Quantine Tank Idea

With my first outbreak of Ich I understand the need for a quantine tank. Just think, you figure everything out, you're happy with 30 or so very happy fish and your decide for that one more perfect addition. You acclaminate it and it is happy. Two days later your fish start to die, then your whole tank is empty because of one sick fish....
Get a minimal quantine tank and a dose of patience.
Now here is the best idea. Get a Black Moor to put into your quantine tank. If Ich is a disease that causes white spots then what better fish to have as an indicator than an all black fish (kind of like dandruff on your black suit). My Black Moor was the first sign of Ich (maybe even the carrier) but he is as good as any test kit around. He is also the biggest dumbest oaf in the tank so he weathered the Ich just fine. If there are signs of Ich then the smaller quantine tank is much easier to treat than your bigger tank. A $3.00 investment and a happy inhabitant of the lonely quantine tank.

Already Remodeling

So, after the first week with a long and skinny 55 gallon tank I have come to the conclusion that I don't like the layout. Since I have Ich and I am treating my tank I might as well take the opportunity to put the fish in a much smaller quarantine tank (reduces my water changes->effort->money) and remodel my present tank layout. First I want to darken the substrate and make sure it is plant friendly, then I want to get rid of the LFS ornaments (columns and coral) and replace them with real Vermont slate and live plants. I want a more natural looking tank to express and accentuate the plants and fish.



Here is a sketch of the new layout.














Here is the new floorplan

My First Breakout Of ICH

Well, last night I lost two fish to Ich plus my frog. One tetra and one black moor one African Dwarf Frog. It is really noticeable on my larger moor and developed in a matter of days. I did some research and seem to have the definative cure for Ich and will share both the information and the results here. Basically you are in for a week long burden (That will teach you to not quantine your newly acquired fish for two weeks, it taught me).

First my explaination here is much shorter than you can find on the web but I get the point across. If you want to learn more in depth information just google.

Now to cure ich will take about $15 worth of Kordon Rid-Ich+ medication for a 55gallon, about $4 for a smaller tank and de-chlorinator.

Here is the deal:

• Do not raise water temp as most sites tell you, it is unneccesary with the meds I indicate and will stress your fish out even more.
• Just becuase one fish has ich does not mean all of them will have it, it just depends on each individuals health (so don't panic)
• You will need to do 25% water changes everyday for 7 days
• You will need to remove your carbon filters during this entire time
• You will need de-chlorinator for the water changes

Now just add 5ml of Rid-Ich+ per 10 gallons everyday for 7 days right after a 25% water change. This will get rid of the disease in the tank, off the plants and off the fish. Stick to the 7 days even if there are no more signs of ich on the fish as ich can still live in the water on on other things while off your fish (think fleas here, off the dog and in the carpet).

Done. Simple. Ich Free.

Aquatic Lighting

If I were to buy a lighting system I would prefer one unit that provides both daylight and lunar light. I found one on the web called the Nova Extreme T5. It is over 3.5W/gallon and I can control the lights so that I get only half, full plus lunar lights on a timer ($25.00). I find that the lights go for about $1/Watt which seems to be universal. Also all I need at a minimum is something to provide 2Watts/Gallon and since I have a 55gallon this unit exceeds my requirements and no buyers remorse since I bought the in class.

Things to consider when buying lights:

1. UL Certified (if it burns down your house, your insurance company will pay)


2. Meets minimum 2W/Gallon in order to support plants


3. Internal fan to cool off lamps and ballast


4. The way it mounts (you may need a glass tank cover because you will have to throw your old hood away)


5. Individual power cords if buying a 24hour system (lets you put the day time/night time on a timer)

Nova Extreme T-5 HO Lights

Very Ugly, Very Bright Lights

First Fish - My peeps

The very first additions to my new tank:

Rasboras

Angel Fish

Buenos Aires Tetra

African Dwarf Frog

Female Betta

Black Moors

First PICS of the Aquarium in the first week

This is my frist real experience with a freshwater fish tank. I got this 55 gallon tank at Petsmart on sale. Once I got it I started to do the research online and found many excellent resources on the tank, the fish and the plants. I wish I would have concentrated on the plants before the fish as I would have choosen a different substrate to support what I know will come next, making a killer aquatic plantarium (with fish). Over the course of the next month or so I will start to document my fish and plant adventure and show the tank as it progresses.

My first fish additions:

• (13) Rasboras
• (4) Buenos Airies Tetras
• (2) Black Moors
• (1) Female Betta
• (2) African Dwarf Frogs
• (2) Angel Fish
• (4) Guppies
• (11) Neon Tetras

I will use these fish as the souls to which I am responsible and learn from the ones that defy my best intentions...

Aquatic Plant Candidates

Cork Screw Vallisneria

Egeria

Hemianthus callitrichoides "Cuba HC"

Riccia

Java Moss