Brillig

As I just signed on today, I thought I'd introduce myself.

I kept freshwater tropical fish through my teenage years, and then "pond aquariums" off and on for the next thirty years. By pond aquarium, I mean I'd go down to a former gravel pit that was connected to the Willamette River when the water was high and gather whatever looked interesting into an aquarium. Usually, along with Anacharis and a few other plants I got Gambusia, scuds (Gammara), Daphnia, hydra, water beetles, mayfly larvae, and so on. One of my favorite finds was a white hydra that happened to end up next to the glass--hours of fascination watching it catch Daphnia.

A few months ago I happened on some web articles on Walstad tanks and aquascaping, and have ended up starting up with freshwater tropicals again. In setting up my tanks I'm running a set of informal experiments with substrates (intentional) and lighting (just the way it is).

For the most part, I've started with nanofish, except for one tank in the living room that is "my wife's tank," meaning she got to choose the fish. My tanks include:

3 gal. tank--substrate of garden soil covered with gravel; lighting a little over 2 watts/gallon; inhabited by six Aphyosemion gabunense Marginatum killifish fry, red cherry shrimp, and a mystery snail; planted with java fern, red Cryptocorne wendtii, and Christmas moss (Vesicularia montagnei)

3 gal. tank--fluorite substrate covered with gravel; lighting a little over 2 watts/gallon; inhabited by a pair of Scriptaphyosemion cauveti 'Kindia' killifish, red cherry shrimp, and a mystery snail; planted with java fern, red Cryptocorne wendtii, and java moss

4.4 gal. tank--substrate of garden soil covered with gravel; lighting a little under 3 watts/gallon; inhabited by a pair of Aphyosemion australe orange killifish, red cherry shrimp, and a mystery snail; planted with java fern, red Cryptocorne wendtii, Cryptocorne ciliata, and micro swords

5 gal tank (my wife's tank)--substrate of garden soil covered with gravel; lighting about 2 watts/gallon; one betta and three neon tetras, red cherry shrimp, and two ivory mystery snails (who have been producing baby ivory mystery snails); planted with java fern, red Cryptocorne wendtii, java moss, Anubias barteri, Rotala indica, and a red sword (that needs more light)

6.6 gal tank--substrate of potting soil covered with gravel (the composted bark in the potting soil has created tannic acid problems), lighting just shy of 2 watts/gallon; three young peacock gudgeons, three Otocinclus affinis, red cherry shrimp, and two mystery snails; planted with java fern, Anubias barteri, narrow leaf chain sword, Blyxa japonica, and African Bolbitis fern

20 gal. tank (in progress)--substrate of fluorite covered with gravel, lighting of about 1.8 watts/gallon; currently inhabited by ember tetras, with Corydoras habrosus, mystery snails, red cherry shrimp, and "fishes to be decided later" coming soon; planted with Cryptocoryne spiralis, Anubias coffefolia, red Cryptocorne wendtii, java fern, Christmas moss, red rubin sword, and hopefully soon, some Marislea minuta

A job, tanks, two dogs (one Golden Retriever and one Labradoodle), a cat, and a wife seem to keep me pretty busy.

Tex Gal

Welcome! Ok I'm tired!!! What a busy life you have! Think you could fit a few more tanks and pest in there somewhere? (No more wives, please)

Brillig

Tex Gal,
Thanks for the reply. This isn't meant negatively, but one wife is definitely enough! They aren't exactly pets, but I didn't mention I also have eight feeders for wild birds.

The pics of your 125g are beautiful! I'm working on a long term campaign to get a large tank for the living room. When I do, I hope it looks half as good as yours!

Brillig

cs_gardener

Hello and welcome! I'm from Salem and it's good to see someone else from near here on the boards. You have quite a collection of tanks, it will be interesting to hear what your results are with the different substrates you have.

Brillig

Thanks for the welcome Catherine.

Today I ordered 3 Dwarf Honey Gouramis and a Hillstream Loach (ok, at 2-1/2" is doesn't qualify as a nanofish) for the 20 g. Soon I'll add a few Cory habrosus and Otos and call it good.

The bug has bitten me bad. I confess I'm also coveting Black Moscow or Purple Moscow guppies and thinking about making a few mini (maybe 6" x 4" x 9"?) AGA tanks for medaka? more ember tetras? least killifish (Heterandria)? guppies? I'm running out of room. A lifelong bibliophile, I may have to get rid of some books so I have more shelf space for tanks.

Is there a 12-step program available for aquarium addicts?

cs_gardener

I'm afraid not, but at least you have a lot of company with your addiction. I currently have seven tanks between 10 & 44 gallons and dreaming of more, so I'm not really any help at all.

trenac

Welcome to APC That's quiet assortment of little tanks you have.

Brillig

Thank Trenac. I just can't seem to help myself. I just bid on some black Moscow guppies on Aquabid. I suppose compared to other addictions this isn't so bad. The only health problems I can think of that it could create is "pruny" hands, or whatever I can catch from a mouthful of fishy water when I'm suckin' on a siphon!

Tex Gal

I enjoy reading your replies. Yes, I also think one spouse is enough (and wonderful!). Thanks for the kind words about my 125g. It's been a real challenge since I went with ADA AquaSoil. I'm sure I'll beat the issues but it's been discouraging. I'm not sure how much more equipment I can fit under the cabinet.

Hey I think most of us identify with the "more is better" approach to aquariums. I grew up with the community tank approach but with the "species" tank- where do you stop??!

Ok so... should I say good luck with your bid.. or hope you don't get it- too many tanks?!! Fish on, pruny hands!

Brillig

It's probably for the best that my bid on guppies was unsuccessful. I came within a minute of putting in a bid on another group (auction closing and trying to decide if I should) but managed to restrain myself. Why? Moral fortitude? Masterful restraint? No. Not enough tanks.

So what did I do today, but stop by a glass shop and order pieces of cut plexiglass for three custom fry tanks. Nothing special, just 8 x 12 x 7 with a sloped bottom. When I glue them together I'll add a spigot to the downslope end to make water changes easy (flattened marbles around the spigot should help keep the fry safe). I just happen to have a "spare" light that will span all three tanks, and they'll all fit comfortably on one of my bookshelves. I'll have to figure out where the books are moving, but you can't have everything.

My 20 gal. nanofish community tank now has 15 ember tetras, 3 dwarf honey gouramis, and a pair of half-grown Aphyosemion gabunse marginatum killifish. I bought a hillstream loach from an online purveyor, but it was DOA. Considering the shipping charges I don't think I'll order another from that place.