6ft low tech , planted

Discussion in 'Members Systems' started by GregM, Aug 25, 2015.

  1. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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  3. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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    Brief photo update

    Not too much to report... had a massive clearout of my long grass as well as the majority if the floating plants. Managed to finally get rid of the duck weed.. The BBA that came with the Bolbitis is disappearing (purely through water changes and less feeding)
    I got my hands on an amazing african lilly (left of tank) which grows like mad.
    Otherwise all is well, the Elephant nose is healthy and actually eating dried food on occasion.

    Cheers,

    Greg

    IMG_4969.jpg
     
  4. Broder

    Broder

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    Your tank looks stunning @GregM!! Very well done. Keep the pics coming!
    I don't know anything about elephant nose fish, but they look great. Do they hide a lot?
     
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2016
  5. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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    @Broder, thanks bud, much appreciated.

    The elephant nose is actually surprisingly active, hes out and about foraging through the substrate and java moss for Gogos. He is a little territorial and only really shows aggression when feeding, otherwise hes a perfectly acceptable addition to the West African Community.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 2, 2016
  6. howard

    howard

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    Looks great
     
  7. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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  8. RoGe

    RoGe

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    Hey Greg, I've been on a hiatus from fish forums for the last few months (long story, will get back into it soon), but your tank is the reason for my first visit back to TASA in ages - dude, it looks absolutely fantastic, loving every change you make, especially the elephant nose and the lily! The tank just looks incredible! Keeping in mind that it's a 6ft tank, those congo tetras are rather large, what a great environment to show them off in!

    Quick question, how do the pearl gouramis and the butterfly fish get along?
     
  9. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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    Hey bud, it has been a while, glad to see you back.

    Thanks for the kind words, I genuinely appreciate it dude..

    The tank is looking a little crowded these days tbh, all the original fish prior to my decision to move to the African biotope have miraculously survived and they are still going strong, they are now a little out of place..

    To answer your question, the gouramis are super chilled and so are the butterflies, despite their appearance the butterflies are real push-overs. As such, they don't compete at all and share the top quite happily. The butterflies take any floating food as do the gouramis however i do feed them the round, floating cichlid food which the gouramis cannot take, therefore the butterflies get their feed.

    I am super stoked about the Congos as you rightly pointed out, there are three males and they are looking pretty good (if i may say so myself)
    The green swords are getting huge, i caught another male in an attempt to have them breed and provide live food but the males seem to disappear very quickly.

    The elephant nose has been the best move i have made, he forces me to interact with the tank more which im enjoying. He has been surprisingly easy to keep and seems pretty happy. It is beginning to show a bit of agro towards the Congos but they aren't too worried as they are nippy and never sit still.
    The bush fish are very skittish and only come out in the evening but the original three are all at least 10cm long and have got pretty chunky, when they do float out of their logs its quite an event..

    In terms of plants, the african stuff is so slow growing (with the exception of the lilly) The Bolbitis seem to finally be flourishing and filling the tank up nicely. I removed all of the South American swords etc and im pretty happy with the results.

    If i could find a home for the gouramis and the flying fox i would part with them but taking them to the LPS doesn't appeal to me, cant bring myself to get rid of the corys though..

    All in all it seems to be turning out pretty well. Thanks for the interest.

    Greg


     
  10. Viashen

    Viashen

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    Looks amazing dude
     
  11. JvH

    JvH aka FishBait

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    Hey GregM! Firstly, I love this tank. Definitely looking forward to more updates.
    Re the CO2, enjoy the journey man. Like most people I also started out low tech, but once the CO2 is in the mix things really start getting interesting. Compact growth, colour changes, and then the fun of fine-tuning the ferts to suit as things progress. Adding CO2 has been one of my favourite aspects of the hobby over the years. Once you go pressurized there's no turning back :) Glad to see you've dialled in the CO2 right off the bat.

    Finally, the pic of the elephant nose at the top of this page is shweet, did you use a flash for that one?
     
  12. JvH

    JvH aka FishBait

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    The shape of the elephant nose's body is pretty crazy.. Wonder what this was adapted towards? I mean, the snout is one thing.. But that body is also pretty wack :)
     
  13. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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    Aaaargh ! sorry peoples, i didn't see these posts..

    @Viashen, thank you bru
    @JvH, yes i eventually gave in and used a flash. That fish never, ever stops moving. They are clearly very powerful swimmers and i assume that they occupy quite fast flowing water where to keep in one place they need swift, deft movement.

    On a sadder note.

    Due to unforeseen circumstances i am forced to let my little tank go. There has been some interest shown already but if the current guy doesnt take it, it will be free to whomever wants to come to Durbs to collect it, tank, water, livestock, plants, hardware and all.
    I will let you all know if and when this happens...

    sad days.

    Cheers,
    Greg
     
  14. hviviers75

    hviviers75

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    Nice one bud, which tank are you talking about. You said your little tank. How big is the little tank. Pity your in kzn

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     
  15. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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  16. Stinger

    Stinger

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    I've been following this thread from day one. So much hard work and effort went into it all. Cleaning the tank that looked terrible, putting it together taking it down because it was leaking going back and forth and now getting rid of it all. FREE. That empty void in the wall where the tank use to be is like a stake through the heart of all aquarists that looked to you for inspiration and motivation. Our deepest condolences Greg. For whatever reason you have to get rid of this beauty may God ease your heart for it must be an important one.
     
  17. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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    @Stinger, thank you for your kind words bud, i appreciate it.

    It was a long slog and an amazing project but life happens and we need to make tough choices, this isn't a nice one... Im humbled by your attention to my odd little story and the journey, it was a classic project and I have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. No doubt there will come a time when things sort themselves out and i will try once again. More the pitty as it was really maturing and coming together.
    Nonetheless, no regrets i suppose, just going to miss it a bit or rather a lot.

    As we speak its still sitting there so im sure once its gone ill come to cry to an audience.

    This is Durban however, if it isnt free it isnt gonna happen and i dont want to recover any money, its was never about that. Luckily i know a few people who hopefully will take it and treat it with care. So thanks again and im sure i will keep an eye on what is going down with all you fine people.

    Cheers,

    Greg
     
  18. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    @GregM ....Sorry to hear...

    This is one tank I have always loved...
     
  19. OP
    GregM

    GregM

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    Hey everyone,

    I managed to delay the inevitable but its now time..

    Having managed to find a home for my Butterflies, I have the following fish people who need a home :

    School of Congo Tetras (about 10, 3 beautiful males)
    3 Large, Leopard/Spotted Bush Fish (easy to keep and really cool, they take floating cichlid pellets and live/frozen shrimp)
    1 Medium Elephant Nose (likes bloodworm)
    3 Large Pearl Gouramis
    6 Corys (pepper and bronze) all adult
    several wild caught Green Swords

    Guys, these are all free to a good home, if you are in or around the greater Durban Area please, please, please give these guys a home. They are all 100% healthy and disease free. Im running out of time so any recommendations will help. Id hate to take them to a LFS to be left to die under bright lights.

    Greg
     
  20. WeirdSteam

    WeirdSteam Corydoras Freak!

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    Damn i would have loved the congo tetras. But i am too far away

    Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
     

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