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

[barrettsline]

Wetdry goes on tomorrow. Finished prep of new connections. Need to let them dry and made a durso standpipe. Gotta clean bio balls tomorrow and it should be good to go. Updates to follow.

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[barrettsline]

Well I've got all the driftwood I need finishing wet dry. Almost done. Only thing left is glass tops and lights(which I may have a trade going on for some!).

[barrettsline]

How ever I still do like the salt and pepper Cory's.

[barrettsline]

Really not wanting to go the traditional route with Cory's in terms of "what everybody has". I would like pandas but I'm really looking for more rare Cory's. I've found some I like, but buying them will cost a chunk of change. Corydoras sp. black. I've found them at a store in Florida but I think there 17 a piece.

[TexSun]

Great start.

What type of corydora are you looking at?

[barrettsline]

Well did some trading today when I got home and at the end of the day look what I got!! It's not much but it's a start. Thanks Beto!!!!

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[barrettsline]

A mish-mash of various pieces I've collected from HFB members. I really have no idea. Honestly I think a mix is better because there's more than one type of tree usually in a forest (unless its a tree farm), it'll look more natural. Different types of wood will give varying textures & colors. Same with rocks/stones

I have to say I like that idea. Gonna have to start looking into this.

[TexSun]

Gotcha. What type of wood are you using?

A mish-mash of various pieces I've collected from HFB members. I really have no idea. Honestly I think a mix is better because there's more than one type of tree usually in a forest (unless its a tree farm), it'll look more natural. Different types of wood will give varying textures & colors. Same with rocks/stones

[barrettsline]

Gotcha. What type of wood are you using?

[TexSun]

DOCs: dissolved organic compounds. They come from decomposing organic matter( fish poo, plants, wood, etc). DOC is a general term, the compounds can vary from tank to tank.
Some are harmful, some are helpful. Water changes help keep everything in check...
The coloration of blackwater comes from tannins being released from wood/ leaves/ etc.

[barrettsline]

Define doc's. Is that how dark your water gets? Have you seen any health issues from it. What do you do to prep it before it goes in your tank?

[TexSun]

Well what do you want to know?

I use it primarily for the benefits that the DOCs provide for my shrimp & ca/sa fish.

I think it would be easy to control how dark the water gets. Water changes, adding/removing items that'll discolor the water will all effect how dark it gets.

I'm thinking a med. brewed iced tea coloration. Some tinting but you can still see the fish & their colors well. I seem to remember most people have trouble getting it dark enough.

[barrettsline]

Ive thought about it as well. I just dont want a real dark blackwater tank. something light on blackwater would be cool. I'll take it into consideration. Ill also take into consideration the SS screw idea.

Texsun tell me what you know about DW since youve been using it.

[mistahoo]

Use SS screws and hide them. IMO One screw can hold way more than a whole lot of fishing line depending on the configuration of the branches. Cover the screw with some brown epoxy if you're worried about them leaching.

No experience with manzanita specifically, but I have DW in just about every aquarium. All DW will release organic compounds into the water (DOCs). They will buffer the water somewhat. Different types of DW probably do better or worse, I don't know. For your SA fish, the DOCs will help replicate the water theyre originally from.

I was thinking, are you going black water? That would look cool. All branchy and shadowy...

+1 on the organic compounds and the black water!

I thought of making a black water tank for my sa/ca fish. I know they'll love it, but I'm still hesitant.

[TexSun]

Use SS screws and hide them. IMO One screw can hold way more than a whole lot of fishing line depending on the configuration of the branches. Cover the screw with some brown epoxy if you're worried about them leaching.

No experience with manzanita specifically, but I have DW in just about every aquarium. All DW will release organic compounds into the water (DOCs). They will buffer the water somewhat. Different types of DW probably do better or worse, I don't know. For your SA fish, the DOCs will help replicate the water theyre originally from.

I was thinking, are you going black water? That would look cool. All branchy and shadowy...