280L (61 Imp Gallons) Dempsey Tank

[star4]

Fantastic pics, love the flaring trick

 

[ChilliPepper]

I found beer cans also worked with my GT (flaring), completely by accident

Your male is a right bruiser. Has a different face shape to the female, is that one way to sex the JD's?

 

[hamfist]

not normally a fan of JD's, but your two are really lovely. THe male especially is a beautiful bruiser (if that's possible !)

 

[Verminator89]

And that is exactly what he is, a beautiful bruiser. He looks like he's a brute that glides around the tank flinching at anything that moves...but he's a wimp. He doesnt chase my angels, platys, lobster, SAE's, clown loach (when i had them, star4 has them now), boesemani's or anything. I even kept him with Otto's and Amano shrimp and he would never bother. He's a big ol' wimp for sure, the female likes to nip the angels from time to time but thats about it.

 

[stevereade]

What are your JD's like with plants? How big do they get? I've always been interested in these since I saw them in my LFS a while back?

 

[Verminator89]

The only issue is uprooting when they are breeding. They dig alot of holes to move the fry around constantly and nothing is safe. I've found if you use rocks to build a border flat on the bottom glass and tight around the base of the plant they usually stay in place. I've never had any issues with them shredding, or eating plants which is a common issue with alot of larger cichlids. One way i have found to combat this issue with plants was to opt for a low light tank (which they like) and i used Java Fern and Anubias tied to wood.

My male is an Electric Blue Jack Dempsey and they are reputably known to get to about 8" max, with females usually a little smaller.
I have a female Jack Dempsey who is roughly 6/7" and i doubt she'll get much bigger, her growing has slowed substancially in the last 6 months. Regular male Jacks have been known to get to 10" max, however i think 8" is far more likely.

James

 

[ZoddyZod]

Fantastic looking fish. Is there an FTS???

 

[Carlovel1]

That JD looks stunning!

 

[Verminator89]

I havnt got the tank currently Still awaiting my ND Aquatics custom built, currently about 4 weeks in after ordering and the process takes 6-8 weeks they said, although they will try and get it to me a little earlier if delivery routes are convenient.

The tank they are currently in, my Rio 180, which the pictures are taken from isnt exactly in "photo" condition. The hardscape is everywhere as its soaking for the new tank. There are no plants planted, what plants there are, are floating all over the place lol. The water is stained from the wood, i've stopped algae scraping the glass. Its a wreck currently.

BUT

As soon as my new tank arives, and is up and running there will be photo's galore. So watch this space I'm off Sunday and Monday, so i may try and have a brief tidy up and get a snapshot. Although i have to be carefull, lots of dempsey fry currently

 

[ZoddyZod]

excuses excuses!


looking forward to seeing these beauties in their new home.....

 

[Verminator89]

After a short phone call with John at ND Aquatics we've arranged the delivery of my tank. Getting excited now as i'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my tank next Thursday 16th September between 8 and 9am. Tank photo's will commend as of then. Hopefully during the setting up phase i shall have lots of photo's, thats the plan.

Unfortunately the real ball ache starts this coming Sunday. I have to empty, tear down and re set-up my 70L planted that is currently on my desk in my room to make way for the 180L thats downstairs. Then i have to empty, tear down and re set-up the 180L on the desk in my room because its currently where the new tank needs to go downstairs. Oh boy thats going to be a fun day

Atleast it means one thing, and its the most fantastic word in the aquatics hobby. Its like music to my ears....

R-E-S-C-A-P-E

Yeah thats a seriously fun word and it means a whole heap of fun throughout the entire day as i get a chance to tinker with my tanks without any moaning from my mum I have a good week and a bit instore

Stay tuned,
James

 

[Verminator89]

Revised Plant Listing

x2 Echinodorus Uruguayensis
x1 Echinodorus "Tricolor"
x2 Echinodorus Bleheri
Limnobium Leaevigatum
Vesicularia Dubyana 'Java Moss'
x1 Zosterella Dubia (possibly, not sure)


I'm not 100% if some of these plants will work. For the simple fact the tank will be 20" depth and i'm running x2 39W T5HO. By my calculations thats 0.9WPG. So i have a feeling i might struggle, especially without CO2 or ferts. I may opt for a low-tech CO2 + fert system just to keep the plants tidy, although this isnt a priority. Hopefully the High Output of my lights might make up for the lack of wattage.

 

[Verminator89]

I'm having sudden concerns the light in this tank isnt going to be enough to successfully keep alive these plants, yet alone grow them to some extent. Whats the common opinion from others. Do you think it would be as simple to add a single strip light somehow? I don't know what alternatives i have on this subject so i'll have to have a browse around. If i can up my WPG to 1.5/1.7 i'd be happier.

 

[stevereade]

Is the tank having a built on lid or hanging lighting? If its built on the top of the tank surely there would be room to add another tube or two lol?

So will you be selling any fry when they're a little older?

 

[Verminator89]

The tank is lidless. I shall DIY a border around the top possibly as hamfist did in his conversion thread month or so ago.

The lighting unit i have is a Hagen Glo x2 39W T5HO, so the option of adding extra would possibly come in the form of adding another one of those. Or seeing as the one i have isnt opened yet i could sell as new online for a small loss and buy something bigger. I don't know. I need to weight up my options and plan what i do, however i don't know entirely what i can do.

Either way i need to decide soon, because this thursday (16th) morning my tank is delivered. Although i won't be setting it up on the day, i shall wait untill i have my plants ordered and they are delivered before i do anything to the tank.

Any suggestions as to what options i have lighting wise would be good if people have any ideas.