what are you doing today that is tank related?

Filter broke down. Fixed it. Added more lights, seeing things in a whole new light =P

 

what type of lights did you end up getting/using?

<--hasn't done a darn thing except manage to scrape the back wall of the 90g yesterday (some specks of brush algae)... and that took every bit of energy I had.

90g filters were due about 3 days ago, partials are overdue, need to get to the bank and fish store as I only have flakes and algae wafers left (completely outta bloodworms)...I know I know, it's a sad day in fishy land here...but in my defense I've felt like crud and I did double dose both tanks with the prime that came in a few days back to hopefully salvage things from spiraling out of control. At this point I wish I knew someone nearby who kept tanks cuz I would so send my fish there on a vacation until I felt better.

 

regular lights, lol
100 watt shop light.

 

Haha! Hey, it's lighting though. I thought about using shop lights over my 90g, but then that went out the window when I saw the lighting options on the fixture that I have now. So how many wpg do you have now over the tanks?

BREAKING NEWS...short burst of energy leads to...
partial on the 20gL, cleaned the filter while I was at it and added some new media (phoslock, prefilter pad, and some additional eheim cocoa puff like balls).

Sadly, the energy ended too quickly so the 90g is on a list for the next burst that hopefully comes by soon.

 

Picked up some more tetra aquasafe plus yesterday (the betta in my pics thread was kind of an impulse buy lol), so it's time for some nice large water changes on the 55 and 90. Usually I do a 1/3 to 1/2 water change, and once in a while I do a 2/3 to 3/4 change just to get a little more fresh water in.

 

my normal weekly water changes on all my tanks are at least 3/4, then again my tanks are stocked alittle on the heavy side too.

water changes and filter maintenance. last night we went and checked out a fish store that advertises they rescue/take in unwanted fish and have a large stock of fresh/saltwater fish as well. this place has 155 tanks with fish, corals, live rock/sand. i was talking with the owner for awhile and mentioned to him that we've got 10 red zebra/ob red zebra juvies (1 1/4" - 1 1/2") that we would like to rehome (still in a 10g and the 55g has 15 fish allready). he said that they would take them and give us store credit. in the mean time, my wife was looking around the store and spotted a new 72g bow front combo (tank, stand,glass top, light w/bulb) that she really likes ...might be getting another tank soon...mts has struck again ! !

 

haha, I'm trying to negotiate the construction of a new stand with my parents so I can add 3 more tanks XD MTS, you say?

 

Eventually today (see: when I wake up as it is currently 3am.) it is the monthly deep clean for Suri's tank.

Rather than just the usual vacuuming, water changing, all that business, it's the complete 'send Suri to her cleaning day tank' 'take everything out' 'scour tank' 'exchange all the deco ect' day.

Water is already ready and off to the side, just waiting for morning; cleaning day tank is already set up. All I need to do in a few hours is to start cleaning. ><

 

By taking everything out and scouring it down you are causing your tank and fish undue stress.

 

it's how I choose to do it based on years of success, her not showing stress stripes at any point, and the advice of a breeders forum specifically for her breed.

(really hoping I don't sound rude. I'm not trying for rude, just stating there are different housekeeping methods, and for her species/personality, she seems to really enjoy zooming around in her new decor once it's up. Sometimes it's not every month, sometimes it's two months, but. Still. It is my preferred method)

**and for clarification, what I mean by scouring it down is just really rinsing the rocks, and using hot hot water to wipe the sides and bottom. No cleaning agents or anything.

 

Aren't you killing off beneficial bacteria?

 

this particular tank is uncycled/unfiltered. It's a 5 gal heated that just gets a lot of routine water maintenence (at least 25% every few days). Suri is a female betta.

I tried having her in a cycled tank and it was nothing but stress stripes galore and was having an issue sorting out my water levels/getting them to stay (random spikes) and even with baffling, she doesn't seem to like the idea of a filter.. I'm just not experienced enough with plants to do it on less than a 20 gal scale and keep it consistent. (5 gallons are just... proving far more finicky.)

^^;;

So really I'm more worried about making sure that at least every month or so, I get whatever water could be missed during the rest of the changes.

 

Do you use tap water to rinse everything off? o.o;

 

have you tried a sponge filter?

 

I keep a female betta in my 90g which is cycled, if it's just a 5g you could try either a sponge filter or a prefilter over your intake. Just a thought to make things a bit easier. I know how difficult it can be to keep things "clean" looking in any size tank (algae, overfeeding, etc, etc). Also, in my experience the betta's last long with a heater..just thought I'd throw that out there.

 

I've tried a sponge filter ect, but she just stays stressed out. So instead as she doesn't actually need a filter, I decided to do without.

Everything gets rinsed with tap water innitially, but then a rinse with treated water, then my pre-treated water to fill. My levels get tested about 4 times on the big cleaning day. Otherwise, they get tested weekly to keep them good.

MOD_Dawn: If it was a bigger tank, I don't think it would bother her as much. Unfortunately until I have a bigger place again, having a large tank isn't an option right now. But a 5g is just too small for it to not bother her regardless. I've tried many methods to get it to work as I like having a filter on tanks, but with her it just doesn't work. I'd rather do a few more water changes and have a happy fish, than keep her stressed out just for my convinience.

Not sure what you mean about the heater? I can't tell if you meant 'don't last long with a heater' or 'last longer with a heater' ... Ideally, they are supposed be kept at a water temp of around 82* which is why I do have a heater. Haven't had an issue, just happy, active, long lived bettas

I don't even care about keeping the tank 'looking' clean, it's the water quality I go for.

 

yea, I meant they do BETTER with a heater as you already know. And I completely understand not having room for larger tank...small tanks are just tough regardless in my experience. I know some have smashing success with them, but imo they are a lotta work. Pretty fish though for sure, and as long as she's doing well then that's all that matters

 

Haha yeah, pretty much ^^ Her tank really does take more work than my old 30 gal, but for the space, gotta do what I gotta do for now

 

Unplugged the eheim 2236 this evening that's on my 20gL for making a odd sound...like the intake was pulling in air even though their's no airstone or anything inside this tank only to find out one of the blades on the impeller broke and I couldn't even find it inside the darn filter.
Online I went figuring it couldn't be that expensive only to find out that it's like $40 something...I won't be buying it being I only paid like $86 for the filter on clearance in the first place so needless to say it'll go into the sell pile. LoL!

 

Did a total rescape on the 20gL and a thorough cleaning being it was highly overdue.
The Eheim 2236 still works, but every now and then it seems to surge/purge...probably from the 1 blade of the impeller being broke.

I plan on keeping this particular setup for the kiddo and in doing so will probably TRY to use one of the xp4's on it for filtration somehow...but that's later on todays experiment/putzing. Lol!

Oh, and I'm also ordering some shrimpy food online for them through the shrimp tank (mosura).