journal DemonCat and his Tank

[Kaylenna]

Java ferns are cheap.  If you want some free little ones to restart, let me know.  But I'd recommend cleaning out anything truly dead before trying to restart - decaying plants will drag down your water quality.

[DemonCat]

20 minutes ago, Kaylenna said:

Java ferns are cheap.  If you want some free little ones to restart, let me know.  But I'd recommend cleaning out anything truly dead before trying to restart - decaying plants will drag down your water quality.

Cut my losses and start again you reckon? I may well do. Will have a solid think and set a plan of attack :)

[neo-2FX]

@DemonCat is it just the java fern that died? Have you got any photos? Have you changed anything since last time? Lighting? Timing of lighting? Ferts? Doing anything differently?

[revolutionhope]

Are the tank inhabitants happy and healthy?

[DemonCat]

15 hours ago, neo-2FX said:

@DemonCat is it just the java fern that died? Have you got any photos? Have you changed anything since last time? Lighting? Timing of lighting? Ferts? Doing anything differently?

Yes - just the java ferns from what I can tell. 

Two weeks ago I was on holiday and the timer broke - the light was on for 4 days. Since my return i have reduced lighting to get on top of the algae. 

15 hours ago, revolutionhope said:

Are the tank inhabitants happy and healthy?

Yes, although late last night after logging off the forum I noticed three of my Neons have what may be finrot or NTD as their fins are slightly white and torn. 

 

:(

[DemonCat]

Had a bit of help to test, regig, reset everything. The black out really helped! The professional clean has made it look as good as new! 

 

 

 

Edited September 16, 2016 by DemonCat

[DemonCat]

Planning on bumpingup the neon and white cloud numbers from 7 to 16 and 8 to 12.

I have the three happy Oto's and 50 plus cherries. 

Do I get a third fish, or keep it as it is with extra neon and WCMM numbers? The neons don't really shoal together that much but if I get a bigger fish I fear my shrimp will all be eaten!

 

Thoughts, suggestions? I would love a suggestion of a fish species that us slightly larger than the neons just to make everyone group together a bit tighter.

Edited September 16, 2016 by DemonCat

[DemonCat]

Or instead 12 White clouds and 16 neons I could go 8 harlequin Rasbora, 8 White clouds and 14 neons? Decisions, decisions!

[DemonCat]

So will stock it up slowly - added just 10 neons today. Now have a total of 17 neons and 8 White clouds plus the Otto's and Shrimp.

 

In a week or so I will either add some more White Clouds or maybe some ember tetras, harlequin Rasboras or dwarf copper Rasboras etc. Welcome to ideas!!!

Edited September 17, 2016 by DemonCat

[DemonCat]

A bit of an update with bonus photos!! I'd love to retry some blyxa or s.repens for the foreground - last time I tried, I had a pretty shitty light. I'd also look to buy some large ferns to fill in the gaps in the midground too!

Thanks to all that have helped me with advice on scaping, stocking, equipment etc and to those who provided plants or tank-mates.

Equipment, Plants etc as of September, 2016
Tank: 3 foot. 36 x 14 x 18 inch, 90 x 35 x 45 cm (length x width x height). Roughly 150 litres, 40 gallon. 
Filter: Eheim 2215 Canister
Light: 3ft makemyled LED tube/panel combo-thing.
Substrate: 16l of Kaito
Plants: Needle Leaf and normal Java Ferns, Java Moss, Bolbitis heudelotii, Hemianthus Micranthemoides, Vals, Chain Sword, Amazon Sword
Stock: 60+ Red Cherry Shrimp, 8 White Clouds, 17 Neons
CO2: No injection. Aim to keep low tech.

Day 1 - 5th Aug, 2015

Jan, 2016:

March, 2016:

May, 2016:

September, 2016:

 

[neo-2FX]

Tanks looking good @DemonCat!

[DemonCat]

21 hours ago, neo-2FX said:

Tanks looking good @DemonCat!

Thank you!

Getting some large (20-30cm) java ferns and abubias this week... Will either look to chuck them behind the rocks and in front of the Vals on the left, or in front of the filter pipe on the right hand side. 

The issue if I put them on the right hand side there is actually some swords growing near the filter inlet pipe. I might keep them on the left side to keep the right clear. 

Thoughts? Suggestions?

[neo-2FX]

I was thinking Blyxa on the left behind the rocks, Blyxa on the right, move the swords on the right forward and java fern behind the driftwood...would kind of look like a volcano?

[DemonCat]

How will the swords go being relocated? Will they melt? Or shall they be fine?

 

I am not sure if its they melt changing tanks, or will be fine in the same tank.

Edited September 21, 2016 by DemonCat

[neo-2FX]

I think they're sensitive to being moved full stop. It will melt but should grow back :)

You don't have to move it.

[DemonCat]

16 minutes ago, neo-2FX said:

I think they're sensitive to being moved full stop. It will melt but should grow back :)

You don't have to move it.

Damn - Like always with this tank, I have rushed to do things, and am now stuck with it!

It's ok - I jus tneed to work on my patience!

[DemonCat]

Some stupidly large java ferns have arrived on my desk thanks to a colleague. Can't wait to get them in the tank tonight. I have sold some of the native vals in the back left corner. 

Going for more a 'plant island' in the middle of the tank, rather than plants being spread throughout. 

Edited October 5, 2016 by DemonCat

[DemonCat]

Holy balls, they are too big for my tank. They are a solid 20cm in width and 40cm in height!!! Each!! 

[Kaylenna]

I can help you out with that!  LOL.

In all seriousness, I could trade you 2 or 3 smaller java ferns (15-20cm x 20-25 cm tall) for one or 2 of your bigger ones if you really wanted.  I've also got spare crypts that may fit better size-wise.

[DemonCat]

 

[DemonCat]

My (countable) shrimp population has doubled over the last week. 

Previously I could count a max of about 30 at any given time, however it's now at about 60 including shrimplettes. 

How much is too much? I don't want them to starve, or steal all the algae so that the oto's have nothing to eat.

[Kaylenna]

If you're feeding the other stuff in the tank, the shrimp shouldn't starve.   Just very slowly add a tiny bit more food and watch to make sure it gets eaten by some critter or other in a timely manner.

It's not like shrimp are particularly BIG.

[DemonCat]

Quick update for anyone interested. 

Neon Tetra Disease has ran rampant through the tank. Will be unfortunately removing all Neons on the weekend :( I feel horrible about it!

[jayc]

1 hour ago, DemonCat said:

Neon Tetra Disease has ran rampant through the tank.

Ouch. 

Have you tried any treatments to cure them? Or are they too far gone?

[DemonCat]

4 minutes ago, jayc said:

Ouch. 

Have you tried any treatments to cure them? Or are they too far gone?

Tried over three weeks of treatment - nothing really worked. 

I've lost two now, whilst 80% of others have the ulcer type things and fin damage.