Rcs/shrimp Only Journal

[drsquirrel]

Firstly I setup the tank with a few plants and some moss tied down to some rock, little bit of DIY co2 in the meanwhile, I monitored the temperature and decided that the low end of 16c is too low even if the temperature was mostly 19-20c (except for this summer).

This is the initial setup. I did have a light on top, although some of the plants decided to go mushy and smelt a little bad.



So ordered a mini heater, these 5w and 10w heaters just seemed a bit wet and I couldn't confirm if any even had thermostats! So went for a 25w which I could then adjust the temperature... but then I decided to order a mini powerhead/filter (200lph) and a new clip on light.



The included bulb was a 11w energy efficient bulb (60w equivalent) and was supposed to be 6500k, even says it on the bulb, but it is really white so I don't want it for my plants, I got the 20w (100w equivalent) out of my main room lamp which *IS* 6500k and more powerful although I don't really want a light that powerful for the size of the tank, even 11w I thought was a bit much... so will be looking for a 9w bulb to replace this as it's not as slim and the light shines directly out under the light reflector so it's not pleasant to look at.



Took just one plant for now out of my main tank and will add more soon, including the moss. I took some mature filter sponge from out of my main tank and put it into this one, meanwhile the new sponge is in my DP tank (link in signature) to mature. Background image is only temporary until I get more planting in, usually I don't bother with backings but wallpaper and cables are ugly.




I might build DIY co2 again, and this time with a proper diffuser, but not sure for the size of this tank... any opinions on this?


Also, I have 5 RCS in my (currently pufferless) DP tank that are the intended for this tank... but some are carrying eggs, I'm not worried if I have RCS fry in the DP tank, but I wonder if its better to leave them first or if its okay to move them whilst carrying?

 

[drsquirrel]

Tied some anubis down to the pot and added some cryptocoryne petchii.

Also moved 4 of the 5 RCS from the DP tank... the other is nowhere to be seen currently.

I think 300lph from the powerhead might be too much, they swim around freely until they get into the current and then it looks almost like they are swept away, and looks a little crazy, they were never like that in the main tank. Opinions?

Image is before Anubis and RCS went in.

 

[drsquirrel]

Planting feels a bit dense and it's sometimes hard to see much, though there isn't much "food" out on the open areas, im using algae pellets and various veg currently.

From the 4 I think only 1 is female, out of the original 6 we think it waas 3/3 but one died and the other is missing pressumed dead in the DP tank still.

Though, female is carrying the first clutch of eggs for this tank...

 

[drsquirrel]

Quick update.

The 4 RCS in their tank started acting strange, a few would lie on their backs, and then be perfectly fine, then others would do the same.

Water tested fine.

After one died, I was pretty sure it was dead unlike before they moved when disturbed I moved the 3 living ones back into the "Dwarf Puffer" tank (minus the DP). Although I only managed to get 2... as the 3rd cannot be found anywhere (not in the filter, not possible to get sucked in).

One of the RCS died in the DP tank a few days later leaving the egg carrying RCS which is still okay minus eggs (obviously I doubt they will hatch or live long with the other fish).


Got told today by my LFS that they got Dwarf Puffers in, although disaster on arrival and some died but I have a pair waiting for me in quarantine for next week, so I need to move the RCS soon, cleaned the RCS tank out (I didn't clean the filter, I know better) although I should have a new cycled filter from the DP tank next week which I am going to use instead). So the RCS is going to move, assuming it survives i'm going to get another little batch.