Loach Tales (Updated! Loach Ness Monster Series added)

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:35 am

Seeing all the great pictures here lately inspired me to get my camera out Today and get some pics of my clown loaches.

Enjoy.

OK, now move a little to the left

Now a little to the right

Let's try to get both of you in this shot

Time for group photo

Best I could do

THE END

Mad Duff · Post by **Mad Duff** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:40 am

Lovely caudal fins Keith

Nice chunky Clowns.

BotiaMaximus · Post by **BotiaMaximus** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:36 pm

At least mine aren't the only ones who won't cooperate for the camera.

Nice looking Clowns! Where's the "mouse hole" lead to??

BotiaMaximus · Post by **BotiaMaximus** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:39 pm

Mad Duff - How did you make the changing loach display graphic for your "signature"?

I like it - yet it kills me every time I see it. Kind of a showcase of everything I can't have!

mickthefish · Post by **mickthefish** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 12:55 pm

like your style Keith, but the rays in the tails have come out really well.

mick

Mad Duff · Post by **Mad Duff** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 1:18 pm

BotiaMaximus wrote:Mad Duff - How did you make the changing loach display graphic for your "signature"?

I like it - yet it kills me every time I see it. Kind of a showcase of everything I can't have!

I used Paint Shop Pro animation shop 3 - I was thinking about changing it actually because I really should add a splendida pic

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 6:05 pm

Thanks all.

Keith- those are just openings to the main cave that runs across the tank.

I have some more pictures in my Loach Island 2.0 thread-
http://forums.loaches.com/viewtopic.php ... c&start=75

BotiaMaximus · Post by **BotiaMaximus** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 7:08 pm

Wow - Just ran through your whole cave re-build adventure. Got answers to questions about crazy building building materials I was too afraid to ask and learned how to reinforce my floor all in one shot!

That was quite a project - inspiring as well. It looks like my next tank might be self built and I'd like to do something custom tailored for loaches as well. Looks like you did an awesome job! You're very kind to your clowns giving them all that area to stay hidden - I guess when you have 70+ someone will always be out and around though.

I'm guessing it is safe to build a structure completely from fiberglass/epoxy resin? What about Gel Coat? Will VOC's show up on a TDS meter?

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:25 pm

Thanks. Yeah, the loaches love the privacy and security that the island provides. The more shelter I have given them the less shy they have become.

Epoxy resin and fiberglass is popular for sealing plywood DIY tanks. Gel coat normally isn't used, but it would make the inside of a tank look fantastic.

Any sealer or epoxy used should be FDA approved and listed as safe for potable water applications. Not all of them are. They shouldn't add to the TDS either, but might need to be rinsed or washed a few times before fish are added.

BotiaMaximus · Post by **BotiaMaximus** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 9:56 pm

That's encouraging, if I can work with glass I'm home free. Me and fiberglass go well together from a lifetime of fixing up sailboats. I have the wholesale access to the best supplies in the state just up the road. I could do manifolds and just about anything I want if glass is safe to use.

If I make a test piece up finished in gel coat and put it in a bucket of distilled for control would there be anything else I would need to test for other than TDS?

helen nightingale · Post by **helen nightingale** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:22 pm

now why wont my lot stay still long enough for the camera to focus?

i enjoyed seeing photos of yours being normal loaches rather than posers, or stick-on loaches (i am sure some people on here really use superglue!). and they are heathy looking tails too

surely they cant be shy

BotiaMaximus · Post by **BotiaMaximus** » Thu Jun 04, 2009 11:31 pm

helen nightingale wrote:now why wont my lot stay still long enough for the camera to focus?

i enjoyed seeing photos of yours being normal loaches rather than posers, or stick-on loaches (i am sure some people on here really use superglue!). and they are heathy looking tails too surely they cant be shy

3 packets of gelatin and lower the temp to 72 will slow them down enough for you Helen, and it is less messy than superglue.

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 9:56 am

I call this set "The Loach Ness Monster Series"-

This last one is Amazin' Grace-

BotiaMaximus · Post by **BotiaMaximus** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 12:21 pm

Chef - you should make that shadow pic (1st one) your icon - that's a good one!

They do look a little intimidating cruising through the murky shadows!

Grace looks like she might have to Finslap someone if they don't cool it with the camera!

chefkeith · Post by **chefkeith** » Fri Jun 05, 2009 1:02 pm

Great idea!!

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Loach Tales (Updated! Loach Ness Monster Series added)

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