Grr tank planning.

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Sharkscott2
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Post by Sharkscott2 » Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:14 pm

I love the bamboo. The tank it's pictured in is a 40 gallon long all that Bamboo has been in there for at least 6 months. All the Decore and fish there will be moving over to the 125 gallon.

I have a few pieces of bamboo in other tanks which have lasted for two years. Just a month ago I had a batch of Golden BN pleco fry emerge from a pipe of bamboo similar to that shown above.

I typically just boil it a bit and place it in the tank. I usually knock out the walls inside the bamboo, sometimes I don't. It's nice for the fish to be able to swim straight through. But a foot long piece with a chamber wall in the middle makes two caves where neither fish can see the other. This also has it's advantages.

It can be a pain to cut by hand though, I don't have much in the way of power tools, so I get a good workout when I get a couple 5 foot poles.

I've been considering getting a Red tail shark for the 125 gallon, any thoughts on how he may fare?

Thanks for the tip on using carbon Andyroo. I have typically don't use carbon but I have lots of it sitting around still in it's plastic packaging.
Last edited by Sharkscott2 on Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.

andyroo
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Post by andyroo » Wed Aug 04, 2010 8:22 pm

RTS- I'd say it'd do brilliantly and will enjoy "mixing it up" with similarly grouchy tank-mates, particularly as the shark gets larger/older. Mine schools with the loaches when they are "dithering" and scraps when they scrap. Poor fella can't click though.... He/she runs the show at the moment, but the loaches are getting bigger.
"I can eat 50 eggs !"

arny
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Post by arny » Thu Aug 05, 2010 7:19 am

i had a red tailed shark for years in a community tank he did fine. every fish is different. give it a go i'd say

Sharkscott2
Posts: 106
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:43 pm
Location: Maryland - USA

Post by Sharkscott2 » Sat Aug 07, 2010 10:44 am

Substrate is in, water parameters checked. The tank is mostly clear but there is still some dust. I placed some fluval ploishing pads in my canister to help out.

So I moved some fish in from the quarantine tanks.

2 S. Berdmorei
4 S. Hymenophysa

The fish survived the night but they aren't eating yet which worries me. They're in good shape and were eating before, but not now. I wonder if the substrate dust has left a bad taste in the water.

I'll try to get some pics up later today.

Sharkscott2
Posts: 106
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:43 pm
Location: Maryland - USA

Post by Sharkscott2 » Sat Aug 07, 2010 5:08 pm

Substrate in (although I'd like to get a tad more)
Image

Cheezy decorations in, this isn't the final design plan.
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Two Hymenophysa
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Currently the loaches are swimming around in small groups, following the barbs at times to the mid level of the aquarium. So far the loaches aren't behaving like a semi-aggressive species. I'm sure in a week that'll change.

I've planted a few live plants and added some river stones. The stones aren't so large that the loaches can hide under them. Although I'd like to get some larger stones for just that reason.

arny
Posts: 87
Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:45 pm
Location: manchester, UK

Post by arny » Sat Aug 07, 2010 7:41 pm

every tank needs some cheezy decor. have you thought about adding bog wood? my loaches love swimming through the tunnels that they have created under it.

Sharkscott2
Posts: 106
Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:43 pm
Location: Maryland - USA

Post by Sharkscott2 » Sat Aug 07, 2010 8:17 pm

All the cheezy decor will eventually go.

I 3 pieces of wood which I'm going to move over from my 40 gallon once I add those fish in. Along with several lengths of bamboo.

I've been hunting around the forests near my house looking for pieces to add. The stump which I posted a pic of earlier I was really hoping to be able to use. I'm hoping to run across something similar soon.

I've also been meaning to take a trip to a river where I can get some large river stones. I think I can prop a larger boulder up on 3 or 4 small stones and create areas underneath for the loaches.

My basic plan right this moment is to add hardscape items, rocks, wood to the right hand side to break up the flow. Meanwhile i'd like to place some plants on the lefthand side where the flow is less intense.

arny
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Joined: Tue Jun 29, 2010 5:45 pm
Location: manchester, UK

Post by arny » Sun Aug 08, 2010 7:31 am

it all sounds great cant wait to see the finished tank

Sharkscott2
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Joined: Thu Mar 19, 2009 3:43 pm
Location: Maryland - USA

Post by Sharkscott2 » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:10 pm

Image

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bookpage
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Post by bookpage » Sun Aug 08, 2010 9:39 pm

Looking good.

How you given any thought about what to do about the back?

One side of my 125 gallon tank was facing a door way and every time someone came in the door it would frighten my fish. So I put window film on one end and it works great. And, it was easy to put on. Been about 3 weeks and still looks very good. You can see in (a little when the fish tank lights are on) and they can not see out at all.

I have had the aquarium for over 7 months and I painted the back a dark blue. Did not want to paint in the house, so thought of using the window film. I got mine at Lowe's, but you can find it at Home Depot also. I used Privacy Black Gila Window Film. Costs less than $16.00. All different colors and types to try. http://www.gilafilms.com/Residential...vacy-black.htm

I also used it on the back of my new 75 gallon.

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