Updating the convict tank

lol, this thread should read, updating Exile

(the ones i have access to fish, soaking won't have an effect on em, guess i'll try and go for cheaper ones if i ever have fish that need caves and stuff, i like the pots idea)

 

LOL. Ferry i got the convicts in the "empty " tank,The barb was fed with 3 others to the O's for fin nipping but actually survived and rescued by my son and put with the convicts.

f-fish - seems we have the same ideas,tanks etc

 

@slojo .. I love watching the convicts .. and it has always been such a low maintenance tank. They do love snails - I added them as a treat .... boy what a rally.

I am playing with 3 housing zones 1) Pots - left side 2) rocks with caves (raised by two pots) and 3) Mixed Coconut shells and two pots ... but in the new setup the shells are the least occupied - so I think I will remove them for a while.

 

I'm thinking of 1 x Breeding pair Jack Dempseys as well as a breeding pair Firemouth ciclids with the convicts.Any ideas/suggestions about this?have you done something similar?

 

Same tank ... hope it is a big tank. First time I had my convicts breading in the community tank I knew something was wrong when all the fish stayed in the right hand corner in about a 10 cm circling pattern - the two convicts had the rest of the 4ft as a no go zone.

My understanding of JD's are that they are way more aggressive than convicts - no I will not try this in the same tank.

"Breeding Jack Dempsey cichlids should always be kept in their own tank, or in an aquarium divided by glass or net, since the parents are highly aggressive during the breeding period." http://jackdempseycichlid.com/general/everything-to-know-about-jack-dempseys/

 

k the tank is a 1.8 meter.I'll make a division from perspex.
or it might be a good reason for another tank.

 

LOL - true MTS addict - always a logical reason for another tank

 

Time for a quick update on this tank ..



redid some of the layout - left the algae in the tank and on the glass



Worked hard at getting the algae to look this good ;-)



Yes it is still a convict mainly tank.



They love hiding in the pots when I have my hands in the tank.



Added a DIY hamburgerfilter yesterday after WBS post a thread about them - that is why I got the sponge from Prof .. lol

 

Best keep it in this thread .. I noticed this morning that the convict tanks was a bit more busy than usual. Did a quick food dash before leaving.

This afternoon - it was just plain odd. So I stepped over a few item on the floor to have a look at what was actually going on.

Eish -- seems like the WC last weekend and the increase in temps (yes this is one of my tanks that did not have a heater on this winter) made for perfect convict breeding. Hard to tell from this pick .. but I actually have 3 pairs that have done an OK job keeping some fry alive (not sure how long - all fry are free swimming. The one on the right seems to be doing the best - That BBA'ed HMF wall if fry heaven. Then we have the pair in the middle and after looking at tank movement found another pair behind the rocks - soooo many fry. Not to mention all the locals stuck on the left. I have some 2ft tanks that are all ready (well been running all winter with plants and HMF's) but I am keen to see who survives at least a few more days / weeks.




Later Ferdie

Side note - I am actually not concerned about the BBA and algae in this tank - truth is, even the moss is meant as a snack for the fish. Once I open the tank up and plant some bog plants in the top tray the algae should starve in a few weeks.

 

See I missed updating this thread - or did I start a new one ... here goes.
Since this pic - blackjack was placed in the top of rack spot and this tank was moved back to the original spot under the 4ft, this time I added a 6mm glass for splash and moisture issues.

Did a quick WC this morning ...

 

How many litres is that tank?

Looking good,i simply love Convicts Cich's.They were the first fish i kept that didn't end up dying (except one which had a swim bladder problem after birth)

 

not enough .. well it is actually ok the convicts, unlike guppies, cull the young to keep numbers in check.

91x45x33 - 135 liters for water excluding the tray at the top.

 

F drops his head in shame ... this needs to be fixed !!!!!

So yes well ag no man



Just noticed the HMF did not have a pump circulating - maybe 5 days oops - yes yes it needs a BIG clean.

Later Ferdie

 

Order is restored, WC and running some water polishing makes the world of difference. Cleaned the HMF a bit ... looks much better.


Need to find more driftwood

Later Ferdie

 

Found a bit of a a puddle on floor this morning .... seems like I had a slow leak on the convict tank. Pulled it out man that is allot of hardscape.



So that is a pause for my very first HMF filter. all will be washed and redone. Not sure what I will be using this tank for in the future.

Tank numbers are dropping that is one more down in the fish room.

Later Ferdie

 

Turns out that this might not have been the culprit .... go figure.


I think the universe is again me or telling me to reduce my number of thanks ASAP

Later Ferdie

 

Wow did I type that, either cold or meds going to my single remaining braincell ... well well, time to go scrub that tank a bit.

Later Ferdie

 

Just use a pendulum to check your convicts .. lol!

 

Really enjoyed this thread!

Do you still have your convict tank?

 

Physical tanks is outside - trying to use it grow plants under white plastic .. convicts are either outside or have a breeding pair + another to keep stragglers in-check.

Not push big breeding, surprised the parents are so good at this these guys did not breed for 2 years plus - to many convicts in the tank.

Breeding pair are in blackjack




Later Ferdie