Journal Low Tech, Hi Tech Goldie Extravaganza!

[Count Krunk]

Awesome tank! Is the filter loud?

 

[*Ci*]

Awesome tank! Is the filter loud?

I haven’t run it yet … I don’t think it’s supposed be turned on without water running through it, as the pump for the cleaning jets is a built-in submersible, and I am not done with the rest of the filtration.

I’m having trouble trying to figure out how to mount my return pump (submerged into the 2nd barrel), with a 2” check valve, 2” ballvalve and 2” inlet/outlet UV. They are all huge and heavy, as well, and space is very cramped where they have to go under the floor.
Then I have the 2” return pipe going through the floor and have to split it into two 1” returns to the main tank without it looking like a mess. I found this pvc fitting, which I didn’t know existed, that might just solve the problem! It’s on order.

 

[Mr.Shenanagins]

I think the light is as a good choice, you can adjust as needed to your preference/viewing pleasure

 

[*Ci*]

March update:

Plumbing is completed and the tank has been cycling now for a few weeks.
I had to soak the k-1 in potassium permanganate for a few days to get it to stop floating and roll properly in the moving bed. It went through the ammonia portion of the cycle pretty fast and got stuck on high nitrites until I added some media from my discus canister. Now it’s showing .25ppm of nitrite and I’m waiting patiently for that to go down to zero.
The vals are growing long, and the dwarf sag has stopped melting, but is not really spreading yet. I’m adding micros and macros with no nitrate, and dosing to keep my kH at 4 and gH at 6, dosing everything daily to keep up with the constant drip.
No algae, but definitely diatoms.


I’ve decided to get my first batch of 7-9 goldfish from this farm in the US, because his fish are incredible, nothing like anything I can source in Canada:

Zhao’s Fancies

Since they only ship within the states, for me this will involve a 2 hr. drive, then a 1.5 hour ferry to cross the border, pick up at a Fed Ex dropoff point, paperwork, taxes and duty, then home again. But totally worth it! I mean, look at this Orchid Tail Ranchu - you just can’t get any better!



I have a work contract for March and April, so I can’t pick up any fish until that is over (Zhao only ships on Monday’s for a Wed. pickup)., so I don’t mind waiting while the tank takes it’s time to cycle, and the plants have a chance to root more thoroughly.
In the meantime, I am moving my mangrove seedlings into the tank (each one attached to a suction cup to hold them halfway out of the water, and adding more houseplants coming out of the top.

 

[JayP]

So large goldfish like that won't munch on or destroy your plants?

 

[BenB]

I would have never thought myself interested much in goldfish until I clicked on that link. Those are awesome. I didn't know they came like that. I'm excited to see what you get.

Interestingly, I sorted them by price and the ones I like are on the cheaper end.
That'll never happen again.

 

[Koan]

So exciting!

 

[*Ci*]

So large goldfish like that won't munch on or destroy your plants?

Probably ¯\(ツ)/¯
Maybe …
Hopefully not?