Journal Greggz 120G Rainbow Fish Tank - Part Deux!

[FrankZ]

As far as algae goes that one doesn’t look that nasty. I mean visually it’s not as nasty as a diatom or cyano. Looks like it cleaned up fairly well. Good job! Can’t wait to see the plants grown out again after that mass reduction of plant mass.

 

[GreggZ]

As far as algae goes that one doesn’t look that nasty. I mean visually it’s not as nasty as a diatom or cyano. Looks like it cleaned up fairly well. Good job! Can’t wait to see the plants grown out again after that mass reduction of plant mass.

Oh you should have seen it in person. It was pretty ugly that is for sure.

Now as to a reduction in plant mass, I have always observed my tank responds very well to a massive trimming. You know a little more elbow room between the species. Always seems to have a positive effect.

 

[Unexpected]

Interesting, could it be the lights being stuck on and this is now the result?

 

[GreggZ]

Interesting, could it be the lights being stuck on and this is now the result?

I mean who knows........it could be. I had the lights on incident, then the no CO2 incident, then the no micros incident.

Doubt I will ever know for sure. Hopefully get back on cruise control soon.

 

[GreggZ]

Well I think I may have figured out what contributed to the hair algae episode. I was feeding the Rainbows the other day and noticed that I couldn't find one. I looked and looked everywhere in the tank, outside the tank, used a flashlight, felt around, nothing.

Then I was doing a trim today and found him. He was wedged under the pump that is the tank full time for water changes. A pretty old Bow maybe six or seven years old. There wasn't much left so he had been there a while.

So who knows the lack of micros might have contributed, but pretty sure now it was likely a surge of ammonia.

Here's where we are today. Too many species, not enough green, need some things to fill in, but still looks pretty good when you stand there in front of it. Things pretty much back on cruise control now.

I'll keep updating as things progress.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Glad you sorted it! The tank looks fabulous Gregg. Quite possibly one of my favourite pics of your tank actually. Stunning!

 

[GreggZ]

Glad you sorted it! The tank looks fabulous Gregg. Quite possibly one of my favourite pics of your tank actually. Stunning!

Thanks Joel. It's not as disciplined as I usually try to be. It's a little wild and out of control.

But what the heck just rolling with it for now.

Collectoritis is a tough vice to quit. I think I might need to join a twelve step program. I could use a sponsor. Somebody I can call when I see a plant I think I need. But everyone I know in this hobby is an enabler!

 

[GreggZ]

Since I posted a new pic of my tank a few days ago I received several requests for a new video. So here you go I took this one just a few minutes ago. I do think seeing the movement of the Rainbows gives a better idea of what it's like to sit in front of the tank in person.

 

[Burr740]

Those Rainbows are always more slow and calm-moving than I imagine them to be. Very peaceful to watch. And the tank looks great!

 

[FrankZ]

Your rainbows are massive and beautifully contrast with your plants. Very well done!!

 

[GreggZ]

Those Rainbows are always more slow and calm-moving than I imagine them to be. Very peaceful to watch. And the tank looks great!

Thanks Joe.

They really are pretty chill.......until you toss some food into the tank. Then they are VERY fast. You should have seen them when I gave them that cherry shrimp smorgasbord a few years back. 50 shrimp gone in about 1 minute!!

 

[GreggZ]

Your rainbows are massive and beautifully contrast with your plants. Very well done!!

Thanks Frank the Rainbows are also a hobby. I've been keeping them for a LONG time. It's a pleasure to watch them grow and mature. As they get older the color just gets better and better.

And plus they are relatively peaceful. They do display/flash/spar daily but no one ever gets hurt. In contrast to many Cichlids that will just out and out murder someone!!

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

They really are pretty chill.......until you toss some food into the tank. Then they are VERY fast.

Straight up piranhas, it’s amazing how quick they are.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Hi Gregg,

A question I've been meaning to ask you... What's the length of your spray bars, do they run across the entire length of your tank at the rear?

Cheers

 

[GreggZ]

Hi Gregg,

A question I've been meaning to ask you... What's the length of your spray bars, do they run across the entire length of your tank at the rear?

Cheers

I have three spray bars that are each 16". So pretty close to covering the back of the 60" tank.

All are aimed at about a 45* angle up to the surface, so the flow runs across the surface for good oxygen levels.

Now does it matter? Doubt you need that kind of coverage, but I run three canisters so it's what I've got.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

I have three spray bars that are each 16". So pretty close to covering the back of the 60" tank.

All are aimed at about a 45* angle up to the surface, so the flow runs across the surface for good oxygen levels.

Now does it matter? Doubt you need that kind of coverage, but I run three canisters so it's what I've got.

Thanks Gregg,

So, if I'm correct, the larger Rena canister drives your reactor, but the outlet is split into three? One to the spray bar, and the other two are in the tank for the flow of CO2?

Appreciate your time answering my questions, again

 

[GreggZ]

Thanks Gregg,

So, if I'm correct, the larger Rena canister drives your reactor, but the outlet is split into three? One to the spray bar, and the other two are in the tank for the flow of CO2?

Appreciate your time answering my questions, again

Joel I run three Rena filters. 2 x XP-L and 1 x XP-XL.

The XP-XL is at the center of the tank and drives my cerges reactor. I keep mostly coarse filter media in that one as I don't want the flow restricted. It's main purposes is to drive the reactor.

The other two XP-L's are located left and right. So quite a bit of coverage with all three across the back.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Joel I run three Rena filters. 2 x XP-L and 1 x XP-XL.

The XP-XL is at the center of the tank and drives my cerges reactor. I keep mostly coarse filter media in that one as I don't want the flow restricted. It's main purposes is to drive the reactor.

The other two XP-L's are located left and right. So quite a bit of coverage with all three across the back.

Hey Gregg,

Perhaps I've misunderstood something. I thought you had two CO2 outlets in the tank, one at each rear corner, aimed up at the spray bars?

I was trying to figure out how you've configured the filter tubing, as I thought you must of had a Y-splitter after the reactor, creating the 2 outlets for the CO2.

Each of the 3 x filters, runs its own spray bar correct?
Does the CO2 come out of the middle spray bar then, OR how have you plumbed the middle filter to operate the reactor, and the spray bar, plus the 2 x CO2 outlets which I understood to be in tank aimed up at spray bars?

I hope I've made sense

 

[GreggZ]

Hey Gregg,

Perhaps I've misunderstood something. I thought you had two CO2 outlets in the tank, one at each rear corner, aimed up at the spray bars?

I was trying to figure out how you've configured the filter tubing, as I thought you must of had a Y-splitter after the reactor, creating the 2 outlets for the CO2.

Each of the 3 x filters, runs its own spray bar correct?
Does the CO2 come out of the middle spray bar then, OR how have you plumbed the middle filter to operate the reactor, and the spray bar, plus the 2 x CO2 outlets which I understood to be in tank aimed up at spray bars?

I hope I've made sense

Joel you have a good memory.

I actually just changed things around recently when I replaced all of my filter tubing.

I used to have the center filter driving the Cerges with split inputs and outputs. So yes I used Y type splitters. At that time I had CO2 laden water being fed into the tank in the far corners.

When I replaced the tubing I removed the Y splitters and went with a single input and output. So now the left and right filters are at the far corners, and the middle filter output is in the center.

Hope that makes sense. I'll take a video sometime to show the surface agitation in action.

 

[Joel Armstrong]

Joel you have a good memory.

My wife may not agree with you

I actually just changed things around recently when I replaced all of my filter tubing.

I used to have the center filter driving the Cerges with split inputs and outputs. So yes I used Y type splitters. At that time I had CO2 laden water being fed into the tank in the far corners.

When I replaced the tubing I removed the Y splitters and went with a single input and output. So now the left and right filters are at the far corners, and the middle filter output is in the center.

Hope that makes sense. I'll take a video sometime to show the surface agitation in action.

Thank you, it makes sense now

I've recently added a 3rd Aquael Ultramax 1500 canister filter, swapping over from lilly pipes in opposite corners of the tank, to now having 3 spray bars at the rear of the tank. I've set up the middle filter to drive the cerges reactor, and the CO2 laden water comes out of the middle spray bar. (Which sounds the same as your set-up now)

I've watched your previous video on surface agitation, but I'd be interested to see the new video when you get around it.