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Post by Crazygar on Apr 5, 2020 13:51:42 GMT -5
A 30 Minute Run...
Since I do not have to change so much water and did not want to trim anything (Staurogyne is starting to return) in fear of stopping the progress I just did the minor cleaning of the glass, powerhead and fought with the CO2 Bazooka Atomizer.
I decided not to touch my Staurogyne as it has popped back into life. Wagering proper dosing, frequent water changes has been the steps that were required. Next week, I will start trimming tops off and replanting in areas where it needs to be filled out.
The AR 'Mini' will hopefully show some improvement come next week.
It was nice not having to unplug my heater so the temp remained constant while I worked on the tank.
The Chilis are getting really really active. After I started everything back up, a large group of them were playing in the current for a few minutes. Some even managed to get INTO the lilypipe output for a few seconds.
I have never seen that behavior before. Also, more really red Males, could this be a breeding signal? That would be cool.
The Shrimp that I picked up from Christopher have done some amazing work! They have cleaned 2 rocks almost spotless and the best part, they actually hang out in plain view. No Introvert Invertebrates.
I have decided no Otos. Though my next project...
Enjoying these smaller water changes. Seems to be really doing wonders for the entire tank as a whole. Starting this new routine, Office Space II has responded well. Next week:
- Trim the Staurogyne and replant to fill in gaps
- Trim the Hairgrass again (at least this gets a Haircut, sure would love one myself)
- HC Mound trim, it will need it by next weekend
- Blyxa, starting to get unruly again. Since replanting, it really has not grown tall, I am ok with that.
Pictures and pH (chart) to follow this evening.
Feeling a bit nostalgic this afternoon, playing my 80's Playlist (all the songs I liked and remember) on Spotify:
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 5, 2020 18:51:06 GMT -5
Notice how much more fine the CO2 bubbles are. Staurogyne is showing remarkable improvement. The Shrimp have been cleaning up the rocks pretty good as well.
March 30 to Apr 5 pH chart. It was a wild week. Good bye crappy diffuser, hello Bazooka Atomizer. Looking forward to see what values i get this week.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 10, 2020 14:57:14 GMT -5
What feeding time looks like;
I can clearly see two Boraras maculatus (right hand of the group) that I knew existed. I have a feeling that one more is lurking..
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 12, 2020 14:21:56 GMT -5
"Two Turntables and a Microphone", I have no idea why this is swimming around my head, but I believe I need to listen to a Beck album (which I did not during this session)
1 Hour and 30 minute session
The following was accomplished:
- Trimmed the Hairgrass
- Trimmed the HC Mound
- Trimmed Staurogyne (surgically) and replaced cuttings in areas where there are gaps
- Trimmed and relocated Hygrophila pinnatifida
- Trimmed the Blyxa
- Cleaned the glass both inside and out
- Changed 25% of the water
The Shrimp are out and about. This has to be the first batch I have ever had that continue to make appearances assuring me that all is well with the population. Usually it is 8 or 9 and various sizes from tiny to large. Which is a good sign. They are always constantly active and always eating or nibbling on something.
The Boraras continue to surprise me. They seem to enjoy taking turns "riding the wave" from the flow from either the Powerhead or Output of the Eheim. Quite possibly, they are getting a bit shack wacky as well.
I have no immediate plans to add anything whether it be fauna or flora at this time. In fact, I am happy with what I have. As usual I remove Snails when I see them. Mostly the ones that seem eager to reach the surface. Logan's Run, Aquarium Version.
As always, pictures and charts to follow this evening.
Album this time was Klaus Schulze & Lisa Gerrard, "Dziekuje Bardzo: Vielen Dank Disc 1 & 2 (The Warsaw/Berlin Concert)" also referred to as "Shoreless One". Not your run of the mill music but extremely relaxing.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 13, 2020 18:47:49 GMT -5
...and what we all really enjoy, pictures...
pH for the week. I am happy with the values but it seems a tad high overnight. I am trying hard to resist the temptation to adjust and tinker. The tank is balanced
Red is the theme for Fauna
Full tank shot without the Powerhead, and a gazillion tiny CO2 bubbles..
Gary
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Post by christopher on Apr 13, 2020 20:33:26 GMT -5
Ph looks pretty spot on now.tank looks nice.
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 14, 2020 5:54:43 GMT -5
Thanks, I believe it was the previous CO2 diffuser not working proper causing wild fluctuations in pH. Which, thinking about it, could have been also a case of why Shrimp never lasted long. So many factors.
Now that I have a thriving community I am going to keep up the new routine, after all, it is not like anyone is going anywhere for the time being.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 17, 2020 6:08:48 GMT -5
I started to tinker with the other Fluval EBI Tank yesterday. Gave it a good cleaning and inspection. Ideas can be bad things. No, I am not planning another tank, but I am trying to determine the mechanics of "tank swapping". You see, as time progresses and the more I look at other tanks, I see more potential for Office Space II.Now that I have the hang of Hi-Tech, I want to retweak the Aquascape. Doing so in it's current condition would be a colossal disaster. This time around more rocks/wood and more "complex" environment.I would use Dragon Stone (I have read that Seiryu will affect water pH and hardness) this time around and some unique pieces of Spiderwood to accomplish this. What my mind came up with yesterday:- White/Frosted Background. Want to get away from the standard Black
- Dragon Stones
- a more branchy interesting piece (or pieces) of Spiderwood
- 3D Print a "L" shaped overflow box for the heater. It would have an integrated mesh system along the sides to ensure proper water flow but have the ability to mask the heater. I would only be 9" high (tank is 13" high)
- use plants from Office Space II to help grow out the new scape. Cuttings are wonderful things. I would find a spot for all plants I currently have in the new scape.
Best part, I can work on it in the background with little or no interference while Office Space II goes through its motions.
May turn out to be loud musings but I have the itch to create.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 19, 2020 14:31:48 GMT -5
40 Minute session today. I did an epic 3.5 Mile walk yesterday and this morning I felt like some had beat me with a baseball bat during the night.
Needless to say, things accomplished today:
- Trimmed a few pieces of Hygro and repositioned them
- Trimmed some of the Blyxa around my atomizer to ensure better CO2 flow into the water column
- Cleaned the glass inside (with old Debit card and Sponge) and outside (Windex and Paper Towel, yes, the expensive stuff as well)
- Inspected the Powerhead
- Changed 25% of the water
Everything is moving along nicely. Once again, I will let the Staurogyne get a little more height this week and cut it back next week. I may have been over trimming the Stauro.
The AR 'Mini' is slower growing than I expected but the new growth is deep red. I cannot wait to propagate this and create a little cluster.
Saturday is when the tank looks at its worst. After the water change and glass cleaning, it shines again. Still working on letting it grow out.
Today's album was a recommendation from Spotify:
Very upbeat, great for tank maintenance. Would be just as fun listening to this album while on a Freeway at night, going fast, as always.
Pictures and Charts forthcoming. I can definitely post the pH Chart tonight along with a picture after the CO2 turns off a 9PM (lights are at 50% power), while tomorrow a glamor shot.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 19, 2020 18:52:04 GMT -5
I expected the pH to be a bit higher this evening. Usually is after a good water change. It will drop.
Found out something, Seiryu Stones will raise pH and gH. Next project, Dragon Stones.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 20, 2020 18:42:21 GMT -5
Office Space II. Hygro is really taking off.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 26, 2020 14:20:36 GMT -5
Either I am getting really good at trimming or just looking forward to grilling my famous Southwest Burgers today! Either way, the session only lasted one hour.
I managed the following:
- Trimmed the HC Mound at the front (still errant spots in the tank where it continues to thrive without intervention)
- Replanted Hygro tops to the right side of the tank. Though I believe I am at Hygrophila Maximus. Future cuttings will be disposed of
- Blyxa trim, especially around my atomizer.
- Staurogyne trim and replant. Starting to fill in the gaps and will continue to do so
- Hairgrass trim, the most time consuming part of all. Not so much the trimming as the clean up
- AR 'Mini', still not at a height where I an propagate safely.
- 25% water change
- Glass cleaning both inside and out
- Picked up some bleach unscented for cleaning the Atomizer and advice from President Trump (wow)
Things are moving along, musings are limited today. I have quite a bit to do today which is not Aquarium related. As usual, the pH Chart this evening and tomorrow and nice picture of the tank in it's trimmed format.
Album today was "Serial Chillers" by DJ Zen. 7 hours of Psy/Trance/Ambient music. I have had this playing since this morning at 11am.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 26, 2020 18:49:04 GMT -5
Weekly pH chart:
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 27, 2020 18:54:34 GMT -5
Extremely busy day today, pictures will arrive tomorrow. Mondays suck.
Gary
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Post by Crazygar on Apr 28, 2020 19:32:22 GMT -5
Office Space II
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