Heres some new loach video (10ft tank)

[trussman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO_DObZzIPs

[piggy4]

A beautiful display of well conditioned fishes in a spacious tank .

[Martin Thoene]

Beautiful fish and fabulous tank. Those Fire Eels are very healthy looking. Only criticism I have is that rock looks highly calciferous and therefore may adversely affect the water hardness in time.

Martin.

[piggy4]

Won't the rocks capability to alter the water be lessened in time , ie the pores will become blocked by algae etc

[starsplitter7]

What a beautiful tank and happy, active fish. Thank you for sharing an dI hope we will see more of your fish. I am happy to see another eel enthusist. I love eels.

Unfortunately, I agree with Martin though, that the rocks look like Florida limestone, and they are, they will eventually dissolve, and it is also quite sharp. The reason Florida water is so hard is due to dissolved limestone.

[piggy4]

Firstly I must say I've never kept Clown Loaches ,BUT i've often wondered if its a myth that they prefer slightly acid water ? its just that they like to eat snails ,would snails live in acid environment, or would they melt

The Clown's in this 10f tank seem really healthy

[NancyD]

Sharp leaching rocks were my concern too but your loaches look very healthy & happy. Nice!

[starsplitter7]

I can testify that my snails dissolve in my acidic water, which is a shame. I like snails. I am trying a snail only tank right now to try to keep the water more basic. Very difficult when my tanks are 6-6.5.

I agree, the loaches and eels look lovely, happy and healthy. Many loaches sold locally are sold in hard water, and most tap and well water in Florida is basic because of the limestone. I imagine many loaches are acclimated to these conditions. ]

[piggy4]

Do you think they are acclimatised, or is it possible they actually come from larger rivers with plenty of mineral content I remember a pal of mine thought that a lot of stuff written about Clowns was ficticious I'd guess if fish are thriving in a tank then perhaps they are answering our questions better to thrive than survive

[marisseas]

I'm thinking of trying eels in my setup. Do they ever go after the smaller fish like your yoyos in there?

[trussman]

The eels have never been a problem going after the small loaches, the only thing they want to eat our earthworms.

[marisseas]

Thanks

[starsplitter7]

With the eels, it would also depend on how big the eel is and how small your fish are. I have peacock eels and yellow tailed spiney eels who are safe with any fish, except small fry. I wouldn't trust my 14" tiretrack with small fish, although she is very docile with all her tankmates, but she doesn't like the 7" bichier.

I won't move my clowns in with my tiretrack and bichir, until the clowns are all over 4".

[marisseas]

Don't peacock eels get fairly large though?

[starsplitter7]

Peacocks stay pretty small. Mine are about 6" long and 1/2" high. The fire eels get super big. The yellow tail is about 4-5" and very thin. They are full grown.