Group of Heckels from Snookn!!!

[Melissa]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs792.ash1/168204_1623540601525_1626790161_1444257_3525777_n. jpg

I just received my group of 6 blue face heckels from John (snookn) and they are AMAZING!!!!,! This picture was taken just momenta after placing them in their tank.
I'm working on a tank upgrade at the moment... They'll be in a bigger tank decked out in some manzanita wood and a 3d background.... I'm thinking the rainforest one from aqua terra.... We shall see!!! Still about a month away from that project. Its going to be amazing, these guys are just fantastic.

It's been about 30 minutes since placing them in the tank and they're already swimming around checking things out. I'll post more pics when they settle in!

[Eddie]

Very nice! They look great for just arriving. Can't wait to see them in 6 months when they are fully settled!

[Melissa]

I know right!, they already look incredible, I can't believe they'll look even better settled in!
They're so fat and healthy too. I'm in loooooooove! Lol!!!

[Eddie]

I know right!, they already look incredible, I can't believe they'll look even better settled in!
They're so fat and healthy too. I'm in loooooooove! Lol!!!

Oh, just wait, they are gonna blow your socks off in a few months. ;)

[Second Hand Pat]

They look wonderful. You are going to have a blast with these guys.

I received my Nhamunda reds and they are settling in nicely also.

[hedut]

Congratz for your new Heckle they just look great:)

[Melissa]

Thank you Pat and Hendri!!!

I am definitely smitten with these guys, can't take my eyes off of their tank. They've calmed down quite a bit and are pecking around and going about their business... I should have some nice pictures to share very soon :-)

[wgtaylor]

Congratulations ! They look great.:)
Don't you love the way wilds have all the different colors, red, blue, black that all blend together perfectly.
I bet they will love their new tank. Very nice.
Bill

[bonghapster]

Congrats, Can't wait for the updates.

[jball1125]

Sweet! John has good fish

[Chad Hughes]

Any updates Melissa? I wanna come over! :D

[Melissa]

Congratulations ! They look great.:)
Don't you love the way wilds have all the different colors, red, blue, black that all blend together perfectly.
I bet they will love their new tank. Very nice.
Bill
Thanks bill!! Yes i love their colors and they're always changing too, these guys are gorgeous.


Congrats, Can't wait for the updates.
Thank you bonghapster! I'm waiting to post any more pics until they color up a little more. I see more blue shinning through every day! And they're taking time to adjust to all of the constant activity around their tank... I have a 1 yr old and a soon to be 3 yr old always running a muck around the living room... The fish totally watch them lol they're getting used to all of the craziness around here! I have em eating out of my hand now too, I love it!



Sweet! John has good fish
I know huh! They're great fish and have crazy appetites. I'm totally getting a few more of these guys!



Any updates Melissa? I wanna come over! :D
Lol! I'll see you tomorrow Chad!

[Eddie]

Pics please!

[Second Hand Pat]

I second Eddie, pictures please.

[dean9922]

Very nice....love the heckels.....enjoy!!!!

[Melissa]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs058.ash2/36286_1636640249008_1626790161_1476640_7456779_n.j pghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs058.ash2/36286_1636640129005_1626790161_1476637_1175861_n.j pghttp://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs118.snc4/36286_1636640169006_1626790161_1476638_3439130_n.j pg

[Melissa]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs118.snc4/36286_1636640209007_1626790161_1476639_2065977_n.j pg

Sorry for the blurry/cloudy pics... its a camera phone! lol

My sister is a photographer and is coming to take some pictures for me! THOSE should be nice and might do these guys some justice!

[Melissa]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1379.snc4/163182_1636646409162_1626790161_1476641_810421_n.j pg

THIS is going to be their new tank. Its 125 gallons and im picking it up from a guy on craigslist... I think i just HAVE to get some more of these guys, gotta fully stock the new tank! lol

[Chad Hughes]

I just got your email about this tank..... MTS (multiple tank syndrome) has taken hold!

Can't wait to see what you do with this one!

Best wishes!

[Melissa]

lmao they should totally have a support group for this kind of thing. Man....

I plan on drilling it to make WC's super easy... maybe you can give me hand with that eh? lol its HUGE... and heavy....

[Chad Hughes]

I think Simply Discus IS the support group. You'll find very little intervention here though. LOL!

If you want to drill 1" bulkheads I have the bit for it and I may even have a few 1" bulkheads lying around. I'll have to check.

Let me know!

[Second Hand Pat]

These guys are really nice and love their new home. So what are you feeding these guys?

[Melissa]

Im feeding them CBW's, sometimes Frozen Bloodworms and Brine Shrimp but mostly Chads BH mix! They really dig the stuff and its loaded with vitamins and all the things they really need. The other stuff i feed are more like treats haha :D

[Melissa]

I think Simply Discus IS the support group. You'll find very little intervention here though. LOL!

If you want to drill 1" bulkheads I have the bit for it and I may even have a few 1" bulkheads lying around. I'll have to check.

Let me know!

For shizzle hombre! lol! Ive never done it before, im thinking ill borrow your drill bit if i could and if you come across some bulkheads even better but no worries if you don't! I have no idea what i'm doing, so any advice is appreciated :)

[vera]

For shizzle hombre! lol! Ive never done it before, im thinking ill borrow your drill bit if i could and if you come across some bulkheads even better but no worries if you don't! I have no idea what i'm doing, so any advice is appreciated :)

oh , please , just take on offer :D lol we need to see that monster tank filled with these perfect Heckels !
are u planning to get more ?

[Melissa]

Im so excited because we've agreed upon a price for the tank and i'm going to pick it up this weekend! WoOt!

Im definitely getting some more. I want a tank full of heckels! :-) I love them! Its going to look amazing.

[Melissa]

So i finally bought the tank!!!
It has a few cosmetic things i want to take care of, i need to drill it... figure out which BG i'm going to go with... buy a crap load of other misc. things i'll need like heaters and bla bla bla.... but its going to be worth the time/money when its all done. This is the first display tank i've ever done! Boy these guys are so lucky, they're going to love it.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1337.snc4/162902_1647985172624_1626790161_1497862_6564911_n. jpg
Its sitting in my dining room right now taking up a lot of space! I can't wait to get it all set up and in the living room!!!!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1365.snc4/163733_1647985452631_1626790161_1497863_7044004_n. jpg
Did i mention this big @ss thing was stuck in my minivan for a week!!!! Its so damn heavy i couldn't move it! Until Chad Hughes came to the rescue! He brought some muscles over to haul it inside my apartment for me! :D THANKS AGAIN CHAD YOU ROCK!!!!
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs785.ash1/167566_1647985852641_1626790161_1497865_5913226_n. jpg
Mommy's little helper inspecting the inside of the stand... she says there's some water damage but its still structurally sound...

[Jennie]

looks like a 125 to me melissa???

[Melissa]

:oYou know what Jenny! You're right!I found an online calculator that calculated it for by tank measurements/ thickness of the glass and it's right around 125.
http://www.angelfish.net/tankvolcalc.php

Good eye lady!

Here I was excited I thought it was bigger! Lol!
It's my first big tank :o

[Jennie]

this measurment would be important when treating tank with meds so as not to overdose, not that 10 gallons makes that big a difference, but one never knows, that and I have a 125, lol

[Melissa]

Excellent point! Im lucky to have pro's like you around to help me out when I need it. :)

[Jennie]

ROTF, I'm no pro!

[Melissa]

ROTF, I'm no pro!

Well more pro than me! I couldn't spot a 125 with my little eye! Lol

[vera]

How in the world did you do it Jen ??? u surprise me !
Thats one monster tank Melissa , did stand come with it ?

[Jennie]

? it's only because I have a 125 that I recognize it? LOL u two are funny! My 125 and I are good friends, lol

[Melissa]

Lol! Good friends eh? I think me and this 125 are going to become good friends once I'm finished setting her up! Lol!

Hi Vera! Yeah the stand and hood came with it! I love the dark wood cherry color, but its in need of a face lift! I'm going to home depot to get some new sander pads and some MinWax tomorrow! It was still a steal though.300.00!!! Well... That and the cost of gas to go from San Diego to Chino and back... And the 5 hrs of driving too.....
Lol glad I went through with it.
:) I love craigslist!

[vera]

? it's only because I have a 125 that I recognize it? LOL u two are funny! My 125 and I are good friends, lol

Jen , u officially my hero ! LOL

300 !! Melissa thats a great deal , will u still be drilling ?
:) I love my avatar LOL

[Jennie]

u will be really good friends once you have to start cleaning it everyday! I have to get on step stool to reach the back of tank[ so while you r at home depot pick a step stool up! lol
QUOTE=SoCalDiscusMama;717812]Lol! Good friends eh? I think me and this 125 are going to become good friends once I'm finished setting her up! Lol!

Hi Vera! Yeah the stand and hood came with it! I love the dark wood cherry color, but its in need of a face lift! I'm going to home depot to get some new sander pads and some MinWax tomorrow! It was still a steal though.300.00!!! Well... That and the cost of gas to go from San Diego to Chino and back... And the 5 hrs of driving too.....
Lol glad I went through with it.
:) I love craigslist![/QUOTE]

[Melissa]

Lol!! You guys are so funny! I love your avatar too Vera! Loooovely fish you got there. What kind is it? Well... Obviously it's a discus... Bt what strain?

I still plan on drilling the tank at least for easy drainage to speed up WC's... Not sure how I'm going to handle the refilling part yet, still thinking about it. I'm lucky to have Chad from San Diego discus close by, he helped me haul this monster tank into my house and he says he can help drill it too! WoOt! :)

[Melissa]

Well look at this! I like us girls getting together and chatting for a change! None of those icky boys chimming in! Lol!!

[vera]

Lol!! You guys are so funny! I love your avatar too Vera! Loooovely fish you got there. What kind is it? Well... Obviously it's a discus... Bt what strain?

I still plan on drilling the tank at least for easy drainage to speed up WC's... Not sure how I'm going to handle the refilling part yet, still thinking about it. I'm lucky to have Chad from San Diego discus close by, he helped me haul this monster tank into my house and he says he can help drill it too! WoOt! :)


,
LOL, Pat will be very pleased to hear yr compliments Melissa , thats her Discus Nhamunda red , that she recently got from John and kindly gave me a pic for avatar :)
while on it , Chad might suggest u refilling project to ease the pain of WC :)
Jen , Plecos the way to go , they could be next best friends of yrs LOl

[vera]

Well look at this! I like us girls getting together and chatting for a change! None of those icky boys chimming in! Lol!!

:D , shhh dont spook them , u still need a drill and couple nice comments LOL

[Jennie]

Lazy butts are still in bed, that's why!
no plecos

[Jennie]

My apple snails do good job though, and apparently prolific as well since I have about 20 babies now!!!!

[Second Hand Pat]

Melissa, love your new tank. Good deal at 300 for tank, stand and canopy. My 100 gallon Oceanic was a craiglist find also. I touched up the stand and canopy and partially rebuilt the canopy. I down sized one of my picture of Vera until she can get home to her babies.

Your heckels look amazing.

[Melissa]

Thanks Pat! It sounds like you had to do the same things to your tank that I'm going to have to do to mine to pretty it up a bit. It's awesome not to have to spend a grand on a new tank and just do little touch up and voila! Looks good as new! Craigslist is the way to go!

Lol! Vera and Jennie! I think I DID scare the guys away! A www I was hoping for a few more ooohs and ahhhhs from them! Vera, Chad gave me a great idea on where to store an aging tank for WC's! I hadn't even though of it, but i have a broom closet I don't use, I just keep a dining table leaf in it... I could totally set up a water storage container in there! Then a little messing around with PVC pipe, maybe a new pump, airstones, a long enough hose to go from the closet to the new tank and a heater and I'll be set!

[Melissa]

Oh..... I'll have to get the water storage barrel first.....

Lol

[Jennie]

[QUOTE=SoCalDiscusMama;718200]
Lol! Vera and Jennie! I think I DID scare the guys away! A www I was hoping for a few more ooohs and ahhhhs from them!

No Melissa, That was me I believe. I seem to have that effect on men.:p

[auraball]

i'm love heckel :)

so nice fish

[Melissa]

They are amazing aren't they!

[hedut]

Congratz for your new tank, are you gonna fill that 125 for only heckels?

[Melissa]

Yes Hendri :) I love the 1 strain look, this is the first tank I will have with the one strain thing going on.

[GenkiDiscus]

AWESOME group of Heckels. Love their shape and thick center bar. John done you well. I'm currently planning a 60g Heckel tank. Do you mind sharing your water paremeters (ph, gh, temp, conductivity etc.) How much wc is ideal assuming reasonable stocking (1 adult/10g) with 2-3 feedings per day (flakes, fbw, bh). And more pictures pleazzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Ed13]

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs058.ash2/36286_1636640129005_1626790161_1476637_1175861_n.j pg

Those are so sweet I had to quote the pic again!!!

[Melissa]

http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j341/R0gue1/Wild%20Blue%20Face%20Heckels/pattysCAM249.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j341/R0gue1/Wild%20Blue%20Face%20Heckels/pattysCAM241.jpg
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j341/R0gue1/Wild%20Blue%20Face%20Heckels/pattysCAM238.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs789.ash1/167946_1654662859562_1626790161_1508577_2649327_n. jpg

A few more pics :)

At the moment these guys are acclimated to straight tap water, which is not ideal for keeping heckels! The water is too hard and the ph is around 8. WC schedule is 50% daily, or twice a day if I've fed them heavily with aged and aerated tap water. They're doing fine in this current set up for now, but for the long term they will not thrive in their current conditions. Within this week (hopefully) I will have their water sorted out, I'm in the market for a good RO unit :) I think it will be interesting to see if they color up even more in proper water conditions. Oh... And their favorite foods are CBWs, Chad Hughes BH mix and they tolerate tetra color bits lol. They get fed all throughout the day, small feedings here and there.. Sometimes as many as 8-10 times a day! Lol I'm lucky that I am able to do that. I am a stay at home mom of two toddlers... So I'm here anyway. So every time i pass the tank I just plop a little nibble of something in. They're eating out of my hands! When i walk by the tank they know I = food..... They're so smart they don't rush the glass for anyone else! :) they're my babies!


As for stocking, these 6 are currently in a 60 gallon which does keep to the rule of thumb 1 discus per 10 gallons... But ive learned from people more experienced in keeping wilds that they would be happier with a lot more room than a domestic discus will tolerate. I'm working on a new 125 gallon tank just for these 6 to live in, it will be a natural looking habitat, with only a few tank mates... Some cardinal tetras and a few bottom feeders to keep things clean. I'll definitely post pictures when that's all set up, it's QUITE a project... Probably the most exciting tank I've ever planned out I can't wait until it's all put together. I plan on making everyone jealous :wink: LOL!

[Second Hand Pat]

Melissa, you go girl. They look wonderful and really looking forward to the new tank.

[GenkiDiscus]

thnx for sharing your regimen and additional info relating to heckel requirements. my gh 18ppm, kh 36pm, ph 6.8 out of tap so i'm now comfortable keeping them. saving up to make my order soon haha. they are too addicting, i can't stop looking at your photos. be sure to upload lots of photos when you add them to your main tank. can't wait.... keep up the good work.

[Melissa]

Melissa, you go girl. They look wonderful and really looking forward to the new tank.

Thanks Pat! I'm so excited!!! It's all coming together slowly but surely.... I'm going to totally document everything and post it all at once so everyone can see how it progressed. I love threads like that where you can see the end result and all of the work that went into it :D



thnx for sharing your regimen and additional info relating to heckel requirements. my gh 18ppm, kh 36pm, ph 6.8 out of tap so i'm now comfortable keeping them. saving up to make my order soon haha. they are too addicting, i can't stop looking at your photos. be sure to upload lots of photos when you add them to your main tank. can't wait.... keep up the good work.

You're so lucky you have decent water out of the tap! Thank you for the compliments. I'm uploading more pictures to the old lap top right now actually, takes forever because the file sizes are so large. I'll be posting some picture updates soon!
I've got the Tds down to 100ppm and I'm going to bring it down as far as I can safely over the next week... Lots of testing and messing around but it's fun. I got a decent RO unit from eBay for only $65.00. It came with a faucet hook up thing and it's very flexible, you can pretty much put it anywhere which works great for me being in a small apartment right now.
This guy was great to work with and shipped it like the same day I ordered. Thought I should share this with you guys in case anyone was looking for a cheap RO unit...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-100GPD-Reverse-Osmosis-RO-Water-Filter-PO4-100-/380210084591?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item5886497aef

The only complaint I have about the whole thing is that a small adapter part to attach to faucet to the RO unit hook up thing was made of plastic.... It didn't work very well so I jumped over to home depot and found the same fitting but a metal one for a few bucks.

[Jennie]

those are great shots Melissa

[Melissa]

those are great shots Melissa
Spaaaaank you Jennie! :)

[Second Hand Pat]

Darn Melissa, you are going to wait and post everything at the end?? I will wait patiently for your thread.