45gal Redo

[blainep]

Here is the one tank that missed the Tank a day post.
I'm going to use the excuse that it wasn't up and running when I finished that post.

The plants and ornaments are a plug for my favorite LFS's
Elite Aquatica and Pisces Pet Emporium

I bought a new light for the tank to help the plants, a Coralife dual T5 fixture with one full spectrum bulb and one 6700k bulb.
It fits right on the tank in the spot where the old strip light sat, no modifications req !

Filter is an old Fluval 304 that has been running for 4 or 5 years now. Jager 125 watt heater and an old, cheap air pump and a bubbler.

Substrate is Flourite with about an inch of playsand on top.
I completely stripped down the tank and scrubbed and disinfected everything for a completely fresh start.

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1695.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1696.JPG

Willow moss on driftwood, coconut cave with Anubias and Java moss, Java fern on driftwood and Rainbow rock and Purple Slate from Colby at Elite Aquatica.
Amazon swords, and the foreground plants ( something tenellus ??) from Pisces.
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1708.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1709.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1710.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1711.JPG

The only occupants so far are 6 Ember MTS, I can't seem to decide who's next to go into the new tank. :laugh:

Any suggestions ?

[Melody]

Livebearers of course - big P. Velifera set off by some of the pretty Sailfin Lyretail Black Mollies I have coming. Then tiny splashes of colour - Picta Red. Best just bring it over here for me to have.

Looks fantastic!

[WaterPond]

Looks amazing!

Just to let you know, your amazon swords will die and rot. The reason being is those are in their emersed form. Meaning they were grown with only the roots out of water. Before you know it the leaves will look like this: http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/amazon2.jpg

Just incase you didn't know that.

Anyhow, as for stocking suggestions, i have three words. rams RaMs RAMS!

[blainep]

Livebearers of course - big P. Velifera set off by some of the pretty Sailfin Lyretail Black Mollies I have coming. Then tiny splashes of colour - Picta Red.


Sounds good to me ! :yes:

Best just bring it over here for me to have.

Ummmmmmmm :nah:.

:laugh::laugh:

[Melody]

Oh come on, where's your hobby spirit? It will make you feel all warm & fuzzy & 45G tankless....

OK I see your point.....lol.

[blainep]

Looks amazing!

Just to let you know, your amazon swords will die and rot. The reason being is those are in their emersed form. Meaning they were grown with only the roots out of water. Before you know it the leaves will look like this: http://www.plantgeek.net/images/plantpics/amazon2.jpg

Just incase you didn't know that.

Anyhow, as for stocking suggestions, i have three words. rams RaMs RAMS!

I have the same swords in a couple other tanks, I bought them cause I know how they'll look in a couple months.
Very similar to the picture.
Thanks for the heads up thou, if they were my first swords, it could be very disappointing .

Rams, Hmmmm, Never had Rams before..........

[Melody]

If I were to go that route, I'd go all the way and get into Apistos. Some real rarities there. If you wander into Aquabid you'll find a guy named Apistodave - he's the master. He has a list a mile long of rare beauties for you to choose from. He ships here but its tricky - my shipment was sent back to him at the border <SIGH> but many others have received theirs.

[blainep]

If I were to go that route, I'd go all the way and get into Apistos. Some real rarities there. If you wander into Aquabid you'll find a guy named Apistodave - he's the master. He has a list a mile long of rare beauties for you to choose from. He ships here but its tricky - my shipment was sent back to him at the border <SIGH> but many others have received theirs.

Something different from Livebearers might be cool, but.....

I already have some of the coolest fish in town in my fishroom, maybe I should be showing off some of them !

[Melody]

True enough :yes: . I forgot this was a display tank. Definitly the most rare of the rare then. Maybe a species preservation tank - only put threatened fish in there. That would have to be a unique concept. Many are from Mexico due to habitat destruction, so you could probably have some sort of Mexican Biotope.

[jordonsmum]

WOW VERY nice...!!!!:notworthy: I LOVE the natural look in aquariums so I'm a little biased. Hmmm now what to put in... I second Mel's Molly idea..... You could achieve some very sharp colour variations!!!

[Katalyst]

What was that? You want more MTS to put in there? What's your address? I'll send them out tommorrow lol.

What a beautiful tank! What a nice concept a tank with plants in it that aren't plastic. My goldfish just inhale/shred everything, the punks! Can't wait to see what you put in it?

[blainep]

What was that? You want more MTS to put in there? What's your address? I'll send them out tommorrow lol.

What a beautiful tank! What a nice concept a tank with plants in it that aren't plastic. My goldfish just inhale/shred everything, the punks! Can't wait to see what you put in it?

The fun thing about MTS is that by the time yours get here, I'll already have thousands in the tank !:eek:

I know what you mean about goldies, that tank once housed my pond fish. They had alot of fun moving the ornaments around and moving all the gravel to one side of the tank.
I'd set it all up nice and pretty, next day, all changed :laugh:.

[Katalyst]

The fun thing about MTS is that by the time yours get here, I'll already have thousands in the tank !:eek:

I know what you mean about goldies, that tank once housed my pond fish. They had alot of fun moving the ornaments around and moving all the gravel to one side of the tank.
I'd set it all up nice and pretty, next day, all changed :laugh:.

Glad someone else feels my pain lol. I give up on anything but heavy driftwood and huge stones in my goldo's tanks.

Are you sureeeee you don't want my mts? lol

[jordonsmum]

MTS?????? I feel silly asking , but what does that stand for??

[jumpingtadpoles]

Nice!

I love play sand in tanks. I have used it in all of mine. I really like it a lot.

MTS= malaysian trumpet snails, it can also mean multiple tank syndrome ;)

[blainep]

MTS?????? I feel silly asking , but what does that stand for??

Depends a bit on who you ask, but the common name is 'Malaysian Trumpet Snails'

Melody has a picture of them here http://www.canadianaquariumconnection.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28

Very, VERY prolific snail.

[blainep]

Nice!

I love play sand in tanks. I have used it in all of mine. I really like it a lot.

MTS= malaysian trumpet snails, it can also mean multiple tank syndrome ;)

This is my first sand tank, I liked the look in pictures I've seen, so this is my first attempt at it. So far, I'm liking it.

[traco1]

Want some, Kristy? I have lots, good for keeping the substrate aerated and clean.

[traco1]

Blaine, the tank looks great. I second the apistos, there really are some gorgeous ones out there. I had some cockatoos, loved them.

[Melody]

MTS are like any other "pest" - prolific yes, but they'll only breed according to food supplies. I sell out of them quite often, and I'm convinced that its because I rock as a marketer...lol....KIDDING, I'm convinced that its because I have so many other snails there isn't a whole lot left over for the MTS.

MTS also stands for the scientific name, Melanoid tuberculata Snail. :smile:

[CACAdmin]

Nice aquascaping! And thanks so much for IDing the plants. It's very helpful for clueless but planted tank folks like me.:yes: I've never tried a sand substrate... looks cool but somehow I figure it has to take a fair bit of work to keep it looking nice (what can I say, I'm a lazy fishkeeper:rolleyes: ).

[Candice]

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1708.JPG
This looks like Pellia to me.
Nice tank. I hope the plants do ok with the sand. Keep us updated. :)

[blainep]

The first occupants of the tank went in tonight.

Two Blue Platy fry and two P. kykesis fry.

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/first/mini-DSCN1713.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/first/mini-DSCN1715.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/first/mini-DSCN1716.JPG

After a little settling in, they began doing what all fry do - Taste test everything ! :laugh:

[blainep]

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/mini-DSCN1708.JPG
This looks like Pellia to me.
Nice tank. I hope the plants do ok with the sand. Keep us updated. :)

You may be correct, it doesn't look much like most mosses. I'll have to harass Colby and see.

[Melody]

Kykesis are certainly a good choice for a conversation fish! They'll appreciate the room too. The Blue Platy's will set them off nicely.

I like your Blue Platy's - I have one at breeder size finally so I'm looking forward to pairing her up. I want to get another month's growth on her first - they seem to do better if breeding is delayed for a bit. Might put the Hifins on her to improve the blue in the Hifin body and get some more colour in the dorsal.

[mixixe]

Is that guppy grass I see?

[Melody]

I'll take this one....lol...yup, and he's sending me all of it any minute now, right Blaine? :;):

[CACAdmin]

Looking good! :thumbup:
After a little settling in, they began doing what all fry do - Taste test everything ! :laugh:
:rofl: Ain't that the truth!

[blainep]

I'll take this one....lol...yup, and he's sending me all of it any minute now, right Blaine? :;):

Ummmmmmm :no:

[Melody]

ROFL I leave you speachless a lot it seems. No luck huh? I should call the store & see if they can ship me some. Its supposed to grow very quickly, yet I found one sprig and have nurtured it without any growth to speak of. Should start ignoring it I guess.

[blainep]

Bit of an update. A few new residents.

Cleaning crew additions, from Melody
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1773.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1774.JPG

A Chocolat Molly
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1775.JPG

The Kykesis girls and the Blue Platys
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1777.JPG

If you look in the Anubias stems, you'll see an Asolene spixi clutch ! :red_dance:
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1778.JPG

There's an Orange Molly fry.
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1783.JPG

A couple of colourful Platy fry.
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1791.JPG

More of the cleaning crew.
http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1792.JPG

http://tlfs.org/ntanks/45gal/no2/mini-DSCN1795.JPG

There are 2 pairs of Cherry shrimp in there also, sometimes finding them is tough. The females really coloured up after a couple days, bright deep red !

That's enough for tonite .

[Melody]

Your tanks and their occupants just get prettier everytime you post pic's. They really seem to come together for you. :yes: Sometimes just moving Spixies like you did will trigger them to lay after having them refuse to do so for eons. Marisas will do that too. Brig's sometimes do but I notice it more consistently with the other two.

[blainep]

Just a note to update, at some point in the last 24ish hours, that Spixi clutch emptied out.

So, hopefully the coconut cave is covered in baby Spixis.
Hard to tell with the Java moss cover.

A second clutch has been laid in the Java ferns as well ! :red_dance:

[Melody]

Congrat's! I may be moving my Cana/Haustrum colony soon. Notice I didn't say breeding colony because I haven't seen an egg...lol....I think you need those. Nice white-bodied, pure gold Cana's in there....

::D:

[blainep]

Congrat's! I may be moving my Cana/Haustrum colony soon. Notice I didn't say breeding colony because I haven't seen an egg...lol....I think you need those. Nice white-bodied, pure gold Cana's in there....

::D:

Ya, I need more Cana's :rolleyes:

You might notice, I don't bother to post reports of new clutches, they never stop coming ! :eek: