ONE MAN'S JUNK IS MY HARD SCAPE!

MY RESTRUCTURING PLAN

Today I set to work putting my restructuring plan into motion. I was at it for about 5 hours. Doing complete water changes on all three of my display tanks. I also vented each cichlid and separated the males from the females. It was a grueling task, but I loved every minute of it.

I now have my 75 gallon cichlid community an all male set up. I'm very happy with it. I moved the females out and moved my juvenile males in. I'm hoping I didn't miss a female but I will weed them out as I realize they are female. I'm pretty sure they are all male.

My 55 gallon tank is now the home to my females. They are much more relaxed and I can see they have brightened up considerably. I removed sixteen females from my 75 gallon tank. That was almost half of my fish.

In my 40 gallon I now have my juveniles, I think they will do well in that tank. It's a little smaller but there are also fewer cichlids. The fish that were in  the 40 that I planned on selling are now in my LFR.

I had a busy day but I feel great. I'll have to keep an eye out for abuse or aggression toward my juvenile males but so far it's looking pretty good. It's an entire different feeling when there aren't any females in the tank. I can see that already. Now I just hope I don't find a cichlid holding in my male community. Time will tell... 

WATER CHANGE FRIDAY

I did a water change on my 40 gallon tank that holds the cichlids I plan on selling. Before I got started I noticed a cichlid was holding. She is a Red Albino Zebra. I just assumed that she bred with another Albino because I have four in that tank. The males and females look identical so unless you vent them you can't tell one from the other.

A little while later I noticed a Yellow Lab in the same tank holding. I watched for a few minutes and along came her partner. There are five Yellow Labs in this tank but she chose to breed with an OB Zebra! I decided I would let them finish and do my water change in the morning.

I went ahead and did the water change on my 75 gallon. I thought I would change the hardscape up a bit and only placed rocks here and there. None of them touching so the fish could swim between them. Within an hour my tank was a mess. Stones were tilted and big holes were dug. GAH! My cichlids just want their caves and swim throughs back. I removed the rocks and rescaped the tank again just to their liking. It's amazing how happy they seem when they have it set like they want. I spoil my cichlids.

FISH ROOM JUGGLE ACCOMPLISHED

Today I had lots of juggling to do in MLFR (my little fish room). I do water changes on my fish room tanks a couple times a week. Usually Mondays a littler more in depth than on Thursdays. I only do twice a week changes on my grow-out tanks because of the high number of fry.

This morning I began with Shredder. He's my Red Shoulder who was beaten up and had is fins shredded. He spent 7 days in a treatment tank of Melafix. He's looking much better so I returned him to his community.

Once we was moved out I did a major clean on the tank, vacuuming the substrate and removing everything to give it a good clean. Once it was ready I went fishing.

In my 30 gallon grow out tank I had 50 Red Top Zebras, 9 Albino Red Zebras and 4 dolphins. I moved the Albinos and Dolphins into the newly vacated 10 gallon tank. I am keeping the Dolphins and not sure about the Albinos yet as I have about 4 juveniles already.

I did a good water change and substrate clean on the 30 gallon which is holding my 50 Red Top Zebras. They are 3 months old now. To that group I added 30 Red Top Zebras from a 10 gallon tank that are a little older. Now I have 80 RTZ in my 30 gallon grow out. They are ready do go now but, if I don't sell some this week I'll have to take some in to the aquarium store just to thin the herd so to speak.

Once the 10 gallon tank was free of RTZ I did a good clean, water change and vacuum on it. Now it's empty and ready for either an injury or a new mom. We'll see. My Electric Blue has been at it again so I'm expecting to see his lady holding soon.

That left my 20 gallon grow out and my 10 gallon holding my two brooding moms. I didn't bother the moms as they need peace and quiet and there's no need to bother them anyway. I didn't do much with the 20 gallon either. In there I have Auratus and Dragon Blood fry about 1 month old. I also have a breeder box in the top corner holding a brood of Red Empress fry and Elongatus fry. They are about 2 weeks now. Finally in the bottom corner are my tumbling baby Yellow Labs. Those little wigglers are just amazing! Everyday they change.

I have quite a variety of fry on hand right now. Only the Red Top Zebras are ready to go. There are some people who don't mind buying fry as young as 1 month but I prefer to give them at least a 2 month start before I let them go.

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

This morning the morning after my water changes, and a little rescaping I noticed some changes within one of my tanks. I have a 40 gallon tank that holds the fish that don't fit into my juvenile community, as they are getting bigger and developing dominant characteristics. They are just a little small for my adult community so they do a layover in my 40 gallon.

I can tell after the changes the heirarchy has experience a slight shift. Or at least some attempts at usurping the tank boss are evident. My German Red Shoulder is quite frayed. He's a mess. If you are into lacy fins then you would like how he's looking. I also noticed my two new Clown Loaches have nips out of their tails and fins. One Clown is in serious shape while the other isn't quite as bad.

In order to catch these three fish I had to remove all the hard scape and plants or go nuts trying to work around it. I've learned it's easier just to clear it from the start and save time.

I moved the Red Shoulder back to my juvenile community. He needs time to heal those shredded fins. The healthier clown I also moved to the juvenile tank. Watching them for a few moments - I think they will do fine there. My juvenile tank in now holding four fish that need some TLC. Kenny is still in there from his rehab after being paralyzed, my Dragon Blood that just had a brood is spending some recuperation time there and now these two additions. It's a really good tank for this purpose. Sometimes I think they heal faster with non-threatening fish with them rather than being all alone.

The other Clown is in my hospital tank with a Pleco that lives in there. In that
tank is the playpen holding the Red Empress fry that mom released yesterday. He is not looking good at all. He was on his back breathing hard so I'm afraid he won't make it. I checked on him a couple times and he'd make an effort to swim right side up..but eventually he'd be too exhausted and be on his back again breathing hard. I've turned the heat up a degree or two and added a little salt but there's not much more I can do. I will have to trust nature to take it's course with him. 

CLEANING YOUR PYTHON

When I do my water changes I use "The Python". It's a fantastic and helpful siphon that attaches to your faucet so you can remove and replace your aquarium water without lugging pails back and forth. I use it to siphon only at this point. In order to use it to refill I have to pick up a adapter.

I did my water changes in my two show tanks today. Lugging my refill pails from the kitchen to where my tanks are located is a chore. It's not far but still a hassle. I went to the local hardware store to get the adapter today and was told I won't be able to use my faucet in the kitchen. For some reason it won't adapt to the python. I decided to check the main floor bathroom and guess what? It works. I'm pretty happy about that except it's too far for one of my tanks to reach so I will still have to lug pails for one tank. I'm going to look into getting a extra length of hose I can add so my pail lugging days will be over.

I have noticed that my python hose is getting dark spots in it. I'm afraid it's mold because it's next to impossible to dry the hose out between water changes.  Many people have told me it's not a concern and not to worry about it. I decided to clean it today. I mixed a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water. I wound up the hose into a circle that would fit inside my 5 gallon pail. Pushing the hose down to the bottom I began pouring the solution over the hose. Once the hose was covered I took the end and sucked the solution through the hose. I stopped just before I got a mouthful of bleach! This was the only way I could see filling the hose with the solution without having air trapped inside. I left it soak like that for a couple hours. Then I repeated the process with clear water, rinsing it through a few times. I then left the pail with the hose wound up in it filled with clear water and I'll let that sit over night and then I will repeat that once more to make sure it's clear. My final step will be to run a good dose of Prime through the hose and that should do it. As it is, now my hose is looking crystal clear and clean. Mold scares me and I am not going to take a chance hurting my fish using a moldy hose. 

WATER CHANGE - RESCAPE

THE BEST AQUARIUM SAND BY FAR

When I first started in this wonderful hobby I didn't know anything. I purchased a 40gl setup complete with everything from gravel to Cichlids. All I basically did was transfer it from there to here. I was up and running that quick and easy. To begin with I had 8 Cichlids but soon was out looking for more.

My setup had a natural coloured gravel. Looking online I found the most popular for Cichlids was white sand. I wanted white sand too. I didn't like how dark the gravel made my tank look and the fish didn't really stand out against such a drab background. So, I went sand shopping. Not knowing any better and not thinking to ask I purchased fine white sand specifically suited to Cichlids.

Removing the gravel and replacing it with sand was quite a job. I removed everything, shop vacked the remaining gravel out..cleaned out the tank and added my rocks and sand. Once it was all done I really loved how clean and bright it looked. I was sure my fish preferred it as well because they were digging in it immediately.

Not more than a week or two later my HOB filters starting making a lot of noise. Cleaning them out I found the sand was so fine my intake tubes where pulling the sand into the filter and causing my impellar to grind. Not good. Reading, searching and through forums I found that this often happens. I first raised my intake tubes hoping if they were higher they wouldn't suck the sand up. Nope, that didn't work. My fish were prolific diggers and constantly sent clouds of fine sand up into the water.

Next I purchased a coarser sand and again removed my substrate and did the whole big job over again. This time I had no problem. The sand was heavier and coarser not allowing the fish to make clouds for my filter to inhale.

Over time as I have added aquarium after aquarium I have switched to pool filter sand. There are many types but I didn't realize that. I figured it was all pretty much the same. It was affordable and looked just as good as the expensive fishy sand. The only thing was it took some elbow grease to wash it.

Over the weekend I setup yet another aquarium. The place where I've gotten my sand before didn't have it in stock so I went to Canadian Tire. A great store I might add. The sand they had was different. They only had 20lb bags instead of 50lb that I usually bought. The price was right and the sand looked awesome. The stuff I bought before came in a solid bag so I couldn't see what it looked like but this came in a thick heavy clear plastic bag. I could see it was pristine.

I have it now in my newest setup and I have to say - It's the best most beautiful sand I've used thus far. It's actually crushed quartz. Under the lights it has an iridescent quality about it. I took a photo of the bag so when I need more I'll get the right one. Something as simple as substrate can enhance your tank.

TREASURES OF MY ROCK HUNT

GOING TO BE RE-ROCKIN' THE SCAPE

CONFUSING MY CICHLIDS

DOING THE FISH-TANK JUGGLE

Of all the days to sleep in I pick the day where I have tons of stuff I need to do! I have people coming for fish so I'm going  to be catching fish but first I have to do some water changes.

I did the water change in my juvenile tank first because there are a few Cichlids in there that will be sold today. I needed to catch 4 OB Peacocks and a few Yellow Labs. I took the tank down to 50%, removed the decor and rocks; then caught my fish. I cleaned the glass inside and out, vacuumed and then refilled it. Finishing up with that tank heading up to my fish room was next.

In the fish room I needed to catch 4 Acei and 16 Red Top Fry for one couple that was coming, then I needed 6 Yellow Labs and 4 OB Peacocks for the next couple and finally 2 Yellow Labs for the last couple. This was really a great day for all those fish to be gone.

I was able to juggle my tanks making room for my newly holding moms. In my 10 gallon tanks I have my Auratus mom who I intend to strip after the 14th, my new young Dragon Blood also holding and in the last tank I still have my tiny fry. They are about 1/2" and a month old. From one of the 10s I moved my 2 month old fry into the 30 grow-out where they can stay until sold. The 30 grow-out had a dozen 3 month old Red Tops so I caught them and moved them into my 20 gallon where I have 6 Yellow Labs and 4 OB Peacocks left. I will hopefully sell them this week as I have another young female holding. She hasn't really coloured up so I'm not sure what she is but she's only holding for a couple days. It's her first time so I will let her spit and care for her babies for a few days - until she doesn't pick them up anymore. Once the 20 is empty and the fish sold then I'll move the 1 month old fry into the 20 gallon so I can put this new mom in her own 10 gallon tank. Right now she's in the 30 gallon tank in a playpen. As I was doing all this juggling I was doing water changes on each tank as well. I'm very happy that's done for today.

My juggling is done for now - until the 20 is empty, then it's time for round two. After that I won't have to move anyone too urgently unless I end up with more moms holding. My Cichlids are prolific breeders right now and I see a lot of shivering and shaking going on so I'm sure I'll have more holding soon. I may have to let them spit them in the community tank. It really depends on who is holding. There are some I am still hoping to get a brood or two from. I have a few playpens free so if I have to use them for more moms I can.

This was a very busy day but it was a good one too!

WATER CHANGE MONDAY

Today I didn't do much work because I did most of my tanks over the weekend. I only worked on my 55 gallon juvenile tank. I did about 40% of the water and cleaned both HOB filters. I left the canister alone. The tank looks great and the fish look happy. What more could you ask for?

RE-ARRANGING MY FISH-ROOM

My day didn't begin on a good note. The Yellow Lab that was holding ate all her babies. I had her in a brooding playpen hoping it would be a stress-free place for her to get used to having eggs in her mouth. Nope. Yesterday she spit them out but picked them up again. This morning she was not holding and the eggs were gone. The fry in the tank could have sucked the eggs through the mesh but they are a little young for that so I'm not going to blame them. I put mamma back in the community tank. I have decided that if/when she holds again I'll just let her do her thing in the community tank. She needs the practice more than I need her fry.

My tiny fry and my Auratus mom.

From the left Yello Lab group (20) Mixed Fry (30) 6wk fry (10)

So I decided to re-arrange my fish-room. I had a new 10 gallon which gave me a little more room. The fry that were in my 20 gallon I moved to my new 10. There are 44 fry Albino RedxReds and RedTop Zebras but they are only 6 weeks old so they have some time. Next I did water changes on all my tanks. My Auratus mom is doing really good. I just did a small water change and left her alone. Next I




did a bigger water change on my youngest fry tank. The water was a little cloudy. They are looking good and eating well. Next I worked on my 30 gallon grow-out tank. These guys are getting a nice size and I need to sell them as I'm going to need more room soon. In this tank there are Red Top Zebras, Acei and OB Peacock. I did a 50% water change, vacuumed the substrate and added a little more and them re-arranged their aqua-scape. I think they liked it. While I was at it I scooped up the Pleco in there and transferred him to my now empty 20 gallon. When I was busy doing my water change on my 55 gallon tank, I caught about 8 Yellow Labs that I want to sell and put them in the 20 so it will be easier to catch them when I sell them. That still leaves me a nice little breeding group of 2 males and 5 females.

My fishy work finished for the day I'm happy and my fish are happy... end to another day in the life of a Cichlid aquarist.

AMMONIA SPIKE AND DON'T KNOW WHY

ROCK'N THE SCAPE

Yesterday I through on my back-pack and headed out with Ozzie my pup for a good hike. We hike the old rail line that's been long removed but it affords us a great path. Just recently it was dubbed the G2G rail trail. It's a nice hike but what I go for is looking for rocks for my aquarium aqua-scapes.

It was a great day for it and I knew just where a wonderful pile of rocks some farmer had the pleasure of pulling from his field was. All around here there are farms and where there are farms there are great rock piles.

We hiked for a while and then on our way back we stop at the rock pile so I can fill my pack. The rocks I lean towards are defined by their colour, shape and size. Colour for the simple pleasure of contrast within my tanks. Shape - what I can imagine building or stacking without too much worry of tumbling down and size I like them to be around the size of a 12" baseball. I also prefer smooth corners and edges. I don't pick sharp rocks for obvious reasons.

I scored this time. I picked up quite a few rocks. I think my pack weighed about 50lbs. I got a couple pink ones, a couple black and white specked ones, white, brown and the traditional granite. A good assortment of colour, shapes and sizes perfect for what I had in mind.

Before I use them I wash them really well using a small hard bristle brush to dig out any dirt or whatever might me on them. I then let them soak in a vinegar bath for about an hour. Then I rinse them under clear water and brush them a second time. As the dirt comes off they look better and better. I'm so pleased with these ones.

My two show tanks are about as nice as I can get them. I'm very happy with my work. It's very amusing watching the fish check out the added rocks, nooks and caves. They dart in, out between the new rocks like it's a new playground. Once they've had a good look then the digging begins.

CICHLID CRAZY PHOTOGRAPHER

Having a camera at the ready produces a ton of photos.. here are the shots I took yesterday!

RE-SCAPING MY 75 AGAIN!

 

Yesterday I decided I had to re-scape my 75 gallon tank once more. This time I removed the imitation rock form that the males were fighting over. Already there seems to be a peacefulness to the tank that it lacked before. I re-arranged the stones/rocks creating lots of caves, swim-throughs, nooks and crannies. I find when making the fish dig their own homes they are so engrossed in that they hardly pay attention to each other. I also believe these are hard working fish and thrive in an environment where they can dig, renovate and create homes for themselves. 

DAILY OBSERVATIONS

Over the last few days I have been having some concerns about the aggression between two of my male Zebra Cichlids. Bubba (the largest) was commanding about half of the tank as his, keeping the rest of the community in the other half of the tank. I took Bubba out of the community for just under a week so see if the hierarchy would shift so he would be replaced in the pecking order. Once he was returned to the community - after a fight or two I thought he was settling in but these two males were fighting over this imitation rock form as their domain. Scratches and knicks were evident on both fish but nothing I was too worried about. This morning it was worse. Bubba finally de-throned Rambo - leaving the poor guy with some serious injuries. These bites were past the scales and right to the flesh.

These fish are only doing what they do naturally. Trying to claim a territory. I decided to fix this problem. I removed the rock form so they didn't have that to fight over anymore. Once again I rescaped the tank during my water change. It's always interesting to watch how they accept a new setup. I have to give kudos to Bubba for being so determined. Within a few hours of settling into the new scape he's already established his territory and dug himself a lovely cave. With Rambo's injuries I don't think he's feeling up to much. He is very dark and displaying very submissive actions anytime Bubba swims by. It's truly fascinating to watch the drama unfold. Who'd a thunk? 

NEW ADDITIONS - 55 GALLONS

Here are photos of my new acquisitions to my Cichlids. There are more pics than just the new ones. The juveniles are my most recently acquired. I'm looking forward to watching the grow and develop their colours.