Starting over

[duanes]

After the epidemic of Lernaea took out most of the fishes in my tank, (and my own euthanizing any A-symptomatic carriers remaining), it´s time to start over cautiously, while giving the system time to purge of any Lernaea larvae that escaped initial medication, or remained in an inert stage during that treatment.
Logs still coated in Prazi have been returned to the tank after 24 hours outside the water, and 2 more lbs of table salt added to raise salinity enough to discourage, any emerging inert, late hatching stragglers from developing.


A few Vallisneria plants from the sump, have been to the turbid end near the influent return of the main tank, and a Lotus seed pod was wedged into a crook in one of the sunken logs a more sedate spot, at end of the 6 ft tank, in hopes both plant species may establish root systems, before fish arrive in a couple weeks.


Sump filtration will have a more dynamic flow throughout the 300 gal closed system, to create a counter current zone on the turbid end of the tank, in preparation for more rheophillic cichlid species.

 

[benzjamin13]

Ooof...outbreaks sucks. Sorry you had to go through that. I remember one of my tank kept getting dropsy. I ended up cleaning out the tank with vinegar, did a hydrogen peroxide dip with the plants and letting it run empty for a month. New fish still got it after a few weeks in the tank. I just ended up bleaching everything, got new plants, and started over again, but let it run empty for 3 months before adding fish again. It seemed to have helped, but it just felt like such a waste of time and effort.

 

[duanes]

The flow from the sump has been rerouted a little, to create a more dynamic flow rate , in anticipation of more rheophillic future stocking
The previous flow was spread out to smooth flow along the width of the tank.

Those bends, the constriction, and elbows tended to temper strength of flow somewhat
Now removed, flow hits direct, harder, and creats a counter current area, at that end of the tank.


Hopefully this flow will help mimic more, the waters flow where rheophiles are found, like the Las Margaritas in the video below.

The rainy season continues, and with the rains, leaf litter tannins are being washed into the tank staining it tea brown in color.
Hopefully the anti-bacterial tannins will help mitigate some extra bacteria brought in by the Lernaea lesions.



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[HUKIT]

Are you on the hunt for something specific? Still hoping you’ll find some WC panamensis to add to my room, Lol.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Are you on the hunt for something specific? Still hoping you’ll find some WC panamensis to add to my room, Lol.
View attachment 1569467

I've noticed these have started to become somewhat common on a few sites.

 

[HUKIT]

I've noticed these have started to become somewhat common on a few sites.

Yes sir, I picked another 12 from Dave’s Rare Fish a couple months ago to add into my current stock.

 

[duanes]

Darienheros, and Isthmoheros, have not yet spawned in my tanks, so if they are caught again, they are wanted,
and if Geophagus crassiiabrus, and Talamancheros seiboldi are found, them too.
Panamense had alraedy spawned a couple times while in the states, so not quite as critacal to access.

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Yes sir, I picked another 12 from Dave’s Rare Fish a couple months ago to add into my current stock.

That was one of the vendors I was going to say. I believe wet spot as well

 

[Roger Mcfish]

Tuba would be perfect for your high flow setup

 

[HUKIT]

I saw you post this on CF,

“I only have fish collected in eastern Panama (east of Panama City and east into the Darien, that I have the ability to return with the same day.
For instance Amphilophus lyonsi is found in Rio Dupi (about 50+ miles west of Panama City, and into Costa Rica, one of the reasons I have probably never netted lyonsi where i fish.

Another cichlid Tomocichla asfraci, is only found in the Rio Guarama, Rio Guabo system, which is about 300 miles west and north (a 7 hour drive, under perfect conditions”

How far do you typically travel to collect? Do you ever make longer trips to some of these locations?