uwish

I believe from my experience that heater failures are the number one cause of tank losses. Because they almost always stick in the on position. That is why I don't use them and never will, I have the titanium heaters that are always "ON" when powered and use a controller to monitor the temperature, so it is the power outlet that goes on and off and controlled by my APEX. I have redundant temp probes in both of my tanks and programming such that the window for the temperature is very tight. Once you have had an controller, you will never go back to not having one....

I have been keeping Bol. Rams for years, never had that happen. I take it you have good surface adjitation for CO2 exchange? (just a guess since rapid breathing seemed to be a symptom). No strange temperature issues? spikes? Could be what Jayba has described..kind of an unknown unknown.....

http://s1016.photobucket.com/user/Udowish/media/Freshwater_1_zpsen6leeqo.jpg.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2015/07/31/riverfront-aquariums-calg_n_7914796.html CALGARY — The owner of a Calgary pet store is facing charges under Alberta's animal protection act after the seizure of a lizard, a tree frog and two geckos. The Calgary Humane Society says the animals were in medical distress when they were seized from Riverfront Aquariums on June 18. It is the third set of charges against store owner Wayne Woo in less than a year. In May, an iguana and chameleon in medical distress were seized. And last September nine rabbits and a bearded dragon were found to be suffering from neglect. Woo is next to appear in court Aug. 6.

Ron, I sympathize however; this is posted in the SALTWATER section of this forum....there are many of us that rock both flavours of tanks so I don't see this question as being offside at all. Kevintran: I 'think' you are describing a 'euro braced' tank, I have the same style of tank for my FOWLR set up...I love euro bracing from a structural point of view but also it helps contain some splashing when cleaning the glass with my magnets etc. The big draw back is...you can't 'hang' anything off the glass (generally). So from the limited information I can get from your post, the answer would be no or not easily. Skimmers are not completely required, I run one but I have a sump, they keep the water very clear, clean and help with the gas exchange and I tend to overfeed so it helps with my nutrient export etc etc; you do not have to run one, but that could mean more frequent water changes etc depending on how your feeding schedule will be. For your other question regarding pumps I am assuming you are referring to circulating pumps or power heads?? Since you are going to be running a canister filter I think you mean power heads, well this is open to some discussion. If you wanted to attempt to simulate an underwater reef style environment with currents etc or are we just talking water agitation for gas exchange? I do have another question for you, what kind of fish do you want to keep? and are you going to put sand in the tank?

been keeping Bolivian Rams for years, no issues...

I have two tanks from Conecpt, one 250 Gal eurobraced and a 130 Gal rimless. Great price! Didn't find much wrong with the tanks beyond a small scratch, it can take them some time however, they are just super busy.

Two years ago I set up this monster in my newly developed basement. It has been through some challenges with livestock but I think we are on the mend! 250Gal FOWLR tank... poor quality photo, it was taken as a still shot from my fishcam!

Just a quick photo of my new tank. This replaced my older 100Gal non drilled planted tank and all of the inhabitand made it over to there new home. Work in progress but very happy so far! This is a drilled dual overflow tank, all the equipment is now hidden in the 35 Gal sump. I am also running an Apex controller on this build for more ease of mind, if you have the means to get a tank controller, I would highly recommend it. I put one on my salty water tank set up and since then, I won't go back! 3 new Gen 3 Radion with their RMS mounts. I have a friend who is going to custom built panels to skirt in the metal frame. Home to 11 clown loaches (2 of them are 10 years old), one 12 year old common pleco, tons of corys, some Bolivian Rams, and 5 x SAE. I also still have 4 otto's from a batch of 8 I bought 3 years ago, all fat and healthy.

for a quick reference...

While I am not sure in your case because I have no experience with that type of cycle bacteria I am surprised at the response of some members. http://www.drtimsaquatics.com Do some reading on his nitrifying bacteria, I read his phd thesis on his bacterial supplement and was so impressed I used it to seed my saltwater tank when I stood it up almost 2 years ago. I know why people are skeptical because the common cycle additives were not using the right nitrifying bacteria, but that was a decade ago. There has been significant progress in that regard since then. In short bottled bacteria is not 'bunk' or witchcraft, I would ask members to read first before stating otherwise.

sometimes it just takes a few hours for the old occupants to get used to the knew ones...

looks fantastic! nice work...

Which species was just introduced? In a tank that size and considering that blue rams are half the size of Bolivian rams I find it surprising that they would be intimidated by them. I have many Bolivian Rams in my planted with much larger species, no issues. I don't think there is much to do right now, let them all get used to each other.