Tank update

Discussion in 'Members Systems' started by Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016.

  1. Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    So this is what my tank has looked like for the past year and a half or so.
    No plants - the Silver Dollars would eat them. And if there was anything tough that survived, the lungfish would uproot.

    IMG_7636.JPG

    But I have always thought the tank looks a bit bare.

    Never been a fan of fake plants.
    But was at lfs on the weekend and saw some nice looking silk ones.
    Thought I would give some a go.
    This is the result:

    IMG_7796.JPG

    Looks much better!
    I should have done it sooner.
     
    Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016
    #1

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  3. fishanatic

    fishanatic Tales of the sword

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    @Reedfish are those red hook silver dollars?

    Sent from my LG-D620 using Tapatalk
     
    fishanatic, Dec 19, 2016
    #2
  4. WeirdSteam

    WeirdSteam Corydoras Freak!

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    I like it with the plants in the tank.
     
    WeirdSteam, Dec 19, 2016
    #3
  5. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    No, the ventral fins are the standard shape. But they are a deep orange colour and there is also some orange along the back of the tail fin.

    I also have 3 spotted dollars, and 1 striped

    Thanks :)
     
    Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016
    #4
  6. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    @Reedfish... I think it looks stunning now..

    I see now you do get some very nice fake plants. They not cheap here but certainly worth it.

    Silver dollars are very nice and the rays are looking happy and fat!!
     
    MariaS, Dec 19, 2016
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  7. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Thanks @MariaS
    I just hope that they don't get covered in algae.
    I have a Golden Nugget, so hopefully it will eat anything that starts growing on the "plants"
     
    Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016
    #6
  8. Pezulu

    Pezulu

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    Artificial plants can look very nice, if you choose the right ones.
     
    Pezulu, Dec 19, 2016
    #7
  9. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Yup. These have material leaves, which hide the plastic stems
    The ones made from cheap plastic, look just that.
     
    Reedfish, Dec 19, 2016
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  10. BoelderBeestie

    BoelderBeestie

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    Looks nice with a bit of green. I did the exact opposite last week on my discus tank, took out everything except one piece of wood. The fish are getting big and extra clutter in the tank was not helping.

    Whats the capacity of the tank, looking at the dollars which are probably 12cm plus it's a big one.
     
    BoelderBeestie, Dec 20, 2016
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  11. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Tank is 550L
     
    Reedfish, Dec 20, 2016
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  12. eros111

    eros111

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    I am a big fan of silk plants !!!
     
    eros111, Dec 20, 2016
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  13. BoelderBeestie

    BoelderBeestie

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    @Reedfish that's a nice size. My 540 is my favourite to work on as it doesn't feel fragile but not too big that would take forever to fill up after a wc. Going to start saving for my aro upgrade now. Going to get a custom 3 or 2.5mx1mx60 or 70cm in the next few months if life doesn't happen. It feels quite intimidating thinking about it.

    just like to ad. Your tank has a very neat look to it. I like that.
     
    BoelderBeestie, Dec 20, 2016
    #12
  14. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    I want to upgrade my tank to an 8 ft
    But the logistics of it will be a total nightmare, so am holding off for the moment.
     
    Reedfish, Dec 21, 2016
    #13
  15. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Its not so bad...

    Obviously the setting up and upgrading filtration if needed is a quite a job but once that is done and its running its not so bad
    The time it takes to fill after a water change is obviously longer but we have been filling the big tanks with pipe straight from the tap ad just dosing prime/safe
    The actual maintenance once its running is not a lot more than you have to do now
    The most rewarding is to watch how happy the fish are with the extra space.
     
    MariaS, Dec 21, 2016
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  16. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    @MariaS,
    I wish it was that simple.
    The new tank will have to go in the same spot the current one is. Will be quite an undertaking to move that.
    In fact, I think my fish might have to go to the lfs "on holiday"
    Then empty old tank, move it.
    Add hopefully find someone to buy it from me.

    Then the new tank. There are some quite sharp angles between the front door and the room it has to go in. Not convinced an 8ft will get in. So it would probably have to be built on site.
    A few weeks for the silicone to harden etc.

    Then my filter would have to be re-cycled, once I can put water in the new one.

    It's not that straight forward :eek:
     
    Reedfish, Dec 21, 2016
    #15
  17. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    @Reedfish, I hear you... I did say the setting up is quite a job..

    I meant once up and running the actual maintenance is not that much more than your existing tank
    And yes.. a 8ft is not easy to move around the house

    Maybe this idea is not feasible but if you could try and move your existing tank to a temporary spot while they build the new tank etc... it would make the change over much easier?
     
    MariaS, Dec 21, 2016
    #16
  18. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Problem is my house is quite small.
    No where else to put it really.
     
    Reedfish, Dec 21, 2016
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  19. MariaS

    MariaS Retired Moderator

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    Ok... so I guess either the fish will have to go to the LFS for a holiday or.... you will be put out on a holiday....

    @Reedfish....Just joking....
     
    MariaS, Dec 22, 2016
    #18
  20. OP
    Reedfish

    Reedfish Moderator

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    Almost true!
    My Mrs wouldn't be happy with tanks all over the place.
     
    Reedfish, Dec 22, 2016
    #19

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