update 1, May 24 2009

[kirkp]

Here’s the first of many updates on the new fish. They have been doing great since they’ve arrived on Thursday the 21st. I gave them full day in the tank to acclimate with the lights off over the tank. They settled into the tank really well and I couldn’t resist giving them a small bit of bloodworm which they devoured. One thing I noticed and which was discussed in another thread was that they didn't seem to like when I finally did turn on the tank light. It's a single bulb fixture but the bulb is a daylight and they just didn't seem to like it. I may have been able to get them used to it but I didn't want to stress them out. I thought about buying a soft white bulb but I don't really like those as they don't show true colors. Al had a good suggestion about using some foil under the light with various holes cut into it to let in light. I made the holes over the right side of the tank more numerous to let in more light and fewer holes on the left. I think it looks pretty good and the best part is that they seem to like it. Since then they’ve been getting a varied diet of bloodworm, beefheart, ON Prime Reef, ON Formula One flakes and Color Bits. I have some shrimp flakes that I’m going to try and mix into the menu. Surprisingly, I tried some frozen brine shrimp that they didn’t seem to care to much for but I’ll try again as time goes by. One thing I noticed is that they have a harder time picking food off of the tank bottom. Guess that's part of the albino character. Tank parameters are temp 84 deg, ph 7.0, total hardness 120 ppm, nitrite 0 and nitrate 5 ppm.
Here’s some pics of the tank.

Last, thought I’d try my hand at posting a video of them attacking a chunk of beef heart.


Thanks to everyone,
Kirk

[Eddie]

They are looking fantastic Kirk! Really eating like some killers! Doing good my friend, doing really good.

Take care,

Eddie

[kirkp]

Morning/Evening?? Eddie,

Thanks for the comment. Yeah, they seem to be doing well and everyone really likes my fish.

Kirk

[two utes]

Great clip, and pictures...this sure is a great way for us to gauge how well your fish are doing/growing. Keep up the good work!

[keef]

Looking awesome Kirk, keep up the good work mate.
Keith

[Condor]

They look awesome Kirk! Great job, the pics and video are great.

Adrian

[MRQuad]

great job on them kirk!

really look good..

[hedut]

Great job and awesome fish good luck Krik.

hendri

[seanyuki]

Wow nice nice tank and glad you're able to post those pictures by photobucket....pls ignore the other thread that I just posted.

Cheers
Francis

[Cooldadddyfunk286]

woww, they look awesome my friend. I had the same problems with the lighting, but I got them used to it. just kept it on overnight a few times, and just didnt ease up on them, and now they are used to it . I did however go and get a light that was half the wattage, just a single 40w tube. they are much happier. but your fish look amazing man, great update! keep up the good work!

[kirkp]

Hey Jason,

If I remember right from your other post, your light was a 96 watt? Man, I bet they were just about blinded. You must of gone to a 40 watt if I were to guess. (Edit: Duh, read the post Kirk) What kind of bulb was it? Soft white, cool white or full spectrum? I thought about buying a soft or cool white but I don't think they display the colors as true to life as possible. I sort of like the foil because it lets me make half the tank a little darker.

thanks for the comments on the fish and update.

Thanks, Kirk

[Chad Hughes]

Kirk,

Looking great brother! Great appetites too!

Mine were a bit shy of the light at first. They're under 280 watts. After a couple of days, no issues. They are fine.

Looks like you're gonna have some really fast growers there!

Best wishes my friend!

[kirkp]

Whoa Chad, 280W??? Guess maybe I shouldn't worry about the light and worry about turning them into pansies instead! Good luck!

Kirk

[calihawker]

Looking good there Kirk.

[Chad Hughes]

Whoa Chad, 280W??? Guess maybe I shouldn't worry about the light and worry about turning them into pansies instead! Good luck!

Kirk

Kirk,

Yeah, gotta keep those plants growing rapidly in order to be effective nutrient hogs. I was concerned at first since I've never had albinos. They're good to go now. They'll also start to forage the bottom of the tank for you. Leave the food in there for a little while. They'll forage for it.

Best wishes!