big day in fishlandia

[fambrough]

I was so pleased with how good my new 10 gallon glow-light tetra tank looks that by comparison the four red phantom tetras and single blue tetra seemed cramped in my 5 gallon. I got a second 10 gallon and successfully transferred them over with all tank material and filter material. Interestingly, the blue is mildly aggressive toward the red phantoms. I moved him back into the 5 and may get a couple more blues to keep him company. Viola! All of a sudden I have three tanks! Not my plan at all, but they look great. They all have live plants, minimal gravel, stones and driftwood.

Regarding driftwood. I achieved a really neat effect by drilling two holes in a piece of slate and using fishing line to have the driftwood float mid level. highly recommend. On another interesting note, on two of the tanks, the 5 and the new 10 with the red phantoms, I have used duct tape to dim the lighting. This is practically the reverse of so many enthusiasts who upgrade/intensify their lights for demanding plants. The fish are much more relaxed in this reduced light level.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[skydvr]

Regarding driftwood. I achieved a really neat effect by drilling two holes in a piece of slate and using fishing line to have the driftwood float mid level.

Sounds cool... Pics?

And forgive my ignorance, but won't the driftwood eventually get waterlogged and sink?

 

[TomK2]

And forgive my ignorance, but won't the driftwood eventually get waterlogged and sink?

my thoughts exactly. Let us know!

 

[fambrough]

Sure will. If the driftwood sinks, then so be it. I wanted it on the bottom at first anyway. If by then I am enamoured with the suspended look, I'll rig some supports. I like projects. It will give me something do to...in the spare time that I do not have. No problem with the pics. I just have to make and take the time to do it. Don't count on it this week. I promise I'll post some when I get around to it. Why does watching my tank give me so much peace? It's almost like a meditation. The glow lights are particularly nice. What an underrated fish.

 

[fambrough]

What the heck. I have a few minutes to kill now. Let's see if this works[/img]

 

[fambrough]

Okay, looks like that worked just fine. There are some white streaks in the red phantom tank picture which are air bubbles moving through the water captured as a streak by the long exposure for the low light. And as usual, the pictures do not do justice. But thanks for looking.

Ben

 

[An t-iasg]

Very nice! In the glowlight tetra tank, what are the plants? They look like the houseplant spider plants.

 

[fambrough]

They are spider plants. I plan to pull them out from time to time (perhaps for a day at a time) to trim the decaying leaves and give them some air, so to speak. I don't think they will do well in the long run, but for now the add a lot of character.

BTW, in the red phantom tank the flint is not supporting the driftwood. It is resting against one of the fishing line "tethers."

Ben

 

[RoK]

Very nice tanks!