tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84191894750921015582024-03-05T23:29:55.333-06:00My Fishy JourneyOne of my hobbies is fish keeping.
This blog will be a journal of sorts for my aquariums.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-14164694384677114702014-11-29T00:48:00.000-06:002014-11-29T00:48:23.651-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBdkqiKA_LkjwFyGqPZgEuMba-UvgPGoY5HP-q-B36cT8s7lra0UDZBD23lv1zWJ1bjUNggBHRh4bvVJvtLV_fFwbT3t-22PGrsVDaeO-LOvH9DgDIKstwTFXL_m8mmFjdzSfQOTXu00/s1600/IMG_2561.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxBdkqiKA_LkjwFyGqPZgEuMba-UvgPGoY5HP-q-B36cT8s7lra0UDZBD23lv1zWJ1bjUNggBHRh4bvVJvtLV_fFwbT3t-22PGrsVDaeO-LOvH9DgDIKstwTFXL_m8mmFjdzSfQOTXu00/s1600/IMG_2561.jpg" height="180" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
This is what my 40 breeder looks like today. I let it run empty for about 6 weeks after I cleaned everything out. The plants that are in there all survived the months in the dark. They must have gotten just enough light from the window to hold on. (Only coming in a bit through the top and left side.) <br />
<br />
I peeked at Petsmart last week and ended up buying fish. I got what I think is a SAE (sold as a flying fox though, so maybe I am wrong and it is) and 3 Yellow-tail Acei. I was thinking I would have like 6 of them, and some yellow labs. Now I am not sure I even want to have African Cichlids. They are pretty, but I really love lush planted tanks. Also, I don't think the 40 is quite big enough for them. I thought it might be, but I am rethinking that. The biggest reason I had decided to go African Cichlids, is because of the hard/high PH water that comes out of my tap, and livebearers are not my favs. I think I will just invest in a R/O filter, so I can have the fish I like. (Yes, I know most tropical fish are ok in harder water and higher PH than is recommended, but I have super hard water, with a high KH and very high PH. (The PH is well over 8, close to 9) and it won't budge unless I cut it with half R/O water. Even then I am lucky to get it down to 7.5. Ok, rambling. I might change my mind again tomorrow. I am not going to re commission the 10 gallon until after we move. (That one did get cleaned up and taken down almost right away.) Have been thinking of trying a nano tank though. Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-51907846551429901562014-11-29T00:20:00.001-06:002014-11-29T01:05:43.316-06:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
RIP to my 55 gallon aquarium. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXaliroK22iGj22PrqQBpvfOkCbYalBv5vM8XtI725GlOhSv_yDBZt4xDKZMmjODaxcHpFRXaK0Zo_2JZKNupleHW-A-Vlcd6GzxlkmiyR5niQi3L5G7XhP3SgOSefWv19hZWC9qBcU4/s1600/55in2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkXaliroK22iGj22PrqQBpvfOkCbYalBv5vM8XtI725GlOhSv_yDBZt4xDKZMmjODaxcHpFRXaK0Zo_2JZKNupleHW-A-Vlcd6GzxlkmiyR5niQi3L5G7XhP3SgOSefWv19hZWC9qBcU4/s1600/55in2011.jpg" height="240" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It sprang a leak about 2 years ago. I shoved everything into my 40 (which was just housing a bunch of guppies at the time) and sold it as a lizard cage. I had planned to replace it with a 75, but didn't get around to it for a while. My health wasn't doing so well, and I neglected my tanks, only doing the bare minimum (or less.) All the fish in the 10 gallon died from unknown causes, and shortly after that, the fish in my 40 got ich, and I didn't notice until it was too late. I lost every fish. I just turned off the tank and let it sit... literally. It sat there for several months before I cleaned out the filters and cleaned the tank and added water. (It had evaporated to about 1/3 tank.) That is about as lazy as a person can get I guess. The tank is in the corner of the basement though, it's not like it was sitting in our living room reminding me to care for it. At the time, I also was using any energy I could muster to prepare our house to put on the market. (It didn't sell, and we took it off for the winter. We will try again in spring, but that is another subject. ;) )Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-26930081092562445212011-01-19T16:41:00.002-06:002011-01-19T16:50:08.522-06:00UpdateI added a few plants and fish to my 55 a couple weeks ago. 4 angels, 6 cardinals, and 5 panda cories.<br />
<br />
I was gifted some ferts, and have started fertilizing the tank. I also got a used pressurized CO2 setup that I found on craigslist. <br />
Here is the tank as of a week ago.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q1EkAG4Z4YdOgnDsC0CSeRxTvymLfozzFbUcapkfORsnFN3P53ic2yTfk_KWHPxexKVd-cxHxPwqtPrCDYMtwqSQ7Hd1KcPqAiYTjGWuEkw4XbBs5XVrf9ln2jBv1MBNLc8VR3Lg7Jo/s1600/IMG_4055_1-11-11.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9q1EkAG4Z4YdOgnDsC0CSeRxTvymLfozzFbUcapkfORsnFN3P53ic2yTfk_KWHPxexKVd-cxHxPwqtPrCDYMtwqSQ7Hd1KcPqAiYTjGWuEkw4XbBs5XVrf9ln2jBv1MBNLc8VR3Lg7Jo/s640/IMG_4055_1-11-11.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I also bought this...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz21r929wAlh2UPQD57PmIhQiC3VUjbrhn12uGX4sCw_mqxCOyMniLkgXBKf4jictaTqYn78tUzkS0jytZSkV9DX08EmwRMNz5ddoyu9ofHEP5FnphetviTLiEZng6arU-xK99dNZQIk/s1600/40btank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBz21r929wAlh2UPQD57PmIhQiC3VUjbrhn12uGX4sCw_mqxCOyMniLkgXBKf4jictaTqYn78tUzkS0jytZSkV9DX08EmwRMNz5ddoyu9ofHEP5FnphetviTLiEZng6arU-xK99dNZQIk/s1600/40btank.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is a 40 gallon breeder. I am in the process of <a href="http://www.aquaticplantcentral.com/forumapc/library/52554-how-mineralized-soil-substrate-aaron-talbot.html">mineralizing</a> some top soil to use as substrate.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I do have some bad news. My raphael catfish got ich, and I was trying to treat it with salt and heat, but it didn't work. The last day I could tell he was suffering, so was going to pick up some meds. That morning I woke up to a dead fishy. We had Waldo over 10 years. :(</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-58733295791228694472010-12-18T22:03:00.001-06:002010-12-18T22:04:40.314-06:00I rearranged stuff, and added some new fishes.I went to Terre Quatics yesterday and picked up a dozen rummy nose tetras, and one random tetra that she threw in because I took all her rummies. I also got a pair of Kribensis.<br />
I put them right into my tank (after acclimating them for an hour or so) and they all seemed at home right away, checking stuff out and eating. I need to get a quarantine tank set up soon, instead of just throwing fish in my main tanks. I do have to say that I trust Terra Quatics fish more than most other stores. <br />
<br />
One of my goldfish from petsmart has some sort of fungus or worm. I salted the tank pretty good, and will watch to see if it improves with that before putting in meds. And one of the platties we got for the girls had ich, which I have been treating with high water temps (almost 90F) and salt and it is gone. I will keep up the treatment for at least a few more days before I give it the all clear. Anyway, I need to get a quaratine tank set up, as it would be so much easier to treat anything in that, especially compared to treating my 55 gallon tank, and risking all those fish. <br />
<br />
Anyway, here is the tank and some of it's new residents. (Click it to see the full picture.)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWvFBzVuffa1RnrGliSFYaS-3_tFO0Ya0siEOSfhVLufW-lnrDwV6nRDADcY7QctLD5EbkFerol3KC311vcMflI2omenQBkotWOtxro93uHgH2H9U-fNCraVfX2ejukcc-vgxvgFMQQg/s1600/IMG_3895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiWvFBzVuffa1RnrGliSFYaS-3_tFO0Ya0siEOSfhVLufW-lnrDwV6nRDADcY7QctLD5EbkFerol3KC311vcMflI2omenQBkotWOtxro93uHgH2H9U-fNCraVfX2ejukcc-vgxvgFMQQg/s400/IMG_3895.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ6LqoZS2FKN6nDJsFuKGlgahqOnSLRaBWdfmBdTwFWg2Ov6qIWPT-cG4H_lM_HS7954GWvvUKm9h4_bq1_n0CNKUGvFuI8dvYYkTyJET8Jom4cx08zhjHMBEvFxDVAv3hLXyFNfWPFo/s1600/IMG_3913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQ6LqoZS2FKN6nDJsFuKGlgahqOnSLRaBWdfmBdTwFWg2Ov6qIWPT-cG4H_lM_HS7954GWvvUKm9h4_bq1_n0CNKUGvFuI8dvYYkTyJET8Jom4cx08zhjHMBEvFxDVAv3hLXyFNfWPFo/s400/IMG_3913.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-19848543972130289562010-12-16T18:53:00.001-06:002010-12-16T18:55:20.519-06:00quick updateI had another baby Oct of last year, so having 3 young children has kept me too busy to do more than basic maintenance on my tanks. Now my baby is over a year, I do seem to have a bit more time to focus on them.<br />
<br />
My 55 did really well for a while, but about 6 months ago it got some sort of bacteria or fungus outbreak, and I was a bit slow at catching it, and I lost most of my fish. Also, the last few months the plants have started shrinking again, and the only things I can think of is old bulbs, and being so understocked, as I haven't been using ferts.<br />
<br />
Current fish in my 55<br />
1 SAE<br />
1clown pleco<br />
1 cardinal tetra<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3865.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="121" n4="true" src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3865.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I added some DIY CO2 a few days ago. Hoping that it helps.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My 20 still has my cat, and now is home to 2 goldfish. Don't tell me it is overstocked, I know.<br />
It is a pretty neglected tank. I change the water often and feed them well, but I haven't really tried to make it pretty. I am hoping to get a 30-40 gallon to replace this in a year or so. I will either keep it for these fish, or rehome the goldfish and get some cichlids.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" n4="true" src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3871.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Waldo<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" n4="true" src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3874.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I recently replaced the 6 gallon for a 10 when the filter in the 6 died. I got a stadard 10 gallon so I can just buy single pieces of equipment when they die, and not have to buy a whole new hood, or pay way too much for a part of it. (I like the eclipses, but they can be spendy when it comes time to replace something.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">single 15 watt flouresant light (I might add to that soon.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">aquaclear hob filter</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">play sand substrate with unknown rocks from my parents farm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Java ferns</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">crypts</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">anibus</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">2 platties </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We are fighting ich right now. I should know better than to buy fish from big pet stores. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3869.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" n4="true" src="http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b273/SleepyOwl/Misc/IMG_3869.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This tank is in my daughters' room, so I let my oldest pick out one decoration, hence the pink treasure chest. It actually doesn't look too bad in there.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-64766327949035227052008-10-24T16:51:00.002-05:002008-10-24T17:22:46.475-05:00Update, one year later.<div>I should have kept up with this better, as I fought a lot of algae for many months.<br /></div><br /><div>My plants did really well and grew really well for about 6-8 weeks, then they all stopped growing, and algae took over. Then the plants actually started shrinking, and some died. I thought maybe it was the ferts I was using, so I quit that. I tried buying more plants, nope, that didn't help either. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Finally I got it figured out after like 9 months. (I might have sooner, but I had my second baby in Feb, so didn't have much time to think about my tanks.)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I had gotten a hang on the back Aquaclear filter, and I often let the water level fall below the output level, and the results apparently it was letting CO2 outgas, because I unplugged it and withen 2 weeks my plants looked way better, and the algae was going away! I added a couple Siamese Algae eaters too, and that helped the acutal plants I think.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I was just turning that filter on after a water change, but now I am leaving it on and being more diligent about topping off the evaporated water.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I also moved some fish around. I put the catfish back into the 20 (yes I know it is too small, but he lived there for 8 years, and has a nice hidey hole in the 20 gallon tank.)</div><br /><div>Last week two of my Keyhole cichlids paired up and laid some eggs for the first time! Of course they ate them after 2 days, but I had wanted a pair and got them. I took the other two Keyholes out and put them in the 20 gallon with my cat.</div><br /><div>Oh, and all the livebearers I had in the 20 died, so it was sitting empty before I put Waldo the cat in there.</div><br /><div>I bought 2 angel fish about 6 months or so ago, and the 2 SAEs.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So in my 55 gallon</div><br /><div>Fish:</div><br /><div>2 angels</div><br /><div>2 keyhole cichlids</div><br /><div>1 golden gourami</div><br /><div>2 SAEs</div><br /><div>1 clown pleco</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am planning on adding some tetras of some sort and some cories.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Plants:</div><br /><div>Vals</div><br /><div>crypts</div><br /><div>Java ferns</div><br /><div>tiny bit of java moss</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I just ordered a new canister filter for this, as the two filters I have are just not cutting it.</div><br /><div>I am getting a Eheim 2217. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>20 gallon</div><br /><div>fish: </div><br /><div>Raphael cat</div><br /><div>2 keyhole cichlids (I think they might be a male and female too, so maybe I will get a second pair!)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>6 gallon</div><br /><div>3 female bettas (the same ones)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is my 55 a few days ago. I changed things around a bit last night. Need to get pictures. :)</div><br /><div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20IhSoq0NCZo1K1a35zUY_VujDu-bl3QU4b3RhH65hCmHVOni6Ok8PXl8BI1p4qaPk6QACG4rQpf2AjHnXwyhAPem2EUmtOGA2DxtGmsKiH1o0T4OzYSluPMh_Ha1NYH_VFPhyBTzE7s/s1600-h/sm_0001_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260849344673004898" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20IhSoq0NCZo1K1a35zUY_VujDu-bl3QU4b3RhH65hCmHVOni6Ok8PXl8BI1p4qaPk6QACG4rQpf2AjHnXwyhAPem2EUmtOGA2DxtGmsKiH1o0T4OzYSluPMh_Ha1NYH_VFPhyBTzE7s/s400/sm_0001_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-58082155007471837892007-09-24T21:40:00.000-05:002007-09-24T21:56:42.608-05:00progressLast week when I picked up the Keyhole Cichlids and plants, I also got some Laterite to add to the gravel for plants. I also got some more gravel. I got some tiny gravel, and just mixed it with the pea size gravel I had. Not perfect, but will help the plants a bit, and cheaper than switching it all. I needed the extra depth anyway. I also added 3 rocks that I got from my parent's place (after checking with vinegar if they would mess with my water.)<br /><br /><div><div><div><div>A few days ago I got my 2x55 watt kit from AHsupply, and built a fixture for it, and yesterday my sweet hubby put the kit together for me. We could have just installed it in the hood, but a seperate fixture seemed like it would protect it better, and be more versitle. I didn't get any pictures, but I will try to remember to get one.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, I am very happy with the kit and the amount of light, but VERY unhappy with the bulbs that I got. I went with the 6700K, and my tank is YELLOWGREEN. Yuck! :P<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Here is a picture of it with the lights on during the day. This pic looks pretty nice, it looks more yellow than this.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejiQi08ImFbAxCWNXz4hVrnLGqZrFgwoWwx2Kp6JvCAEjcfF5wtgB_nb1BaqFV5yoDvaN70R7PFgmSV4zjC7rAHZVRFDiwjfXsrZRGFGSnd0pLzjQXz8e28K2Uftr81nJMTscdHRMSfw/s1600-h/tankday6700_3569.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113969207602824962" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejiQi08ImFbAxCWNXz4hVrnLGqZrFgwoWwx2Kp6JvCAEjcfF5wtgB_nb1BaqFV5yoDvaN70R7PFgmSV4zjC7rAHZVRFDiwjfXsrZRGFGSnd0pLzjQXz8e28K2Uftr81nJMTscdHRMSfw/s400/tankday6700_3569.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And this is taken at night. It isn't THIS bad IRL, but you can see what the color is. :P<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_WiKC0D2VsZVkAnsCyjooVJw82Q3Gz4F8Hz-g7CrIl9b_pNxwdTqVhA1KIJy2q6ClyMymWzs-uliuIq71XJl7D1g9aQY4IhPAJAtIvj3hHZGQ3QFbhepol5_hpTaQPC6c_OrgrjZqvU/s1600-h/tanknight6700_3570.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113969319271974674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT_WiKC0D2VsZVkAnsCyjooVJw82Q3Gz4F8Hz-g7CrIl9b_pNxwdTqVhA1KIJy2q6ClyMymWzs-uliuIq71XJl7D1g9aQY4IhPAJAtIvj3hHZGQ3QFbhepol5_hpTaQPC6c_OrgrjZqvU/s400/tanknight6700_3570.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>I also changed my 20 gallon a bit. It still is quite bare, and needs some decorating, but it looks better with the rocks than with that big orange thing in there. lol</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKh72V5XJ6VUQigirCumJmejB72BForIu_e3zDGB0wLjie9k-CiotuEzZb8JIQjIyhTZYHzYJnA3-QpZPPlHbUuNOP1bC8GzF7keiK7xIsZzrh3K3xnPao7x3ly5Xwy6e0gJ-pz9GYsg/s1600-h/tank20_3573.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5113970027941578530" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKh72V5XJ6VUQigirCumJmejB72BForIu_e3zDGB0wLjie9k-CiotuEzZb8JIQjIyhTZYHzYJnA3-QpZPPlHbUuNOP1bC8GzF7keiK7xIsZzrh3K3xnPao7x3ly5Xwy6e0gJ-pz9GYsg/s400/tank20_3573.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div>Oh, and my catfish has quit uprooting my plants, so I guess the lucky guy gets to stay in the 55. ;)</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGXYqnJi0Hw1fFNCDMANgq5CRFeKBNssy4OYPX7zI5o15vfqXP5_x-XvOMcuzHip02Do5xGCUiQpLi6BdP_LXkAvTNlg_WUE5idIJ_qwatQ3-UnNGvHXEuf3EuCnMX7n4CTkAP4hOZsYg/s1600-h/tanknight6700_3570.jpg"></a></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-4620463085449007232007-09-19T14:55:00.000-05:002007-09-19T15:07:37.858-05:0055 gallon<div>Current Residents: 1 gold gourami, 1 tiny sunset gourami, 4 Keyhole Cichlids, 1 clown pleco and 1 Raphael catfish (who is probably going to be moved soon.)</div><div></div><br /><div>Plants: 2 Amazon Swords, moneywort, 1 crypt, several vals, java moss and a couple unknowns.</div><br /><div>Lighting : almost nothing ~ I have a 2-55watt kit on it's way from AHsupply.com. It should be here tomorrow or the next day.</div><br /><div>I just got this tank last week, used for $150. That included the stand and hood, the filter (Hot Magnum) some gravel and some stuff I won't use, like decorations, air pumps, the lights and a couple extra filters that probably wont' be used on this tank.</div><br /><div></div><div>Here is a picture of it before I added plants yesterday.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItfBQnNwZ9DeD6fXC_p0vVWUkonTbJBofevtvCjE8mrvvgVzHfwQ2JFtHx_jBkrACEhuhWGbBa0WPT8P1qgRyNQwN0mEHGS6QZ-_fiv52-CiC4cemV367I4p2freht3Xdsg8qKj-0utQ/s1600-h/55gallon_3506.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112008466627266050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgItfBQnNwZ9DeD6fXC_p0vVWUkonTbJBofevtvCjE8mrvvgVzHfwQ2JFtHx_jBkrACEhuhWGbBa0WPT8P1qgRyNQwN0mEHGS6QZ-_fiv52-CiC4cemV367I4p2freht3Xdsg8qKj-0utQ/s320/55gallon_3506.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here is the lights on at night. You can see how dark it is.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28tm6jVgpbifkY-kr3_gtKSQPcRKMDVup3BPMClU6ZCIz-1lzo9HyKOQmsdKXBXDrcm1Ze1Oe2prsnHLQmlGYKWV7wOs2mZqF1PUz6zf-nVgSMeO68tNCJo2-Tw2KBMpzeX3Lr7cqCrc/s1600-h/55gallon_3514.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112008694260532754" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28tm6jVgpbifkY-kr3_gtKSQPcRKMDVup3BPMClU6ZCIz-1lzo9HyKOQmsdKXBXDrcm1Ze1Oe2prsnHLQmlGYKWV7wOs2mZqF1PUz6zf-nVgSMeO68tNCJo2-Tw2KBMpzeX3Lr7cqCrc/s320/55gallon_3514.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div> </div><div></div><div>Hopefully I will have my new lights set up by this weekend, and I can get some decent shots.</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-89365336812997266542007-09-19T14:40:00.000-05:002007-09-19T15:09:47.142-05:006 gallon<div>Current residents: 3 female Bettas, 4 ghost shrimp, pond snails</div><div> </div><div>plants: java fern, java moss, and some anubias </div><div> </div><div>lighting: 1.33 watts per gallon</div><br /><div></div><div>I got my 6 gallon about 6 years ago or so. It is an Eclipse6. Usually I keep a male betta in it, but a couple months ago I bought 3 females to put in with my male. (It is planted pretty good, and thought I would give it a shot.) Well, even though the old guy didn't show much interest in the ladies, it must have been too much stress on him, because he died just a couple weeks after getting them. :( He was old though, at least 2 years.</div><div></div><br /><div>I am really enjoying the females though! :) They seem to have even more personality than he did (although the first Betta my husband and I had, had a LOT of personality.)<br /><br /></div><div>So anyway, here is my tank. I need to get some better lighting over it to get a good shot.</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0DO2GhyIsWiA6EBq7CZMJFTjtRrFwRs6lFjUfZIP2B_1y2Tpv6MAqiXjmN2dUZpk2ZbcI_32pNJjN-WwoBXWBGI4IMbZfxBT0OteFG_ug-RBaq30pAhQQC5_f7_iNULGRafazMQAcD4/s1600-h/6gallon_3510.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112005619063948786" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0DO2GhyIsWiA6EBq7CZMJFTjtRrFwRs6lFjUfZIP2B_1y2Tpv6MAqiXjmN2dUZpk2ZbcI_32pNJjN-WwoBXWBGI4IMbZfxBT0OteFG_ug-RBaq30pAhQQC5_f7_iNULGRafazMQAcD4/s320/6gallon_3510.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Here it is about a year ago, a bit better picture. I had a better colored light in there at the time. I need to change the bulb to something brighter I think.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZJKXkL5Y2E4xS5uD_bLqkNuUoQf1N5ZwuuwzQB7GSuulr-fAvGc1kLKe5rnyCLETuE99MteInQa6L1u9_NGJFwan1fM_ru90HhBZk7ldZXCbcmvMfbpkwHwcrCHZZg9TF5KmP_ssdvs/s1600-h/6tank_0763.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112005400020616674" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZJKXkL5Y2E4xS5uD_bLqkNuUoQf1N5ZwuuwzQB7GSuulr-fAvGc1kLKe5rnyCLETuE99MteInQa6L1u9_NGJFwan1fM_ru90HhBZk7ldZXCbcmvMfbpkwHwcrCHZZg9TF5KmP_ssdvs/s320/6tank_0763.jpg" border="0" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-2279800494315596012007-09-19T11:18:00.000-05:002007-09-19T11:47:53.221-05:00My 20 gallon.<p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApxlai8pScN5K-lxLt6IVmFPXEVwgN7UZ08U5RMyIHdHSZzXDSkG4Gu2GvwGF7qxLIgmDPZLafkxuyjJpBFp6aYKROIgL9nWLgga0L14CjTViy-MuMFvZwYQ-GQwfPrjckhljXHinX3U/s1600-h/20gallon3516.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111954659276981698" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApxlai8pScN5K-lxLt6IVmFPXEVwgN7UZ08U5RMyIHdHSZzXDSkG4Gu2GvwGF7qxLIgmDPZLafkxuyjJpBFp6aYKROIgL9nWLgga0L14CjTViy-MuMFvZwYQ-GQwfPrjckhljXHinX3U/s320/20gallon3516.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><br />Current residents - 4 platies and many pond snails <div><br /></div><div>This tank is in nowhereville right now. I moved everything in it to my new 55, and so it is a bit lost. I might move my Raphael catfish back into it though, even though he is part of the reason that I got the 55. He keeps uprooting my plants though, and I really want a planted tank. I LOVE planted tanks! I would just find him a new home, but he is the only fish that my husband really likes. (He likes all the fish, but we have had this guy for 7+ years, and he is a bit attached.) I feel bad keeping him in the 20, but he has been there for 7 years, and is quite healthy. I am sure he would be happier in a bigger tank, but DH would freak if I bought another tank just now. </div><div> </div><div>I will have to keep my eyes open for a free or very cheap 40 or so gallon tank, and make it a very low tech tank just for him. *sigh*</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>The good news about taking him out of the 55, is that I can now make it the balanced tank I really want, with algae eaters and maybe a school of tetras.... all fish that he would have eaten. I can also get some corydoras, which I have always wanted!</div><div><br /><br /> </div><div>Anyway, here is my 20 gallon about a year ago. A month ago it looked about the same, but the fern was taken out. (I have an eclipse hood on it, and one of the lights quit working, so only java moss will grow now.)</div><div><br /><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfP-ijw-9Nd5oqMBagStjdzAmBVAibqUy1ztzwMcNNYVp-_lVzVBpEOPTTVoJHDJa4gSBxZlbMP-wt6mV2edTvTtSqwakMtk2ogxEfqgCcEKC87oGft7A3jbSPlEAUcmWcz70dNTI9aA/s1600-h/20tank_0762.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111953319247185330" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfP-ijw-9Nd5oqMBagStjdzAmBVAibqUy1ztzwMcNNYVp-_lVzVBpEOPTTVoJHDJa4gSBxZlbMP-wt6mV2edTvTtSqwakMtk2ogxEfqgCcEKC87oGft7A3jbSPlEAUcmWcz70dNTI9aA/s320/20tank_0762.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>my catfish (Waldo) He is about 6"</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwGSrpI56MoabesRD7np-7bHHDMqx34Fyem9aCk-Vfwv8_Xu9vpwxLc466HWIw3URcPYNfEdpsfqj4VM1g5xPwLIZ3Wkl4P5t_YKadeBuZKvRGm6p_1FdHifGcabQ6bZ8twEs9aZxEkQ/s1600-h/Waldo_0758.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111955007169332690" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihwGSrpI56MoabesRD7np-7bHHDMqx34Fyem9aCk-Vfwv8_Xu9vpwxLc466HWIw3URcPYNfEdpsfqj4VM1g5xPwLIZ3Wkl4P5t_YKadeBuZKvRGm6p_1FdHifGcabQ6bZ8twEs9aZxEkQ/s320/Waldo_0758.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8419189475092101558.post-69058263462205980842007-09-19T10:59:00.000-05:002007-09-19T14:36:57.894-05:00My fishy past.<div>I got my first fish tank when I was about 9 or so. I was a 10 gallon, with a internal filter, and nothing else. My dad made a cool frame to go around it. I don't even remember what I had in it. Gold fish I am sure. I think I had a goldfish bowl before that too. Obviously, none of us knew anything about fish.<br /><br />I got another tank in my late teens. Again, didn't know much about fish, or how to take care of them. I think it was a 15 gallon tank with an UGF and no heater, and I had angels, and mollys, and probably tetras or something. I was living in my own house when I was 19, and I moved out, and turned off the heat in late fall. Left the tank for two days, and of course, when I came back to get my stuff, I came back to dead fish.<br /><br />About 2 years later, I got a betta and kept him in a big bowl, and soon after got a 20 gallon and kept it at my boyfriend's (now husband) place. That is when I started to actually do some reasearch, and slowly learned how to properly care for fish.<br /><br />I am still no expert, but am always wanted to learn more on how to care for my fishies. :)</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I also had a saltwater tank for a few months. I love saltwater fish, they are so pretty, but it just ended up being too much upkeep for me. It costs way more to keep them up, and also 2-3 times more work. I also like change, and the tank was established, and couldn't really afford to do anything new with it. I like to be able to get new fish, add some plants, or move stuff around. You just can't do that much with saltwater. (Unless you got lots of money sitting around, and a much bigger tank than the 55 I had.)</div><br /><div>So here is a picture of that tank.</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxrczO06jB3UL4TPfTeSQZbnOiuN_a6a0ZvfrIyJ6V7KrTJ9gfHgiQoPWoYoqvc8q9v-owuDqZ9YyHJk8GHfVVNVy370jofl70cMlJAqF2ORzrAWZhIEMXBCT2eCQcTFte3mp9MRLWl8/s1600-h/tank_3166.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111950042187138466" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYxrczO06jB3UL4TPfTeSQZbnOiuN_a6a0ZvfrIyJ6V7KrTJ9gfHgiQoPWoYoqvc8q9v-owuDqZ9YyHJk8GHfVVNVy370jofl70cMlJAqF2ORzrAWZhIEMXBCT2eCQcTFte3mp9MRLWl8/s320/tank_3166.jpg" border="0" /></a></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11673868151727921211noreply@blogger.com0