Loaches Online Forum

Here are some photos taken over the couple of years I have had my current tank. They show my Clown Loaches growing. The photos show that I am no photographer, but I love these fish.

At first I was running a planted tank with CO2 injection, but I had massive algae problems, plus I decided the fish are more interesting to me than the aquascape. Now I churn the surface to suit the loaches, which would drive off injected CO2, so the CO2 unit is off. I'm using Seachem Flourish Excel in the hope that this form of carbon will benefit the plants - does anyone know if this 'organic carbon' will be driven off by surface churning?

First photo was taken in May 06 when the first six Clowns were bought from my LFS.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... May066.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... May066.jpg" border="0" alt="Small Clown April 06"></a>

Second shows the initial set-up. It’s hard to keep a tank going with that sort of aquascape.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... ril064.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... ril064.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The third shows the Clowns after six months, and to me their condition looks better now - they have a nice shape. (BTW, I had a better camera at that time.)

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... ly0612.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... ly0612.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The fourth shows the Clowns this month – and apart from the reflections, flash on the glass and lack of focus, it’s quality photography.

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... G_0748.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... G_0748.jpg" border="0" alt="Clowns in July 08"></a>

The fifth is the tank today – and yes, I hang my head in shame, those are plastic Vallisneria. I am working my way back from a disasterous blue algae episode!

<a href="http://s44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... G_0202.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f23/B ... G_0202.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Hope these are of interest!

Mark

Sorry, this didn't work. Back to the drawing board...

When using Photobucket it's best to use the IMG Code that Photobucket provides. This wraps your photo's url in the

Thanks very much, Bully. I used the wrong code.

I still didn't pick all the right photos, but people can probably piece together what I'm getting at.

Thanks again.

Very nice tank and the CL's look awesome

How big are they?

They look great, I very much like the bright red on the lower fins. That is my favorite variation. Great Job on the long term care so far.....You removed the gravel and went to sand then?

Thanks for your comments, J@ckson and Tinman.

They are currently about 2 1/2 - 3 inches (three are a little bigger than the other three), with a smaller pal I added recently.

Yes, the photos with black gravel show the tank as originally set up. You can see how small the Clowns were from the picture with the cucumber.

I have kept fish most of my life following on from my Dad who set up a goldfish tank for us. However, I now realise that I knew very little about loaches when I came back into the hobby a couple of years ago!

At first I had a planted tank set up and the dark substrate was part of the look I wanted. It looked good for quite a while, but gradually algae became a severe problem. Also, I found out that Clowns are not ideal for a planted tank.

When I had Corydoras before they lost their barbels, so when I read that sand is much better for them and loaches I switched to sand (costing a lot of time and effort!)

The photo of all six eating bloodworms shows them after six months, and I feel they have a better shape and look than at first. The photo with the very obvious flash is the latest snap.

Fantastic tank and fish! I'm envious! What sort of sand are you using? It looks great.

Hi Auntsally,

Thanks for your comment.

This is BD Aquarium sand - they have it at my local LFS including a 25kg bag which works out cheaper.

Cheers

Mark

thanks Mark. It certainly sets your beautiful fish off to perfection.