New 40 Gallon - Gonna go w/ Cichlids

JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

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#21
Jan 20, 2005
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#21
Okay! Got some rocks out of our creek for the tank. Here are some pics. http://www.geocities.com/jimmel2k1/new40gallon.html Its not complete. I just wanted to see how it'll look. I've still gotta put sand in there & maybe some plants. It, as you can see, also needs a hood, as well as a heater. Oh yeah! FISH too!!! They will come shortly. I think its about done cycling. Will post some more pics when its all complete. I think I'm gonna build a custom hood over the weekend! *BOUNCINGS
 

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JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

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#23
Jan 20, 2005
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#23
Yes it is hanging over, on both sides! O_O LOL! I believe it is ok, though. I replaced the regular top with a 4'x1' board & nailed it down to the 2x4 in the 6'' wide base/wall below it. It seems pretty sturdy.... Well, I figure if its made it for a week and a half with 350+ pounds sitting on it, it is okay.

Getting the sand either tomorrow or Thursday & maybe the FISHIES too!!!! Well, better get the tank heated up first!

Will post new pics ASAP after it is complete!!!
 

JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

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#25
Jan 20, 2005
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#25
OMG!!! Finally added my first three and they are BEAUTIES!!! Check my signature for the types. They look SO HAPPY! Darting in & out of the rocks. After about 15 min. in their new home, the yellow was tucked away in a cave. I saw him peek his head out to see if I was looking. He then sank back in then poked his head out again and spit sand at me. Cichlid-Man you were SO RIGHT!!! I can't tell you how HAPPY those little buggers make me! *BOUNCINGS Actually, I guess ya'll do. I CAN NOT WAIT to get off of work so that I can just stare at them ALL NIGHT! I bet I don't even turn on the TV. I have found my new PASSION!!! I can't wait to get some pics for ya'll, although they will not be ANYTHING COMPARED to the ones I just saw posted by, um, uh, forgot his name. Ya'll know who I'm talkin about.

Can anyone help me determine what type the yellow/orange is? Its, obviously, yellowish orange in color, a longer body style, has very dark black eyes, red markings on its gills, a horizontal black stripe on its tail fin, and a couple gold spots on its bottom fin. I'll get a pic ASAP to help. I think it could be a hybrid.
 

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Orion

Orion

Ultimate Fish
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#27
Feb 10, 2003
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#27
Congrats! Gotta agree with C-man! ;)

It does sound like it could be a yellow lab. Since you like verse's pictures so much (and who doesnt) check out his thread and compare it with the ones that he photographed and see if they look like those. I blelive the first two or three were of yellow labs.
 

NoDeltaH2O

NoDeltaH2O

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#28
Feb 17, 2005
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#28
Back to the cantileverd tank thing folks. If you didn't screw the 4x1 down, or at least run multiple rows of nails along its length, then it might be a good idea to take 4ft long strips of wood along the order of 1x1 or 1x2 if you can find/make them, and nail or screw them along the lower seam to increase the resisting moment. Structural engineering is my thing and gravity will hold it down fine in the absence of any lateral forces, but if someone stumbles into it you could have a big mess unless it's really rigidly connected. My tank has been stumbled into several times, it happens.

You are right that it is strong enough to carry the compression load induced by the weight of the tank, but overturning is more of a concern.

My $0.02
 

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JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

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#30
Jan 20, 2005
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#30
Okay! What I have is a Red Peacock, Red Jewel, & a Red Zebra (I should have listed him first 'cause he DOMINATES the tank). Maybe in my next group of additions I'll add someone that'll give him a run for his money...

I'll try & get pics soon...
 

Kuroshio

Kuroshio

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#35
Jan 29, 2005
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#35
Are your fish juveniles? One thing you want to keep in mind, adult males show their color best when females are around, or when they are fighting. Otherwise they can be quite colorless. The best rule of thumb is one male to two females. you have some beauties in your tank, be prepared to lose hours of time gazing at them :)
 

JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

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#38
Jan 20, 2005
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#38
I've been doing water changes 'bout every other day now.

No, I don't have any. Maybe I'll get some after work.

I don't know the ppm, but on one of those Multi-test strips, it is bright/dark pink whereas white to just barely pink is okay...

I'm worried...
 

Kuroshio

Kuroshio

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#39
Jan 29, 2005
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#39
Well, you might consider doing changes every day till it drops. I'm sure i missed it, but what are you using for filtration? Do you have a power head? How much surface agitation is there?

just thought I'd add: it can take many weeks (average 6 I believe) to cycle a tank, levels can look irratic at this time. Just keep up with the water changes, and watch the levels closely for a few more weeks. As the nitrite levels out the nitrates will rise, this is how you tell if your cycle is completing.
 

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JimMelAddie

JimMelAddie

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#40
Jan 20, 2005
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#40
I'm using a Fluval Internal Filter 4 Plus - 260 gph rated for a 57 gallon tank. I just added a small powerhead Tues. night for added aeration. It is not connected to a UGF. There was a good bit of surface agitation with just the Fluval, but now there are PLENTY of bubbles/agitation!

I started 50% changes everyday last night. Although, after the one last night, the nitrites looked the same, HIGH...
 

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