First Post with pics (56k beware)

[topline]

Hi

Just joined the forum after lurking for a while. Thought I would introduce myself. My name is Brian and I live in Dianella, Perth, Western Australia. Have been keeping fish for about 30 years (crumbs is it that long) and have always had just 1 tank so have very little breeding experiance.

I hail from South Africa and have been living in Perth for the last 12 years. Have kept SA's, Africans, Marines, and general community fish.

Have just upgraded my tank from a 5 footer to an 8x2x2.5. This is the biggest tank I've ever had and am really enjoying it. It is filtered by an eheim 2217, aqua one 2400, fluval fx5 and a tunze rail system. It has a constant drip water change system replacing about 4l per hour. Has mainly Geo's and SA's in it but also has some loaches. Some of the loaches have been with me since I settled in Perth.

Thought you might like some pics.....

Tank Setup



Drip System



Some of the fish













Some of the clowns... Greyed out and having a bit of an argument. These were taken at ISO 1600 and the shutter speed was still too slow but I didn't want to interupt their antics by using a flash.







Stock List:

6 Clown Loach
3 Yoyo Loach
7 Dwarf Loach
1 Panda Corydoras
1 Bristlenose Catfish
5 Acarichthys Heckelii
3 Uaru
3 Gold Severum
3 Green Severum
2 Satanoperca Junipari
3 Geophagus Surimensis
4 Geophagus Steindachneri
2 Chocolate Cichlids
2 Satanoperca Leucosticta
3 Geophagus Tapajos Orange Head

These will be thinned out as they grow.


Well thats about it for now. Looking forward to many interesting nights on the forum.

Cheers
Brian

[Mad Duff]

Welcome to the forum Brian

Your tank looks excellent and them Geos are gorgeous (still wiping drool of the keyboard as I type) .

[shari2]

Welcome indeed and beautifully simple tank! Wonderful pics, too.

[Emma Turner]

See Brian - I knew that others on here would love your tank and your photographs! . The fish are in beautiful condition.

Emma

[topline]

Thanks Mad Duff and shari2, and a special thanks to you Emma.


Cheers
Brian

[Graeme Robson]

Hi Brian. Welcome to LOL.

Superb pictures and fish! I can see these are well looked after.

Graeme.

[Barracuda518]

Very nice. Do you have any pictures of the your Chain Loaches (im guessing thats what you are calling dwarf loaches)?

[Martin Thoene]

OMG! Trust someone with a handle like topline to come in with both barrels of photographic excellence blasting. Absolutely fantastic mate. G'day....and welcome to Loaches Online

I too think the simplicity of the tank is visually attractive. If you know Emma then we don't have to warn you about the perils of Loachinsanity. Welcome aboard and we'll look forward to other pictures. What camera are you using?

Oh...another thing.....no doubt you freguent Australian fish Forums? Ever run into me old mate Bob Darnell? We haven't seen much of him here for ages. Just wondered how he was doing.

Martin.

[topline]

Thanks all for your positive comments.

Barracuda518: I have some pics of the sids, but not great ones, They are very fast and I'm finding it difficult to get a decent shot. Will persevere and post if succesful.

Martin: I use either a Fuji s3 or a nikon d2x depending on which one I have at home on the day. Have not heard of Bob... but I am useless with names....

Cheers
Brian

[chris1932]

All I can say is "I have south american ENVY" Your fish and tank are phenominal. I do have one question? With all of those beautiful Goe's why no altifrons?


Chris

[Dave_2133]

Nice pics. the ones were the clowns are fighting are great shots.

[topline]

Thanks Chris and Dave

Chris.. Altifrons have been on my shopping list for a while now. They are extremely rare here in Perth, Western Australia (The most isolated capital city in the world). Some are available but their origins are unknown. Retail prices of altifrons start at AU$60.00 for a 5cm unidentifiable fish of questionable origins. I have not been able to find a local breeded but am still looking.

Cheers
Brian

[chris1932]

Topline

Do you mind if I post some of your fish pictures on a friends discussion group. He is an importer of rare fish and most of the people in the group are big Geo fans. They would love to see your fish. The site is

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/anubiasdesign/

For now I am going to throw a link to this post on his site. I am hosting the local ECCO meeting in september and I may print out this post. Your setup is to be praised.

Christian

[topline]

Hi Chris1932

No problem. Happy to share.

Thanks for the compliment

Cheers
Brian

[The Kapenta Kid]

Nice fish, nice photos.
You show the exit side of the continuous water change system, which is perfectly clear, but how do you arrange the drip inlet to keep a constant rate?