So what is your next project????

[Gill Passman]

Hi All,

Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
tank, a new tank or whatever.....

Mine currently are:-

1. Upgrading my 4 foot community tank to at least 5 foot if not a 6 foot
if I can squeeze it in and hubby doesn't go too pale at the size of the
5 footers my LFS has in stock at the moment....

2. Trying to sort a way of automating a warning system based on various
thresholds - still in concept but something hubby will really go for and
get involved with - plus if project 1 gets off the ground (which I
already have outline planning permission for - lol) I can use the 4
footer for testing without compromising any fish....

3. Trying to work out a way to get my Peacock Gobies to breed as I can't
buy any more over here for love or money

4. Continue my experiment into naturally lowering pH and water hardness
(as I live in a hardwater high pH area)....at the moment I have great
results on the pH but am still waiting for the LFS to get the test kits
in for the hardness.....

So what does everyone else have in the pipeline (whether admitted to or
not)?

Gill

[Koi-lo]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> Hi All,
>
> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
===========================
Nothing new planned here. I can't decide what to put in the second 55
gallon tank. There is sits with the Aquaclear running, water lettuce,
hornwart and java moss... and fishless.
--
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Gill Passman]

Koi-lo wrote:
>
> "Gill Passman" > wrote in message
> .. .
>
>>
>> Hi All,
>>
>> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
>> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
>> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>
> ===========================
> Nothing new planned here. I can't decide what to put in the second 55
> gallon tank. There is sits with the Aquaclear running, water lettuce,
> hornwart and java moss... and fishless.

Well it has to be said that the water lettuce confuses Mbuna's no end -
"duh, here's a plant I can't uproot" - when beaten on they like to hide
in the roots - works for me - I can actually get a plant to survive in
the tank - you report that you have hard water with high pH so that
might be an option....

In another thread you mentioned you would love to keep Clown Loaches
again....a 55 (US?) gall tank is more than big enough but you would have
to cycle it and get a number of "dither" fish in first otherwise the
Clowns would for one get stressed by being on their own and more
importantly suffer from the cycling of the tank which is sure to happen....

So whether you decide Malawis, which you have kept before and have said
you want again, or Clowns (and Angels) which you have kept before and
have said you want again - it is a toss of a coin and go for it....

Personally, I couldn't sit with a tank set up without putting in the
fish in there especially if I had a publicly expressed desire for two
options - but each to their own depending on taste and experience....

Gill

[Liz]

I can't really say I have "plans", but once my current tanks (10g and
6g, with a 2g I'm experimenting with (will be a qt tank when I'm done
experimenting)) have their intended population and are stable with said
population, I'd like to take more time to build a better planted (and
planned <g>) tank. I have a general image of it in my mind, but I have
to learn a lot more about plants...

I also really want to try sparkling gouramis - they're so pretty. And
Otos (also cute). The way everyone talks about their loaches, they
sound fun too. I could probably go on - there are actually a lot of
pretty fish out there :-)

I don't have any desire for something gigantic (fish or tanks) - I
kinda like the small stuff... I'll probably stay under 100 gallons,
possibly never go beyond 55g (I live in a desert and water isn't
exactly cheap).

Liz

[NetMax]

"Liz" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>I can't really say I have "plans", but once my current tanks (10g and
> 6g, with a 2g I'm experimenting with (will be a qt tank when I'm done
> experimenting)) have their intended population and are stable with said
> population, I'd like to take more time to build a better planted (and
> planned <g>) tank. I have a general image of it in my mind, but I have
> to learn a lot more about plants...
>
> I also really want to try sparkling gouramis - they're so pretty. And
> Otos (also cute). The way everyone talks about their loaches, they
> sound fun too. I could probably go on - there are actually a lot of
> pretty fish out there :-)
>
> I don't have any desire for something gigantic (fish or tanks) - I
> kinda like the small stuff... I'll probably stay under 100 gallons,
> possibly never go beyond 55g (I live in a desert and water isn't
> exactly cheap).
>
> Liz


I talk about my home projects too much here already, so I'll change
tracks. At work, my business partner is also an aquarium hobbyist, and
we work crazy hours in an overcrowded warehouse, so when there is a
moment of tranquility, we will sometimes just sit quietly and muse over
the aquarium we will build into our next place of business (which
hopefully will be much larger).

The current plan is to build between our offices, a tank (as a room
divider) and a washroom (where we can run all the aquarium plumbing).
He wants an Amazon jungle type tank, and I can go along with that. We
already use CO2 tanks in production ;~).

It might be more difficult to pick fish though. I'm tempted to put a lot
of Corys in, and try to breed Altums. As a project, this might be years
away, but that's ok, I plan some of my projects for longer than that ;~).
--
www.NetMax.tk

[Koi-lo]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
.. .
> Koi-lo wrote:
>>
>> "Gill Passman" > wrote in message
>> .. .
>>
>>>
>>> Hi All,
>>>
>>> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
>>> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
>>> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>>
>> ===========================
>> Nothing new planned here. I can't decide what to put in the second 55
>> gallon tank. There is sits with the Aquaclear running, water lettuce,
>> hornwart and java moss... and fishless.
>
> Well it has to be said that the water lettuce confuses Mbuna's no end -
> "duh, here's a plant I can't uproot" - when beaten on they like to hide in
> the roots - works for me - I can actually get a plant to survive in the
> tank - you report that you have hard water with high pH so that might be
> an option....

$$ I had Lake Malawi cichlids in the past. They thrived in our water. In
fact they bred continuously. As you know they're mouth brooders.

> In another thread you mentioned you would love to keep Clown Loaches
> again....a 55 (US?) gall tank is more than big enough but you would have
> to cycle it and get a number of "dither" fish in first otherwise the
> Clowns would for one get stressed by being on their own and more
> importantly suffer from the cycling of the tank which is sure to
> happen....

$$ I have disease free goldfish I can use to cycle the tank. I haven't seen
any healthy looking clowns in any of our local stores in months. Just
trying to locate a few that aren't already showing ICK is a near miracle
around here.

> So whether you decide Malawis, which you have kept before and have said
> you want again, or Clowns (and Angels) which you have kept before and have
> said you want again - it is a toss of a coin and go for it....

$$ I know, I just can't decide. I'm in no hurry. I'll probably walk into
one of the shops one day and spot the *RIGHT* fish! :-)

> Personally, I couldn't sit with a tank set up without putting in the fish
> in there especially if I had a publicly expressed desire for two
> ptions - but each to their own depending on taste and experience....


>
> Gill
--
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[[email protected]]

Does praying that I don't have another tank-leak count?

[Bill Stock]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> Hi All,
>
> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>
> Mine currently are:-
>
> 1. Upgrading my 4 foot community tank to at least 5 foot if not a 6 foot
> if I can squeeze it in and hubby doesn't go too pale at the size of the 5
> footers my LFS has in stock at the moment....
>
> 2. Trying to sort a way of automating a warning system based on various
> thresholds - still in concept but something hubby will really go for and
> get involved with - plus if project 1 gets off the ground (which I already
> have outline planning permission for - lol) I can use the 4 footer for
> testing without compromising any fish....
>
> 3. Trying to work out a way to get my Peacock Gobies to breed as I can't
> buy any more over here for love or money
>
> 4. Continue my experiment into naturally lowering pH and water hardness
> (as I live in a hardwater high pH area)....at the moment I have great
> results on the pH but am still waiting for the LFS to get the test kits in
> for the hardness.....
>
> So what does everyone else have in the pipeline (whether admitted to or
> not)?
>
> Gill

My next project is already a WIP, a 300 gallon indoor pond to winter the
Gold Fish. Pond is full of fish and plants, lights have arrived, heaters
being planned and likely a cover to keep fish and heat in and cats out. My
subjects (GF) spent last year outside in a pond with the climate controlled
by the house's automation system.

Next project is a auto water changer for the indoor GF. I've had all the
parts for months, but have not got around to moving the tank. (This year)

Next project is a solar heater and green house for outdoor pond, so the
subjects can spend next winter outside again. (Next Year)

120 gallon tank for the GF with auto vacuum. Bottom drilled tank with
plumbing to suck the mulm out and refill on schedule. Computer controlled of
course.(Five years)

New house with an indoor pond connected to the outdoor pond by a large pipe
below the frost line. (After I win the lottery)

[Elaine T]

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Gill Passman wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
<snip>

> So what does everyone else have in the pipeline (whether admitted to or
> not)?
>
> Gill

Mine just started unexpectedly. I was at the aquarium society auction
Sunday and lucked into some little bitty cherry red shrimp at only
$15 for the bag of ten! I lost a couple, but eight are alive today.
So...my little Q-tank is now a shrimp tank, decorated with some
christmas tree moss, another auction prize.

I'm hoping to grow enough christmas tree moss to share with friends
and breed the shrimp. They're supposed to be easy to breed. I hope.

Anyone got tips on breeding cherry shrimp you'd care to share? ;-)

- --
Elaine T __
http://eethomp.com/fish.html <'__><
rec.aquaria.* FAQ http://faq.thekrib.com
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[Charles]

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 00:31:37 +0000, Gill Passman
> wrote:

>
>Hi All,
>
>Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
>planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
>tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>
>Mine currently are:-
>
>1. Upgrading my 4 foot community tank to at least 5 foot if not a 6 foot
>if I can squeeze it in and hubby doesn't go too pale at the size of the
>5 footers my LFS has in stock at the moment....
>
>2. Trying to sort a way of automating a warning system based on various
>thresholds - still in concept but something hubby will really go for and
>get involved with - plus if project 1 gets off the ground (which I
>already have outline planning permission for - lol) I can use the 4
>footer for testing without compromising any fish....
>
>3. Trying to work out a way to get my Peacock Gobies to breed as I can't
>buy any more over here for love or money
>
>4. Continue my experiment into naturally lowering pH and water hardness
>(as I live in a hardwater high pH area)....at the moment I have great
>results on the pH but am still waiting for the LFS to get the test kits
>in for the hardness.....
>
>So what does everyone else have in the pipeline (whether admitted to or
>not)?
>
>Gill


Cleaning up my existing tanks. Salt encrustation, except not regular
salt, hard water stuff.

People talk about it being cheaper to replace rather than repair
tanks, for ten Gal. tanks it's almost cheaper than cleaning them, it
would be if time counted for anything.

If I can get the tanks stable I want to get some of the short tail
blue guppies I see on the web. Haven't seen them in stores. I've
been having bad luck with store bought guppies as of late.

I got out of the SO business, so I have to give myself the bad time.

[Eric]

On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 20:57:12 -0600, Bill Stock wrote
(in article >):



>
> My next project is already a WIP, a 300 gallon indoor pond to winter the
> Gold Fish. Pond is full of fish and plants, lights have arrived, heaters
> being planned and likely a cover to keep fish and heat in and cats out. My
> subjects (GF) spent last year outside in a pond with the climate controlled
> by the house's automation system.


It's funny to read about someone having to overwinter their goldfish when I
live in a place where many "tropical" fish can do quite well in ponds. I know
folks who keep pl*cos and platties in their ponds. If the pond is over four
feet deep, the temperature swings form the periodic blue norther pretty
mild.

-E

[Larry Blanchard]

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 19:40:14 +0000, Justice wrote:

> My next project is to get a 30-50 gal tank only have 47 inches and larger
> tanks are 48" damn friggen inch.

IIRC, there's a 50 gallon high that's 36"x18". Would that do?

[spiral_72]

I am working on a DIY wet-dry filter. The current revision holds 5
gallons in the sump and able to holding another 2 gallons of "mistake"
temporarily. In will go the heaters, pump, CO2 solenoid, reactor and a
cool little device that will introduce any additive slowly into the
water, similar to a Miracle Grow garden hose dispenser. It'll have a
male connector for the fresh water supply and a small neon tube for
effect. It'll be constructed of 1/4" clear acrylic. Cool eh?

The problem is I am still working to master the acrylic thing... I'm
about to have the glass shop build it for me. ARG!

I want some freshwater shrimp too!

[Empty]

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 00:31:37 +0000, Gill Passman wrote:

> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
> tank, a new tank or whatever.....

I have two big ones, and three "When we own a home and plan on being there
a while" ones.

1) Tear down my 55. Exile fishes and plants to buckets. Replace substrate
(which is a godawful mix of fluorite and gravel) with fine gravel over
mud(potting soil vermiculite topsoil and laterite). Reaquascape according
to my master plan of SA dwarf cichlids (currently have 1m2f rams, going to
add a pair of apisto. cacatoides and 7-8 checkerboard cichlids). I am also
going to make it flow in one direction, by putting a hose on a powerhead
and putting the flow side across the tank from the powerhead, as well as
placing my canister drain and return ends on the ends of the tank. I
suspect this will make cleaning a bit easier and will allow me to have
more filter feeders (I want clams and bamboo shrimp, not very biotope but
I am no purist)

2) Large tall paludarium, probably homebuilt the size of a bookshelf, for
fun amphibians and my wifes newfound love of orchids

When i Own A Home:

1/2) 2 200-300G built in tanks, with sumps and refugia. Backside of the
tanks will be gear and a small working space for maintenance. One tank
will be a large FW planted, the other a reef. The FW tank will have a sump
standpipe plumbed into a floor drain so I can drip a constant water change.

3) indoor/greenhouse pond with a glasswalled corridor so it is basicaly an
aquarium in reverse. I'd like to use it to reproduce part of the Congo
near Zaire, to attempt to breed reedfish. Other denizens of the pond will
be a few polypterus and a colony of african knifefish. I will also likely
include a few hundred guppies (hope they can breed to keep up with
predation). I will also add some FW butterfly fish for top-down appeal.

~Empty

[Empty]

On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 10:30:33 -0700, Empty wrote:

> I have two big ones, and three "When we own a home and plan on being there
> a while" ones.

Oh, and one other- I plan to try breeding Nerite snails soon. I figure a
small tank (10g probably) with a heater and a 24/7 light. I'll try them in
fresh first, then try brackish. Food will be added in the form of a lot of
fluorish nitrogen, fluorish, and fluorish iron, along with some seed algae
from my other tanks. If it works in brackish I might keep it that way in
case any of my amanos get in the family way.

~Empty

[Justice]

Gill Passman wrote:
>
> Hi All,
>
> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>
> Mine currently are:-
>
> 1. Upgrading my 4 foot community tank to at least 5 foot if not a 6 foot
> if I can squeeze it in and hubby doesn't go too pale at the size of the
> 5 footers my LFS has in stock at the moment....
>
> 2. Trying to sort a way of automating a warning system based on various
> thresholds - still in concept but something hubby will really go for and
> get involved with - plus if project 1 gets off the ground (which I
> already have outline planning permission for - lol) I can use the 4
> footer for testing without compromising any fish....
>
> 3. Trying to work out a way to get my Peacock Gobies to breed as I can't
> buy any more over here for love or money
>
> 4. Continue my experiment into naturally lowering pH and water hardness
> (as I live in a hardwater high pH area)....at the moment I have great
> results on the pH but am still waiting for the LFS to get the test kits
> in for the hardness.....
>
> So what does everyone else have in the pipeline (whether admitted to or
> not)?
>
> Gill
My next project is to get a 30-50 gal tank only have 47 inches and
larger tanks are 48" damn friggen inch. anyway I would like to set it up
for my loaches 2 clown and 3 yoyo. I would also like to get some other
loaches perferably botia. ass well as maybe some butterfly fish for the
top of the tank and probably somthing that catches my eye at the LFS for
the mid area. I would also like to try some diffrent plants. I am also
trying to automate my tanks through my linux box

[Justice]

Larry Blanchard wrote:
> On Tue, 15 Nov 2005 19:40:14 +0000, Justice wrote:
>
>
>>My next project is to get a 30-50 gal tank only have 47 inches and larger
>>tanks are 48" damn friggen inch.
>
>
> IIRC, there's a 50 gallon high that's 36"x18". Would that do?
yah, but I don't like high. Well I don't relly know I have heard that
they are harder to grow plants and I just will not use fake. To me thats
like givving a caged monkey fake trees in a zoo just wrong :(

[Justice]

Koi-lo wrote:
>
> "Gill Passman" > wrote in message
> .. .
>
>> Koi-lo wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Gill Passman" > wrote in message
>>> .. .
>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi All,
>>>>
>>>> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are
>>>> always planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade,
>>>> refurb of the tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>>>
>>>
>>> ===========================
>>> Nothing new planned here. I can't decide what to put in the second
>>> 55 gallon tank. There is sits with the Aquaclear running, water
>>> lettuce, hornwart and java moss... and fishless.
>>
>>
>> Well it has to be said that the water lettuce confuses Mbuna's no end
>> - "duh, here's a plant I can't uproot" - when beaten on they like to
>> hide in the roots - works for me - I can actually get a plant to
>> survive in the tank - you report that you have hard water with high pH
>> so that might be an option....
>
>
> $$ I had Lake Malawi cichlids in the past. They thrived in our water.
> In fact they bred continuously. As you know they're mouth brooders.
>
>> In another thread you mentioned you would love to keep Clown Loaches
>> again....a 55 (US?) gall tank is more than big enough but you would
>> have to cycle it and get a number of "dither" fish in first otherwise
>> the Clowns would for one get stressed by being on their own and more
>> importantly suffer from the cycling of the tank which is sure to
>> happen....
>
>
> $$ I have disease free goldfish I can use to cycle the tank. I haven't
> seen any healthy looking clowns in any of our local stores in months.
> Just trying to locate a few that aren't already showing ICK is a near
> miracle around here.
It's a miricle unless your LFS qurinteens the they are scaless and are
more subceptible to parasites as other fish as are all loaches. once the
loose their stess coat they are an easy feast. but with most fish they
have to fight the scales with loaches problem practaly eliminated.
>
>> So whether you decide Malawis, which you have kept before and have
>> said you want again, or Clowns (and Angels) which you have kept before
>> and have said you want again - it is a toss of a coin and go for it....
>
>
> $$ I know, I just can't decide. I'm in no hurry. I'll probably walk
> into one of the shops one day and spot the *RIGHT* fish! :-)
>
>> Personally, I couldn't sit with a tank set up without putting in the
>> fish in there especially if I had a publicly expressed desire for two
>> ptions - but each to their own depending on taste and experience....
>
>
>
>>
>> Gill

[Larry Blanchard]

On Wed, 16 Nov 2005 08:44:16 +0000, Justice wrote:


>>
>> IIRC, there's a 50 gallon high that's 36"x18". Would that do?

> yah, but I don't like high. Well I don't relly know I have heard that they
> are harder to grow plants and I just will not use fake. To me thats like
> givving a caged monkey fake trees in a zoo just wrong :(

OTOH, think of all the gorgeous plants that are too tall for a non-high
tank :-).

[Koi-lo]

"Justice" > wrote in message
news:yvCef.113370$S4.54057@edtnps84...
> Koi-lo wrote:
>>
>> $$ I have disease free goldfish I can use to cycle the tank. I haven't
>> seen any healthy looking clowns in any of our local stores in months.
>> Just trying to locate a few that aren't already showing ICK is a near
>> miracle around here.

> It's a miricle unless your LFS qurinteens the they are scaless and are
> more subceptible to parasites as other fish as are all loaches. once the
> loose their stess coat they are an easy feast. but with most fish they
> have to fight the scales with loaches problem practaly eliminated.
=======================
We do have a privately owned fish store where I have bought many healthy
fish over the years. The clowns I got there some time back never developed
ICK. What are you people doing to treat them for ICK these days? I know
some of the meds used for other fish can kill them because they're
scaleless.
--
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Justice]

Koi-lo wrote:
>
> "Justice" > wrote in message
> news:yvCef.113370$S4.54057@edtnps84...
>
>> Koi-lo wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> $$ I have disease free goldfish I can use to cycle the tank. I
>>> haven't seen any healthy looking clowns in any of our local stores in
>>> months. Just trying to locate a few that aren't already showing ICK
>>> is a near miracle around here.
>
>
>> It's a miricle unless your LFS qurinteens the they are scaless and are
>> more subceptible to parasites as other fish as are all loaches. once
>> the loose their stess coat they are an easy feast. but with most fish
>> they have to fight the scales with loaches problem practaly eliminated.
>
> =======================
> We do have a privately owned fish store where I have bought many healthy
> fish over the years. The clowns I got there some time back never
> developed ICK. What are you people doing to treat them for ICK these
> days? I know some of the meds used for other fish can kill them because
> they're scaleless.
for my first outbreak I rasied the temp to 28-30c and gave the tank 3/4
velvet plus(recomended from LFS, run by hobbiest, big name store
though). cleared up in about 2 weeks.

[Koi-lo]

"Justice" > wrote in message
news:0CLef.198689$ir4.2252@edtnps90...
> for my first outbreak I rasied the temp to 28-30c and gave the tank 3/4
> velvet plus(recomended from LFS, run by hobbiest, big name store though).
> cleared up in about 2 weeks.
=======================
Thanks for the info. I plan to definitely pick up a trio as soon as I see
reasonably healthy ones in one of my favorite shops. :-)
--
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
http://bellsouthpwp.net/s/h/shastadaisy
~~~ }<((((o> ~~~ }<{{{{o> ~~~ }<(((((o>

[Gill Passman]

Koi-lo wrote:
>
> "Justice" > wrote in message
> news:0CLef.198689$ir4.2252@edtnps90...
>
>> for my first outbreak I rasied the temp to 28-30c and gave the tank
>> 3/4 velvet plus(recomended from LFS, run by hobbiest, big name store
>> though). cleared up in about 2 weeks.
>
> =======================
> Thanks for the info. I plan to definitely pick up a trio as soon as I
> see reasonably healthy ones in one of my favorite shops. :-)

Don't make them the first fish in the tank - they will be very unhappy
and shy and in reality succumb to ich very quickly - this is why I no
longer quarantine any botias....

If you are going tropical in this tank go out and get something lively
and active to set up the tank - platies, mollies, danios, hardier tetras
- the choice is endless. Actually, I've cycled 3 tanks (2 seeded) with
gouramis but from what I've heard they aren't always the hardiest of
fish and I've been very lucky - the fact that they will breath air as
well as through their gills helps in the cycling process - but up to you...

Wait a good 6 weeks until you have a thriving and active community -
think of them almost as dither fish - and then get the Clowns. The
Clowns will respond far better if you already have a tank containing
confident fish....

JME
Gill

[Koi-lo]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
.. .
>> Thanks for the info. I plan to definitely pick up a trio as soon as I
>> see reasonably healthy ones in one of my favorite shops. :-)
> ===================================
> Don't make them the first fish in the tank - they will be very unhappy and
> shy and in reality succumb to ich very quickly - this is why I no longer
> quarantine any botias....

## I recently put some home bred Shubunkins in the tank to get a good cycle
going. Thanks for the tip. I was going to remove them when the clowns
were added. Being born here in TN my GF are amazingly heat tolerant. :-)
They will remain now as dither fish for the clowns.

> If you are going tropical in this tank go out and get something lively and
> active to set up the tank - platies, mollies, danios, hardier tetras - the
> choice is endless. Actually, I've cycled 3 tanks (2 seeded) with gouramis
> but from what I've heard they aren't always the hardiest of fish and I've
> been very lucky - the fact that they will breath air as well as through
> their gills helps in the cycling process - but up to you...

## I already have the Shubunkins in there. After the clowns become
comfortable here, I'll remove the GF and add other tropicals as I find what
I like. I've had fish since 1952 (almost continuously) so it gets harder to
find something new and different.

> Wait a good 6 weeks until you have a thriving and active community - think
> of them almost as dither fish - and then get the Clowns. The Clowns will
> respond far better if you already have a tank containing confident
> fish....

## What would you feel is the BEST temperature for clowns? Right now the
water is staying at 72F to 74F. The old community tank was kept at 76F.
--
My Pond & Aquarium Pages:
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[Fallout]

"Gill Passman" > wrote in message
.. .
>
> Hi All,
>
> Most of us, whether we dare share with our SO, once hooked are always
> planning the next project, whether it be a tank upgrade, refurb of the
> tank, a new tank or whatever.....
>
> Mine currently are:-
>
> 1. Upgrading my 4 foot community tank to at least 5 foot if not a 6 foot
> if I can squeeze it in and hubby doesn't go too pale at the size of the 5
> footers my LFS has in stock at the moment....
>
> 2. Trying to sort a way of automating a warning system based on various
> thresholds - still in concept but something hubby will really go for and
> get involved with - plus if project 1 gets off the ground (which I already
> have outline planning permission for - lol) I can use the 4 footer for
> testing without compromising any fish....
>
> 3. Trying to work out a way to get my Peacock Gobies to breed as I can't
> buy any more over here for love or money
>
> 4. Continue my experiment into naturally lowering pH and water hardness
> (as I live in a hardwater high pH area)....at the moment I have great
> results on the pH but am still waiting for the LFS to get the test kits in
> for the hardness.....
>
> So what does everyone else have in the pipeline (whether admitted to or
> not)?
>
> Gill

Currently running in another 10 gallon tank which is back in from the
garage. MTS relapse.

I also promised myself I would not fill it with cichlids but it is going to
be another shellie tank as I'm totally hooked on them. A proper shellie tank
this time though, my other one is more of planted tank with shell areas.
This one has very dark grey sand and slate I collected from the Lake
District in thin sheets aroung the edge to give a natural looking "wall" to
the sides and back. I'm hoping the dark substrate will emphasise the fish's
colours and make a nice contrast with the pale shells. I was going to have a
'no plant' rule but I can probably squeeze in a nice specimen anubia or
something.

My main concern is lighting as I will only be using a single flourencent.
I'm so used to having a combination of a bluish tube and a reddish one that
when I see the light from a single tube now it looks all wrong.

Interesting to read about everyone's plans.

-Jon