclimating after shipping. Didn’t think it was going to pull through. Reserved. Hiding. Inactive. Likely needs quarantine but going to try a quick salt and heat treatment on the tank to see if it pulls through. Had him about a week)
Nimbochromis Fuscotaeniatus (was a WYSIWYG purchase and supposedly kept in a numbered and separate tank, but now I’m not so sure about it’s sex - It’s about 3.75”, consistently dark colored, no real presence of egg spots -kinda at certain angles but I’m not sold and it consistently fighting for dominance with the Star Sapphire)
I should have taken a screenshot of the purchase image. I’m HOPING the fish is just not used to being a Sub dominant fish.
I’m not a huge fan of hybrids but
Synodontis angelicus x eruptus hybrid. Looking to score a true angelicus
P.Phenochilus Tanzania
A.Rubescens
P. Steveni Taiwan
S.Fryeri White Knight
A. Stuartgranti Flavescent
P. Milomo VC-10
Otopharynx Tetrastigma
P. Spilonotus Insignis
A. Lwanda
Buccochromis Nototaenia
special cases*
A. Stuartgranti Ngara Flametail Yellow (low man on the totem pole - catching heat from the Lwanda and Flavescent, but eating well)
O. Lithobates Black Orange (had a really hard time acclimating after shipping. Didn’t think it was going to pull through. Reserved. Hiding. Inactive. Likely needs quarantine but going to try a quick salt and heat treatment on the tank to see if it pulls through. Had him about a week)
Nimbochromis Fuscotaeniatus (was a WYSIWYG purchase and supposedly kept in a numbered and separate tank, but now I’m not so sure about it’s sex - It’s about 3.75”, consistently dark colored, no real presence of egg spots -kinda at certain angles but I’m not sold and it consistently fighting for dominance with the Star Sapphire)
I should have taken a screenshot of the purchase image. I’m HOPING the fish is just not used to being a Sub dominant fish.
I’m not a huge fan of hybrids but
Synodontis angelicus x eruptus hybrid. Looking to score a true angelicus
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A 3.5 inch male Fusco should be showing a little more blues & red. The anal & dorsal fins should also be starting to elongate.
I'm currently growing out a 1inch Fusco, hopefully male. It already has a little blue on his face & flanks. The anal fin is starting to elongate.
I recently bought the little Fusco to replace the adult one I had, which got thrashed by a tankmate.
I'm currently growing out a 1inch Fusco, hopefully male. It already has a little blue on his face & flanks. The anal fin is starting to elongate.
I recently bought the little Fusco to replace the adult one I had, which got thrashed by a tankmate.
Hopefully I wasn't purposely misled by the photograph of the WYSIWYG that I had ordered - or I would not have ordered it.
As previously mentioned, the fish was supposedly kept individually in a numbered tank. If that was the case I've seen once dominant fish in species only tanks, take on subdominant/juvie colors when placed in new environments.
Every fish is different. I recognize multiple variables influence color/dominance. Some periods of time this individual is lighter or darker depending on mood.
It doesn't look great. But - at the end of the day a 12" fish can color up anywhere between 2-7". Fingers crossed.
Thanks for your feedback.
I might give it a month or so - and then place another order smdh
Super faint egg spots are displayed when this individual is sporting this color. Must be mood dependent, and was this color most of the day.
Prob give the fish until it’s 6”.
Prob give the fish until it’s 6”.
Finally mounted the light rail.
fully adjustable, the fixtures slide and I can add a 4th should I choose too.
I want to see how the plants react to the new bulb height. There’s lots of light spread - which I don’t mind. Nothing else exists on the particular wall
they are par38 14k LEDs.
the first image is the true color.
the second and third are without the phone camera light adjusting
have a few loose Vallisneria. I’ll get around to replanting them. Prob regret adding them to the tank in a few months once they really get acclimated.
fully adjustable, the fixtures slide and I can add a 4th should I choose too.
I want to see how the plants react to the new bulb height. There’s lots of light spread - which I don’t mind. Nothing else exists on the particular wall
they are par38 14k LEDs.
the first image is the true color.
the second and third are without the phone camera light adjusting
have a few loose Vallisneria. I’ll get around to replanting them. Prob regret adding them to the tank in a few months once they really get acclimated.
