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Aquarist Forums => Freshwater General Discussions => Freshwater Tank Builds => Topic started by: bettabreeder on February 12, 2012, 08:46:51 PM

Title: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 12, 2012, 08:46:51 PM
Well since I had some free time on my hands today I cleaned out some of the plants in my 10g, cleaned my 20g and re-aquascaped and this is the final product. Feedback is encouraged :)(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-6b83-5f99.jpg&hash=abccab8554adc5b2c11064c7aa553defe65db759)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: Peekay on February 13, 2012, 08:09:30 AM
Totally different! 

I like all the rock, and it shows promise to look awesome as it grows in!
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 13, 2012, 09:56:51 AM
Looking pretty good!
Is that a coconut shell at the bottom left?

Are you planning on adding a background to the tank? Would hide the wires dangling in the back and make a nice contract with the tank contents (plants, rock, etc..)

Good job  :)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: charlie on February 13, 2012, 10:00:09 AM
Looking good bud.
I agree with Biz on the background.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: touchofsky on February 13, 2012, 10:14:46 AM
Nice!  Your rockpile looks very natural.  :)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 10:39:04 AM
Thanks guys! Biz, yes that is a coconut shell. I actually have four of them in there. And yes a background will be added probably after valentines day as I have to take the little lady out for dinner :P
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: charlie on February 13, 2012, 10:41:04 AM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 10:39:04 AM
Thanks guys! Biz, yes that is a coconut shell. I actually have four of them in there. And yes a background will be added probably after valentines day as I have to take the little lady out for dinner :P
Put on a red back ground & cook supper @ home - winning combo  ;D
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: touchofsky on February 13, 2012, 10:57:12 AM
I have two coconut shell houses in with my albino kribs.  They only spawned once, but ate the eggs  >:(
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 13, 2012, 11:27:33 AM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 10:39:04 AM
Thanks guys! Biz, yes that is a coconut shell. I actually have four of them in there. And yes a background will be added probably after valentines day as I have to take the little lady out for dinner :P

Nice, I am on my third boil of 4 cococunt halves right now. I plan to "moss'em" and add them either to my apisto tanks or the amazon community one (to come).

Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: daworldisblack on February 13, 2012, 12:33:36 PM
Looking good! Once it grows in, it'll be rock/grass paradise!
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 12:58:36 PM
Quote from: charlie on February 13, 2012, 10:41:04 AM
Put on a red back ground & cook supper @ home - winning combo  ;D

Red background... I like the idea. And cook dinner at home is the plan. Just gotta buy groceries first then fish equipment. Mayb some kribs and a new heater.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 12:59:49 PM
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 13, 2012, 11:27:33 AM
Nice, I am on my third boil of 4 cococunt halves right now. I plan to "moss'em" and add them either to my apisto tanks or the amazon community one (to come).

The moss on the shell is a beauty sight once it grows in. I've done it before and was impressed with the results
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 13, 2012, 01:28:32 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 12:59:49 PM
The moss on the shell is a beauty sight once it grows in. I've done it before and was impressed with the results

Any tips on securing the moss to the shells apart from the usual cotton/fish line?

I've read some posts where the moss is allowed to grown emersed on the shell and you use a bowl to apply constant pressure to it. Takes weeks to set and you have to keep it moist all the time... I don't know if I have the patience for that LOL
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: daworldisblack on February 13, 2012, 01:35:33 PM
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 13, 2012, 01:28:32 PM
Any tips on securing the moss to the shells apart from the usual cotton/fish line?

I've read some posts where the moss is allowed to grown emersed on the shell and you use a bowl to apply constant pressure to it. Takes weeks to set and you have to keep it moist all the time... I don't know if I have the patience for that LOL

Get a cheap loofah/ shower-scrub and cut the string that binds it into a ball. You'll have a huge roll of plastic net/mesh that you can use to secure down the moss. Some also use the net-bags that fruits come in. Once its secure after a few weeks, just remove the netting. Hair nets and torn stocking work too apparently. Others have also just opted for safe glue but never tried myself.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 01:39:05 PM
Glue and thread thats what I used.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 08:21:15 PM
Well I went into petsmart to find a red background as Charlie suggested and just took a quick peek at the convicts tank. Sure enough there was a spawning couple in there soooooooooo obviously I had to get them ;P here's an update
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-b707-58eb.jpg&hash=445939e581c96b97163ecae0f57b72c1fb4a9c72)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 13, 2012, 08:42:50 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 08:21:15 PM
Well I went into petsmart to find a red background as Charlie suggested and just took a quick peek at the convicts tank. Sure enough there was a spawning couple in there soooooooooo obviously I had to get them ;P here's an update
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-b707-58eb.jpg&hash=445939e581c96b97163ecae0f57b72c1fb4a9c72)

LOL Nothing better than an impulse buy at the LFS  ;)

Image is broken for me though...
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 13, 2012, 08:52:18 PM
Image is broken on my phone too. I'll try again later but tapatalk still needs to iron out some kinks IMO. And love impulse buys. 3$ ea at petsmart and they have spawned once I was sold
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 09:51:07 AM
Woke up this morning to find this

(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-17ce-1674.jpg&hash=2dcc4e29a783a390300f39892debc62a1a6f4565)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 16, 2012, 10:33:55 AM
Sweet!
That 6$ investment is already paying off  ;)

Do you have other tank mates in there or the pair only?
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 11:25:29 AM
I have three convicts. The male spawned with the female I had previously and ditched his partner that I bought with him. I should get some danios as dither fish but the female isn't fanning her eggs all that much so we will see how it goes.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: daworldisblack on February 16, 2012, 11:33:45 AM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 09:51:07 AM
Woke up this morning to find this

(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-17ce-1674.jpg&hash=2dcc4e29a783a390300f39892debc62a1a6f4565)

Wawawewa!
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 12:15:44 PM
Not bad for a Thursday morning :P
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 16, 2012, 12:40:36 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 12:15:44 PM
Not bad for a Thursday morning :P

A nice Hagen Glo fixture would look good on that tank hey?  ;)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 01:33:05 PM
A shot with better lighting thanks to biz
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-4bdc-cdc5.jpg&hash=4177e072c915dd4c61c85b35b21a251303f234db)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 16, 2012, 01:50:01 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 01:33:05 PM
A shot with better lighting thanks to biz
(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-4bdc-cdc5.jpg&hash=4177e072c915dd4c61c85b35b21a251303f234db)

I think that convict is working on his tan  8)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 01:51:26 PM
It's amazing how much those lights enhance her colour


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 16, 2012, 01:54:13 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 01:51:26 PM
It's amazing how much those lights enhance her colour


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Glad you like them  :)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 04:15:35 PM
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 16, 2012, 01:54:13 PM
Glad you like them  :)

Very much so, thanks!

So with the new lighting for the tank I decided perhaps a background was in order. Now it is blue not the suggested red... That is because the only spray paint I could find was blue. So here it is. (https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-71f3-eaee.jpg&hash=a4e6487a0120d0257c1864d4b25f60195ee37c64)


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: charlie on February 16, 2012, 04:39:15 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 04:15:35 PM
Very much so, thanks!

So with the new lighting for the tank I decided perhaps a background was in order. Now it is blue not the suggested red... That is because the only spray paint I could find was blue. So here it is. (https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-71f3-eaee.jpg&hash=a4e6487a0120d0257c1864d4b25f60195ee37c64)


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Looking good.
My suggested red was not a serious one  ;), it was to go along with the Valentine date  :)
Regards
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 04:50:17 PM
Ahahaha oh man I'm naive sometimes. I was thinking how nice the red and green would contrast :P


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: daworldisblack on February 16, 2012, 05:09:09 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 04:50:17 PM
Ahahaha oh man I'm naive sometimes. I was thinking how nice the red and green would contrast :P


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Lol.. maybe christmas :p
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 05:15:37 PM
Quote from: daworldisblack on February 16, 2012, 05:09:09 PM
Lol.. maybe christmas :p

sounds like a plan :P
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 16, 2012, 11:09:03 PM
Did you spray paint the tank with water in it? What kind of paint did you use?

I used Krylon Fusion on mine and the results were awesome but it sure made a mess, even if I "newspapered" all the sides. I missed a little gap somewhere and ended up with "paint dust" inside the tank that I had to remove and properly clean.

I like the dark blue, it's nice.

Although now I'm curious and want to see what it would look like with a red background LOL

Nice work on the tank, keep it up.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 16, 2012, 11:27:25 PM
I had panels of wood from a tv stand kicking around that I painted. It's krylon spray paint. Took half hour of cutting and painting max.


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 17, 2012, 11:37:10 AM
Pic of the parents this morning (https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-822c-d4ba.jpg&hash=85424d77bc3ebe727b0118950828ecfe617c9f80)


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 17, 2012, 12:59:11 PM
Looking good, eggs are still there, good sign!
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 17, 2012, 01:43:23 PM
Definitely a good sign. Saw the father pick off a couple of unfertilized eggs this morning but the majority of them are still there


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 18, 2012, 01:18:23 PM
Update: took out the cabomba as it was starting to melt a bit. Added a touch of HM. Both parents have been busy at work making caves. The female has dug a cave under the driftwood which is really cool. (https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-eb6c-7b15.jpg&hash=4468baa9820d71b85383051a57a39660d81902c1)


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 20, 2012, 09:00:22 AM
Update: almost all the eggs have been moved to the cave under the piece of driftwood. The parents are both busy rushing in and out of the cave.


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: touchofsky on February 20, 2012, 09:10:10 AM
Fish can be so fascinating  :)  Thanks for the picture and update.
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 20, 2012, 09:21:16 AM
Eggs were laid about 4-5 days ago right? If all goes well, a couple more days and we'll see wrigglers!
I read that it's typical of convicts to move the eggs a couple of days after they were layed, neat!
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 20, 2012, 09:25:03 AM
Quote from: touchofsky on February 20, 2012, 09:10:10 AM
Fish can be so fascinating  :)  Thanks for the picture and update.
No worries updates will be forthcoming in two days time as they become free swimming!


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 20, 2012, 09:26:34 AM
Quote from: bizfromqc on February 20, 2012, 09:21:16 AM
Eggs were laid about 4-5 days ago right? If all goes well, a couple more days and we'll see wrigglers!
I read that it's typical of convicts to move the eggs a couple of days after they were layed, neat!

Yup they were laid very very early Thursday morning so 4 days ago. I read that it's three days till mom brings them out of the cave for the first time!


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 22, 2012, 08:31:37 AM
Update: we have wigglers and free swimmers out of the cave this morning! Pic to follow when I find a good angle to shoot one


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 23, 2012, 09:53:59 AM
Still wigglers but they are in a pit right in front of the aquarium so I'm going to try and get a pic.(https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-52f7-dcb0.jpg&hash=23b7815bdd143d9b6e935af9913fb9a0dfec5ae9)
Hard to see but they are down there :P


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 23, 2012, 11:37:21 AM
Looking good, how many do you think there is total?
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 23, 2012, 12:16:56 PM
I think 30 would be a fair estimate. Looks like a few more days till they are free swimming because the egg sac is still fresh.


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 26, 2012, 04:33:43 PM
We have free swimmers! (https://www.ovas.ca/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.tapatalk.com%2F461aa00a-a535-41f9.jpg&hash=fe1424d583dbefe31bff3dbfafc0260b9309ceb5)


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: touchofsky on February 26, 2012, 04:49:42 PM
Congratulations!
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 26, 2012, 05:08:43 PM
Thank you!


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Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bizfromqc on February 26, 2012, 08:08:08 PM
Quote from: bettabreeder on February 26, 2012, 04:33:43 PM
We have free swimmers!

Great news!

How big are the fry? Big enough for BBS or will you have to go smaller? What do you plan on feeding these little creatures?  ;)
Title: Re: 20g re-set up
Post by: bettabreeder on February 26, 2012, 08:46:25 PM
I have nutrafin fry food and bbs. And these guys are huge! Hahaha definitely big enough for bbs and they have been munching on plants and algae


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