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29 gal community photo log

28K views 266 replies 19 participants last post by  thekoimaiden 
#1 ·
As I've now started to make some serious changes on my 29 gal tank, I thought it would be neat to share them with everyone. I'll try to get at least one picture a month.

This was the tank about 4 months ago. It wasn't anything to look at. In fact, I avoided looking at it.


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This was the tank about three weeks ago, shortly after I added black sand and more plants. You can also see the half-giant betta that is currently calling the tank home. The plants are Rotala in the back left. Dwarf sagittaria in the back right. Pygmy chain sword in the front right. Water sprite is floating. Java fern is tied to the driftwood, and there's a tiny sprig of anubias rooted to drftwood in the back. See if you can find it! ;-)


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I was comparing this picture to how my tank looks now, and there really hasn't been much growth. The stem plants are showing good growth and the pygmy chain swords show some growth compared to this picture. But I tugged on some of the plants and they seem to be getting pretty good root systems. I just added some root tabs, and I'm hoping those will help, too.

The tank is far from done. I'd also like to add chain sword, undulated crypt, and maybe a tiger lotus, but I'm going to let the tank and substrate mature a while before I add them. I'm also on the hunt for a nice large piece of driftwood for the left side of the tank (which is why it looks so bare). I'd like something tall and rooty. Once I get all the plants in and established, I'll go get my cardinals! (And promptly put them in QT.)

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Because I don't know how much of my other tanks you've seen I'll include the most up-to-date pictures of my goldfish tank and betta tanks just for kicks.


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I'm still battling with the plants to get them to grow. I'm hoping some root tabs for the swords will make a difference. Next time I set up a goldfish tank, I'm doing a freshwater refugium and only have a hardscape in the tank.


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The betta tower! What's the best thing to do when you have too many tank? Stack them! :-D

Also, any tips for tank photography are much appreciated!
 
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#63 ·
His color actually is a reddish-brown, Ches! They are really really pretty when the light hits them just right. I'm curious to see how these old guys will take the young loaches. My loaches are at least 4 years old now.

The new guys will get a short QT. They're coming from The Wet Spot so I'm sure they will be mostly free of disease. But in the off chance that something comes with them, I don't want to treat the main tank for it. I think that's what did in my tiger lotus. These new babies will go into QT for 2 weeks.

This is my first time with shrimps and I'm really enjoying it so far. The gourami might make a snack of a few babies, but that's why I'm setting up the colony. I will probably be selling some shrimps once the colony is strong. I have soft water, too, but from what I've read of the red cherries as long as the water isn't extremely soft they are just fine.

John, my farlowella is all healed! It was poof there and then poof gone when I added the salt. And I haven't seen it come back at all. Really happy about that. I dropped my farlowella in without QT because I knew he needed the algae and other goodies in the tank.
 
#65 ·
Ahhh, they're beautiful! Mine is/was a bit on the reddish side, too - not so brilliant, but I must assume he is a very young juvie. I know these fish can really vary in coloration - I love yours!

I had a VERY good experience with WetSpot, they do keep their fish in QT for at least a month before selling them, and treat their wild-caught specimens for parasites (I asked tons of questions before buying from them, lol). Really... I want to move to Oregon JUST to be closer to this shop - it must be amazing to visit in person. Their fish and plant stock is just astounding. . . *wishes*

Hrm... maybe a few months down the road, if all goes well for both of us, we can work out an exchange - a bit of my C.Spiralis for a few shrimps! lol! Sounds like a good trade to me - but I have no idea how much your little beauties cost :) They really are lovely, though. I hope your Gourami doesn't eat 'em! I may have to give it a go if they'll be okay in softer water. . . *ponders*

Super good news that your farlowella is doing so well, and healed up now. SUCH neat little fish. . . You have a very cool community going over there! I can't WAIT for the new arrivals!!!
 
#66 ·
Thank you, Rex. This community has been a long time in the making.

Interesting thing I was reading about these Pangio oblonga.... turns out there may be a few genetically distinct species that we just lump under that name. So little research has been done on these guys that no one really knows!

I'm so glad to hear raving reviews from another source, too! Normally I wouldn't do a QT coming from such a good place, but I just want to make sure they get their "traveling bugs" out of their system. Even though my farlowella came from a great place, he still got some; I don't want to make that same mistake twice. I know that if I'm ever in Oregon, I'm stopping by The Wet Spot even if I have to drag my whole party with me kicking and screaming. :lol:

A trade does sound like an awesome idea! I've seen cherries sell from anywhere from a dollar a shrimp for the basic cherry grade and up to $5 a shrimp for the sakura and painted red grades. It all depends on the seller and the genes and yada yada. I just know that they WILL overpopulate if I don't get rid of some! On top of my excitement to set this up I'm also stoked to get my shrimp tank up and going. I didn't believe it until I had them, but they're really interesting to watch! When I do get the ball rolling on that tank I'll be sure to set up a thread!
 
#67 · (Edited)
Interesting thing I was reading about these Pangio oblonga.... turns out there may be a few genetically distinct species that we just lump under that name. So little research has been done on these guys that no one really knows!
I've read the same thing - and it also goes for the P.Kuhli (which we were discussing on my thread a while back) It seems that there is MUCH more research that needs to be done on the 'eel-like' loaches in general still. They're often mixed up with P. Pangia - (commonly called the cinnamon loach) as well as a few other similarly-colored species. And to be fair, the color range on these babies can be from that gorgeous reddish-brown that yours display, all of the way down into a very deep dark almost black color - and lighter toward tan!

If I had the resources. . . and the knowledge, I could really see myself devoting my life to studying these guys exclusively and nailing down some of these very common questions! I can't though, so I'll just leave it at - WHATEVER they *actually* are - if they behave in this fashion, and are vaguely similar to the loaches I have at home - I LOVE THEM! They really are such wonderful animals, and so much fun to keep and learn about/from. I can't wait to see how your new batch mingles with the old crew, same goes for my tank!

Random, but have you ever seen P.doriae? GOSH! I'd give a finger for a shoal of those! Or, on the 'stripey' side of things P.alternans would be amazing (and they have P.anguillaris at WetSpot, been drooling over those, too!). . .maybe someday :)

P.S. I did, and will always, QT my fish regardless of how awesome the shop is that I get them from. You just never know. And with such hard-to-treat critters running around like your shrimp and farlowella, and the group I have in my 55 - doubly so! It's a good plan *nods* I swear - we make it difficult intentionally!
 
#68 ·
Haha, loach you need to go back to school and learn how to properly play hide and seek! Adorable photos Koi!
 
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#69 ·
Funny thing is I actually used to have P. doriae or P. anguillaris! It's been so long ago I can't remember which one but one of those two used to be in with my P. oblonga! I actually bought them at Wal Mart years ago. They were being sold in those terrible little betta cups, and I just HAD to take home as many as I could. And that's the story of how I fell in love with loaches. :lol:

ARGH! I'm so excited/impatient!! It helps that today is a loach food day so I get to watch my guys wriggle across the bottom.
 
#72 ·
Unfortunately they don't get here until Tuesday. Because of that large system that just came through the eastern US. Dumped a ton of ice on us, but places farther north got lotsa snow. Either way, it jammed up air traffic and The Wet Spot didn't want to ship fish. While it is more time I have to wait, I find it endearing that they care enough to check the weather. Heck, my sister doesn't even care enough to check the weather... which is why her normally 2 hour trip home yesterday took 5 hours.

So until Tuesday I HAVE to find something to occupy my time almost 24/7 or else I just get so impatient! :lol:
 
#73 ·
AAAAARRRRGGGGHH!!!! Yeah, I really appreciate that they take great care of their fish all of the way until they get to your door, too. But ARGH!!! I'd be frustrated, too - in a grateful way, cuz' it'd be awful to be worrying about them stuck on the back of a truck somewhere in the cold - even worse if they arrived in a bad way. Tuesday. Tuesday... C'mon Tuesday!
 
#78 ·
The loaches were really chill when I put them in at first. And then about 30 minutes later they just went nuts!! :lol: I ordered six, but because of the heavy leaf litter I can only see one or two at a time. But the water is nicely tannin-stained.

The gourami have colored up for me VERY nicely. The male is gorgeous!!!! Much prettier than the sunset gourami. The females look heavy with eggs. They... uh might breed for me right here in my QT. I'm already so in love with these guys!

I know I said no pictures to let everyone chill for a bit, but I couldn't help it (also they've been in there now for about 4 hours).


This is everyone acclimating. This is also the only clear shot you get of the loaches.


This is a general idea of what the setup looks like. There is also a piece of fake driftwood in there that everyone seems to like. The media in the filter came from my goldfish tank, so you can be sure it's cycled.


This is my beautiful male after just a few hours in the QT. I'm in love! These pictures don't do him justice!!


Here he is fighting with his reflection. Completely ignoring the females! :lol:


This is the more bold of my females. The other is pretending to be a leaf somewhere in the back.

The gourami are still rather shy and hide whenever I approach the tank. I'm not too surprised at that after hearing about Sang's experience with her gourami being so shy. The dithers will be coming around the end of March. I had to sit sooo still to get their trust that THIS happened:




(I apologize for the pics being so large, but photobucket won't let me edit them right now :evil: )
 
#79 ·
Haha, I don't know which is more cute. The darling fish (bet those loaches are having a blast after being in that bag during shipping) or the cat that is like "Yep, this looks perfectly comfortable. For me...of course".

I found that you can help along the gourami by not doing any really quick movements around the tank. Moving slowly, and give them time to notice you helps prevent things like bolting/freak outs.
 
#80 ·
Thanks for the tip, Sang! I've been doing just that. They are in a hallway, so I make sure to walk by them slowly. I also spent a lot of time just staring at the tank today. Hopefully they'll get used to my face!

I spent so much time staring at them, that the cat would just follow me around, knowing I would sit back down and she could crawl on me in some shape or form. She doesn't like the cold and warms herself up by putting her cold paws on my skin... which tells you something because the high for today was 70F.
 
#81 ·
so happy your fish came in. lol. and your kitty is enjoying your fish time as much as you are. i love your loaches! i wish i could get some again but sadly the lfs here doesn't carry them anymore. :( so i will gladly check out your tank :)
 
#83 ·
Loaches are such neat little fish! I can hardly see them in the QT but that's perfectly fine with me because the QT is for fishy relaxation. You can keep them vicariously through me! (And I'll keep bichir vicariously through Sang)

So... update... the gourami are breeding. :shock: No joke. I woke up this morning to find the male has a bubble nest and is showing off for the females who keep checking the nest out. There is a massive storm system coming through the eastern US right now and the sharp drop in barometric pressure must be setting them off. And the worst of it isn't even here.... I honestly don't know what to do if I get babies.... But it's really awesome watching the male display. I gotta name him. I'm thinking maybe something sun-related since his orange is so brilliant.
 
#82 ·
BEAUTIFUL! Absolutely beautiful. . . thanks for posting the pictures - I LIKE the large size! The goruami (especially that male) is gorgeous, I can't wait to see how they shine when they settle in and the male REALLY starts coloring up. They're ALL really going to love that beautiful 29. How are they and the little loachlings settling into their QT tank. . .it's been *almost* 24 hours since they arrived - I think we need an update!!!! :D Congratulations again on your new babies, I'm so happy that they arrived safely and seem to be in such good health. I really love Wet Spot, wouldn't hesitate to order from them any time! I'm working on a plot to move to Oregon. . .
 
#85 ·
Izzy, that is such great news! I guess we know they like it there!!! *GRINS* Even if nothing comes of this first mating, you know that they WILL, and if it's something that you'd like to pursue, you can get better prepared for the next time around. Wonderful that they've settled in SO insanely quickly!!! Wow. Guess they got close while they were all stuffed together in that little bag for shipping *giggle*

I totally agree with you, btw. SO many people like to set up barren QT tanks, and I just feel that this is dead wrong. The WHOLE point (in my view) is to give the new fish a chance to relax and settle into their new home, get adjusted to the way you run your tanks, and the water parameters they'll be living in. . . Why do people insist on adding to their stress by keeping them in a tank that isn't comfortable for them and suited to their needs??! I can't think of any reason, as it only adds to their already high levels of stress from transportation and different water parameters, etc. The ONLY thing that I can come up with after nearly a year of wondering is. . . lol. . . if they're under SO much stress, any pathogens that they've been keeping under control would have a better chance of manifesting in these situations, so you can 'cure' them before putting them into the main tank. Not the best way to do things, IMHO! I love your QT tank, and I'm actually happy that the loaches are being given a happy bed of leaves to hang out in. It's what they like! Once they move into the 29, and settle in there, I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to see them. HOPING that the entire shoal is more obvious with more of them around to help them feel comfortable! HOORAY for loaches. Gah, I love them!
Oh wow, what a story you will have to tell about the new fish when they were new :D
HAHA! Fox, I'm reading this with a very clear image of Izzy on a rocking chair, 20 years from now, telling the story to the great-great-grandchildren of these very gourami of when their family arrived in this 'country...' :) Too cute! BTW, she's knitting a baby blanket for the next generation ;)
 
#86 ·
The bottom of the tank is littered with leaves, and I've been watching everyone eat from the surface of them. I don't think the babies will have trouble finding food. But the fact remains, I don't think this batch would be able to survive as I still have to finish the QT. I do have a loach with some kind of wound on his side, so I want to make sure that is healed. They would have to survive another 2 weeks in the tank with 6 hungry loaches. They're gentle, but if it fits in their mouths, it's a goner.

But it is good to know that they will breed readily. Maybe this summer I'll move them back to this tank and see if they will breed again. I like gourami enough to try to breed them for real. Just... gotta find homes for the babies. I might could fit another female in my 29 gal, but then that leave another 50+ babies. Anyone want a honey gourami? lol

Oh! I also forgot to mention I threw some NLS Thera+A in there. And the leaves started moving! Guess those loaches are hungry... the gourami have other things on their minds. :roll:
 
#87 ·
Just to let my farlowella and shrimp know I hadn't deserted them I plopped in some algae wafers and shrimp pellets earlier in the day and set up my camera.


One of my male shrimps. Pardon the algae.. my farlowella is a bit lazy


A male and a female. Look at her big butt full of eggs!! Oh and a loach in the background.


Here is the lazy man himself.

And now! For a surprise! A VIDEO! It was my farlowella and a loach playing. The video quality on my camera is terrible but it was too cute not to capture.

 
#88 ·
It sounds like things are going great over there! Sorry to hear that one of the loaches has come with an injury - I've been amazed at how quickly these guys can heal, hopefully you'll have the same experience. The leaves are moving. . . heh. . . at least you know they're eating! I'm SURE you could find somewhere for the honey gourami if/when you decide to breed them. It would really be wonderful to be able to experience that first-hand for yourself.

The shrimp are stunning, and the video is lovely! Really puts some perspective on things seeing the farlowella and the loach side-by-side, I really enjoyed the perspective. It can be so difficult sometimes to judge sizes on these pictures and videos with nothing to base scale on. :)
 
#89 ·
Ya. I'm a little worried about the injured guy. He was kinda flipping out this evening, and it gave me a chance to look at his wound. It doesn't look like it's gotten any better. I can't actually get a picture of it, so I'm going to do some digging around online.

So... gourami update.... They bred. :shock: I watched them embrace three times this afternoon, and when I put a flashlight on the nest, I saw eggs. Holy crap. The only thing I could think to do would be put all of the gourami in the 29 gal, but I'm afraid I'll have to treat the QT with something for the loach's injury thing. And I'm pretty sure any treatment would kill the fry.
 
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