My fish room for Malawis

[mattrox]

Tested the water for ammonia and nitrite tonight.

One tank with an ammonia reading too high to be comfortble with, I saw green and didn't bother to look for the card in the mess. So when I did a pwc on the fry tanks, I squeezed out the sponge filter in the bucket and used the plastic tube to deliver some mucky water to the filter inlet, then poured a little water into the tank. I'll test again later tonight and again tomorrow morining to see how things are. I'll have the colour card out for the next test.

Had clear tests on 2 tanks and 2 tanks had colour in the test tube, just a tint but paler than the 1st reading on the ammonia in both tanks and nitrite for one. I'll keep track of these.

I expected a mini-cycle, but I might have take the the one tank through a full cycle. Bioload is low in every tank so there won't be wild increases. I'll also feed a lot less than I normally do.

 

[mattrox]

Just a quick up date.

I put 3 holding females into the 6th 4ft tank and moved the juveniles from the front room into the fish room.

The female fuellerborni spat her fry in the new tank too. They are doing well and eating.

 

[mattrox]

Just finished putting the 2ft fry tanks that I had on top of one rack. I put the fry into the emergency tank which you will see in the pictures.
I have the final rack in place along the wall with all the bolts finger tight. I'll have to make it level tomorrow and tighten the bolts. I'll be ready to put the last 4 4fts in place.

I promised that the fish room will be all done by Friday so the house can be back to normal.

Final 8ft rack

The view of the room from the door.

I think I see enough room for 1 more 6ft x 16" rack in the middle of the room!!!

 

[Aquarium1]

Looking great

 

[Sonomakid]

Wow, great work. If only my wife would be more understanding about the disease known as MTS. Keep up the good work

 

[mattrox]

Yesterday I got the stand finished and the 4fts laminated and in place.

Today I was able to get 2 tanks with sand and water and the filter up and running on one.

I also ordered one more rack for the middle of the room!

 

[meegosh]

Looking good!! I love seeing the progression of your tanks. Can't wait to see them all stocked!

Sure you can't fit any more racks in there?!

 

[flippergonzo]

I'm curious. You may have posted this earlier and I missed it, but did you have any electrical work done to prepare for the extra power draw of all those heaters and lights?

I assume you must have 150-200W heaters in each of those tanks...

 

[CA_BroncoFan]

I know you said you were interested in breeding but is this just for home viewing or sales purposes?

 

[mattrox]

I'll have to sell some of the juveniles to pay for the power bills.

I had an electrician look over the room and said the existing wiring will handle power consumption. (Not all the heaters will be on at once)

 

[Crepe]

Blue oil-based paint is a lot easier to manage than blue film btw...especially for that many tanks.

 

[mattrox]

I know, but I have got the hang of it now.

 

[mattrox]

I picked up 2x 6ftx16"wx20"h today. I have one up and running with water heating the other is in the hall waiting for stand number 5 to be put up.

Really happy I got the backing on, with water, heater and filter running.

Fish next week, once ordered the stock list will be posted.

Glad I don't have to wait for paint to dry, the fiddly vinyl backing is worth it.

 

[meegosh]

Very nice! I can't wait to see them all filled up and stocked! Keep us posted!

 

[mattrox]

A couple of views of the last stand which has just been assembled.

 

[mattrox]

I got the air pump and piping all installed today in preparation for arrival of the fry tanks and their filters.

I have also varnished the plywood shelves for the last rack. The fish room should be all done soon!

 

[Aquarium1]

Looks nice. Keep up the great work

 

[Etunes]

I would hate to do those tanks on the top shelf. I would use those for storage. Neat idea though about the air pump for all the tanks. What air pump are you using?

 

[mattrox]

I'll have to use a ladder, but it is just one of those things. If I can do all the fiddly pipe work up on a ladder I can feed and catch fish like that too.

I have a resun (cheap brand) air pump with a 50 litre per min output. It should run the 17 air filters I need.

 

[meegosh]

You are going to need more chairs to hold your canisters! LOL. Just kidding, looks really good! Keep us updated as you start to stock them.