My 300+ tank plans are on hold for a while, and I decided to actually consolidate some tanks. Sold my datnoids, moved my distichoduses and loaches, and that left this tank in the bedroom open for South Americans.
I actually managed to do a substrate swap from pea gravel to PF sand while the Arowana and Uaru were in the tank. Kept both filters running, drained about 40% of the water before setting up a tube that was filling as I continued to drain, and scooped all the rock out. Three hours later the water was clear. 12 hours later the eartheaters made the trip over.
I was a little worried that the black Aro might try to eat some of the younger fish, but so far he hasn't been interested. I guess I just have to make sure he's well fed. He could definitely pick off the smallest of the juvies.
Anyway, 3 adults and 10 juvenile orangeheads, 5 s leucosticta, 1 s. red lip, 2 catfish, 1 black Aro, 1 Uaru, and the tank is both active but still empty. It's amazing what a difference that extra foot makes.
They're all thrilled to be there. Instead of at least 130w light over a 5 foot tank, they now have just 40w over a 6 foot tank, much more surface space to sift the sand, and they have responded by being more colorful than they have in two months since their last move (I moved the 5' tank's location, they never re-adjusted). I will get more photos later when the light comes on. You've got to see this one juvenile. He's still only about the size of the adult female but he has trailers and color to rival the dominant adult male.
Hopefully they'll get right back to business and breed for me, and maybe be successful this time.
Anyway, here are two quick shots I just took while walking past:
I still need to re-seat the plants and arrange the rocks a bit better. No more live plants (due to the Uaru). I feel like I should get more appropriate fake ones like swords but I don't feel like paying for more fake plants.
I'm just going to try to find a pair of severums or something to complete the tank, though I'll always adopt more satanoperca in if I find them.
I actually managed to do a substrate swap from pea gravel to PF sand while the Arowana and Uaru were in the tank. Kept both filters running, drained about 40% of the water before setting up a tube that was filling as I continued to drain, and scooped all the rock out. Three hours later the water was clear. 12 hours later the eartheaters made the trip over.
I was a little worried that the black Aro might try to eat some of the younger fish, but so far he hasn't been interested. I guess I just have to make sure he's well fed. He could definitely pick off the smallest of the juvies.
Anyway, 3 adults and 10 juvenile orangeheads, 5 s leucosticta, 1 s. red lip, 2 catfish, 1 black Aro, 1 Uaru, and the tank is both active but still empty. It's amazing what a difference that extra foot makes.
They're all thrilled to be there. Instead of at least 130w light over a 5 foot tank, they now have just 40w over a 6 foot tank, much more surface space to sift the sand, and they have responded by being more colorful than they have in two months since their last move (I moved the 5' tank's location, they never re-adjusted). I will get more photos later when the light comes on. You've got to see this one juvenile. He's still only about the size of the adult female but he has trailers and color to rival the dominant adult male.
Hopefully they'll get right back to business and breed for me, and maybe be successful this time.
Anyway, here are two quick shots I just took while walking past:
I still need to re-seat the plants and arrange the rocks a bit better. No more live plants (due to the Uaru). I feel like I should get more appropriate fake ones like swords but I don't feel like paying for more fake plants.
I'm just going to try to find a pair of severums or something to complete the tank, though I'll always adopt more satanoperca in if I find them.
