Woo-hooo!! 55 is up/stocked/thanks!!!! PIX

rosita

rosita

Here
Jan 11, 2006
1,080
0
0
Cape Fear River Basin
Finally got my new 55 (did a seeded cycle in 7 days--great info here for cycling!!!!!), stocked and kinda decorated--still not sure about rocks, look a little too Psuedo-Stonehenge!! Got them from the creek here on the farm, will go hunting for more on weekend. Sand bottom, aquarium gravel center, crushed coral top. Beautiful fake plant (oxymoron?), 250 watt Stealth heater, dual Whisper filters, canopy&lights came with. Thought I'd share some pix--need a tripod!!! Also need to get crafty and create a backdrop. Thanks to all who've advised me this far!!! 'Specially LoveMyKribs and Stingray on cichlid recommendations--in just one week, their color has really started to come out!!! 4 Yellow Labs, 3 Cobalts, 2 mystery snails (blue, yellow), one baby Black Ghost Knife.
2905bb0d.jpg

fb0881f2.jpg

b6c26e78.jpg

0cd07917.jpg
 
Thanks, fishy. I've been doing alot of researching and question-asking in regards to the BGK being in an African rift lake environment; all have told me theirs have been fine, active, healthy, eating, growing. My params are:
hi range pH: 7.4
FW range: 7.2
KH: 180
GH: 300 (my well water is fairly hard)
What think ye of this? He's doing really well, sucks up the bloodworms and shrimp pellets; has his favorite hidey holes. I plan on setting up a larger tank (prob. breeder as you had suggested) this summer . . .
I still think the rocks look too much like---did you ever see "Spinal Tap" the documentary on the cobbled up rock band? I keep seeing the model of Stone Henge lowered onto the stage from above after all the fanfare, what a hoot!! They are lovely rocks, tho'. ~r
 
Nice setup. If you're unsure about the rockwork you could take them out and mess around on a flat surface until you come up with something you like. I would add a background though, and add a wee bit more water.
 
Its "this is spinal tap" ;) and I have the video and the DVD :) Well IMO the fish should be in water simmilat to its native conditions, but It should be ok in there for a bit. If you go soft acidic with the next tank make sure to aclimate it slowly. they are quite sensative.
 
Gosh, thanks guys!!!! I'm really studying and trying to be a good fish keeper, and this tank is my real first foray into what I consider "serious" fishness. I'm still trying to figure a background--those cords just don't do it for me, LOL. Playing with the rocks outside the tank is a good idea--why didn't I think of that???
I'm going to hunt for more rocks this weekend, even if it rains. They are so cool, and are right down here on the farm creek!! Not sure why I keep the water where it is, it IS too low, every pwc ends up at same point. Brain fart, I guess!! And I could never have done this with out all of ya'll. My fellow fishy aficianados!! (BTW, DD, didn't you have a lighter outfit on for like a day or so? Or am I just hallucinating again? OH no, flashbacks!! I knew the 70's would catch up with me!!)
Yours in fish keeping, rosi renee :clap:
 
I prefer to keep my tanks barebacked. To get the cords out of sight, I get a big plant simmilar to the one you have, and run all the cords straight down and tied together. The I place the plant in front of it. You can still see them from some angles, but Its not that bad. This gives for differnt light charictarisitcs if you have good ambiant lighting. I also like having the ability to peek into the back of the tank:) Just a suguestion if you wanted to keep it that way. If not you could try something classical, or even do a shot of that cute little horsey out in a field.

Defiinatly a great achievement :thm:
 
Nice tank! :)
I'm not a fan of artificial plants, but that one looks good! One suggestion on the rockwork, if it was my tank, I'd triple or even quadruple the number of rocks. I find that nine times out of ten when I'm unhappy with an aquascape, it's because something needs to be added, rather than moved around. I'd build those cichlids a back wall with lots of caves, they'll be in heaven! You could use an epoxy to cement them together and make it stable, people do this with marine tanks all the time. Check the SW section of your LFS, they'll have it. I'd also raise the water level, it'll look nicer if you bury the waterline behind the trim.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
AquariaCentral.com
Top Bottom