Belated logging trip

[Pilgrim89]

Hi all! 

I have finally embarked on the logging trip I intended on pursuing 8 months ago when the fish tank that stood vacant and obtrusive for 3 years before it saw any action finally had some money spent on it

The tank is a glass tank with a slightly decorative metal stand. The measurements are:

48" long x 16" tall x 12" deep (deep as in from front glass to back glass)
Max Tank Volume: 151 litres
Actual Water volume: Closer to 140-142 litres

More tank specifics are listed below:
- Substrate: Dorset Pea gravel (20kg)
- Resin Decor: Buddha cave, rock ornament, log cave
- Natural Decor: 6 x piece of Mopani wood (or that's what I was told it was - pictures don't match up with Google searches of 'Mopani Wood')
- Plant life: 8 x Plants (unsure of the species - 3/4 of them are melting relentlessly, I have trimmed the disintegrating leaves twice - might end up throwing those ones away)
Filtration: APS Internal 700lph + UV Sterilistation & small, air-powered double sponge filter at other end of tank
Heating: (can't remember if it actually is 300w but I think it is - it does the job)
Lighting: 2 x 14" single row, colour-changing-capable, LED strips
Other stuffs: Air stone powered by Hidom twin-outlet air pump (other outlet powers the sponge filter)

Water treatment & other chemicals:
De-chlorinator: Interpet Bioactive Tapsafe Plus
Plant Nutrition & supplements: TNC Complete & TNC Liquid Carbon (2% Glutaraldehyde) (I do have API root tabs but I haven't added these in)

Back onto the story:

I have kept fish before, I had three tanks at one point. Some of the fish I kept were: Oscar Cichlid, Pacu, Black Ghost Knife Fish, Goldfish (in a tropical tank), 'Common' Plecs and many others ...  I didn't know what I was doing then and didn't know what I was doing when I was left to kit out this tank. Let's put it this way, I had a very swift learning experience with this tank and messed up along the way. Nonetheless, I've picked myself up and have made myself knowledgeable-to-a-degree about the fish I am now keeping (the stocking list will be featured below but is also in my signature at the very bottom of each of my comments - you can change yours in the Profile menu of the taskbar) and will be moving various fish on when they get too big and will be relying on my research and the assistance of the fine people that grace this forum to re-stock the tank with beautiful but more importantly COMPATIBLE species

Anyway, bare with me, I know these fish aren't compatible, the fish I keep now are: 2 x Gold Spot Plecs (Pterygoplichthys joselimaianus) (sold as Common Plecs), 2 x Albino Rainbow Sharks (Epalzeorhynchos Frenatum), 2 x Bala Sharks (Balantiocheilus melanopterus) and 1 x Silver Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare)

So, that's my current and low level stocking which is a work in progress. I know that the ARS's don't mix well and they have had quite a few scrapes but since I've put a new log tunnel in the tank they rarely fight anymore so that's settled that one for now. The Plecs, I know, are territorial and were fine for the first couple of months and then for the next couple of months the bigger one chased the little one round the tank a lot but for the last 3-4 months there's been very few moments like that so, that's that. I did not know the Balas got to be as big as they do (upto but rarely reaching 16") and I also did not know that they require company of their own kind and more than two specimens! And, the Angel sometimes does get a bit lonely on its own but I'm conscious of advice that suggests not to add more to the tank if you've already got one as it'll become very territorial and potentially kill new tank mates with its aggression.


So, there's my hodge-podge mismatch of a tank. I would've changed over the fish already but the housemate got very pissy with me when I suggested that we needed to get those fish out of there (he doesn't understand that they are animals with requirements and needs - even though I've explained that I messed up quite badly - I've not mentioned that I made the dire mistake of adding 4 African Cichlids to the tank  they got rehomed though - hence why he's even more pissy with me). I'm in a bit of a sticky situation as he paid for the lot (decor n'all) and as I've just mentioned, I rehomed 4 African Cichlids without his royal approval - I've mentioned that I effed up, several times. Anyway, the tank inhabitants have reached something of a semi-peace as there are only minor scraps and scrapes these days so, that's relieving

Right, I've waffled on enough now ... Here's some images There's quite a few! haha I took some fresh ones last night (some of them pretty half-decent) but I'll just put up one or two of each:

P.S.: The Plecs have names (Roger - the big one and Plonk - the small one). Oh and the Angelfish is called Gill (after an Angelfish out of Finding Nemo). Yeah and the 4 sharks have names too ... The two Balas are called Jesse & James and the two Albinos are called Tom & Jerry 

[TropicalFishForums]

[Pilgrim89]

Here's some more images 

[Pilgrim89]

Aaand more 

[plankton]

The dracanae (the unknown plant) will rot over time and pollute the tank. They are marsh plants, sold for reptiles and pots in windows
What are the ph and hardness?
I'm trying to think of a way to swap some fish so as your mate doesn't get teed off any more......

[Pilgrim89]

Thanks for the heads up about the plant, will keep a close eye on it. It's doing better than any of the other aquatic plants in there haha

And, the ph is 7.8 (from my test) and the hardness is 7dGH (as told by Northumbrian Water - Darlington area) so, slightly hard, alkaline waters

I appreciate the assistance with the fish. I've suggested getting lots more Angelfish to swap them out with and that was met with something of an agreeable tone but still had attitude-riddled undertones. The only issue with that is Gill, the current Angel, might attack them because 'he's' the boss of the tank.

[plankton]

I'll keep thinking of how to swap the Balas......
You could swap Gill and the Balas for 6 other angels of course........

[Pilgrim89]

Would prefer not to swap Gill, quite attached to him. He's got long flowing split fins too which are lovely.
The image attached is from a few months ago and the split fin has grown a little more since

[Pilgrim89]

Took some shots from the ends of the tank last night, just to be different! haha
I should also mention that I couldn't see the shot I was taking as there isn't enough room in the alcove to fit me in there too to see haha

[plankton]

I think I might have a swap for you, how about 5 tinfoil barbs instead of the 2 Balas? They're only about 8".........

[Pilgrim89]

Hmm, that could work though the tank is still a little small for 5 of them eventually, isn't it?

[plankton]

It's 4' isn't it?

[Pilgrim89]

Yeah, 4' long x 12" deep (front to back) x 16" tall

[plankton]

Should be ok then, as long as that's it.

[Pilgrim89]

Hi all!

Sorry about not posting in a while,

I've just had a new background delivered for the tank, it adds sssso much more depth and character to the tank. I hate that I took so long (will post some images).
I have re-homed the Bala Sharks, one of the Albino Rainbow Sharks and the Angelfish.
I will be looking at getting two Kribensis and 10 Gold Barbs as a replacement. From what I've looked at online, these choices are pretty decent with what I've got at the moment. I have ordered a Java Fern mother plant from Aquarium Gardens to provide a bit more greenery in the tank for the fish and the aesthetics (will post images when it arrives and is in the tank).

Anyway, here are some images of the new background ... The tank seems so empty without the other fish. You wouldn't think there are two Plecs and an Albino Rainbow Shark in there haha

[plankton]

Watch gold barbs, they prefer it a bit cooler than the others, you may actually be better off with tigers instead, which would match aggressive tendencies.