PlanetCatfish.com

It`s cloudy again after some work in the foreground.

Seems your fishes don't like photos , did you decide what other fishes going to fill the tank??

Yeah! They are hiding most of the time. They are not housewarm yet.

Not sure what other fish to keep yet. I will probably go for Rummynose Tetras, Copellas or both.

Yeah is a bit dissapointed when you buy an expensive fish and we just dont want to be seen , the same happen with my L-128 he's always swiming into the tank during day time but you get a little close to the tank and he dissapear ,personally I will put copellas ,I have ear that geopaghus "tapajos" likes strong current, is it true??, if it is maybe he will be an interesting adition to the tank

The tank look's amazing. And it was very begutiful to see the tank live Looking forward to see how you'r next 720 tank going to be.

Andreas

Hi Haavard,

This tank setup have to be the best stone/rock composition you have done up to now.

It just look stunning.

I'm so very pleased things are turning out fine, looking forward to seeing the fish too!

Thank you DAWN Nice to see you here Morten! PlanetCatfish is a good place

I will wait a few weeks to photograph more from the tank. The rocks are still to bare. Some algae and less shy fish will make it more complete. Besides I am terribly busy setting up 12x200 liter tanks in a rack.

Yeah, agreed abouth PlanetCatfish.

If you should need a hand (or two) with the rack, just say the word.

Thank you Morten

A couple of hours on Sunday would be very helpful.

Sunday is ok, just give me a call when you are ready to start. <deleted>

Sure! Thanks

[moderator]Next time, can you please use the private messaging for setting up your meetings. They are, after all, none of our business.
[/moderator]

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Mats

I totally agree Mats:D

very inspiring tanks.

What are the clips / fastenings you are using on the eheim compacts to hold them at the surface like that ? mine just have the 4 silly little suction cupand are forever flling foward into the tank.

Suction cups are silly They work fine the first few months, and then they suck (not literally).

The fasteners are very good. They are supplied with the pumps.

Harvard finally what kind of fishes did you add?? Tetras?Silver dollars?...none

Thats kind of embarrasing

I have tried rummy noses, diamond tetras and Emperor tetras. None of them thrived. Seems like they have a tendency to vedge themselves between rocks to escape the currents. They simply die in the crevaces. I have given up on tetras for now.

These days I try to simulate the dry season. The temperature is 28 degrees, and I powerfeed the fish. Food is always available. The main food item I use is canned peas. I also use shrimp pellets, redworms, artemia and other frozen stuff. I don`t change any water, and have used sea salt to slighly increase the conductivity. I have also added some plaster to the water to increase the gh. When I get tired or NO3 rises to a significant level I will start a daily daily water changes to simulate the start of the rainy season. I have never done it this purposely before, but I have a good feeling about it. At least long term. My Hemiancistrus are really thriving in the their new permanent home, and the tank looks beautiful. I will make a few night photos in a few days. I shall connect my computer to my camera, and shoot remotely in total darkness using my powerfull flashlights. From the photos shot in intervals I will make a sort of collage in photoshop.

When doing the waterchances, be sure to simulate rain on the weater. I once read some fish are sensitive for this signal, it might tell them more than the actual changes in water chemistry

Thinking about it, this might even make sense: after the dry season, the first rain will be a sign of more to come, and if a fish wants its fry to benefit the most from the coming good times, they should hurry to produce said fry

I thought that it would be best to let the fish starve a little during the dry period and then feed them richly.
But I should add that I have no experience of rainyseason simulation other then "by mistake" ( you forget to care the fish during the lazy summer, when the autum comes and you take care of them better they spawn..)

This photograph was taken tonight in total darkness with the method described above.



I will continue to shoot remotely all through the night at 8 minutes intervals. I believe the fish will eventually filter out the flashlights as harmless noise and ignore it.

This thread is coming to an end. The tank has settled nicely, and everything is working well. The fish seems to feel at home in their permanent home.

The last few days I have been experimenting with remote shooting at timed intervals between 2 minutes and down to 30 seconds. It works very well, but it takes a lot of shots to make a few good images. About 1500 shots this far. Making good photographs of the fish in surroundings that look natural was one of the reasons for building such an elaborate tank.

Thank you all for encouragement and advice

The following are the best shots from these sessions. Enjoy

Whole tank:


Far left side:


Two hemis resting on top of a rock slab:


Middle of the tank, and the cave where the first spawn took place:


Far right side of the tank:


Hemi checking out rocky outcrop:

As allways Haavard,

Outstanding photos.

Well done Haavard ,I think we've been lucky to witness the evolution of this tank , from the "masking tape tank" to this, a very inspiring thread!!!!!

You create one of the most beautiful and the most naturel tank(s) I ever saw and the fish must be very happy 2.

Completely speechless...

BlkMagik79 wrote:Completely speechless...

Ditto.

A public aquarium would be lucky to have such an incredible display as your tank.

One of the best tanks i have ever seen for sure...and in my opinion the most beautiful catfish

I hope to get a group one day....

It has been very inspiring to see this tank developing from an idea, up to this beautiful indoor world.
Thanks for making the effort to share it with us.
happy days,
Bigpig

it's simply amazing and ure fish are very beautiful and lucky! ((clapping))