Transformers

My TF collection. Latest addition : Jetfire leader class - Takara version

Size comparison between leader class and voyager class.

Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp part 5

Finally one decent macro shot. This small little shrimp has been living in my tank for more than a month. Out of 7, I only managed to see 1. Not sure where is the remaining 6; probably hiding in the densely planted area. After 1 month observation, I noticed that this shrimp only move around in small area and has a permanent hiding spot.

Iwagumi 50cm Tank - Update

. . . 1 month +

Comparison between day 10 & 1 month+

Peacock moss continue to grow dense and healthy together with Staurogyne sp. filling up the soil area. Lighting period still remain at 7 hours a day / 1bps cos with 2ml daily dosing of Seachem Excel daily. 50% water change every 5 days. 2 drops of ADA Green Bacter after each water change.

ADA Multi Bottom Long

Multi Bottom is basically nutrient/fertilizer in stick form which is use as supplement for healthy aquatic plant growth.

I have just inserted few sticks into the substrate on 5-Nov and will provide update after 1 week observation.

Instruction/recommended usage:-

(1) Each stick to be inserted deep into substrate.

(2) 1 stick for every 15cm x 15cm.

(3) Nutritional effect will last around 2 to 4 months.

(4) Best if use together with Green Bacter or Bacter Ball to stimulate nutrient absorption.

(5) DO NOT insert too close to plants (at least 2-3cm away from plants and 1cm from substrate surface).

ADA Bottom Release

Item above is a special tool to insert Iron Bottom or Multi Bottom (both products from ADA) into the substrate. With this tool, fertilizer can be inserted deep into substrate to provide sufficient supplement for plants that absorb nutrient via root ie, Crytp

Now the question is . . . do you really need this?

I have tried it and frankly, I do not find this item as useful or effective as it should. Drawback that i encountered are:-

1) Water will drip out from either end whenever you take it out from the tank. I need to use clothes to wrap it.

2) It is not that easy to press when you insert it deep into substrate like Holland Sand. I have yet to try this one ADA soil.

3) By injecting the head into substrate, you might cut your plant ie runner stem or root. Not that easy to do it if your tank is densely planted.

4) Expensive.

5) Cut Multi Bottom drop off from the head before injecting. Full length Multi Bottom will not drop off. Well, sometimes you want to use shorter length.

After trying few times, I got frustrated and end up using my long tweezer. I must say tweezer is much more efficient and easier to handle.

ps: All comments above are solely on my own experience and opinion.

Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp part 4

I have added another 5 into the tank last weekend (Total 7). Apparently I am being told it is caught from the wild and not breed in captivity. Probably this explain why i got different size instead of one standard size.

CRS - Grade S & SS

Grade SS

Grade S

Nano Planted Tank - 30cm

All pictures taken with Camera phone

Few days later - Added in ADA Amazonia II powder type (Only soil)

Hardscape consists of OHKO rocks.

Hydor Prime 10 external canister filter.
Original media is removed and replaced with ADA Bio Rio

Filled up with water while waiting for plants to arrive the next few days.
Filter is turned on to start bacteria colonization.

Result of day 1 planting
Emerged Staurogyne sp on foreground & midground. Rotala sp. green and emerged Micrathemum Micranthemoides on background between the rocks

1 week later
Removed all stem plants.

2 months later

4 months later.
This tank has been dismantled. Plants are sold.

Data:

Aquarium : 30cm (L) x 19cm (W) x 26cm (H)
Substrate : ADA Amazonia II Powder
Filtration : Hydor Prime 10 + ADA Bio Rio
Lighting : 18W PL, turned on for 7 hrs per day
CO2 : Ista mini glass diffuser, 1 bps
Additives : 3 drops of ADA Brighty K every 2 days, 3 drops of ADA Step 1 every 3 days
Water change : 1/3 every week
Temperature : 24-25C

Stay tune for new layout . . .

4ft tank - Dismantled

Apr 09

May 09

Jun 09

Jul 09

Picture taken using Nokia E71.

I replaced this tank with wider 4 ft (Shallow planted tank) after having it running for almost 4 months. Some of the ferns and Bolbitis are transferred to the new tank.

Nerite Snail

Nerite snail scraping GSA on the rock

Another shot

Bought 2 to test their efficiency in scraping off some of the algae on the rocks. So far I am very satisfy with their ability to remove GSA on the rocks. I got to say that they are among the best algae eater I have in the tank. You will be able to see clean "path" on the rocks as they move.

The only drawback by having them is that they will lay eggs on the rock and it is hard to be removed. However, plus point is that Nerite eggs are unable to hatch in freshwater. I have enough of Ramshorn Snail infestation which require manual removal everyday to control their population in the tank.

Corydoras Pygmy

Lining up?

Nice little fish that helps to stir up soil/sand. Size approx 2cm and often seen finding tidbits of food on the substrate area. Haven't seen them compete for food during feeding time.

From my observation, they are usually active during night time and spend most of their day time in densely planted area.

Besides, they will shoal nicely if you have at least 6, preferably 10 or more. Mine occasionally shoal together with Ember Tetra and Otocinclus.

Ramshorn snail infestation

Many . . . many . . . many . . . of them

Close up picture

Another close up picture

I use this to look for them at night (light off).

I spent few minutes (hours maybe) every night removing those snails shown in the pictures by using long tweezers. They are harmless but having too many of these little things is going to give you ugly sight of your tank especially during photo shoot. They like to move up onto the aquarium glass during night time (light off). Possibly grazing on GDA (Green Dust Algae).

I have to use manual removal using tweezer due to the amount of CRS i have in the tank which restrict me from putting in fishes like puffer or loach.

I guess I will have to live with these little pest as long as I am having the tank.

Chemical for balanced ecosystem

Some of liquid chemical used to achieve balance and healthy ecosystem in my tank.

Middle row from left to right: ADA AP2 fish food, ADA Green Brighty Step 1, ADA Brighty K, Seachem Excel (I pour them into empty Brighty K bottle, Seachem Prime)

Front row from left to right : ADA ECA, ADA Phyton Git, ADA Green Bacter

Backrow from left to right : IronHide, The Fallen, Starscream. I love transformer!

Brief description:
(1) Green Brighty Step 1 : To promote new leaf growth for initial stage up to 3 months.
(2) Brighty K : Pottasium. Improves leaf colour and promotes photosynthesis. Can be useed to neutralize chlorine during water change
(3) Seachem Excel : Liquid carbon. All plants need carbon source
(4) ECA : Iron and organic acid that promotes absorption process of plants. Good for color loss of plants
(5) Phyton Git : Sterilizing ingredients extracted from plants. Good for suppressing plants especially fern disease and removing green algae
(6) Green Bacter : Additive made from organic acid and able to promote beneficial bacteria.
(7) Seachem Prime : Anti-chlorine

Dosing regime in my 120cm shallow planted tank:-

3-5 times (3-5 ml) of excel divided into few interval. I use Excel to control BBA (Black Brush Algae). Able to see significant result in 3 days after dosage of approx 20ml daily even on GSA (Green Spot Algae). Be careful as overdose might kill your fauna in the tank. Stick to recommended dosage if you are unsure.

3-5ml of Brighty K daily
3-5ml of Green Brighty Step 1 every alternate day
3 drops of ECA twice weekly (sometimes once a week)
3 drops of Phyton Git every 3 days (sometimes once a week)
5 drops of Green Bacter after each WC

Dosing regime in my 50cm planted tank:-
1 drop of Phyton Git every 2 days
2 ml of Excel daily
2 drops of Green Bacter after each WC

Every tank has different need and requirement depending on plant type, density, age, etc. As such, my dosing regime doesn't provide absolute guide to anyone.

Happy dosing!

Cardinal Sulawesi Shrimp part 3

Today's picture

Permanent hiding spot for my Cardinal Shrimp.

Posing in front of camera

Home sweet home

It has been over 72 hours and both shrimps have established well in the tank. I am planning to obtain additional 3 Cardinal this coming Saturday.

Previous post & picture on this shrimp is available through here > part 2 & part 1

Disappointing picture quality taken with Ixus 95IS. Not sure it is because of my photography skill or the camera itself. Maybe someone can teach me how to take better picture with this camera.

. . . sigh

Iwagumi Tank - 50cm

After receiving numerous request to provide tech spec on the tank posted in Water change made easy, I have decided to share it.

. . . 10 days

General tank data :-

Size : 50cm (L) x 34cm (W) x 43cm (H)

Substrate : ADA Amazonia II from mid to background. Sarawak sand(?) as decorative foreground sand

Rock : Lava rock

Lighting : 16W x 2 T5 Super Bright (Aquazonic)

Filtration : Eheim Ecco Pro 2034 + complete media

Temp : 24-25C

Co2 : 1bps via nano ceramic diffuser

Flora : Staurogyne sp & peacock moss

Fauna : 9x Rainbow Forktail, 5x Green Fire Tetra & 2x Otocinclus

Dosing regime : Seachem Excel 1ml per day.

Water change : 1/3 every 3 days. Will reduce it to once weekly after a month

Eheim Ecco Pro 2034 + Co2 Tank with solenoid regulator

Upcoming review will be on Ecco Pro 2034.

Dead Red Cherry Shrimp

This is one of my favourite Red Cherry Shrimp (RCS) and has been in my tank for over 7 months. From above picture, you will be able to see deep red coloration compare to widely available RCS.

She passed away today. I highly suspect it is due to old age from the weird movement shown since yesterday.

Thick red coloration

Crystal Red Shrimp - Full White

Just added 10 full white CRS into my 4ft shallow tank.

ADA freak?

Some of my ADA (Aqua Design Amano) stuff. Ladies, these are not cosmetic products . . .

The box with pink ribbon gotten from Malaysia ADA party lucky draw.

More . . .