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dezemer

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Posts posted by dezemer

  1. I have quite a few. All malawi cichlids with exception to my multi shell dwellers. I have a range of different mbuna species... cyno afra, some purlmutt, demasoni, soulosi, white top hara,  elongatus....etc...

    I think 7 or 8 different aulonoca and 4 or 5 types of haps.

    This is all spread throughout 6 aquariums, biggest is 150 gallon. I can't really say which is my favorite but I do really love mbuna. I suppose it would be a toss up between the hara and afra because they can change their color so fast. literally within seconds a male can go from blend in mode to I am the boss mode. I have never seen any fish change color so fast as cynotilapia.

  2. Snails are actually one of natures best housekeepers. If your snails keep reproducing it is because there is enough left over organic waste/food to support them. They will die off on their own as the food source is depleted. Unless of course your tank gets over fed or has very messy inhabitants.

    I myself like to see the numbers increase and decrease because this shows me that they are doing their job.,

  3. I should also add that many tanks that size without braces are in fact terrariums being sold second hand as aquariums. I too found this out the hard way after  buying what I thought was a 40 gallon breeder. I didn't even bother to fill it after I saw the hidden "do not fill with water" sticker on the bottom.......lol

  4. If it is an older tank many of them were designed for no brace. I have researched this a lot as my center brace actually broke on my 150 gallon!!!

    A general rule of thumb that seems to be common is that if the amount it bows is equal to roughly half off the glass panel thickness you are ok. Bowing is actually normal on nearly every aquarium wether it is braced or not.

    If you do feel you want one then silicone in a glass brace as you had already mentioned. You can however do it in a fashion that you can reinstall your plastic frame after it is in.

  5. If you think you have MTS now, wait until some of your favorite fish have babies.....lol

    At one point in time I had 13 tanks. Now I am down to 7 running (4 empty in basement) with the largest being a 150 Gallon. I did downsize in number of tanks but increased my livestock.....lol Tricking my mind into thinking it's not as bad as it is perhaps??lol

  6. My little 1/4" demasoni will take swipes at full grown peacocks when they swim by. It's hilarious to see. It will take a swipe at the older demasoni too but quickly retreats back to his spot nobody else can fit into. Hahaha

    I have saulosi fry that were nipping at a 4" synodontis petricola tonight too. The courage of cichlids never ceases to amaze me!!!!!

  7. I think you are doing the right thing right now. Keeping them within the same water parameters is smart.

    When I was breeding Lwanda I also just crushed up NLS and they fed on it very well.

    The one thing I am wondering is what your water temp is at. I keep mine around 29 celcius when growing fry and juveniles as this speeds up metabolism and they will grow marginally faster.

  8. I have to chuckle to myself although it really isn't that funny I suppose. The excitement I sense for 5 days of no casualties.......lol

    You are not alone in your venture as I am sure most experienced fish keepers have had their fair share of mishaps and untimely fish deaths.

    I am happy you haven't lost hope. Many do give up and cudos to you for keepin on keepin on : )

     

  9. That is almost exactly how it went for me when I tried discus. Also they were raised on frozen food and for the life of me I could not convert them to pellets. I tried soaking the pellets in blood worms and shrimp. Nothing worked.....

    A few months later I was back to my trusty Aulonocara........

  10. I myself have a 150 gallon with both adult and juvenile africans in it. Peacocks,  haps and mbuna. I aim mine toward the surface for better oxygen exchange and it does make a difference in activity levels. No they would not see that kind of current in the wild but they are also not confined to a glass box. Think of it as a treadmill....... I know they like it.

  11. You remind me of myself when I first got into fish. Before I knew it I had 13 aquariums of various sizes. I now have only 6 tanks but they are much larger these days........

    Convict cichlids were among my first fish and they are quite the fish indeed. It is an addictive hobby because there are just too many interesting fish!!!!

    I too recently started using this site. It seems ok so far althought not too much content on african cichlids (my specialty)

     

     

  12. I will call your clinic to arrange a time/day to meet. I too get very frustrated with big al's at times but it does largely depend on who you talk to. Damon is now the store manager and he is normally pretty good to deal with. It's just hard to get quality one on one time with him because he always busy.

    I would like to steer you toward Aquarium Central. Tuan is the owner and he is what I like to call "over smart". He is the only person I have met in recent years that can make me feel like a newbie, with exception to african cichlids. I have most beat in that department.....lol  I used to breed a few sub species of Aulonocar

    His general knowledge of all aspects of this hobby/addiction is by far the best I have encountered in a fish store. His staff are also pretty good.

    They also stock fish and invertebrates that you usually won't find anywhere else. First we will get your tank able to support aquatic life though : )

     

    I did call your clinic and the receptionist told me you aren't in until thursday.

    I will leave you my number and feel free to call

    780-245-4757

  13. This is a dangerous game to play my friend because you can very easily introduce disease into your tank. 

    There is a producted called Prime made by seachem. It can reduce the toxic effects off amonia but be sure to use sparingly as you also need the ammonia to cycle your tank.

     

    I say just do frequent water changes. 10-20% every 3 days until you feel your tank is cycled.

    Dont risk bringing disease home or else you will be in for more issues than a non cycled tank!!!

  14. Thank you and I may check out the aquarium club.

    I do really like the different apisto's. I used to have a single double red cacatuoides. He was the last one available and I think he had an issue with his mouth. He cold barely open it properly and his lips seemed to swollen from the time of purchace. Too much inbreeding perhaps with him.....I don't know......

    I am now looking to start a colony of shell dwelling L.ocellatus. I have always wanted them but they are normally hard to find and quite expensive......

    Are the apisto's difficult to breed?

  15. I look forward to some fish talk. I have been doing this a long long time and get as much enjoyment from helping to get people into the hobby as i do from fish keeping myself.

    I primarily keep and breed different species of african cichlids but have had many other types of fish over the years.

    Hopefully i can be of help by coming here and hope to learn a few tricks myself : )

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