Two foot river tank

[LES..]

I'm surprised Martin didn't throw this thread from petfrd into the mix. A word of warning have a stiff drink or some headache pills available and be prepared to spend hours trying to look at the underside of your fish.

I will vote for Cheni in a 2' tank as i have been successful with them under similar conditions. They are lovely fish, very entertaining in their interactions and, with no disrespect to anyone, i have yet to see a photo that truly does justice to the colours on the fins. Take that recommendation with a pinch of salt though, they are the only loach i have kept (other than my surviving Sinogastromyzon wui) so i'm very biased.

[mikev]

Talking about Danios:



I've increased the amount of light in the tank and the Yellows and the Glowlights greatly improved (the photo does not really show how it looks now). Strangely, not the Blues.

[angelfish83]

Talking about Danios:



I've increased the amount of light in the tank and the Yellows and the Glowlights greatly improved (the photo does not really show how it looks now). Strangely, not the Blues.

Cuzz you just put on yellow spectrum Get a light with more blue spectrum.

[TammyLiz]

What spectrum is the bulb, do you know? If it is low, around 3000, it will likely be very yellow.

If its not listed, sometimes you can even look at the bulb and get a visual of what colors are in it. I have a 3500K and a 5000K on my 55 gallon and you can see a marked difference with them lit next to each other.

We need to ask Martin what he does to get his looking so nice

[Martin Thoene]

You talkin' to me?

Mixed tubes. On my River-tank, I have two 2 x 4 foot shoplight units bolted together, so there's 4 x 4 foot tubes on there and they're a mixture of spectrums. That way, I get away from the blatant pinkness of "aquarium" type tubes, yet they're red and blue enhancing properties are still there.

Right now, there's three Phillips F40T12 "Plant and Aquarium" tubes, plus an Aquarelle tube which is way whiter with a hint of blue in it. I've also mixed in on occasion basic cheapo Sylvania 3000K tubes which they almost give away (well not quite) at Home Depot.

Martin.

[mikev]

Talking about Danios:



I've increased the amount of light in the tank and the Yellows and the Glowlights greatly improved (the photo does not really show how it looks now). Strangely, not the Blues.

Cuzz you just put on yellow spectrum Get a light with more blue spectrum.

No yellow spectrum or yellow bulb.
The fish is this color.

[Martin Thoene]

Like so..........



Martin.

[mikev]

Interestingly enough, no.

Your Hikari yellow shows a wide green line on the lateral toward the tail. Mine don't have it.

It is possible that mine did not fully develop their color yet, or it is a variation.

[Martin Thoene]

Well they're not mine, and that picture features Hikari"Yellow" and Hikari "Blue". there's two color varieties.

Martin.

[mikev]

I have them right here (actually, this is another Thank-Frank item). They are still improving the colors, but I see no evidence of the green line materializing. Just like on my photo.

The most attractive thing about the species is the light dots on top of the fish (either sex) would shine under the right angle. This is really nice, but very hard to catch on camera.

PS. The danios here were pretty ugly until I removed half of the green slime from the tank and improved the light two weeks ago. Now, Hikaris are spectacular, and Glowlights are acceptable (==just like your photo). I suspect that if I were to give them some sunlight, they will be even better.

[TammyLiz]

Well, I got the powerhead in the mail yesterday and I cut and fitted the pipes today. I'm going to be going to get a pond filter sponge tomorrow (should have done that ahead of time), and will set it up then if I can get the chance! We're getting close here.

[TammyLiz]

I am having trouble locating a sponge to put over my intake. I don't know if it's the time of year or what. Where did you guys get yours? I am thinking about doing a temporary thing with some stiff floss I have and just tie it on until I can find a sponge. But without having the sponge in hand, I'm not sure what size PVC pipe I should use. I already have 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch. Which would be the better choice as far as fitting a sponge onto it? I was thinking 3/4 inch since that is what I made the whole thing out of an anything smaller would restrict the flow, but I'm not sure if I'd be having trouble fitting the sponge over it. I guess I could just cut the sponge. Maybe I am answering my own question. But if you have suggestions on where to get one, let me know.

Thanks.

[TammyLiz]

I found a sponge that is 3 inches in diameter and 3 inches tall. The opening through the middle is too small for the pvc to fit through but I was thinking I could just cut an X through it. Is this sponge big enough for this small tank/pwerhead? I'm not sure how big it needs to be in order to have enough surface for biological growth and to allow enough water flow. I thought I'd drill some holes into the pvc under the sides of the sponge, too, for more flow.

[shari2]

my 20g has a 4x3x6" sponge over the intake...

[Martin Thoene]

TammyLiz.....If I'm reading this right you were intending to plonk the sponge over the end of the intake pipe?

Your mention of extra holes makes me think there was a misunderstanding. Look here at the details of design for the intake end.

http://community.loaches.com/articles/r ... old-design

Martin.