Forest of Vals

[CACAdmin]

I'm downsizing. I sold my 70g tank because although I loved it, for me, being a short guy with short arms, it was always an extreme challenge to maintain (reaching the bottom of the tank practically meant going for a swim).

So, in the interim, fish got sold, other fish and plants, etc. got shuffled to other tanks. I also re-setup my 25 gallon and planted a whole whack of vals (among other plants) in it... all from the 70 gallon. Some of the vals I had origonally and a bunch of huge ones I got from member Ursus sapien recently. I also stocked it with my baby BN's.

The tank has been set up about 3 1/2 weeks and this is how it looks. (After seeing Kim's Pleco Tank With Babies (http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10545), I realize how much harder it will be for me to have any chance to catching the baby BN's. :spinny: :laugh: )

http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/jb_images/25g-BN-tank.jpg

[Kimr]

I just love the way Vals grow like that, I always have, but since I use flourish excel THAT is a no, no with Vals!

Beautiful tank tho Jay.

[Ursus sapien]

agreed, the tank looks great. vals are an awesome plant. (I recently got a miniature one from 'edge' - nano tank perfect!)

[CACAdmin]

In the shuffle of fish, I have discovered one lone Limia Triden youngster... must have scooped him up with the plants as a fry. I think he's wondering where all his buddies are, but catching him would be nearly impossible. I guess the only other solution would be to put a few more in with him for company.

[Namor]

Great looking plants Jay. :thumbup:

btw, if you're looking for the remote, it's beside the tank. :wink:

[CACAdmin]

Thanks guys. I rather like the look the the tank, too but nobody had better be in earshot when I try to catch those little BNs. :wink: :laugh:

[blainep]

I think Vals are a great plant, both in appearance and as a nutrient sucker.

They can be a little invasive though, I've had them take over a few tanks.

Good picture Jay !

[Pamelajo]

Great tank, looks nice the way the vals grow.
If we see blue air coming from BC we will know it is just you trying to catch bns.

[CACAdmin]

If we see blue air coming from BC we will know it is just you trying to catch bns.
Very true. :yes: :laugh:

[Ursus sapien]

traps, I tell you, traps! Ok, here's some unsolicited advice from someone who is really bad at netting fish: bristlenoses are easiest to catch when they're under 2 weeks old.

The simplest way, if the cave is accessable, is to simply pull it out. Use a container about the size of an ice cream bucket, fill it about a third full of aquarium water and gently tilt the cave (open side down) and lift it out of the water. 2 or 3 times will empty the cave of youngsters while dad typically stays put. Return the cave to the aquarium and move the babies to a grow out tank. A 5 or 10 gallon will do.

The second easiest way is to siphon them out using tubing about 2x the diameter of airline tubing. Just make sure you don't catch them mid-rif or you'll fold them in half. If they're really small, it's not a problem, but by about a week it will damage them.

The third way is a little riskier, in that you must keep an eye on the trap. No going out for coffee with the gals or taking a nap. Bait a trap - I use those little rectangular plastic fish containers with the coloured, grilled, snap-on tops, or a plastic pop with the top removed and inserted backwards into the bottle. The last one can be a killer, because the water fouls quickly, so empty it frequently. Bait with a Bottom Bite or Critter Crumb.