My mini Fishroom Finally up and running

[Plecomate]

Hi all, Tested the water and took some new pics...

Water parameters:

Tank 1: PH 7.2, Ammonia 0.10, Nitrate 0.0
Tank 2: PH 7.2, Ammonia 0.0, Nitrate 0.0

I did however loose one danio in tank 2 today. However I don't think it was from the water. All others are happy and no signs of stress.

Pics:
Tank 1

When I get another cave, One will go in the middle here

Tank 2:

Thanks to all

 

[Lornek8]

Gonna need some different caves if you're hoing to spawn L134 in there.
Those caves are too "open" for most plecs. They tend to feel more secure in caves that fit their bodies a bit more.

 

[Plecomate]

If your talking about the white triangle one in tank 2, Its for decoration thats not the breeding one for them. I'm getting more for tank 2.

 

[Lornek8]

If your talking about the white triangle one in tank 2, Its for decoration thats not the breeding one for them. I'm getting more for tank 2.

I'm talking about all the structurs you've got in both tanks. The only thing close to appropriate for spawning them is the pvc tubes & those probably need one end closed. Take a look at the breeding threads & the photos attached & you'll see how tight most of those caves are.

 

[Plecomate]

the one in tank 1 is very very tight. Small cave that one..... I don't see what is soo wrong with my tanks..... Picture 2 you can see the cave that has a very small fit. Another cave will go under the tile with the 2 rocks. Tanks 2 next to the pvc pipes will go another cave for that pair. Sorry but I'm a bit lost with what so bad about it

 

[Lornek8]

Tank one has three caves? Wood on left, stone table in center & wood on right?
Tank two has a pile of rocks (?) on the left, a piece of wood, a pile of slate & the pipe triangle.
Plecs don't necessarily like caves with two openings if given a choice. In all your caves I can see light out the other side, that can be a problem.
In the following photos, notice the size of the cave in relation to the size of the fish.

From Davej's breeding log: http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11367

From joby's: http://www.plecoplanet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=5118

 

[Plecomate]

Sorry I'm zoo lost. Tank 2 has no breeding caves at the moment. The tiles and stuff are just a sense of security and decoration.... Tank 1 has 1 tight slate cave with no visible light as seen in pic 2.....

 

[Lornek8]

Sorry I'm zoo lost. Tank 2 has no breeding caves at the moment. The tiles and stuff are just a sense of security and decoration.... Tank 1 has 1 tight slate cave with no visible light as seen in pic 2.....

Just saw that. Only showed up as a dark spot under the wood on my computer, had to paste the pic in photoshop to lighten it up enough to see. Would probably recommend then getting more, one cave of sufficient size is not enough. Try different orientations & locations to give them the choice of what they like. Some plecs like current flowing at different directions in realation to the opening of the cave.

 

[Plecomate]

Yea no worries, Sorry for the confusion. You scared me a bit in thinking my tank setup was all wrong hahaha. Yea I am getting 2-3 for each pair. So how do you like the setup? and I'm going good with my water parameters?

cheers champ

 

[billyjimbo]

Hi, I have been following the thread for the last few days, your tanks look good and the cave in pic 1 is about right but you do need some more, what is the piece laying flat on top of the rocks in both tanks? it looks like a piece of plywood?

 

[Lornek8]

Yea no worries, Sorry for the confusion. You scared me a bit in thinking my tank setup was all wrong hahaha. Yea I am getting 2-3 for each pair. So how do you like the setup? and I'm going good with my water parameters?

cheers champ

Nitrates should be higher. Lack of nitrates means filters aren't cycled.

 

[Plecomate]

there tile pieces, obviously washed and soaked for a few days

ok, I will test again later today and check. they both sit at 0.0 or 0.25 the colours are so close..

 

[billyjimbo]

Tiles

there tile pieces, obviously washed and soaked for a few days

ok, I will test again later today and check. they both sit at 0.0 or 0.25 the colours are so close..

Hi, are they just normal wall/floor tiles? if they are I would swap them for real slate as they may be the cause of your PH problems, I may be wrong but I think normal tiles are porous and may contain elements that are harmful to your fish whereas real slate is inert and wont affect the parameters of your tank, people wiser and more experienced than me will be able to confirm whether I am right or whether they are safe to use. Regards, Bill

 

[Plecomate]

My PH is settling so far, on 7.2 for both tanks at the moment but will check again tonight. But yes normal floor tiles, I have been trying to source some slate tiles with no luck so far although When I can find a few pieces I will get some. Only really need about 5. As Far as I know, normal floor tiles are ok, They were soaked in water and washed for a couple of days prior to putting in the tank.

 

[bigbird]

i would not use normal tiles at all. You do not know if they are porous and what they have been treated with and how they were made. I would use only natural slate. You do need a few more caves, they must be closed at one end. Also recommed placing them at different angles and in different parts of the tank for different currents. I would wait another 7-14days before adding your Ls. You have waited this long so you could wait a little longer. cheers jk :thumbup:

 

[Plecomate]

ok, Few more caves - check! Will get 3 for each tank. Yea Dont plan on adding the 134s til next weekend. My danios seem to be ok with the tiles showing no visible effect on them. They are just normal ceramic floor tiles made in Italy. If anyone has any spare slate or knows where I can get some that would be appreciated.

 

[billyjimbo]

Tiles

ok, Few more caves - check! Will get 3 for each tank. Yea Dont plan on adding the 134s til next weekend. My danios seem to be ok with the tiles showing no visible effect on them. They are just normal ceramic floor tiles made in Italy. If anyone has any spare slate or knows where I can get some that would be appreciated.

A couple of posts back you said you lost one of your Danios? If there is anything bad it the tiles it will leach out slowly over time, if you are going to invest in expensive fish like L134s you should make sure everything is spot on and take no chances with anything you put in the tank.
It doesn't matter how long you soak them for the bottom and edges are exposed.

 

[Plecomate]

Very true, Yea lost one danio although dont think it was because of anything with the water. If all died, then different story. If anyone can help on this matter, it would be much appreciated. If its not safe I will take them out, I just like the look and setup I have going. The tiles have been fired up and what not but Im no expert on these things so help would be appreciated whether or not ceramic tiles will be safe. I will replace with natural slate when I can find a place near me that has these tiles.

 

[Lornek8]

There really is no way to tell if the tile is suitable or not except to experiment with live fish. As tile isn't manufactured for this application, there are no reules necessarily governing what might leach out of the tiles and/or what their necessarily made of.

 

[Plecomate]

Thanks Lornek, So best bet take it out? Like I said I havent seen a problem so far and I have red many articles that say there is nothing wrong with it. Although I obviously want to do the right thing and if it will be a problem take it out. I also have called around a few tiles shops and natural slate tiles are sold by the M So unfortunately cant get any. If anyone has any that they are happy to let go please let me know. Like I said really only after 5 or so small pieces maybe 20cm L x 10cm W. But will take anything

Thanks