210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 10/13/2012)

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

Not sure. Just found it laid over at about 630pm. Only thing I can come up with is that he was the smallest and just didn't adjust to the move, new tank, or just didn't eat. Everybody else seems to be eating fine like pigs.

[sunkenmetal]

what happen to your cory?

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

Well the last batch of fish made it today safe and sound. There already settling nicely. Only thing I'm going to have to truly finish making my mind up on is weather or not I can keep the Altifrons. I now know and understand more that there going to get bigger than all my others, but the most important reason behind this is because I have noticed them running/chasing my other fish around the tank. I like my other fish more. Only bad thing thus far is I lost one Cory today. Well if time permits tomorrow I'm going to try to begin on my sump tank conversion.

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

I would be too. If you decide to put these ideas into motion an need help let me know. I'd definitely be game for helping in any way. Like you I think more research is needed. But from the sounds of it the RO filter would put me where I wanna be, if it would maintain the PH and hardness with out the violent swings.

[mnemenoi]

Soft low Ph water is tough for us. My nano is stable and currently less then 6.0 with 0 GH and KH. I achieved it with using Brightwell substrate, only distilled water and adding blackwater supplement and driftwood in the tank. We have been very meticulous at not accidentally adding anything that might add to the TDS or increase the Ph. On a larger system, without the substrate buffering it down I have run into some tricky issues. CO2 would solve it, but has a tendency to swing the Ph wildly especially without a higher TDS to buffer it. RO/distilled water should be a 7.0 with 0GH & KH andminimal TDS, so I would need something to acidify the water. I hate using chemicals as it might swing eventually. My idea is to use an inert substrate such as sand (aquasoil and brightwell get way messy if anything digs. Sparse plants could help in grabbing any minerals that are in the water column, but I doubt they would do much. Driftwood and Almond leaves could be used to minorly shift it down, I'm just unsure of how much. I think the only tried and true method I have come across is incorporating Eheim's peat filtration media in a canister and try to use purigen to pull some of the tannins out. I think it could be doable, but it would take some trial and error before I could say it would work long term. Still thinking it through and looking at different options, but these seem to be the most easily tested and see what works and what does not. I'd be interested in hearing other folks tactics and success stories if they have any.

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

I've been thinking the same. I've also been toying with the idea of installing an RO filter on the tank to have to run all the time but not sure if it would continuously drop the ph which wouldn't be good. Trying to find write ups on it but nothing as of yet. Granted haven't put a lot I time searching it. Your thoughts?

[mnemenoi]

Indeed, I have read it over and love the fish selection and tank set up. The flash should do a great job with it and have it cleaned up in no time. I think it occurs as the outer wood decomposes and the bacteria colonize it. Eventually a sort of equalibrium develops and it returns to normal. I have been wanting to do a larger (55 gallon) soft water tank with some lyretailed checkerboard cichlids, banjo catfish, marbled hatchetfish, and some rummynose. Now just need a decent RO setup and collection container. I'd like to try dropping the Ph quite a bit and have been successful in smaller nano tanks, but applying that to a larger tank might be trickier.

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

Thanks for the info! I've been looking for a reason to find and order some flash plecos. Now I have a reason. It's about time you dropped in on my thread.

[mnemenoi]

I notice it on nearly all my new driftwood, it eventually goes away. Most plecos/otos/shrimp will eat it in no time. I have even had some sort of Bryozoans emerge on new driftwood and do somewhat well for almost a year before finally dissappearing...

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

Oh I noticed today that it looks like an algae or fungus growing on the drift wood. Anybody know what it might be? No pics right now but I can probably post some tomorrow. I remember it from the first time I used drift wood and remember it was something that turned me off to have it. Curious if it's time for some plecos???

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics 8/19/2012)

Well today was the day for all the tapajos an balzani to move into the 210. 55 is empty now and I'm going to let the wife decide what she wants in it. I added a koralia 1400 to the tank but it can barely be felt so it will probably be removed and either transferred to a different tank or sold. The guinacara Sphenozona an balzani yellow race should be here tomorrow so the livestock will be complete. All that's left really is to work on is the 58 gallon sump conversion I have planned for it. After that it should be simply maintance and taking care of the fish and hopeing for offspring

[barrettsline]

Thanks man. Last fish for this tank will be in Friday. Including another type of Balzani that has been selectively bred for its Yellow color.

[Outofexile86]

Loving all the fish you picked for the tank... Great looking tank...

[barrettsline]

210 Gallon Geophagus Sanctuary (Updated Pics.

That should be happening over the next few (2) weeks. Fish coming in Friday. Trying to work a deal on the final fish other than plecos as I type this.

[mistahoo]

Yep they move as a pack with no direction.

I had 3 when I first started that schooled pretty hard! When one got left behind they'd go back for him. Can't wait to see the whole tank with all the livestock in it!