episode XLIV ...The Puddle farts again!

[Martinspuddle]

So, carrying on from Old puddle, new house... following through and with sticky pants as ever, I thought I'd start a fresh or, sniff sniff maybe not for the new year of 2022.


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This was May last year... to last month and onto today.

Decembers picture.


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Still having issues with Java Fern leaves, so I'm increasing the Easy-life Potassium dose for this next month to see if it makes any difference. Removing some Ancistrus fry might help too, destructive little . I might also move a couple of Cryptocoryne Usteriana plants to the black hole on the left.

Finally, with the garage finished and the silly season is out the way...



...Don't ask, pink, WHY? Mrs!

I have the quarantine tank set up and running. It's the old 120 litre four foot aquarium and before there are screams of what if the weather takes a nose dive, the new inmates in quarantine have all been provided with winter coats, woolly hats and hot toddy's. ...only the best animal care here!

Seriously, should be alright as I have a freestanding oil radiator set to come on below 16°C sitting by the aquarium and between the wall and the aquarium a inch thick polyfoam sheet covering the whole of the tank.



But if things get really bad!


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I have a spare thermal copper tank insulating jacket and two extra heaters but I think it's very unlikely I will need them.

Seven months on since the start of this set up, time to increase the stocking. I now have 12 locally bred Cardinal Tetras, 6 Black Neon Tetras (to replace some of the old timers who have pasted on) six Endlers, two males, two adult females and two juvenile females. All seem to be doing well in the last 24 hours, just a course of Melafix to things in check.



In case anyone's wondering, this tank is filled with 50% second hand used main Puddle water, 25% RO water and 25% mains tap water ...being Kent tap, it's probably been through @PaulVerrall aquarium a couple of times, with added fragrance of Cichlid poo!

A cupful of SUBSTRATpro filter media come directly from the Eheim Pro 600 +4, (replaced with fresh new SUBSTRATpro) some Vallis runners planted in glass moose jars from Tesco's and freshly purchased Guppy grass from flea-bay. New fish seem to enjoy the Chocolate moose.

Presuming Mr. Putin hasn't invaded, China started WW3 while Mr. Biden is still asleep, or we've all died of the Covid variant, don't miss next month exciting instalment!

[Amorvo1]

This tank is absolute goals

[Gingerlove05]

Are you sure its just a qt tank?

...Don't ask, pink, WHY? Mrs!

I wasn’t expecting the self portrait, I think the pink suits you

[Martinspuddle]

Are you sure its just a qt tank?

Yes why?

...Don't ask, pink, WHY? Mrs!

I wasn’t expecting the self portrait, I think the pink suits you

And I might add @Gingerlove05 I had stand still there for the whole of Christmas!

[Gingerlove05]

4ft, a bit decorated, already got the equipment. I just suspect it will be more than a qt before long

[Martinspuddle]

4ft, a bit decorated, already got the equipment. I just suspect it will be more than a qt before long

I know what your thinking but no, and I know you expect a tank like the one below. I always quarantine with some live plants and decor.


Image courtesy of Practical Fishkeeping.
I will say I do plan for the young Ancistrus to be moved in afterwards to grow them out before shipping them on.

[Gingerlove05]

4ft, a bit decorated, already got the equipment. I just suspect it will be more than a qt before long

I know what your thinking but no, and I know you expect a tank like the one below.

Piranhas!
Like you I have put live plants in qt when its been up and running since i first got live plants.
I’m actually impressed your using a 4ft as a qt, it makes sense in my head to have a big(ish) qt as parameters should be more stable plus it also gives extra room for attitudes etc to be spread out a bit more, also more options on what you can quarantine

[Staffylover]

I am very impressed with this QT, mine is only 40l, I was thinking 60l might be better there would be less need for water changes but 60l won't fit in the space, now considering another 40l as overspill/ spare - maybe, never thought of doing plants in pots good idea that

[Martinspuddle]

Bob the Bristlenose had disappeared. We hadn't seen him for over a week, then he reappears last night ...along with a lot of unruly children.


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Give you idea of size this little chap on the front glass is around 10 mm in length.


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If you enlarge this (sorry it's only phone image) top middle of the picture, you can see two more of the little blighters! Took this picture this afternoon after more cutting back, filter maintenance plus a waterchange and then yet more young appeared.

You can't see the rest of them in the picture but they are all over the bogwood.

Where are the other 250?

Think we've found them now @plankton ...Bob is getting better at raising his young, more bloody holes in all my leaves!


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It's no good, I'll have think about separating Bob and Betty. ...plans are afoot!

[plankton]

Once they start........