My first "big" aquarium
- Thread starter jtalley
- Start date
In my area, the tap water is quite hard, and ph tends to be about 7.6-8. I think I will stay with the rocks in the front for now and see how I feel about them in a week or so. Just went and picked up a 10 g for a QT (which one of my cats is now sleeping inside of...) I also borrowed some bulbs from a friend to go into the coralife light that I bought and received the broken bulbs. It seems that something is also up with the fixture, so I think I will just send it back and pick up some plain single tube lights at Petco. Yes, I know most people don't like Petco, but my wife works there, so 20% discount can be hard to argue with sometimes...
I have been searching for a good algae eater/bottom feeder to go with the cichlid tank. I want to do something that will fit in with the cichlids (i.e. not a pleco or cory). Seems a lot of people have Synodontis cats, but I see a diversity in which exact species is the best for cichlids. For instance, I can get upside down cat fish easily in town, but there are people who say they are great and some who say they aren't. If anyone has a specific species I would be interested in what you have and how they interact with africans.
Also today I am picking up a couple of 48" strip lights, as well as arranging the QT and other supplies underneath the aquarium (which to this point has basically been neglected). I also rearranged the rock work a little bit to something that I like more. I had about 10 rocks leftover from the previous pictures, so I made the wall elevation change smoother and removed the rocks in the front for a more open swimming area. I'll try to post pictures later today once I finish with the lights and cabinet.
Also today I am picking up a couple of 48" strip lights, as well as arranging the QT and other supplies underneath the aquarium (which to this point has basically been neglected). I also rearranged the rock work a little bit to something that I like more. I had about 10 rocks leftover from the previous pictures, so I made the wall elevation change smoother and removed the rocks in the front for a more open swimming area. I'll try to post pictures later today once I finish with the lights and cabinet.
Lookin fierce...
Lots of rosck/stone.. thought about any tall driftwood pieces? There is so much in the bottom but nothing in the middle upper region unless you stack rock high, wouldn't consider that unledd you sealed them in a structural shape...
Lots of rosck/stone.. thought about any tall driftwood pieces? There is so much in the bottom but nothing in the middle upper region unless you stack rock high, wouldn't consider that unledd you sealed them in a structural shape...
Here are a couple of pictures of the slight rock work changes. I like this look more, as I said earlier, more smooth elevation change as you go around the rocks. Also earlier I mentioned maybe using some drift wood, I thought sort of an aquascaping look, with a piece of driftwood that looks like a whole tree in the new front area.
For the lights I only added 1 48" strip light, but I think I will add another, as it doesn't light the entire front to back depth very well.
The rock work right now is over 1/2 the height of the tank and still a significant open water area in the front. All different levels of the tank are being used, and would only expect that to increase as more cichlids are added (probably another 5 tomorrow). Would love to hear other suggestions to jazz the tank up. Enjoy!
For the lights I only added 1 48" strip light, but I think I will add another, as it doesn't light the entire front to back depth very well.
The rock work right now is over 1/2 the height of the tank and still a significant open water area in the front. All different levels of the tank are being used, and would only expect that to increase as more cichlids are added (probably another 5 tomorrow). Would love to hear other suggestions to jazz the tank up. Enjoy!
No new fish today, they didn't get their shipment. On another note, what is the longest that you have not seen a fish from hiding in the rocks? Hoping not to have to start moving rocks to find it, didn't come out yesterday when the rest were feeding.
Be careful. Little fish like to disapear and die in rocks. Pain in the ass to get them out sometimes....
hehe
hehe
Added 6 more Africans from That Fish Place last night, all different types that wife picked out without me there.
Still need to check compatibility, everyone made it through the night: chilotilapia rhoadesii, pseduotropheus acei, pseudotropheus sp., melanochromis cyaneorhabdos, pseduotropheus elongatus, metriaclima pyrsonotos...
Also added more lighting so the tank is looking really good, I just hope to find a nice central piece of driftwood. I will try to post some pictures later.
Forgot to mention that I think the orange colored hybrid is probably dead in the rocks, any problems if I don't tear open the rocks to find him? Still pretty lightly stocked for the FX5, thought it could probably take care of the additional ammonia...thoughts?
Still need to check compatibility, everyone made it through the night: chilotilapia rhoadesii, pseduotropheus acei, pseudotropheus sp., melanochromis cyaneorhabdos, pseduotropheus elongatus, metriaclima pyrsonotos...
Also added more lighting so the tank is looking really good, I just hope to find a nice central piece of driftwood. I will try to post some pictures later.
Forgot to mention that I think the orange colored hybrid is probably dead in the rocks, any problems if I don't tear open the rocks to find him? Still pretty lightly stocked for the FX5, thought it could probably take care of the additional ammonia...thoughts?
I went ahead today and removed all the rocks to try and find that orange guy who has been MIA for a couple of days....after taking out all the rocks, I only found a few small signs of him, the rest of the pack definitely "disposed" of him pretty efficiently for only a few days. Also had one of the electric yellows get himself stuck on the suction cover to the filter, got him off and put him in the hospital tank just so I can observe it, as they this is the only yellow that tends to hide almost 24/7.
Also went ahead and tried a different rock structure when putting everything back in. It is similar to before, but I added a small peninsula in the middle of the tank to create two smaller sand areas. Will post some pictures after the water clears up a bit.
Also went ahead and tried a different rock structure when putting everything back in. It is similar to before, but I added a small peninsula in the middle of the tank to create two smaller sand areas. Will post some pictures after the water clears up a bit.
did the bulkhead fitting seal up ok? if mine doesnt come with the rubber seal i use aquarium sealant and make a silicone seal under the flange.
