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Tropical Fish Keeping => Gallery Showcase => Topic started by: Littlefish on April 01, 2017, 04:32:07 PM

Title: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 01, 2017, 04:32:07 PM
As some of you are aware, although I only found the joys of fish keeping in the autumn of 2015, I very soon realised that there was a whole watery world of wonder available to all, and it was not long before I was looking at other tanks, and very soon caved in to multi-tank syndrome.
I have been doing a lot of moving tanks around over the past few months, which has caused my total tank chaos.
Recently I also realised how much I'd given in to my MTS. I have just counted all of my tanks and I'm not sure how I feel about admitting that I have 18 of them.  :o  ???  :-[
Not all of them house fish. Some are for plant storage, snail breeding, growing algae on rocks, or quarantine. Some are still empty but are marked for specific projects.
I am still a long way from finished, but thought that it was time to come clean and admit to my problem.......


My name is Donna, and I'm a fish addict.  :)
Tanks have completely taken over the living/dining room, and have expanded into the hallway and spare bedroom (downstairs).


Over the next few days/weeks, as I work on finishing some of the tanks, I'll be posting pictures as a warning to others of the dangers of MTS.  ;)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: MarquisMirage on April 01, 2017, 05:17:39 PM
*Coughs*  Thank you for sharing, Donna.  My wife and family held an intervention which is why I'm limited to 5 tanks in 9 months.  I've really had to hold back on getting a row of betta aquariums.  And a 100 l tank.  And...  *Sobs*  I need moar fishies!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on April 01, 2017, 05:35:59 PM
I read this with pelting heart - honestly - as I thought you were about to say you'd decided to quit cold turkey. What an absolutely massive relief to learn that the MTS is alive and well. I definitely have those tendencies but have not been allowed to give into them, and so can only "contain" them through my "virtual" tanks which I read about on this forum ie yours in particular as well as others'. :)

Keep up the excellent work. :)

:fishy1:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 01, 2017, 07:15:29 PM
It's much easier to admit to this MTS problem amongst a like-minded group.  :)

It's been a busy afternoon of harvesting snails and moving the adults to another tank, as well as clearing out a quarantine tank.

Working clockwise around the living room part 1 of the list is as follows:-
200L/100cm tank containing 2 mudskippers
125L/80cm tank containing tetras, cories and 2 bristlenose plecs
Aqua Oak 150cm tank for axolotls

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 01, 2017, 07:31:08 PM
The 125L tanks was started because my bristlenose was being nipped by penguin tetras in the South American tank. The BEA was having similar trouble in another tank, so they were moved to a 70L tank (it was an emergency, and they were still quite small) until I could get the 125 sorted.
Moving the bristlenose caused the name Harry (Houdini) after the trouble I had catching the swift little fella, and it wasn't until I moved "him" to the 125, and in comparison to Bertie, I realised I had a female, so Harri it is. Probably explains the lack of bother between the two of them.
The tank has been completed with Black neon tetras and lemon tetras, but I had an accident when I went to the independent LFS for the fish, when I spotted the Peru gold stripe cories and just had to have some.
Haari and Bertie have been in the tank for a while, but the others only came out of quarantine yesterday, so today has been the first time I've had any lights on to take pictures.
Everyone is still settling down, so I expect the colours to develop given time. The corys are very bold, and spend a lot of time at the front of the tank in the open, even when Harri is around. Lemon tetras are shoaling more than the black neons, and one of them is not the same colour as the others. Apparently there is a conspecific orange/red colour form, and it seems quite happy shoaling with the others, so as long as it seems happy then it's staying with them.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 01, 2017, 07:43:36 PM
The axolotls are doing fine together in the tank.
The only problem is that the tank is quite tall, and I have to use a small set of steps to be able to feed the gang their earthworms as I use long forceps to feed them individually to ensure everybody gets their food.
They like their turtle ramp, and I've put a cave underneath, which is very popular.
They do equate any activity around the tank with dinner time, which can make it tricky to take pictures.
The axolotl gang consists of Dafydd (dark wild type), El Bandito (leucistic with dark markings) and Mr Pringles (leucistic, lighter markings), Ben & Jerry (coppers), and Chunky Monkey (wild type).
Yes, I do like ice cream, and Chunky Monkey was my favourite Ben & Jerrys flavour, but they've stopped making it now.  :(
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: MarquisMirage on April 01, 2017, 11:56:17 PM
Over the next few days/weeks, as I work on finishing some of the tanks, I'll be posting pictures as a warning to others of the dangers of MTS.  ;)

Or inspiration to others.  Looking forward to more great pics.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 02, 2017, 10:06:36 AM
@marquismirage I'm sure that you are mainly enjoying it because you can show this to your family as an example of how bad it could be next time they get together for an intervention.  :rotfl:

Things got a little chaotic last night when the 2 mudskippers in the 200L tank had a little fight which actually included physical contact. I was up until nearly midnight cleaning out a spare tank and setting it up to temporarily house a mudskipper so I could split them up. catching them is not easy. Just when you think you have them cornered in the water they jump onto the land and vice versa. It stresses all those involved, but everyone has survived and is ok this morning.
I don't know if I have done the right thing, but I actually removed the more dominant fish from the large tank. It won't be for ever, and as soon as I sort some more tanks out, especially the ones in the spare bedroom, he can be moved to a larger tank again.

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on April 02, 2017, 12:30:53 PM
Or inspiration to others.  Looking forward to more great pics.

Agree entirely.  :cheers:

These updates and pics were such an enjoyment to read, even if there was a brawl between the mudskippers late on Sat night - glad you managed to intervene to calm the situation down, LF.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 06, 2017, 10:40:45 PM
Just starting to say goodnight to the gang and turn off the tank lights, when I realised that Bertie was at the front of the tank and not rushing away as I approached, which is the usual response. I managed to get the laptop, get back to the tank, and take some close up pictures of him, which is unheard of. The tetras and cories are far less shy.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 08, 2017, 09:21:48 AM
I had a bit of an accident last night.
Previously I'd been looking for tanks that would fit onto the reinforced book case/cabinet things I'd built to house the Fluval Roma 125s at the bottom. My spare tanks (currently housing separated mudskippers) are 60cm x something over 30cm, and the shelves are around 85cm x 30cm, so I would have had to build deeper shelves, which would stick out a bit, and the tanks wouldn't have been wide enough to take advantage of the 85cm. I thought I'd found some tanks at a store, but then they went out of stock, so the tank moving went on hold for a while.
Last night I had a look on ebay and found tanks that are 80cm x 30cm for £99. The fact that they don't have lids will be a bit of a problem, but they were the exact size I was looking for, so I couldn't resist, and ordered 2. One will be for the betta & friends, the other will be for one of the mudskippers. I'll have to build lids for the tanks, so thinking hats on for that, but I'm sure I can put together something suitable eventually.
So, MTS strikes again.  :-[
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on April 08, 2017, 12:06:07 PM
When you said 'accident' I had visions of broken glass, flooded rooms and fish flopping all over the floor  :o ;D


Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 08, 2017, 01:49:16 PM
Luckily all of my "accidents" involve shopping rather than anything else.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: MarquisMirage on April 08, 2017, 03:40:23 PM
I wish I could accidently go out for a pint of milk and get a new fish tank, lol.

PS. Keep the pics coming, loving them!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on April 08, 2017, 04:09:37 PM
Absolutely loving not only the pics but reading of your latest MTS "escapades".

I used to have a Clearseal aquarium which had one of these lids - http://www.aquarium-supplies.co.uk/hoods.htm - and perfect for fitting a Fishmate auto-feeder on the in-built condensation tray in it. To my knowledge, it's no longer possible to buy these lids anywhere but they may give you inspiration for making your own.

I recently bought a new lid/hood for my fishtank when the lighting unit failed, so you may find that various brands of fishtanks of the same dimensions as your new one do sell stand-alone lids which would fit your new tanks.

This thread is just wonderful, something many of us aspire to, I'm sure.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: ColinB on April 11, 2017, 07:08:39 PM
mmm - would that be the sort of 'accident' that involves a glass of wine or two??? eh? eh?

I know better than to go near ebay or anything similar after a glass or two. There're only so many guitars a man can have, after all.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 11, 2017, 08:51:56 PM
Oh Colin, if only I could blame it on a couple of glasses of wine, but no. I've actually been looking for some tanks that are exactly 80cm x 30cm for a while, so I wouldn't have to put larger shelves on the reinforced unit to hold larger tanks.

You'd be amazed at how many of those sorts of accidents I can have stone cold sober.  ::)

Unfortunately I've had a call from the seller this evening to inform me that the couriers have told him that the tanks have been damaged in transit. The seller was very apologetic and offered to send me some larger tanks as replacements, but I said that I was happy to wait for another delivery of the tanks I ordered because I wanted that particular size. Nice of them to phone to apologise and offer rapid replacements, bless them.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 23, 2017, 11:04:43 AM
Next update......I got another 2 tanks delivered yesterday.
So, still working clockwise around the living room, after the mudskipper tank (now divided and housing 2 fish), the 125L built into the tv stand, and the large axolotl tank, the following tanks are:-
Picture 1
70L tank housing another mudskipper
70L tank housing quarantined axolotl with leg injury
Aqua Oak 150cm destined to become a river tank (eventually)
24L tank on windowsill for breeding pest snails for the dwarf puffers
19L tank for growing algae on rocks for the bristlenose plecs
Picture 2
125L tank with silver hatchets, glass bloodfin tetras, penguin tetras, and amano shrimp
New 80cm tank for upgrading the betta and penguin cories (plan to increase panda numbers and eventually get some otocinclus for that tank as well)
125L tank with temperate fish including platies, danios, WCMM, peppered cories, and amano shrimp
New 80cm tank, haven't decided what it is for yet.
70L tank under dining table contains 4th mudskipper
50L tank on dining table contains the betta and pandas. It also has a healthy growth of algae on the glass, so I can use it as a quarantine tank for the otocinclus and extra pandas

The final tank in the room is the dwarf puffer tank. I'll provide more pics when I've set up the new tanks, cleared some of the quarantine tanks off the floor, and hopefully managed to take some control of my living space.  :-[  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: MarquisMirage on April 23, 2017, 06:56:40 PM
I'm so having tank envy right now. :D  You keep everything so lovely and neat too.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on April 23, 2017, 07:11:32 PM
And you have room for ordinary furniture. But I suppose you do need somewhere to sit to admire all your tanks and fish etc  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on April 23, 2017, 07:59:35 PM
@marquismirage I'm not sure having tanks on the dining table and on the floor can be classed as neat, but hopefully things will start getting back to normal soon. I have a week off work coming up and I'll be spending most of that time moving the betta and pandas into one of the new tanks, and possibly even the other 2 mudskippers into the other 200L that will be in the spare room.

@Sue the armchair is the perfect place to be able to see most tanks at the moment, and it will be great when I move the betta to his new tank (next to the chair) as this was where he was when he was in a smaller tank, and he would usually come to that end of the tank to hang around, even if I was just watching tv. I also enjoy having a tank under the tv, and spend more time listening to the tv and watching the tank than actually watching the tv. The mudskippers are so entertaining too, they are such funny little characters.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on August 16, 2017, 10:18:54 AM
I'd forgotten about this thread until I was looking for somewhere to post a pic of some baby BNs.

Well, I managed to tidy some of the quarantine tanks away a while ago. The axolotl with the sore leg recovered and went back into the main tank. The other 2 mudskippers were given a divided tank in the spare bedroom. The betta on the dining table went into the new tank near the window, so for a brief period of time the floor and table were clear.
Then it all kicked off again when I had to strip the bristlenose & tetra tank under the tv to remove the babies and spilt up the BNs before they produced yet another batch of eggs, whilst the other quarantine tanks went back onto the table to house a group of gobies purchased for the river tank, and one of the algae tanks had to quickly be re-purposed when I realised I had 3 babies in a waste bucket after cleaning the dwarf puffer tank.
It is absolute chaos here, but I had to spend some time sitting on the floor, watching the baby BNs feeding on algae wafers.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 13, 2017, 12:28:56 PM
Just a quick update on the multi-tank syndrone and total tank chaos.

I'm slowly getting things back to normal and getting the spare/quarantine tanks out of the living room.

The tank under the tv now houses Bertie the yellow BN (aka daddy fish), the lemon tetras and the glass bloodfin tetras. Eventually the peru gold stripe cories will also go into that tank, but for now they are in a separate tank while I have a think about whether I want to try breeding them.

The black neon tetras and Harri BN (aka mummy fish) have been moved out of the quarantine tank that holds the baby BNs, and into the tank with the silver hatchets and a few penguin tetras. They were only moved this morning, so I'll post pics when everyone has settled.

The quarantine tank now houses only the baby BNs, which I plan to grow on until I can take them to MA. There has been what I thought was quite a high mortality rate with the baby BNs, and I was getting concerned. Water parameters were all good and I couldn't work out what I was doing wrong. After looking at a few sites on the internet, I have come to the conclusion that I'm probably not doing anything too wrong, as the sites say that it is not uncommon for 10 babies to survive out of a batch of 100 eggs.

The 2 mudskippers from the tank in the spare bedroom have been moved to a tank in the living room.

The other tanks are doing fine, and I have found that the fish in the river tank are very fond of courgette.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on September 13, 2017, 06:15:13 PM
Nice update Littlefish and good to hear everyone is doing well.  I'm sure you will have more breeding very soon even if you didn't mean there to be. I'm sure you must have Margin Gaye on loop in the background permanently!!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: MarquisMirage on September 13, 2017, 09:06:00 PM
I always enjoy seeing your tanks.  :)  I'm getting a bit of mts envy at the moment as the more I look the more fish I want.  My wife has flat out refused to turn the house into a fish room.  Boo!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 13, 2017, 10:06:47 PM
I'm still at the point that the more fish I see, the more fish I want.  ::)
I'm trying to keep myself under control by concentrating on getting all the tanks in the living room in the right place and removing all the quarantine/spare tanks.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 14, 2017, 11:23:45 AM
Bertie has settled quite well in the replanted tank.
He had the company of the lemon tetras previously, and the glass bloodfin tetras were moved from another tank. I don't know why, but the bloodfins seem more settled in this tank, are mixing with the lemons, and spending pretty much all of their time out and about at the front of the tank rather than staying quite close to the plants.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 14, 2017, 11:28:02 AM
It is courgette for lunch in the baby BN tank.
They have the tank to themselves now that Harri BN and the gold stripe cories were moved yesterday.
Apologies for the amount of fish poop in the pics, you'd never believe that all the decor was moved and the whole of the substrate syphoned just yesterday. The amount of waste these little ones can produce in a 24 hour period never ceases to amaze me.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 14, 2017, 11:34:38 AM
It's not easy to get pics of the mudskippers. Firstly the inside of the front glass has to be wiped to remove the condensation, then part of the lid left off to avoid further condensation. This does not make them overly happy.
Then there is the prospect of me sitting in front of the tank with the tablet.  :yikes:
The two that have always been in the living room always hide, and one of them has shown his displeasure by not only hiding between the filter and the heater, but also slightly raising his fin. Time to leave him alone.
The two that were moved yesterday seem to be fine. The one fella is still spending a lot of time in his cork bark tunnel, but the other one (more submissive, always hiding in an ornament in the water, possibly female?) has settled quickly, moved out of the water and spends a lot of time not quite hiding.
I'm hoping that these two will settle and become more sociable, as there is a lot more movement/interaction in the living room than there was in the spare room.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 14, 2017, 11:40:41 AM
The black neon tetras are still settling, as is Harri (mummy BN). All have eaten, but still seem a little nervous, and are spending time close to the plants.
Hope they feel more comfortable soon.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on September 15, 2017, 06:49:08 AM
PIctures!!!!

Nice update Littlefish, great to see how your... collection... Is is coming together  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 29, 2018, 10:41:36 AM
Hi All.  :wave:

I thought I'd resurrect this thread to give an update on my multi-tank syndrome, and total tank chaos.

As many of you know, I'm very keen on fish, and have "several" tanks *cough*  :-[ . I have been in the process of rearranging my tanks for a long, long time. Unfortunately, as I have been born genetically bereft of any design skills, my tanks have ended up being suitable for the fish, but never really looked quite right, which had left me a tad dissatisfied with the results. It didn't seem to matter how much I read about aquascaping, how many demonstrations I watched online, or attended in person, I appear to be incapable of absorbing that knowledge and putting it into practice.

Imagine my surprise when several coincidences arose, and provided me with the most amazing opportunity.  :o

Quite some time ago people on this forum had recommended Aquarium Gardens for plants. I ordered plants online for delivery, and not long after that I realised that I lived within a very reasonable driving distance from this shop, and went for a visit. It's a stunning shop, and the staff are lovely. I only felt out of my depth due to my lack of design skills.

Earlier this year I was sorting out the spare bedroom for delivery of new furniture. As I was pulling storage boxes out from under the bed I realised how much fish-related stuff I'd accumulated over the past 3 years, including lots of rock and wood.

Our very own @Matt confessed to his interest in aquascaping, and set up his own site http://www.scapeeasy.co.uk/index.htm
"Hmmmmm, interesting" I thought, and quite a coincidence considering the amount of materials I'd discovered. I knew that Matt would understand that my priority would always be my fish rather than the plants, and when we discussed my situation, he agreed to help me with my tanks.  ;D

Then, to top it off, Maidenhead Aquatics had a sale on Fluval Roma tanks.  :yikes:

So, the situation I have found myself in is one where I live surrounded by several great LFS, and Aquarium Gardens. I wanted to make my tanks look better, Matt had the knowledgs/skill, was prepared to help, and we had his website as a platform on which to discuss ideas and share pictures. I consider myself to be one very lucky bunny to find myself with this opportunity to finally get things right with my tanks.  ;D

Approximately a month ago Matt and I made a start on reviewing available materials for recycling, and discussing tank plans. We started on a tiger barb tank, which is currently set up, and the plants are growing in before I introduce the fish. Over the next week or two I will post pics here to show the tank (which I am completely over the moon with), and will post more pics when I introduce the fish & they have settled in. For those of you who would like to have a laugh at how much rock & wood I had accumulated, or are interested in the details of the tank & process, here's the link http://scapeeasy.co.uk/advice.htm

I will also use this thread to update on the other tanks as we work through the reorganisation.  :)

 :cheers:




Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on September 29, 2018, 11:19:47 AM
This update is wonderful - I'd been hoping to read one at some stage as I was beginning to lose track of where things were at, and thanks for posting the direct link to the development on Matt's website; it had been mentioned as being in the blog before but I couldn't find it at all and thought my computer skills had inexplicably deteriorated.

It's really helpful to read the stage-by-stage development, including the questions/thoughts, responses/discussions and subsequent tweaks, and how it all comes together. Hopefully this gives a line of hope for others of how a stage-by-stage approach might achieve the aquascape that they never dared think was remotely possible.

Well done, @Littlefish and @Matt, and looking forward to seeing how the other tanks progress too.

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Helen on September 29, 2018, 06:20:09 PM
Haven't finished reading the blog, but am really enjoying reading it.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Helen on September 29, 2018, 11:35:02 PM
I've just finished reading your blog. Oh! It is exciting. I can't wait to see what it looks like when the plants grow in.

It makes me want to have another go at my tank! It is only a year since I majorly messed with the substrate!   :yikes: Though, unlike you @Littlefish , I don't have a spare tank.  ;)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on September 30, 2018, 07:11:15 AM
I'm setting up a page today for the next tank we will be tackling...! Thanks for the great feedback.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on September 30, 2018, 08:14:54 AM
I was always losing track of what was going on @fcmf
One of the reasons that working with @Matt has been so useful for me is that it has focused me on finalising tank plans. That took a lot of effort, and I ended up having to use sheets of A4 to represent each tank, going back and forth between lists of current fish, the CC, plant lists, etc. Laying everything out on the floor (see pic) was so useful as it allowed me to move items between tanks, check the stock levels, compatibility, etc. without losing track of what had to be dealt with.  :)

As for the tank, the step-by-step approach worked well for me. Arranging materials on the floor was great, and far more comfortable that doing all of that in a tank. Taking pics from above and using them for planting plans was so useful, and saved a lot of digging things back up to make changes.

I'm chuffed to bits with the final product. I am looking forward to the plants growing in, and adding the fish. Not long now. :)

It's also very exciting to start working on the next tank.  ;D

@Helen the house is full of tanks, but quite disorganised. There are lots of temporary tanks, quarantine tanks, plant storage tanks....it was starting to get on my nerves a bit because I couldn't seem to find a way forward with the reorganisation. That's another good thing about doing this work with Matt, working out what the first steps are. Funny how that helps with resolving a difficult situation. Who'd have thought.  :o   ;)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on September 30, 2018, 10:06:00 AM
Am I the only person who can't find the blog?
I've clicked on the link and I get a page with photos of collections or rock, wood etc, that's all. No blog! Where do I find it? Or is it the link at the bottom of the page for Facebook blog which I can't access as I don't have a Facebook account.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on September 30, 2018, 10:09:00 AM
Don't look at the blog - look at this  http://scapeeasy.co.uk/advice.htm  Any luck now?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on September 30, 2018, 10:16:02 AM
That's the page that just has the photos of rock. wood etc and nothing else. Screenshots below of the top of the page and the bottom of the page.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Helen on September 30, 2018, 11:52:42 AM
Hmm, I got those photos and lots of text conversato below it.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on September 30, 2018, 11:58:01 AM
I've even disabled all my add-ons, and nothing.

I'll just turn on my Kindle Fire and see what that shows......


Aha! The page loaded as on my laptop then 5 seconds later another section loaded with the blog.


So, why can't I see the blog on my laptop?
Windows 10
Waterfox
All add-ons disabled.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on September 30, 2018, 12:04:50 PM
Perhaps this is something for @Matt to investigate...
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on September 30, 2018, 12:14:39 PM
OK, I think I'm getting somewhere.

If I just disable my add ons for that page only, I get nothing. But if I go to Tools -> add ons and disable them completely, I get the blog. Now to find out which add on is blocking the blog.......


It's Privacy Badger. And it only blocks one tracker on the Scape Easy page - Facebook. I've just tried disabling PB 'for this page only' and the blog now appears. I wonder why doing that didn't work before?
Also, opening the link from here in a Private Browsing window blocks the blog as well. Presumably Private Browsing doesn't like linking to Facebook?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on September 30, 2018, 04:10:43 PM
From what I can tell, that behaviour is specific to Privacy Badger... Private Browsing works ok for me too... sorry I'm not sure I can be of much help here as I can't replicate that!...
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on September 30, 2018, 04:51:08 PM
Privacy Badger blocks cookies that appear to track the user from one site to another. The only cookie listed as being blocked in Scape Easy is Facebook. If I disable PB for that page, Facebook cookie is no longer blocked and the blog appears.
Does the blog page contain a link to Facebook?

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Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on September 30, 2018, 05:06:55 PM
The bit on the page where me and Donna are talking (the bit you were missing) is run off Facebook servers. It basically is a Facebook page. This will be why it has been blocked then.  Sorry but i don't have the technical know how to create the site any other way other than stealing Facebook's features so that people can post to the site like this...
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on September 30, 2018, 05:10:31 PM
Now that I know how to get round it, there's not a problem  :) The only trouble was finding the cause.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on October 06, 2018, 08:18:31 AM
This is how the tiger barb tank is looking this morning.
Please excuse the pink thread holding the moss onto the tunnels, and the large rock balanced on the piece of wood that is refusing to sink.  ::)
I'm hoping I can start to put the fish in over the next week or so.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on October 06, 2018, 08:49:02 AM
Wow - that looks absolutely amazing. The tiger barbs are going to love that major refurb.
 :fishy1:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on October 06, 2018, 09:10:34 AM
That tank is gorgeous  :D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on October 06, 2018, 09:28:14 AM
I'm chuffed to pieces with it, and I can't wait to get some tiger barbs in there, I think they are going to enjoy exploring everything.  ;D
All credit has to go to @Matt for his design, tutoring, and patience. I've told him that I still stop to look at the tank and wonder how something that looks so professional has ended up in my house. I couldn't have created a tank like that without his guidance.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on October 06, 2018, 09:32:33 AM
Thanks Donna  :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: daveyng on October 06, 2018, 11:59:02 PM
Planting looks really good. The whole tank looks lovely.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Helen on October 07, 2018, 02:43:17 PM
Wow that looks fabulous.

I'm seriously thinking about how I can re-aquascape my tank without completely pulling it apart! Or having to temporarily rehome the fish.

The blog has given me lots of ideas.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the tiger barbs behaviour is in this new tank - will it be different?

And also to you doing the next tank...  :o
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 22, 2018, 08:10:07 PM
An update on the tanks.

Although the axolotl tank can't be properly planted, they are ok with anubias, so I have used several types to give a bit of variety. I have also used anubias attached to mopani to create what I refer to as their "anibias shelves" on the back wall of the tank, which they seem to enjoy using.

The river tank can't be aquascaped either, but I will be putting some more rocks and wood in that tank, and will post pics when it's done.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 22, 2018, 08:17:50 PM
Tiger barb tank
I have trimmed the plants and replaced the moss on the left hand tunnel. I think I let the original moss dry out while I was attaching it, and it never recovered.
The gold TBs finished quarantine this week, so they are now in the main tank with the standard and green ones.
They have all settled in, and I'm considering putting some amano shrimp and horned nerite snails in while the fish are still so small.
The tank looks quite under-stocked, but it will give the young fish plenty of room to grow.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 22, 2018, 08:31:22 PM
South American tank.
http://scapeeasy.co.uk/advice2.htm

Poor @Matt has managed to re-use the mopani wood I had, and created a forest diorama.
Large pieces of wood have been used vertically as tree stumps, with thinner pieces creating root structures.
The planting looks like a forest floor bursting into life after the old trees have gone, and the sunlight can finally reach the floor.
Although this is a smaller tank than the tiger barb tank, the planting is more intricate, and I think it feels as if there is a lot more going on.
I've not used carpeting plants before, and I found them a bit challenging. As you may be able to see for the picture, I didn't plant them deeply enough, and quite a few are floating at the surface.  :-[
There are several plants in this design that I've not used before. I now have a massive soft spot for marsilea hirsuta and hottonia palustris, and wouldn't be at all surprised if they were used again in some of the other tanks  ;)
This tank will eventually house the black and white South American fish, including Harri the female BN, black neon tetras, and the marbled hatchets I purchased today.
I can't wait to put all the fish in the tank.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on November 22, 2018, 09:09:01 PM
Looking really great Donna  ;D

Always great to hear your updates... I suspect there are more tanks for you to update us on yet!!...
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on November 22, 2018, 09:13:28 PM
I agree - every one of those tanks look fantastic. For me, admittedly, I've relapsed into it all being about the fish with the aquascaping aspect having fallen off the bandwagon and few live plants, but looking at each of yours - the aquascaping aspect is as exciting as the fish aspect, speaking of which those tiger barbs are stunning and almost petrol blue in colour.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 22, 2018, 09:43:33 PM
@fcmf it's pretty much all about the fish with me too, they will always be my first priority.
Luckily Matt has managed to steer me to using easy plants for his designs, which look stunning, but don't need the CO2 and other upkeep that I would normally associate with aquascaping. I would never have realised that plants classed as easy could create tanks that look like this, and learning about the plants & different 'scaping designs is fascinating. I thoroughly enjoying it.  ;D

@Matt there are a lot more tanks to do.....within the next week or so I'll be ready to start chatting about the next one.  ;D  I hope that you're not regretting this project yet.  ???    :rotfl:    :fishy1:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on November 22, 2018, 10:05:17 PM
I would never have realised that plants classed as easy could create tanks that look like this, and learning about the plants & different 'scaping designs is fascinating. I thoroughly enjoying it.  ;D

Love this comment... that's exactly what I'm trying to prove on my site! :)

And no I'm not reretting it in the slightest...only problem is I now have too many requests for me to do the same for other people! I can't keep up!!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 22, 2018, 10:19:12 PM
You need to start charging for your design & advisory services.  8)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Helen on November 22, 2018, 11:16:25 PM
Wow your tanks look fabulous. You are seriously selling the MTS thing! (I am increasingly envious with each new tank 'scape I see) But I barely have time to look after one tank at the moment, so it is the fish welfare that is restraining me.

However, I have some bogwood soaking in a bucket that I'm planning to incorporate into my tank at the weekend. I will be taking some serious inspiration from your South American tank.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: TopCookie on November 23, 2018, 02:48:40 AM
Fantastic pics Donna...  Great job(s)...   :D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 23, 2018, 02:18:32 PM
Thanks for all of your very positive comments on the tanks.

Let me now introduce you to the marbled hatchetfish that I purchased yesterday, and have settled into their quarantine tank fairly quickly. They are tiny little things, and I think that they have lovely markings.

After forgetting to pick up shrimps and snails yesterday, I popped back to the store this morning and got a bag of amano shrimp (along with a bonus baby rabbit snail), and a bag of horned nerite snails (clithon corona). They are very young/small, and I almost can't believe the shrimp are the same as some of the massive females I've got in the other tanks - they are big girls.  :o
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on November 23, 2018, 03:16:52 PM
Let me now introduce you to the marbled hatchetfish that I purchased yesterday, and have settled into their quarantine tank fairly quickly. They are tiny little things, and I think that they have lovely markings.
Wow - they are gorgeous.

After forgetting to pick up shrimps and snails yesterday, I popped back to the store this morning and got
I was anticipating the end of the sentence to read "3 more bags of different fish as well". ;D However, I am still equally eager to see photos of the shrimp and snails once in situ.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 23, 2018, 06:31:40 PM
Oh, @fcmf you know me too well.  :rotfl:
It is quite a struggle not to get carried away with fish as the local MA has recently had a delivery, so there are lots of lovely fish to look at. My will power is getting tested as I struggle to keep to my plans.  ::)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on November 23, 2018, 10:15:01 PM
You have a new obsession anyway!... Plants!  :wave:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 23, 2018, 11:08:39 PM
 :rotfl:
Now I have two obsessions, fish and plants. The local MA has also set up an extra 8ft plant tank, and two extra 3ft plant tanks recently, so now they have a lot more choice too.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on November 23, 2018, 11:15:54 PM
Lol you make it sound like they've set them up just for you!!  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: TopCookie on November 24, 2018, 12:14:53 AM
Lovin' those Hatchets...   ;)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 24, 2018, 08:12:05 AM
Lol you make it sound like they've set them up just for you!!  :rotfl:

 :rotfl:
They've had quite a refurbishment project going on at both local MAs, and this one has had quite a lot of new kit - display tanks, display cabinets, etc. It's all looking pretty good.
As for the plant tanks, when I walked in and noticed the tanks, I was told that there was no need for me to go to Aquarium Gardens any more  :o
As at least one member of staff at that MA enjoys aquascaping, and as they are selling a lot more plants these days, a bigger plant display makes sense. However, it is very handy for me, and I like to think that everything in the store belongs to me, as it's the only way I can have enough tanks.  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on November 26, 2018, 08:34:26 AM
Not strictly fish-related, but certainly aquatic, and part of my multi-tank syndrome.

This is what it looks like when your axolotls wait until you've finished cleaning their tank, then one of them takes a massive pooh, and tries to bury it in the sand.  ::)   :rotfl:

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 26, 2019, 05:37:10 PM
Just a quick update on the tanks.
The tiger barb tank is doing well. I had old flourescent tubes on it, and the plants were struggling, but since changing to new LEDs things have been much better. Unfortunately this was too late for the Echinodorus magdalensis on the right hand side of the tank, which I've had to replace with new plants, which are quite small at the moment. They'll soon grow though.
Looking at the picture you'd never guess that there are 24 juvenille tiger barbs in the tank, but I promise you that they are there, and are mainly the fuzzy blurs near the front.
@Matt the sagittaria subulata path suffered with the flourescent tubes, and being shaded by the crypts. Now the lights have changed & I've trimmed the crypts I'll probably plant a few more sag towards the back of the "path". Is there anything else you can see that I need to do with this tank?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 26, 2019, 05:49:57 PM
I've trimmed the carpeting plants in the tree stump tank. I've also thinned out and removed some of the crypts, which were quite heavily planted to start with, and then grew like weeds and started to take over the tank.  :o
I've been a bit heavy handed with the trimming, but I want to encourage the carpeting plants as much as possible. The marsilia hirsuta is still my favourite, it's so pretty.
I also need to confess that I'd incorrectly calculated the volume of my tank, and always though it was a slim-line tank with a volume of a maximum 140L. It isn't, it is standard depth, with a max. volume of 220L. After planting etc. the volume is actually 170L, and this means that I can recalculate my stock levels.
Having explained my concerns to Matt  with regards to putting Harri the BN into the tank (she'd probabaly trash the carpeting plants), and seeing how small the marbled hatchets are, we've discussed only using very small fish. I'll get more marbled hatchets, use the black neon tetras I've already got (and increase their numbers), and get some salt & pepper corys for the bottom. All fish are around 3cm, should look more in proportion to each other, and more in proportion to the delicate planting.  :)
@Matt  I've also changed to an FX4 filter, but with wider nozzles on the output, so I won't blast the hatchets out of the water, an don't have to think about where to site a spray bar in this tank. Is there anything else I need to do with this tank and/or the planting before we start thinking about adding fish?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on January 26, 2019, 05:53:15 PM
The tiger barb tank does look great - well done, and the lighting looks a lot more natural than my fluorescent tube. :cheers:  [If/when I ever convert over to LEDs, then I'll maybe given live plantkeeping another go then, given that Littlefish is attributing her better results with plants to the LEDs.]

I've hunted for the tiger barbs. I think I can make out 10 with an additional 5 likely-wishful-thinking blurs that I'm trying to convince myself must be some of the others.  :D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on January 26, 2019, 05:58:47 PM
Tree stump tank looks really lovely too.

I also need to confess that I'd incorrectly calculated the volume of my tank, and always though it was a slim-line tank with a volume of a maximum 140L. It isn't, it is standard depth, with a max. volume of 220L. After planting etc. the volume is actually 170L
At this point, a smile broke out as I read this, as I knew what this meant.  ;D  I agree that having fish of similar proportion to one another and also to the decor of the tank is important.  Would love to read how you get on with the habrosus cories that you're proposing which are lovely - very envious.
 8)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 26, 2019, 09:03:51 PM
The tiger barbs are a bit easier to photograph from the end of the tank, though even then they are still a bit of a blur @fcmf

As for the smaller cories, it will also help that I now have the Pozzani filter to reduce the GH as well as the nitrites in that tank.  :)

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 08:04:09 PM
@Matt  I've also changed to an FX4 filter, but with wider nozzles on the output, so I won't blast the hatchets out of the water, an don't have to think about where to site a spray bar in this tank. Is there anything else I need to do with this tank and/or the planting before we start thinking about adding fish?

Looking at the tank now (and I must admit I'm a bit of a fan of what I'm about to suggest... just look at my photos in the gallery section... what would you think to doing a vallis background? The back potentially looks quite bare...

The more this tank gets the better it will look  :cheers:

I'd love to see an up close photo of the marsilea hirsuta as you often fave about it and must admit I'm getting quite jealous that I can't find any locally!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 08:06:07 PM
@Matt the sagittaria subulata path suffered with the flourescent tubes, and being shaded by the crypts. Now the lights have changed & I've trimmed the crypts I'll probably plant a few more sag towards the back of the "path". Is there anything else you can see that I need to do with this tank?

Nope! You've done a great job with this tank  :cheers:

My only suggestion is how about some taller stem plants in the rear corners? Up to you entirely... it looks great  :afro
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 29, 2019, 08:31:50 PM
Here is a closer picture of the marsilea hirsuta. I've not had any luck with carpeting plants previously, but the ones that you suggested for this tank appear to all be doing well. The M. hirsuta is my favourite just because the leaves are so pretty.  :)
I see what you mean about the back looking a bit bare. I'm a bit torn because I think the black neon tetras will look good against the black, but I also think the tetras and hatchets will all appreciate some taller plants, even with the floating plants. Let me have a think about some options.

As for the tiger barb tank, there are some baby echinodorus magdalensis in the back right corner, but they will take a while to grow in. Do you think tall stem plants in both corners, behind the E. magdalensis?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 08:40:04 PM
Ahh yes I forgot about the echinodorus in the corners. They will do the job nicely  :cheers:

Great closeup photo. That mixed carpet looks great and the M. Hirsuta does indeed look fab  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 29, 2019, 09:15:31 PM
I've had a quick look through what I have in the spare plant tank.
I have a couple of bunches of quite nice twisted vallis, and one bunch of giant vallis.
I also have a few stems of the H. difformis left. I'm going to put a piece near the front right hand side of the left hand tree stump as I think that was in your original drawings, and it might have been shifted during my heavy handed trimming & thinning of plants, but if you think we can use more of it then there is some available.

What do you think?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 09:23:15 PM
Ahh sorry I've just re-read my post above... I mean to say the more *mature* this tank gets the better it will look... So, up to you on the difformis. If you have some, plonk it in and see how it looks?... the luxary of having a tank just dedicated to spwre plants!!! I can only imagine the fun I would have!!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 29, 2019, 09:35:43 PM
I admit that the plant tank is quite a luxury, and it's great to have somewhere to put the plants taken out when stripping down a tank to re-work.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on January 29, 2019, 09:37:48 PM
Don't worry we'll have it aquascaped in no time!!!  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on January 29, 2019, 10:21:49 PM
Don't worry we'll have it aquascaped in no time!!!  :rotfl:

Yeah, if I don't find some new fish to put in it first.  :rotfl:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 05, 2019, 02:45:44 PM
Well, the tree stump tank is finished, and I went to MA to get some fish today. I got marbled hatchets, black neon tetras, and salt & pepper cories. They are settling into the tank as I type.  :)
I have some hatchets & tetras in another tank, so they will be moved when the new ones have finished their quarantine period.
Also, there were only 4 S&P cories in stock, so I've asked if they can order some more and will increase the numbers within the next few months.
I've attached a pic of the tank taken yesterday, and will post pics of the new fish in a day or so, when everyone has settled.
Thanks @Matt for your awesome design skills.  :cheers:  and seeing the S&P cories in the tank, we were right to go with tiny fish.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on February 05, 2019, 05:56:36 PM
Wow - that tank is absolutely stunningly gorgeous, so well done to both @Littlefish and @Matt !

Very excited to read about the new fish - how many marbled hatchets and black neons are there?  What type of tetras in the other tank will be moved across? 

Very much looking forward to seeing photos of your new fish, especially the adorable S&P cories.
 :fishy1: :fishy1: :fishy1: :fishy1:

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 05, 2019, 07:01:48 PM
Thanks @fcmf   :)

I'm so impressed with Matt's aquascaping design skills, plant knowledge, and patience. He's been great at explaining what needs doing, and why, and this is the outcome. I love it.  ;D

All the fish I bought today have gone into that tank, and the others will join them when their quarantine is complete. There are 10 marbled hatchets, 15 black neon tetras, and 4 salt & pepper corydoras. I have more marbled hatchets and black neon tetras in another tank, and I have a 60L quarantine tanks set up for the rest of the S&P cory and some shrimp, that I hope to pick up by the end of the week. Everyone should be fine to join the others in the main tank early March.

I've got the very dark blue light on in the tank at the moment, and still couldn't resist taking some pictures. The S&P cory are tiny (approx. 1cm), and adorable (I can't wait to get some more), and the tiny silver dots in the second picture are the marbled hatchets who have all formed a group at the top, facing the water flow.  :fishy1:

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on February 05, 2019, 07:11:50 PM
That's fantastic - and thanks so much for sharing these photos as an interim measure until further photos can be taken once they've settled in and in brighter lighting. (I did wonder how I was going to manage to wait until then!)  A very exciting day!
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on February 05, 2019, 09:09:37 PM
Here's an instagram'd photo Donna... as soon to be uploaded to my site for the world to see  :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 05, 2019, 09:21:06 PM
I showed some pics to the guys at MA when I went to get the fish. They especially liked your carpeting plants.  :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on February 05, 2019, 09:40:09 PM
I showed some pics to the guys at MA when I went to get the fish. They especially liked your carpeting plants.  :cheers:

Second shot added showing the carpeting plants  :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 06, 2019, 08:30:32 AM
Just a quick pic of the salt & pepper corydoras this morning, to keep @fcmf going until I can put some lights on in the tank this evening.  ;)
The fish seem to be doing ok, exploring the tank, and settling in.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 06, 2019, 07:18:55 PM
A few more pics of the fish in their new tank. The last pic even has a salt & pepper cory in the bottom right corner.  :)
The fish are still settling in, and I'm still adjusting the water flow and lighting, but we'll get there eventually.
There are more fish to go into the tank, just increasing the numbers of the current species, and I hope to get some shrimp too.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on February 06, 2019, 09:21:33 PM
Great pics, both this morning's and this evening's - much appreciated.
 :cheers:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 07, 2019, 09:59:01 AM
At this time of year, when the sun is low in the sky, I don't fully open some of the curtains until later in the day, to avoid direct sunlight on the tank.
This morning I opened the curtains fully to take a pic of the tank, and see the sun shining off the hatchets and tetras.  :)

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on February 07, 2019, 07:14:34 PM
The hatchets are fascinating fish - lovely to see them in their glory like that, and look forward to seeing even clearer pictures of them in due course. The black neons almost look blue/green in that light.  Ooooh - I think I see a couple of S&Ps... both on the RHS, one under the filter and one near the substrate, perhaps?

 :fishy1:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 14, 2019, 10:28:13 AM
When your gobies are enjoying the sunshine in their quarantine tank.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Kwhite on February 14, 2019, 06:49:59 PM
Wow llittlefish I've just discovered this page with all your tanks they are absolutely gorgeous the plants and decor look lovely I'm so jealous :)
 I have also seen your bn plecs they are beautiful
So you call Bertie a yellow bn plec is that what my Maurice is cause when my dad got them they called them albino ???
Also what are the backgrounds on your South American and tiger barb tank which are stunning :)
 I'm having real bother with keeping a backing on one of my tanks I think because the bedroom is so warm it is just coming away and its got so crinkley and dried out it won't lay flat anymore
Sorry to bombard you lol  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 14, 2019, 07:41:40 PM
Thanks.  ;D
I admit that I've got a bit carried away with my tanks, but there are so many lovely fish.
My male BN, Bertie, has got dark eyes, and a proper albino, like your Maurice, tends to have pale/red eyes.
The backgrounds on the tanks you mention, and all current tanks, are those plastic one's that are stuck on. I use a combination of double-sided tape around the edges, and the Jewel poster fix to keep the background attached. I admit that it had taken me a long time, many backgrounds, and a lot of smoothing out with a credit card to get the backgrounds as flat as they are, and I still get bubbles in them. I find that as soon as there is a crease or any crinkling, the background won't sit flat. I've tried so many different backgrounds in my tanks, including 3D/textured ones inside the tanks, and they've all had their problems.
 :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Kwhite on February 14, 2019, 08:33:53 PM
Ah I understand now about the bn plecs it's all in those beautiful eye's lol  :D
I gave up on the background and now have a grey towel draped down the back and it actually looks surprisingly okay lol ;D
It makes the Wcmm stand out more than the new blue background i got   :)
I nearly got my 2ft tank outta the garage tday after seeing all your tanks.
 I have an alcove in my dinning room where it would sit perfectly ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on February 14, 2019, 08:52:16 PM
Uh-oh, it sounds as though we have a second Littlefish in the making  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on February 14, 2019, 09:42:27 PM
 :rotfl:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 14, 2019, 09:59:15 PM
 :rotfl:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 15, 2019, 08:37:33 AM
I'm going to Kesgrave Tropicals today to get some more salt & pepper corydoras, some shrimp, and some snails for the forest floor tank.
I've only set up one quarantine tank, so I can't buy anything else (just in case my will power wavers).  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 15, 2019, 03:54:32 PM
Mission accomplished.
I also got a few more marbled hatchets for that tank.
All have been acclimatised to the quarantine tank and seem to be making themselves at home.
The shrimp I bought were bumble bee shrimp. They are tiny little things, and very cute.
The snails are sort of dark olive/black(ish) horned nerites.
I got lots of S&P cories, and I can't wait until they've all completed their quarantine period so that they can join the others in the main tank.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on February 15, 2019, 07:53:49 PM
Uh-oh, it sounds as though we have a second Littlefish in the making  ;D
:rotfl:
How exciting that would be.  ;D

Mission accomplished.
I also got a few more marbled hatchets for that tank.
All have been acclimatised to the quarantine tank and seem to be making themselves at home.
The shrimp I bought were bumble bee shrimp. They are tiny little things, and very cute.
The snails are sort of dark olive/black(ish) horned nerites.
I got lots of S&P cories, and I can't wait until they've all completed their quarantine period so that they can join the others in the main tank.  :)
Brilliant - love these updates and look forward to seeing pics during quarantine and once everyone is united together in the main tank.
 ;D

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on February 15, 2019, 08:33:28 PM
Also looking forward to lots of photos! Those shrimp look ace!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 15, 2019, 08:41:39 PM
The shrimp are so tiny I might struggle to get some pictures, even in the quarantine tank, but I'll see what I can do. I've only got 10 at the moment, but hoping they may consider breeding in the main tank.

I can't stop playing with the community creator as I try to decide what stock to put into some of the other tanks.  ::)

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 22, 2019, 05:21:02 PM
The salt & pepper corydoras in the quarantine tank seem to be getting the hang of mini wafers.
Managed to get a shrimp in shot as well.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on February 22, 2019, 05:27:27 PM
Oooooooh - how absolutely gorgeous!  :afro  :fishy1:  :fishy1:  :fishy1:
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 22, 2019, 10:15:16 PM
Also got a shot of one of the mudskippers at dinner time.
I've cropped the pic and put it alongside a picture taken April 2017 (on left).
The mudskippers have grown a bit longer, but have also got a lot stockier at the front end, and are now much deeper than their feeding bowls.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on February 22, 2019, 10:58:59 PM
Cute cories  :fishy1:

And giant mudskippers!! Great that you have this record of their growth... they are clearly enjoying their home  :D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on February 23, 2019, 08:50:34 AM
I did end up spending quite a bit of time yesterday scrolling through previous posts and looking and old pictures of tanks & fish. I thoroughly enjoyed it.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on June 14, 2019, 08:16:51 AM
A very quick update.

Dwarf puffers have been moved. The only down side is that they are now in a tank next to my preferred arm chair. It's lovely to watch them, but very difficult to ignore them begging for food. Hopefully they will get used to this new arrangement, and spend more time pottering around the tank than begging, because those adorable little faces are very difficult to resist.  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on June 14, 2019, 02:23:22 PM
Goodness - I see what you mean.  There's absolutely no way that I could resist feeding that cutie if s/he were to peer out from the plants like that - even more difficult to resist than puppy-dog eyes!  [I take it the dwarf puffers' move to the tank next to your preferred armchair was a strategic move rather than coincidental. ;)]

Well done on the mudskippers' development.  :cheers:

May I ask how the salt & pepper cories are doing? I've read of folk having difficulty with them and so was intrigued to know whether you were having any success?

 
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on June 14, 2019, 06:24:44 PM
Feeding time involves a dash towards the top left hand side of the tank, close to the hole in the lid.
The relocation of the fish is part of the general chaos/reorganisation. My dining table is now clear and available for use, for the first time in well over a year.

I'll try to post some pics of the tank that contains the S&P cories over the weekend, when I'm cleaning it. I've had a couple of losses, which is more than I would have expected. The marbled hatchets and black neon tetras are active and perky, but I have my concerns about the cories. They are pottering around the tank, and eating, but just don't seem as perky as the other fish. I'm not convinced that I have the water flow right in that tank, so I'll do some adjustments during cleaning/maintenance, and see if that helps.  :-\
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 06, 2019, 10:15:15 AM
I started this thread a long time ago with this confession:
My name is Donna, and I'm a fish addict.  :)
Tanks have completely taken over the living/dining room, and have expanded into the hallway and spare bedroom (downstairs).


It's time for another confession.
Due to the imminent start of a new job, and the very likely prospect of having to relocate within the next 12 months, I'm in the process of reducing the number of tanks that I own.  :o

It's a big step for me, but I won't have the time to look after the huge number of tanks I currently have. Sometimes other aspects of life have to take priority, and a good dose of common sense smacks you in the face.

Technically I will admit that I am cheating slightly. Earlier this year I bought some larger tanks, so my plan is to combine some of the stock from smaller tanks into these larger tanks. I don't plan to get rid of any of my fish or amphibians, but am aiming for significantly less tanks.

I will be keeping several of the empty tanks to help with relocation as necessary, but this is such a big change for me, and I'll probably have a massive struggle with not buying any new fish.  :-[

Still, I'm sure that this is a situation that many people face at some point, even if not quite on the same scale, so I thought I'd share whatever I end up going through. More to follow as and when.  :)






Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 06, 2019, 10:07:24 PM
I'm no good at taking pics of fish on my phone, but it's always nice to see that a baby is growing up and getting out with the others.

As a treat most of the fish had a bloodworm feed yesterday. Today I have noticed that the peru gold stripe corys in Bertie the BNs tank have been "quite busy", and have laid several small clusters of eggs on the glass. I really must remember not to do a water change & bloodworm feed within 24 hours of each other. Still, I'd be quite happy for a couple of these to survive.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Fishbeard on July 06, 2019, 11:02:00 PM
Good luck with the hatchlings. I see some Panda Cories in the photo, which I find funny because pretty much everything is a breeding trigger for mine. Water change? Lay some eggs. Seasonal weather change? Eggs. Frozen food day? Eggs. If I look at them funny they'll probably start breeding... good job the tank lights are out!

I started with six almost two years ago and periodically take the babies that survive down to the LFS. At one point I found I actually had 13 in the tank when some had taken to hiding out of view. >_>
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 07, 2019, 05:55:54 AM
I had no idea that the pandas had laid eggs a while back, there wasn't anything on the glass. I find very new cory hatchlings look a bit like a small fish pooh, but with a sense of direction. Usually noticing eggs makes me take a lot more care when syphoning the substrate, but the little one in the picture just appeared out of nowhere one day. Must have been hiding in the plants. Now it's a bit bigger it seems to spend more time out with the others.

The peru gold stripes are in the other bristlenose tank. They've laid eggs previously, but the eggs have been eaten. I don't tend to make the effort to breed fish on purpose, and usually leave eggs in the tank and let nature take it's course. Well, except with the bristlenose plecs, where I eventually separated them into different tanks, and took all the offspring to the LFS.  ::)

The male gold stripes were pursuing one of the females most of yesterday. Even at feeding time they continued, apart from one male who broke off for a quick munch on an algae wafer before continuing. I guess he had to make sure he kept his strength up.  :rotfl:





Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 07, 2019, 06:10:32 PM
Well, as expected, all the peru gold stripe cory eggs are gone. In a tank with a plec, corydoras, tetras, shrimp, and snails, the chance of eggs surviving more than 24 hours is always unlikely. Oh well.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Fishbeard on July 07, 2019, 07:28:31 PM
Hardly a surprise, but still a shame.

Glad to see I'm not the only "let nature take its course" person on here with regard to the eggs. I always felt slightly guilty about it, but I try to be as little involved in the lives of my fish as possible. Let them live as naturally as they can...
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on July 07, 2019, 07:41:35 PM
My rice fish breed constantly. It is quite obvious with these fish as the eggs stick to the female's vent until they get scraped off as they swim though the plants. I don't bother to look for the eggs and they must be eaten as I've never found a fry in this tank.


But a previous betta was incredibly laid back, and I used to take bits of water sprite from the main tank as it didn't do well in the betta's tank and needed replacing on a regular basis. There must have been eggs attached to the water sprite as I had a total of 4 rice fry appear in the betta's tank - which he compeletely ignored.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 07, 2019, 08:12:42 PM
If I didn't let nature take it's course I can't imagine how many fry I'd end up with from the tanks. The bristlenose plecs alone can churn out a substantial batch of eggs every month if left together in the same tank.  :o

Wow Sue, fry in a betta tank, he must have been a very laid back chap. Nice to have a few little ones swimming around occasionally though.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 13, 2019, 09:06:18 AM
Big day yesterday, I spent all day setting up the aqua Oak 150 in the living room so I could move the river fish back to their original location.
I spent a considerable amount to time in the cabinet, poking hoses up the back of the tank, and fitting an FX6 and 2 FX4 filters.
I had stored the original river rock in a stack box, so after a quick rinse it was placed in the tank, along with lots of wood, anubias, and bucephalandra.
The actual catching/relocating the fish was traumatic for all involved, and I finally sat down at around 8.30pm. I think we all deserved a quiet evening after that.
Its not really possible to aquascape the tank as such. The water flow is very strong, and the bottom feeders are constantly shifting the sand, which is why I only have plants attached to wood. The anubias was a more recent addition as I was temporarily storing some (intended for the axolotls) in their other tank, and found that the garras and loaches had taken a shine to resting on the leaves. Sorry axolotls, but your plants have been stolen by the fish now.
I'll leave the fish settle for a few days, then I'll need to do some minor adjustments. Today I'll be clearing out the Aqua Oak 120 that the river fish were in. The plan is to get it ready for some South American fish that are currently in the living room, which will then free up enough space for the new mudskipper set up. I'm aching quite a bit from all the lifting and shifting required yesterday, so I'm not sure I'll get everything done today, but I'll try.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on July 13, 2019, 09:04:57 PM
Hopefully you are now enjoying a nice relaxing evening after a successful day Donna....
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 13, 2019, 09:22:08 PM
Generally successful day, and now enjoying having the fish back in their correct tank.
The bulldog plecs have been having regular tussles over who sits on which rock. Everyone is finding their way around the tank, and there's still a lot of activity around the cucumber/algae wafer combo. I can't stop watching them.  ;D

Tomorrow I need to rinse some more sand, then I'll have time to look at moving the sand & manzanita from the Roma 200 to the Aqua Oak 120.  :)

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Sue on July 14, 2019, 11:31:13 AM
Do you ever get time to just sit down and watch your fish  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 14, 2019, 12:29:38 PM
 :rotfl:

Thankfully, yes Sue, though I admit that when I sit down to watch tv I spend most of the time listening to the tv & watching the fish.  ;D

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on July 14, 2019, 12:33:53 PM
I will be keeping several of the empty tanks to help with relocation as necessary, but this is such a big change for me, and I'll probably have a massive struggle with not buying any new fish.  :-[
By this, do you mean you're planning to take some tanks with you for your new abode, or did you mean using tank to store light-weight items in for moving? Hopefully you will have some tanks at your new abode as it will no doubt be a shock to the system to have been surrounded by ~17 tanks to suddenly having 0 - and we wouldn't want you getting withdrawal symptoms!  ;)

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on July 14, 2019, 12:34:31 PM
:rotfl:
Thankfully, yes Sue, though I admit that when I sit down to watch tv I spend most of the time listening to the tv & watching the fish.  ;D
Ditto!  ;D
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 14, 2019, 12:43:20 PM
@fcmf the plan for relocation would be to temporarily move the fish out of their current tanks, into the smaller tanks, and leave them here. That would give me a chance to strip down the larger tanks, move them to a new abode, and set them up again. I can then go back to collect the fish, drive them to their new location, and acclimatise them back to their "normal" tanks.

It's going to be a massive upheaval, and very stressful for all involved, but I think that this plan is pretty much as good as it gets.

I couldn't possibly imagine not having my tanks as and when I have to relocate.  :o
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on July 14, 2019, 02:32:36 PM
I can't tell you how very relieved I am to read this - you would definitely be like a fish out of water if you were minus any tanks in your new location!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on July 14, 2019, 09:57:18 PM
Is the tap water similar where you'll be moving to?
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on July 15, 2019, 07:13:14 AM
Yes, it is, in fact it's a little bit softer, which will be better. That was one of the first things I checked.  ;D
The water here is 17dH, nitrates 40ppm.
The water in the relocation area is 15dH, and nitrates 37ppm.
So I'll still be using my nitrate filters, but won't need to use as much RO for the river tank, etc.
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on October 06, 2019, 09:31:22 PM
Trying to get the gang used to having pics taken.  :)
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on October 07, 2019, 03:18:54 AM
Finding myself very jealous of the panda garra and hillstream loach shot.  I really want to do a temperate hillstream set up and a)wish the panda garra would be ok in cooler temperatures b)really want to find out more about your experience with the hillstream loaches 're flow and temperature requirements!?  So much conflicting info out there!

Keep those photos coming!!!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on October 07, 2019, 11:00:47 AM
The sewellia lineolata are the fish that I fell for after getting my first fish (v. platies & zebra danios from P&H) and starting to look at what other fish could be kept in a home aquarium. It took me a while to get them, as I kept being distracted by other things, but those were the fish that drove the entire set up of the river tank. The markings, colours, and adorable (if slightly sad looking) little faces are lovely, though they are also entertaining characters, and their feisty tussles over a favourite rock are amazing.
Yes, I'm still totally smitten with them.

Currently my river tank is an Aqua Oak 150D, so approx 145cm by 55cm footprint. I've previously had a river manifold in the tank (powered by an external pump), but it now just has one Fluval FX6 and 2 FX4 filters. I may go back to the river manifold plus external filters in the future. I don't have a heater, and the tank generally runs around 22C. This is also one of the tanks where I use a mix of RO/tap water to reduce the hardness slightly (to around 14).

I bought a couple of panda garra, but most of my gang were from someone who was keeping them in a discuss tank and wanted to get rid of them. Discuss tank to temperate river tank is quite a difference in both temperature and water flow.

The specific hillstream loaches I wanted were eventually tracked down to Kesgrave Tropicals, which is only an hour drive from me. The owner was great about giving background information, how long they'd been in the shop, and feeding them while I was there to show that they were settled & eating - all things I'd read about being good signs with these fish. I've always had them in a river style temperate tank and the water flow has always been fairly strong. During the summer I had issues with temperature increase, and I do have a spare chiller unit which I'll probably set up on the river tank as part of the next move.

The mix of fish & shrimp in this tank makes for a very active and entertaining set up (she says as she's watching 2 panda garras having a nap in the leaves of the large anubias gracilis).

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: fcmf on October 07, 2019, 04:13:59 PM
Brilliant photos!  8)  :afro  :cheers:

Also, really lovely to read the background stories of some of the fish.

Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Matt on October 07, 2019, 08:14:25 PM
Oh dear... I suspect I'm about to get bitten by the hillstream loach bug...

I'm planning a pair in a 45 litre tank with no heater. I'm not sure how far the temperature might drop but I can see it getting down to 17 or 18 degrees which some sites say is ok for them others say it isn't... i could add a nano 10w heater for cold winter nights though to mitigate this if needed... I'm also unsure of the tank size. It would an a shallow river tank though - footprint 70 by 25 cm. I really have no idea if this is ok for 2.... other than it feels ok... much much more research required as the answers aren't exactly clear nor easy to find with this species.

A biotope tank with hidden river manifold system, for them and a small shoal of white cloud mountain minnows is well into detailed planning.  I just wish they were more reliable and detailed info on these fish!!
Title: Re: Multi-Tank syndrome - confessions of an MTS sufferer by Littlefish
Post by: Littlefish on October 07, 2019, 08:47:30 PM
 :rotfl:

They are unusual fish, and very attractive. They'd look lovely with a shoal of WCMM.

The hong kong plecs are similar (beaufortia rather than sewellia) but they get a bit bigger and are a bit darker. There are a few other types as well, but I don't know them all. I've seen the beaufortia in my local MA, as well as in an independent shop in Cardiff, but I still prefer the sewellia lineolata.

Some sites say a 75cm tank is fine for a group of 6, so 2 should be fine in a 70cm tank. They are quite easy to sex, so you could choose a male & female. You may even be able to consider a larger group, perhaps up to 6, and choose 2 males and the rest females. The females seem quite sociable, and my males only seem to tussle at certain times. Everyone seems to get along at feeding time, especially when there is cucumber involved.

It's also fascinating to see their undersides when they are on the glass. I thoroughly recommend them (though admit that I'm biased).