Holmes on Home...Aquarium Edition

[Sharkbait]

Hello Simply People...

I have this posted in the Aquascape Critique section...but figure this might be an ongoing process...so I just created a new thread. Mods, feel free to delete the other post.

I've done some re-arranging on my tank. Some day in the future I'm going to add discus to this thing (I know I've been muttering about it for what it seems forever..), so I wanna make sure that everything is perfect before they go in. Here are some before shots....

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You'll notice that it's very dark...and believe it or not, I have almost 5 watts per gallon. Here are some photos after I've re-arranged things....

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You'll notice that the background is out...thank god. What an algae trap.

I've moved my filter return to the far right of the tank and the C02 return is zap-strapped to the filter intake (i do have a diffuser/reactor, this is to make sure the C02 is distributed evenly)

I removed all of the rocks....thinking about adding them back...

Added lotus and reinikii.

Sand added...obviously.

Created new scape...not sure what to think of it yet. It opened up a lot of swimming space as you see...is it too much space? Does it look empty? After having such a dense tank...It feels...naked.

A tree trunk is going to go in the far right corner and the current branch will suspend from the surface with moss on the ends. Any ideas on how to suspend the branch? I don't want to attach it to the center brace. Perhaps just drilling it into the trunk will suffice.

Anubias will be attached to trunk.

Blue background to be added after I cut it. Using Clear View glue...

Looking to add aromatica and red cabomba. Any other plants that would look good? Maybe some green ground coverage on the gravel? Some more crypts on the left side?

Whew. That's it for now. Hopefully the trunk will be in this weekend or the next. Thanks for looking!

Cheers!

[William Palumbo]

Looks very nice!...I like the way it's set up. I know squat about lighting, co2, ferts and such, but visually I like. The open space is nice. If you think it looks too empty, add some Discus, and you will see how full it can get...Bill

[David Rose]

I really like either way! I wish I had the patience for learning what it takes to keep a planted tank now, but I think it's going to be a 2010 project along with adding CO2, ozone and a carbon reactor. LOL... I'm having enough trouble making the time to learn how install a float valve and auto shut off on my aging barrel.

Anyway... I admire your hard work and creativeness!

Take care,

[Sharkbait]

I really like either way! I wish I had the patience for learning what it takes to keep a planted tank now, but I think it's going to be a 2010 project along with adding CO2, ozone and a carbon reactor. LOL... I'm having enough trouble making the time to learn how install a float valve and auto shut off on my aging barrel.

Anyway... I admire your hard work and creativeness!

Take care,

What I have done is nothing compared to the insanity you just said. Putting together the plumbing for my C02 involved 3 days of neglecting my fiancee (which resulted in several "we have to talk" moments), and quite a few headaches of figuring things out on my own hands on. But hey, it works. It pumps water. It's all good.

Why do you need ozone? What does that do?

I don't age my water. I'm very lucky to have good tap water. I have no idea where I'd put the damn barrels...

Be sure to let us know how it goes!

[David Rose]

I've been reading up on the use of ozone in fresh water tanks for awhile now and was inspired initially by Chad Hughes thread below (aka "Avionics30", aka San Diego Discus aka son of Howard Hughes (I know where the body is)... just kidding Chad :D)

http://forum.simplydiscus.com/showthread.php?t=71402&highlight=manage+water+quality

Simply put, ozone breaks down organics in your tank faster and better to be consumed by your "good" bacteria. The upside is that you in all likelihood will be able to go longer in between water changes, use less water as a result, and it acts as a disinfecting agent on bacteria and pathogens in the hopes to prevent illness and disease in your tank(s).

i.e. I beleive Chad changes 80% once a week in his planted tank(s).

Feel free to add/clarify/correct anything here Chad, if I mucked it up.

[Eddie]

I think the renovation looks fantastic! Discus in tank will look PHENOMENAL!!! Great work!

Eddie

[GrillMaster]

Very nice! :thumbsup:

The swords will fill up the back of your tank pretty quick to the point where you cant see the back of the tank. :) The transition from the sand to the dark substrate is a great twist as well as the placement of the driftwood and the cryps IMO. A few crypts in front of the sword to the left would be a nice lil touch also if you could swing it.

Its great when the sword runners start growing out of the tank to the floor! :D :D :D

How long before you introduce discus?

[Sharkbait]

A few crypts in front of the sword to the left would be a nice lil touch also if you could swing it.

How long before you introduce discus?

Yeah, I'm was thinking about some shorter plants in that area...along with possibly putting back an ODD number of rocks to build some more asymmetry.

Discus...well...I'm in the middle of saving up for a wedding...AND a mortgage. It's not on my fiance's priority list, but the little money that I can put aside without her knowing is going into its own 'discus fund.' Could be months :( I'm aiming for eeeeearly spring.

[exv152]

Very nice setup! Is that a fluval osaka 260? If it is, just wondering what you think of the kit as a whole? Noticed you modified the lighting.

[Sharkbait]

Very nice setup! Is that a fluval osaka 260? If it is, just wondering what you think of the kit as a whole? Noticed you modified the lighting.

Yeah, the lighting wasn't enough for a planted tank. It originally comes with 2x54w T5HO, which is about 1.9wpg. The tank itself...nice to look at, but I had quite a few problems with the glass. I had to return it a couple times (under warranty) because of air bubbles in the glass. After a couple times, I just gave up...they all had air bubbles in them somewhere. Stand is pretty basic....always not enough room. If I had to buy the tank again, I'd still go with curved glass, but would want something with a canopy.

[Jason K.]

great tank. but "where's the discus?"

[DavidC]

love those rams.. just got a few the other day, and love the color variety in the plants

[GrillMaster]

By spring next year you should be ready for the occupants...;) :D :D :D

[Sharkbait]

Just a quick update of the changes...

Added the tank background. Still have to clean up some of the air bubbles it made. What do you think of the colour? Does it look "fake"? My plants will grow a bit more to cover the back.

Added java moss to the branch...still waiting on my landlord to help me with his chainsaw to cut my trunk to fit. SHOULD be this weekend.

Added rocks back to take care of the negative space in the sand.


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Rummies have had signs of fungus and two have red anuses. Looks to me like they got nipped and are having a reaction. I've treated with MarOxy for the fungus. I'm into day 4 and only a slight change. Any other tips? I'm treating the whole tank. What do you think of the Mardel line of meds? Should I be using something different? I will probably dose Maracyn Two for the swollen rummies in a small 3 gallon hospital tank.

Fungus is on side fins, and dorsal. The fungas that has been clearing slowly is on the mouth.

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs001.snc3/10865_532824740721_293001460_1921654_6115732_n.jpg

Thanks for looking :)

Cheers
-Aaron

[mkv]

One great remake. I'm thinking of doing the same with a couple of tanks in the house. Beingt set up the same way too many years and could use a remake.

[Eddie]

Aaron, tetras are salt sensitive, otherwise I'd recommend it. Sorry to hear about the fungus. Instead of an antibiotic, you may try Rid Ich or Quick Cure. Using this product will stain the silicone a light green/blue, so if this is a concern, dont use it. If you do decide to use it, you need to use half the recommended dose due to tetras being sensitive. You'll want to keep the tank lights out, keep temp around 80-82F, also add extra air to the tank.

There are also commercial products like Super Fungus Cure but I prefer F&MG or just MG. Most of these chemicals are dyes and will stain so its a personal choice as far as using them in the main tank. Some don't like tainting the aesthetics of the display tank, and yours is very nice.

All the best,

Eddie

[Sharkbait]

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for the response...my silicone is black, so if I use a product that will stain, will it still show on black silicone? It doesn't stain glass right? I also have fluval FX5 equipment (output/input) and a clear C02 return.....will those stain? If not, I'll do whatever you think is best - Quick Cure I take it.

I didn't know tetras were salt sensitive...I've been using API Aquarium Salt in my tank every time I water change (1tbs per 5 gallons) to limit infections like these. I haven't been able to find F&MH or even MG in my LFS. I only have a small hospital tank..but for something like this, should I treat the whole tank?

Cheers
-Aaron

[Eddie]

Hi Eddie,

Thanks for the response...my silicone is black, so if I use a product that will stain, will it still show on black silicone? It doesn't stain glass right? I also have fluval FX5 equipment (output/input) and a clear C02 return.....will those stain? If not, I'll do whatever you think is best - Quick Cure I take it.

I didn't know tetras were salt sensitive...I've been using API Aquarium Salt in my tank every time I water change (1tbs per 5 gallons) to limit infections like these. I haven't been able to find F&MH or even MG in my LFS. I only have a small hospital tank..but for something like this, should I treat the whole tank?

Cheers
-Aaron

Hey Aaron, it will stain your hoses for sure. It wont stain glass and I doubt you will be able to see the black silicone stained in any way. Thats a pretty good amount of salt for tetras...:o Some have had issues with them dying while using salt.

Look for Rid Ich+ or Quick Cure. You may also try Jungle Fungus Guard. With any of these, I'd not add salt. ;)

HTH

Eddie

[Sharkbait]

So...big update since last time. Things are moving closer to the 'finished tank.' ...at least for now. We all know how well THAT goes.

Enjoy!


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[mareshow]

Its Gorgeous I love it, great piece of driftwood too!