The Oto Journal

Update 06-Oct-2010

Found (2) dead tiger shrimp in the main tank. That bothers me after the copper thought. I have placed an order for a copper test kit and some CupriSorb just to be safe. Will be getting several gallons of spring water tomorrow to do at least a 25% water change.

Juvies are so active. I went to the back of the tank and they were just swarming in the back. Here's a video snippet:
[YT]H4ZrB-GKHGY[/YT]

Over in the holding tank, there are new wigglers all over the glass. Still have a lot of eggs to hatch out tomorrow. Here's a better shot of the ones yesterday. You will see one of the wigglers that hatched yesterday.
OtoEggs1_100610.jpg


Topping off tanks this evening. Blanching fresh zucchini.
 
Great :)

They look pretty big for juvies! I bet you have no algae in that tank :p:
How do you blanch vegetables? I'm just lazy and attatch the veges to lead sinkers :)
 
Update 07-Oct-2010

Most of the eggs in the holding tank have hatched. There are still a few on the glass the are in progress. Why I was examining the tank for others, I noticed the new wigglers swimming in and out of the fern. This my first observance of ones of this age swimming around. Normally they stay put for awhile.

Had another idiot of week move. This one involved my main breeder. Left the filter off! Dad gummit! During my last maintenance, I unplugged it as the water level was pretty low. So I was going to drip the new water in and the turn it on later.

Dummy me, I didn't catch it until today when I did another WC using spring water. I was wondering why there hardly any flow coming from it. Then I looked and BINGO...still unplugged. DOH! Got it plugged in and the flow still wasn't all that great so I took the opportunity to clean it properly. Pre-filter just about expired. It's starting to fall apart. Will have to pick up some more sponges.

Fed fresh zuc and the powder feed. I think this may be what caused the green stains on the filter and in the sponge. Just a thought as it wasn't present in any of the other tanks. Not sure, but sill will test for copper when the kit comes in.
 
Copper test kit arrived. Great news! No detectable copper in any of the tanks. Whew! I feel better now. So I'm guessing now that my theory of the powdered food is what caused the green stain. As long as it wasn't harmful I'll do it again. I believe that method helped to attribute to the the higher success rate of the fry.

Little guys are all over the zucchinis. Giving it a good work over.

Over in the holding tank, there are new wigglers all over the place. Almost every pane of glass has some on it.
 
Update 09-Oct-2010

I know it's early but I wanted to share this with you. Stand by for a major posting.

Went down to the basement this morning to start working .. ok actually cleaning. As usual, I always check the tanks first. I walked into a major hornets nest.

Details to follow.
 
Alrighty then. As mentioned just awhile ago, I walked into a major hornets nest when I walked downstairs this morning. By hornets nest, I meant major spawning! Again it's in the holding tank! There are eggs all over the place......again.

When I first checked the tanks, I saw some spawning activity. Needless to say, I didn't have the camera so I just watched for a couple of minutes. Then I thought maybe I should try to get it but they would be done by the time I did. Wrong. Started filming and the activity never stopped. Actually increased at times. Shot a ton of video and some pics too.

So we'll just start with a couple of still pics.

Here's is one of the older fry in the tank:
OtoBaby_100910.jpg


Some of the eggs found:
OtoEggs_100910.jpg


And now, the moment you've all been waiting for. Ladies and gentlemen, I present you....The Double Spawn:
[YT]EMyqM_A02WY[/YT]

Now if I can just figure out the deal with the lighting. May have to play the camera in video mode more.

They were still going at it when I came back up here to post this. These two gals were just overwhelmed. I'm sure they will have a nice relaxing break when all is said and done.

I don't know if I should classify this as a holding tank anymore but as another breeding tank. ;)
 
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