Update on the setups in the fish room.

[mrrobxc]

What’s up guys. I wanted to share some updates on the fish room. The 150 has been undergoing some changes that are journaled in a separate build thread in the aquascaping section of this forum.

First, the 600.

I just fed the monsters some dried herrings so the water has a lot of debris.

Here’s a video from last night.

Was able to add my Astronotus Crassipinnis in here about a month or so ago. I kept the largest three and got rid of the rest. They’re finally starting to show their reds now that they are pushing 8-9”. Can’t wait until they pop. May have to get rid of the third intermedia as the two that paired up are not being too nice to it.

 

[mrrobxc]

Here is the 280. I added the giant vallisnera about 7 or 8 weeks ago and have added a few more the last couple weeks as they became available at my local shop. They give it a nice finish while still keeping the wood scape dominant.

I reduced the caquetaia myersi down to four which seem to be two pairs. The eight Crenicichla Saxatilis I got in the spring have now grown out to adults, though some are still much smaller than the larger ones. I have a pair forming from the dominant male and female. Really starting to pop and the female is beginning to show red in the abdomen that’s so characteristic of this complex. These are true Saxatilis I sourced from another hobbyist.

Mixed in with them are 8 Altums which I sourced from Wes. They’re F1 and working very well in this setup. The Myersi and Saxatilis leave them alone. I also have six Geophagus Winemilleri I got for a steal at a local shop when they were tiny. They’re about 5” now give or take. Finishing the tank off is a trio of Pseudanos Vari, Chalceus Erythrurus, and a L600. A couple of bushy noses finish it off for algae control.

Footprint is 80”x34”. Gives it a nice depth and allows for a lot of creativity with the aquascape.

 

[mrrobxc]

Next is the 150. This is still a work in progress. Set this up for some Andinoacara Rivulatus. Had to get these again since these have been among my favorite species since I was a kid. I’ve strayed away far too long and now have them again. More to come on this setup.

I have them mixed with a group of Geophagus Alto Sinu, some Rhodsia Altipinna, Bleeding Heart Tetras, and some giant oto’s (hypoptoma gulare). Not a biotope by any means but wanted some SA cichlids from West of the Andes.

 

[Blakewater]

Beautiful! The brighter Intermedia has be feeling a little jealous mine refuse to grow even with pristine water and 3 meals a day. Love the aquascaping too! Gorgeous gorgeous

 

[mrrobxc]

Here is the 110 Riparium. I removed some plants, repositioned the Tillandasia so I can raise the water level. And moved some of the swords around, while taking the largest and using it for the 150. Some more anubias will be added down the road.

Most of the rock was removed as well. I’m trying to create more space and increase overall water volume since I plan to add some wild discus later on down the road.

I also removed the Ivanoacara Adoketa, the school of red phantom tetras, and the school of Bleeding Hearts. I have the Corydoras CW-049, the hatchets, and my trio of Crenicichla Orinoco Dwarf left in there. Thinking six wild discus will finish the tank off. Only issue is my water is 7.6 pH with 305 ppm TDS. I think it’ll work. We will see.

 

[mrrobxc]

Lastly is the lowly 40 breeder that is supposed to be a QT tank but is currently holding my refugees. I put the Ctenolucius Hujeta in here after they attacked and killed several of my Rhodsia Altipinna, which really pisses me off. I’m thinking I’ll grow these out to put into my 280, and then remove the Chalceus. I really like these. Let’s hope they grow fast.

The tank also holds a trio of Ivanocara Adoketa which I’m not sure if I’ll add back to my 110 Riparium or not. If I don’t, this 40 will be their permanent home. The plants and rocks are refugees as well. My red phantoms are in here too. They’ll likely become food for the Hujeta gars. I’m ok with that as I need these guys to grow quick.

 

[dr exum]

You ever get any jumpers?

 

[mrrobxc]

You ever get any jumpers?

All tanks are covered so haven’t had issues yet.

 

[mrrobxc]

Beautiful! The brighter Intermedia has be feeling a little jealous mine refuse to grow even with pristine water and 3 meals a day. Love the aquascaping too! Gorgeous gorgeous

Thank you.

What’s the water temp in your setup? These guys grew from 5” to over foot in less than a year and hit 18” in about 18-20 months.

 

[Blakewater]

Thank you.

What’s the water temp in your setup? These guys grew from 5” to over foot in less than a year and hit 18” in about 18-20 months.

I keep all my tanks between 82 and 84. Right now its been freezing here lately so the tanks are a little colder [81] most of the time