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Thread: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

  1. #1
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    Default Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Hello my name is Shawn.
    My tank is a 65 gallon that has been running since April. For filtration I have 2 Hydro 4 sponge filters and a AC110 HOB. My heater is a 300W Jager. My tap water has no PH swing so I'm able to do 70 to 80% water changes daily with the Python system. I ordered 6 fish from Hans at end of May. My order included 2 German Wonders, 2 Cobalts, and 2 Snakeskin blues. 1 of the Snakeskins actually ended up being a Flachen x Snakeskin.

  2. #2
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    The fish were all three inches when I received them.
    Here are some pictures from the first day.
    German Wonder
    20181210_162133.jpg
    Flachen x snakeskin
    20181210_162201.jpg
    Cobalt
    20181210_162309_resized.jpg
    German Wonder
    20181210_162256_resized.jpg
    Blue Snakeskin
    20180524_190505_resized.jpg
    Cobalt
    20181210_162328_resized.jpg

  3. #3
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    After adding the fish everything went well for the first 2 weeks except that my tank was not completely cycled. I had gone through the fisless cycle before purchasing the fish. I never got a high reading for nitrite but I was getting some nitrate reading around 10 to 20ppm. I believe this was due to the starter bacteria I used to help the cycle. Once I added the fish the cycle was kick started and I was fighting ammonia and nitrite. So I had to do two water changes a day till the tank cycled. This ended up stressing my fish and three of them stopped eating. Between the cycle not being complete and me scaring them all the time they showed signs of hex. So, I treated them with Metro for 7 days and all of the fish recovered.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    After going through the tank cycling and the fish getting sick I'm forgetting to enjoy the hobby and asking myself if I really want to do this. But after getting the fish to start eating again I start to settle into a routine of 4 to 6 feedings a day and a 70 to 80 percent water change a day. The fish are happy and seem to be doing well.
    Here are some pictures around 2 months after getting them. They are 4 inches or bigger and the color is starting to get better.
    20180816_172419_resized.jpg
    They are huddled together after water change
    20180816_172445_resized.jpg

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    At the end of July I am really enjoying these flat fish and I want another one that is a bit different. After hours of looking online making a choice and then changing my mind over and over again I finally decide. I order a 4 inch Pigeon Blood Blue from Hans.
    I receive the fish on the first week of August
    20180816_172231_resized.jpg
    Here are some pictures from when I got him next to my two smallest fish. The blue snakeskin and one of the German Wonders.
    20180816_171311_resized.jpg20180816_171431_resized.jpg

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Here are some pictures from the second week of September. Some of the fish have reached 5 inches. They are pretty happy and healthy.
    Smallest
    Blue snakeskin
    20180913_200721_resized.jpg
    German Wonder
    20180913_200540_resized.jpg
    Cobalt
    20180913_200119_resized.jpg
    German Wonder
    20180913_195957_resized.jpg
    Pigeon Blood Blue
    20180913_201407_resized.jpg
    Flachen x Snakeskin
    20180913_201209_resized_1.jpg
    Cobalt
    20180913_195827_resized.jpg

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Hey Shawn...sorry you had a rough start with your water cycle but you were persistent and went through the proper measures and I tell you it sure paid off. Your Stendkers look well filled in and happy. Thanks for sharing your experience.

    ...Ralph
    "Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."
    -John Wooden

  8. #8
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Ralph thank you for your kind words

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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Last edited by swright135; 12-10-2018 at 08:09 PM.

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Pictures from November
    Cobalt
    20181114_191821_resized.jpg
    Flachen x Snakeskin
    20181114_191436_resized.jpg
    Pigeon Blood Blue
    20181114_191149_resized.jpg
    Cobalt
    20181114_190308_resized.jpg
    German Wonder
    20181114_190409_resized.jpg
    German Wonder
    20181114_190118_resized.jpg
    Blue Snakeskin
    20181114_192113_resized.jpg

  11. #11
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Last post to bring my tank journal up to date. 2 weeks ago I ordered another discus from Hans. I got a 4 inch Leopard Snakeskin. So far it is doing well with the other fish and in fact the aggression in the tank has been less. Only problem now is I need a bigger tank.

    20181129_064302.jpg

  12. #12
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Your fish look beautiful! Do you qt your new arrivals?

  13. #13
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Mando thank you for the compliment.

    I did not QT. Reason being when I asked Hans about QT, he said it was not necessary if the only fish in the tank were from him.

  14. #14
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    Some journey so far!
    The fish are really looking great now 👍 they seem to have a really nice shape despite the bad start with the ammonia.

    I love reading all these threads and experiences we all have, it’s real learning from real world situations, not peoples opinions that may be good or bad or even best practice guidelines from the different breeders.

    Thanks for the thread

    Mick

  15. #15
    Registered Member + MVP danotaylor's Avatar
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    Default Re: Shawn's 65 gallon Stendker grow out

    All your fish look great mate...really nice...I am curious and have a question though; how did you come to the conclusion that you have a flachen x snake skin? I thought all of Hans Stendkers were pure strain discus? Also do you have a full tank shot that you can show us? Cheers mate

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