giant tank for killis

[killi69]

Thank you nry, Ady, Splinun and Iain. The spray bars seem to have really helped deliver the CO2 effectively. Also, they are hardly noticeable. The spray bar on the back panel is barely visible (spray bars are black against black background) and the one running along the top of the front panel is completely hidden from view by the hood of the tank.

I am so pleased with the tank. It is definitely the look I was after but I am really amazed with how good it is all looking after just three months, better than I could have ever hoped. I have been very fortunate to have obtained masses of ferns through ukaps and large amounts of trident ferns through Dutch forums. These have helped fill out the 'islands' in my tank and have brought me closer to the look I am trying to create - fresh water fern reef beds.

Really pleased with a huge portion of Microsorum p. petite which I received today from Ady - big thank you I placed them at the front left and right corners of the 'island' on the left and on the right front corner of the island on the right.

 

[killi69]

by easerthegeezer » Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:14 pm

looking really smart now killi, good to see the spraybars have done their work.
Lovely looking killi's too mate, looking forward to seeing what else goes in. When i had lampeye's they looked very cool with blue leds as moonlight, if you dont feel weird being watched from the darkness

Hi Iain, your idea sounds cool. Do you have any pics of what this blue led light looks like? Are you referring to spotlights? Do you have any specifications of these lights??

In my 'wish list' of design ideas, I had saved the photos below I had come across online of some guy who had fitted spotlights to create a moonlight effect after the main lights go out, which I quite liked;

 

[Iain Sutherland]

it was just the cheap led strips from ebay mate, nothing special but worked well. Im sure if you tried a few different ones the results would vary... maybe a UV tube would work well???

 

[killi69]

For those who might be interested in killis - the British Killifish Association will be holding its next bi-annual southern auction on Sunday 9th September.

The auction will be held at West Molesey Scout Hut, St Peter's Rd, West Molesey, Surrey KT8 2QE.

This is a great opportunity to pick up some stunning fish at a fraction of LFS prices. Most of the fish on offer would not be available in LFSs anyway. Many are rare and bred pure to the locations from which they were collected.



For those who have not been to a fish auction like this before, the format is as follows; Before the auction starts, buyers have a chance to take a good look at all the fish displayed on the auction table. This is also an opportunity to find out more about the fish you fancy by asking others or speaking to the breeder of the fish you like. People are very friendly and keen to offer advice to beginners.

The auction starts at 1pm. Entrance fee is £2 and you do not have to be a member of the BKA.

 

[Iain Sutherland]

ooh im well up for that just to look about, thanks for the post!

 

[killi69]

Re: giant tank for killis - JAWS

by killi69 » Tue Aug 28, 2012 12:02 am
Amano shrimps have been a little timid since the introduction of the F. garderi. Since the gardneris have been introduced, the shrimps have been clinging to the top of a branch in a far corner of the tank and a few have even escaped. Not sure if this is definitely due the boisterous behaviour of the fish though. In the beginning, the gardneris did chase the shrimps a little but have now given up and I think the shrimps (2 weeks on) are slowly starting to explore the tank again.

This evening I found out why...







The poor shrimp was still alive while being taken on a tour of the tank by the F. gardeneri. After a while I observed that none of my gardeneri males looked nine months pregnant so I assume the shrimp did not get eaten. At least, not whole anyway. This explains why I hardly see any of the fifty Amanos I released into the tank 😳 . They say that if it can fit into a fish's mouth, other critters can be considered as food but this killi was taking this a bit too far.



Real shame though, quite liked the idea of having shrimps in the tank - to look at as well as help with the maintenance. Maybe I can still try adult Amanos, these certainly would not fit in their mouths! I am still planning to introduce a pair of Pelvicachromis taeniatus, so I suppose I might still run the risk of the same thing happening again? Although I have read accounts of people keeping them together with Amanos, but I had read the same about F. garderis as well. Starting to get a bit worried about my lampeyes which are hopefully due for arrival quite soon...

 

[Gill]

Re: giant tank for killis - JAWS

The Tank looks so mature and inviting, real jungle feel to it.
And Been there with Killies and Amano shrimp. Mine were panchax and they ate amanos and ate my normans lampeyes.

 

[killi69]

Re: giant tank for killis - JAWS

by Gill » Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:46 am
Been there with Killies and Amano shrimp. Mine were panchax and they ate amanos and ate my normans lampeyes.

I hope I will be ok introducing the lampeyes. Panchax killis do grow quite a bit bigger than the garderis. The lampeyes I am ordering are size 'medium to large' which hopefully will be too large for the garderis. Someone told me today that maybe I am not feeding them enough. I also remember reading somewhere about a theory that suggests we 'train' our fish to eat shrimps by feeding them brine shrimp and the like. I did feed the fish frozen mysis last night so maybe this theory is correct lol.

The Tank looks so mature and inviting, real jungle feel to it.

Cheers Gill. I am starting to have doubts about the suitability of the Aponogeton Crispus Red - I think it might grow a bit too large for my tank. I don't mind the size of most of them as they are now but do not really like the huge leaves of the one on the left. Maybe it is so big because it is flowering but I have a feeling that the others are fast catching up and soon will reach the same size ...

Not sure whether I could cut most of the leaves off the large one to encourage new and smaller leaves to start forming (virtually all its leaves are X large). Would this work??

 

[Gill]

Re: giant tank for killis - JAWS

by Gill » Mon Sep 03, 2012 10:46 am
Been there with Killies and Amano shrimp. Mine were panchax and they ate amanos and ate my normans lampeyes.

I hope I will be ok introducing the lampeyes. Panchax killis do grow quite a bit bigger than the garderis. The lampeyes I am ordering are size 'medium to large' which hopefully will be too large for the garderis. Someone told me today that maybe I am not feeding them enough. I also remember reading somewhere about a theory that suggests we 'train' our fish to eat shrimps by feeding them brine shrimp and the like. I did feed the fish frozen mysis last night so maybe this theory is correct lol.

Could be, Lampeye M/L are usually just over 1cm. As the ones ordered a few weeks ago came in mixed S/M labelled ML. I would be tempted to order L or bigger.

I just bought a large group of Clown Killies to try again, as they price was silly not to buy them. Have to collect them later on today from the Drop off point.

 

[killi69]

Re: giant tank for killis - JAWS

Just checked with supplier and the lampeyes are almost adult size, so I will go for it. Will post some pics when they arrive.

I used to keep Clown killis. Beautiful little fish perfect for a nano tank. Remember they really like soft water. When i movedthem to pure rainwater i could scoop up fry - minute little things - on a daily basis. Good luck with them this time Gill.

 

[Gill]

Re: giant tank for killis - JAWS

That is good that they are adult size, the females sure are plump little things.

Yeah kept Clowns before, so when i saw them on the supplier lists. I ordered some, I think that they will compliment the other surface dwellers very well with the contrast in color. I live in a Hard water area, but as i keep hundreds of snails in my tanks it helps to soften the water alot. And I use Alot of IAL and Alder Cones etc.

 

[killi69]

Re: giant tank for killis - KILLI AUCTION THIS SUNDAY

by killi69 » Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:38 pm

For those who might be interested in killis - the British Killifish Association will be holding its next bi-annual southern auction on Sunday 9th September.

The auction will be held at West Molesey Scout Hut, St Peter's Rd, West Molesey, Surrey KT8 2QE.

This is a great opportunity to pick up some stunning fish at a fraction of LFS prices. Most of the fish on offer would not be available in LFSs anyway. Many are rare and bred pure to the locations from which they were collected.



For those who have not been to a fish auction like this before, the format is as follows; Before the auction starts, buyers have a chance to take a good look at all the fish displayed on the auction table. This is also an opportunity to find out more about the fish you fancy by asking others or speaking to the breeder of the fish you like. People are very friendly and keen to offer advice to beginners.

The auction starts at 1pm. Entrance fee is £2 and you do not have to be a member of the BKA.




by easerthegeezer » Thu Aug 30, 2012 10:48 pm

ooh im well up for that just to look about, thanks for the post!
Iain
Failing my way to success.

Iain, are you still planning to go, or anyone else?? It would be good to meet some UKAPS members at this event.

 

[Iain Sutherland]

Re: giant tank for killis - KILLI AUCTION THIS SUNDAY

really wanted to and was planning too, unfortunately now committed to family stuff... would rather be buying fish
would be good to meet other members though but will have to wait until aquatics live.

Would be great if you take some pics for the forum though as wanted to go to a aquatics auction for a long time.

 

[killi69]

Re: giant tank for killis - KILLI AUCTION THIS SUNDAY

Shame you can't make it Iain. Hopefully some other UKAPS people might be able to. I will take some pics and post them here next week.

If you are interested in fish auctions, another interesting auction coming up is that of the British Cichlid Association, taking place on Sunday 16th September in Redditch (near Birmingham). Most of the fish up for auction will off course be cichlids but sellers are allowed to include 25% of non-cichlids in their lots. I have copied some info below taken from the Tropical Fishforum. The link also contains an impressive list of some of the fish that will be auctioned - http://www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/405179-british-cichlid-association-convention-16th-sept/;

The British cichlid association auction list is now available to view. A superb range of cichlids from specialist UK breeders. Come and join us on the 16th for a superb day out. Everyone is welcome to attend and full details can be found here..

http://www.britishcichlid.org.uk

or here..

http://www.facebook....12406608791025/

 

[Iain Sutherland]

Re: giant tank for killis - KILLI AUCTION THIS SUNDAY

thanks for the info, not too far either... apistogramma will be worth the trip alone. Now to be sure im off work.

 

[killi69]

FINALLY my tank is looking inhabited after my lampeyes arrived and I went to the killifish auction last week 😀 😀 😀 .

The lampeyes came in a bag containing 100 fish.


in bucket for drip acclimatisation;




I kept 60 lampeyes and the rest were sold at the killi auction. The fish there were auctioned in two sittings. Picture of the lots in one of them;


examples of fish on offer;




The auction. Most fish went for £5-6 a pair.


my bounty;


The females of Aphyosemion and Fundulopanchax species are plain and look very similar, which is the reason most killi keepers prefer to keep each species separate in different tanks. I am keeping a community tank of different killis from Cameroon/Nigeria region. To be able to tell the females of different species apart, I have taken pics of them beforehand and noted the slight variations - just in case I want to have a go at breeding them in the future.





Fundulopanchax sjoestedti - dwarf variety which grows to only 10cm (instead of 14cm). I bought two pairs.

Definitely my favourite in terms of colouring. Due to its future size, it is also likely to be the top dog in the tank. Males are known to be aggressive towards each other but there should be plenty of room for both pairs in my tank.


Fundulopanchax spoorenbergi - one pair


Fundulopanchax gardeneri 'Makurdi' - bought three pairs, now have seven pairs in total


Chromaphyosemion splendopleure 'Big Tiko Ikanga Camp' variety - bought one more pair, now have four pairs in total


Chromaphyosemion bivittatum 'Funge C1 98' - two pairs


Fish seem happy and are getting it on! Look away children .




Happy days.

 

[Iain Sutherland]

This is an awesome tank mate. The fish are stunning.Would love to see a movie of this 🙂

 

[somethingfishy]

+1 to that

 

[Mark Webb]

+ 2

 

[killi69]

Thanks guys, will look into how to upload a video.

Just cleaned the filter and found twelve baby fish in the Eheim Pro3. Hard to believe they can survive in that environment! Filter changes are now going to take 3x as long trying to look for fry in the bath tub .