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21K views 215 replies 16 participants last post by  jaysee 
#1 ·
Here it is, the journal I've been prodded to do :)

I guess I'll start with the new 125.

I gave away the 45 gallon along with a 10 for quarantine to a friend, sold the 75 and the 30 hex, broke down the 55 and moved the 90 into the kitchen in order to make room for the new 125. It was a big project. Bought the tank with stand and light for $300 on craigslist. Then the tank sat without water in it for a couple of months.

During that time, I painted the background with a glossy black enamel. Used all of a small can, with a sponge brush. The first few coats were lengthwise and left streaks and swirls and what not - very "starry night". I thought about leaving it like that, but I decided to go full black out. With the base coats in place, I then dabbed the paint on, filling in the light spots. Took several coats, and the whole can, but it looks great.

I decided the living room needed a larger TV and thought it best to take care of that before filling up the tank, so I got one and moved the living room TV into my bedroom, and moved my bedroom TV into the guest room - throwing out the old school CRT that took up all the space on the dresser. After that was done, I happened to stop by the LFS and they had a large 10-11 inch BGK for sale, so in the 29 QT it went and I filled the 125. I have 3 filters for the tank, from the 75 and 55 - an XP3, a sunsun 303 and a sunsun 302. They total 1000 gph. The filters had been sitting for 4 months, full of water and dirty media, when I hooked one (XP3) up to the 125. I dosed with some ammonia, and within two weeks (didn't test everyday) the tank was cycled with 0 ammonia and 0 nitrites. The bacteria colony had survived - it just took a little time for them to get a handle on things.

Then I debated for a while what to do for substrate. Decided on doing a mix of mostly pool filter sand, with tahitian moon sand and moonlight sand. It's a nice look - I have to finish with the sand now that I am happy with the ratios I used. At the moment there is 50 lbs of pool filter sand, 10 lbs of TMS, and 5 lbs of moonlight. I'll finish with the sand soon, after which I will hook up the other two canisters.

So some time in september I will start to stock the tank. The BGK is eating NLS thera A and is all set to go in the 125. Next I am going to see about getting a fire eel. Also on the list are pictus cats and a pair of oscars. Not sure what else at the moment.

Well, that's the story of the new 125 thus far. Now that I have made some progress with that tank, it's time to pay some attention to the other tanks. It's been 8 months since I've cleaned the filters - 2 months past due. I'll probably get that done in september some time, after labor day.
 
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#2 ·
Hooray for journals! *GRINS* Thanks for starting one! Looking forward to following you through this latest project - Jaysee style!

But man, you know it'd just be wrong if I left without at least saying something about the lack of eye candy here. . . one thing if you didn't have a cam, but I know I've seen a few images and vids scattered around TFK already, soooooooo. . . out with 'em!!!



Keep up the good work! Can't wait to see that beautiful BGK again!
 
#4 ·
But man, you know it'd just be wrong if I left without at least saying something about the lack of eye candy here. . . one thing if you didn't have a cam, but I know I've seen a few images and vids scattered around TFK already, soooooooo. . . out with 'em!!!

I knew you'd say this :lol:
It's nice but empty of fish...you know it'll take more then a few people demanding pics before he caves lol
Can't wait to see it stocked! Are you going plant free in this one too?
 
#3 ·
Big tanks are so much fun! Congrats and have fun. I agree with Chesh...pics are required in a thread like this. Lol ;-)
 
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#5 ·
So I am having trouble finding a picture of the 90 and 75 together, but here is after they were both gone from the living room, with the new tank in place, and with the new TV and water in the tank. I'll take some of the sand later.
 

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#10 ·
240 of them - cause they only need a gallon :roll:
 
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#12 ·
Speaking of the BGK...

 
#15 ·



WOW, that video is the same exact length as the other one!
 
#16 ·
I LOVE HIM! AAAAHHH! I swear, these are just the QUIRKIEST fish I've ever seen! So beautiful, though - a full grown one like that one - gah! They're stunning to watch. I'm so jealous! Can't help but feel bad for the poor guy, can't wait to see him in the big tank! ^.^
 
#18 ·
I was sort of in the vicinity of the LFS today so I stopped in to see if they had anything interesting. A couple of gar species. Interesting. That was it though....
 
#19 ·
Nothing new on the fish front. The betta did just fine with the 7 day quadruple dose treatment of melafix. Didn't manage to do a water change after. Gotta do the change before I can begin the pimsfix overdosing experiments. Still have to clean filters, still have to finish the sand in the 125, still have to hook up the other filters to the 125. Still have a credit to use at gunpowder aquatics.

I don't see much happening until after labor day.
 
#20 ·
The Betta experimenting still makes me uncomfortable, but at the same time I'm kind of glad that someone is putting this treatment to the test. It appears that you're right, and that Melafix doesn't harm the labyrinth organ. . . that or you have an incredibly tough fish over there (or both).

Out of curiosity, what made you so sure it would be okay?

Labor day is right around the corner! You have a lot of "still haves" on that list - but not nearly as many as I do! I'm really excited for you to get this tank up and running!

How are the other tanks doing? All your pretty loaches, the cichlids, and the Pearls? Did you ever find the last rainbows to complete their shoal?

. . . inquiring minds want to know ^_^
 
#21 ·
How did I know it would be okay? I didn't. I assumed it would because there is no warning label on the product, and because they make it in a special concentration for use with bettas in small containers. A dose of bettafix is the same potency as a dose of Melafix. The idea that a respectabled company in the hobby would sell a product for bettas that kills bettas is just ludicrous.

I may go a new route with my rainbows. I'm not sure yet - it's not something I am particularly concerned with right now. Still want to get a few more Angelicus loaches and Denison barbs for the 125.

The rest of the tanks are doing well as well. I'm on the lookout for a fire eel at the moment.
 
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#22 ·
AAAAHHH!!! FIRE EEL!!! <3 <3 <3

Don't be mysterious! Now I wanna know what you're thinking about with the rainbows! And! And! GAH! Angelicus SPAWN FOR YOU!!! Man! You really should try breeding them! It's just. . . you SHOULD!

And okay, fair enough! But does it have to be a quad dose? Aaaah, poor thing! Not criticizing, you know, I just get all tender-hearted for the little fishums! Can't help myself, really. . . so has your boy shown any signs of stress from the meds at all? Melafix is one of the few 'meds' that I'm actually comfortable with using in my tanks. . .
 
#23 ·
Yeah, I want the BGK and the fire eel to be the first two in the tank. I'll stock the more aggressive feeders last.

I know it's super exciting for people, but I really have no interest in raising fish.

For the rainbows, I'm thinking about just doing 2 species instead of the 4. When they were in the 90 they all schooled together and that was great, but they don't in the 125, so I think I'd rather do 2 larger schools than 4 smaller ones.

I stopped the melafix experiment at quadruple doses - no need to go higher than that. The pimafix experiments will be the same - double dose followed by quadruple dose. Is the fish stressed? I'm sure it is to some degree. Not enough to kill it though.
 
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#24 · (Edited)
I moved the boesmani rainbows to the new 125 - there are fish in the tank! I thought it would be good to have some dither fish in the tank.
 
#26 ·
 
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#28 ·
Yes....you can tell because it's not full of fish and the decor is just thrown in :)
 
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