Day 166- Live Tank Cam of 10,000 Gal., with 6' Arapaima

http://www.fishtankwebcam.com/

Day 165

Went on Wed. to pick up new pump for 380 gal. turns out this pump is the larger pump, up to 4700gph.Thanks Craig, set that as my next project. Also got a call from Nic, needed a new home for large Oscar and 6 convicts, so i picked them up. Oscar(12") in tank#18, spilt with Flowerhorn. Convicts in tank#4 with Red Devil/Jaguar fry. Nic need a protein skimmer and I have an extra one, going to set up a day when he can pick it up, thanks for the fish Nic. Flowerhorn in tank#20 stopped eating pellets after female was taken out, cleaned tank and water change. Have him on shrimp only, seems to be working out good.

Day 161

Fish made a good adjustment to Erics, he took three Africans off my hands.Aron took one flowerhorn and a 10 gallon. Rob and I want on tour to three fish stores, Highland Tropical, Pet Supplier, and Moby Dicks. Didn't buy anything, saw alot of nice fish. Bought Dolphin Ampmaster pump off of Michigan Reefers, pick up on Wed.

Day 160

These are some of Eric's tanks. Met Eric through Aron.

.#1_65g 14" Mozambique Nile Cichlid, 12" Flowerhorn, 12" Red Devil 3 African Clawd Frogs. #2_55g 10" & 6" Texas, 12"&7" Jaguars, 9" Midas.#3-75g_ 20 different species, many Africans. Eric coming over to take some african cichlids off my hands, checked him out and he has a few tanks and raises africans.

Guy called on 55gal. with cherry oak stand, picking up today. Aron wants 55gal. tank back, got new fish and he needs room, picking up today. This is tank #7 with Oscar. Oscar moved to tank #6 split with Red Devil. Flowerhorn that was in tank #7 went to tank #18, Red Devil in tank #18 went to tank #15 split with Red Devil.

Day 156

          Found a Dolphin Ampmaster 2800GPH pump for 380gal. on http://www.michiganreefers.com/, sent the guy a message- no response yet. All else good. Bought fish pellets a hardware store 3lbs. for $3.99, mix with other pellets to offset cost of feedings.

Day 154

The Flowerhorn in tank #20 had to be moved out because of the aggression of the male, never got any eggs. The female was moved back to tank #11 and Black Nasty moved back to tank #12. Guy buying 55 gal. with cherry oak stand is buying this week. In 380 gal Red Devil is showing aggression towards Oscar only, it stopped by 8pm last night. New heater for tank #18, marineland 150watt. Old one burned out, tank was 70*, 80* now. All else good.

Day 149

Pellet shipment from http://www.kensfish.com/ came today. 5 pounds of pellets? $22 +shipping($11), 5 pounds Hikari pellets at Petco?, $70-$90 bucks! The bag you buy is red, $6.95-$8.95 and only 8oz., that's 1/2 pound. I saw it for $13.95 once at privately owned fish store. Way better deal through Kens even with the shipping added on, and it arrives in 2-3 days. The only place to buy heaters too!

Day 148

Got a call from Keith, holding 55 gal.tank until Dec. 16. Got an e-mail from Eric, he raises African cichlids, interested in seeing some fish. Noticed 380 gal. pump wearing out, ok for now.

Day 146

Sold!?! Waiting on the call.

Cleaned 1/2 of front panel on 140gal. leaker. Aron needed a powerhead for his 29 gal. came over and got one today. Got a craigslist call from Keith going to buy 55 gal. tank, cherry oak stand and hood for salt water set up, $125. He will call later this week. Floor heat out in basement, got to find digital control unit. Floor heat helps with all the heaters I have running, they don't come on as much. I set the temp. on floor to 80-90.

Watch this 1500gal. tank bursts!

http://www.whotv.com/news/who-story-aquarium-bursts-120310,0,643901.story

Day 144, night

Moved one 2" Black Nasty (Haitian cichlid) from tank #12 to tank #11 divided with Flowerhorn.

Day 144

Man where do I start! Ok, went to two pet shops on M-59 yesterday. Went to Highland Tropical first, wide selection. Had my eye on some extra large silver dollars and a 8" Pacu, and 4" Buttikoferi. Next stop was Pet Suppliers, been a while since I have been there. The shop was empty, as in they moved. Thought I would drive around and look for the store, I found it across the street. He has a great layout in the store and wide selection of fresh and salt water. I would recommend you trying this store out...its great! One thing that caught my attention is that he said he installed an automatic water change system on all his freshwater tanks, It changes10 percent of the water per day. I want to learn more about this. Left there, went home and cleaned the silicone off back panel of 140 leaker, front panel is all that's left then I will put it together. Rob came by, brought his barred Midas. I wanted to put his fish in tank #9 with my barred Midas, but I had to find a place for the large Red Devil I got from Shane. This Red Devil has a temperment that is very calm compared to my other Devils, but it killed the Jaguar it lived with at Shane's. We talked and decided it would go in 380 gal., and we would watch and see what happens. This is start of third day and all is good, the large Mayan gave him a hard time at first but gave up. I think the Red Devil has found a new home. Rob's barred Midas is in tank #9 split with mine. New Oscar in tank#7 still too aggressive to add to 380 gal., he will stay where he's at. Talked to Aron, he needs a powerhead and bring back a 29 gal. he borrowed from me. I have a box of powerheads, he also needs to pick a color for back panel of his 60 gal. to be painted. He's coming by Sunday. And no eggs in tank #20 yet. Ordered 5lb. pellets and 1lb. spirulina sticks from http://www.kensfish.com/ today.

Day142

No eggs this morning in tank#20, give it time. Going to clean panels in 140 leaker today, clean filters and glass tops I've had in the garage for a while in a bucket. Rob's is coming by tonight, bringing barred Midas to breed with mine, not sure who has the female. Lost a cory cat in tank #5, got caught in filter intake tube, R.I.P.

Day 141

Ok, let the games begin! This is tank #20, about 3pm I added female from tank #11. Her color was very black, her tube dropped. The first 10 min he chased her around, then the dance began. Alot of cleaning now, I added a piece of flat rock from her tank, she layed eggs on it before. These are Flowerhorns in case you didn't know. I will watch and hope for eggs.

Day140 night

My favorite tank? 180gal. Red Devil colony-tank #17, 8-Devils from seperate stores, as fry, now they are 3-4 inches.

Didn't get to the 140 panel, bon fire instead. Flowerhorn(female) in tank #11turned black, she might lay eggs again. On Wed. I might put her in with male in tank #20 and see what happens.

Day 140

Vacuumed gravel and 25percent water change in tanks #18-#20. Going to clean silicone off back panel of leaking 140 gal, front panel to go then assembly. Thinking about building enclosed fish room in basement with door to access back of tanks, like a fish work room. Viewing would be from front only, like a picture frame on the wall. Put all live plants in 380-gal sump, divided from african cichlid because he would mess them up.

Day 139

Did water changes in four more tanks today, tanks #14-#17 vacuumed gravel too. Just a question...What is the most expensive part of this hobby? The tank and stand and light to purchase? Buying your favorite fish? Believe me start keeping track, it's the ongoing maintenance. The cost of food, water, electricity, light replacement soon passes your initial cost of set up.Careful planning and set up are important to reduce maintenance cost. Key is to not overstock your tanks, trust me I've lived this for years and still have trouble overstocking tanks. Just clean a filter with one fish in a 55 gal., then clean a filter with more fish(10-20) in the same size tank. It's unbelievable.

Day 138

Two of the three Pacus in 380 gal., growing fast. Moved large Pitcus catfish from tank#5 and sailfin Pleco from tank#6 to 380 gal.

Started today still trying to take apart broken 90 gal. with the purple silicone, it was the hardest tank to date that I have taken apart. Purple silicone was worse than glue, but it is apart. I'm going to use broken pieces to practice cutting 1/2" glass. Did water changes and vacuumed gravel in tanks#2-#12 today, water changes should be 25percent of water, and done monthly or 10 percent weekly.Vacuum gravel monthly also, to remove fish waste. Filter changes(floss change or wash out sponge) should be done monthly too. When I vacuumed gravel in tank#7 with the new Oscar there was about 100 eggs, white and fuzzy in gravel. This fish may be a female, or last fish in tank was. I'm going to watch for a while, this may have been the trouble Nic was having with the aggression in this fish. Went to petco today also and got a dozen goldfish for Knife in tank#14, he ate them all. Knife fish only will eat live, I've tried other things for years(shrimp, pellets) no luck.More tomorrow.

Day 137

Cleaned filters on tanks#17-#20, start water changes tomorrow. Switched 300W heater in tank #7(55gal) with 200W heater in tank#17(180gal).

Day 136 continued

Large Oscar donated by Nic tank #7

Day 136

Happy Thanksgiving! This is a Zebra Turkey fish.

Day 134

Got a call from John who got my number from Petsmart, he had 2 African cichlids wanted to donate. Nice fish very healthy, they will share tank#5, divided from others until I figure out their aggression. Purple colored with orange-yellow fins. Thanks John and wife for the fish and extra food, check in occasionally for an update on them. When you need that 55 gal. contact me, thanks again...Joe.

Day 132

Picked up 13" Oscar from Nic today, great set up hes got. Fish was very healthy, adjusting well to 55 gal (tank#7). Thanks again Nic, I'll post pictures soon. Cleaned filter in tank#16.

Day 130

Saw an add on craigslist for 13" Oscar, got a hold of Nic, picking up Sunday. Will put Oscar in tank#7 temporally to see his aggression level and eating habits, move Red Devil to tank#6, split with Flowerhorn. Introduce Oscar to 380 gal. slowly, thanks Nic.

Day 129

Stocked up on food today, shrimp, pellets. Did water change and vacuum gravel in 380 gal.(tank#13). Filter changes in tanks#14 and #15.

Day 127

Thought I would check Google headquarters building on-line, they have a fish room! It's an office where the employees get to relax, check out the shimmering floor, I wouldn't mind working at the Google building. Did filter changes in tanks #6-#12, added a bigger filter to tank #12.

Day 125

Found a fish on craigslist, Red Devil 11" in New Haven. Very healthy fish, thanks to Shane and wife and kids. Also gave me a 1" fry from this Devil and female Jaguar, thanks again they are in a good home. Put Red Devil in tank #9 with divider, and fry in tank #4 with divider. More filter cleanings tonight.

Day 124

Cleaned filters in tanks #2-#5 today. Noticed Red Devils in Tank #17(180gal) spawned, eggs on middle rock, seperated parents and eggs with a divider from rest of tank. Post pics tomorrow. More filter cleanings tomorrow. Update-Male Red Devil ate all eggs within 30 min. of moving fish and eggs, gonna leave male out, just move female and eggs next time.

Day 121

Busy weekend, female Flowerhorn in tank#11 ate all eggs, they turned white. Did water changes and vacuumed gravel in tanks #18,19,and 20. Got an offer of $120 for 55gal. cherry wood stand on e-mail from craigslist, told him I would take $135, asking $150. Might start filter changes tonight and work on other blog http://www.giantfishtanks.blogspot.com/

Day 117

Talking with Rob about Flowerhorn female in tank#12 last night, dark color, acting weird. He looks and says "you got eggs!", took a look, one flat rock full of eggs. First time this has happened for me, gonna sit and watch, if they turn white they die. This male and female are separated by a divider, except there is a small opening in bottom of divider. Could these eggs have been fertilized? I'll let you know in days to come, no white ones this morning. Tank#12 at 84*-86*F.

Day 116

Nothing today, just feedings. Buddy Rob coming over, talk fish and drink vodka.

Day 114

Built a 52" wall, out from door, this will give me a 30' enclosed wall to line up tanks.

Power outage last night again, breaker tripped. I feel the overload this time comes at night when all my heater come on. Electric sensor is broke on boiler to heat  floors, I will order this part this weekend and install. I feel this will help to keep basement floor warm and keep heaters from coming on all night long. I lost 3 tropicals in outage last night in tank #8, did water  change, R.I.P. Did a water change and vacuum gravel in tanks #14 thru #17.

Day 113

Room for fish is now framed , electrical next. Lights, ceiling fan, exhaust fan, and plugs at 12" and about 48". The higher plug is for the triple tanks, top tank cords from filter and heater don't reach a standard plug. Drywall and ceiling after electrical, acid stain floor also. Had a power outage about 8 hours before I got home from work, this was a ground fault trip so a fish must have splashed a power strip through the night, reset and all was good. I keep drip loops on all tanks to avoid a electrical fire. 90 gal. with purple silicone is the hardest tank I've taken apart, still working on bottom black molding. Its cracking and splitting the whole way.

Day 111

Thanks John and wife

Thanks Rodney

Started to remove black plastic from broken 90 gal., this cracked and shattered as I pulled it off. Of all the tanks I've done this has never happened. I noticed the silicone on this tank is purple, never seen this either. This was a free tank, I wonder if the purple silicone had anything to do with the trouble the guy had with the tank.Got two calls for fish today, first one was Rodney. He had a 8" Pleco that had outgrown his tank. Great fish, excellent water condition, thanks Rodney. This fish went into tank #5. The other call was from John and his wife, wanted to get rid of large fancy tail goldfish. Great fish and again excellent water condition, thanks to John and his wife, good luck with the Oscars. These fish went into tank #3 and Red Devil went back into tank #10, split with Buttikoferi. These were referred by Petsmart, thank you.

Day 110

Water changes in tanks #11- #13, filter changes in #13. Africans in sump of 380 gal. had to be divided, one in bad shape. Better after water change. Started feeding Flowerhorn fry large pellets trying to increase growth. Cleaned another side panel of 140 gal. leaker, front and back panels left to do. Going to put Rena canister filter on tank #17( 180 gal.) to increase filtration. One H.O.T. filter is not enough for 8 Red Devils in this tank. Took apart a broken 55 gal. and stacked glass, started to take apart a broken 90 gal.

Day 109

This is the 140 gal. in pieces,ready to be cleaned and put back together. Cleaned tanks #9 and #10, moved two african cichlids to 55 gal. sump of 380 gal. These fish came out of tank #3, moved Red Devil out of tank#10 to tank #3, took out divider in tank #10 Buttikoferi in alone. Cleaned side panel of 140 leaker with razor blade.

Day 108

Made it all the way to Ludington,MI, found one fish store. R Captive Reef Fish & Pets, kinda small with half saltwater other half freshwater. Got home today and took apart 140gal. leaker, cleaned bottom piece with razor blade. Moved two live plants from tropical tank #8, silver dollars were eating these down too low. Plants are now in tank #5, all else good.

Day 107

This is a couple old aquarium piston air pumps, found them at a flea market, one works one doesn't, original  boxes included $5, for both! All good throughout the night, a little worried about storm headed this way, don't want a power outage, rough on fish and owner even with a generator. Going to check out fish stores in Grand Rapids,MI and Muskegon, MI over the next two days. Update what I find.

Day 106

This is my P. Niger cat he goes about 17" in the 380 gallon. Came home today, divider on tank #9 came down 3" enough for Barred Midas to get over and beat up Red Devil, and get back. Decided to set up tanks #6 and #7. Tank #6 got the 10" Flowerhorn and tank #7 got 7" Red Devil. Used existing filters off tanks #5 and #8, had to plug in two additional heaters, this was too much when I turned on the lights for the evening, and tripped the breaker. Put two heaters on another circuit for now. Also set up tank #18 to split up Red Devils in tank#15.

Day 104

This is my buddy Rob's Flowerhorn, tried to breed him, took out female after a few weeks, and head blew up! The 140gal. leaker sat for a week half full of water and finally started to leak, redrained this tank. I will take this whole tank apart and reseal, cannot see where the leak is. Did water changes on tanks #2-#5 and #8,  filter cleaning on  ac 110 on tank #8. Bought 14-2 wire for fish room in basement yesterday, try to complete wall build today.

Day 101

As the Red Devil Colony grows...I don't know if they will pair off for mating or kill each other. Nothing so far, all good. Picked up the 55gallon from wife's friend , this was a salt water set-up. Great deal, 55 gal., rusty stand, Rena canister filter, whisper filter, two protein skimmers, hood lights, heater...extras-$75. Now I just have to sort through it. Got a fish food shipment from Ken's fish today.

Day 99

More wall building for fish room. Decided to frame in fish room, wire, drywall and finish before i do the rest of the basement. Other tanks are in the way and I only want to move them once. Placed two 55 gallons on metal stand that I painted, no water yet. Got that call from wife's friend, her son couldn't sell the 55 gallon this weekend at the garage sale. Lots of people wanted it but no one came up with any money, going to try and pick it up tonight. I'll post what came with it after I pick it up.

Day 97

Painted the double 55gal metal stand that came with the new Flowerhorn. All tanks are cleaned now. Flowerhorn with the white spots is doing better with temp. increase and salt added to tank #4. Filled 140gal. leaker half full, gonna let it sit for a couple days, see if I can find where the leak is. Bought the Knife fish in tank #14 a dozen goldfish today, ate them all. All the rest of the tanks are good!

Day 96

http://www.aquabid.com/ describes this as a Butacrossbreed Flowerhorn $79, not mine but I like it. Its overseas shipping too, ugh!

Finished tank cleanings, only one to go...the 380gal...always a fun (a pain!).Added a sponge filter to the sump of the 380gal. Decided to switch fish in tank #20 with new Flowerhorn in tank #9, good switch. Tank #20 is in my office, gonna use this tank as a display tank and switch fish every six moths or so. Took apart one of the broken 55 gal. I got.  Got a call from my wife's friend, son has 55gal and all the accessories. Hes having trouble selling it on http://www.craigslist.com/  and at garage sale. Sunday is last day of sale, if he doesn't sell it he want to make a deal. We will talk Monday, nothing is selling in this economy.

Day 95

Buttikoferi cichlid in tank #2

Noticed yesterday Flowerhorn in Tank#4 had white spots on body and top fin. Larger spots thak ick, I've had good luck with adding salt to aquarium and an increased temp to 86*, and water changes, instead of medication. I started this last night and will continue for 3 weeks, post on the health of fish and try to post pics later.Sorted through boxes of aquariums supplies last night given to me from last donation, rinsed out and set up the filters that were running on the 140gal. leaker, put them on on tank #5 and #8. Going to do cleaning to tanks #19 and #20 today.

Day 94

Got a call yesterday  from Tom, a friend at work, has a 140 gal. tank that sprung a leak. This morning picked up tank, stand, filters, lights, glass tops...etc. And fish...these are some of the fish he gave me. Three discus, six angels, five glass cats, multiple red eyed tetras, lrg. pleco, algae eater, cory cats, lrg gourami,  bristle nose pleco, neon zebras... Thanks Tom!

Day 92

Hump bigger? You be the judge! Four days big improvement. Cleaned tank #12, #14-#17, same as others water changes...etc. Washed out filters in garage and two 5 gallon buckets of gravel.

Day 90

New Flowerhorn is progressing well, eating like crazy. Hump(kok) on his head seems to have grown over night. Same cleaning to tanks #10 and#11 as others got. Took two broken tanks and good tank and washed them out, moved to basement for disassembly, good tank to be cleaned with razor blade and set up.

Day 89

Picked up Flowerhorn from Zak this morning, great fish, very healthy. Got 55 gal tank, two filters, foam filter, heater, stand , and decorations. He had broken 50 gal and 55gal he wanted to get rid of, got those too. Put new fish in tank #9 divided, until I set up 90 gal for him. He's adjusting well, already ate some pellets...I'll update on his progress. Thanks Zak.

Day 88

This a 12" Red Devil donated by Rob.

Did major cleaning on first nine tanks excluding three shut down tanks. Water changes 25%, vacuum gravel, changed filter material or washed out filter material, cleaned glass inside and out, cleaned glass tops. Try to set up 90 gal tonight for Flowerhorn pickup tomorrow, this tank will be new Tank #18 in place of shut down 29 gal.

Day 87

These are some of the fish in the 380gal., top picture is a Mayan 8", and the other picture is one of the three Pacu 8". These fish and others in the tank survive on frozen shrimp(thawed) frozen peas, and pellets. To keep down on nitrates the fish are feed every other day. Worked on the walls I built today, the header for the doorway was wrong so I ripped it out and did it right, my Dad caught my screw up. All fish that were donated a few days ago survived. Picking up Flowerhorn and tank on friday, will post pictures of him after the move. Got some rosies(minnows) for the african knife fish today...ate them all. Water changes and filter changes tomorrow.

Day 85

Picked up fish, the story is they bought a lizard that was getting to big for his tank, they had to get out of fish hobby and use 75 gal. for lizard. Picked them up yesterday, about 25 fish. 12 tiger barbs, 2 silver dollars,2 tetras, 3 cory cats, electric yellow, african leaf fish, 2 parrots, bala shark, 2 spotted cat fish, 2 other cat fish, small knife. Very healthy, thanks to Ann and her daughter. Called Zak who donated a flowerhorn and some red devils to me about a year ago, turns out he has a 8" flowerhorn wants to sell and will throw in a 50 gal., told him I would be by Fri. to pick him up. Donated two Koi and a goldfish to a guy with a pond, got to let them go, seemed like they adjusted right in.

Day 83

Want to keep your fish alive? A must have for power outages!

No posting since call in at work, furnace blower motor went, power outage-5hrs. My Dad found a 4000W generator at garage sale- $40, worked great,  no fish loss. Back to the postings tomorrow. Got a call from Ann at petsmart, daughter has 13 fish to donate, pick up tomorrow or Monday, list them when I get them.

Day 80

Cleaned filter in 380 gal. today, 25% water change. Bought two plants put them in sump of 380 to help control nitrates, 12 hour 60 watt bulb for growth. Moving 90 gal. bought at garage sale to basement.

Day 78

Swapped tanks with Aron, he gave me a 50 gal., 2 lids, 1 from 10 gal and 1 from 29 gal., no lights, to hold for him, took one of my 29 gal.and lid. Plan on painting back of his tank a tan color, and giving him my homemade painted stand. Post pics when done. Filter changes in tanks #16 and#18, #19 today.

Day 77

And...building fish room. The 19" Pleco died two days ago through the night, unknown reasons, possibly old, all other fish in 380 gal. fine, and water parameters are within acceptable ranges. R.I.P.

Day 75

Picked up 90 gal. and ac110 filter, stand, 200w heater, light at garage sale. Koi and goldfish in tank #15 to be donated to guys pond that sold me tank, he has 140 Koi and goldfish in his pond. Picked up more 2x4s for wall build.

Day 74

Still building.

Day 73

Ok, favorite fish?- Red Devil, I have 12 of them. These are the two in tank #15, each 10"-12". They share a split 90 gal., my goal is for them each to have their own 90 gal., but this is good for now.

Day 72

Texas died of injuries from fight with Jack Dempsey, tried to treat wound in hospital tank with Melafix, salt and increased temp. R.I.P. Did water change in Pirahna tank and vacuumed gravel, also tank #16. Sold 29 gal. stand and acc. from craigslist, $40.

Day 71

Forgot to turn on filter in tank #15, Devils at top gasping for air. Turned filter on, everything good within 3 hours. Water change in that tank today and #17 with gravel vacuum, clean filter in #16 and #17 also. Heater not working in tank #14, might send back for warranty. Possible bacterial infection on Texas, pick up meds today.

Day 68

Water changes and vacuum gravel in tanks #9-#12. Bought bulkheads for acryllic 150, 5 of them. Maracyn into Texas tank, try to get infection on side from attack under control.

Day 63

Water changes in tanks #2-5 and #8, 25% and vacuum gravel. Put different divider in tank#3, temp was different from one side to the next. Texas blue was attacked weeks ago, wound on side getting worse, watch it for now.

Day 59

The rare daughter fish and dog fish!

Day 58

Done! 2500grit, Novus#3, then Novus#2. Water change and filter change in 380gal.

Day 56 cont.

Next project- 150gal Clarity Plus tank- in the buffing out process, 600grit and 1500grit done. Need to buy plywood, foam, bulkheads and build triple 180/150 metal stand, this tank will go on the top of the stand.

Day 56

This is the rest of the fish room.Started to wet sand 150 gal. acrylic.

Day 54

Ok, filled repair tank, transferred all fish from tank #8 to repaired tank(now new #16). Removed homemade stand that tank #8 was on, replaced it with a double 75gal metal stand, and put tank#8 back. Transferred all fish from tank #5 to tank #8. Moved goldfish and Koi to tank #5. Did filter changes in tanks #9-#12 today, no time last day. Repaired 4ft. fluorescent light, new cord and bulb.