Re: giant tank for killis - update month 3
Well over two months since my last post, time for an update.
Since my last post, I have suffered a major outbreak of hydra;
Probably introduced with the glassworms I have been feeding my fish. Quite fascinating little creatures, I enjoyed watching them catch live daphnia - their tentacles stunning the daphnia and pulling it towards their centre to get eaten. The fun soon wore off when every leaf in the tank was infested by them. A treatment of Flubendazole got rid of them quickly enough.
A more serious setback though was the melting of my anubias and worse, my Potamogeton schweinfurthii, a rare plant that I have now completely lost. Also the E. Parvula started going yellow and dying on me.
Clearly, I needed to work on my flow and distribution as the CO2 was not reaching the bottom of the tank - at 60cm deep this can be a bit of a challenge. After gaining some advice - on the CO2 section of this great forum -
(
http://www.ukaps.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=22048&p=225760&hilit=killi69#p225760) I went ahead with a plan to make two spray bars spanning the length of the tank. One at the back, just below the surface, pointing forwards. The other spray bar, mounted at the top of the front panel, pointing downwards and injecting CO2 towards the gravel. This way, the CO2 had the shortest route to the bottom and the combination of both bars would help create a strong circular current.
In the thread referred to above, ceg4048 posted this picture and explained;
... imagine looking at the tank from the right side panel. You want to form a tube along the long axis of the tank that looks from the side like this image below. The front of the tank would be on your left (where the airplane is in this image) and the back of the tank is on the right. Flow moves up from the bottom, goes across the top to the left, and then down, to be pulled across the bottom to start the cycle again.
Spray bars made from white PVC tubing;
I bought an Eheim Pro3 filter, which, connected to the bar on the back panel, is powerful enough for the spray to reach the front window (60cm away). I think I have managed to achieve the effect ceg was referring to.
This has really made a massive difference and the plants are so much happier now. I have over the last few months added more ferns and as you can see, everything has filled out considerably.
Also bought some Microsorum p. 'short narrow leaf' from Aquamoos in Germany, described as the smallest java fern, supposedly not growing taller than 8cm but usually staying between 3-5 cm. Came supplied on neat little mats measuring about 4 square cm.
Also bought some Bolbitis heteroclita from Aquamoos as well as some Bolbitis 'spec baby' from an eBay seller. I tied the M. p. short narrow leaf and B. baby spec to the higher ends of the branches in the tank, which are fast disappearing in a mass of green!
The Aponogeton Crispus Reds at the back of the tank are growing well now. A little too well almost. One has grown so large that I am concerned they might become too overwhelming. This large specimen has produced a massive stalk - about 5ft long! - with a flower at the end.
As for the fish, I have been patient and waiting for the right ones to come along. So far, I only have;
Chromaphyosemion splendopleure 'Tiko Big Ikanga Camp' - 3 pairs
and
Fundulopanchax gardneri makurdi - 3 pairs
Also, some Amano shrimps which 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.
Still waiting for a shoal of 75 normanii lampeyes. ADC have ordered them in twice for me, and both times all fish perished in quarantine...