pic of my tank

[lukepghpa]

finally got a pic of my tank...the picture sucks because i just got a new digital camera and am still playing around with all the settings...i'd like to add some more rocks but i have to wait for the snow at my moms house to melt first, as all my rocks are out of her backyard

 

[Guest]

awesome tank!!! that's what i want.. a 72 gallon bowfront.. but why don't you have a substrate?

 

[Tiffi]

Doesn't look like you have substrate, why not? I kind of "hides" the fishpoop and good denitrifying bacteria can live in it (more filter capacity).

 

[lukepghpa]

i had substrate in my 29 gallon cichlid tank, it was more trouble than what its worth...i know cichlids are diggers but they seemed to have adjusted fine to it

 

[jrp1588]

hmm...how was it more trouble? There really is a lot of good surface area for bacteria in the substrate...I'd look into it. Looks a lot nicer too

 

[Guest]

there is nothing wrong with NOT having substrate people.. most discus keepers have bare bottom tanks and if you are breeding bare bottom tanks are good as well. I think it looks great but was just wondering why you don't have a substrate. Be careful with the rocks as well so the cichlids don't knock them over!!!! Are they siliconed together???
btw.. the rocks from your yard are great.. i got mine from my grandma's yard and its a heck of a lot cheaper than buying them.

 

[jrp1588]

yeah, it does look nice, but I think substrate would really set it over the edge. just my 2 cents.

 

[Guest]

A sand substrate would be really awesome!!!

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I like it the way it is. But I do think it would look great with sand. Africans love to dig, it's what they do. I can see the point of it being easier bare bottom because Africans are VERY messy fish. Fish poo galore! My main concern is with the rocks. If they fall hard enough, it will bust the bottom of the tank. If you do decide to add substrate, put a sheet of egg crate (purchased from a hardware store like Home Depot, about $5) under the substrate so the rocks do not hit the bottom of the tank if they fall. Plus, if the rocks keep scratching the glass, it will eventually weaken the structure. But, it's entirely up to you. I think it looks great!

 

[lukepghpa]

thanks for all the kind words now that a couple people mention it, sand would look pretty sweet, how about crushed coral?

 

[Guest]

with african cichlids you can used crushed coral as well to keep the pH up.

 

[jrp1588]

i've got crushed coral, looks pretty nice

 

[rich311k]

Nice looking tank. Do we get a picture with the new substrate?

 

[Fishyfanatic]

I also think the crushed coral would be good. It will buffer your pH very well and will increase your chances of breeding (if you have the ratios). Add about 1/4 at a time. CC works slowly and naturally, but I wouldn't dump in a whole substrate to an existing tank because it may increase it faster. Maybe add 1/4 a week.

 

[lukepghpa]

helps breeding huh? i did just get a male/female pair of peacocks

 

[Lonewolfblue]

...the picture sucks because i just got a new digital camera and am still playing around with all the settings...

With my digital I got, I use Macro, about 8-10 inches from the glass. Shutter speed at 200, and sometimes on auto, but seems to do better on 200. Flash on, and at a slight angle from the glass. Also take the pics with the viewfinder turned off. When mine is on, the pics come out somewhat blurred. With it off, crystal clear. Everything else I leave on auto.

 

[Fishyfanatic]

It helps promote breeding because it will raise the hardness and the pH to the levels that are optimal for breeding. With plenty of rock structure, you'll have fry like crazy. Then you'll be like me having a holding mother every week and nowhere to put the fry. *cough*....MTS.....

 

[jrp1588]

hmm...on a related note...how do you tell if a female is holding? I know she tends to hide away, but are there any recognizeable physical signs?

 

[Fishyfanatic]

A holding mother will shy away from feeding when the food is dropped into the tank. She will not eat while she holds eggs or fry. She will start to get a noticeable bulge in her mouth. Her gills will start to protrude. She will hide a bit more and shy away from other fish. I have pics of a female Cobalt holding fry, just have to find them.

 

[jrp1588]

I google searched "holding cichlid" and such but didn't really find anyhing good, I'd apreciate a good picture