Zoom's 4ft system

Discussion in 'Members Systems' started by Zoom, Dec 13, 2009.

  1. Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    You can see my previous system @ http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?t=1369

    You can see what happened to it @ http://www.tropicalaquarium.co.za/showthread.php?p=29959#post29959

    I managed to save all my fish as the water did not completely drain out the tank.

    My sister was kind enough to lend me her old 2ft tank... (I repaid her by re-siliconing the tank and replacing the hood and lights.) Unfortunately moving fish from a 160litre to a 60litre, as well has having to literally quarter the filter medium (due to the size difference in filter) put tremendous strain on the quality of the water. The 2 ft had a 50% water change every 2 days... and even then I lost all my female guppies, my Apisto male, and my biggest angel. (A few neons died- but I don't really consider them worth counting!)

    On Wednesday morning, Petmasters delivered me my new tank.


    [​IMG]



    I spent most of Wednesday evening putting the cabinet together, as they delivered it in "kit-format". By 20h30, I was hungry, tired, hot and irritated. The canopy came with 3 x 30W aquarium tubes, but obviously due to shipping, handling and delivering, the tubes had been banged around a lot, and had damaged the holders.

    (I took the canopy to PetMasters yesterday for them to replace the holders.)

    On Thursday evening I couldn't do any work on my tank, (as much as I wanted to...) because I had my company's year end function to attend to.

    On Friday, I was fortunate enough to get home REALLY early from work (14h00) so I managed to spend the entire afternoon setting up the tank.

    I decided to still use my very fine silica sand that I got through work as the base substrate, (I had enough left over). But when I was shopping during the week for filters and backgrounds, I found a stunning "midnight black" gravel that is also very fine. This was purchashed to cover the top of the fine sand. (Only time will tell if these 2 substrates mix or not!)


    [​IMG]

    My background is a plain dark blue. I have found that the backgrounds with plant pictures on the background get too busy when you go with a planted tank, and the fish tend to blend in with the backgrounds with rocky pictures.

    My old tank had a "hood-filter" in the hood, but the new Jebo tanks do no have this. I would ideally like to get an external canister filter now, but due to financial constraints, I opted for a cheaper Jebo corner filter (it doesn't look too bad, just takes up so much space).

    My Jager heater (250w) was still working from when the pervious tank burst, so I have that in the background. The only other heater I have is a "cheap-and-nasty" 75W which is assisting.

    1 aircurtain at the rear right.
    2 airstones in the front left.

    Plants are from my busted tank. Sadly all my red-leafed plants didn't survive, and I was also only able to keep about a quarter of the plants as I didn't have space in the temp tank. So I am basically back to square 1 with plants.

    Dolphin will hopefully have a package of plants ready for me within the week to fill in the gaps.

    And here are the full tank shots.

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    I filled the tank on Friday evening with 40litres of aquarium water from the 60litre. and the rest conditioned tap water.
    Filter medium was taken out the 60 litre tank and put into the new tank to seed the filter
    Tank being dosed with Seachem Stability to provide the necessary bacteria.
    Fish were transfered into their new home last night.

    Fish were almost instantly happier.
    The Neons are now swimming in the front (as apposed to hiding behind the plants previously.)
    Black widows got their darker colour back. (In the temp tank they were a very pale grey.)
    The lonely rummy nose suddely got his red nose back.
    The angels picked up in character again. (and my pair are looking at spawning again soon!)
    The Cories and Anscistrus are swimming around a lot more.

    And that's how I have gone from a 40litre start up tank, to a 160litre to a 300l.

    (AND NO, I CANNOT go bigger yet... this 4ft is HUGE in my tiny flat!)
     
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  3. Donny

    Donny

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    Tanks looks awesome and with some more plants it would look even better. The Substrate looks good. Now for some pics of the fish in there new home.
    Question the plant in the front in the middle of your tank have you got it on something or is it in the substrate.

    Congrats again ZOOM . :) glad everything has worked out well.
     
  4. OP
    Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Thanks Donny.

    I'll get some pics of the fish soon.
    The plant you asking about was originally tied to a rock with some of my wife's sewing cotton. This cotton has now "vrotted" away, and the plant has rooted itself to the rock.
     
  5. Donny

    Donny

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    Ok, i have the same plant by my folks house and its seems to grow very nicely even in low light.
    Dont know the name :)
     
  6. OP
    Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    I think it's anubias or something like that.
     
  7. Donny

    Donny

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    I believe you :) ... hey its green and grows LOL :) ,,, your tank realy does look awesome waiting for my girlfriend to bring me lunch at work yes i am at work today then will be showing her how nice a tank can look with black substrate.
     
  8. OP
    Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Thank Donny.
    It was actually Ferryman's tank that made me realise the black tanks look awesom. Just flipping expensive to go that route. Cost me R165 for 15kg's of the stuff!
     
  9. Donny

    Donny

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    I had black substrate in a 1,2 previously but girlfriend doesn't think it will look good, so going to use yours as a example of how good it can look.
    Yep can remember paying quite a bit for the black sand.But worth it when sitting back and looking at it.
     
  10. Dolphin

    Dolphin

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    looking good there!

    FYI... I stock midnight black at R43/5Kg and R145/20Kg...
     
  11. Donny

    Donny

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    Thanks for the info Dolphin will keep it in mind, my tank has been put on hold due to my lounge being under construction.
     
  12. OP
    Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    And in the words of Mr. Homer Simposon... "DOPE!!!"
     
  13. Donny

    Donny

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    :bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile::bigsmile:
     
  14. speedz

    speedz In need of a fishroom....

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    sorry for the loss, your new tank looks fantastic!

    what tank is that?
     
  15. Kat

    Kat

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    I'm so pleased that you have got your new tank. Looks fantastic and I'm sure that your fish are loving the new space :) Can't wait to see how it progresses, you must keep us updated :)
     
  16. slayer

    slayer

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    well done tank looks really great. Early Christmas treat for you. Enjoy the new tank.
     
  17. Gareth

    Gareth Angel Freak

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    looking great Zoom
     
  18. ACE007

    ACE007 VA-TI-KA-KI

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    I like it!!!

    Very nice indeed
     
  19. OP
    Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Thanks Speeds. It's a Jebo 4ft

    Hanks kat. I will keep the thread updated as progress happens. Next step is to increase the plants etc.
     
  20. solex69

    solex69

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    Nice job in setting up Ash. When you here in 2 weeks, give me call....there's loads of plants I want to give you for this tank.

    Cheers mate & well done on the setup
    D
     
  21. OP
    Zoom

    Zoom Retired Moderator

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    Update

    I've just finished the first of two 50% water changes I will be doing this week.

    As you may have seen in previous thread, I introduced 5 new Rummy nose, they all died within 24 hours. I am not too phased, as I really only wanted them as mates for my lonely rummy nose. (Who currently thinks he is a neon.)

    I have lost a total of 3 angels since the bust tank, and have 3 left. (1 female, and 2 males.)

    Since the tank was set up recently, I had my angels spawn already!!! (Horny little buggers they are!) This time we made it through to the wrigglers stage, but then the parents ate them up. So alas.. we wait again. Although I know the success of these two ever getting it right in a comunity tank is next to zero.

    On Saturday morning I will be leaving bright and early for a few days holiday in Cape Town, so I have done a 50% water change today, and plan on doing another 50% on Friday evening whilst the wife packs. This is so that I can be assured that the water will be of good quality whilst I am away.

    My dad will pop in once or twice whilst we are away. not necessarily to feed the fish, as I will be popping in a few of those long term feeding blocks, but just to check that everything is still running. (heaters/filters/lights etc). Lights will be put onto an automatic timer.

    Here are some pictures:


    This is the filter I am using. (Jebo- rated at 1200l p/hour) I had to do some modifications to the set up as the outlet sprays directly accross the tank, and sends the fish flying across the tank. I used some old pipes and spray bars from my busted tank to direct the outlet to the top of the filter. The spraybar flows down onto the filter. (The inlet to the filter is on the sides.)

    [​IMG]

    Here is some pics of the plants, and full tank shots

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    And here are the fishies:

    My 2 female swordtails:

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    My one male angel (out of 3)

    [​IMG]


    My Cory (out of 7)
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    And the lates addition My Male Ram (Female ram just plain and boring in colour)
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]


    The Ram has been named "shit-stirrer" as he has literally taken over dominance of the tank. He chases the angels ALL over the place. It is so funny seeing this little fish about a 30th of the size of the angels successfully chasing them.

    I also have 4 female bettas... but they are generally slinking around in the plants and caves.

    ANd finally

    [​IMG]


    My ancistrus.


    WHen I come back from Cape Town, SOlex will be sending some plants back with me (Just need some help on how to go about bringing them back... i.e hand on luggage, or in my suitcases?) Dolphin has also got some plants set aside for me. I will also get those in the new year.
     

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