What did you do to your tank(s) today?

[Capraquaria]

...If you aren't manually recording every hour or whatever whilst dialling in, are you planning on temporarily mounting it in the tank to record the data?

Yes, I will mount it to my SmallRig Magic Arm. This crab-shaped super clamp from SmallRig fits the arm, and the Apera pH meter, perfectly:

Crab-Shaped Super Clamp

I can just mount it to the tank and set it up to record the values while I'm at work, and then send the data dump to myself to analyze later. Hoping to test it tomorrow!

 

[gnatster]

Welp I messed up. Went away for the weekend believing the weather forecast so left the AC off. Inkbirds have been sending me high temp alerts. Normally run at 75F, they got up to 81 today. Whoops.

 

[Dennis Wong]

View attachment java fern orange short no audio.mp4

Been having clumps of this plant (java fern 'orange narrow') in my holding pond and here and there. Finally put together a layout to showcase its colors. Its not a new variant, but I think you'd have to grow it in higher light to showcase its colors.

 

[JayP]

Christmas in June! I know, I know. I use Biomaster Thermo, why do I need an inline Chihiros heater. Well, I'm always tinkering and wanting to try new things. More to come.

 

[Aquajack]

I actually need to grab a new heater. Just stepped into winter here and currently still no heater for the tank in the house since the dog ripped the cord and heater out of the tank.. I'm thinking inline too. Don't want another heater in the tank. From what I understand the chihiros are a one size fits all in terms of wattage?

 

[JayP]

I actually need to grab a new heater. Just stepped into winter here and currently still no heater for the tank in the house since the dog ripped the cord and heater out of the tank.. I'm thinking inline too. Don't want another heater in the tank. From what I understand the chihiros are a one size fits all in terms of wattage?

Yeah, I haven't read the instructions yet, but the idea is you can set it for whatever size tank you need. It's a really beefy device. I hadn't paid close attention to the specs so the size and weight surprised me a little.

 

[Capraquaria]

Christmas in June! I know, I know. I use Biomaster Thermos, why do I need an inline Chihiros heater. Well, I'm always tinkering and wanting to try new things. More to come.

View attachment 17544

I picked one up, too! Arrived late last week, but didn't get a chance to install it yet.



I removed one of my Biomaster 2 thermos, replacing it with a Netlea filter, and the remaining 850 can't maintain a stable temp on its own. Hoping this will solve the problem. If I like it, I might replace the 850's heater with this, too!

 

[JayP]

I think @Naturescapes_Rocco is a bad influence on all of us.

 

[MrJG]

Yesterday I turned my tank into chocolate milk. Super frustrated that I didn’t cap enough soil on top of bagged soil I had the brilliant idea to just pull the bags up and empty them.
Needless to say it’s not recommended, I cursed constantly after the damage had been done repeatedly digging bags out and dumping them back. Once the tank cleared just a bit it was a dream replanting
It’s amazing how clear and polished water can be 24 hours after such a disturbance, I was sure I ruined the scape and murdered everything in the tank.
Got some extra water changes and detritus removal planned for the week but glad I did it. Canister is definitely going to need a good rinse haha.

 

[SingAlongWithTsing]

dropped my water change hose and cracked the checkvalve, kinda pissed cuz the wye check valve itself is around $72 now lmao

shuffled around about a 4 gallon bucket of buce

 

[JayP]

It was just a couple months ago I got a couple 55g drums to update my RODI storage. I finally got around to replacing my Brute with one of them a few weeks ago but I've been concerned with some oily residue floating on the surface in the barrel and then in the tanks after water change before turning the filter back on. I cleaned the barrels quite well before using them but you never know exactly what was in these when you buy them used. You just assume the food grade blue barrels were used for something not harmful. Neither fish, shrimp or plants have shown any ill effects with water changes the last few weeks but it was still making me a little uncomfortable.

This week, an 80g Flextank popped up on FB marketplace. Not an unusual item on marketplace, but usually. they've been used for their primary purpose as fermenters. This one has been sitting in a basement never used, and I got it for half it's new price. Picked it up this morning and cleaned the dust off and it's essentially brand new. No need for 2 barrels any more. Just doing my best to have all my money spent just before I kick the bucket.

 

[JayP]

Ok, hear me out; this isn't an additional tank, it's a replacement tank. I've really been wanting a long shallow sub 40g tank and @HardeeParty's 22g Long journal convinced me to pull the trigger on the Lifegard low iron tank. I plan to sell a couple used Fzone tanks I got over a year ago plus my 40G breeder tank once my 75G goes live, so this 1 tank replaces 3. See, I don't have a problem, I can control myself just fine. The Fzone tanks, a 32g and 24g, are much boxier dimensions and I've just not had much of a plan for those. For this one, I plan to do a mini Iwagumi scape. I did get some other new toys today, but I'll be showing those off at a later time.

I will add that my first impressions of the tank are quite good, and the packing was very thorough.

 

[HardeeParty]

Dope.

I’ve been trying to figure out how to get my “replacement” 60u from Chantz for months now. The problem is the 4 unused tanks already sitting on the side of the house.

 

[Capraquaria]

... I don't have a problem, I can control myself just fine.

View attachment 17746

I see zero evidence of MTS in that photo Looking forward to seeing your Iwagumi in this tank!

 

[fishyjeff]

It was time for a sand refresh so I started the morning by heading down to the driveway with a bag of La Plata sand and a couple of buckets, unrolled the garden hose and started rinsing sand. It was so relaxing with a gentle breeze, not so humid and the singing of the birds, that it was hard to stop and before I knew it I had rinsed the entire 8 kg bag instead of just half of the bag that I needed.

I came back inside, vacuumed out the old sand, added the new and wow! It was really bright compared to the old sand. I decided to lower the light intensity from 35% to 25% based on appearance. A couple of months ago I was running at 50% and lowered it to 35% to slow down the growth. I have a habit of letting plant growth get away from me, even in an epiphtye only tank. It did slow down growth and I even liked the look better. The lower light seemed more suited to an epiphyte only tank.

A few months ago before removing the plants and replanting, the corner opposite the filter outlet started to have a small amount of surface scum as the plants filled in. It would eventually make its to the skimmer on the filter inlet but was still noticeable to me. I added an Eheim Skim 350 to remedy that. After replanting I removed the Skim 350 and was good without it until lately. Being an ADA fan I purchased a Vuppa 2 and I have to say that I prefer the Eheim. It moves more water and and does a better job skimming the surface. I was a bit surprised and disappointed. While I find the Vuppa more aesthetically pleasing I went back to the Eheim today. Live and learn.

 

[MrJG]

I need to consider doing this in the fall. Are you able to get out a good portion of it with a python or similar?

 

[fishyjeff]

I need to consider doing this in the fall. Are you able to get out a good portion of it with a python or similar?

Yes, I just use a spare bit 16/22 mm filter tubing. Siphons right out.