Stephen's 550L tank log:

[Stephen]

Another busy tank day ahead today.
Mainly water changes and cleaning up which I enjoy when I'm able.

Aiming to get the big aquarium back to looking like this (I'm also doing the smaller 120L aquarium).



Edit:
All done

[Stephen]

I have just been observing the Gold laser cory practicing spawning behaviour.
There was 20+ swimming and chasing what must be a female around the aquarium, all swimming and chasing in a tight group.
The oldest of the Gold laser cory must be a little over 6 months old, I've had them since 16 July 2020.
A few more months and I'll transfer some of the Gold lasers to the breeding tank

[Andys temperate tank]

That must be a great sight Stephen. They will have had plenty of practice before they get moved over.

[Stephen]

I have transferred the otos from the 550L aquarium to this Juwel 120L aquarium in an attempt to cut down on the algae.
Some of these Otos are big at almost 2 inches and getting quite old now for Otocinclus (at least 4 years old).
I must get some more

That was a 3 weeks ago.
Yesterday (Monday) I bought another 12 x Otos to go back in to the 550L aquarium.

[Stephen]

Big water changes and clean up today.
I counted at least 6 of the 12 new Otos but they are still fairly small.
I didn't get time to clean filter #2 but will do that tomorrow plus I need to clean the spray bar pipes.
All fish are fine.

[Stephen]

Big water change and another clean up today as it's been just over 2 weeks since the last water change due to very painful back, I am still sore though, but no pain, no gain.
You may look at the previous post but there has been a water change since the 20th March
I'm not rushing things today though, playing safe.
I've already scraped off some algae with my wallpaper scraper (only used for the aquariums) and syphoned the sand.
A little more wiping of the glass and the 550L aquarium will be ready for the re-fill of water; then on to the 120L aquarium (separate thread).

[plankton]

Hope the back settles quickly.

[Stephen]

Hope the back settles quickly.

Thanks Ian, it is a bit sore but nowhere near as bad as it was.

I have just counted 11 or the 12 Otos in the 550L aquarium, I'm sure the other one is hiding somewhere.

[Stephen]

Just finished re-filling the 550L aquarium (I re-filled the 120L aquarium first).
Just have to put everything away now.
I got interrupted by a scam call to my landline but they've gone now.
Tidy up, another cup of tea, maybe a snack too and then have a lie down to rest my back.
No pain, no gain.

[Stephen]

I was inspired by @VikingMummy2015 taking a photo with a mobile phone, so I took this image earlier today.
Today's image (top) and an image I took at the end of November 2020 (TOTM).
Some nice plant growth, especially the Amazon swords, in a few months.

Today's image


November image