Burundi Frontosa #2 - New Tank & New Friends =)

[danhfvcsd]

Following on from here... http://www.thefishtank.com.au/forums/showthread.php?p=3879#post3879

I've since transferred these fish into my bigger 150ltr tank, and added new ones! =)

I got rid of the 2 red devils, but left the 7x clown loaches and the single sailfin pleco (now have 2 in the one tank) in the 150ltr tank in the wall, and threw the following up in the bigger one =)

(from this small tank - my neons did the ol disappearing act on me -lol-)
5x Burundi Frontosa
1x Sailfin Pleco

New additions...
2x Orange Leleupi
2x Yellowtail Acei
2x Demasoni
3x Tropheups

Anyways - here's some pics =)


This is the back side of the tank at last point before the devils left.... (it's visible both sides - mounted in the wall)

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/150Ltr01.jpg

This is how it is now - front =)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr33.jpg

Back
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr50.jpg

[danhfvcsd]

Here's the front of the tank - flash on...
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr31.jpg

Flash off...
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr32.jpg



And here are some random shots of my fish! =)
http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr8.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr15.jpg

[danhfvcsd]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr17.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr24.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr26.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr36.jpg

[danhfvcsd]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr42.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr64.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr65.jpg


http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr66.jpg

[danhfvcsd]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr72.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr73.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr75.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr82.jpg

[danhfvcsd]

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr93.jpg

http://i211.photobucket.com/albums/bb229/danhfvcsd/Fish%20Aquarium/150Ltr98.jpg

[Marc]

How are the clown loaches going in that water? I thought they liked softer, lower pH water?

I'm assuming your pH and hardness are quite high for the tangs?

[danhfvcsd]

Nope - these are my water parameters (that i have test kits for -lol-)
Ammonia 0 - Nitrite 0 - Nitrate 20 - PH 7.4 - i'm not too sure about hardness etc...

The clowns and one of the Plecos have been in here a long time... The water is pretty much the same as it was when the devils were in there... The 2nd pleco and the Frontosas came from the other smaller tank - but a majority of that water was filled with the Devil's tank water...

The breeder i bought my Frontosa from, breeds them in water i assume is very similar to mine - he lives very close to me, and uses no conditioners/buffers except Prime... He tells me that water around 7.4 and up is fine for them, and his fry and adults show this...

This is why i haven't worried too much about the newer african residents in this water - everyone has settled in fine, and is doing very well tho =)

How do you like the setup? I've posted it in other forums, but people think it looks to un-natural with the fronts and such bright colours... i actually think they suit it quite well -lol- I originally wanted all big river rocks and the usualy kinda look for it, but my family outvoted me, so it had to be bright - fits into the theme of the Gold Coast too kinda, i guess hehehe I'm not offended by anything, so please, share ur comments and thoughts guys! =)

[Marc]

The setup is not to my liking personally, only because I prefer replicating natural habitats, no offence intended. It is certainly colorful!

You need to start using Tanganyikan buffer / salts and raise you pH to at least 8. You also need to increase your hardness for Tanganyikan cichlids. Perhaps join up on our other site www.frontosa.com.au where you will find a lot more information.

But you are going to have to make a decision whether to keep your catties / loaches, or tanganyikan's. The water is not ideal for either group.

[wombat1100]

I reckon the tank looks great :) I would have to agree with Marc on the water perameters and the choice of fish.
I personally prefer to try and select a species that are very similar in water perameter needs, although your fish look in great shape, how do you go keeping all that plastic coral clean?

[danhfvcsd]

Thanks for your thoughts guys =)
I'm already on frontosa.com.au, and that's where i got the info that my water is fine - the breeder i bought my fish from is also on the site, and was discussed here... http://frontosa.com.au/index.php?showtopic=396&pid=2199&st=0&#entry2199 =)

Until i notice anything going on, i reckon i'll leave it as it is - i asked for info on another site, and was also advised to leave it as it is, as changing would most likely stress em more...

The coral is pretty easy to keep clean... when i take it out, i leave it in a big container of water, completely covered... i just use a soft toothbrush on it - only takes about 10 minutes as long as you stay on top of it, otherwise if you leave it too long, it kinda stains it almost -lol-

[Marc]

Sounds like you have it all under control then.

I must say I don't agree with sealordau's advice that anything over 7.4 is a waste. I mean, the pH from their natural habitat is might higher, as is the hardness much more than our local water supplies. There's also minerals in the Lake Tanganyika water etc.

Sealordau is one of Australia's best Frontosa breeders and I respect his advice and information, but I don't agree with him on "not" replicating the natural conditions and habitat of a fish's origins.

[danhfvcsd]

Sorry mate, i just re-read my post, and i reckon if i was you, i think i would have come off kinda ignorant and rude - so i apologise - it wasn't intended at all, and hope u didn't catch it! -lol-

I appreciate your advice tho mate =) Tho I guess in a way it kinda would be their natural habitat (water that they are used to), considering it's basically the same water in my tank, as what is in his tanks; & his fry i assume were born in this same water, therefor would be used to it already, right? =)

I'll certainly be making some changes if i notice anything going wrong with my fish, that's for sure! Appreciate your concern! =)

[Marc]

All good mate. :)

[native_ drew]

not a fan of the artifcial look but you have done a good job! im also with marc on the water .
drew

[cichlidboy]

im so gnna use fake corals if i set up a salt water tank