Leon71

It is a "Hydro" store. And the 36" retrofit T5 kit was $40.00 each. This included a 6700K or 4500K bulb, can't remember which. And they are 39W, T5HO. I should have the canopy finished by the end of the weekend, with a projected setup date, of the 150gal, of Easter Sunday. I'll get you some pics when its up and running for comparison.

John, For whats in the tank, couldn't you just let her spit on her own. Would the corys be a problem for the fry? Leon

Labidochromis caeruleus - Electric Yellow. I have a breeding group of 10 "F1's" from African Fever. Pseudotropheus sp. "Acei" (Msuli) - Yellow Tail Acei.

Jason, I don't think you would be able to set it up on 2 parallel joists without having some type of support below. What type and size are the joists? And what is the unsupported span of each? But the five joists perpendicular could work. Are there any engineers out there that can confirm? Leon

You can get the Sil8 or Sil9 (larger) from Sil Industrial Minerals 305 - 116 Ave Edmonton. Call 467-2627. I use the Sil9 and my cichlids love it. Leon

I really didn't think there would be too much trouble, but thought I would ask anyway. They are very close in size. Thanks to everyone for their replies. Leon

I have two batches of Acei fry right now. There is only ten days difference in when they were released. My question is can I put them together? Their general size is close, but I don't want anything to happen. I have read that it is not a good idea to mix fry, but I assume that is when there is a large difference in age and more importantly size. Thanks, Leon

Holy crap....... :shock: Sorry to hear of your loss. Let me know if there is anything I can help with. Leon

That's the thing. She had been separated for the last three days of the first batch, and is still in by herself holding the second batch. I figure by the end of the week, she will spit the rest.

One of my Acei spit out 8 fry last night. No egg sacs left. All is good. But, I noticed that she was still somewhat swollen. So I thought I would help her out by stripping the remaining fry and get her back to the main tank. When I stripped her, 9 new fry/eggs popped out, all of which have very little development. Just eyes and a very small body and a large egg sac. It seems to me that she had to be holding the first batch when she spawned for the second batch. On a side note, one of the other females is holding. Did she pick up some of the second females eggs? Leon

Damn, your days have 25 hours. I wish mine did.

Wow, it must be something in the air. Two of my females held for the first time. Only 3 fry each, but cool none the less. Leon

Nev, I have read that article before, and I am confident that I could do it. My problem is I never see the spawns, so I can't write down the dates. Heck, I didn't even realize that they were holding until last week. It has been very busy and all I checked for at feeding time was that everyone was eating. And they all hide when it is WC time. The first mama was eating right up until I isolated her. Thanks for the info, Leon

I was wondering the same thing. Last week I had two yellow labs holding for the first time. On Saturday, I put them both in their own little breeder. Within five minutes the one had spit her fry, which have no egg sac at all. Three little labs currently eating First Bites. The second one is still holding. I can see the fry in her mouth, but because I did not see the spawn, I am not sure if they are ready. Any suggestions?

It's not 5/8" glass, it is only 1/4" plus or 8mm. Note the distance between numbers 5 & 6 in the second photo. That is 1". Not very thick when considering it is a 75gal. But in saying that, if you reinforced it, you should be good to go. Leon

Jason, or anyone else, Where did you get the 1/4" pink styro? I seen 1/2" at Home Depot, but that was the thinnest. Thanks, Leon

1.) How long has this tank been set up? The presence of ammonia suggests that the tank is still cycling. 2.) How big are the water changes you are doing? No more than 20 - 25% is necessary. Some even do less. 3.) Have you also been cleaning the filter media? If so, only rinse the media in tank water. NOT in regular tap water. A couple of things to consider. More info is needed to give you a better response. If you want to polish the water, use some carbon in your filter. If you are not already doing so. I also use some filter floss to clean the water that extra bit. Leon

So how thick of piece do you use? How much will it "squish". The pink stuff that is.

A couple more coats of clear, paint the doors and the stand is done. http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/HPIM0815.jpg http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j222/Leon71/HPIM0819.jpg Then I can start to make the canopy.

A latex paint should come off without too much trouble. Just use really hot water and it should soften the paint and then peal off in sheets.

The bulbs it came with are 6500K I think. So when it is time to replace them, I will get the 10,000K. I use the 10,000K bulbs with my T8's on the other tanks.

I got all the lights yesterday. 2- 12" cold cathodes from Memory Express on the south side. And 4- 36" T5 lights from All Seasons Garden Centre. It turns out that the T5 lights are the 39W T5 HO model. That should light up the 150 well enough.

On the ACE website is says that the meeting is on the 9th of January, but the Bargain Finder ad shows January 2nd. Confirmation please.

My intent was to be able to switch individually. At the time, I was only using one "cheap" power bar. So then I had to open up the cabinet, choose the right cord to unplug, and get on with my water changes. Sure, you could just hit the main switch on the bar, but then the lights go out as well. And I like playing with stuff like that to make things easier. The stand I am building right now will have ten individual switches, four of them with timers built in. All mounted in a "tip out tray". Kind of like on new houses where the cabinet has a little tray just underneath the kitchen sink. Later, Leon

I too use sandblasting sand. Sil Silica #9 is a course sand, but not yet a gravel. All my cichlids love it and landscape constantly. Leon